467 reads

5 of the Best Boss Themes in Gaming History

by Nicolas NgMarch 4th, 2021

Too Long; Didn't Read

It's intense hype music, perfect for what is at stake with the battle's outcome! It's got great movements to it and these gut-wrenching noises the boss makes... I am hesitant to post it here, lest I spoil it for Limarc. I have to say that it's the best video game soundtrack I have ever heard. It definitely seems like western games don't really embrace the idea as much. At the very least, I can't think of a western game with an amazing boss theme. Mass Effect 2 might be the closest thing, but it's not really for a boss fight.

People Mentioned

Companies Mentioned

featured image - 5 of the Best Boss Themes in Gaming History

This Slack discussion about the best boss battle music from video games by Jeffrey Harris, Richard Kubina, Limarc Ambalina and Jack Boreham occurred in Slogging's official #gaming channel, and has been edited for readability.

Nicolas NgFeb 24, 2021, 3:23 PM

What's the best boss theme in gaming?

JeffreyHarris-HackerNoonFeb 25, 2021, 10:21 PM

For me it's "One Winged Angel" for Sephiroth in Final Fantasy

Nicolas NgFeb 26, 2021, 10:06 AM

That's a classic. I've never played FF7 but I still know it just from how popular it is

richard-kubinaFeb 26, 2021, 1:52 PM

Chrono Trigger's final boss!! (Big surprise from me, right? 😁) It's intense hype music, perfect for what is at stake with the battle's outcome!1 It's got great movements to it and these gut-wrenching noises the boss makes... I am hesitant to post it here, lest I spoil it for Limarc.

I have to say that it's the best video game soundtrack I have ever heard. All the cover albums of the soundtrack are testament to that. This various artists jazz one is brilliant:

richard-kubinaFeb 26, 2021, 1:52 PM

The time traveling aspect of the game lends itself to such a rich diversity of styles too. The Magus battle music is also great; medieval wizard summoning a ... well, do play the game if you haven't yet and you enjoy (J)RPGs.

Limarc AmbalinaFeb 27, 2021, 12:02 AM

I have to second Jeffrey's answer. I also really liked: Ultimecia Theme in FF8

Nicolas NgFeb 27, 2021, 12:41 PM

I am seeing a lot of love for Japanese boss themes here! It definitely seems like western games don't really embrace the idea as much. At the very least, I can't think of a western game with an amazing boss theme off the top of my head.

The below theme from Mass Effect 2 might be the closest thing, but it's not really for a boss fight.

It's quite interesting how most of the lists about gaming's best boss themes are filled with Japanese games