• Home
• Articles
• Trivia
• Videos
• Music
• Art
• Games
• Contact

Top 10 Boss Battle Themes

10/18/2014

Following is a list of what I think are the top 10 best boss battle themes in the history of videogames. Songs were chosen based on their abilty to be memorable, the harmony of the various instruments and their abilty to complement the feel of the moment. If you disagree with the list, feel free to let me know what you think in the comments.

10. Super Mario Bros. 3 Boss Theme

The first theme is an amazing song from an amazing game. It's rather fast and short (like many of the games battles) and like most of the Super Mario Bros. 3 songs, it takes full advantage of the ability to have more tracks per song than its' predecessor. The theme gets double credit for sounding just as good 20 years later in New Super Mario Bros.

9. Super Mario 3d World Boss Theme #1

Though Super Mario 3d World doesn't have very much good original music, I really loved this theme. This theme boasts a good building brass and rythm guitar plus a wonderful rock-n-roll ending. It's in-game remix, World Bowser, is also good, but lacks the intensity. Overall, a nice, original piece.

8. Heavy Lobster Boss Theme

This song adds a lot of intensity to the battle with the Heavy Lobster on board the Halberd. In the original Kirby Super Star, the ordinary boss theme was played, but a more intense theme was added in Kirby Super Star Ultra. It has been suggested by many people to sing HEA-VY LOB-STER throughout the duration of the song. I remember going in the sound test area and listening to this for at least 1/2 an hour.

7. Meddlesome Marx (Kirby Super Star/Ultra final boss)

To put it simply, this piece sounds like Marx. Creepy, surprising, and aggresive, this theme really complements the maniacal laughing and sporadic flying of Marx/Marx Soul.

6. Vs. Ridley (Super Metroid Ridley Boss Theme)

With it's simple bass line and abrasive trumpet solo, this makes for a great penultimante boss theme. The Super Smash Bros. Brawl remix is also good but not quite as amazing.

5. Gangplank Galleon (Donkey Kong Country Final Boss Theme)

This song begins as a simple, happy, piratey theme; but quickly turns into a super-awesome remix of the game's main theme. Like the battle itself it has multiple stages and many surprises.

4. Boss-Bossanova (Donkey Kong Country 2 Boss Theme)

Donkey Kong Country 2's boss theme is just as loud and unwelcoming as the rest of Crocodile Isle. Like the Zingers invading Krazy Kremland, this catchy tune invades your head and refuses to leave.

3. Super Mario Galaxy 2 Final Boss Theme

This intense theme takes full advantage of the Mario Galaxy Orchestra. With plenty of percussion and opera singing, this songs really sets the feel that if you lose, Bowser will rule the Universe. The only problem is that the battle is so short and easy, many people don't hear the full theme.

2. The Masked King

This remix of a remix is simply amazing. The beginning gives a feel of either royalty or finality, depending on who you ask. Then, it leaps right into a super-fast remix of the original King Dedede theme. By far the best version of an already amazing theme.

And Finally...

1. In the Final (Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Final Boss Theme)

This fast-paced action packed piano theme really makes this battle amazing. The song sounds like the musical version of the preceeding dialouge:

Dark Bowser: "Still here? Has the dark power not yet crushed your puny hopes? Soon this kingdom will vanish along with all who dwell within. And you, too, will sleep eternally in the dark power's embrace!"

Bowser: "GWAHAHA! Great dark hurricane! Seriously, perfect backdrop for an awesome final battle! You really sweat the details! Listen up! You're saying the kingdom will vanish? NOT TODAY! THIS KINGDOM IS ALL MINE! SO YOU VANISH!"

If this theme sounds like it's from Kingdom Hearts (it's often described that way) that's because it's by the same composer

Comments not showing up? click here.

The Author