Top Five Videogame Villains

By this, I don't mean the coolest villains; that's a whole other list in and of itself. I am, however, looking at those guys and gals that pushed you so far, and committed such heinous acts that it became your life's mission to see them fall. Anyone can kidnap a princess, but it takes a rare breed to truly torment and get under your skin to the point where you want to dance on their graves.

Spoiler Warnings: Def Jam Vendetta, Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden 2.

5. D-Mob (Def Jam Vendetta)

Many of you are probably wondering how he made the list considering that there are literally hundreds of other characters out there that could tear him a new one. D-Mob's strength isn't his world-wrecking capabilities, but the simple destruction that he could cause someone on a more human scale. Not only is he a complete and utter ass, but because of his wealth and influence, he's damn near untouchable. He punks you out several times during the course of the game, and you really can't do anything but take it up until the very end. I swear to goodness, every time I see that little cut scene with you, him, Angel, and Manny before the last fight, I'm ready to jump through the TV and take it to D-Mob myself.




4. Sniper Wolf (Metal Gear Solid)

Maybe she wasn't calling the shots like Liquid Snake, or was even the coolest member of FOXHOUND (that distinction goes to Psycho Mantis, hands down), but the world's hottest sniper did manage to get under your skin like no one else in their ranks with one simple and heinous act. When she shot Meryl not once, but TWICE in an effort to draw you out, I couldn't find my own sniper rifle fast enough to return fire and take that bitch out. Witnessing the first shot was bad enough, but when you see Meryl trying to crawl to safety and catch a SECOND non-lethal-but-nonetheless-very-painful-looking bullet, it really hits the fan. I think "Oh HELL no!" was the universal sentiment of anyone that's ever witnessed that scene.

 3. The Jaquio (Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden 2) 

While you didn't quite know who was manipulating things behind the scenes from the get go, like a good villain, Jaquio does make his presence known at the right possible time. Once you realize that this is the man that not only had your father taken out, but is responsible for all the hell that you've been going through. And not only that, but he's kidnapped Irene, that cute CIA chick that's been tailing you from the beginning! Once you catch up to him, he steals the statue entrusted to you, and like a good villain, reveals his entire plan to you (involving resurrecting nasty demons and things of that nature) before promptly dropping you into the temple's dungeon. There was a sense of urgency like no other to escape from that dungeon, climb that cliff face, and get back up to him before he can reawaken the Demon sealed in the temple. Combine that with one of the greatest game soundtracks of the 8-bit era (and later hearing that perhaps your father is still alive), and you've got an episode that you're not soon to forget. Skipping ahead to Ninja Gaiden 2, I really don't think anyone expected him to be behind the scenes directing Ashtar, but when he pops back up, you know that things are about to get ugly once again.

And did anyone else notice that the bastard actually SMILES when they show him during the end credits of NG2?! That's just creepy!




2. Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII)

Anyone can look like a bad ass, which of course Sephiroth does in spades. Anyone can be evil, which again Sephiroth handles with ease. But it takes a special something to make you seethe with anger at the very mention of his name. Whether it was setting your village on fire, summoning large meteorites to destroy the world, or impaling one of the sweetest young ladies ever, Sephiroth gave you a number of reasons to hate him. There was always a sense of playing catch-up to the guy, as it seemed that every place you arrived, you had just missed him. But then you'd see some of his handiwork (the Midgar Serpent comes to mind), and you're reminded of exactly this guy is capable of.




1. Kefka (Final Fantasy VI)

While many argue that his predecessor Sephiroth should be #1, I have to say that Sephie was a bit too much of a momma's boy to push him over the edge.

Kefka, on the other hand, answered to one person and one person only, that being himself. From your first meeting with the guy you knew that he was going to be a problem, but you really didn't know how bad he was going to get until much later in the game. Progressing through the ranks from being simply a mild annoyance, to a dangerous adversary, and finally becoming a full-fledged menace, Kefka does a complete metamorphosis for the worse. Whether it was poisoning Doma Castle, killing General Leo, or sucking Espers dry like crawdads, it doesn't take long for a deep-seated hatred to be forged. Any fool and summon a meteor, but it takes a true bad ass to bring about a magical Armageddon. Succeeding where Sephiroth (debatably) failed, Kefka not only destroys a good part of the world, but goes on to rule it like a hyperactive god. Kefka is the quintessential villain; he truly is that guy you love to hate.




Honorable Mention

 Ashtar (Ninja Gaiden 2)

While he did end up being second-fiddle in Ninja Gaiden 2, he would have earned his spot in hell even without his association with The Jaquio. This came about by virtue of the infamous scene of where he releases your love, Ms. Irene Lew, into your waiting arms, only to draw the Sword of Chaos and stab her in the back! That was probably my first real Holy Sh*t moment in gaming, and promptly sealed Ashtar's fate. That sucker had to die.