Video game bosses are an important trope in many different genres of video games. By having a boss battle, players can put their skills to good use, and instead of fighting the same enemies, they have a new and challenging experience presented to them. Not only are bosses a staple of some video games, but some developers go above and beyond with their boss design.
Some of the best video game bosses don’t just have recognizable patterns or interesting physical designs. Some of them have a great sense of banter for the player. Bosses that provide the player with banter or even smack talk are brilliant for riling up the player and trying to make them lose their composure. It’s a great way to break the fourth wall without actually breaking it, as the boss is talking to the player’s character.
8 Haytham Kenway, Assassin’s Creed 3
When Ubisoft retired Ezio Auditore, many were wondering what could be next for the Assassin’s Creed franchise. The next game, Assassin’s Creed 3 leaped the American Revolution. Players spend their time in Assassin’s Creed 3 as Ratonhnhaké:ton, the son of Haytham Kenway.
Throughout this Assassin’s Creed title, when players finally come against their Templar father, Haytham, they are faced with not only an exciting sword fight, but Haytham seems to not break a sweat as he delves into a speech. The two argue during their fight about their disagreement in philosophy, and control. It makes the fight more intense.
7 Vergil, Devil May Cry 5
There’s a long-standing rivalry in the Devil May Cry series between Vergil and Dante and for good reason. During the latest entry in the Devil May Cry saga, Devil May Cry 5, Dante will once again face off against Vergil, utilizing the powers that both characters have learned and adapted over their years in battle with one another.
Considering that the two are brothers, it’s no surprise that the fight in Devil May Cry 5 is one of the series’ best. Not only is it a great boss fight, but the two brothers seem to bounce off one another, and it seems for a moment that it is more than hatred.
6 Baldur, God Of War
Players will encounter Baldur a few times throughout God of War. This Norse God may feel no pain, but his fists and words are bound to hurt the player. Baldur has lost his head quite a bit, both physically and mentally. The poor man is cursed to feel nothing, not even taste or smell. Therefore, a fight with him is like a punching bag that punches back and does not quit.
As players encounter Baldur in God of War, not only are they in for a riveting and bloody fight, but Baldur will dish out plenty of insults towards Kratos and brag about how he can’t even feel the attacks Kratos is dishing out. Even Kratos gets annoyed with Baldur and tells him he talks too much.
5 Senator Armstrong, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
One of the most iconic bosses in not only Metal Gear, but all of gaming. Senator Armstrong from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance has been the result of many memes over the years. From his looks to his speeches. Part of the reason people like Senator Armstrong so much is that he isn’t afraid to continue a political speech whilst rocking out with his huge muscles.
Senator Armstrong from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance will give Raiden the fight of his life, all whilst talking as if this is some ordinary press conference for his political gain. Depending on Raiden’s skill, he may even complement the fight.
4 Titan Joker, Batman: Arkham Asylum
Few characters work so perfectly together as The Joker and Batman. These two characters have seen the very worst in each other, and they have an eternal dance as the most iconic hero and villain duo. Batman: Arkham Asylum put their rivalry at center stage, and towards the end of the game, Joker injects himself with Titan, a substance that makes the user mutated and incredibly strong.
Batman doesn’t scare off easily, and he fights Joker, even as this hulking monster in Batman: Arkham Asylum. As the two battle, Joker often leaves the fight to laugh and talk to the helicopters watching or will banter with Batman whilst giggling about this intense fight.
3 Vulture And Electro, Marvel’s Spider-Man
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Spider-Man is well known for his quips, and he prides himself on just how annoying he can be to his villains. There are a few boss fights in Marvel’s Spider-Man with some familiar and iconic Spider-Man villains, most of whom are used to, but still hate Spider-Man’s quipping. When Spider-Man encounters Vulture and Electro as a duo boss fight, the banter is in overdrive.
Not only will Spider-Man take turns in bantering with Electro and Vulture, but the two will even banter with each other, or sometimes towards Spider-Man, which provides him with a shock greater than Electro’s lightning powers. It’s another addition to Marvel’s Spider-Man that makes the game great.
2 Thor, God Of War: Ragnarok
Players are introduced to Thor in an electrifying fashion in God of War: Ragnarok. This title sees the Norse God of Thunder face off against the last surviving Greek God, the last surviving because he killed the rest. Thor and Kratos have a lot of potentials, both in their past and their warrior ability. This is exactly why this God of War: Ragnarok boss fight is one of the best in gaming, for its combat and banter.
Kratos is as quiet and rageful as ever, and whilst battling Thor, he is met with verbal abuse from the God of Thunder. Thor relentlessly belittles Kratos and demands for him to be a harder challenge. It’s the banter that further enrages Kratos to emerge as the former Ghost of Sparta he thought he was.
1 GLaDOS, Portal
The final boss of Portal is less of a battle of fists and more of a battle of minds. Players will need to think on their feet as they take on GLaDOS in the original Portal. The entire boss fight has players thinking carefully, all whilst GLaDOS relentlessly bullies the protagonist.
The protagonist of Portal is completely silent, which makes this banter even funnier, as GLaDOS is just relentlessly evil and horrible to the protagonist. It’s as if the protagonist is ignoring GLaDOS whilst trying to kill her, all whilst GLaDOS continues to ramble about her hatred.