The best boss fights are the icing on the cake of an already mesmerizing gaming experience. These climactic encounters generate the most intense adrenaline rushes and keep us returning for more. Whether you’re facing off against a towering behemoth, a cunning villain or a long-lost friend turned foe, these heart-pounding moments separate the seasoned gamers from the casuals.
From genre-defining showdowns to under-the-radar gems, take a delightful stroll down memory lane and explore the top seven boss battles in video gaming since 2010.
1. Malenia, Goddess of Rot — Elden Ring
Malenia, Blade of Miquella is a true terror to Elden Ring gamers worldwide. The way she speaks so calmly while readying for battle lends to the eeriness of the combat sequence. When she rushes at you in a flurry of attacks, it’s almost impossible to get out of the way in time.
Several curses and a few tutorials later, you finally cut her down and prepare to move on — but then she respawns as Malenia, Goddess of Rot. This version’s more menacing and infinitely more powerful.
Leveling up your stats and being strategic with your attacks is key. Notice how this gamer cleverly uses Ranni’s Dark Moon and other heavy-hitting charms to slow down Malenia and keep her at a distance.
2. Thor — God of War: Ragnarok
Odin may be the most powerful god in this region but Kratos’ showdown against Thor was something fans have been awaiting since the end of God of War 4. Thankfully, it did not disappoint.
Thor is intimidating but somewhat playful in your first battle, as he says he’s more concerned with seeing the real god of war in action. The second time is a no-holds-barred battle with some pretty great dialogue in between blows. Thor’s Mjolnir versus Kratos’ Leviathan Ax was also a fantastic mashup.
3. Khotun Khan — Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima had some of the best boss fights in video gaming history. From dueling the demon Tengu to the battle against Kojiro and even the sadly unavoidable clash with Lord Shimura, Jin certainly had his share of heart-pumping encounters. However, his fight with Khotun Khan, the game’s main antagonist, stands out as the most spectacular.
The scene where Jin wipes his blade on his forearm as he prepares to take on Khotun Khan on the ship is epic. After a fierce battle, you eventually impale the Khan to the ship’s mast before taking his head in one fluid stroke — a fitting end to such a masterful and cruel villain.
4. Erlang, the Sacred Divinity — Black Myth Wukong
With over 100 superpowered bosses, Black Myth Wukong is packed with challenging monsters and beasts to slay. However, not all bosses are created equal — Erlang, the Sacred Divinity, is the toughest of them all. You probably recognize him from the tutorial boss from the opening cinematic, but in the final showdown, he comes at you with full power.
Erlang summons countless gigantic weapons and mostly fights in the air, safely out of reach of your staff strikes. It’s equally challenging to predict his movements, as he might hurl a giant ax or lighting sword at you. On top of that, he unleashes a shadow tiger to take a swipe at you every now and then.
It’ll take a lot of cunning on your part to dodge and counter your way against the onslaught. Check out how this gamer did it without sustaining damage.
5. Rat King — The Last of Us 2
The Rat King is a terrifying mashup of stalkers, clickers and a bloater all bundled together as a single organism — basically the stuff of nightmares. You encounter this boss as Abby while searching for supplies at an abandoned hospital. There you are, celebrating finding a medical kit, when the slowly building guttural sounds abruptly announce the Rat King’s arrival.
Just when you think you’ve damaged the thing, a clicker peels away from the pack and starts running around, giving you yet another problem to worry about. Abby is such a badass for taking on it with her bare fists in this clip.
6. Victor Rookwood — Hogwarts Legacy
Totally biased opinion here, but Hogwarts Legacy was a breath of fresh air from the usual hack-and-slash gameplay. The combat styles followed a similar format, though from a much longer range, thanks to your trust wand and potion attacks.
One of the best boss fights in the game is the battle against Victor Rookwood and his fellow dark wizards. It’s not particularly challenging like the Graphon or Ranrok Dragon, but the sequence is action-packed and highly immersive. You’re blocking and weaving attacks while casting spells and curses on your foes. The “Avada Kedavra” duels against Rookwood are a nice touch.
7. Poseidon — God of War 3
God of War 3 is where we see the most brutal version of Kratos as he takes on the gods of Olympus in the most horrific manner. From bashing in the face of Hercules using his own gauntlets to cutting off Hermes’ legs and ultimately decimating Zeus, Kratos is an unstoppable force.
However, the fight against Poseidon tops them all in sheer brutality and engaging gameplay. When Kratos rips him out of the giant water horse and flings him against the rocks — pure cinematic perfection.
Which Video Game Has the Most Boss Fights?
With around 272 super-difficult bosses, Elden Ring plus all its DLCs takes the cake for having the most boss fights. The best thing about the game is that you have no choice but to play perfectly, especially when facing off against extremely powerful villains like Godfrey, First Elden Lord and Maliketh, the Black Blade.
What Game Has the Best Bosses?
Ultimately, it comes down to you and your preferred playing style. God of War 3, Dark Souls 3, Genshin Impact and Shadow Of The Colossus boast memorable bosses that cement the game’s legendary status.
Best Boss Fights in Gaming Ranked
As newer games emerge over the next decade, the best boss battles are more than just obstacles to overcome — they’re stories waiting to be re-lived and celebrated. Take some time to revisit these epic showdowns and try out new ones along the way.
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