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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.

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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