Stats Reveal the Most Rage-Inducing Video Game Bosses

Research has found that almost two thirds (61%) of gamers rage quit due to repeatedly losing the same level or battle.

With this in mind, experts at CasiMonka were eager to find out which video game final bosses were the most frustrating to beat, with many  players resorting to online videos to solve their quests.

Psychology expert Nilou Esmaeilpour, also provides insight into how these tricky battles lead to rage quitting, and strategies to avoid getting worked up whilst gaming.

Key Findings

• With over double the views of runner up Mr X, Sans has left the most players defeated enough to seek out advice with over 2,600,000 views.

When combining characters of the listed games overall scores:

• Undertale maintains first place.

• Second is Elden Ring, a repeat offender amassing a combined 1,926,000 views on the top boss guides for Ragadon and the Elden Beast, Melania and Mohg.

• Resident Evil comes in third.

• Fourth is Hollow Knight where bosses merge to 1,049,000.

• Last place is Dark souls III with 905,000.

The most viewed final boss guides of the decade

The Top 5 Hardest Video Games From The Past Decade

#5: Troupe Master Grimm: Hollow Knight (2017)

In fifth place as the hardest video game boss to beat is Grimm. The master of his troupe, aka “Nightmare King” uses teleportation, spiked clothing, and other wild abilities to avoid his defeat. His attacks have been dubbed “impossible to predict” by online Reddit communities, and the most viewed defeat guide has amassed 685,000 views. The captivating visual aesthetic of the player and game originates from hand drawn art, making it a pleasing (yet testing) experience for gamers.

#4: Nameless King: Dark Souls 3 (2016)

Taking fourth place, the Nameless King uses god-like methods to spar their opponent, such as lightning strikes, shockwaves, and various spear attacks. This consistently aggressive attacker doesn’t give players much time to heal, and luckily for some the defeat of this boss is optional. The most popular how-to-beat guides for this ultimate boss generated over 905,000 views on Youtube since its release.

#3: Ragadon and the Elden Beast: Elden Ring (2022)

In third place is this two-part final boss attack that has triggered players, with many area of effect (AOE) attacks from Ragadon, leaving no time to safely relocate before sequential blasts or facing the Elden Beast. This battle demonstrates powers of teleportation,  and holy tools and tactics to defeat players. With no recovery interval between these bosses, this demanding fight has amassed over 940,000 views on its top Youtube guide video.

 #2: Mr X: Resident Evil 2 (2019)

Swiping second place is Mr X, a visually grotesque boss. In the popular horror remake, unlike typical bosses, he cannot be defeated for the majority of the game, and the only option is to know how to navigate around him without being caught. With stalking tactics, he is a constant threat for players entering his zone. Over 1.1 million troubled gamers have viewed the top guide to surviving him.

#1: Sans: Undertale (2015)

Sans takes first place with more than 2.6 millions players seeking guidance on YouTubes most viewed defeat video. This old-school role-playing game is simplistic in design, yet enrages players globally. The tactics of this boss involve spontaneous attacks, platforming, and forcing users to make rapid choices. The battles are enduring and grating for players, and insane defense means there is little opportunity to cause meaningful damage to Sans.

Psychology expert, Nilou Esmaeilpour, from Lotus therapy comments on the frustration gamers face when battling, and provides management tips:

“Rage quitting, which is basically the act of abruptly closing the gaming session due to piles of frustration, is usually related to a concoction of high stress and perceived failure, together with an inability to cope with the two emotions.

“These endless failures, when players are confronted by the final boss who seems to be invincible, can only push them to the brink of feeling helpless and angry, hence rage quitting as an immediate solution to distress.

“It is essential that stress management techniques be included to avoid overworked conditions during gaming. Taking time off from a game allows the player to cool down and get back to it without becoming overly frustrated. Furthermore, making realistic expectations and realizing that it is normal to fail promotes the lessening of pressure players impose on themselves. This can be furthered by a growth mindset, wherein the challenges and failures in the game become opportunities for learning and self-improvement in relation to one’s competence”

Credit to https://casimonka.com/ who commissioned the data.