The first video games to hit the scene were simple. Like pinball, these early games had no predetermined ending point and the amount of points you could rack up seemed endless.
But it wasn't long before complex story lines, new and different levels, and bigger \"boss battles\" were introduced. A boss battle, which usually occurs at the end of a level or at the end of a game, pits the player against a powerful enemy. Winning the battle gives the player a sense of accomplishment and pride. Losing, of course, is a sore spot for the hapless gamer who just can't get past the pesky boss.
These are our favorite boss battles. Read the list and then tell us your favorites.
Tell us: What are your Top 5 favorite boss battles?
-- Ken Smith";
games_top5_070606[i++] = new Array("","GANON - 'THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070606/070606_Zelda1_vsm_4p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Nintendo", "273", "205", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
games_top5_070606[i-1].body = "Ganon from 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'
Link, the hero in the \"Zelda\" series, is no stranger to Ganon, as he gets to battle him often. But their battle at the end of \"Ocarina of Time\" was one for the ages, thanks to the bait-and-switch Nintendo pulled on us all.
The battle with the human Ganondorf seemed so simple that it was almost anti-climatic to save the princess and run from the crumbling castle. It was easy – almost too easy to be the end of a \"Zelda\" game.
Up from the ruins rose Ganon, looking more ferocious than ever, and instantly you knew this game was far from over. That epic clash, fought while fires burned and lightning crashed, helped to define the boss battle."; games_top5_070606[i++] = new Array("","PSYCHO MANTIS - 'METAL GEAR SOLID'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070606/070606_MetalGear1_4p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Konami", "228", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); games_top5_070606[i-1].body = "Psycho Mantis from 'Metal Gear Solid'
Konami’s Metal Gear series has had its fair share of great bosses, but our favorite has to be Psycho Mantis from \"Metal Gear Solid.\" This gas-mask wearing nut case was definitely an original.
First of all, Psycho was a mind reader who could predict your attacks. He could even take control of another character and get her to attack you too. In short, a tough boss – and difficult to beat.
But the best part was that Psycho Mantis could really mess with you. He could rumble our controllers at will, and read our memory cards and comment on other games we’d played. And just for fun, he’d turn the screen black as if the game had suddenly crashed.
Yeah, he was a fun – and creepy – rival."; games_top5_070606[i++] = new Array("","HYDRA - 'GOD OF WAR'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070606/070606_GodofWar1_hsm_4p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Sony", "273", "405", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); games_top5_070606[i-1].body = "Hydra from 'God of War'
Battling Hydra in Sony’s \"God of War\" was like battling multiple bosses at once, because this sea snake had three heads – and they were all on the attack.
And these heads were huge! The size alone made you wonder just how to kill them. And when you finally do – by impaling the lead head on a mast of a ship – you’re bound to feel more relieved than rewarded.
Hydra breaks the boss battle rules a bit by showing up early in the game rather than at the end. But boy, what a way to start a game! "; games_top5_070606[i++] = new Array("","SEPHIROTH - 'FINAL FANTASY VII'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070606/FinalFantasy_1.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Square Enix", "273", "364", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); games_top5_070606[i-1].body = "Sephiroth from \"Final Fantasy VII\"
Sephiroth pops up in a few different titles, and whenever you see him you know you’re in for a fun fight. But our favorite is his appearance in Square Enix's \"Final Fantasy VII.\"
This battle is not entirely different from others in the series, but the game's intricate storyline makes it special. This boss battle was so good that the player couldn't help but to get drawn in. That investment meant the battle meant more than just getting to the end of a level – winning this one meant revenge."; games_top5_070606[i++] = new Array("","AKUMA - 'KARATEKA' ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070606/070606_Karateka_hsm_4p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Broderbund", "273", "356", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); games_top5_070606[i-1].body = "Akuma from 'Karateka'
If you’re old enough to remember the Apple IIe, you probably remember Broderbund’s \"Karateka.\" This great side-scrolling fighting game had you rescuing your princess from Akuma, who had taken her captive and hidden her deep inside his fortress. To get to her, you had to battle Akuma’s minions one by one – eventually leading to the boss himself.
Even though the game was relatively short, this final battle felt epic because of everything you went through to get there: the numerous guards, the booby-trapped gates – and that dang squawking bird! Akuma's pet could peck you to death so quickly. What’s more, you only had one life, and no save feature. Screw up and you had to start the game all over again.
The real kicker? After you defeated Akuma you had to run into the princess’s arms to finish the game. If you walked up to her in a fighting stance, she would deliver a swift blow that would kill you instantly – that blow has to rank as one of gaming's most soul-crushing moments, ever.
Tell us: What are your Top 5 favorite boss battles?
";
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