Games That Are Only Boss Battles

Key Takeaways

• Some games entirely focus on boss battles, requiring players to quickly learn skills and adapt to tough circumstances
• Titles like
  Godstrike
  feature strict time limits for challenging boss fights, offering different game modes for variety
• From
  Furi
  to
  Titan Souls
  , various games offer intricate and difficult boss battles for players

For many players, there is no better feeling than sinking their teeth into a challenging boss battle. Learning the particular attacks and weaknesses of their foe, honing skills learned throughout the course of a level or game, and overcoming a mighty obstacle leaves them with a feeling of achievement and progress.

Some games take this premise and tailor the entire playing experience around it, making the game only about boss battles. Players have to learn their movesets and abilities quickly, closely observe enemies, and train their reaction speed if they wish to succeed in these difficult circumstances. Some of these titles are the toughest games that can be found outside the Soulsborne series.

10 Godstrike

Time Crisis 6

A twin-stick bullet-hell game with a slight twist, Godstrike consists of ten very tricky boss battles with strict time limits. Any damage taken or the use of abilities will reduce the player’s time, so they must be cautious when approaching combat.

Some players have complained about hit-box issues and that the game can be completed in only a few hours, but the art style is attractive in its simplicity and players can really find something to enjoy if they can take down the very difficult “tutorial” boss.

The four game modes in Godstrike are:

• Story – as Talaal, the Herald, players gradually unlock up to 40 unique abilities as they tackle the ten bosses
• Arena – all abilities and bosses are unlocked, allowing for experimentation of playstyles. It’s recommended to play story mode first
• Daily Challenge – a challenge that can only be attempted once, and a new one will be available the next day
• Challenge – can try the challenge many times if it is failed

9 Eldest Souls

That Sounds Familiar

While the name may suggest that this is just a cheap copy of Dark Souls or Elden Ring, Eldest Souls does have its merits. A tricky soulsike in pixel form, it has an intriguing story to unravel, with NPCs to meet along the way and many possibilities when it comes to character builds.

An additional three bosses feature in the free expansion Depths of the Forgotten, making it twelve bosses to be fought in total, and each one is unique. At times, hitboxes can seem unclear and mistakes can be punished somewhat unfairly, but overall, players seem to enjoy Eldest Souls if they give it a try.

8 ITTA

Cat-like Reflexes

• Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2020-04-22
• Developer: Glass Revolver
• Genre: Shooter, Adventure

Another relatively short bullet-hell game, Itta has a much more engaging story. The themes of personal struggle are clear to see, but the main goal is to highlight the importance of perseverance, so gameplay is accessible. If players are struggling with any of the 18 boss battles, they can change damage multipliers or become invincible.

The pixel art style and sublime soundtrack have been heavily praised, as well as the large arsenal of attacks available to players. The story breaks up the action nicely, leading to quite an emotional experience, and Itta’s cat is very popular with fans.

7 Punch-Out!! (Series)

Knockout Blow

Making their way through a series of bouts with somewhat stereotypical characters, players have been enjoying Punch-Out!! since the 1980s. There were six opponents in the original arcade version, with many more in later entries to face on the various ‘circuits’, and cameo appearances from the likes of Mike Tyson and Mario.

The series enjoyed a short-lived revival in 2009 with the Punch-Out!! reboot for the Wii, which was received well by fans and critics alike. Some may find the classification of the fighters in the Punch-Out!! series as ‘bosses’ contentious, but it seems appropriate since many players even struggle against the feeble Glass Joe!

6 SINNER: Sacrifice For Redemption

A Glutton For Punishment

• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4
• Released: 2018-04-26
• Developer: DARK STAR
• Genre: Action, Horror

Back to games inspired by the Dark Souls series, this time in three dimensions with SINNER: Sacrifice for Redemption. Players take on the seven deadly sins in the form of grotesque monstrosities, followed by an additional eighth boss.

After each battle, an ability is removed, making the game even tougher as players progress. The mechanics and aesthetic of the game have been praised, but the story seems to be somewhat lacking. Those who like a challenge can tackle the additional Nightmare Mode after their initial completion, which allows players to tackle all eight bosses consecutively in the same arena.

5 Titan Souls

One Shot At Glory

One arrow and one hit kills. It sounds simple enough, but in Titan Souls things are not so easy. Taking on the colossal titans and aiming for that one weak spot for an instant kill is devilishly difficult, and it’s worth bearing in mind that the monsters can kill players with a single hit too.

There are 19 bosses in total to be toppled, each with unique movesets and abilities that players will have to learn if they hope to overcome this challenge. Titan Souls is often cited as one of the first soulslikes, and clearly draws inspiration from Shadow of the Colossus too.

4 Monster Hunter World

No Grind, Just Behemoths

The Monster Hunter series is known for its epic boss battles, tackling gargantuan monsters and using their corpses to craft better armor and weapons. The series is also known for the grind, but in Monster Hunter World that is removed, so players can really sink their teeth into the best clashes.

Some players may question the inclusion of this entry since there are smaller monsters that can be easy fodder, but they are intended to be decorations to make the world feel more alive, and the vast majority of players will ignore them to take on the larger beasts. The loot on offer from bosses is far superior.

3 Mega Man: The Power Battle

Mega Man: Boss Rush

• Platforms: Arcade, GameCube, Xbox, PS2
• Released: 1995-10
• Developer: Capcom
• Genre: Fighting

Quite a curiosity in the Mega Man series with just the bosses and no level to traverse beforehand. Just as in the mainline games, in T he Power Battle, the chosen player character will receive the weapon from his defeated foe, meaning that players should choose the correct path to defeat enemies if they want to exploit their weaknesses.

There are 18 main bosses in the game, and three playable characters to choose from, so each playthrough is unique. Since it was originally an arcade game, it is difficult and will test the resolve of even the most patient players.

2 Furi

Feeling Furious

Trapped in a hellish prison consisting of floating islands, “the Stranger” must escape by defeating the guardians of the prison and the jailer. Guided by “the Voice”, a mysterious man in a bunny costume, he must overcome these ten bosses with a mixture of melee and firearm combat, and perfect timing.

Furi has additional bosses through DLC, one called “the Flame”, and finally, Bernard can be challenged if defeating all other bosses on the hardest of the three difficulty levels. He is capable of using the attacks of every other boss in the game, making him a formidable foe.

The three difficulty levels are called:

• Promenade – an easier level for players who don’t want too much of a challenge
• Furi – the default setting, which is still difficult in itself, requiring lots of patience
• Furier – the hardest level for those who want a challenge and want to unlock the hidden boss

1 Shadow Of The Colossus

Wander In The Forbidden Lands

An instant classic and very unorthodox game for its time, Shadow of the Colossus really wanted players to feel the consequences of their actions. Attempting to save a dying girl, Mono, and traversing the expansive open world as Wander with his horse, Agro, players are tasked with killing the 16 Colossi spread around the map.

There is a great emotional impact in this game, with strange feelings of unease and guilt when killing the colossi, many of whom are non-hostile until they are attacked. The long and peaceful journeys between battles give players time to contemplate what they have done and what is yet to come, something that would have been lost had there been basic enemies to fight.