Sometimes, a game’s villain is just as iconic as the protagonist we play. Sometimes, the villain can even eclipse the hero.
Villains are usually more complex characters than heroes, which can lead to people liking them more. We want to learn about their past, their motivations, and what made them evil.
These are the best video game villains that can eclipse the hero and win over our hearts despite their evil nature.
Bowser
Bowser has been an iconic villain long before Jack Black voiced him in the Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Since the old days of being told the princess is in another castle, Bowser has been a perfect foil to Mario.
Every now and then, though, the two put their differences aside and enjoy some time playing sports, having a party, or racing go-karts with each other.
GLaDOS
GLaDOS promised us cake, but it turned out to be a lie.
Portal, Valve’s iconic and acclaimed first-person puzzle shooter, is essentially narrated by GLaDOS, who throws out witty one-liners and sings the catchy song “Still Alive” as the credits roll.
Lady Dimitrescu
The Resident Evil games are no secret to iconic antagonists. The most recent one to leave a lasting impression is Lady Dimitrescu.
While her appearance took the internet by storm, Dimitrescu was equally imposing in stature. Her height makes her a legitimate threat, as protagonist Ethan Winters is forced to constantly evade her during the opening moments of Resident Evil Village. Her constant barrage of insults is the icing on the cake.
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Albert Wesker
Wesker has been a staple of the Resident Evil series since the first game on the PlayStation 1.
Before meeting his demise in Resident Evil 5, he was a series mainstay that future games haven’t been able to replicate just yet.
Wesker’s betrayal in the original Resident Evil remains one of the most memorable twists in video game history.
Ganon / Ganondorf
A key member of the Triforce, Ganondorf (his humanoid form, Ganon refers to his beast form) is the main antagonist for the Zelda franchise.
With the advancement of modern gaming hardware, Ganondorf’s intimidating nature and appearance have showcased the character’s evil appearance and demeanor. Nintendo has constantly done a great job of showcasing him in their video games and making him a vital part of the Zelda story and lore.
Sephiroth
Two villains throughout Final Fantasy‘s history stand out above the rest.
The first is Final Fantasy VII‘s Sephiroth, often regarded as the greatest villain in any video game. One big reason for that? The shocking moment during Final Fantasy VII when he comes out of nowhere and kills Aerith.
He’s more than just this shocking twist, though, as he’s a perfect foil for Cloud and the struggles that Cloud deals with throughout Final Fantasy VII.
Kefka
As great as Sephiroth is, some argue that Kefka is the superior villain.
Often compared to the Joker, Kefka is a perfect balance of cartoonish villainy and pure evil.
It’s easy not to take him seriously, given that he looks like a clown, but as we learn throughout his actions in Final Fantasy VI, Kefka shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Arthas Menethil
Blizzard has no shortage of incredible villains in their portfolio. Arthas Menethil may be their most iconic.
His story begins in Warcraft 3, with his descent into madness continuing in the Frozen Throne expansion. By the time we stormed Icecrown Citadel in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, it was a culmination of a story arc years in the making, celebrating the legacy of Arthas and even reliving the culling of Stratholme in an in-game dungeon.
Vaas Montenegro
Far Cry 3 took the world by storm after its disappointing predecessor. The biggest reason for that was the strength of Vass Montenegro as a character.
His “definition of insanity” monologue ranks among the best in gaming, and his breakout success influenced developer Ubisoft to try to duplicate his success in future Far Cry releases, with Vaas returning for Far Cry 6 DLC as a playable character.
Pyramid Head
No villain in gaming is as terrifying as Pyramid Head. What’s truly remarkable about his legacy is that he isn’t the main antagonist in Silent Hill 2. Despite that, any gameplay moment where Pyramid Head appears is tense, nerve-wracking, and pure nightmare fuel.
The fan-favorite villain has been a popular cosplay choice for gamers.
SHODAN
Before BioShock, there was System Shock.
SHODAN is the primary antagonist of the two cult-classic PC games. Her omnipresent nature and the perfect amount of creepiness and terror define her quality as the ultimate gaming villain. By the time you’ve arrived at the game’s final moments and defeated her, it’s both satisfying and cathartic.
Terri Bosius’ performance is the icing on the cake.
Handsome Jack
The Borderlands games thrive on over-the-top presentation and charismatic, larger-than-life characters. That’s part of what makes Handsome Jack the perfect villain for Borderlands 2.
As president of the in-game Hyperion Corporation, Jack is a textbook narcissist who believes he’s the story’s hero. His character design offers the right balance of humor and seriousness, adding a certain depth not often found in video game villains. This depth is displayed throughout the game during Jack’s character arc.
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