Top 10 Video Game Bosses Who Kill You No Matter What

This aquatic monster is invisible, and can only be seen and heard by the splashes it makes. Fortunately, this creature can’t get you if you’re out of the water. In the first part of this encounter, you stand on boxes as you try to navigate the rooms, solving puzzles, rushing from one safe place to the next. It’s tense, but doable. In the next section, however, you must sprint through submerged halls with nothing to stand on, closing doors behind you as you race to the end of the hall before the creature catches up. There is no fighting this terrifying foe; only caution and speed will allow you to survive this encounter.

Running into a foe that looks exactly like you is sure to send some chills. SA-X is a parasite that mimics Samus in every way, and has all her power ups. This creature is essentially unstoppable for most of the game, and as it hunts you down, your only option is to constantly flee. If it finds you, SA-X will kill you in one or two shots. Once you get the Plasma Beam, however, Samus can finally put the hurt back on this creepy parasitic copy-cat. This boss has a great intro; you get to see it enter an area Samus was in just moments ago, where it scans the space before leaving. It’s a great bit of foreshadowing for your eventual encounter.

The first boss that Nero fights, this is meant as a prologue to the rest of the game. But while you are eventually able to defeat this monster, it is basically impossible to do so now; the game intends for you to be defeated in this encounter and face Urizen later on. However, there is a possibility of beating him the first time, and the developers even planned for this nigh-impossible event. If you defeat Urizen in the prologue, you get a secret ending in which you’ve essentially just solved all the game’s problems right away. It makes for a well-deserved victory, if a tad anti-climactic.

Betrayer of the dragons and Gwyn’s faithful Duke, this enigmatic boss is impossible to defeat in your first encounter with him; as soon as you enter his crystalline chamber, he breathes even more crystals upon you. This is just as well, as you are meant to be defeated and locked up elsewhere within the Duke’s Archive, and ultimately face him again. Seath’s design is interesting; a pure white, scaleless dragon with strange tentacle legs, he cannot move when you initially meet him. You will realize later that Seath is essentially immortal until you destroy an object deeper within his lair, which is where the real fight takes place.

The first real boss of this game, developed by FromSoftware, is one you’ll become quickly acquainted with. Genichiro Ashina serves as Sekiro’s nemesis throughout much of the story, and you’ll face him three times before the end. Unfortunately, in the first encounter, there is no option but defeat, as Genichiro will end the duel when he cuts off your arm. It is actually possible, though difficult, to beat Genichiro here; however, Sekiro will still ultimately lose the encounter and his arm in a cutscene. Take comfort in the fact that you’ll get to kick his butt twice in the future.

Mr. X is here to give it to ya. Chasing you down throughout the game, this mysterious, fedora-wearing monstrosity is quite the formidable foe. For much of the game, he is downright unstoppable, and so whenever he shows up your only option is to flee. It is terrifying to see him suddenly show up, seemingly out of nowhere, but walking purposefully in your direction. It doesn’t matter what you were doing in that moment, running is your only hope. With a simple yet sleek design, and the power to pummel you into the ground, Mr. X is one video game monster you do not want to cross paths with.

The Ruler of Olympus doesn’t play fair. In the opening of the game, Zeus steals Kratos’ powers, his godhood, and his life. You are able to play out this first battle with Zeus, but it only has one outcome; your death, and your subsequent banishment to the Underworld. Thankfully, you’re later able to travel back in time to revisit this moment and defeat Zeus in a fair fight. What makes Zeus such a memorable boss is that players are given a real reason to hate him; the embarrassment you suffer in the first fight will make the eventual rematch all the more satisfying.

You are no match for the power of the dark side. Despite all of Cal Kestis’ training, upgrades, and victories throughout the game, the final challenge is an impossible one; your only option is to run from the Dark Lord of the Sith. And yet, nothing about this encounter feels disappointing. It is awesome to watch Darth Vader cut through his minion and fling away Cere as if she were nothing. This is an impossible boss fight done right, as it successfully drives home just how awe-inspiringly powerful this classic villain is. Gamers don’t feel cheated that they can’t beat him; they know, just by reputation, that they wouldn’t stand a chance against Darth Vader.

This terrifying creature won’t quit; it just keeps coming at you, an unstoppable juggernaut. A physical manifestation of the protagonist’s guilt and shame, Pyramid Head is a classic video game monster. And no matter what you do, it’ll kill you. What makes Pyramid Head so intriguing is the mystery surrounding it, its distinct look, and the absolute terror it instills in the player when it renders you utterly helpless. As you discover throughout the game, however, you brought this monster upon yourself. So really, Pyramid Head only gets even more disturbing the more you learn about it. Its grotesque walk, while slowly dragging its huge weapon behind, is the stuff of nightmares.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

T. rex, “Dino Crisis” (1999)
Run, Don’t Walk, From This No-Longer Extinct Predator

Kusabi, “Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly” (2003)
A Powerful Spirit That Must Be Avoided Until the Final Fight

Dragon God, “Demon’s Souls” (2009)
Defeat the Tutorial Boss and You’ll Be Rewarded With a Punch From This Guy

Jetstream Sam, “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance” (2013)
Raiden Is No Match in This First Encounter

The Sorrow, “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater” (2004)
With One Touch You’ll Be Lying in the Dirt

Thank goodness no one can hear you scream in space, because that’s all you’ll be doing when facing this creature. While eventually you are able to defeat and stop these foes, for the majority of the game you are hunted by them, and there is nothing you can do but hide. It is the most intense game of hide and seek ever, as the Xenomorph can appear at almost any time to sniff you out. If you are caught, you are treated to one of many creative death cutscenes. Your only option is to hide, hold your breath, and pray.