The 38 Most Memorable First Enemies
- October 22, 2008 23:37 PM PST
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9- Final Fantasy VII: Shinra Soldiers
First encounter:
As your still-unnamed character exits a train with a band of mercenaries, he is approached by a pair of train guards. It is here where our hero unsheathes his massive sword for the first time and attacks these hopeless nobodies.
We remember it because...
Final Fantasy VII is considered by many to be one of the best RPGs ever created, and as a result it has amassed a dedicated following. This initial encounter was the player's first real introduction to the extremely popular protagonist, and not only did it reveal the game's combat mechanics, but it gave us a preliminary insight into the nature of one of Final Fantasy's most beloved characters.
8- The Legend of Zelda: Octorok
First encounter:
Once the player acquires the brown sword from the old man at the outset of The Legend of Zelda, any direction he goes will eventually lead him to the red Octorok. This land-Octopus will then proceed to shoot large rocks at Link from its maw, before getting stabbed and disappearing.
We remember it because...
The Octorok--who was given his clever name due to his octopus-like appearance and his ability to spit rocks--frequently attacked in packs. This resulted in numerous battles and subsequent deaths at the hands of the androgynous green hero. Due to these numerous battles, the popularity of the game, and his overall strange design, the Octorok became a gaming icon.
7- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: Dracula
First encounter:
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night begins with a sort of prologue that details a preceding fight with Dracula. In this prelude, the player initially controls Richter Belmont as he plays out the climax of a previous Castlevania title. In it a toned down Dracula is defeated, ultimately providing a catalyst for the events of SOTN.
We remember it because...
Symphony of the Night is one of the most popular and well-regarded Castlevania titles, and its unusual beginning--starting off with a previous title's climax--is very memorable. Also, using the series' main antagonist for the game's first encounter is something that is just as unique and notable.
6- Dragon Warrior: Slime
First encounter:
Even though the battles in Dragon Warrior were random, the first enemy you would always come across was that smiley faced, Hersey Kiss shaped, blue slime. And while his smile warmed your heart, what really made the player happy was how easy they were to defeat.
We remember it because...
The grinning Slime has become a trademark of the Dragon Warrior titles, appearing in every version of this very prolific and currently ongoing series. And while the player will never have a difficult time defeating one, the Slime's unusual high-spirited appearance while being butchered will always allow him to be remembered fondly.
5-Donkey Kong: Donkey Kong
First encounter:
Before the barrel hurling begins, and even before Mario appears on screen, a giant, menacing ape sits atop some scaffolding preparing to destroy the hero's ambitions of love and happiness with his now captive girlfriend.
We remember it because...
Donkey Kong is one of the oldest platformers ever, and it also was one of the first games to use a narrative to enhance its gameplay. This subsequently cemented the massive monkey's legacy, and it ensured that Kong would continue to appear in later titles.
4- Shadow of the Colossus: Colossus
First encounter:
After a quick control tutorial and some brief platforming segments, the player - via a cinema - will for the first time lay their eyes on one of the massive Colossi. Following this discovery some climbing and stabbing ensues.
We remember it because...
Shadow of the Colossus was an incredibly unique game in the way it approached combat, treating it as much of a puzzle game as an action title. Its unique enemies also remained distinctive: in numbers -- there were only 16 of them total -- and in the scope of each battle - some fights could take up to 20 minutes. All of these features combined to make a one-of-a-kind game with one-of-a-kind enemies.
3- Pitfall!: Scorpion
First encounter:
Decked out in his green shirt and pants, Harry the explorer first spotted the massive scorpion upon entering the third screen of the game. The colossal bug sat underground, however, and posed less of an immediate threat then the pair of logs rolling Harry's way, although the insect did prompt a horrible image of what battles lay in store.
We remember it because...
If you were playing videogames in 1980, you were playing Pitfall! This title sold over 4 million copies and was owned by the large majority of Atari 2600 users. That meant that during the industry's earliest days, basically everyone was encountering and subsequently battling/avoiding this giant scorpion.
2- Resident Evil: Zombie
First encounter:
After listening to some atrocious dialogue, your character eventually ventures off on his/her own, and after entering a few empty rooms you finally happen upon a creature who--detailed through a cinema--is grazing on a decapitated corpse's flesh.
We remember it because...
Up to this point the game had been creating some pretty thick atmosphere, and there was some ambivalence as to what creatures you were going to be encountering and fighting. Those questions were answered, however, as you came across a zombie on all fours engaged in consumption. This renowned encounter was also immortalized on the game box-art, where it illustrated the infamous cinema that showed the zombie slowly looking over his shoulder at you.
1- Super Mario Brothers: Goomba
First encounter:
Half a second after pushing start and proceeding to the right, Mario will come across the first wave of Bowser's immense defenses: a sluggish, side-stepping Goomba. He will then proceed to crush its head.
We remember it because...
Super Mario Brothers was the quintessential NES game, and if you owned a Nintendo, you owned Mario Brothers. And since it was one of the NES's best games--available very early in its life cycle--it got played a lot, and as a result that poor Goomba's melon got squashed gazillions of times.
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there is also one more I will always remember, the helmet guys on mega man.
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Red Vested Woman Puncher... what an a-hole! Cool list... intersting read! I would have to add the first enemy in Dead Space... scared the crap out of me!
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BS. Zombies entrance from RE1 was EPIC! Goombas just kinda appear onscreen
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ZanonX wrote:
there is also one more I will always remember, the helmet guys on mega man.
Ah, good one zanon. We considered it, but the fact that you got to pick your first stage meant that you may not have fought the Met (his official name, if I recall) first.
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I think that giant statue that you fight at the very start of God of War 2 should be on here. That was the most awesome opening ever.
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