Licker (Resident Evil)
This revolting enemy is sure to strike fear into any intrepid player. They’re also as dangerous as they are disturbing, with their long tongues and brain like heads. First appearing in Resident Evil 2, the unforgettable enemies have become a staple of the series.
Normal zombies mutate into these creatures, causing exposed brain tissue, increased muscle development and a total loss of skin. Capable of attacking from range and crawl on walls or ceilings, a group of Lickers are incredibly dangerous. They’re also surprisingly fast, just adding to the tension as you struggle to blast them off of walls and ceilings. Lickers are certainly striking looking, and one of the most recognizable foes from Resident Evil. Even just looking at one is sure to send a chill down your spine.
Creeper (Minecraft)
Every Minecraft player knows the tension created when you hear that terrifying “ssssss.” These strange creatures will chase any player that comes into their range, and to make matters worse, they explode. Not only does the Creeper explode though, it takes out any blocks within a certain radius of it.
They’ve even become almost the pseudo poster child of Minecraft, as they’re easily recognizable. Plushies and figures of Creepers are abundant anywhere that Minecraft merchandise can be bought. A good way to lose a structure is to turn a corner and run smack dab into a Creeper. These are enemies that you’ll definitely want to steer clear of if you’re out exploring a blocky world.
Elites (Halo)
Besides maybe Master Chief himself, the Elites are the most recognizable characters from Halo. Of course, later on in the series, Elites would become your allies at various points with you even playing as the Arbiter. However, they remain one of the most fearsome villains of the series.
Grunts and Jackals were all fine and dandy to deal with, but Elites were the real trouble makers. These towering aliens would inspire the lesser species to stay and fight instead of running, and they bring a host of deadly weapons to battle. Who can forget the first time they ran into an invisible Elite with an energy sword in the first Halo?
As soon as you heard their garble cries down a hallway, you knew that the Chief had a battle ahead of him. Of course stronger Covenant forces exist, but the Elites definitely make up the backbone of the hostile army. As long as Halo exists, the Elite race known as Sangheili will play an integral role in its universe.
Big Daddy (Bioshock)
The Big Daddy is by far one of the most striking and memorable images from Bioshock, and it’s even the main focal point of the game cover. These lumbering monsters protect the Little Sisters with their life, and will unleash their wrath on anyone that threatens the girls.
There are multiple types of Big Daddies, but the Bouncer featured above is the most recognizable. This version is armed with a gigantic drill on its arm, that it uses to bludgeon and beat enemies with. While traveling around Rapture, the Big Daddies use haunting whale noises to communicate only helping to add to the general vibe of creepiness.
When you hear a Big Daddy’s call, you better be ready for a fight, as it’s going to take everything you have to stop the beast from protecting its cherished Little Sister. Oftentimes, finding a way to sneak around will be your best option.
Goombas & Koopa Troopas (Mario)
This pair is an absolute staple of the Mario series, and both are immediately recognizable around the world. From the very start of World 1-1 players are introduced to these enemies, first with the slow moving Goombas and the with the faster Koopa Troopas. These two introduce players to the mechanics they’ll be able to use to defeat enemies in the first Super Mario Bros.
Goombas and Koopas would become some of the most iconic enemies in all video games, and have been in almost every subsequent Mario game in one way or another. Koopa Troopa would even become a playable character in games like Mario Tennis and Mario Kart. We’ve never gotten tired of facing off against these colorful foes, and they’ll surely keep appearing for many years to come.
Ghosts (Pac-Man)
Some of the first enemies in video games were the brightly colored ghosts of Pac-Man. Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde are the ones that chase Pac-Man around the grid of the game as he tries to collect as many pellets and possible.
These four are what really make the experience tense as they have nearly as much speed as Pac-Man, and are invincible until a power pellet is collected. The ghosts have appeared alongside Pac-Man time and again, even as he made the jump into the 3D realm. They even appear as an assist trophy in the latest iteration of Super Smash Bros.
These colorful little guys will always be love and remembered, even as we run in fear from them every time that we play Pac-Man.
Darknut (Legend of Zelda)
These lumbering suits of armor appear as minibosses in multiple Legend of Zelda titles. Darknuts have the strength to match their fearsome look, as they’re able to take a massive amount of hearts off with even one swing.
Link’s best strategy is a patient approach as he circles around the enemies to strike from behind. Most of the time taking on one Darknut isn’t a huge problem, but once more than one face you down things can get complicated.
Few foes can provide more of a challenge to the hero of time than Darknuts. They’re also some of the most easily recognizable enemies from any Zelda game, with their iconic suits of armor.
Slime (Dragon Quest)
It’s hard to not feel bad as you cut down these cute creatures in a Dragon Quest game. Slimes are the most basic of basic enemies in the series, but they appear time and again. It’s not a Dragon Quest game without a Slime. They can even appear in different colors, and as bosses occasionally.
Not all Slimes are bad though, as in certain titles in the series some will peacefully inhabit cities even going as far as to tell you “I’m not a bad Slime.”
The adorable enemies have ended up becoming one of poster children for the series, even being put on special edition consoles and made into a controller. Slimes truly represent the charm and whimsy that Dragon Quest has become so known for.
Cactuar (Final Fantasy)
Since Final Fantasy VI, these strange stiff legged creatures have appeared in almost every Final Fantasy game. These cactus like creatures appear as enemies and even summons at times. They’re known for their stiff way of movement and incredibly dangerous 1000 needles attack. The specifics of the attack differ from game to game, but usually the result is inflicting 1000 damage on the character they attack.
Cactuars even come in a few different variations like Gigantuar and the Cactoid. Final Fantasy is full of memorable monsters like Chocobos, Moogles and Malbaros. Cactuars stand out even among all these, with their charming quirkiness.
Metroid
When an entire series is named after one specific enemy, you know it’s going to be a memorable one. These terrifying creatures basically resemble a tusked brain-like jellyfish creature. Metroids latch onto they’re prey with a stranglehold and literally feed on the subject’s life energy, They don’t suck any blood and all internal organs are left intact, but the prey is left without the energy necessary to sustain life.
These mysterious life forms, genetically engineered by the ancient race called the Chozo, were created in order to stop the spread of the even more dangerous X Parasites. Metroids can be dangerous enemies for Samus to face, as they’re surprisingly agile and it’s easy to be swarmed by them. Even more terrifying, they have an endless appetite and will feed on anything that crosses their path.
The eerie and foreboding tone of the Metroid games is perfectly captured with these strange enemies. Somehow Samus is always inexplicably tied to the creatures in some way, even being saved by a baby Metroid at the end of Super Metroid. They also make an appearance in Super Smash Bros. as an assist trophy. As long as we get new Metroid games or things involving Samus, you can bet these enemies will keep making appearances.
What are some of your favorite video game enemies? Which ones will you never forget? Let us know down in the comments.
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