Video Game Villains Who Refuse To Die

Key Takeaways

Villains like Orochi, Bowser, and Heihachi tend to be resurrected multiple times to perpetuate narratives.
The resurrected villains continue appearing in various forms, furthering the overarching storylines in their respective game series.
Developers bring back villains not just for fan service but also to shape the roles they play in diverse game scenarios.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these recurring villains are truly a testament to the creative prowess of video game developers. They embody the eternal struggle between good and evil, providing us players with a sense of satisfaction when we finally defeat them, only for them to rise again in the next installment.

Villains frequently play an essential role in storytelling. They may maintain control or profit from a situation that a protagonist aims to change, providing the ongoing conflict needed to sustain many narratives. Interestingly, some villains refuse to be defeated, persisting even in video games where the reason for their longevity can differ greatly.

Frequently, the requirement to bring back antagonists arises due to a storyline pattern that game developers establish for a series. This is often seen in specific types of games where the villain may be among several playable characters, creating a cycle where the character needs to survive and perish to maintain the ongoing narrative.

5 Orochi (Warriors Orochi Series)

A Miasma-Muddled Mystic

Warriors Orochi acts as a blend of Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors, bringing together warriors from different eras into a dimension crafted by the titular character, Orochi. This diverse group unites to defeat Orochi, causing him to be vanquished and sent back to their own time periods. The Orochi in this series is not a direct representation of Yamata no Orochi, but rather an amalgamation of mythological influences that builds its unique narrative. In each sequel, Orochi meets his demise only to be reborn in different forms; first appearing as Orochi X in Warriors Orochi 2.

In Warriors Orochi 3, we see multiple manifestations of Orochi. The Hydra, symbolizing the unyielding spirit of the Orochi dimension, stands in for him. Many of Orochi’s former followers disapprove of the Hydra because it isn’t the genuine Orochi, leading figures like Da Ji, Keiji Maeda, and Masamune Date to switch sides and join the coalition. Shuten Doji, another offshoot of Orochi and a demonic entity, joins the coalition as well. Over time, he recalls his past as Orochi but seeks to forge his own destiny. The game’s expansion, Ultimate Warriors Orochi 3, uncovers Orochi’s origins as Yinglong, a valiant mystic general. Deceived into thinking the Heavenly Emperor controlled the demons he was supposed to banish, Yinglong was corrupted by dark miasma and transformed into Orochi.

In Warriors Orochi 4, Orochi and Orochi X (another manifestation of the Hydra) are revived yet again, this time emerging from Shuten Doji’s body. Later, these two clash with each other, ultimately meeting their end at the hands of an alliance. Posthumously, they transform back into Shuten Doji, who may continue as the current Orochi form. The potential for another Warriors Orochi sequel is uncertain due to the reboot of one of its main series, Samurai Warriors. If there is a new installment, it’s likely that Orochi will be resurrected in some capacity once more.

4 Bowser (Super Mario Bros. Series)

The Colossal King Koopa

In the thrilling world of Super Mario Bros., I, as a dedicated fan, find myself constantly at odds with Bowser. He’s the formidable foe who lurks in the background of most traditional platform games within this iconic series. His defeats are often accompanied by less than pleasant consequences that would typically be lethal. Sometimes, after these encounters, he disappears, hinting at his demise, but always ready to resurface, cause mischief, swipe treasures, and occasionally snatch the princess.

In the broader perspective of the Mario series, Bowser’s recurring appearances might not necessarily indicate resilience or immortality. Instead, it could be explained by viewing the characters as a group of actors similar to an old cartoon troupe, where their roles are determined by the specific game they’re in – whether it’s a platformer or sports exhibition. This suggests that Bowser’s numerous “deaths” across different games are simply part of his role in each storyline. Similarly, Mario’s multiple lives could also be seen in this light.

3 Heihachi Mishima (Tekken Series)

A Fear-Inducing Fighter & Failure Of A Father

In fighting games like Tekken, it’s common for major antagonists to be brought back from the dead. Since these characters are usually fan favorites, players prefer them not to stay deceased for long periods. One notable villain in this case is Heihachi Mishima, a significant antagonist within the Tekken series.

In a notable incident, Heihachi pushed his son, Kazuya, off a cliff to test whether he possessed the Devil Gene or was strong enough to take over as his heir. This act made Kazuya vengeful and eventually led to him pushing Heihachi off the same cliff, leading many to believe that Heihachi had died. However, it turned out that Heihachi survived this fall. Later, in a twist of fate, Kazuya threw his father into a volcanic crater, but again, Kazuya managed to survive. Eventually, Kazuya returned the favor by throwing Heihachi into molten lava, an act believed to have killed him permanently. However, it was later speculated that Heihachi miraculously survived yet again.

Contrarily to what was unveiled, Tekken 8 DLC exposed this as a trick, as Heihachi was actually saved by the Tekken Monks, although he suffered from severe amnesia. The Tekken Monks held him in high regard, considering him physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. However, following the destruction of a meteor, Heihachi recovered his memories, which in turn rekindled his malicious tendencies. He annihilated the Tekken Monks and now seeks to vanquish Kazuya permanently.

2 Vile (Megaman X Series)

A Rebellious Reploid Rival

In the world of MegaMan X, Vile is a persistent nuisance for the protagonist X. Despite being defeated by both X and Zero multiple times, he was ultimately destroyed by X following their encounter in the game Megaman X. However, Vile didn’t stay down long; he made his return as Vile MK II in Megaman X3 after Sigma revived him and gave him a new body. This wasn’t his last resurrection, either – he reappeared as Vile V in Megaman X8 with a fresh color scheme and an even more unstable personality than before. He continued to be a recurring adversary for X, culminating in another battle that ended in his defeat.

In non-standard storylines, the character known as Vile is revived several times throughout the Project X Zone series. Here, he continues his rivalry with X and teams up with various video game characters, including Heihachi Mishima from Tekken. In the sequel, he reincarnates as Vile MK II and partners with Sigma, who orchestrated this resurrection in the original storyline.

1 Dracula (Castlevania Series)

A Vindictive Vampiric Villain

In most installments of the widely known Castlevania series, Dracula serves as the final antagonist. His backstory is unveiled in the game titled Lament of Innocence. It’s important to note that chronologically, Mathias was initially a military strategist who transformed into Dracula after his first wife died prematurely from illness while he was away on campaign. This tragic event led him to curse God and seek immortality.

Over many lifetimes, he clashed with the Belmont family, a cycle of deaths and resurrections. His former ally, Leon Belmont, vowed that his clan would confront him each time. In the future of the series, following what seemed to be his last demise, he is reborn as Soma Cruz, a heroic figure. However, Death, Dracula’s previous lieutenant, aims to resurrect his master once more, much like past attempts. Each attempt resulted in another loss for Dracula. Future Castlevania games may continue the tale of Dracula’s struggle against life and death, as he strives to defy the divine and annihilate mankind, believing their ills are what keep him coming back.

2024-10-05 13:33