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| So. Much. Anger. |
Obnoxious bosses were originally used in arcades as a way to keep players pumping quarters into the machine. For whatever reason, they still pop up from time to time in console titles, completely obliterating the game's flow and the player's enjoyment.
Here's a look at some of our (least) favorite ridiculous boss fights. Be sure to let us know which bosses taught you the meaning of "hate" in the comments.
Mike Tyson (Punch Out)
He's lightning fast, has a one-hit KO and a pattern that's damn near impossible to get the hang of. Punch Out is a pretty difficult game in the later stages, but once you see Iron Mike, you might as well bow out gracefully and find something better to do with your time.
Two words: Super. Nova. Ask most Final Fantasy fans which series baddie gave them the most trouble and they'll likely give you an empty stare, indicative of their soul dying a little more due to thoughts of FFVII's silver-haired, uuber-katana-wielding maniac. And then the bastard actually has the balls to appear in Kingdom Hearts, where he's even more ridiculous than before. You go to hell, Sephiroth. You go to hell and you die.
Alma (Ninja Gaiden)
Ninja Gaiden is already one of the toughest games you can play. Alma is basically a giant "Eff You" to players who managed to reach her, quickly letting them know whatever measly skills they've managed to accumulate up to this point are all but useless. She sports combos and power moves that require expert timing and extreme patience to overcome. You can try swearing at her or even throwing your controller at the TV, but that'll only make you feel better for a short time and get you no closer to actually besting her.
Radec (Killzone 2)
Killzone 2 is a perfect example of a game featuring a final boss that all but breaks the system. The game can be played on normal setting and give most players a solid challenge. There are a couple hairy spots that will require a few attempts to get past, but a little perseverance should do the trick. Then you get to the end of the game and can't help but wonder who cranked up the difficulty to "Why!?" when you weren't paying attention. The road leading into the battle with Radec and the swarms of enemies you must face before the big guy actually appears are insane. But all bets are off once this deadly accurate, supremely fast and upsettingly difficult final boss marches into the room. Radec is so infuriating he almost makes you forget how much you hate Rico.
Shau Kahn (Mortal Kombat)
The newest Mortal Kombat hit store shelves about a week ago, quickly reminding gamers what broken thumbs feel like. The game itself is pretty solid when it comes to playing at a comfortable difficulty. Once you reach Shau Kahn, though, the latest MK quickly gives new meaning to the words "cheap" and "broken." Nothing new to the series, MK bosses (and sub-bosses to an extent) are notorious for being brutally difficult thanks to moves and abilities that completely ignore the game's rules. These folks can't be beat playing the game the way it's meant to be played. Spamming special moves and falling back on cheap, repetitive tactics is the only way to go, removing any sense of triumph from the title's final moments and replacing it instead with upset relief.
Tags: alma, bosses, difficult, hard, hardest bosses, mike tyson, mortal kombat, radec, sephiroth, shau kahn
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