Boss battles come in all shapes and sizes, and the best define the games they are in. Plenty of games have iconic, memorable encounters, but it’s far rarer to find ones that make it their primary focus.
If you’re looking for unforgettable fights against iconic monsters and bosses, here’s a selection of games focusing on those incredible battles.
10The Binding of Isaac: Repentance
Weaponized Tears
The Binding of Isaac
The Binding of Isaac: Repentanceis among the most respectedRoguelite games, with dozens of bosses to test your mettle.
There are many moving parts inThe Binding of Isaac, and the bosses are just one part of the puzzle. That said, there’s a showdown before you leave each floor and evena boss rush modeif you meet specific requirements.
Bosses range from trivial to feared monstrosities, like Delirium, who can end even the strongest of runs.
There aresecret bosses to discover, rare enemy variants, and the latest expansion,Repentance, adds hundreds of hours of content to an already stacked title.
Beware,The Binding of Isaacis furiously addictive with satisfying meta progression andprocedurally generated levels. If you turn up for the boss fights, you may just stay for everything else.
9Black Myth Wukong
High Budget Boss Slaying
Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth Wukongis an incredible action-adventure game with jaw-dropping visuals and phenomenal boss fights.
You play as a monkey with exceptional acrobatic skills. While it may look like asouls-likeat first glance, combat inBlack Myth Wukongis notably faster-paced. You’ll appreciate the speed, asbosses hit obnoxiously hard, and you’re not meant to beat them all on your first attempt.
On that note, bosses in Black Myth Wukong range from frogs to giant flying beasts. There aredozens of unique encountersand an impressive level of variety for such a hefty roster.
The boss battles are arguably the most exciting part of Black Myth Wukong, but there’s far more to the title, hence the lower position on the list.
8Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!
Knock ‘Em To The Canvas
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!
ThePunch-Out!games pit you against a long list of deadly fighters, each with their own quirks, moves, and fighting style.
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!is the first entry in the series, introducing us to a unique combat style. You can jab, uppercut, block, and dodge, butthrowing moves out without intent is a recipe for disaster.
You need to learn how your opponents fight in Punch-Out!, and the game rewardsquick reflexes and pattern memorization. No two combatants are the same, and you can easily spend hours learning how to topple the later fighters.
On that note,Iron Mike himself makes an appearance, and he’s arguably one of the toughest bosses in the NES library.
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!may be a retro NES game, but it’s playable on the Nintendo Switch Virtual Console.
7Monster Hunter: Rise
A Beloved Capcom Franchise
Monster Hunter Rise
TheMonster Huntergames have been around since the PlayStation 2 era, pitting players against everything from mighty dragons to arachnid horrors.
Each battle inMonster Hunter: Riseis like a grand event. Poor preparation is a death sentence, and each monster must be approached cautiously until you learn its attack patterns.
Combat is busy andheavily skill-based. There’s a ridiculous assortment of weapons to try, and each has such a nuanced playstyle that it can take hundreds of hours to master.
I preferMonster Hunter: Worldfor its more grounded approach to combat, butRisemakes the list for its pacing.Riseis easily the most accessiblethe series has ever been, and while there is still downtime between fights, it’s far less than in previous titles.
WithMonster Hunter Wildsjust around the corner, there’s never been a better time to take this legendary franchise by the horns. Don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed on the hunt, asthe community is surprisingly wholesomeand welcoming to new players.
I Finally Get To Talk About This One
G-Dariusis a superb 2D space shooter by Taito, and it received afantastic HD remasterin 2022. The Darius series is known for its bizarre aquatic ensemble of bosses, and that’s no different here.
There arefifteen bosses to conquer, each with two variants. These hulking metal monstrosities gatekeep the end of each stage, but there’s even aspecialized Boss Rush modewhere you’re able to take them all on in order.
G-Dariusfrequently enters bullet hell territory, and every battle is a frantic ballet as you try to dodge gunfire. Shoot-em-ups like this have a reputation for being tricky, butG-Dariushas plenty of difficulty settings to make things easier.
DariusBurst Chronicle Savioursis a newer game in the series, but I honestly think G-Darius utterly blows it out of the water.
10 Best Boomer Shooters To Play in 2024
Your modern sensibilities aren’t welcome here.
5Enter the Gungeon
I Could Listen To That Tune All Day
Enter the Gungeon
Enter the Gungeonis one of my favorite Roguelites, featuring skill-based combat andunforgiving boss battles.
Movement feels excellent inGungeon, thanks to the dodge roll mechanic. If you have perfect timing, you can roll through projectiles without taking damage which is an essential skill to master.
You’ll need all the help you can get against intimidating bosses like the “Ammoconda” or the “Beholster” in the screenshot above. Each level guardian has unique mechanics, and there are even bonus rewards if you can take them down flawlessly.
Enter the Gungeonoffers plenty of exploration thanks to the randomly generated maps and there’s anunlockable boss rush mode, so you can practice for a perfect run.
4Shadow of the Colossus
Are We Really The Good Guys?
Shadow of the Colossus (2018)
Shadow of the Colossusis a grand adventure where you mustdefeat sixteen hulking colossito resurrect a girl named Mono.
Colossi offer a completely different type of challenge to bosses in other titles. A considerable part of each encounter is figuring out how to even damage them, as their weak points are usually miles out of reach.
There is some puzzle gameplay between battles inShadow of the Colossus, but you always feel like you’re gearing up and preparing for the next fight.
A quick word of warning:you might feel a little bad about killing the Colossi. Mostly, they just mind their own business until you decide to run them through. If you’re ok with that, don’t let me stop you!
Shadow of the Colossusis arguably one of the best and most impactful games in the PlayStation 2 library. It’s an exceptionallycinematic titlefor the era and a must-play even if you’re not looking for a boss rush game.
3Mega Man 11
Another Classic Capcom Franchise
Mega Man 11
I’ve already sungMonster Hunter’s praises, but we can’t talk about Boss Rushes without mentioningMega Man.
Mega Man 11is a 2D Platformer thatallows you to choose the order of the stages. EveryMega Mantitle has this mechanic, and the end of each level is guarded by a powerful boss.
If you beat the boss, you earn one of their abilities to use as your own. It’s an addictive gameplay loop, asyou’re always becoming stronger, and those abilities can even be used to traverse future stages in creative ways.
Boss battles are a huge part of the game, but the stages are pretty challenging, so they are just one part of theMega Manexperience.
That said, many boss fights in the series are iconic, and the final encounters are downright unfair. I recommendMega Man 11as it’s the latest in the series, but all the 2D games in the franchise are worth your time.
A Legendary Gauntlet Of Bosses
Few titles fit the description of a “Boss Rush” game quite likeFuri. The gameplay ofFuriis likemultiple boss battles daisy-chained together, and every opponent brings something new to the table.
Each stage pits you against an opponent with a unique skill set you must adjust to on the fly. There’s a mix of different combat styles. Ranged combat will test your aiming under pressure as you’re forced to dodge complex patterns.
Melee combat is responsive and fast-paced, and the parry system rewards good timing.Bosses can’t resist smack-talking, making battles all the sweeter when you land the killing blow.
Furiis easily one of the more challenging games on the list, but the difficulty is firm but fair.
If you’ve beaten the game already, we’veranked all of the bosses. Why not see if you agree with our placement?
An Undisputed Masterpiece
Cupheadis one of my favorite games of all time and absolutely deserves the top spot on the list. There are regular scrolling levels inCuphead, but the draw for many is the iconic boss battles.
Boss fights are so much more than simple 1v1 brawls. These encounters aredramatic setpieceswhere everyone and everything wants to kill you. No two encounters are the same, and you will face everything from killer carrots to mighty dragons.
The battles and combat aretuned to perfection, and everything plays out with some of the most gorgeous graphics you will see in a 2D title.
Beware,Cupheadis abrutally difficult gamedespite the cutesy graphics, but it’s hard to get tilted when everything looks and sounds so good!
