I picked these 10 bosses from Nintendo's games based on the fact that I could recall most of them from the Nintendo games I have played, and tried to rank them somehow based on my favorites as well as being memorable experiences. It just comes to show that Nintendo has a strange obsession using floating hands as enemy/ boss encounters in many of their games.
11/20/11, 05:48 Edited: 02/21/12, 02:18
Brobot L-Type
Super Paper Mario (Wii, 2007)
Come at me bro... Such a weird but hilarious boss fight for a Mario game, not surprising considering the great comedy found throughout this early Wii game. Out of all the bosses on this list, this one probably uses the hands to a lesser degree.
Wham Bam Rock
Kirby Super Star (SNES, 1996)
You won't see this guy until you get deeper into The Great Cave Offensive when he appears as the final boss (and he even has an improved brother, Wham Bam Jewel, in the DS Ultra version!).
Mazaal
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Game Boy Advance, 2005)
The boss of the Fortress of Winds. He pretty much resembles Gohdan, who is already on this list. The fun feature of fighting this boss is using Link's ability to shrink in size in order to hit its weak point within the head. This, of course, takes place after hitting the weak spots on the hands with arrows.
Bouldergeist
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007)
A ghost type who is a nice throwback to the hand boss from Super Mario 64 (also on this list), although for the first part of the fight his stone hands have not developed yet. It's so satisfying to grab the explosive Boo and swing it around, causing massive damage!
Gohdan
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (GCN, 2003)
The boss of Tower of the Gods. As with most Wind Waker bosses, the animation and presentation are very beautiful, but the challenge is not very high. Link's recently acquired bow and arrow will help make quick work of this guy's exposed weak spots. Of course, the hands have eyes.
Tiki Tong
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii, 2010)
The final boss, and the leader of the Tiki Tak Tribe. He is the reason why the Tikis are running amuck. Talk about a challenge! This boss encounter is all about patience, as the strong hero waits for the opportunity to strike, all the while doing his best to stay alive. Remember, DK, it's all about the bananas. TOTALLY worth it.
Master Hand
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii, 2008)
All the Nintendo characters starring in the latest Smash Bros. fighting game know one thing: the Master Hand reigns over them; they respect and FEAR it. Even Ganondorf and Bowser were taking orders from their "master" (then we find out later who was really in charge). Ever since his N64 debut, he has had a wide assortment of attacks, some even involving projectiles from the fingers. And let's not forget... Crazy Hand! It deserves to be mentioned.
Eyerok
Super Mario 64 (N64, 1996)
The boss of Shifting Sand Land is the first major 'hand' boss I can remember in a Nintendo game. The hands have eyes, and they are the weak spot! But the hands will push you away, leading Mario to his demise.
Bongo Bongo
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64, 1998)
One of the creepiest hand encounters on this list. A nice finish to a dungeon that is already drenched with the pain and blood of countless victims. Bong Bongo is playing the drum... the drum OF YOUR DOOM!
Andross
Star Fox 64 (N64, 1997)
"I've been waiting for you, StarFox."
Those first words from Andross greeted players on their final stretch to bringing peace to the galaxy. A nice improvement over Andross' form in the original Star Fox, he can now slap your Arwing around and even break its wings. And if you're playing extra well, you'll finally get to see the who's the brains of the operation!
What are some of your favorite hand bosses, or enemies for that matter? They all do a fine job of being the bad guys that they are, so let's give them a round. A round of what? A round of...
Ha ha ha ha this is so awesome. The kind of thing I would do. Actually I had a "top 10 train areas" idea but I got lazy. Maybe I'll just use it as a podcast discussion, although no one but me would care about it.
Actually I had a "top 10 train areas" idea but I got lazy.
Whoa, and right now, at this very moment, I'm playing Prof. Layton and the Diabolical Box, whose train setting seems to be an integral part of the story so far. I would be interested in your list!
Totally forgot about Layton. That is the problem, my memory sucks, I'd need to go research a bit. Off the top of my head though... Final Fantasy VI, Resident Evil 0, um... lol can't think right now. Mega Man V Charge Man stage? Bad Dudes? Uncharted 2, though I doubt I'd introduce non Nintendo console stuff. I think Skies of Arcadia had a neat train bit as well, if I recall. So many games have you walking on the top of a moving train... I wonder if anyone has ever had to do that in REAL LIFE to fight evil?
Had I read this earlier, I would have won more prizes in the Skyward Sword Midnight Opening. The question was: Which one of these hand monsters is not from Zeda. The answer was Eyerock. Oh well.
Well put 1st place, I must say. Everytime I see a hand boss, It instantly reminds me of Andross. Also, I just remembered about the Last boss from Mario & Luigi Super Star Saga, which is also a hand boss. Nintendo must have some kind of obsession for this kind of boss from what I see here, but it's just a theory, so just ignore these little letters.
Awesome list, every boss I felt should be included when I read the title was included. And no one else could've been at the number 1 spot, no one. Nicely done.
Nice list! I don't think the Eyerok dude from Mario 64 should be so high, but that's the only quibble I have. Now, what the hell am I doing here anyways? *Runs off to play Zelda*
