Before bosses became a regular mechanic across all video game genres, they were a much more circumstantial element.
However, that doesn’t mean there weren’t worthy representatives of this mechanic, as history shows how many iconic bosses we’ve had the opportunity to defeat over time.
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These open-field battles are as colossal as they are demanding.
From soldiers to street racers, including colossi and brothers who are half-human and half-demon, the variety of threats with their own identities and health bars offers fond memories.
As a result, to assess how this feature has evolved and remember the greats of past generations, I give you the ten best boss fights of the PS2 era.
SoulCalibur III
Soulcalibur III
I’m completely out of the fighting genre these days, but it was one of my most played growing up, especially thanks to gems likeSoulCalibur III.
After the series' first game, it became one of my favorite franchises, andjust when I thought there was no final boss that could top Inferno, Abyss came along to prove me wrong.
With its dramatic opening cinematic and iconic art design, I was enthralled the first time I saw it. He then proceeded to beat me as many times as humanly possible, so the satisfaction of finally defeating him was immeasurable.
Thanks to its stylish moveset and colorful skills,Zasalamel in Abyss form is easily the most outstanding scythe user of his generation, so I think that adds even more value to it.
Monster Hunter
Monster Hunteris a series that has evolved a lot over time, and while its start wasn’t the most well-rounded,bosses like Fatalis demonstrate the potential they eventually capitalized on.
It’s funny looking back because it’s an incredibly slow boss even by the standards of the time, but the opportunity to take on a giant boss with other hunters was some of the best of that generation.
The scale of the combat is one of the largest I remember from my younger years, and I couldn’t stop being amazed every time it took flight or threw fireballs, but even more so when it fell because it showeda natural gameplay system that felt immersive.
Nowadays, I wouldn’t touch the firstMonster Huntergame again with a stick, but that just goes to show how much it’s grown. Fatalis won’t be a standout boss under modern lenses, but for its era, it was incredible.
I’ve always thought I playedManhuntat the wrong time, but if it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be able to put Piggsy on this list, so it makes up for it.
Even though I don’t like bosses in stealth-oriented games, this pig-masked, chainsaw-wielding freak is my most vivid memory of the game.
Given the dark atmosphere, his eerie stalking, and the cinematography of each attack from behind, along with his piercing screams, it’s a memorable fight that stands out for its composition of circumstances.
Hearing James’s heartbeat every time he approached from behind the boss is one of those little details that stays with you for a lifetime, and I think that feeling is enough to appreciate Piggsy as the tense boss it is.
7Jack Krauser
Resident Evil 4
Jack Krauser is one of my favoriteResident Evil 4characters, mainly because I’m quite a fan of bosses who constantly reappear throughout an entire adventure.
Picking one of his encounters as the best isn’t an easy task, and while mechanically I find the second confrontation to be the best, especially for how it blends level design and combat,I decided to shed some spotlight on the first fight.
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The challenge comes before or after, but these enemies do not offer a worthy fight.
Indeed, choosing a simple cinematic with quick-time events over the other encounters whereResident Evil 4’s gameplay excels is odd, but the character introduction, the fight choreography, the opposing shots, and the exchanges are all filled with a wonderful aura.
On a narrative level,it superbly establishes the dynamic between Leon and Krauser, which I value a little more than the gameplay prowess displayed by his participation in the campaign’s later stages. Regardless, any of his appearances could have been here.
Shadow of the Colossus
Since this is a game centered on bosses, it was impossible forShadow of the Colossusnot to appear on this list, so the only question was which colossi should be chosen.
Avion and Phalanx were very close to being the representatives ofFumito Ueda’s title in this article, but I ended up picking Malus simply because of the spectacle it offers in every sense.
Of all the colossi,Malus perfectly encapsulates what to expect from these confrontations, elevated to a new level where it certainly becomes tedious if you have to attempt it multiple times, but its epic nature more than makes up for it.
ConsideringShadow of the Colossuscame out two decades ago,Malus' mere existence is a wonder of biblical proportions. My younger self had no idea how such a feat of magnitude was possible, and my modern self is still stunned by those sensations.
5Clarence “Razor” Callahan
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
I’m aware of how risky it is to place a racing game on a list like this, but anyone who’s playedNeed for Speed: Most Wantedknows exactly why Razor is here.
You spend the entire adventure defeating members of the Blacklist precisely to deal with the jerk who stole your precious car at the plot’s beginning, and watching him compete against you using it awakens an unprecedented adrenaline rush.
Head-to-head races inNeed for Speed: Most Wantedaren’t easy, but Razor raises the stakes to an unprecedented height witha tremendous challenge that only increases the desire to snatch our car away from him.
With its stellar appearances in cinematics, the game’s iconic soundtrack, and its wonderful gameplay, every race against Razor is a blessing that continues to be at the genre’s top.
4Abstract Daddy
Silent Hill 2
For anyone who hasn’t playedSilent Hill 2, describingAbstract Daddyas one of the best bosses of thePlayStation 2era may sound odd, especially given its mechanical simplicity.
On the surface, all you do is spin around while shooting at the boss, with no real gameplay variation that gives it any genuine appeal, butthe fight is much more than what it seems at first glance.
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The only thing cuter than their looks is the beating they’ll give you if you’re careless.
When you understand the context, you realize it’s a devastating boss packed with details—from the room to the way it grabs you, everything represents the character and its actions in an extremely visceral yet subtle way.
Paired with the tense music and Angela’s reactions,Abstract Daddy is one of those bosses that,despite its gameplay shortcomings,leaves an impressionbecause of the way it says so much narratively without explaining it directly.
God of War 2
God of War II
God of Warwas probably the most anticipated franchise to appear on this list, and while I considered including Ares from the first installment, I ultimately settled on Zeus fromGod of War 2.
Thanks to the fact that the confrontation builds with great anticipation throughout the adventure, finally facing the ruler of Olympus is packed with hype, and the fight delivers down to the last bit.
Whether he’s in his colossal form or when he descends into the arena and fights us hand-to-hand, it’san absurdly demanding battle with remarkable choreography and numerous moments that leave you speechless.
I still remember the look on my face when he took the Blade of Olympus from me and actively used it, as well as the constant QTE struggles, his flashy lightning powers, the brutal grapples, and, of course, theiconic ending on a cliffhanger.
I’d say his appearance inGod of War 3is even more notable, yet, generation-wise, the fight with Zeus inGod of War 2isn’t far behind either.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
As one of thebest linear gamesI’ve ever played,Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterchanged the way I enjoy and understand video games, and there are honestly plenty of reasons for that.
In any case, for the purposes of this list, we have to consider the bosses, andThe End is both the most outstanding and the most representative of the title’s gameplay.
Among the main confrontations, none takes advantage of the environment, camouflage, preparation, and analysis as much as that of this octogenarian sniper, who is absurdly lethal and unforgettable.
Add to it the possibility of defeating him simply by waiting a week or sniping him early in the campaign if you’re agile enough, and you realize he’s a multifaceted enemy.
I don’t know if he’s more emotional than The Sorrow or tougher than The Boss, but what I do know is thatevery time I think ofSnake Eater,I inevitably think of The End.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakeninghas three big candidates to be considered the best boss in PlayStation 2 history, andall three candidates are named Vergil.
Fighting this demonic force is impressive both the first time and the last, as he boasts a range of moves, visual effects, and powers that truly leave you stunned.
Even by modern standards,Vergil offers such a robust,complex,and showy set of mechanicsthat he easily surpasses most contemporary bosses in thehack-and-slashgenre, as it is a glorious encounter where you must master the gameplay to the fullest to defeat him.
Being able to fight him on equal footing, using every weapon at your disposal to do so, is especially remarkable in the final encounter, where both use a vast arsenal that enables a majestic duel.
His appearance inDevil May Cry 5is impressive, as is his participation inDevil May Cryas Nelo Angelo, butDevil May Cry 3’s Vergil is simply unmatched.
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