Top 10 Nintendo Villains

Top 10 Nintendo Villains

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Just as Nintendo has spawned some of gaming's most noble and memorable heroes, so too has it created enduring antagonists. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Nintendo Villains.

#10: DJ Octavio “Splatoon” (2015)

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Neither a squid nor a kid, yet he can drop ‘dem beats. DJ Octavio serves as the final boss in the single-player portion of “Splatoon” - though more significantly, he is the leader of the tentacle-shaped Octarians antagonizing the player-controlled Inklings. Octavio's appearance as an irate octopus wearing an ornate helmet walks a fine line between adorable and intimidating, without undercutting his boss status. Meanwhile, his tactics of firing octopus-themed torpedoes, missiles a built in Killer Wail weapon, and going flat out ballistic when the Squid Sisters start singing.

#9: Hades “Kid Icarus: Uprising” (2012)

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Malevolence is rarely so charming. Introduced partway through “Kid Icarus: Uprising”, Hades positions himself as an aloof and vaguely affable villain, finding time to make sarcastic AND flirtatious remarks. As the game comes to a close, Hades' true cruelty begins to surface, just as his physical form becomes more grotesque and unusual. Even then, he's as skilled in matching wits with his foes as he is in his use of magic and hand-to-hand techniques in combat. And he proves to be devious in his machinations – for instance, he set in motion the conflict in the original “Kid Icarus” game. Classy.

It's surprising how much nuance and complexity can be wrought out of a penguin with a hammer. But that's where things stand with King Dedede, the debatable ruler of Dream Land and leader of the Waddle Dees. Initially set up as the adversary of the pink hero Kirby, Dedede walks a fine line between providing comic relief and undergoing significant development. Over the course of the games, Dedede shifts from being a self-interested antagonist into something of a well-intentioned extremist, even aiding and appreciating Kirby's efforts at times. Plus, in times of drama, Dedede can be counted on to lighten the mood.

He has fury, and he wants you to know it. Fawful first appeared in “Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga” as a servant of the villain Cackletta, standing out with his use of broken Engrish and food-themed analogies. However, it was only in “Bowser's Inside Story” that gamers were greeted with Fawful's true villainy – he set about undermining the Mushroom Kingdom and relying on his extensive mechanical skills to terrifying effect. Further, his showmanship and recurring emotional outbursts ensures every scene with Fawful is chuckle-worthy at the very least.

It's beings like this that give science a bad name. Though he was first glimpsed by players as a polygonal face in the original “Star Fox”, later games would establish Andross as a creepy monkey-esque scientist whose desire to experiment had gone off the rails. Pretty much the evil equivalent of Zordon from Power Rangers, except evil of course, Andross set about leading an army to conquer the Lylat system... killing Fox McCloud's father along the way. The element of a personal vendetta, coupled with his incredible resistance to near-death experiences, give Andross a menacing presence shared by few.

With a nickname like “The Embodiment of Evil”, there's no doubting such a villain's nature. Also known as Giegue in Earthbound Zero, this being is an alien initially intent on retaking the power of PSI from humanity, Giygas soon shifted gears to spreading darkness and evil across the cosmos. His malevolent nature was tempered by past love for his human parents in the first “Mother” game, but by the events of “Earthbound”, Giygas had transformed. Just as important as his commitment to all-out devastation is his unsettling form; Giygas gradually grows less corporeal as the player faces him, eventually being visualized as a unintelligible horror.

#4: K. Rool “Donkey Kong Country” series (1994-)

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He's been a regal king, a pirate captain and a mad scientist, and all of them are rather mean. Leading the Kremlings, King K. Rool adopts many an alias in pursuit of one goal: to ruin the Kong family. K. Rool's name being a pun on “cruel”, it's understandable that he'd be relentless in his efforts to crush Donkey Kong and company. Yet K. Rool is also a harsh commander to his followers, greedily covets the Kongs' Banana Horde and can use his swiftness and physicality to challenge foes in a straight fight.

An ally of the malicious AI Mother Brain, Ridley is no pushover himself. Even in terms of visual design, Ridley is monstrous; he resembles a skeletal dragon with dashes of pterodactyl physiology, made more unsettling by his piercing eyes. That's not all there is to him, though – he's also a key member of the villainous Space Pirates, pillaging and causing mayhem all across the galaxy. Proving surprisingly intelligent and showing expertise in robotics, Ridley balances ingenuity with sheer ruthlessness... best exemplified by his murder of Samus Aran's parents in front of a three-year old Samus. Now that's dark.

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

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So long as there is a Triforce of Power, there lies Ganondorf, waiting to use it for evil. One of the rare male members of the Gerudo race, Ganondorf – also known as Ganon – has long posed a threat to the land of Hyrule. His command of magic is nearly unparalleled, granting him such abilities as transformation into a pig form, resistance to injury and sheer physical strength. Unfortunately, this talent is married to a cruel and greedy being who grows increasingly world-weary and possibly envious of others' inner nobility with each instalment. Topped off by his imposing demeanor, it's easy to see his grim appeal. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Giovanni “Pokemon” series (1996-) Majora's Mask “The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask” (2000) King Boo “Luigi's Mansion” series (2001-) Master Hand “Super Smash Bros.” series (1999-) Dark Samus “Metroid Prime” series (2002-07)

#1: Bowser “Mario” series (1985-)

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Commanding his son Bowser Jr and the seven Koopalings, the King of the Koopas has never ceased to embody simple, straight-forward antagonism. Bowser, visually resembling a cross between a turtle and a dragon, has opposed the Mario brothers from the beginning – working to kidnap Princess Peach and undermine her kingdom. Ill-tempered and fierce, King Bowser is as willing to fight in direct combat as he is to let his minions do battle on his behalf. Perhaps more importantly, Bowser is malleable enough in nature to adopt more amicable or neutral roles while still posing a distinct physical threat when the time comes. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Nintendo villains? For more devious Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.