After completing a level in a video game, the player will likely be forced into a challenging boss battle to progress the story. Boss battles will usually increase in difficulty as a story is advanced, but some video game bosses will attempt to stand out from the crowd in ways one wouldn't expect.
Bosses are presented to pose great challenges to the player, but some can be bested in one measly hit. Though many will require certain objectives to be met before this can be achieved, there are some whose design allows a battle to be won without any preparation.
7 Mysterio - Spider-Man 2
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Having been left humiliated after a battle with Spider-Man, Quentin Beck decided to don the identity of an alien named Mysterio and challenge him once more. He made his first attack at an auditorium thanks to the help of his new costume and some drones, but Spider-Man caught wind of his plot and quickly arrived to save the day.
While attempting to stop Mysterio, Spider-Man fought his way through a series of illusions and eventually came across a cowering Mysterio in a convenience store. Prior to the battle, Mysterio's health bar begins to fill up in a last-ditch attempt to showcase his power, suggesting the upcoming battle with him will be tough. Mysterio is a master of illusion, so it should come as no surprise when he is defeated with one measly punch.
6 Sans - Undertale
Sans is one of the more approachable skeletons to reside in the Underground, but getting on his bad side will result in one of the most difficult boss battles available in Undertale. Though some would rather Sans remain Frisk's friend, those seeking a challenge will certainly find one after making him an enemy.
The battle with Sans will task the player with avoiding a barrage of lightning-quick attacks. Surviving his onslaught may take multiple attempts, but once he has exhausted everything in his arsenal, he can be disposed of with one hit. Though most one-hit bosses can be vanquished with relative ease, Sans is a frustrating exception.
5 Dragons - The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The beginning of the Dragonborn's quest to save Skyrim from Alduin, the so-called World Eater, is wrought with danger. Multiple dragons will likely appear to halt their journey no matter what quests the player decides to pursue first. The sight of one of these creatures is more than enough to strike fear in whoever witnesses it, but this fear can be quickly diminished depending on the Dovah-Kiin's abilities.
By fully leveling the Stealth and Archery skills, very few enemies will be able to survive the Dragonborn's power. These two skills work in tandem to drastically increase the player's damage output, making all dragons susceptible to being felled in one hit. Staying out of sight will further multiply the damage dealt by the Dragonborn's arrows.
4 Kalle Demos - The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Having been unable to prevent his sister from being kidnapped, Link sets off on a perilous adventure to ensure her safe return. He encounters an array of terrifying enemies on his ventures across the vast ocean, but not all of them pose the same level of threat.
After reaching the Forbidden Woods, Link will be forced to navigate his way through the area's harrowing twists and turns. Upon reaching the dungeon's final room, he will be faced with Kalle Demos, a plant-like creature who pulls no punches. Beating Kalle Demos normally would require the completion of a series of puzzle-like mini-games, but if the player happens to have a bottle of Forest Water in their possession, the killing blow can be dealt by simply pouring it on the plant's roots.
3 Penance - Final Fantasy 10
After defeating the entirety of the Moster Arena and the Dark Aeons scattered throughout Spira, Tidus and his companions will be faced with their greatest challenge yet. Penance emerges from the crater in the Calm Lands in response to the party's impressive feats, but commending their efforts is not at the top of this monster's agenda.
Though the player may think they have fully exhausted the Sphere Grid, the battle with Penance will leave them feeling severely under-leveled, even if their stats have been maxed out. With enough gil, however, Penance can be bested by summoning Yojimbo and hoping he is willing to perform Zanmato.
2 Yozora - Kingdom Hearts 3 Re Mind
The Re Mind DLC offered eager fans of the Kingdom Hearts series the chance to experiment with their approach to combat. If the player wished, they could employ a series of buffs to Sora made available through the EZ Codes menu, or they could opt to increase the game's difficulty through PRO Codes.
Learning Yozora's moveset will likely take multiple hours, but thanks to the Deadly Blow ability, this elusive being can be downed in one fell swoop. Though the sense of accomplishment gained by beating Yozora in the proper way is incomparable, there is something comical about depleting all of his health with one hit.
1 Bowser - Super Mario Bros.
Upon reaching the final level of Super Mario Bros., Mario will be faced with Bowser, his iconic arch nemesis. The battle that unfolds requires the pixilated plumber to avoid Bowser's projectiles while also dodging his jump attacks, but if the player is quick enough, this may not be necessary.
The ultimate battle with Bowser takes place on a bridge. Though this location initially appears to have little benefit, a well-timed jump onto a nearby axe will destroy the precarious platform and submerge Bowser in the fiery depth below. Doing so can be difficult without practice, but the accomplishment felt after defeating the game's main antagonist with such ease is hard to ignore.