Top 10 Cheap Fighting Game Bosses That Will Make You Rage Quit

“Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter” (1997)

Akuma was already a major pain in the ass in “Super Street Fighter II Turbo” with his asinine teleportation and cheap evades. And yet, Capcom seems to have thought he wasn’t difficult enough. So, yeah, why not cybernetically enhance Akuma? Why not give the menace that puts M. Bison to shame a missile launcher, jetpack, and bigger Hadoukens? Because who needs a life of peace and tranquility? We love “Marvel vs. Street Fighter” as much as the next guy, but this fight only made us resent the supposed “Supreme Master of the Fist”.

“Super Smash Bros. Brawl” (2008)

The Hands, Master and Crazy, have certainly put up some tussle throughout “Smash’s” history, but at least their fights feel fair...more or less. As for Tabuu, this was a boss fight that drove us up the wall. Most of this Subspace entity’s attacks demand quick reflexes which doesn’t exactly fit “Brawl’s” infamously slower gameplay. When facing him on Normal difficulty or higher, some of his moves can become one-hit KO’s such as when he transforms into the Golden Brackets or ensnares you with the Chain of Light. Needless to say, Tabuu will test how well-versed you are with “Brawl’s” controls...as well as your patience.

“Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes” (2000)

Serving as the embodiment of harassment wrapped up in a suit of armor, Abyss is one of Capcom’s most infuriating, thyroid-bursting bosses yet, and part of it is because he takes on three different forms. When in his first form, Abyss utilizes a number of annoying moves that cannot be interrupted, and he will relentlessly rush you down. As if this wasn’t enough to piss us off, his second form spams a variety of projectile moves, most of them being able to reach the other end of the stage! Once you’ve reached his third and final form, you can take him down quickly by triggering one of your characters’ super moves, assuming you haven’t used your meter before reaching this point. Thank GOD!

“Soulcalibur III” (2005)

Feeling intimidated? Well, you should be. “Soulcalibur” has seen its fair share of cheap boss fights, but of them all, Night Terror was the worst. The ultimate form of Nightmare will employ a number of devastating blows that will reduce your health in very little time. You’ll have to beat him through traditional means as achieving a Ring Out victory is impossible. Fling him off the edge, and he’ll fly back up. Speaking of which, Night Terror has what many 3D fighting game bosses have - flight attacks that are difficult to dodge! Combine that with a BS eye beam, and you’re in for a hell of a fight.

“Mortal Kombat 11” (2019)

Ignoring her increasingly cartoonish behavior (and the cringey, obvious “time to die” joke at the end of every ladder), Kronika has achieved a level of infamy similar to another “Mortal Kombat” villain. While she isn’t the most aggressive fighting game boss, she still utilizes moves that are complete and absolute B-S. She isn’t hesitant in spamming her teleportation, and she can create areas that inflict lingering damage as well as unblockable time blasts that deal WAY too much damage! To make matters worse, your Fatal Blow is completely useless; even if it connects, Fatal Blows will not be triggered against her. At least her death never gets tiring to watch! EAT COSMIC GLASS, YOU HACK!!

“Dead Or Alive 4” (2005)

The "Dead Or Alive" series has featured a number of asinine final bosses, but none of them have reached the same level of salt and scum as Alpha-152. This murderous clone of Kasumi holds all kinds of devilish tricks whether it's teleporting all over God's green earth or kick-spamming the everloving crap out of your face. Alpha even has throws that can take out more than half of your health bar, and when it's so easy for her to combo you into oblivion, you can't help but wonder who in their right mind can go up against her. Really, if you wish to have any chance in beating her, you're gonna have to make sure you have MASTERED "Dead Or Alive 4"!

“Tekken 6” (2009)

“Tekken” has thrown so many irritating bosses at us that it’s almost an expectation with every new game. However, the worst of these input-reading asshats is Azazel! This stupid purple dragon is the embodiment of that kid on the playground that says, “Nope! Didn’t hurt me! I’m immune!” as some attacks won’t even damage him. The only way to defeat him is to deliver a powerful enough blow to launch him and juggle the crap out of him which is easier said than done! Oh, and did we mention he can use eye lasers, summon crystal spikes from the floor, and spin dash like Sonic the Hedgehog?

“Skullgirls” (2012)

If none of these bosses have challenged you to the nth degree, then try taking on little Marie here. This ain’t no ordinary kid! This young lady holds the power of the Skull Heart, allowing her to send bony demons and shadow men after you. The worst part about this is that Marie can do this WHILE you’re trying to pull off combos on her! So, if you’re too busy focusing on button presses, you’re going to get interrupted repeatedly. And if you’re a massive glutton for punishment, try the special mode “Skullgirls” has for her - MARIE 300%! Good freakin’ luck!

“Mortal Kombat” (2011)

We could easily slap whichever version of Outworld’s ruler on here, but the MK9 version of Shao Kahn is the absolute WORST! We’re not just talking about his arcade fight, or his Story mode fight - No! We’re looking at the infamous Challenge #300! It is here that Shao Kahn is at his most relentless, and it’s not just because you also have to fight Goro, Kintaro & Mileena with the same health bar prior to him. He can get super armor at the most random of times, allowing him to immediately interrupt your combos or force you into one of his. This was easily the most B-S version of Shao Kahn ever! And what was all this rage for? To see Mileena almost completely naked? We’ll just go play “Dead Or Alive”, thank you…

Before we rage about our number one pick, here are some infuriating Dishonorable Mentions…

Eyedol
“Killer Instinct” (1994)
Because A Couple of Hits Equates to Losing 80% of Your Health,

God Rugal
“Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001” (2001)
Stun No Longer Exists Here,

Gill
“Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike” (2000)
Because Parrying is Annoying as Hell

Devil Kazuya
“Tekken 7” (2017)
Because Every Boss Needs Eye Lasers and Flight Attacks,

The Undertaker
“WWE 2K14” (2013)
Because of That Damn 21-Winstreak at WrestleMania!,

“Arcana Heart” series (2005-14)

Our blood was boiling the second the announcer said “FIGHT!” Parace L’sia is the pinnacle of cheap boss fights, so much so that just watching another person fighting her gets us flustered. This voluptuous vixen has so many attacks that’ll trigger any player, attacks that can get you out of blocking and/or cover the entire screen. It gets to the point where pressing a single button means you’re going to get combo’d to hell. We’ve accused many bosses of input-reading, but Parace is perhaps the most shameless and blatant example of this AI behavior. So, if you’ve somehow managed to wipe the smugness of this lady’s face, you have our utmost respect.