Playing as a superhero in a video game often means taking on a lot of that character’s powers. While this can be fun, it does mean that players will inevitably run into some classic supervillains along the way. Most of the time, a superhero game will use these enemies to test gamers' knowledge of the game in a boss fight. These fights are all experiences that players are familiar with, so developers have had toget creative with superheroboss fights.
No longer are players simply asked to hack and slash their way through a buffed-up health bar. Now, gamers are tasked with using their wits in creative ways. At least, that’s how they are supposed to succeed in thebest boss fights in superhero video games.
X-Men Legends 2saw an alliance form betweenProfessor X’s team of X-Menand Magneto’s Brotherhood. This allowed players to choose between a huge roster of playable characters to add to their four-person team. However, such a large roster of powerful mutants meant that the final boss of the game needed to be someone truly powerful.
En-Sabbah-Nur, also known as Apocalypse, was the first mutant in creation and was gifted with untold power. He is the main antagonist ofX-Men Legends 2, which makes him the final boss of the game. As such, there is a great thrill to be had being chased by this maniacal mutant as he enters his giant form. Only by escaping his clutches and destroying the generators can players turn things around and take down the biggest threat to mutant-kind.
There is something to be said about a villain that tests everything the player has learned in a video game. Sadly, Mysterio inSpider-Man 2for the PS2 is not that. While there are a few occasions where players get tp face-off with Mysterio in a true display of skill during the campaign, the final confrontation with the illusionist is far from these scenarios.
When Spider-Man is called to a convenience store robbery, players will be shocked to find Mysterio stood out in the open. The villains health bar grows three times as long, and some epic battle music ensues. However, what makes this boss fight so great is that one attack from Spider-Man will remove all of Mysterio’s health and end the fight as he goes crashing to the ground. It may not be a test of skill, but this boss fight is definitely memorable.
Some players will forget that Batman isn’t just a great fighter.The hero also has a great mind, one that he has to use when punching his way out of a situation isn’t going to work. This notion is introduced to players early on inBatman: Arkham Asylum, when they see the sheer size of Killer Croc in this universe. Batman might be strong, but he isn’t that strong.
That is why it is extra fun when players have to make it through Croc’s sewer later in the game. Instead of hunting down the massive beast, players must use Batman’s stealth skills to creep across the top of some boards without alerting Killer Croc. If the villain is alerted, a chase will occur or Batman will be taken down in one hit. As such, this boss fight can really set pulses racing.
5Doctor Octavius
Marvel’s Spider-Man
Marvel’s Spider-Mandid a great job of showcasing some of the webhead’s best foes as some boss fights in the main story. Although, many fans agree thatSpider-Man’s most dangerous foeis Doctor Octavius. This tentacled menace starts the game as an ally to Spidey, but the events in the game bring about his villainous intentions.
As the final boss of the game, Doc Ock really puts the player through their paces. His fight takes place on the side of the Oscorp building, forcing players to think quickly to maneuver around the area and not take a metal tentacle to the face.
There are very few games that ask players to take down someone as big as a planet. However, that is exactly what happens when players fight Galactus inMarvel Ultimate Alliance.
Players first get a feel for this villain’s might during a chase through the Skrull home world where the giant flattens anything, and anyone, in his path. Then the player mustteam up with Silver Surferto distract the planet-eater and then take him down as waves of Skrulls attack. Silver Surfer does play with a QTE, but players do unlock the character for the rest of the game after this fight.
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensionshas players fighting various villains throughout time and space. That is why players shouldn’t be surprised to find Deadpool on an abandoned oil rig and running his own game show. To defeat Deadpool, Ultimate Spider-Man has to take part in this chaotic game show.
As players can imagine, such a feat isn’t easy as the merc with a mouth sends waves of fanboys out at the player, then fires bucket loads of explosives which forces the player to practice everything they have learned about controlling Spider-Man in the game so far. Then, the level ends with one final fight with Deadpool himself; however, this version of the character is equipped with his ability to teleport from the comics.
When it comes to a game that allows players to control the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern, the developers need to introduce a villain that is legitimately a threat to these godlike beings. That is why the fighting game,Injustice 2, chose to have the heroes unite to fight Brainiac.
Learning the mechanics of the game is vital to taking down every challenge on the way to the final boss. However, players will quickly realize they need to master the gamein order to defeat Brainiac. The villain is especially quick, and can send some of his ships tentacles out to attack the player at any time. As such, players aren’t just fighting Brainiac, but his whole ship too. Such a feat isn’t easy, but it does result in one well-deserved fist pump when the alien menace finally goes down.
Any gamers who have playedBatman: Arkham Cityknows that there could only be one contender for the best boss fight in superhero games. Taking on Mister Freeze inArkham Cityisn’t just one of the highlights in superhero games, it is a great moment in all gaming.
Mister Freeze starts as Batman’s ally in the story before going rogue and trying to take out the caped crusader. This leads to a fight where players have to be stealthy and usea variety of takedowns at Batman’s disposalwhen a chance presents itself. The catch here is that Mister Freeze is clever and will adapt to every move the player has made. This means that players will also need to adapt and find out new ways to attack the iceman in a tense face-off that is far more intelligent than it has any right to be.
