Top 10 Long Running Video Game Villains

Top 10 Long Running Video Game Villains

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You can’t keep a good villain down. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we are counting down our picks for the top ten long running video game villains. For this list, we’ll be looking at the bad guys that just refused to give up, and made multiple appearances throughout their respective series. We’ll only be looking at individual characters, so factions like the Covenant won’t be showing up today. Our choices were based on a mixture of fan-votes, popularity and our own personal preferences.

When you think ‘space pirate’ the last thing you’d expect to come face to face with is a giant, mutated pterodactyl. Unluckily this beast is highly intelligent and simply refuses to die. The archenemy of legendary intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran, Ridley is the one responsible for her parent’s death. As you can imagine they don’t exactly get along as a result, but this rivalry has given way to some of the best battles in the entire Metroid series. You can blast him to pieces all you want, but chances are he’ll just come back with a brand new cybernetic makeover and a serious grudge.

#9: M. Bison “Street Fighter” series (1987-)

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Of all the fighting game bosses out there, none have been more persistent than this cloaked menace. Regarded as the poster boy for Street Fighter antagonists, Bison is both the boss of the criminal syndicate Shadaloo as well as a dictator of a Far East country. Not only does he have multiple governments in his pockets, but he’s also a powerhouse in his own right. With the hilariously titled but devastating Psycho Power at his disposal, Bison keeps on coming back tournament after tournament, no matter how many times Ryu knocks the crap out of him.

The heart wants what the hearts wants, and in the case of this undead pirate, all he desires is the affection of the beautiful Elaine Marley, and kill her husband and series protagonist Guybrush Threepwood while he’s at it. LeChuck isn’t one to take no for an answer, and despite being constantly rejected by Elaine and thwarted by Guybrush, ends up reincarnating again and again in order to try anew. You have to admire the dedication of someone who manages to transcend death so many times he ends up coming back as a ghost, a zombie and even a demon. That’s quite a stalker you have on your hands Elaine.

#7: Doctor Neo Cortex “Crash Bandicoot” series (1996-2010)

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You reap what you sow, or in this instance, what you make in a lab. The egotistical, mad genius responsible for the creation of our favourite Bandicoot, Cortex has been defeated in his every endeavour by Crash. While he certainly had an air of threat about him in the first few entries of the series, he has since become a lot more comical due to his growing insanity over his constant losses. While we do hate to kick a man when he’s down, there’s nothing more hilarious that ruining the doctor’s plans over and over until he suffers a breakdown. Kudos for persistence though!

One way to ensure that your villain keep coming back for multiple games is to just go all out and make them immortal. Case and point with the enigmatic leader of the Brotherhood of Nod, only known as Kane. Seen as a messiah figure by his followers, this charming sociopath masterminded events that would lead to what is known as the Tiberium Wars before spending decades at a time in obscurity before remerging to take control of the Brotherhood personally. Biblical in name and terrorist ideology, you’re not safe from his wrath whether your friend or foe.

#5: Ganondorf “The Legend of Zelda” series (1987-)

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Some call him Ganon, some call him the Dark Beast, all you need to know is that this Gerudo is the greatest threat that Hyrule has ever faced. The reincarnation of the demon Demise, Ganondorf is a master of the dark arts of magic, and wielder of the Trifore of Power. He’s kidnapped Princess Zelda and battled Link over numerous games, and each time he manages to brush off death to take on the next green mantled hero. His lust for world domination seems to be unquenchable, and no matter how many time we see him get stabbed with the Master Sword, we know it’s only a matter of time before he returns.

#4: Dr. Wily “Mega Man” franchise (1987-2010)

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While Sigma was certainly a fitting villain for the Mega Man X series, we couldn’t deny the good doctor his turn in the spotlight. Maybe if he had just been given a little recognition he wouldn’t have turned into such a bastard? Being the sorest of losers, Wily turned on his partner Dr Light, transforming the robot masters they had made to help mankind into killing machines. While he may have constantly been bested by the blue bomber, Wily has no shortage of robot masters at his disposal. As long as he keeps building them, this twisted inventor won’t stay down for long.

The most famous of all vampires didn’t just dominate the silver screen. Serving as the primary antagonist of the series, the king of bloodsuckers has been bested by multiple members of the Belmont family as well as his own son Alucard. But no matter how many whips, stakes or swords he’s slayed with, he always manages to come back with a fresh taste for blood and a hatred for mankind. Whether he’s the main enemy in need of besting or it’s just his legacy felt through other characters, the Castlevania series wouldn’t have endured if it weren’t for Dracula. We raise a glass of blood to you, Vampire King.

Mad scientists seem to be a running them for this list, and the most persistent among them is Dr Robotnik. The antagonist to all citizens of Mobius, this rather round man has only one goal in life; to kill that pesky light-speed hedgehog. Despite an army of robots under his command, Eggman has never won a fight against his nemesis. We give him points for thinking up so many genius, and in some cases just plain old crazy ideas to best Sonic, such as the Death Egg, Metal Sonic and the Eggman Fleet. While we’re always waiting to see what contraption he’s going to build next, you’d think after countless losses he’d know when to call it quits. Before we reveal out number one pick, here are a few honourable mentions. Shao Kahn “Mortal Kombat” series (1992-) King Dedede “Kirby” series (1992-) K.Rool “Donkey Kong” series (1981-) Albert Wesker “Resident Evil” series (1996-) Diablo “Diablo” series (1996-)

#1: Bowser “Super Mario” series (1981-)

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When it comes to kidnapping princesses and taking absolute defeat in their stride, none can top the King of Koopas. For over thirty years Bowser has been battling it out with Mario and Luigi for control of the Mushroom Kingdom, and every time he’s come up short. Despite a never-ending series of castles, an army of minions and the ability to grow to an immense size, Bowser always ends up getting his comeuppance. However, that certainly hasn’t stopped him from trying. As long as there’s a plumber to squash and a Peach to snag, this fire-breathing beast won’t be backing down anytime soon. Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favourite long-running video game villain? With new top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.