Top 10 Worst Villains In Video Games

When we think of “Resident Evil” villains, businessmen in suits typically don’t come to mind. This is just one of the many problems in “Resident Evil 6” where we get stuck with Derek C. Simmons as our big bad. Slimy, smug, and corrupt, this National Security Advisor is responsible for the president’s death and a bio-terrorist attack. It’s okay, though, because he did it all for (“the benefit of the United States.”) Yeah, like we’ve never heard that one before. Cliché and one-dimensional, it’s impossible to take Simmons seriously and his character only manages to become sillier upon acquiring superhuman abilities, and turning into a T-Rex.

This GameCube title has gotten a bad reputation for not being a traditional “Star Fox” game, but it’s actually a pretty underappreciated action adventure. When taking its villain into account, though, we can see why everyone dumps on “Star Fox Adventures.” We might be able to overlook General Scales’ prissy voice and pitiful appearance if he proved himself in battle. During the final showdown, however, this evil tyrant aimlessly waits around for Fox to strike first. Then once the player finally makes a move, this happens. So if Scales isn’t the final boss, who is? Andros? Where did he come from? This makes no sense!

Seeing how “No More Heroes 2” has a comedic edge to it, you could argue that Jasper Batt Jr. is an intentionally embarrassing villain. With that said, he’s still pretty insufferable nonetheless. An unlikely top-ranked assassin, Jasper targets Travis after the death of his family. While Jasper does have some cool toys at his disposal, he still feels like a whippier version of LexLuthor. Possessing a voice like fingernails on the chalkboard and the tackiest fashion sense imaginable, beating this scrawny twerp with a beam katana is incredibly satisfying. Let’s just hope he never gets his own parade balloon.

The “Final Fantasy” games have no shortage of great villains, but Exdeathis sadly among the lesser ones. Where so many other antagonists in this RPG series are complex, colorful, and genuinely menacing, Exdeath is just a straightforward bad guy who’s evil for no real reason. The only thing even remotely memorable about him is that he’s a tree, which is weird, but kind of cool…we guess? I know dragons are clichéd but…okay, tree it is. Considering the high standard this franchise has set for character development, however, we expected a lot more out of this dark knight. Plus, Exdeath is a sucky villain name.

To be fair, Lucien Fairfax actually had the potential to be a compelling villain, complete with a tragic backstory that drove him to insanity. Alas, any respect we had for this character is squandered in the end with one of the most anticlimactic boss battles ever. For starters, you stop Lucien’s evil plans with a music box. As if that’s not lame enough, Lucien puts up no fight whatsoever, waiting for you to kill him. Even if the player lets Lucien deliver his bloated monologue, Reaver eventually finishes the job with one shot. And you thought General Scales went down like a total pansy!

Some of the more recent “Pokémon” villains have gotten beyond over-the-top. In “X and Y,” Team Flare schemes to destroy mankind with an ultimate weapon. As ridiculous as that sounds, Team Galactic’s plot reaches another level of stupidity. Lead by Master Cyrus, Team Galactic wishes to create a new universe deprived of emotions. We have no idea where this criminal organization gets their funding from or why anybody would sign up for such an absurd plan. Considering the sheer lack of logic behind Team Galactic’s motivations and execution, it’s not surprising that they’re inevitably thwarted by some meddling kids and their Pokémon.

Everybody hates a traitor, especially when they stab you in the back for no good reason. Such is the case with General Shepard. Shepard is practically given unlimited resources to stop Makarov and end the war, yet his most remembered moment was betraying and framing the Elite Task Force HE FORMED, why? To inspire patriotism in millions of Americans which would convince them to enlist. There are so many problems with that logic.

The Didact is essentially the General Grievous equivalent of video games, where all his imposing and terrifying traits are shown in the expanded universe media, yet in the main game he comes off as a toothless disposable foe. Also you beat him with a quicktime event – I don’t need to explain why that sucks do I? 343 seem to have repeated this expanded universe mistake in Halo 5. We know a lot of people just play for the multiplayer but come on – meet us halfway here.

Skull Face might have been an intimidating bad guy if this were a Saturday morning cartoon intended for seven-year-olds. For a “Metal Gear Solid” game, however, this guy couldn’t feel more out of place. The fact that Skull Face is supposed to be a legitimately threatening foe only makes his presence more laughable. To add insult to injury, he succumbs to numerous idiotic villain clichés. You know, like giving pretentious speeches instead of just killing Snake already! We could point out that since he and his special forces, XOF speak English, then his genocidal plan to eliminate the English speaking would has a fatal flaw, but this is coming from the guy who wears a Zorro mask that in no way hides his…well, skull face.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable, or in this case dishonorable, mentions:

Waluigi
“Super Mario Bros.” series (1985-)

King Dedede
“Kirby” series (1992-)

Al Mualim
“Assassin’s Creed” (2007)

Eddy Raja
“Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” (2007)

Lyric isn’t just the worst video game villain ever, but also possibly the worst character in the entire “Sonic” franchise, which is saying A LOT. With a deplorable design and generic voice, this armored snake feels more like one of Dr. Eggman’s minions than a primary antagonist. Planning to destroy all organic life and rebuild the world in his robotic image, he’s about as subtle as a “Captain Planet” baddie. Oh, and don’t even get us started on the ludicrous time travel plot twist that connects Sonic to Lyric. And what kinda name is Lyric anyway? What does he do, terrorize karaoke parlors? Let’s just say we’d all like to travel back in time to prevent this villain’s genesis.

Do you agree with our list? Who do you think is the worst video game villain? For more entertaining Top 10s published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.