Bosses have been a big part of video games for almost as long as they've been around. They're the gatekeepers between you and reaching the next level, and they'll test your reflexes, perception and ability to adapt.

I've fought hundreds, if not more bosses over my lifetime. While there have been countless amazing bosses I've encountered over that time, these have been the ones that left the biggest initial impact on me and continue to stand out as amazing boss encounters.

#5 Mendez - Resident Evil 4

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Mendez was an imposing and threatening figure in Resident Evil 4 when you first encountered him. However, when it comes time to fight him he transforms into a horrifying nightmare straight out of a John Carpenter movie. The environment where you fight him is claustrophobic and atmospheric, and you have to be extremely vigilant about knowing where he is to avoid getting backed into a corner by this abomination.

Not just an amazingly grotesque boss creature, but a great environment to fight him in as well.

#4 Red Falcon - Contra

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Red Falcon isn't just a boss, he's the bulk of the final level in Contra. You enter the alien lair and encounter his head, which serves as a mid-boss in this level. After you blow his head off, you enter its body where you have to destroy its heart -- which spawns spiders that constantly assault you.

I first played this as a kid, and the whole concept and execution of this boss fight has stuck with me 30 years later.

#3 Mother Brain - Super Metroid

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I played the crap out of the first Metroid on the NES. I actually saved my end stage password and loaded it up nearly every day for a month so I could play that last amazing level, fight that creepy but stationary Mother Brain boss and escape the exploding facility.

In Super Metroid you encounter Mother Brain again at the end, however this time it stands up to reveal itself as a giant, disgusting behemoth! It's also very powerful, and no matter what you do you're unable to defeat it without help from a surprise partner.

The boss is amazing and it expands the story of Metroid during the battle. Simply amazing.

#2 The Great Mighty Poo - Conker's Bad Fur Day

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When I first came across this boss, I didn't know what to think. I couldn't believe what I was playing. It was a giant turd, who sings opera as it attacks you. The song has become well-known among gamers for obvious reasons and the character has become legendary.

#1 Granfalloon - Castlevania Symphony of the Night

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Imagine a Lovecraftian, floating, tentacled beast that fires energy beams from its appendages. Oh yeah, and its surrounded by a shell of human corpses.

That's Granfalloon, my favorite boss from Symphony of the Night. The massive scale of it combined with the abhorrent appearance makes for the most memorable boss I've ever encountered.

So what are the most memorable bosses you've encountered. Which ones left a lasting impression on you? Let's discuss!

Thanks for reading. As always, upvotes, resteems and comments are appreciated!

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