Some of the most challenging video game bosses can be found on the PlayStation 2. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, the PS2 brought players some of the most iconic games in history. But which PS2 bosses are actually the hardest?

Directly after the PlayStation 2's release, and like the PlayStation 5, it was difficult to find the console on store shelves. Selling for $299, the PS2 was the same price as the GameCube and $100 less than the Xbox. It is still one of the best-selling consoles of all time, although today, the Nintendo Switch has almost outsold the PS2 in Japan.

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However, not everyone who wanted a PS2 may have wanted to partake in some of these boss fights. Between God of War and Kingdom Hearts 2, there were a lot of tough games and difficult bosses on the system. From incredibly long fights and aggravating movements, these are the PS2 video game bosses that were the most difficult.

God of War's Boss Fight With Ares Is Brutally Long on PS2

Ares in God of War

While the God of War games is known for their brutal fights, defeating Ares in God of War is the last thing the player must do to beat the game. After the cutscene of Ares insulting Kratos by calling him a "broken mortal," Pandora's box makes Kratos the same size as Ares, and the fight begins. With Ares' long spider-like limbs and enormous malice dodging his attacks can sometimes be difficult. His malice does severe damage as flames shoot out of it every time Ares uses it. Dodging those attacks and using Kratos' electric shock move seems to be the most effective. Since now, everything that happened between God Of War 3 and God of War (2018) has changed through time.

While Ares is almost near death, he begins throwing fireballs at Kratos. Ares may not have a wide variety of fighting moves, but each attack packs a punch and deals heavy damage. After what seems like defeating Ares, he begins to siphon Kratos into the nightmares that haunt him. This fight scene is brutal and repetitive as many Kratos-like enemies appear while the player tries to protect the family. In the end, Ares makes Kratos relive the moment of killing his wife and son. After the cutscene, Kratos and Ares are back in the fighting arena. This time Kratos and Ares are fighting with giant swords. Each sword does more damage than before, and Ares now moves faster. Like the beginning of the fight, dodging Ares' attacks and doing damage at the right time will end this forever long boss fight. Kratos has met many Greek Gods throughout the series and seems to overcome them every time.

PS2's Resident Evil - Code: Veronica Has The Toughest Tyrant

Resident Evil Code Veronica Tyrant

In Resident Evil - Code: Veronica, this Tyrant is said to be the hardest of them all. After it is released from its tank, Claire must take on the Tyrant in under five minutes. The first segment of the fight isn't that bad. If the player has a grenade launcher, this is the time to use them as it takes about 10 shots to get the Tyrant down. Players can't try to get close to him during the fight, or he will push Claire back, dealing damage. As the Tyrant falls to his knees, Clarie can escape the factory. The player will see this Tyrant again. A Resident Evil - Code: Veronica fan-made remake is said to release this year as long as Capcom does not interfere. After escaping the factory, Claire and Steve are on a plane and headed for Hawaii. Not in the air very long, Alfred Ashford crashes into the plane with the Tyrant gaining access to the cargo part of the plane.

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Back at it again, Claire must now face the Tyrant in the back of the plane with a huge hole in it. This is the hardest part of the boss fight as the area is tiny and hard to see at times. The player can use the cargo release machine to hit the Tyrant, but the monster won't fall out of the plane unless there is enough damage dealt. Resident Evil (2021) perfectly captures the original games' scariest moments like this one. Using the grenade launcher again while keeping distance from the Tyrant is ideal. With such a small fighting space, the player is bound to take damage by this huge monster. Dealing enough damage and releasing the cargo from the plane again will cause the Tyrant to go flying out of the plane.

Shadow of the Colossus' Last Boss Fight Is Extremely Tough

Malus

Malus is known to be one of the most challenging PS2 bosses in its era. Although Shadow of the Colossus developer teased a new game early last year, Shadow of the Colossus' Malus fight is still one of the most memorable. The boss fight starts with him shooting target tracking fireballs that are impossible to dodge. The beginning of the fight is just moving from cover to cover to get closer to Malus. This part of the fight is more demanding than the player would think, as each fireball is fast-tracking, shaking the surrounding ground floor.

Once the player is close enough to Malus, it is time to climb. A difficult aspect in this fight is that the player must hold R1 for the majority of the fight, making this quite painful after some time. Scaling these high creatures brought such good gameplay that some gamers are asking what a Shadow of the Colossus 2 would look like. The player must climb Malus to the top to begin dealing damage. Behind Malus is a blue, glowing crack on his lower back. After stabbing this area, this allows the player to jump into Malus' hand. The player must go on to stab three other spots throughout Malus. After each attack, Malus begins to move more, making the fight even more difficult while still holding R1 to climb. After all vulnerable spots are attacked, Malus falls in defeat.

Sephiroth in Kingdom Hearts 2  Is One Of The PS2's Toughest Fights

As Sora, Donald, and Goofy take on another adventure in Kingdom Hearts 2, there are some problematic boss fights throughout the game. One of the most challenging boss fights includes Sephiroth, who is actually an optional boss. It is said that Kingdom Hearts 2 is the series' best game. Sephiroth will be waiting at the Radiant Garden's Dark Depths. Beating Sephiroth will award the player with Fenrir, a powerful Keyblade. The fight starts out with a tension-filled cutscene as Sephiroth immediately pulls his sword on Sora. With 14 health bars to burn through in order to beat Sephiroth, it is clear this is a tough boss fight.

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Dodging and blocking are crucial in the first bit of the fight because each one of Sephiroth's attacks does serious damage. Fighting away through the health bars is exhausting, as each move must be executed correctly. Using Giga Impact from Sora's Ragnarok ability seems to do the most damage throughout the fight. Once Sephiroth has dwindled five health bars, he begins throwing orbs at Sora and attacking mid-air. Without healing or blocking at the right time, Sephiroth can end the fight very quickly in this phase. After this long and painful fight, Sephiroth claims that only Cloud, another Final Fantasy character in Kingdom Hearts, can eliminate him.

Dr. Nefarious Is A Tough Boss Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Just like any boss fight in Ratchet & Clank, this one is hectic. In Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, the final boss is once again Dr. Nefarious. Dr. Nefarious's first phase is wild as there are different attacks. He will begin throwing holograms that will attack the player head-on. Shortly after that attack, Nefarious will use two ray guns to circle the fighting arena. Right after that, he will send circling shock waves that can be avoided by jumping at the right time. Getting through this cycle while continually shooting Nefarious is a good start. After pretending like he has been defeated, Nefarious goes into the second phase of the fight. This phase is a little more complicated than the last.

In Ratchet & Clank, Dr. Nefarious is tough already, so battling all of his robots while dodging his rays is crucial in this fight. Once the player makes it back to the fighting arena, Nefarious begins using shock waves and targeting bullets. Avoiding these gets frustrating as the timing is different than before. Nefarious will eventually go into his final form of the Biobliterator. This fight goes underway in a spaceship while Nefarious is inside a giant robot. The player must fly around while avoiding bullets and shooting the Biobliterator. This fight is prolonged and excessive, and if players don't pay attention, this fight can be tough to overcome with a lot going on.

The PS2 has brought players some fantastic games in its time, and it has also brought some rage-worthy moments, with tough bosses like Ares in God of War and Sephiroth in Kingdom Hearts 2. These are just some of the most challenging boss fights on the PlayStation 2. Of course, there are plenty more boss fights in the PlayStation 2 library of extremely tough games.

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