Hardest Final Bosses of All Time

The toughest final bosses from video games, which are notorious for their challenging nature, tend to provoke diverse reactions. This could be due to the strategies employed in the battle or simply because of their extreme difficulty, leaving players defeated time and again.

In your adventure, whether you’re tackling Soulsborne game boss fights or confronting the final adversaries in Yakuza, it’s not a complete portrayal of your experience if the toughest challenge on your path isn’t both challenging and, at times, infuriatingly difficult.

On your journey, whether you’re battling Soulsborne game bosses or taking on Yakuza final bosses, it won’t feel like a true representation of your experience unless the hardest part of that journey isn’t the most demanding and, at times, frustratingly difficult.

Here’s a list I’ve curated, showcasing the toughest final bosses I’ve ever encountered, some of which have earned infamous reputations within their gaming communities due to their challenging nature, leaving an indelible mark on gamers for decades.

12. The Devil

Cuphead

The side-scrolling shoot ’em up style of play in Cuphead is well-known for causing widespread fear, as even with the game’s excellent quality and my own fondness for it, the battles against the bosses in this game are nothing to underestimate.

In the end, it applies to your last battle with The Devil too. It’s like a climactic boss encounter where you must defeat King Dice first, gaining victory over him being a requirement before taking on the final challenge, consolidating all the skills and lessons the game has imparted up until this point.

To easily outmaneuver this character who’s constantly launching attacks at you and attempting to splatter you, it’s crucial to consistently use the Spread gun accurately.

Initially, the process seems quite leisurely, but it’s the simultaneous handling of tasks during each combat stage that proves challenging. As for the second phase, staying synchronized with the two demons that appear simultaneously at opposite ends of the battlefield will be no easy feat.

11. Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!

When discussing the toughest video game final bosses, it’s essential not to overlook Mike Tyson from the “Punch-Out!!!” game on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

It was his relentless attacks and exceptional durability that made this character particularly intimidating in the 90s, as defeating him would mean a return to the lower ranks for the protagonist, Little Mac.

Fortunately for numerous individuals, this final boss came to be associated with a well-known cheat code – the legendary “007-373-5963” – which granted direct access to Tyson without having to confront anyone else. Although the boss battle remained challenging, it was at least possible to bypass the tiresome journey back to him.

Instead of facing another grueling battle through the entire league, this shortcut proved advantageous, allowing for a more concentrated effort in aiming for a knockout against Iron Mike.

10. Yang “The Leader”

Sifu

The Sifu challenge feels like an ultimate endurance trial for me. Although I haven’t pursued its Platinum Trophy just yet, I must acknowledge that the final boss, Yang, is no walk in the park and definitely deserves a place among the toughest final bosses.

The progression of the game’s aging feature and previous boss battles have been leading towards this final confrontation. The better you’ve grasped the combat system and strategies, the simpler it becomes to deplete his energy reserves and match his aggression.

However, despite putting forth your utmost effort, it might still not be sufficient due to Yang’s swift, agile pounce attacks and his second phase that demands impeccable reflexes to dodge his charged thrusts and sweeping movements with precision.

By the way, here’s a suggestion: Work on perfecting your parries as though they are crucial to your survival. While you may be able to escape by dodging, considering how drawn-out battles tend to become, it would be wiser to give it your all rather than relying solely on defense.

9. Ultimecia

Final Fantasy VIII

Regardless of opinions on its unique Junction System, it’s clear that Final Fantasy VIII is an excellent game for many reasons, as some might not initially realize.

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that despite investing ample time and effort to master the game, the ultimate challenge lies in the climactic battle against the formidable gothic sorceress Ultimecia. This final boss fight is arguably one of the toughest encounters in the series.

This character has four distinct aspects that could catch you off guard unless you prepare ahead. Her devastating move, Hell’s Judgment, can wipe you out in a heartbeat.

When selecting the toughest final boss in the game “Final Fantasy”, there are several factors to take into account. For instance, you might opt for the contemporary Sephiroth in “FF7 Rebirth”. However, I went with Ultimecia instead because she presents a significant increase in difficulty.

Of course, similar to any challenging boss battle, factors such as utilizing Zell’s damaged Limit Break, replenishing your Aura stacks, or simply ensuring you are well-prepared prior to engaging her can significantly reduce the difficulty level in this fight.

8. Sans

Undertale

In the game Undertale, Sans is undeniably the most challenging battle. He’s among the very few boss encounters in the game’s “Genocide” mode, a path where you deliberately set out to eliminate every single creature.

Regarding his gameplay style, it could be said that he largely disregards the standard rules of the game. Despite dealing minimal damage (only 1HP per strike), and having just 1HP himself, Sans has the ability to afflict an opponent with poison, gradually whittling down their health.

To defeat San, persistently aim for him but be prepared for him to evade each of your attacks. Engage him in conversation as you advance, since this increases the likelihood of emerging victorious.

During the battle, he’ll call upon various projectiles within the game interface, making it crucial for you to exercise caution while using the menus for healing or attacking during your turn. This fight is merciless and draining, guaranteeing a long, grueling experience that will consume at least several hours of your time.

7. Fiend Murai

Ninja Gaiden Sigma

In the last battle of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, you’ll face off against Murai once more – this villain being the same foe you encountered at the beginning of the game.

To serve the storyline, Murai taps into malevolent power, grows in size, and now carries an immense sword that boasts an impressive reach and devastating impact.

Incidentally, I feel compelled to bring your attention to an additional challenge: the challenging platforming segment prior to encountering him, which might significantly increase your annoyance level if you find this game’s erratic camera problematic.

As a boss, Murai’s pretty much the culmination of every human-style duel you’ve had so far.

To counterattack effectively, you should lure him into making the first move, thus creating an opening for your response. At some stage, you’ll need to trust the timing of Ryu’s Ninpo attacks to dodge a lethal single strike.

Murai boasts rapid, powerful combos and quick, heavy-hitting grabs. He serves as an unparalleled test for every major boss you’ve encountered in Ninja Gaiden Sigma so far, yet the battle remains incredibly enjoyable, no matter how tough it gets.

6. Shao Khan

Mortal Kombat (2011)

Being a longtime fan of the original Mortal Kombat games, my experience playing Mortal Kombat 9 was both enjoyable and frustrating, mainly due to the character Shao Khan.

As a gamer, I used to love diving into the story mode, but it eventually turned into a messy pool of time travel. What made it even more frustrating was that I never anticipated Shao Khan would mercilessly beat down my Liu Kang during our ultimate showdown.

Shao Khan exhibits an intensely hostile demeanor, and what adds to the frustration is his excessive strength in this game. He inflicts substantial damage with his regular attacks and employs strategies that can drive you to the edge of quitting due to their relentless annoyance.

As a gamer, I find that the best approach is to tread cautiously, biding my time until I spot a chance to strike with my projectiles or swift long-range moves. To be honest, his arcade version seems like your average bad guy, but the villain you encounter in story mode? Well, let’s just say it’s a far cry from a normal nightmare!

5. Vergil

Devil May Cry 3

The fellow who introduced the impending storm in video game meme lore should undeniably hold a top position among the toughest boss battles ever. There’s a clear explanation why I opted for DMC 3 Vergil over his contemporary version in DMC 5.

In the game “Devil May Cry 3,” Vergil serves as a significant test of your skills. You encounter him on two separate occasions prior to the ultimate showdown during the final mission.

During the final showdown, it’s best to employ your equipped fighting style against his swift assaults, all while effectively dodging his brutal Devil Trigger transformations.

Just as any typical hack-and-slash game, it’s fine if you find this challenging. If you’ve made it this far after your past encounters with Vergil, you should be able to overcome him with sufficient determination and concentration.

4. Nyx Avatar

Persona 3 FES

After experiencing nearly all versions of the game Persona 3, including Portable and the latest Reload, I’d say that the Nyx Avatar from the original/FES edition ranks among the toughest video game adversaries I’ve encountered.

The two primary aspects that add complexity to this battle are: firstly, you don’t have the power to dictate or manage the actions of your teammates, and secondly, Nyx goes through 14 distinct stages, each corresponding to the in-game Arcana.

It’s nerve-wracking the first time you realize you’ll be facing all different phases.

This fight is incredibly tough, demanding patience and a bit of luck with the random number generator for your teammates, making it a very tense and challenging boss battle that some might consider among the most stressful in JRPGs.

3. Absolute Radiance

Hollow Knight

In my view, this specific rendition of Radiance serves as the hidden ultimate foe you encounter in Hollow Knight, and I believe it’s one of the toughest final boss encounters across the entire Metroidvania genre.

As a devoted admirer, let me share my perspective: The Absolute Radiance surpasses the standard counterpart in both power and speed, making it an intimidating adversary. What truly stings is that this formidable foe serves as the ultimate challenge within the Pantheon of Hallownest – a grueling journey where one must vanquish no less than 42 bosses before standing victorious against the Absolute Radiance.

During the battle, multitasking reaches its peak because you must handle the vanishing platforms, incoming projectiles, and various assaults, all while inflicting sufficient damage to progress through the different stages simultaneously.

If by chance you exhaust all the available platforms, then you’d need to resort to the acrobatic move commonly referred to as the “Nail-jumping” or simply “Pogo-ing,” a term often used among Hollow Knight gamers.

If you succeed in finding her, I wish you good fortune. Should misfortune strike and you find yourself in this arduous trial once more, know that you’ll be returned to its start, given another opportunity to encounter this divine entity.

2. Isshin, The Sword Saint

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” has earned many praises, deservedly so, for its exceptional combat mechanics and the exceptional quality of its challenging boss battles. Particularly noteworthy is the climactic battle against Isshin.

In each stage, the Sword Saint Isshin progressively increases the difficulty by bestowing upon you his spear, pistol, and eventually, genuine lightning attacks.

While some might find his third phase comical due to his Lightning strikes targeting the posture gauge, his first and second phases can be harsh if you fail to keep up the pressure on him consistently.

The phrase “Hesitation is Defeat” from Sekiro in the gaming world has gained legendary status because to silence him, you need to focus intensely and perfect your timed parry moves to defeat him.

1. Promised Consort Radahn

Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

Indeed, it’s important to note that I’ve taken notice of the significant changes implemented in Consort Radahn following Elden Ring update 1.14, which have significantly revised his combat style and movements.

But it wasn’t enough to remove him from the list.

Initially after the release of the Elden Ring’s Erdtree DLC, Consort Radahn dominated the player community over the subsequent months due to his overwhelming power.

He is undoubtedly one of the most challenging bosses anyone has ever encountered. The initial phase requires precise dodging skills, while the subsequent phase unleashes a relentless series of attacks and area-of-effect explosions that could be devastating.

Regardless of whether you had a companion or summoned an NPC, the battle still felt overwhelmingly challenging, as if additional help merely magnified its difficulty.

Instead of relying on strategies such as the Impenetrable Thorns or going for a heavy-armored build with a big shield and repeatedly attacking, consider opting for tactics that preserve the excitement.

Hey there! You know, it’s not hard to envision the pride and satisfaction a player would feel if they faced a boss fight that was so imbalanced, they could boast about beating the original, unpatched version for years. And guess what? I’m one of those lucky folks who gets to say “I was there!” So yeah, I’ll be right up there with them, basking in my share of the glory.

2025-02-10 19:10