The Satellite
08-23-2012, 08:50 PM
So uh, I had this random idea to make a list of my favorite final boss songs in any game (though mostly just of ones I've played), and see what other people's lists looked like. For whatever insane reason, I decided to torture myself and also type out a short bit about each song that I've linked. Anyways, here's my list, by system, mostly just of games I've played apart from a few exceptions.
NES:
Dark Link, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zW1TAojIeY) - I know it's real simple, but it's frantic and feels fitting for the battle, against a strange enemy that's none other than yourself, and a princess's life hangs in the balance. Certainly that's true of many of the final boss songs in Zelda games, and there are better ones, but for the time, this worked perfectly. It's better than Zelda 1's— OH THAT'S RIGHT, Z1 DIDN'T HAVE ONE. JERKS.
Bowser, Super Mario Bros. 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZi_LIwGkU0) - While I much prefer the Super Mario RPG remix, this is still a pretty good theme, and the best of the Mario final battle themes at that time.
Nightmare King, Little Nemo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pkkqmTqXR0) - Really this entire soundtrack is amazing, as to be expected of a Capcom NES game. This song is frantic and desperate, truly representative of what's at stake in the battle.
Game Boy:
Mt. Dedede, Kirby's Dream Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFesrZLSYsM) - It's technically the final level theme, but you also fight Dedede to this song, so it counts as a final boss theme as well. Not a unique final boss theme, since it's also the level theme, but it counts. And it's just a really great theme, which is also trademark of Kirby games: Great music. A great theme to fight an iconic (if not dopey) villain to.
Tatanga, Super Mario Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niIE8DBYRTk) - Super Mario Land's soundtrack had a couple of good songs amidst strange ones, like the Starman theme and Chai Kingdom. But Tatanga was a pretty good, if not repetitive theme. It was probably the best final boss theme of a Mario game up to that time. At least, in the US; Super Mario Land came out before Super Mario Bros. 3 over here, but after SMB3 in Japan.
Nightmare Battle, Link's Awakening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyLNQsGTby8) - Nightmare is a great fight, with a nice little theme to accompany it. It's a bit strained, which I can imagine is the theme of this entire game: Destroying the Nightmares saves the land and the Wind Fish, but it also eliminates the island and its inhabitants. It's a dilemma, and this song sounds like a dilemma. Perfect accompaniment.
Champion Theme, Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAOGtJLMHlc) - This is the epitome of epicness. Well not quite but it's pretty high up there. It truly embodies the spirit of the ultimate Pokémon battle, a "do or die" theme where everything's at stake; you win, or you gtfo. To me, this is the best theme in all generations, in all games.
Super Nintendo:
Gang-Plank Galleon, Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e2bD_wVXsc) - I just love how it starts out as a happy, peppy pirate theme, then suddenly begins to shift into this serious battle theme. It's also a great song in and of itself, and belongs on this list.
Ganon Battle, A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUCUSCENalY) - A great upgrade from the good, but definitely lacking, final boss theme in Zelda II, and a theme that has been referenced and remixed in future Zelda games, it's certainly perfect for the mood of this climactic battle against the foul beast Ganon, who's given his first specific battle theme. Of course, his next theme blows away this one and all ones to follow, but this was still great.
Bowser, Super Mario World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_-yllYTsuI) - A step up from the Super Mario Bros. 3 theme, and a very excellent battle theme, even if the boss is somewhat easy, but fun.
Smithy, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI1BudS4Ego) - This game just has a great soundtrack in general, as Mario games are known for usually, and this was a pretty damn good battle theme, though the other boss themes I find more enjoyable. It's still quite the fitting final battle theme.
Sega Genesis:
Final Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nVwm4aQS_E) - A short song, but certainly one that gives off a feel of "climactic final battle with massive ramifications." Truly fitting for the final showdown between man and hedgehog.
Final Boss, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4L4TSrDB4M) - An even better song, even more climactic sounding, and it's accompanied by one of the greatest demons of my childhood. The song left an impression on me (as did almost all of the music of the first two games, honestly), and it continues to be the best final boss theme in the series, with an especially fantastic remix in Sonic Generations.
Final Boss, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyoMQg3d5cs) - No, you will not find Doomsday Zone on this list because it's good, but a bit overrated, and I much prefer this song. It's more epic, it's got an awesome bass line, and it's just a better song overall. Also had a great remix in Sonic Generations, though the synth drums are a bit of a turnoff and the bass isn't as prominent.
Nintendo 64:
Ultimate Koopa, Super Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6YwX03nFQM) - It's an amazing organ theme and a spectacular battle theme, I can just imagine Ganondorf playing this song in the background while Mario and Bowser duke it out. This song was just creepy, and I loved it for it.
Last Battle, Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmL3xSeAmsw) - I cannot imagine a better song to fit the most epic battle of all time (let's just pretend the actual in-game fight was as good as the scene itself was), it's an amazing theme. It's not even that complex, but it's just so astoundingly climactic, the embodiment of a showdown that determines the fate of the world as we know it. It's probably safe to say that this may possibly be my favorite final boss song of any game, ever.
Majora's Mask Battle, Majora's Mask (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AzNTt-boS4) - This one is just... creepy, chilling, and quite honestly would have been fine if it was the only theme in this three-part battle. It's haunting, and the best theme out of the three; Majora's Incarnation is just weird, and Majora's Wrath is okay, but just not as good as this first theme. It just gets to me.
Bowser's Rage, Paper Mario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftxRNZtzrXk) - Technically the first phase of the battle, but the superior version; the second phase just feels more like a puzzle theme. This is a pretty epic battle theme, and while it's still inferior to the regular Bowser theme in the game (which is the best Bowser theme in existence), it's a very great theme, and truly feels pretty epic.
Gamecube:
Metroid Prime (Spider), Metroid Prime (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGAyC3aFF5o) - It's distorted, it's freaky, and it's perfectly fitting for this strange corrupted creature you find deep in the bowels of the planet. The second phase is pretty good too, but this is the theme I keep coming back to listen to.
Dark Samus, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK0NeTjLa7s) - An amazing remix of the escape sequence from the end of Metroid, and it's perfectly chaotic, fitting, and urgent as hell. It definitely makes your blood pump, and makes you want to get the hell out of there. So simple, yet so fitting for what it's applied to.
Hellfire, Soulcalibur II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jdJ45rgNLU) - I came to the series for Link, stayed for the amazing cast, story, music, and the game in general. This theme is perfectly fitting of the final landscape, a desolate plain with strains of lava and wisps of smoke everywhere. It's depressing, dramatic, and just amazing. Hellfire indeed.
Ganondorf, The Wind Waker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKltOpt4iac) - It actually took me ZREO's remix to fully appreciate the song more, but it really is a pretty good song. It's desperate, fast, and truly makes you feel like you have to get Ganondorf done with fast, or else you're going to drown.
Ganondorf, Twilight Princess (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr-I76OxsVg) - It definitely isn't as epic as any of his other final boss battles, but it's still a nice, pounding theme to accompany two master swordsmen during their final fight to the death. It embodies that well, and I appreciate it for that.
Open Your Heart, Sonic Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEzXFuYN89k) - It's an overrated song of Crush 40's, but that doesn't mean it's not a really good song, because it is. It's very fitting for this final battle, and it actually is a really good song, but it's just a touch overrated.
Live and Learn, Sonic Adventure 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9zZus_1_ag) - I feel like it needs no explanation. This song is just pure win, and perfect for that final confrontation in space with Super Sonic and Super Shadow against the Finalhazard. It... just listen to it.
What I'm Made Of, Sonic Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuVAaU63K7k) - Another amazing song from another amazing band. Somehow it's harder to type stuff about these lyrical songs than it is for the non-lyrical ones... O_o
Wii:
Master Hand, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvGEegeJIxY) - This blows away any of the other final showdown themes in a Smash Bros. theme. It's epic, it's got choir, orchestra, and guitar. What more could you ask for in a song?
Final Bowser, Super Mario Galaxy 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glzkh5jl31k) - Despite the final boss being easy and taken out quickly (at least from what I've seen), this is the best final boss song in the series, and probably my favorite behind OoT's Last Battle. It feels like it just belongs in a film rather than a game, it's that good. Sad that it was wasted on such an easy boss fight though.
Egg Nega Wisp Part 2, Sonic Colors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKfBvD_vQ3Q) - It suffers a similar case to the above, in that it plays halfway through the battle, but you can't hear the full song if you're at least an average gamer, because the Nega Wisp Armor isn't hard to take out, though it's still a fun fight. This song though is pretty great, it's definitely the best of the orchestrated final boss themes as far as sounding like orchestration; certainly there are two better ones, but this is better as an orchestrated song, even if a band still exists in it.
Nintendo DS:
Final Boss, Phantom Hourglass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWywKbZHW4A) - It's a very great remix of a very great character's very great theme. ... IT'S VERY GREAT. It is truly amazing, one of the best final boss themes of the series for certain.
Duet with Zelda and Malladus Final Phase, Spirit Tracks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N21htq8lXQ) - A beautiful duet, even with the DS limitations, and then it flows into a truly spectacular boss fight theme, that does pretty damn good despite the low quality of the soundfont. Truly inspiring, though the constant cymbals might be a bit much. But that's a minor complaint; this song is amazing.
Nega Mother Wisp, Sonic Colors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTQpmNNdBtY) - A rather simplistic little remix of the main theme, and it may not even sound that good, yet I just like it. It's fun, cheerful, a contrast to the scene, but it's a very enjoyable song.
Xbox 360:
Solaris Phase 2, Sonic '06 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRe3h1iQ1Os) - Terrible game, great music, embodied in one of the greatest final boss songs of all time, combining orchestra with a rock song. How does that work, you ask? Spectacularly. Seriously, just check it out.
Perfect Dark Gaia, Sonic Unleashed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdDwqJiYO6c) - A song that's similar to the above, and one of a "triumvirate" of final boss songs that combine orchestra with rock, including the Nega Wisp battle. Doesn't hurt that it's a remix to one of the best Sonic main themes of all time. Suitably epic, for a... rather frustrating final boss.
Time Eater (Modern), Sonic Generations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsKDtUcz-dg) - ... see a pattern yet? Okay, while this song itself may not be that spectacular as a boss battle theme—it has a lot of buildup but no real epic climactic feel to it—I still really enjoy the song. It's creepy, it's foreboding, and it's just a really good theme.
Nintendo 3DS:
Final Bowser, Super Mario 3D Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSZ_eRAeapo) - It's just a really great theme, that really lent itself to the moment. Sure, that fight was pretty simple, but it did manage to be really heartpounding, partly due to this intense music pumping throughout the battle. It may seem simple, but really, it just feels epic.
And that's it. I'm curious to see what you guys come up with as well.
NES:
Dark Link, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zW1TAojIeY) - I know it's real simple, but it's frantic and feels fitting for the battle, against a strange enemy that's none other than yourself, and a princess's life hangs in the balance. Certainly that's true of many of the final boss songs in Zelda games, and there are better ones, but for the time, this worked perfectly. It's better than Zelda 1's— OH THAT'S RIGHT, Z1 DIDN'T HAVE ONE. JERKS.
Bowser, Super Mario Bros. 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZi_LIwGkU0) - While I much prefer the Super Mario RPG remix, this is still a pretty good theme, and the best of the Mario final battle themes at that time.
Nightmare King, Little Nemo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pkkqmTqXR0) - Really this entire soundtrack is amazing, as to be expected of a Capcom NES game. This song is frantic and desperate, truly representative of what's at stake in the battle.
Game Boy:
Mt. Dedede, Kirby's Dream Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFesrZLSYsM) - It's technically the final level theme, but you also fight Dedede to this song, so it counts as a final boss theme as well. Not a unique final boss theme, since it's also the level theme, but it counts. And it's just a really great theme, which is also trademark of Kirby games: Great music. A great theme to fight an iconic (if not dopey) villain to.
Tatanga, Super Mario Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niIE8DBYRTk) - Super Mario Land's soundtrack had a couple of good songs amidst strange ones, like the Starman theme and Chai Kingdom. But Tatanga was a pretty good, if not repetitive theme. It was probably the best final boss theme of a Mario game up to that time. At least, in the US; Super Mario Land came out before Super Mario Bros. 3 over here, but after SMB3 in Japan.
Nightmare Battle, Link's Awakening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyLNQsGTby8) - Nightmare is a great fight, with a nice little theme to accompany it. It's a bit strained, which I can imagine is the theme of this entire game: Destroying the Nightmares saves the land and the Wind Fish, but it also eliminates the island and its inhabitants. It's a dilemma, and this song sounds like a dilemma. Perfect accompaniment.
Champion Theme, Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAOGtJLMHlc) - This is the epitome of epicness. Well not quite but it's pretty high up there. It truly embodies the spirit of the ultimate Pokémon battle, a "do or die" theme where everything's at stake; you win, or you gtfo. To me, this is the best theme in all generations, in all games.
Super Nintendo:
Gang-Plank Galleon, Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e2bD_wVXsc) - I just love how it starts out as a happy, peppy pirate theme, then suddenly begins to shift into this serious battle theme. It's also a great song in and of itself, and belongs on this list.
Ganon Battle, A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUCUSCENalY) - A great upgrade from the good, but definitely lacking, final boss theme in Zelda II, and a theme that has been referenced and remixed in future Zelda games, it's certainly perfect for the mood of this climactic battle against the foul beast Ganon, who's given his first specific battle theme. Of course, his next theme blows away this one and all ones to follow, but this was still great.
Bowser, Super Mario World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_-yllYTsuI) - A step up from the Super Mario Bros. 3 theme, and a very excellent battle theme, even if the boss is somewhat easy, but fun.
Smithy, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI1BudS4Ego) - This game just has a great soundtrack in general, as Mario games are known for usually, and this was a pretty damn good battle theme, though the other boss themes I find more enjoyable. It's still quite the fitting final battle theme.
Sega Genesis:
Final Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nVwm4aQS_E) - A short song, but certainly one that gives off a feel of "climactic final battle with massive ramifications." Truly fitting for the final showdown between man and hedgehog.
Final Boss, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4L4TSrDB4M) - An even better song, even more climactic sounding, and it's accompanied by one of the greatest demons of my childhood. The song left an impression on me (as did almost all of the music of the first two games, honestly), and it continues to be the best final boss theme in the series, with an especially fantastic remix in Sonic Generations.
Final Boss, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyoMQg3d5cs) - No, you will not find Doomsday Zone on this list because it's good, but a bit overrated, and I much prefer this song. It's more epic, it's got an awesome bass line, and it's just a better song overall. Also had a great remix in Sonic Generations, though the synth drums are a bit of a turnoff and the bass isn't as prominent.
Nintendo 64:
Ultimate Koopa, Super Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6YwX03nFQM) - It's an amazing organ theme and a spectacular battle theme, I can just imagine Ganondorf playing this song in the background while Mario and Bowser duke it out. This song was just creepy, and I loved it for it.
Last Battle, Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmL3xSeAmsw) - I cannot imagine a better song to fit the most epic battle of all time (let's just pretend the actual in-game fight was as good as the scene itself was), it's an amazing theme. It's not even that complex, but it's just so astoundingly climactic, the embodiment of a showdown that determines the fate of the world as we know it. It's probably safe to say that this may possibly be my favorite final boss song of any game, ever.
Majora's Mask Battle, Majora's Mask (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AzNTt-boS4) - This one is just... creepy, chilling, and quite honestly would have been fine if it was the only theme in this three-part battle. It's haunting, and the best theme out of the three; Majora's Incarnation is just weird, and Majora's Wrath is okay, but just not as good as this first theme. It just gets to me.
Bowser's Rage, Paper Mario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftxRNZtzrXk) - Technically the first phase of the battle, but the superior version; the second phase just feels more like a puzzle theme. This is a pretty epic battle theme, and while it's still inferior to the regular Bowser theme in the game (which is the best Bowser theme in existence), it's a very great theme, and truly feels pretty epic.
Gamecube:
Metroid Prime (Spider), Metroid Prime (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGAyC3aFF5o) - It's distorted, it's freaky, and it's perfectly fitting for this strange corrupted creature you find deep in the bowels of the planet. The second phase is pretty good too, but this is the theme I keep coming back to listen to.
Dark Samus, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK0NeTjLa7s) - An amazing remix of the escape sequence from the end of Metroid, and it's perfectly chaotic, fitting, and urgent as hell. It definitely makes your blood pump, and makes you want to get the hell out of there. So simple, yet so fitting for what it's applied to.
Hellfire, Soulcalibur II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jdJ45rgNLU) - I came to the series for Link, stayed for the amazing cast, story, music, and the game in general. This theme is perfectly fitting of the final landscape, a desolate plain with strains of lava and wisps of smoke everywhere. It's depressing, dramatic, and just amazing. Hellfire indeed.
Ganondorf, The Wind Waker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKltOpt4iac) - It actually took me ZREO's remix to fully appreciate the song more, but it really is a pretty good song. It's desperate, fast, and truly makes you feel like you have to get Ganondorf done with fast, or else you're going to drown.
Ganondorf, Twilight Princess (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr-I76OxsVg) - It definitely isn't as epic as any of his other final boss battles, but it's still a nice, pounding theme to accompany two master swordsmen during their final fight to the death. It embodies that well, and I appreciate it for that.
Open Your Heart, Sonic Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEzXFuYN89k) - It's an overrated song of Crush 40's, but that doesn't mean it's not a really good song, because it is. It's very fitting for this final battle, and it actually is a really good song, but it's just a touch overrated.
Live and Learn, Sonic Adventure 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9zZus_1_ag) - I feel like it needs no explanation. This song is just pure win, and perfect for that final confrontation in space with Super Sonic and Super Shadow against the Finalhazard. It... just listen to it.
What I'm Made Of, Sonic Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuVAaU63K7k) - Another amazing song from another amazing band. Somehow it's harder to type stuff about these lyrical songs than it is for the non-lyrical ones... O_o
Wii:
Master Hand, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvGEegeJIxY) - This blows away any of the other final showdown themes in a Smash Bros. theme. It's epic, it's got choir, orchestra, and guitar. What more could you ask for in a song?
Final Bowser, Super Mario Galaxy 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glzkh5jl31k) - Despite the final boss being easy and taken out quickly (at least from what I've seen), this is the best final boss song in the series, and probably my favorite behind OoT's Last Battle. It feels like it just belongs in a film rather than a game, it's that good. Sad that it was wasted on such an easy boss fight though.
Egg Nega Wisp Part 2, Sonic Colors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKfBvD_vQ3Q) - It suffers a similar case to the above, in that it plays halfway through the battle, but you can't hear the full song if you're at least an average gamer, because the Nega Wisp Armor isn't hard to take out, though it's still a fun fight. This song though is pretty great, it's definitely the best of the orchestrated final boss themes as far as sounding like orchestration; certainly there are two better ones, but this is better as an orchestrated song, even if a band still exists in it.
Nintendo DS:
Final Boss, Phantom Hourglass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWywKbZHW4A) - It's a very great remix of a very great character's very great theme. ... IT'S VERY GREAT. It is truly amazing, one of the best final boss themes of the series for certain.
Duet with Zelda and Malladus Final Phase, Spirit Tracks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N21htq8lXQ) - A beautiful duet, even with the DS limitations, and then it flows into a truly spectacular boss fight theme, that does pretty damn good despite the low quality of the soundfont. Truly inspiring, though the constant cymbals might be a bit much. But that's a minor complaint; this song is amazing.
Nega Mother Wisp, Sonic Colors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTQpmNNdBtY) - A rather simplistic little remix of the main theme, and it may not even sound that good, yet I just like it. It's fun, cheerful, a contrast to the scene, but it's a very enjoyable song.
Xbox 360:
Solaris Phase 2, Sonic '06 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRe3h1iQ1Os) - Terrible game, great music, embodied in one of the greatest final boss songs of all time, combining orchestra with a rock song. How does that work, you ask? Spectacularly. Seriously, just check it out.
Perfect Dark Gaia, Sonic Unleashed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdDwqJiYO6c) - A song that's similar to the above, and one of a "triumvirate" of final boss songs that combine orchestra with rock, including the Nega Wisp battle. Doesn't hurt that it's a remix to one of the best Sonic main themes of all time. Suitably epic, for a... rather frustrating final boss.
Time Eater (Modern), Sonic Generations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsKDtUcz-dg) - ... see a pattern yet? Okay, while this song itself may not be that spectacular as a boss battle theme—it has a lot of buildup but no real epic climactic feel to it—I still really enjoy the song. It's creepy, it's foreboding, and it's just a really good theme.
Nintendo 3DS:
Final Bowser, Super Mario 3D Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSZ_eRAeapo) - It's just a really great theme, that really lent itself to the moment. Sure, that fight was pretty simple, but it did manage to be really heartpounding, partly due to this intense music pumping throughout the battle. It may seem simple, but really, it just feels epic.
And that's it. I'm curious to see what you guys come up with as well.