15 Video Game Boss Fights That Took Way Too Many Attempts

Every gamer remembers at least one boss fight that felt impossible the first time they tried it. Either the health bar refused to shrink, the attack patterns were unbalanced, or a single strike meant resetting to a point in the far too distant past. While we all hate them in the moment, a thoroughly difficult boss fight can also be one of the most rewarding moments in gaming. The following boss fights earned their reputations through sheer difficulty, but we remember them for the elation that followed a well earned victory.

Sephiroth – Final Fantasy VII

Legendary for his high damage, long health bar, and the infamous “One-Winged Angel” theme that haunts players’ memories.

Ornstein & Smough – Dark Souls

Facing two bosses simultaneously forced players to master patience, positioning, and endurance in one of gaming’s most notorious duos.

Ganondorf – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

A multi-phase fight requiring timing, precise swordplay, and careful management of limited resources.

Mike Tyson – Punch-Out!!

Speed, pattern recognition, and reflexes were essential to survive the first knockout punch and conquer this boxing legend.

Bowser – Super Mario 64

Jumping, dodging, and hurling shells tested platforming skills and patience across multiple encounters in Peach’s castle.

Vicar Amelia – Bloodborne

Her size, reach, and rapid transformation phase left players dodging frantically and retrying endlessly.

The Nameless King – Dark Souls III

Perhaps the ultimate test of stamina and skill, punishing even the smallest mistake with devastating combos.

Dr. Robotnik – Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Precise timing and memorization of attack patterns made the final battle a frustrating but satisfying challenge.

Ridley – Metroid Prime

A massive aerial boss with multiple attack phases that tested dodging, aiming, and resource management.

Shadow – Sonic Adventure 2

Speed combined with aerial combat made this final fight difficult for newcomers to the series.

Psycho Mantis – Metal Gear Solid

A boss fight that broke conventions, forcing players to think outside the box and even manipulate hardware.

King Hippo – Punch-Out!

Deceptively simple, but timing his weak points was trickier than it first appeared.

Seath the Scaleless – Dark Souls

An unpredictable magic user whose invulnerability phase required precise strategy to finally land hits.

Culex – Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

A secret optional boss whose powerful spells and high HP punished unprepared parties, making victory feel hard earned.

Emerald Weapon – Final Fantasy VII

A massive optional boss with enormous HP and devastating attacks that forced players to prepare carefully, often taking dozens of attempts to defeat.