Metroidvania games are celebrated for their intricate level design and rewarding exploration, but let’s be honest, the tough boss fights are a huge part of the appeal. It’s where you truly test your skills and upgrades.
Defining a “challenging” boss is subjective, of course, so this list reflects my own experiences and pain points. While all of these encounters offer a decent level of difficulty, I’ve aimed to save the most infuriating and complex challenges for the grand finale.
This collection features a diverse range of titles, from innovative takes on movement to dark, gothic adventures, a fresh spin on a classic platformer, and even a notable entry from the latest installment in the Metroid saga. So, let’s dive into some final boss battles that will push you to your limits.
10
Eldar
Dandara
Let’s be clear: nothing in Dandara comes easy. This vibrant and inventive Metroidvania forces you to navigate by leaping from surface to surface, defying gravity with every move. Given the unique movement system, it’s not surprising that combat can be pretty demanding.
While Eldar may not be quite as frustrating as that persistent, roving cannon guarding the path to his chamber, this final boss caused me a fair amount of grief before I finally managed to take him down.
The fight unfolds in two distinct phases. First, he appears as a gigantic television screen, floating around and trying to crush you. Then, he morphs into a demonic embryo, unleashing a barrage of projectiles while you desperately try to break through his shields to inflict any real damage.
Though challenging and admittedly irritating, Eldar is far from impossible. Once you’ve learned his attack patterns and mastered the art of bouncing around the arena, victory is within reach.
9
Blighted Lord
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights marked my entry into the world of Soulslike Metroidvanias, alongside titles like the original Blasphemous. This should tell you straight away that it is not an easy experience.
While the Blighted Lord possesses neither the frantic pace nor ferocious determination of Ulv, The Mad Knight, this encounter still demands patience and strategy. The restricted number of usages for each equipped Spirit significantly complicates combat.
Although not an overly aggressive adversary, the Blighted Lord proves to be a resilient foe. He continuously summons spirits to bombard you with projectiles while occasionally attempting direct attacks.
Despite a seeming lack of enthusiasm for battle, don’t underestimate the Blighted Lord’s capacity to obliterate you. That said, with careful leveling and the proper selection of Spirits to assist you, players can dispatch this tragic, suffering soul with relative efficiency.
8
Medeya the Cosmic Voice
The Last Faith
The challenges start to ramp up with The Last Faith. This beautifully macabre Gothic adventure is overflowing with dangers, and Medeya the Cosmic Voice makes for an incredible final boss.
Not only does she bombard Eryk with a variety of weapons, but she also calls down lightning strikes, conjures swirling ice shards, and even defends herself with shields. What’s more, Medeya’s attacks intensify as her health dwindles, demanding constant vigilance.
Like any good boss, Medeya puts your skills to the test. Yet, once you grasp her tells and perfect your timing, you can put an end to her cosmic reign. Just don’t let your guard down, or Eryk could find himself on the receiving end of this eldritch entity’s wrath.
7
Birdman & Starworm
Iconoclasts
Joakim Sandberg has created many imaginative games, but the Metroidvania Iconoclasts remains a true standout. A quirky story of one mechanic fighting against the world’s end, it culminates in a showdown with the bizarre Starworm and its pilot, the Birdman.
The Starworm initially attacks Robin with illusions that she must avoid while repairing vital systems. After enduring several phases of this, the Starworm goes on the offensive, attempting to crush her with its claws, spitting bouncing projectiles, and generally trying to eliminate the persistent mechanic.
Just when you think victory is at hand, the Starworm opens up to reveal the Birdman within, another mechanic – and a ruthless one at that.
He unleashes everything he has to destroy Robin, shields himself from attacks, and reactivates the Starworm to fight alongside him. It’s a truly epic final encounter that has earned a permanent place in my memory.
6
Raven Beak
Metroid Dread
In the past, Samus relied on the gifts of the Chozo to overcome brutal Space Pirates and alien creatures. But in Metroid Dread, a deadly Chozo named Raven Beak subverts those expectations, turning Samus’ strengths against her.
As the mastermind behind Samus’ woes and the final boss of the game, Raven Beak is a formidable foe.
The battle is a multi-stage ordeal that requires you to skillfully dodge a multitude of attacks and accurately execute counter QTE attacks, a hurdle that personally kept me from winning for longer than I’d care to admit.
Raven Beak fights with brutal efficiency, slashing with claws, firing lasers and projectiles, and even conjuring black holes and solar energy. And when you think it’s over, an X-Parasite takes over, resulting in a disturbing monstrosity.
5
Revenance
Tevi
There’s a valid reason why developers generally avoid blending Bullet Hell mechanics with Metroidvanias. While the story and characters in Tevi have their appeal, the frenetic boss encounters, especially the final battle against Revenance, left something to be desired.
You’ll likely be overwhelmed quickly. Revenance unleashes endless waves of projectiles and intricate patterns of lasers that rain down. This is all before the second phase, where things get even more intense.
If you can master avoiding the projectiles and lasers, you might have a chance against this brutal final boss.
4
King Priest
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree
Let’s be honest: the first phase against King Priest in Mandragora is pretty good. It’s fairly fun and well-balanced. Then, he transforms into a giant skeleton, and it all gets exponentially more frustrating.
You must deal with King Priest teleporting and assaulting you with energy beams, while protecting Mandragora from his attacks. Did I mention there’s a time limit, and King Priest summons homing balls that explode?
King Priest stands out for how poorly balanced its various elements are. However, this makes the fight a difficult Metroidvania boss battle.
3
Dracula & Death
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin has you play as Charlotte and Jonathan to fight supernatural monsters. But once you reach the final fight, those roles are reversed: You face Dracula & Death!
As a long-time fan of the series, I was excited to see Konami brought those characters to combat at the same time. But that is not the same as saying this was an easy battle; far from it.
During the first phase, Dracula teleports around, shooting fireballs and turning into swarms of bats. Meanwhile, Death tries to cut you in two with his scythe while summoning scythes.
Then, Dracula and Death fuse into a gigantic, skeletal bat monster, attempting to crush you, summoning giant scythes, sending waves of fireballs, and skewering you with enormous spiked wings.
In conclusion, it’s an entertaining boss battle in Castlevania history.