Top 10 Worst Final Bosses In Great Games

“Far Cry 3” (2012)

We start this list off with a real head scratcher: why is Hoyt the final boss in this game when it already has one of the best, most sinister bad guys in gaming history in Vaas Montenegro? Seriously, please give us an answer… Vaas’ “definition of insanity” cutscene still gives us chills nearly six years later, and gives us a bit of trepidation when thinking of replaying this game again. He’s one evil dude! Hoyt, on the other hand, comes out of nowhere dressed in nice suit and is dispatched largely through quick time events. We prefer Vaas, thank you very much.

“Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor” (2014)

Yet another final boss that’s done away with using quick time events… This one is especially disappointing, however, considering all the incredibly cool and novel enemy encounters due to the game’s excellent Nemesis System. There are plenty of regular battles with high-ranking Uruk in this game that had more tension and excitement than the final battle against The Black Hand. Luckily, after he’s defeated, we could hop right back into the gameplay and do battle with more rival baddies on route to creating even more enemy adversaries. Heck, even retreating from enemies is more fun than battling The Black Hand thanks to the Nemesis System.

“Final Fantasy 10” (2001)

So, let’s get this straight: an immortal being that tormented Earth for centuries as the creator of Sin appears in the final battle as… a tick? Strike one. And, for some reason, all members of our party have auto health, so basically this final encounter is one we cannot lose? And… strike two. “Final Fantasy 10” is an epic adventure, but we wish that the battle against Braska’s Final Aeon was the final boss – though many consider it to be just that – instead of Yu Yevon. There’s just something lacking in a game where the final encounter is one that’s ultimately already decided.

“Borderlands” (2009)

All that talk of vaults and treasure only to end up doing battle with a generic blob with an even more generic name. Yes, the lead up to the final battle with The Destroyer is magical in “Borderlands” due to gun customization and a great sense of humor, but the final battle itself leaves much to be desired. The Destroyer is basically just a giant immovable target that requires endless amounts of ammunition pumped into him with little to no creativity whatsoever. Our advice is to tackle this baddie with a friend who can penetrate his shield so it’s not so time consuming and frustrating.

“Fallout 3” (2008)

For a long-awaited battle with the diabolical man who killed your father, we’d expect it to last just a little longer and offer a challenge. But, by the time we reach Colonel Autumn in “Fallout 3” we’re so overpowered that this final boss fight is almost laughable. Sure, there are final bosses that are too hard and too much of a challenge, which makes them a poor note to end the game on, but – in all honesty – we’d prefer that to a final baddie who’s just way, way to easy. Give the guy some armor or superpowers or something!

“Mass Effect 2” (2010)

This game won many awards upon its release in 2010 including Best RPG and Best Xbox 360 Game at the Spike Video Game Awards, with many people considering it to be a damn near perfect game. But (there’s always a but isn’t there?) critics and fans alike were not impressed with the final boss encounter with this giant human-robot hybrid thingie that looks like something out of “The Terminator.” For all the grand mythology in this game, we expected something a little more unique and “space-agey” and not something that looks like it’s out of an Early 90s arcade shooter.

“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)

Oh, how we love “Skyrim”… The first-person exploration, the cave-dwelling battles with evildoers and the amazing storyline are some of the finest moments in gaming. But the final encounter with Alduin is pathetically easy and anti-climatic seeing as you have a swarm of NPCs accompanying you. We prefer the first battle against the giant dragon as it’s much harder, and Alduin seems like a genuine threat. The fact we had to face him again had us worried, but ultimately it was a bit of a let down as there are much harder and more interesting battles to be found in the game’s open environments.

“Super Mario Galaxy 2” (2010)

We’ve squared off against the big bad Bowser so many times now that we need something unique and special to take place in order for it to stay exciting. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen in “Super Mario Galaxy 2” as Bowser is far too easy to hold any clout as a final boss. Despite being big in size, he’s really just one more enemy to stomp before the final credits roll. But, at least the triumphant music and neat presentation were pretty cool, right? We could listen to this all day!

“Bioshock” (2007)

Another example of a nearly perfect game held back by its final boss battle. After a very creepy, intriguing game, Frank Fontaine feels weirdly out of place – almost like the developers just wanted a big hulking boss fight for the sake of a big hulking boss fight. And unfortuantley, defeating him is a complete bore, as it’s basically a “rinse and repeat” formula of dodging attacks and draining his life bar. We were hoping for something much more imaginative and unique. To be honest, we had more fun whacking around Andrew Ryan with his own cane. But, that’s just us!

“Batman: Arkham Asylum” (2009)

We’re still wondering how this final boss fight got so messed up. We were given an amazing Batman game in “Arkham Asylum” and our favorite villain in Joker to boot, but then they go and turn him into some weird Bane-like rip off? Why not just fight, umm you know, Bane? And beating him wasn’t that much fun either, as the swarms of regular enemies were much harder than anything the Joker put forth in this battle. The Clown Prince is such an intelligent and cunning enemy that it was disappointing to see him downgraded to just a hulking beast.