The 50 Greatest Video Game Villains Of All Time
By Matt Becker
Greatest Video Game Villains – #33 Dr. Wily
Game(s): Mega Man series
Background: The evil mad scientist and Albert Einstein look-alike Dr. Wily is the recurring villain in the Mega Man series, making an appearance in every game as an antagonist. This genius scientist started off as a colleague and friend of Dr. Light, creating humanoid robots and making huge advancements in robotic technology. Frustrated that the recognition for their work was going to Dr. Light instead of himself, Wily started his own robot factory. There he reprogrammed these robots for combat to assist him in taking over the world. One of Dr. Light’s robots volunteered to be converted into a fighting robot to take down Wily, and thus Mega Man was born. Throughout the game series, Wily returns with a different plan to take over the world, only to be constantly defeated by Mega Man.
Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Yes, Dr. Wily is yet another mad scientist villain. But he is much more dynamic than that. He checks off all the boxes of a classic genius scientist: cruel, manipulative, cunning, vengeful and with an inherent thirst to destroy the world. But he has also shown a number of respectable personality traits. Dr. Wily shows that he truly cares for his robotic creations, unlike other villains that view their minions as only a means to an end.
Despite his jealously and hatred towards Dr. Light, he never attempts to physically harm him. At the end of Mega Man 10, he leaves Mega Man the cure to the robots of a deadly virus in return for Mega Man sparing his life. Dr. Wily’s motivating drive is that of pure jealously and the desire to be recognized as the genius robotic pioneer that he is. This legendary mad scientist is determined to conquer the world no matter how many times Mega Man (his own creation) foils his plans, establishing his legacy as one of video game’s greatest evil genius scientists.
Next: 32- Andrew Ryan