Top 10 Scary Video Game Bosses

We tip our hat to you, Scarecrow, but this scaly beast offers more in the way of terror. Early in the events of “Batman: Arkham Asylum”, players are introduced to the brutish nature and unsettling hunger of Killer Croc. A former carnival freak born as Waylon Jones, Croc is now keen on murder and cannibalism... as well as hunting down the Caped Crusader himself. The tension rises before reaching a climax in Arkham Asylum's sewers, wherein Croc relies upon sudden appearances and charging attacks in his bid to finally end Batman. Thank goodness for Batarangs and Explosive Gel.

It might be short, but it's no less capable of spooking the player. While exploring the volcanic region of Norfair on the planet Zebes, bounty hunter Samus Aran is faced by the imposing creature known as Crocomire. Already rendered intimidating by its resistance to all conventional weapons, Crocomire's use of fireballs and claws raises its ability to evoke fear. Thus, the ensuing battle is tense, with Samus having to push onward to ensure the beast's fiery demise, and … that scream. And even then Crocomire isn't quite done.

Fear it, for it is many. A recurring boss in the Castlevania series, Legion first appeared in Symphony of the Night in the catacombs of Dracula's castle, Legion distinguishes itself from other foes in the player's path. First and foremost, it appears as a sphere constructed from multiple layers of human bodies, disturbing in scope as in imagery. Legion also stands as a notable physical challenge; it can drop bodies from its surface as zombies, shower the surrounding chamber in corpses, and fire difficult-to-evade beams. Legion is at once threatening and deeply unsettling.

Probably best to keep clear of this fellow. In the seventh chapter of 2014's “The Evil Within”, players were brought face-to-face with The Keeper, a box-headed being with a knack for lethal injury. Designed to symbolize past crimes kept hidden, The Keeper walks a fine line between being distinctive in appearance and dangerous in action. It wields both a large meat tenderizing hammer and a spike-filled sack, being all-too-willing to chase you down whenever it shows up. Add to that its use of debilitating barb-wire mines, and the result is a truly imposing game boss.

Aggressive from the outset, the Tentacles are not easily trifled with. As theoretical physicist Gordon Freeman makes his way through the devastated Black Mesa facility, it becomes necessary for him to cross through a rocket propulsion silo. There, he is faced with the extraterrestrial horror of a trio of tentacles, rooted by some means into the silo itself. Besides their ghoulish visual design, what makes the Tentacles scary is their sheer resilience; they cannot be destroyed by Gordon's weapons. Fortunately, it's said that rocket engines are quite handy as a means of disinfectant.

The spirit of the warrior will always be with you... and that's terrifying. Towards the end of “Metal Gear Solid 3”, CIA operative Naked Snake experiences a near-death experience by way of falling into a river, bringing him before The Sorrow. The ghost of an elite soldier, The Sorrow had a unique gift in life: being able to summon and embody the souls of the dead. In death, he brings forth any soldiers felled by Snake, while also firing mental bursts and forcing Snake to trudge through a purgatory-like realm. The real shock though, comes when The Sorrow triggers a fake Game Over; the scream Snake lets out is bone chilling.

Well, at least the nomenclature's fitting. The Butcher stands as one of several Overlord demons in the service of the Prime Evil Mephisto, being particularly notable in its brutality. Players who opt to undertake the quest to vanquish said demon are greeted with mutilated bodies – and an imposing horned beast wielding a cleaver. Coupled with its blood-splattered attire and its relentless desire to kill, The Butcher is a true terror to behold and not for the faint of heart.

Run though they may, Nemesis will find them. Designed by the Umbrella Corporation and named after the Greek goddess of vengeance, the Nemesis – short for Nemesis T-Type – is quite unorthodox. Unlike other Tyrant creatures in the “Resident Evil” series, Nemesis possesses sufficient intelligence to follow precise orders... and a habit of showing up at unexpected times. Its reliance on surprise attacks aside, Nemesis leaves gamers unsettled through its ghastly appearance, its relentless pursuit of targets, and its unparalleled regenerative capabilities.

Embodying the power of evil itself, the alien Giygas is encountered in the climax of “Earthbound”, confronted by kid hero Ness and company. The heroes are taken to a dimension of pure darkness – and glance upon the swirling horror that is Giygas. Said to have been inspired by a scene from the 1957 Japanese film “The Military Policeman and the Dismembered Beauty", Giygas' vaguely twisted form fits with the unknowable nature of Giygas himself. Thus, the terror at play here is based on how little is understood about Giygas, and how uncomfortable that makes the audience.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Sinistar
“Sinistar” (1982)

02
“Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards” (2000)

Lost Sinner
“Dark Souls 2” (2014)

Andross
“Star Fox 64” (1997)

World of Chaos
“Kingdom Hearts” (2002)

Phantom Ganon
“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998)

Nothing like a creature with geometry for a head to send us fleeing. Meant to represent protagonist James Sunderland's desire for punishment, Pyramid Head takes its concept to heart. Be it brutalizing other monsters in the town of Silent Hill or chasing down James with its massive blade, Pyramid Head's persistence is matched by its cruelty and mysterious nature. It kills without mercy, disappears and reappears of its own accord, and never clearly spells out its reason for being. If ever something were to frighten us to the core, this would be it.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite scary video game boss? For more fright-inducing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.