10 Weirdest Boss Fight Gimmicks

Key Takeaways

South Park: Stick of Truth’s Underpants Warlock fight is hilarious but icky.
Zora Magdaros in Monster Hunter World offers a unique battle atop a colossal Elder Dragon.
Far Cry 4 can be beaten within 20 minutes if you know how.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say these boss battles truly take the cake! Each one is as unique as they come and has left an indelible mark on the gaming world.

In games, we always look forward to challenging boss battles. However, the ones that truly stand out are those that have the courage to take a unique approach.

Looking for battles against memorable bosses that will stick in your mind? Here’s a list featuring some with unique twists and tricks that will linger in your thoughts even after the final curtain falls.

Amongst numerous epic clashes that could’ve graced this roster, I’ve deliberately zeroed in on those encounters where you need to deviate from the routine mechanical aspects of gaming.

10 Underpants Warlock

South Park: Stick of Truth

Stick of Truth” is an exceptional turn-based role-playing game with unexpectedly entertaining situations, surpassing all expectations it may have had.

The Underpants Warlock is an unforgettable encounter for the grossest reasons. For starters, you’re fighting on your parent’s bed… while they are having sex.

As for the gimmicks, they are unique, to say the least.

As a fan, you’ll occasionally find yourself dodging various body parts in an exhilarating dance of combat, using Quick Time Events (QTEs) to keep the action exciting and unpredictable. I won’t spoil the specifics for you, but rest assured that these unexpected maneuvers will leave a lasting impression!

If you successfully time the Quick Time Events (QTEs), your character gracefully navigates around barriers. However, if you miss, there’s a chance you’ll end up with an unexpected close encounter – a rather large and unwelcome impact.

9 Zora Magdaros

Monster Hunter World

Zora Magdaros, an immense Elder Dragon, is too colossal to engage in standard combat scenarios.

In the game Monster Hunter World, there are quite a few distinctive monsters, but the Zora Magdaros stands out due to its immense size. You fight this behemoth not once, but twice, and each battle features distinct strategies and mechanics.

In the initial battle, you find yourself almost battling the terrain itself, as the Elder Dragon is so colossal that it feels like I’m contending with the ground under my feet.

During your second meeting, it’s crucial that you drive back the creature using powerful siege equipment, then descend to deal the final blow.

Although it’s a spectacular sight, I must confess that I dislike this entire interaction because I can’t describe what Zora Magdaros looks like. However, it’s an impressive fight, and there’s nothing quite as unique in Monster Hunter World.

8 Kazuma Kiryu

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Kiryu serves as the cherished main character in the Yakuza series and puts in a powerful performance as a tough boss in the side story titled, “Ichiro Ishimoto’s Turnabout.

In me, as a dedicated fan, I can attest to the fact that Kiryu is exceptionally tough, yet there’s a gentleness about him that sets him apart. Not once will you ever see him resorting to violence against women, and this noble trait adds an intriguing twist to his character in Yakuza: Like A Dragon.

In this game, you’ll be playing as Ichiban, and the fights are turn-based, allowing you to manage a team. Notably, if there are any female characters in your group, Kiryu will always prioritize targeting the male enemies instead of them.

The downside to this is you instantly lose if Ichiban falls. If your party is mostly girls, you’re in for one hell of a fight.

7 Flowey

Undertale

In many Role-Playing Games (RPGs), nothing keeps you as alert as Undertale. However, the encounter with Flowey is so extraordinary that it’s scarcely possible to anticipate or prepare for it.

Flowey serves as the final adversary in the game “Undertale,” showcasing an intimidating formidable presence. It’s equipped with an array of powerful attacks, ranging from devastating nuclear explosions, piercing laser beams, all the way down to unexpected ballet slippers.

The battle features intense, rapid-fire gameplay dynamics (often referred to as “bullet-hell mechanics”) and offers a drastic departure from the slow, strategic turn-based combats you’re accustomed to. In this frenetic clash, there’s no room for contemplation; instead, you’re thrown into a relentless, breakneck encounter that will swiftly deplete your health gauge unless you can master the patterns of the fight.

By the way, if you should happen to lose on your PC, Flowey has the power to forcefully close the game altogether. Now isn’t that a little jab?

Man, there’s simply no game quite like Undertale, and best of all, it’s absolutely free if you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber!

6 Scarecrow

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Batman excels in close combat and is highly skilled at dealing lethal blows, but one villain specifically employs a gas with mind-altering properties to keep things evenly matched.

In the game “Batman: Arkham Asylum“, it’s widely agreed that one of the most striking adversaries is likely Scarecrow, given his numerous impressive and memorable confrontations.

Instead of relying on brawls, it would be wiser to move stealthily and avoid Scarecrow’s view if you wish to make it through alive. These parts are tricky because they require a lot of intricate platforming, and Scarecrow’s gaze is constantly moving quickly.

In the Batman Arkham series, there are many outstanding boss battles, but they reached their zenith with these remarkable scenes where the Dark Knight is transformed from a hunter into hunted.

5 Pagan Min

Far Cry 4

Say what you like about the Far Cry games, but they absolutely nail charismatic villains.

In the game Far Cry 4, Pagan Min is the primary adversary who persistently pursues you across the entire storyline. Yet, imagine my surprise when I say it’s possible to resolve that struggle in just the opening 15 minutes!

In the story, you assume the role of Ajay Ghale, embarking on a journey to dispersed your mother’s ashes in the make-believe land of Kyrat. During the opening sequence, Pagan Min captures you and transports you to his grand Royal Palace. As the evening unfolds, you dine with him, but secretly plan to escape when he departs.

If you choose to wait for around 15 minutes, Pagan Min reappears, appreciates your patience, aids in scattering the ashes, and concludes the game.

Man, the moment I stumbled upon this part in the game, my mind was truly blown! It’s an extraordinary Easter egg, something truly special that you wouldn’t expect to find. Technically, it isn’t a typical boss battle, but the craziness of this encounter is hard to beat.

4 The End

Metal Gear Solid 3

This entire list could easily be just Metal Gear Solid bosses, but for fairness, we only have two.

In Metal Gear Solid 3, The End is an extraordinarily skilled sniper who is well over a century old. His marksmanship with a rifle is unrivaled, and he won’t hesitate to attack you if you have the audacity to save your game in the forest where he roams.

This supervisor is included in the list as his extensive experience could potentially work against him. With time, The End might succumb to old age, eliminating any future encounters altogether!

Indeed, that’s correct! You can conquer The End without needing to fire a single bullet, and it adds an insane twist to a game that is already brimming with mysteries and hidden gems.

3 Odin

Final Fantasy XIV

Many bosses in Final Fantasy XIV could have made this list, but Odin is too unique to pass up.

Odin, a formidable world boss, can appear unpredictably across the game map. Unlike other bosses, there’s neither a timer nor a fixed spot where he’ll show up. Instead, you’ll recognize his presence by the sudden change in the weather condition.

A multitude of players will be eager to join forces against Odin. Initially, the battle seems simple, but when Odin reaches a minuscule amount of health, things get intense. Once his Zantetsuken attack is activated, anyone in proximity perishes instantly.

Should this event transpire, Odin nonchalantly departs on his steed, abandoning a battlefield strewn with fallen warriors. However, the most amusing twist unfolds when Odin himself is vanquished. Upon his return, he assumes the likeness of whoever dealt the final blow.

This bizarre quirk is even funnier if that player is a Lalafel!

2 Crayk, Bane of Courage

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Many outstanding games played on the Nintendo DS fully exploit the platform’s distinctive two-screen layout.

In the game “The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass“, an impressive boss encounter is masterfully executed where the formidable crab character, Crayk, is encountered. Interestingly, Crayk’s eyes are a vulnerable spot, yet he possesses the ability to become invisible. However, there’s a clever way around this challenge.

Through the upper display screen during combat, you experience it as if you’re looking through Crayk’s eyes. By utilizing both screens, you can maneuver into an advantageous spot and inflict damage on yourself, effectively causing harm.

It’s a bizarre fight, but the mechanics work remarkably well, and it’s a genius way to use multiple screens in an engaging encounter.

1 Psycho Mantis

Metal Gear Solid

The Metal Gear Solid series is renowned for its unique, larger-than-life collection of remarkable characters and adversaries.

Psycho Mantis stands out uniquely compared to others due to his exceptional mechanisms. Just as his name suggests, he’s a psychic with the ability to peer into minds.

He is well-versed in predicting your actions just before you take them, leaving you no room to fire at him. He can effortlessly recall details from your saved progress in various games, a skill that remains impressive to this day.

What really matters is that Psycho Mantis isn’t peeking into your thoughts; instead, he’s tapping into your gaming console’s ports. By switching your controller to Port 2, you disrupt his psychic link, giving you a fairer chance in the game.

Without a doubt, this battle stands out as one of the most legendary among the most renowned boss fights in video games. It remains deeply etched in memory when played on its original hardware.

2024-10-31 18:09