Who are The Best Video Game Villains?

In this slogging thread, the team at Hackernoon discusses the best video game villains and why they are worthy of making this list.

This Slogging thread by Jack Boreham, Limarc Ambalina, Blake Cram, Adrian Morales, Sara Pinto, Allyson Blinkhorn, Nicolas Ng, Jose Hernandez and Amy Shah occurred in slogging's official #gaming channel, and has been edited for readability.

Jack BorehamDec 2, 2021, 2:50 PM

What are the best video game villains?

Limarc AmbalinaDec 2, 2021, 5:12 PM

1 is Seifer in final fantasy 8, the villain who isn't really a villain in his heart. He just ended up on the wrong side

Blake CramDec 2, 2021, 8:03 PM

This is probably divisive. But mine is Ellie and Abby from the Last of Us Part II. The game does an excellent job blurring the lines between protagonist and antagonists, to the point it isn't clear who the real "villain" is, yet both characters personify this quality. Both Ellie and Abby are complicated villains in a way that is compelling narratively that encourages deep discussions long after the game is done. That depth is what makes them the "best" villains IMO.

Jack BorehamDec 3, 2021, 3:46 PM

I love these; for me. It has to be Ganon. The demon keeps coming back despite getting his ass beat by Link every time. Also, the Eggman from sonic! Nostalgic and one of the best villains.

Jack BorehamDec 3, 2021, 3:47 PM

Blake Cram Nicolas Ng Allyson Blinkhorn Jose Hernandez? 😄

Adrian MoralesDec 3, 2021, 5:11 PM

I would say Pyramid Head from Silent Hill 2. His use as a villain is more than just a disturbing monster that periodically chases you around the game. Silent Hill 2 is a story all about James Sunderland, our main character, coming to terms with the awful things he has done to those he once loved. Thematically, Pyramid Head is a manifestation of James' guilt and inner torment. Every encounter with Pyramid Head represents James fighting his demons, literally and figuratively. Video games rarely feature such conceptually mature and unique villains like Pyramid Head.

Sara PintoDec 3, 2021, 6:38 PM

Jack Boreham Well, I don't know about the best villain, but Bowser from Super Mario was pretty iconic to me 😅 I have to up my gaming.

Allyson BlinkhornDec 4, 2021, 5:11 AM

Sephiroth -- especially given his status in Kingdom Hearts, too

Allyson BlinkhornDec 4, 2021, 5:14 AM

Also, take your pick of Undertale/Deltarune villains -- Flowey, Sans, and Spamton are all very different and have great, interesting stories.

Nicolas NgDec 4, 2021, 10:00 AM

Vergil is one of my favourite villains. He's got the best boss theme, and because of all the memes about him, I can't take him seriously at all. Just listening to him talk has become funny to me. In terms of raw storytelling, I would go for Emet Selch from Final Fantasy XIV. He's just fantastic to be around

Jose HernandezDec 5, 2021, 1:25 AM

My pick would have to be Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat. The dude is pretty straightforward, he wants to conquer Earth, and he's unapologetically evil.

Jack BorehamDec 6, 2021, 11:04 AM

Jose Hernandez Nicolas Ng, these are both great pics. Thinking about it..what makes a good video game villain? Limarc Ambalina Blake Cram Allyson Blinkhorn?

Limarc AmbalinaDec 7, 2021, 7:44 AM

Blake Cram, that is such a great way of putting it. Sometimes it's hard to play the game because you don't know who's side your on. It blurs the lines of who you're killing and why. IMO the greater villain in that game were the faction leaders that wanted to commit genocides.

Limarc AmbalinaDec 7, 2021, 7:46 AM

Jack Boreham What makes a good villain, in general, is a reason for the madness, and the greater sense of empathy you can create for them, the better.

When it comes to the point where you know they're a villain, you also feel sorry for them at the same time. The new Joker film did very well in this regard, compared to The Dark Knight, where the joker is just portrayed as someone who wants to watch the world burn.

Joaquin Phoenix's Joker shoes WHY he wanted the world to burn because, in his mind, it was a world that shat on him and all the lower class people all his life.

Jack BorehamDec 8, 2021, 6:05 PM

Limarc Ambalina, I agree. That reminds me of Darth Revan from Kotor or even Vader. Both these characters are villains but are in tune with their light side. They also have redemption arks. I think a great villain is not just a maniac but one with a light side and not afraid to tap into it.

Jack BorehamDec 14, 2021, 9:22 AM

Amy Shah got any good ones?

Amy ShahDec 14, 2021, 10:19 AM

Jack Boreham Do the eerie ghosts on Pac-Man count?

Jack BorehamDec 14, 2021, 1:07 PM

Amy Shah, they do!! I have them with a passion. Are you a big fan of the classic game?

Amy ShahDec 14, 2021, 1:16 PM

I am a fan of classics 🙂. Gimme More

Amy ShahDec 14, 2021, 1:16 PM

Jack BorehamDec 16, 2021, 2:14 PM

Amy Shah 😂 can't beat them.