5 Best Resident Evil Bosses With Multiple Phases, Ranked

Summary

Multiple phase bosses in Resident Evil present unique challenges that grow progressively more terrifying.
Iconic bosses like Jack Baker, Nemesis, Bitores Mendez, and William Birkin offer unforgettable encounters.
The series’ commitment to compelling villains like Krauser showcases tense, unforgettable boss fights.

Since the debut of Resident Evil on the original PlayStation in 1996, it has grown to be one of the most revered and impactful franchises across the entire gaming industry, shaping the survival horror genre and presenting players with a gallery of memorable characters – both heroes and villains. Among these villainous figures, Resident Evil has unleashed some genuinely petrifying bosses for the protagonists to defeat, yet some of them have proven to be more than just a handful of shotgun rounds to permanently vanquish.

In many video games, it’s not unusual to encounter boss characters with multiple stages or phases. The Resident Evil series has indeed played a significant role in popularizing this convention. Some of these bosses have been persistent enemies that pursued the player throughout the game, becoming increasingly formidable, while others were initially regular humans who underwent drastic transformations during their second phase. The ranking of these bosses is based on their visual appeal and how effectively their multiple phases are employed to test the player’s skills.

5. Jack Baker

The Deranged Patriarch Of The Baker Family

Through its first six entries, Capcom’s survival horror franchise put players behind the shoulders of its heroes, but with the release of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, the series transitioned into a haunting first-person view. It was a smart move, as it allowed protagonist Ethan Winters’ harrowing struggle against the Baker family to feel even more frightening, which was especially true when he came up against its patriarch, the demented Jack.

In the game “Biohazard”, Jack Baker consistently presents challenges for Ethan, necessitating fresh tactics and abilities to endure. As he relentlessly pursues the player within the Baker farmhouse, each successive encounter with him leads to Jack metamorphosing gradually from a typical human into one of the most terrifying entities ever depicted in the series. The initial confrontation in the garage demands the player to crash the car into him, and the final battle against an entirely transformed Baker remains one of the most remarkable boss fights in the “Resident Evil” franchise.

4. Nemesis

STAAAARS!

Since the instant Nemesis, the terrifying result of Umbrella’s gruesome research, was unleashed upon Raccoon City to hunt down the remaining S.T.A.R.S. members, it set the stage for an impressive ascent into one of the franchise’s most formidable antagonists. In the chaos of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, as Jill Valentine frantically flees a decaying Raccoon City, she encounters this colossal creature, who relentlessly pursues her and confronts her in numerous battles throughout the doomed city.

As Nemesis interacts more frequently, he becomes increasingly hostile and undergoes a gradual yet unsettling metamorphosis. The chilling evolution from a form resembling humanoid to a colossal, horrifying being is a distinctive hallmark of Resident Evil, shaping the series significantly in numerous aspects. To this day, Nemesis remains one of the cherished installments in the series, and its repeated battles with the titular monster are a major contributor to this popularity, as the dramatic showdown with his ultimate form is among the most memorable scenes in the entire saga.

3. Bitores Mendez

Terrifying Member Of Los Illuminados Is One Of The Franchise’s Most Memorable Encounters

Following the annihilation of Raccoon City during the events of Nemesis, the series would shift its setting from sprawling urban landscapes to a secluded, Spanish village for Resident Evil 4. Leon Kennedy, who had managed to survive the harrowing conclusion of Raccoon City, would once again find himself in a familiar predicament as he encountered the Los Illuminados, a chilling cult that boasted one of the most formidable bosses in the history of Resident Evil, including Bitores Mendez.

Initially, Leon encounters Mendez following the rescue of Luis Sera, with the imposing menace strangling him and warning of further attacks if he continues meddling. The climax occurs when Leon directly confronts Mendez in a burning slaughterhouse, where their intense battle unveils Mendez’s true form as a member of Los Illuminados. As the player inflicts sufficient damage, the upper body of Mendez splits into two halves, enhancing his speed and ferocity, compelling a change in tactics and disallowing the use of the upstairs for safety. This battle tests the player’s endurance and determination, as Mendez presses them to keep moving and remain cautious.

2. Jack Krauser

Prepare For Your Death, Leon

Resident Evil made a significant impact when it moved into a new phase of gaming, impressively demonstrating a substantial jump from one console generation to the next. The release of RE4 as an exclusive GameCube title in 2005 was part of this transformation. A key factor behind this success was its dedication to creating memorable over-the-top villains, with Jack Krauser, a former partner of Leon Kennedy during Operation Javier depicted in The Darkside Chronicles, standing out among them.

In their initial encounter, Krauser clashes with Leon during an intense knife fight. Their animosity is evident as they display impressive fighting skills, setting the stage for their ultimate showdown on the island. The confrontation initially resembles a standard boss battle, where players utilize Leon’s extensive arsenal of weapons and items, but Krauser exploits the open arena to maintain control and keep players guessing.

However, as Krauser’s fortunes begin to wane, he undergoes a mutation and traps Leon within C4 explosives set to explode. This unexpected turn raises the stakes significantly, making the battle more intense. The fight is marked by unforeseen twists and dynamic challenges, earning its reputation as one of the most nerve-wracking encounters in the entire game series.

1. William Birkin

William Birkin’s Transformation Into G Requires Multiple Phases To Eliminate For Good

William Birkin, a character in the Resident Evil franchise, is frequently recognized as one of its saddest figures, due to his harrowing circumstances. In the events of Resident Evil 2, he experienced the heartbreaking loss of his work being taken and his family being deceived by Umbrella. This theme was deepened in the outstanding 2018 remake, where Birkin’s character undergoes one of the most chilling and frightening transformations in the series. The narrative of his betrayal intertwines with each confrontation, making for a compelling storyline. Initially, after meeting Birkin’s daughter Sherry, Leon and Claire encounter him, as his transformation has already started; he is losing himself to the G-Virus, causing him to gradually lose his identity. As they later encounter him in the NEST lab, there remains little trace of his humanity left.

The G-Virus has consumed him completely, turning him into a massive monster that the survivors must battle through multiple incarnations, culminating in one of the most incredible finales in franchise history. As any good monster does, the G monster simply does not quit, following the survivors all the way to the end, where William Birkin has become completely engulfed in the monster he created. This fabulous combination of drama and horror was just one of the reasons that the Resident Evil 2 remake succeeded, as battling the multiple incarnations of William Birkin has resulted in some of the best moments in the entire series.

2025-03-14 05:37