The 50 Greatest Video Game Villains Of All Time

Without villains, there are no heroes. We take a look at the top 50 greatest video game villains of all time.

Everyone loves a great hero, but the villain is the driving motivation behind every great story. Every hero needs someone or something preventing them from reaching their end goal, whether it is to rescue the princess, save the world, or escape their own demise. That is what makes for an epic adventure. Sometimes these antagonists can be even more complex and captivating than the protagonists themselves. A good villain engages the player and drives them to keep playing the game in order to defeat them. Whether it is their diabolical plans, their monstrous appearances, or their evil personalities, villains can make or break a video game.

We’ve gathered up a list of fifty of the greatest villains known to gaming, both old and new. We’ve ranked these dastardly enemies based on several factors: their aesthetics, their personality, boss mechanics, and narrative influence. Where does your archenemy rank on our list?

NOTE: Some of the following descriptions contain spoilers. Be careful what you read!

Next: 50 - Pope Rodrigo Borgia

Greatest Video Game Villains – #50 Pope Rodrigo Borgia

Game(s): Assassin’s Creed 2

Background: The real historical figure Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) is the main antagonist of Assassin’s Creed 2. Holding the mystical Apple of Eden, Borgia believes himself to be the chosen “Prophet” who will lead the Templars to the mysterious Vault where he believed God resided. Controlling the assassin Ezio, the player fights to attack Borgia and eventually reclaim the Apple. Borgia later uses his influence to become elected Pope and use his power in Rome to continue his quest to open the Vault. At the end of the game, Ezio faces Borgia by the entrance to the Vault. Despite the Pope using the powers of the Papal Staff and stabbing Ezio, Ezio defeats Borgia and uncovers the secrets of the Vault for himself.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: The Assassin’s Creed series is known for incorporating historical figures into its games, and Pope Borgia is no exception. Pope Alexander VI is considered one of the most controversial Popes of the Renaissance and allegedly resorted to murder and extortion during his reign. Assassin’s Creed‘s characterization of Borgia is no less controversial. As a master of manipulation and politics, he extorts his way into the papacy with nothing but malevolent intentions. Borgia admits to Ezio that he does not actually believe in the Church, and only wanted to use political stature to open the Vault. His obsession over becoming the “Prophet” led him to being one of the most corrupt leaders of the Catholic Church and earning him a spot as one of video gaming’s greatest and most politically dishonorable villains.

Next: 49- Darth Malak

Greatest Video Game Villains – #49 Darth Malak

Game(s): Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Background: The former Jedi Knight turned Sith Lord, Darth Malak, is the primary antagonist of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic RPG. After years of apprenticeship under Darth Revan, Malak betrayed Revan when their ship was under assault by Jedi forces and took claim as the Sith Lord. He then unleashed an aggressive attack against the Republic, scattering the Jedi forces and even swaying some of them to turn to the Dark Side of the Force. The player takes control of a Jedi of unknown origin who fights against the forces of Darth Malak. It is later revealed the player is actually the former Darth Revan, who was captured and brainwashed by the Jedi. No matter the player’s choice of alignment, you eventually face Malak in an epic final battle.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Darth Malak is a classic case of both good turned evil and the apprentice overtaking the master. Malak’s descent to the Dark Side was a slippery one. Not only did he renounce the ways of the Jedi, but double-crossed his own master and took control of the Sith for himself. The reveal that the player is actually the former Darth Revan only makes Malak’s role in the game all the more engaging. Regardless of which side of the Force the player chooses to align with, you must face Malak in a challenging final showdown. Mid-fight, Malak will drain the life from a captive Jedi, regaining all of his lost life. This gives the player a moral dilemma: fight Malak honorably or kill all of the captive Jedi to prevent him from refilling his health. Malak is filled with cunning deceitfulness and a thirst for destruction, earning him a place as a truly memorable Star Wars villain.

Next: 48- Mecha-Hitler

Greatest Video Game Villains – #48 Mecha-Hitler

Game(s): Wolfenstein 3D

Background: Adolf Hitler is the final boss of the 1992 first-person WWII shooter, Wolfenstein 3D. But this isn’t just the infamous Hitler, this is Hitler in a mechanized, armored robotic suit. Armed with quad automatic chain guns, this encounter is one of the most ludicrous in video gaming. In a game filled with killing Nazi mutant super soldiers in the maze-like Castle Wolfenstein, nothing is a more fitting finale than taking down the Fuhrer himself. This nonsensical and potentially offensive final boss fight is just as humorous as it is epic.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Most World War II based shooters make references to Adolf Hitler, but few let you take on and kill the German Nazi leader yourself. Without a doubt Hitler is one of the most evil men in all of human history, but fighting him in a ridiculous mech suit is nothing short of entertaining. The fight itself is challenging, as Hitler has an insane amount of health and must be defeated both within and outside of the suit. Nothing is more satisfying than destroying this infamous villain and leaving him as a puddle of blood and bones. This villain is too nonsensical and borderline insensitive to not include on this list.

Next: 47- Andross

Greatest Video Game Villains – #47 Andross

Game(s): Star Fox series

Background: Andross is Fox McCloud’s arch-nemesis and the main antagonist of the Star Fox series. Once a highly renowned Cornerian scientist, this genius become lustful for power and began conducting dangerous biomechanical experiments that led to his banishment to the planet Venom. There he built up an army of humanoid lizards and monkeys in his quest to destroy the Lylat system and become ruler of his own galaxy. The player takes control of Fox and the Star Fox mercenary team to stop his invasion of the galaxy.

In the final battle of Star Fox 64, Andross is revealed as a giant mechanical head floating in space due to his numerous lethal experiments on himself. Fox destroys Andross and reveals his true form, a horrific floating brain that Fox again defeats in an epic battle to end the game.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: As is tradition, a once successful and genius scientist turns mad and uses his experiments and research for evil. Andross’ story is that of corruption at the hands of absolute power. Andross had no issue conducting experiments on himself either, turning himself mad and altering his physical being in the worst way. Andross’ destruction resulted in countless deaths, including that of James McCloud, Fox’s father and the leader of the original Star Fox team. This sets up a great rivalry between the two characters, fueled by revenge. Andross frequently taunts Fox, saying that facing Andross alone would result in his death just like his father before him. Andross’ story, his rivalry with Fox, and his memorable appearance (a giant floating monkey head, what’s not to love?) make him an unforgettable video game villain.

Next: 46- Master Hand

Greatest Video Game Villains – #46 Master Hand

Game(s): Super Smash Bros. series

Background: The Master Hand is the primary antagonist in the single player campaign of every game in Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. series. He is considered to be the creator of the universe, watching over Nintendo’s notable characters as they fight each other. Some think Master Hand is meant to represent a child’s hand who plays with the trophies collected throughout the game. In the final boss fight, this right-handed villain uses his massive size to his advantage as he slaps, punches, and throws your character around like a rag doll.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: In a game that is primarily focused on multiplayer arena-style fighting matches, Master Hand helps bring the single player mode of Super Smash Bros. to life. His aesthetic fits well into the universe of the game, giving players the feeling they are nothing but toys fighting in someone’s imagination. Even though he is just a hand, he is given an evil laugh that resonates through the arena as his creepy fingers fly across on the screen, flicking your hero around like a little bug. If there was an encyclopedia entry on creepy hand gestures, Master Hand would be a perfect example.

Next: 45- Diablo

Greatest Video Game Villains – #45 Diablo

Game(s): Diablo series

Background: The Lord of Terror and one of the three prime evils that rules over hell, Diablo is the title character and primary antagonist of the hack-and-slash action-RPG series Diablo. He is one of the seven great evils that make up “Satan” in the Diablo universe. For billions of years the war between the angels of heaven and the demons of hell was waged. During the time of man, the three prime evils of hell led by Diablo sought to use their influence over the mortal realm to conquer the heavens. Despite numerous imprisonments and banishments, Diablo used manipulation and the possession over humans to break confinements and continue his war, wrecking chaos among humanity in the process. The player controlled Nephalem is tasked with stopping Diablo and the Prime Evils, and faces Diablo as a boss in every Diablo game.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Diablo is arguably the most creative and farsighted of the Great Evils, using his cunning and patient personality to his advantage in his quest for conquest. Terror is his choice of weapon, striking when the enemy turns their back in fear. He feeds more on terror than he does the conquest and pain that results from it. Diablo’s power over fear is so immense that he is considered to be the most deadly of the prime evils. Diablo is always thinking ahead, having backup plans in case of his defeat, including impregnating and possessing humans. He is the final boss of Diablo I, a primary boss in Diablo II, and the end boss of the main Diablo III story. These encounters are intense and challenging, especially when played at higher difficulty levels. What is more epic than taking down the frightful Lord of Terror himself deep in the chasms of hell?

Next: 44- Zeus

Greatest Video Game Villains – #44 Zeus

Game(s): God of War II and God of War III

Background: The Greek god and ruler of Mt. Olympus, Zeus served as the main antagonist of both God of War II and God of War III. The God of War series is loosely based upon ancient Greek mythology, and many of Zeus’ attributes are directly taken from the historic Greek religion. After witnessing (and assisting) Kratos destroy Ares in the first God of War, Zeus becomes paranoid that Kratos will overthrow his rule over Mt. Olympus. Zeus betrays Kratos (who we later learn is also his son) and sets out to destroy him, demolishing anything that stands in his way. This sets the plot for the next two games in the series. God of War III ends with Kratos finally defeating Zeus with his bare hands and ending the reign of the gods of Olympus.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: The way God of War utilizes Greek mythology makes Zeus a compelling character throughout the first three games of the series. In the first God of War we see the compassionate and fair side of the almighty god. But when he starts to feel that his reign is threatened, he becomes paranoid and prideful and will do anything to retain his power. He betrayed and killed Kratos out of fear, and went on to destroy Sparta, murdering thousands of innocent lives. He has no problem using his own family in his war against Kratos, causing the deaths of Poseidon, Helios, Hercules, Hades, and his own wife Hera. He shows no remorse for their deaths: his only thought is protecting his own reign. And it all came back to bite him, leading to his eventual demise. Similar to the mythological Zeus, he was also an extremely unfaithful husband. He’s cheated on Hera numerous times, fathering many illegitimate bastard children (including Kratos) and caring little about their well-being. Kratos himself is very vengeful and not quite an upstanding citizen, but the wrathful Zeus deserved what he had coming for him. Facing off against the almighty Zeus himself is too epic to not consider him one of video gaming’s greatest villains.

Next: 43- Saren Arterius

Greatest Video Game Villains – #43 Saren Arterius

Game(s): Mass Effect 

Background: Saren Arterius is a primary antagonist of the first Mass Effect game. Controlled by the ancient Reaper starship Sovereign, the Turian Saren is on a quest to find the sacred beacon “The Conduit. ” He is a veteran member of the Spectres, an elite group of special ops agents known for their ruthless and brutal tactics. Saren has little regard for life and views humanity as the lowest on the totem pole of the galaxy. Saren starts the game as a “good guy” working to defend galactic order. But he become susceptible to Sovereign’s indoctrination, which sparks his racist intergalactic killing spree. Saren meets Commander Shepard towards the end of Mass Effect, where Shepard tries to convince Saren of Sovereign’s influence over him. Saren’s fate is dependent on the player’s choices, but ends up dying one way or the other.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: What makes Saren an intriguing villain is his obliviousness to the true driving factors behind his actions. He is acting as Sovereign’s puppet without even knowing it, committing gruesome crimes against other alien races including using them for questionable experiments. Our first introduction to Saren is him killing his partner and friend in cold blood, setting the stage for the brutal personality of this racist antagonist. Even though he was always a Turian supremacist with a knack for violence, he was truly a puppet for Sovereign. One can argue that he is more of a victim than a villain. This also sets up an interesting decision the character must make when Shepard finally encounters him at The Conduit. But no matter what your feelings are about Saren, his cold and horrific murderous acts throughout Mass Effect seal his spot on this list.

Next: 42- Origami Killer

Greatest Video Game Villains – #42 Origami Killer

Game(s): Heavy Rain

Background: The Origami Killer is the serial killer and main antagonist in the interactive crime drama adventure Heavy Rain. The game focuses on solving the mystery behind the kidnapping and murder of a young boy, the ninth such case in three years. The killer is known for drowning their victims (always young boys) in rainwater and leaving an origami figure and orchid with the dead body, earning them the name “Origami Killer.” The killer is also notorious for presenting a series of disturbing trials for the father of the victims to save their sons, drawing parallels with Jigsaw from the Saw movies. The killer is revealed (or not, depending on the player’s choices) at the end of the game to actually be one of the playable characters who lost his brother at a young age from drowning in a well.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: A serial killer that kidnaps young boys and puts their father’s through tortuous trials to save their lives? Talk about a seriously creepy psychopath. The killer captures little boys, locking them in a storm drain that slowly fills up with rainwater over time. Meanwhile, he tortures the fathers through various trials who will do anything to save their sons. These fathers go so far as to cut their fingers off, crawl through glass and electric wire, and even kill random strangers. But the most messed up part is that the killer never has any intention of sparing his victims, no matter how far the fathers are willing to go. It’s revealed in the last chapter of the game that the killer lost his brother when their father was too drunk to save him from a well. The killer in turn decided to re-enact the scenario with numerous random young boys. Talk about some serious mental issues.

Next: 41- Zachary Comstock

Greatest Video Game Villains – #41 Zachary Comstock

Game(s): Bioshock Infinite 

Background: The leader of the ultra-nationalist Founders that created the floating city/warship of Columbia, Zachary Hale Comstock is the main antagonist of Bioshock Infinite. As the leader of the floating utopia, Comstock manipulated the citizens of the city into worshiping him as a god, earning the names “Prophet” and “Father Comstock.” He believes that he has the ability to predict the future as well as attacks from his enemies, including the protagonist. Comstock is a religious madman, forcing his racism and malevolent philosophies upon the people of Columbia while he attempts to “cleanse” the world below. In a crazy twist at the end of the game, it is revealed that Comstock is actually an alternate version of the protagonist from another reality, only adding to the brilliance of his characterization.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Father Comstock is a true master of manipulation. His religious zealotry had such an influence on the naive people of Columbia that citizens would be willing to die for their leader, drawing some analogies to modern-day North Korea. This madman portrays all the personality traits of a true madman and embodies the worst facets of humanity. The plot twist involving Comstock at the end of the game really solidifies the historical influence he has on the BioShock universe. His character design is played out extremely well and is a key factor to the game’s narrative. Any character that is so evil and corrupt that you want to personally destroy them makes for a great villain, and Zachary Comstock is no exception.

Next: 40- Dr. Neo Cortex

Greatest Video Game Villains – #40 Dr. Neo Cortex

Game(s): Crash Bandicoot series

Background: Dr. Cortex is the short, balding, large-headed evil scientist villain in the Crash Bandicoot franchise. Like many mad scientist villains, Cortex’s primary motivation is the lack of respect from his peers. Suffering from bullying at a young age, he attempted to create an army of mutated animals using his Evolvo-Ray creation. Cortex accidentally creates Crash during one of his experiments, who in turn becomes his greatest nemesis. He acts as the main boss in nearly every Crash Bandicoot game, trying time and time again to conquer the world only to be foiled by Crash and his friends.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: A vengeful mad genius trying to take over the world while experimenting on animals? It’s hard not to consider Dr. Neo Cortex a top 50 video game villain. Don’t let his silly, cartoonish appearance fool you: this scientist does not mess around. He tries diabolical plan after diabolical plan to take over the world, from creating robots of mass destruction to time travel machines to powerful doomsday weapons. He clearly shows no respect for animals, mutating them to join his army of destruction. Despite his evil nature, it’s hard not to feel at least a little sympathy for Dr. Cortex. He underwent severe emotional trauma growing up, receiving a tattoo of the letter “N” for “nerd” on his forehead by a group of evil circus performers and later losing his entire family in a freak accident. His thirst for revenge got a little out of hand, though, as he attempts to destroy the world to prove a point. At least this lunatic has motivation for his insanity.

Next: 39- Shao Kahn

Greatest Video Game Villains – #39 Shao Kahn

Game(s): Mortal Kombat series

Background: Shao Kahn the Konqueror and Emperor of Outworld is the final boss in the second and third Mortal Kombat fighting action games, and serves as an antagonist throughout the series. His recognizable appearance is that of a large Asian warrior donning a large skull warlord helmet, spiked shoulder pads, and wielding his large Wrath Hammer. Shao Kahn’s strength rivals that of the gods, and he is known for his ferocity in battle. Not only a brutal warrior, he has a strong knowledge of the black arts and has the power to consume other souls. His arrogant personality is unparalleled. In his mission to conquer the Earthrealm, he creates a fight-to-the-death martial arts tournament that if anyone succeeds in winning will result in him halting his attack. Despite numerous defeats, Shao Kahn always returns in full force to wreak havoc.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: In the complex lore of the Mortal Kombat fighting series, Shao Kahn is the most persistent and recognizable villain. He is arguably the most brutal and malevolent evil-doer in the franchise, which speaks volumes when characters are ripping out throats and chopping bodies in half. Shao Kahn is known for his overconfident personality, which has become his greatest weakness. But despite his numerous defeats at the hands of the Earthrealm fighters, he returns time and time again to conquer the world via his fight-to-the-death tournaments. Shao Kahn is arguably one of the most difficult (and cheap) boss fights in all of video games. His unpredictable massive hammer and constant shoulder bashing is nothing short of rage inducing.

Next: 38-Team Rocket

Greatest Video Game Villains – #38 Team Rocket

Game(s): Pokémon (Generation I and II)

Background: This villainous team from the Pokémon series has the ultimate goal of taking over the world by capturing and exploiting Pokémon. While Pokémon trainers form bonds of friendship and loyalty with their Pokémon, Team Rocket is only interested in stealing or capturing strong and rare Pokémon for their own profit. They have no issue selling them, conducting cruel experimental research on them, and have even killed Pokémon. Despite the silly portrayal of Team Rocket in the Pokémon anime, this abusive organization lead by the mysterious Giovanni is always causing trouble and is akin to modern-day animal abusers.

Why They’re One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: While the whole concept of capturing Pokémon and using them to fight is a bit dodgy, the game teaches the player that Pokémon are your friends and you should always treat them with respect. Team Rocket, on the other hand, views them as a means for world domination. They’ve killed Pokémon, cut the tails of Slowpokes, and consistently try to steal other people’s Pokémon. Their oath posted in the Team Rocket headquarters states “Steal Pokémon for profit. Exploit Pokémon for profit. All Pokémon exist for the glory of Team Rocket.” If there was a Pokémon equivalent of PETA, Team Rocket would be at the top of their most hated list. Good thing they’re relatively dysfunctional and can’t handle a ten-year-old child and his team of loyal and loving Pokémon. Team Rocket’s failures hammer home the story’s message that love and respect triumphs over hatred, adding to Pokémon‘s charm.

Next: 37- Talbot

Greatest Video Game Villains – #37 Talbot

Game(s): Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Background: The primary antagonist of Uncharted 3, Talbot is one of Nathan Drake’s greatest rivals. He is the right-hand man to his mentor Kate Marlowe, the leader of the secretive ancient Hermetic Order. Although Marlowe is technically making the decisions, Talbot as the head of the combat decisions is the one who gets to handle most of the dirty work. Tablot has mysterious and occult characteristics, inexplicably surviving what should have been a fatal gunshot wound and using hallucinogenic darts in his encounters with Drake and company. In the final mission of the game, Drake and Talbot go head to head in the City of Brass. After Marlowe dies in quicksand, Talbot fights Drake in hand-to-hand combat, ending with Drake shooting him. He is the only principal antagonist in the Uncharted series to be killed during actual gameplay.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Talbot is considered the anti-Drake in almost every facet. They are both of similar age and physical appearance, and posses similar physical abilities and intelligence. Tablot’s relationship with Marlowe also draws parallels to Drake’s acquaintance with his mentor Sully. Talbot cares little for anyone except himself and Marlowe, and expresses deep rage after her death that resulted in his own demise. His sadistic and manipulative personality makes him an easy target of hatred and makes his defeat all the more satisfying. His dark association with the occult and use of hallucinogens make for some trippy encounters during the game. The mystery behind Talbot and his narrative rivalry with Drake make him an all-around solid villain.

Next: 36- General RAAM

Greatest Video Game Villains – #36 General RAAM

Game(s): Gears of War

Background: The reptilian RAAM was once a drone solider in the Locust Horde whose skill, strength, and loyalty earned him promotions to the elite Theron Guard and the eventual head of the Locust military. While not the primary antagonist of the Gears of War series (that title goes to Queen Myrrah), his influence and position of power makes him responsible for millions of deaths in the Locust’s fight to completely wipe out all of humanity. The player encounters General RAAM in the final boss battle of the first Gears of War. His formidable intelligence, fighting prowess, and super human strength make for an intense and challenging battle. It took both Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, an attack helicopter, and numerous turrets to finally take down this monstrosity of a general.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: General RAAM is a truly bad ass military villain. He worked his way up through the ranks of the Locust army and is a powerful fighter through and through. Not only does he posses insane strength, but his skill and intellect make him a truly daunting warrior. RAAM handles a mounted machine gun by hand with ease, and often wields a serrated blade to slice down his enemies in melee combat. He is the only known Locust who can control the Kryll, highly aggressive flying monsters that swarm enemies and rip them to shreds. Even though he is not calling always directly the shots, he is the true face of the Locust military who killed millions upon millions, almost completely wiping out humanity. The epic final boss battle against RAAM is what really solidifies his spot as a top villain. Good luck trying to take down this monstrous general on Insane difficulty.

Next: 35- Vladimir Makarov

Greatest Video Game Villains – #35 Vladimir Makarov

Game(s): Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and 3

Background: This Russian terrorist is a primary antagonist in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare franchise, particularly in the second and third games. Leader of the Ultranationalist terrorist cell called the Inner Circle, Vladimir Makarov is a ruthless and cunning strategist who believed that the ends justified the means. His disregard for human life was shown in the infamous Zakhaev International Airport attack, a mission in Modern Warfare 2 that involves the slaughter of hundreds of innocent people at a busy airport. His goal to return the USSR to its former glory shaped the course of history, sparking the third World War. Makarov was eventually found hiding out in a Dubai hotel after the war and was murdered by the protagonist John Price.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: What really makes Vladimir Makarov such a great villain is both the realism and controversy behind his actions. In a society plagued by terrorist acts, incorporating something as controversial and brutal as the airport massacre in Modern Warfare 2 really brought to focus the pure evil of terrorism. The player controls an agent infiltrating Makarov’s group, forcing the player to actually take part in the attack and kill innocent people. This scene draws an immediate hatred towards Makarov and shows just how little he cares about human life. His resume of terrorism is extremely long and horrific, involving everything from bombings to assassinations to detonating a nuclear device. His influence not only in the storyline but on the course of history is unparalleled, earning him a spot as one of video games most influential and realistic villains.

Next: 34- Giygas

Greatest Video Game Villains – #34 Giygas

Game(s): EarthBound Beginnings, EarthBound

Background: The “Embodiment of Evil” is the alien antagonist in both EarthBound Beginnings and EarthBound. In EarthBound Beginnings we learn that Giygas was an alien raised since infancy by human parents, both of whom were abducted from Earth in the early 1900s. Giygas was tasked to ensure that humans do not use the alien’s PSI powers against his own race. This forced him to attack Earth and betray the humans that raised him. He was eventually forced to retreat after being defeated by his adopted parents’ grandson. EarthBound‘s story begins with Giygas returning to Earth.

We learn that while in the future he actually succeeds in conquering the planet, a prophecy foretells his defeat by Ness. He travels back in time to defeat Ness, overcome with rage and despair after losing his adopted mother. Giygas partners with Pokey Minch, Ness’ neighbor, who helps keep Giygas’ destructive powers under control. His evil power spreads through the whole universe, and he is able to manipulate the minds of humans, animals, and even inanimate objects. He faces Ness and company in the interdimensional final battle of the game, where is finally defeated once and for all through the emotional power of prayer.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Giygas’s story is one of heartfelt despair and emotion. In EarthBound Beginnings, Gigyas has a strong connection with his human mother and feels immense guilt for being forced to betray her. He had to choose between protecting the ones he loved or fulfilling his duty to protect his entire race, an immensely difficult decision for even a powerful alien like himself. Giygas becomes so unstable after these events that he becomes pure evil and completely loses his mind. His influence over the universe is unparalleled, and every enemy Ness encounters in EarthBound is under his control. He turned innocent little animals into possessed monsters, and turned the young boy Pokey Minch into a power-hungry killer.

Despite all of this destruction and evil, Giygas’ true weakness was that of human emotion. In both EarthBound Beginnings and EarthBound, the protagonists were unable to physically defeat him and instead relied on exploiting his emotional weakness. This shows that despite being literal evil, deep down Giygas felt true emotion and understanding. His descent into pure darkness and destruction due to his emotional instability had tremendous narrative influence in the story of EarthBound and sets him apart from other video game villains.

Next: 33- Dr. Wily

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

Greatest Video Game Villains – #32 Andrew Ryan

Game(s): BioShock

Background: The industrialist Andrew Ryan is the creator of the Rapture, a massive underwater colony meant as an escape from the political post-WWII world. Ryan filled the city the world’s best and brightest individuals in an attempt to create a utopia in which freedom reigns over all. This display of excessive self-confidence led to his eventual demise. Civil war erupted in Rapture, leading to genetic warfare that resulted in the creation of horrific creatures such as Splicers. In the first BioShock game, the player (Andrew’s son, Jack) fights their way through Rapture to take down the mentally defeated Andrew Ryan and is forced to beat him to death with a golf club.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: The complexity of Andrew Ryan’s personality makes him one of the best villains in gaming. Just the fact that his ambition and hubris led him create a huge underwater metropolis at the bottom of the sea is enough to earn him a high spot on this list. Throughout the game, the city is littered with art and propaganda about Ryan, a constant reminder to citizens of Rapture who their leader is. What’s even crazier than the idea of an underwater utopia is the fact that Ryan almost successfully pulls it off. But he could not handle his position of power, and his stubbornness and arrogance led to his eventual death. Using mostly politics and money to reach his position of power, Ryan is a reflection upon how power can corrupt anyone, even if they start with the best intentions. While it is eventually revealed that Jack is actually brainwashed by Atlas, this doesn’t take away from the fact that Ryan’s utopia was nothing short of a disaster that cost thousands of people their lives.

Next: 31- Mother Brain

Greatest Video Game Villains – #31 Mother Brain

Game(s): Metroid series

Background: This unique organic supercomputer is the recurring antagonist and boss in Nintendo’s Metroid series. This massive brain AI system was created by the ancient Chozo race, but turned against them when space pirates invaded their planet. Mother Brain decided to “ally with” (read: control) the pirates and use them to help her “reset” the world. She takes the form of a literal giant red brain with spikes coming out of her head and a singular menacing eye. In Super Metroid she has a more mechanized form and is capable of a number of attacks including shooting energy beams, bombs, and powerful lasers from her eye. She is the final boss Samus must face at the end of the game to save the world from destruction.

Why She’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: In addition to her creepy and impressive appearance, Mother Brain’s intellect and thirst for world destruction makes her a classic villain. She takes a hands-off approach to world domination throughout the games, commanding her army of minions from within her underground lair like a true evil mastermind. The final boss encounters against this insane AI are some of the most iconic and climactic battles in video game history. The final battle against Mother Brain in Super Metroid was the truly defining moment for that game and really what made her into the iconic villain she is now. She became more than just a floating brain in a glass container, but a mechanical bipedal monster. A list of greatest video game villains would not be complete without the inclusion of this hideous monstrosity.

Next: 30- Liquid Snake

Greatest Video Game Villains – #30 Liquid Snake

Game(s): Metal Gear Solid

Background: First introduced as the primary antagonist in Metal Gear Solid, Liquid Snake is a clone of Big Boss along with his brothers Solid Snake and Solidus Snake. Commonly referred to as “Liquid”, he was led to believe that Solid Snake had received all of Big Boss’s dominant genes. This sparked Liquid’s strong resentment towards his brother and his quest to prove his superiority over him. As the leader of the special forces unit FOXHOUND, Liquid led an armed insurrection against the U.S. government to capture a secret nuclear facility in Alaska. After a long battle, he unsuccessfully attempts to kill Snake, resulting in an epic hand-to-hand fight and high-speed car chase. After surviving a series of devastating injuries, Liquid eventually dies not at the hand of Snake, but due to his infection from the FOXDIE assassination virus. It was later revealed that Liquid was deceived and actually did carry Big Boss’ superior genes all along.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Liquid, while closely resembling Snake in terms of appearance, shared little to no personality traits with his brother. Liquid is arrogant, loud, and resentful while Snake is generally calm and collected. Liquid did share Snake’s prowess as a highly skilled solider and genius level intellect, both possessing a very high IQ and language-learning aptitude. He became mentally unstable upon being told he was the inferior clone, which was the driving factor behind all his actions. He had no respect for anyone else, including Big Boss himself, with his only goal to defeat Snake. Liquid does seem to have some sort of sense of pride, however when he fights Snake unarmed one-on-one at the end of Metal Gear Solid. He also displays extremely high levels of endurance and durability, surviving numerous explosions, gunshots, falls, and vehicle crashes. Liquid’s ignorant thirst for superiority led to a great and defining rivalry between him and Snake.

Next: 29- Master Xehanort

Greatest Video Game Villains – #29 Master Xehanort

Game(s): Kingdom Hearts series

Background: Keyblade Master Xehanort is the central antagonist in the complex story of Kingdom Hearts. Throughout his travels, he came to notice that light seemed to overcome darkness, while he believes that they should strike a perfect balance. Xehanort began to seek to conquer Kingdom Hearts and reorganize the world according to this belief. He is both physically strong and an extremely skilled magic user, able to harness both elemental and psychic powers. He even made use of time travel to manipulate events so that his future self’s plans would succeed. Xehanort has the ability to both create living beings as well as possess existing ones. He is the original incarnation of both Ansem and Xemnas, two of the primary villains in the Kingdom Heart series. Ultimately he is either directly or indirectly responsible for the series of events that constantly threaten to end all worlds.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Master Xehanort plays a relatively complex role in the Kingdom Hearts series. Throughout his many forms and incarnations, he is the overarching catalyst behind all of the horrific events that have threatened to destroy the Kingdom. From instigating the Disney Villains’ hunt for Kingdom Hearts to the creation and control of the dark Vanitas, Xehanort is the mastermind behind it all. He is ruthless, cunning, and manipulative and has no regard for the lives of others, including those that care for him. Xehanort is a master tactician who always has back-up plans in case his schemes fail. And to top it off, he is a powerful elemental mage and psychic. For over a decade he has been the root cause of the many hardships the Kingdom has endured. There are not many villains that have as impressive of a resume as Xehanort, and he truly is one of video games’ most impactful villains.

Next: 28- Harry Flynn

Greatest Video Game Villains – #28 Harry Flynn

Game(s): Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Background: A British treasure hunter and employee of the Serbian war criminal Zoran Lazarevic, Harry Flynn is one of the main antagonists in Uncharted 2. He acts as Lazarevic’s personal assistant and treasure hunter on their quest to find the immortality-granting Cintamani Stone. Flynn befriends Nathan Drake and uses his expertise to help him break into the Istanbul Palace Museum. Once he gains the information he needs, Flynn betrays Drake by triggering the alarm, resulting in Drake’s arrest and internment for three months in Turkish jail. Throughout the game, Drake pursues the duo resulting in several violent encounters with Flynn. In his final act, he unsuccessfully attempts to blow up Drake and his associates with a suicide grenade.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Flynn is arguably the most hated villain from the Uncharted series. He constantly makes mistakes and always seems to be riding the coattails of others. A prime example of this is when he was unable to solve a puzzle in a Himalayan monastery and convinces his associate Chloe to help him solve it so he can “smooth things over” with Lazarevic. What really makes Flynn a stand-out villain is his character development throughout the game. We see how he meets and befriends Drake, and commits the cowardly act of betrayal. He becomes Drake’s primary enemy in the game and attempts to kill his “friend” numerous times. Even though Lazarevic is the one calling the shots, the egotistical Flynn is the one who does all the dirty work and gets the screen time. Nothing is worse than a traitor, and Flynn’s ability to get under the player’s skin earns him a spot as one of the worst traitors in video gaming.

Next: 27- Porky Minch

Greatest Video Game Villains – #27 Porky Minch

Game(s): Earthbound, Mother 3

Background: This rotund and obnoxious boy is an important character in Earthbound and the primary antagonist of Mother 3. At the site of a meteorite crash, him and his neighbor Ness meet an alien from the future who tells them of the Earth’s impending destruction at the hands of the evil alien Giygas. At the end of the game, Porky appears in a spider-like mech at the right hand of Giygas and reveals his belief that Giygas should destroy the universe. After Giygas is defeated, he uses time travel to escape to Tazmily Village sometime in the future, setting up the plot for Mother 3. Once there, Porky uses his ability to brainwash others to create his own Pigmask Army. As “King P”, he creates hybrid robot-animal creatures to attack innocent civilians. His master plan was to harness the power of an ancient dragon and destroy the planet until he is foiled by Lucas and friends. After Porky is defeated in the final battle of the game, he attempts to escape via a safety capsule that locks him inside for all of eternity.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: At first glance you would never suspect this plump and unpleasant little boy to be such a powerful force to be reckoned with. But after his involvement with Giygas, he gained numerous powers and equipment that enabled him to time travel, brainwash others, and perform psychokinesis attacks. Porky is extremely obnoxious and egotistical, which only amplifies his maliciousness as he gains more power. He almost manages to wipe out the entire universe not once, but twice. His actions are said to be fueled by his desire for and inability to obtain friendship. But when your first reaction to not getting something you want is universal destruction, clearly something is not right with your mental state. This childish psychopath is like a crazier, less-humorous version of South Park‘s Eric Cartman who seems to enjoy death and destruction just for the fun of it.

Next: 26- Dr. Wallace Breen

Greatest Video Game Villains – #26 Dr. Wallace Breen

Game(s): Half-Life 2

Background: Dr. Wallace Breen was the former head of the government research corporation Black Mesa. After the infamous Seven Hours War, Breen negotiated a peace treaty with the antagonistic, inter-dimensional organization Combine that saved the planet but resulted in the enslavement of humanity. Breen is then given rule over Earth, working directly with the mostly distant Combine to keep order on the planet. Propaganda videos dubbed “Breencasts” featuring The Administrator can be seen throughout the city during the game. After the player (Gordan Freeman) raids his Citadel in Half-Life 2, Breen falls during an attempt to escape via teleporter. He is assumed dead, but his true fate remains unknown.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Dr. Breen is a truly spineless wartime villain. His selfishness led him to sell out the entire human race in his last-ditch effort to avoid conflict with the Combine. While it is likely that humanity would have been wiped out had he not come to this agreement, it is debatable that he might be the ultimate cause of the invasion in the first place. But that does not excuse his motives in the aftermath of the invasion. He sits smugly in his role as leader of Earth that was not earned by merit but through cowardice, watching as humanity suffers enslavement. He makes no attempt to win the Earth its freedom back and is more concerned with his own self-preservation all the way up until the very end of Half-Life 2. His unpleasant and self-righteous personality paired with this cowardice make him easy to hate. Most would be happy to see him officially dead, and maybe if Half-Life 3 is ever released (please Gaben!) we can get closure on this spineless villain’s fate.

Next: 25- Kerrigan

Greatest Video Game Villains – #25 Kerrigan

Game(s): Starcraft

Background: Sarah Kerrigan was born a terran (human) female with powerful psychic powers. As a child, she accidentally killed her mother and severely injured her father using her powers. She was taken into custody by the Confederates and put into their special operations Ghost Program. She spent years undergoing torturous training and experiments that turned her into a killing machine unable to feel remorse for her actions. She later became second-in-command of the Sons of Korhal, a resistance movement against the Confederacy. After a battle against the Zerg, the Swarm captured and infested Kerrigan, turning her into a terrifying terran/zerg hybrid. She then took on the title “Queen of Blades” and became the leader of the Swarm, seeking revenge against the terrans.

Why She’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Kerrigan is one of Starcraft‘s most notable characters, and her image is often used on the game’s box art. She epitomizes the story of the good character turned evil. While her story isn’t quite as clear-cut as that, ultimately Kerrigan’s own people betrayed her and fueled her quest for revenge as a powerful leader of the enemy army. She is a mastermind military general with a courageous and vengeful personality. Nothing smells like revenge more than leading the Swarm to war to annihilate your former people. Not to mention she looks like a complete badass, with tentacle dreadlocks and huge skeletal wings. Her impressive visage along with her dominant narrative influence on the lore of the Starcraft universe earns her a spot as one of video games most recognizable and influential villains. Even Dwight from The Office thinks so.

Next: 24-Rival/Blue

Greatest Video Game Villains – #24 Rival/Blue

Game(s): Pokémon Red & Blue

Background: When you start off Pokemon Red or Blue, one of the first characters you meet is your rival, who is also Professor Oak’s grandson. Things immediately start off on the wrong foot when his grandpa not only forgets his name (allowing you the player to choose it for him), but also gives you first choice of starter Pokémon over his grandson. Your rival automatically picks whichever Pokémon counters yours, making his battles against you all the more difficult. He is always one step ahead of you the entire game, including beating the Kanto Elite Four. The final battle of the game comes down to you versus your rival in an epic match to “be the very best.”

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Can you imagine the frustration a young boy must feel when his own grandfather seems to favor some other new kid over his own relative? He does a decent job hiding any of his emotions though, as his arrogant and childish taunts (“Smell ya later!”) are a staple element of his encounters with the player. Despite the player consistently defeating him in battles throughout the game, your rival is a formidable opponent that blazes through the gym leaders at an astounding pace. And all without any special assistance (as far as we know, he doesn’t have a Master Ball)! I remember playing Pokémon for the first time when I was very young and beating the Elite Four, thinking I had finally beaten the game. But then I saw my rival, and was shocked that this kid was just always in the way, always pushing the player to be a better trainer. The true rivalry between the player and his rival is one that is hard to match. And, let’s be honest, we all named our rival something silly like “BUTTFACE”, making him an even more enjoyable component of an already fun game.

Next: 23- Kuja

Greatest Video Game Villains – #23 Kuja

Game(s): Final Fantasy IX

Background: The young, jovial, silver-haired Kuja is a powerful mage who at first glance seems very non-threatening. But don’t let appearances fool you, as he actually has a very sadistic and narcissistic personality. Kuja is the first of the Genomes created by the ruler Garland, with the sole purpose to cause war and destruction on the planet Gaia. Once Kuja realizes that he was just a prototype and that Garland designed other, more improved Genomes, he murders his maker and destroys all of Terra. Believing that the world should no longer exist, he then plans to do the same thing to Gaia.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Kuja follows the stereotypical villain’s goal of ending the world, and he actually succeeds in destroying all of the planet Terra. While his actions are self-centered and anything but acceptable, it is hard not to slightly empathize with him. He was created in an experiment as the Angel of Death, and began his existence as an adult, lacking any sort of emotional intelligence. He operates like a machine and simply carries out what he was created to do. Kuja eventually comes to realize that he is just as weak as the innocent people he has killed. His last act before he dies is to actually teleport the main protagonists away to safety instead of murdering them. Kuja clearly has emotional issues regarding his creation, which sparks his destructive and world threatening behavior. But his complex personality and his ability to draw sympathy from the player even as the primary antagonist is what earns him a spot on the list of greatest video game villains ever.

Next: 22- Frank Fontaine

Greatest Video Game Villains – #22 Frank Fontaine (Atlas)

Game(s): BioShock

Background: Frank Fontaine was the criminal mastermind and con man who started the uprising against Andrew Ryan in the first BioShock game. His actions caused the eventual downfall of the Rapture. After faking his death, Fontaine posed as “Atlas”, a charismatic fisherman who gained support from the poor through manipulation while growing an army of Splicers. In a huge plot twist, the player (Jack Ryan) finds out that Frank Fontaine had actually captured you as a child and used mental conditioning to control your actions, including killing your father. You free yourself from his mind control and meet Fontaine for the final battle of the game. Fontaine, who is now a spliced up, hulking monstrosity, has three different elemental forms the player must conquer before he is finally defeated and killed.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Throughout the first BioShock, you are convinced that power-hungry Andrew Ryan is the real enemy. In arguably one of the greatest plot twists in gaming, you learn that Frank Fontaine has actually been pulling the strings the entire time. This reversal of circumstances truly defines the game’s story. Fontaine was not only the mastermind behind organized gene splicing, but of the downfall of Rapture all together. A criminal through and through, his hunger for power and his mastery of the art of lying made him the true villain of BioShock. He truly was in it for the long con, and successfully pulled off one of the most impressive schemes to overthrow a government in all of video gaming.

Next: 21- Alma Wade

Greatest Video Game Villains – #21 Alma Wade

Game(s): F.E.A.R. series

Background: Alma Wade is the primary antagonist and the key figure in the F.E.A.R. series of first-person shooter horror games. Born with mysterious psychic powers, Alma underwent numerous emotionally scarring and horrific experiments at a young age. The identity and mystery of Alma is core to the game’s story. She is frequently seen in the first game as a young girl lurking in the shadows, wearing a red dress with long dark hair covering the blank stare on her face. Giggling and running in the shadows, all encounters with her are extremely unnerving and usually end in violence or death. In F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, Alma plays an even larger role due to her psychic connection with the protagonist. Shown as a naked, emaciated young woman, she grows romantic and obsessive feelings for the main character and ends up raping him and impregnating herself. Her final appearance is in F.E.A.R 3, where she gives birth to the child and then disappears for the remainder of the game.

Why She’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Creepy, giggling children have become a common trope in the horror genre, and F.E.A.R. successfully uses this in their characterization of Alma. Whether she is lurking inside mirrors or whispering in your ears, Alma is one of the most frightening foes you will ever encounter in a horror game. Her transformation from a creepy child to an obsessive adult girl make her even all the more disturbing. But her actions in the second F.E.A.R. really are what solidified her as one of the craziest villains in video games. Locking the main character into a chair, then forcing his mind into a hallucination while she rapes him and impregnates herself is absolutely horrifying on so many levels. And not to mention it’s all in first person view. Enough said.

Next: 20- Flowey

Greatest Video Game Villains – #20 Flowey

Game(s): Undertale

Background: Flowey is the first character the player encounters in the indie RPG Undertale and serves as the game’s primary antagonist (depending on the choices the player makes throughout the game, that is). He takes the appearance of a sentient flower, and initially seems friendly and helpful. Flowey provides an introduction to the game’s mechanics, telling you that his bullets are actually “friendliness pellets.” He immediately tries to kill the player, announcing his philosophy of “KILL or BE killed!” Depending on if the player decides to kill or spare creatures encountered throughout the game changes the story line. At the end of the game’s neutral route, Flowey takes on the form of “Photoshop Flowey” for the game’s final boss fight. This intense and challenging bullet-hell fight is complete with frightening aesthetics and music. Flowey breaks the fourth wall during this fight, exiting the game and reloading save files.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: The interactions the player has with Flowey drastically change based on the decisions they make through the game, making him one of the most unique bosses on this list. He manipulates not only the main character, but you, the player. Undertale breaks the fourth wall on many occasions, and Flowey directly talks to the player several times. In subsequent runs of the game, and he will even comment on your actions in previous save files. It’s extremely impressive the writing that went into characterizing him as a believable entity, with only the screen itself acting as a barrier between him and the human player. The complexity of the game’s different endings and information you learn about Flowey’s background is entirely too much to delve into here. But his unique and temperamental nature make him a truly unforgettable villain.

Next: 19- M. Bison

Greatest Video Game Villains – #19 M. Bison

Game(s): Street Fighter series

Background: Donning a red military uniform and cap resembling a Nazi officer, M. Bison is the main antagonist of Street Fighter II and a recurring character in the series. A typical arrogant villain, he seeks to rule the world as its ruthless dictator while also becoming the greatest martial artist of all time. He is the founder and leader of the criminal organization Shadaloo, involving himself in everything from drug and weapon trafficking to terrorism and human experimentation. He disregards all other human life, even his own henchmen’s, and will do anything to further his own power. As the final boss in Street FIghter II, he gave many players a headache with his unpredictable movement style and a difficult moveset that can easily catch you off guard. He has become an iconic figure in the fighting series and has made an appearance in every game to date.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Bison has never felt an ounce of empathy or remorse for the numerous acts of violence and wrongdoing he has committed. He has captured and tortured Ryu, used brainwashing on numerous occasions and even captured teenage girls to turn them into his own assassins and bodyguards. He has cheated death numerous times, which has never undermined his thirst for power. Bison undoubtedly has a god complex, occasionally speaking about himself in the third person and lives by a “business before pleasure” mantra (where business for him is pure malevolence). For these reasons, many of the other Street Fighter characters view him as their archenemy, to which he ignores and views as a simple nuisance. M. Bison’s pure evil behavior and his formidable martial arts skills make him an iconic boss and villain in both the Street Fighter universe and all of video gaming.

Next: 18- Harbinger

Greatest Video Game Villains – #18 Harbinger

Game(s): Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3

Background: After thinking you finished dealing with Reapers in Mass Effect 1, Harbinger proves you wrong in Mass Effect 2 by taking control of the Collectors. Harbinger, the oldest and largest Reaper, oversees the Collectors’ operations from behind the scenes through much of the game. He directs his army to enslave the entire human race in order to use them to create a hybrid human-Reaper. By controlling the Collector General, he has the ability to take control over any Collector the player (Shepard) is facing, restoring their health and empowering their abilities. At the end of Mass Effect 2, Shepard manages to foil this plan. But Harbinger returns in Mass Effect 3 leading attacks on Earth and during the final battle of the series. He is finally defeated along with the rest of the Reapers by the Crucible.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Harbinger is a genius battle general who leads his hive mind to enslave the entire human race, as do so many other video game villains. Similar to the Illusive Man, Harbinger mostly leads from behind the scenes by puppeteering his minions from a safe distance. This makes typical battles against Collectors all the more interesting and difficult. This can be both frustrating and rewarding: you want to just take down the Harbinger in person, but knowing that the enemy leader himself is witnessing you slowly chipping away at his forces makes every fight all the more satisfying. His vengeful acts against the human race and constant presence throughout the game are two key aspects of this character that make him a great villain.

Next: 17- Handsome Jack

Greatest Video Game Villains – #17 Handsome Jack

Game(s): Borderlands 2, Tales from the Borderlands

Background: The snarky, articulate, and clever Handsome Jack is the main antagonist and self-proclaimed dictator of Borderlands 2‘s Pandora. This mask wearing egomaniac took control over the Hyperion Corporation and took all of the credit for the Vault Hunter’s achievement in the first Borderlands game, including killing the huge alien boss The Destroyer and finding The Vault. In the second game in the series, a new group of Vault Hunters are tasked with killing Jack and restoring peace to Pandora. Jack even went so far as to imprison his own daughter inside the Control Core Angel so he could take control of the ECHOnet system. He lives in an always visible satellite in the shape of an H, akin to the Death Star from Star Wars. 

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Like a lot of classic villains, Handsome Jack loves to constantly berate the player and narrate their inevitable failure to stop him. His well-spoken manner is almost charming in a way, but there is no mistaking that he is truly evil. Jack is a manipulative killer with no regard for any life but his own. His control over Hyperion gives him unlimited resources and making him a formidable opponent. His personality starts off almost humorous as he thinks the player irrelevant to his empire, but begins to grow vengeful and spiteful as the story progresses. Jack’s constant presence and never ending quips throughout the game makes his eventual demise all the more fulfilling.

Next: 16- SHODAN

Greatest Video Game Villains – #16 SHODAN

Game(s): System Shock, System Shock 2

Background: SHODAN (Sentient Hyper-Optimized Data Access Network) is the artificial intelligence antagonist of the 90’s cyberpunk horror RPGs System Shock and System Shock 2. SHODAN was created to serve as the AI system of the research space station, Citadel Station. After the game’s protagonist hacks the system, the AI goes rogue and takes control of the station and all of its mechanical equipment. The player cannot hide from her omnipresence, enabled via security cameras, computer monitors, and the station’s PA system. She either kills all of the staff or turns them into cyborgs to fight under her control. Throughout the two games, SHODAN attempts to destroy Earth continuously with methods such as using the station’s mining laser, spreading a mutagenic virus, and taking control of humans and cyborgs. At the end of the game, the story hints that SHODAN was never truly destroyed and lives on in another human entity who had fled on an escape pod. As an AI she has no true physical representation, but on screens manifests herself with a greenish-gray female face.

Why She’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: SHODAN’s obsession with power and her god complex make her a clear inspiration for future feminine AI villains. She constantly reminds the player how little she thinks of humans in her stuttering, computer-like voice. Even though in System Shock you play as her creator, that doesn’t stop her from plotting to kill you and attempting to destroy humanity. She freely uses the bodies of other crew members for experiments, either killing them or turning them into parasitic cyborgs. In a huge twist in System Shock 2, SHODAN poses as a human survivor to gain the trust of the player and get him to do her bidding, only to reveal later that that person had actually been dead the whole time. Her constant insults, nonexistent morality, and her seeming immortality are a clear inspiration for future game villains that we all love to hate.

Next: 15- Dr. Robotnik

Greatest Video Game Villains – #15 Dr. Robotnik

Game(s): Sonic the Hedgehog series

Background: Also known as “Dr. Eggman”, Sonic’s archnemesis is what you might consider a classic stereotypical villain. He’s an evil genius with grandiose plans to take over the world and create his own utopia using his army of robots by stealing the Chaos Emeralds (big jewels with mystical powers). While his in-game design has evolved through the years, he still retains his infamous egg-shaped body and his red, black, and yellow outfit complete with little black sunglasses and his large mustache. Dr. Robotnik has appeared in almost every Sonic video game and other form of media since his introduction in 1991.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Dr. Robotnik is one of the craziest and persistent evil masterminds in video games. While he checks off all of the typical attributes one might expect from a villain, what makes him truly evil is how he powers all of his robotic contraptions: the lives of innocent animals and creatures. Dr. Robotnik is PETA’s number one enemy. His self-proclaimed romanticism is hard to believe when he practices animal cruelty with little regard for anything except his goal to create the “Eggman Empire.” Even though Sonic time and time again foils his plans, Dr. Robotnik never gives up and actually is said to hold a certain level of respect for Sonic. His utter disdain for innocent little animals, the great and timeless rivalry between him and Sonic, and his grandiose mustache make this egg-shaped genius one of video games’ greatest villains.

Next: 14- Pyramid Head

Greatest Video Game Villains – #14 Pyramid Head

Game(s): Silent Hill 2

Background: Pyramid Head is the giant, spear wielding villain in the second installment of Konami’s survival horror series, Silent Hill. The main character of the game, James Sunderland, comes to the town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his already-deceased wife. There he encounters the voiceless Pyramid Head, known for his large, triangular, faceless head. This horrifying executioner attempts to kill James several times, as well as kill and rape other monsters in the game. This truly terrifying villain is unsettling and a defining character in the horror video game genre.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Besides his scary appearance and demeanor, what truly makes Pyramid Head a great villain is his unpredictable actions. As the player, you never know what he is going to do next. Sometimes he chases after you, sometimes he chases after someone else, and sometimes there are two Pyramid Heads. Even though he is considered a boss, the player never fully engages him in any sort of battle. The final battle actually ends with an unsettling scene in which the two Pyramid Heads commit suicide. Silent Hill games frequently make use of symbolism, and Pyramid Head is no exception. He is meant to represent Jame’s journey of fighting his own personal demons and his desire to be punished for his wife’s death. Pyramid Head’s truly terrifying nature and threatening, unpredictable behavior makes him one of the scariest villains in video game history.

Next: 13- Lavos

Greatest Video Game Villains – #13 Lavos

Game(s): Chrono Trigger

Background: Lavos is an alien parasite that crash landed on earth in the year 65,000,00 B.C. The main antagonist of Chrono Trigger, Lavos came to this planet with the sole intention of draining all its power to create genetically enhanced spawn it could then spread to other planets. The game implies that Lavos actually influenced all technology and life on the planet so that it could later cultivate it. Lavos slept dormant for millions of years until he finally awoke and put the world into an apocalyptic state. In order to stop him, Crono and his friends embark on a journey across time and space to stop Lavos and save the world.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Lavos is arguably one of the most influential antagonists in any video game story. This alien behemoth essentially shaped the entire world as the player sees it and was responsible for the creation of the modern human species. All just so he could later cultivate it for himself to gain more power. He is both the creator and the (attempted) destroyer of the entire planet. No other villain has such a grand scale effect on the world as Lavos, and it took transcending both time and space for Crono to defeat him.

Next: 12- Albert Wesker Ryan

Greatest Video Game Villains – #12 Albert Wesker

Game(s): Resident Evil series

Background: Wesker was the leader of the elite police S.T.A.R.S unit in the original Resident Evil game, but was revealed to be a double agent for the Umbrella Corporation. Throughout the Resident Evil franchise, Wesker was a man who had no problem betraying friends in his own personal quest for domination over the human race. He faked his own death, gained super powers from a prototype virus, and led the secretive “Organization.” His end goal was to start a new age of the human race, transforming everyone into super humans via a global viral infection and to rule over them as a god. It took forcing him into a volcano’s lava and two RPG-7 rockets to finally take down the power-hungry Wesker in Resident Evil 5.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Wesker, frequently sporting a pair of black sunglasses, is best known for his superhuman speed and strength. But what really defines him as a villain is that he is a backstabber to the worst degree. At one point in the first Resident Evil, he leads his S.T.A.R. team into a trap in the infested Spencer Mansion just to prove how effective against the virus he is. Wesker is also another villain that just refuses to die. Throughout the series he constantly reappears, stronger and faster each time as he continues to inject himself with the virus to increase his powers. He shows zero remorse for anything that he does, and is arguably one of the most resilient villains there is. And all while wearing his slick black sunglasses.

Next: 11- Illusive Man

Greatest Video Game Villains – #11 Illusive Man

Game(s): Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3

Background: The Illusive Man is the secretive leader of the pro-human terrorist group Cerberus. Seen donning an open suit with silver hair and steel-blue eyes, the Illusive Man gives off “millionaire swag” vibes while sitting in his empty office. In Mass Effect 2, the Illusive Man brings back the main protagonist Commander Shepard after his death in the first game. He uses Shepard to launch his campaign to wipe out the Reapers, including sending him on a couple of suicide missions. The Illusive Man tries to later convince Shepard to completely wipe out the entire race of Collectors, leaving the decision up to the player. In Mass Effect 3, the Illusive Man continues his political games of trying to take control of the Reapers, including instigating civil wars. He even implants Reaper nanotechnology into his soldiers and himself in an attempt to make them stronger. No matter the choices the player makes, the Illusive Man dies at the end of the game after a final encounter with Commander Shepard.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: While the Illusive Man is not a physically powerful villain with super powers, he is one of the most frightening villains in video games due to his realistic nature. Xenophobia and racism, which are fundamental to the Illusive Man’s ideological beliefs, are unfortunately still major issues in today’s world. The Illusive Man is not blindly blowing up planets or launching full-scale warfare for the sake of seeing the universe burn. The Illusive Man is acting on what he thinks is best for humanity, and it is up to the player to decide whether or not they want to side with him or against him. He is a unique villain in that he is meant to invoke moral dilemmas within the player and make them think about the repercussions of their actions. The Illusive Man’s thought provoking actions and his relevance to modern-day events and politics earns him a spot as one of the best video game villains.

Next: 10- Psycho Mantis

Greatest Video Game Villains – #10 Psycho Mantis

Game(s): Metal Gear Solid 

Background: A member of the high-tech special forces unit FOXHOUND, Psycho Mantis is considered one of the most powerful psychics in the Metal Gear universe. He is capable of moving objects with his mind, generating balls of psychic energy, telepathy, and mind control. Psycho Mantis also has shown the ability to turn into a ghost/phantom that could teleport and conjure hallucinations from another person’s mind. He uses his mind control abilities to take over Snake’s partner Meryl in an (unsuccessful) attempt to make her kill both Snake and herself. The creepy gas mask-wearing Psycho Mantis is best known for his unique boss fight mechanics that break the fourth wall.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Psycho Mantis’ ability to get in the head of other characters as well as those of the player make him an extremely unusual and awesome villain. The boss battle with Psycho Mantis is considered one of the best of all time due to his ability to break the fourth wall. He makes the controller move through the rumble feature, makes players think he changed the channel on the TV, and has the ability to read the player’s memory cards, commenting on the number of saves made in the game as well as other save files on the card. In Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes for the Nintendo GameCube, players must switch the port their controller is using numerous times in order to defeat Mantis. The creepy nature of his personality and abilities along with the exceptionally unique boss fight mechanics give Psycho Mantis a solid placement on our greatest video game villains list.

Next: 9- Vaas Montenegro

Greatest Video Game Villains – #9 Vaas Montenegro

Game(s): Far Cry 3

Background: Vaas was the poster character and one of the primary antagonists in the third installment in the Far Cry series. He is one of the most memorable characters in the game, and is a perfect example of how a villain can really be the defining element of a game’s story. Vaas captures the main protagonist, Jason, along with his friends when they go skydiving over the Rook Islands in Thailand. His unpredictability was immediately shown after he shot Jason’s brother Grant in the neck, but decided to let Jason escape. His violent acts against innocent people on the island and his numerous attempts to kill Jason always kept the excitement level high throughout the game.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Vaas was truly the star of Far Cry 3 and one of the greatest villains in video games. He represents true insanity: one minute he would seem relatively calm, the next he would be screaming and have no problem killing someone at the drop of a hat. Vaas’ insanity monologue perfectly defines him as a villain. In this memorable speech, he explains that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, yet Vaas himself does that exact same thing. As crazy as he was, his energy levels and personality made the game extremely exciting and entertaining. Vaas’ importance in the storyline was really shown when after his death partway through the game, the game really slows down and loses a lot of steam.

Next: 8- Skull Kid

Greatest Video Game Villains – #8 Skull Kid

Game(s): The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Background: When children get lost in the Lost Woods, they are said to turn into the scarecrow-like Skull Kids. One particular Skull Kid managed to steal the ancient Majora’s Mask from a mysterious salesman and became engulfed by the evil stored within the mask. Using the powers of the mask, the creepy trickster pulls down the moon and directs it straight towards the land of Termina. Within three days time, he actually destroys the world! Of course, Link is the Hero of Time and via time travel prevents the end of the world, setting up the plot for one of the most unique stories in the Legend of Zelda series.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Skull Kid’s creepy personality and appearance really set him apart as an unforgettable villain. Nothing sets the tone of a game more than a sinister, creepy scarecrow child trying to demolish the world. And alternate universes/time traveling aside, he actually manages to pull it off, putting him into an elite group of successful video game villains. While the evil Majora that inhabits the infamous mask is calling all the shots, it’s Skull Kid himself that characterizes the evil Link must pursue and stop to save the world. Skull Kid earns a top spot in our list as one of the weirdest and most eerie child villains to ever exist.

Next: 7- Sephiroth

Greatest Video Game Villains – #7 Sephiroth

Game(s): Final Fantasy VII

Background: The main antagonist in the seventh installment in the Final Fantasy series, Sephiroth is revealed throughout the game to actually be the result of a biological experiment. He was created when the Shinra mega-corporation combined a human fetus with tissue from the destructive alien Jenova. Sephiroth decides to follow in Jenova’s footsteps of conquest by summoning a meteor to severely damage the Planet while Cloud and the other protagonists of the game fight to stop him.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: One can only imagine the psychological effect it has on a person’s psyche learning that you aren’t actually human, but the product of a crazy genetic science experiment. Sephiroth embraced his newly discovered creation by planning to become a god and destroy the universe (as is tradition for Final Fantasy villains). From the burning of an entire village to the literal backstabbing of love-interest Aeris, the last survivor of her ancient race, Sephiroth committed heinous act after heinous act. In the final boss battle against Sephiroth (complete with epic music), he takes on two visually impressive and powerful forms that arguably is the best in the series. His eerily calm demeanor and his gigantic sword only add to the aesthetics of this epic villain.

Next: 6- The Joker

Greatest Video Game Villains – #6 The Joker

Game(s): Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City

Background: Yes, The Joker is traditionally a comic book villain, originating from DC Comic’s Batman universe. But Rocksteady Studios’ own interpretation of the classic villain in the Batman: Arkham game series gave The Joker a new stage. In Arkham Asylum, The Joker traps Batman within the psychiatric hospital of Arkham with several incarcerated villains, forcing him to fight his way out before The Joker detonates bombs around Gotham. In Arkham City, Batman becomes incarcerated in a new massive super prison while fighting to find a cure for himself after The Joker poisons him with his own unstable blood. The game tragically ends with The Joker dying from the poison.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: The Joker’s absolutely killer performance and amazing voice acting by Mark Hamill is the icing on the cake for the first two Arkham games. He is still the maniacal, insane clown that everyone is so familiar with. His appearance in such a large licensed game series really solidified how important The Joker is to the Batman universe. The Joker is a true psychopath with zero regard for human life while also mirroring Batman himself in many ways. This duo makes up one of the greatest rivalries in all of comics and video games. The Joker’s tragic departure at the end of Arkham City really shows how indispensable he is to the series. Batman was willing to help cure him of the poison, and his obvious regret over The Joker’s passing can only bring the feels from the player.

Next: 5- The Lich King

Greatest Video Game Villains – #5 The Lich King (Arthas)

Game(s): Warcraft III, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

Background: Arthas Menethil was the Crown Prince of Lordaeron and a Knight of the Silver Hand. Trained as a paladin and a renowned swordsman, he was sworn to protect the human race. Trouble hit when the plague of the undead began ravaging through Lordaeron, turning citizens into undead zombies. Arthas was forced to set fire to the city of Stratholme and slay its citizens in an attempt to stop the plague infection. Arthas snapped, making it a personal vendetta to stop the Scourge leader Mal’Ganis and followed him to the icy lands of Northrend.

There he took possession of the Lich King’s soul-consuming blade Frostmourne, which drained the last bits of sanity he had left and started his quick downward spiral. Back in Lordaeron, he slew his own father and used his new necromantic powers as a Death Knight to infest the lands with undead. After returning to Northrend and conquering the Frozen Throne, Arthas merged with the Lich King to become the new leader of the Scourge. With an overwhelmingly huge undead army at his disposal, he lead an invasion on Azeroth and became one of the most powerful beings the world has ever seen.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Arthas is a unique villain in that players of both Warcraft III and the World of Warcraft got to witness this once righteous hero descend into madness. His thirst for vengeance enveloped his mind, leaving him vulnerable to the manipulative powers of Frostmourne and the Lich King. What Arthas had fought so hard to destroy ended up controlling him and turning him into a true monster, until he eventually merged with the Lich King and completely lost his human personality. With the Scourge army at this command, both the Horde and Alliance factions (longtime enemies) were forced to unite against him to save Azeroth. The final battle against the Lich King is the last raid boss of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion in the World of Warcraft. The epic story line built up throughout the expansion and culminating in this final battle is arguably one of the most defining moments in the history of the game.

Next: 4- Kefka

Greatest Video Game Villains – #4 Kefka

Game(s): Final Fantasy VI

Background: The Final Fantasy series is filled to the brim with lore and extensive stories, each entry having numerous standout characters both good and evil. One of, if not the, most notable antagonist of that universe is Kefka Palazzo. Unlike many of the other distant, cold killers in the Final Fantasy Series, the court mage Kefka is loud, short-tempered, and maniacal to the nth degree. While first coming across as just a really strange troublemaker, the game quickly reveals his true, horrific self. Kefka hates literally everything in existence and, to quote Alfred from Batman, just “wants to watch the world burn.” He holds nothing back in his thirst for power as he laughs his way to killing hundreds, ascending to godhood and the end of the world.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Something about weird clowns and jesters always makes for a maniacal villain, and Kefka is no exception. Known for his high-pitched cackle, his one-liners, and clown-like appearance, Kefka is a truely merciless psychopath. He wasn’t born a huge monster or with insane magical powers but is fueled purely by his own rage and psychosis. This arguably makes him even more terrifying than many other villains.

In the Final Fantasy VI story line, he unnecessarily poisons the water supply of the besieged Doma Castle, killing hundreds. He then goes on a rampage, torturing and wiping out espers to harvest their power and eventually gain godlike powers. And what makes Kefka such a great villain is that he actually succeeded in pure world domination. He tore the world apart, and annihilated anyone who defied him. And he ruled like this for over a YEAR before finally meeting his demise. His long-lasting reign and genocidal tendencies are arguably the most maniacal in all of gaming.

Next: 3- Bowser

Greatest Video Game Villains – #3 Bowser 

Game(s): Super Mario Bros. 

Background: Arguably the most widely known video game villain to ever exist, Bowser is the King of the Koopas and the main antagonist of the Mario video games. The large dragon-like turtle makes an appearance in close to every Mario game in existence (of which there is an obscene amount). As one of the most persistent villains of all time, he repeatedly kidnaps or attempts to kidnap Princess Peach and conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. But his plans for world domination are always foiled by Mario and friends over and over again. From his first appearance in the original Super Mario Bros. for the NES to the most recent Super Mario 3D World for the Wii U, Bowser’s never-ending fight against Mario has lasted over thirty years. And he has only grown more and more terrifying over the years.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Let’s be honest: no greatest video game villain list would be complete without the infamous Bowser. He has appeared in more games than any other villain, including the numerous Mario spin-off games like Mario Kart and Mario Tennis. His willingness to sit down and play golf or race karts against his archenemies speaks volumes towards his attitude. In between constantly being defeated by Mario, he’s got no problem taking a break to play a competitive game of tennis. It’s almost like he has accepted that the whole shtick is just business.

But the guy never gives up despite his losing record. His numerous castles and huge army of minions are always ready to continue their quest towards domination, growing more and more advanced as the years go on. His consistent popularity and his impressive, long-lasting dedication are what earns Bowser a top spot as one of the greatest video game villains ever.

Next: 2- GLaDOS

Greatest Video Game Villains – #2 GLaDOS 

Game(s): Portal 1, Portal 2

Background: Valve’s first-person puzzle platforming game Portal starts in a seemingly non-threatening series of tests as the player (Chell) navigates their way through various puzzles in the Aperture Science Enrichment Center. What seems to be a helpful AI guide slowly transforms into something much more malicious and manipulating. GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System) is the central operating core of the Aperture lab, controlling and overseeing all experiments.

Her computer-generated monotone, female AI voice is the only interaction the player has with another being throughout the first installment in the series. A master of manipulation and taunting, her true colors are shown as she attempts to incinerate the player after the final test chamber is complete. Chell is forced to make her way to the Central AI chamber and fight against the sentient and powerful AI as she attempts to destroy Chell, just as she had so many test subjects before.

Why She’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: While GLaDOS is yet another powerful AI added to our list of villains, Portal sets her up as a very unique antagonist unlike any other in video games. Because she is the only interaction the player has throughout the game, you assume that she is guiding you through the series of puzzles that appear to be the primary goal of the game. In reality, she is very much a master of mind games and manipulation with an aggressive and spiteful personality.

She is not afraid to poke fun at the player in an attempt to break them down, including the false promise of cake at the end of the tests (sparking the “The Cake is a Lie” meme). She convinces you to “befriend” your companion cube, only telling you to euthanize it later via incineration. While the final battle against GLaDOS might not have been the toughest, her passionate and vengeful personality makes her an unforgettable villain. Although she is also the antagonist in the first half of Portal 2, her noteworthy role in the first game is what sealed her spot as the number two greatest video game villain in our list.

Next: 1- Ganondorf

Greatest Video Game Villains – #1 Ganondorf

Game(s): The Legend of Zelda series

Background: In nearly every Zelda game, a new incarnation of Link is born again. The Hero of Time is a new version of a young boy, destined to embark on a heroic journey to save the world. While there are many versions of Link, there is only one enemy that prevails throughout the majority of the series: the Dark Lord, the Great King of Evil, Ganondorf.

Born the sole male member of the Gerudo, Ganondorf seeks the power of the all-powerful Triforce in an attempt to conquer the world and take the Hyrulean Throne. He often holds the Triforce of Power, granting him immunity against normal weapons and giving him the ability to transform into his beast form, the boar-like Ganon. The only method to defeat him is to use the Triforce itself or special weapons such as the infamous Master Sword, gathered throughout dungeons in the game and culminating in Link’s epic showdown against his archnemesis.

Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Though some might dismiss The Legend of Zelda’s colorful universe as “childish” at times, Ganondorf is the epitome of darkness. The Zelda series tends to follow the classic video game trope of the young boy rising up against the big evil boss in a David v. Goliath fashion. However, Ganondorf is one of the few video game villains to actually succeed in real domination.

In several of the games, Link is actually fighting to rid the kingdom of Ganondorf’s darkness and power, not to prevent it from starting. He’s overcome numerous cross-dimensional imprisonments and defeats, only to resurrect time and time again. Even the gods of Hyrule fear this powerful dark lord, flooding the entire world in Wind Waker in an attempt to delay his spread of power. His unending fight for domination, the epic end-of-game battles, and his menacing scowl and taunting laughs are a staple in Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series and why he deserves the number one spot as the greatest video game villain of all time.

The views expressed in this article explicitly belong to the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of, nor should be attributed to, App Trigger or FanSided as an organization.