Talking Time Presents: The Top 60 Video Game Enemies Exhibit at the Valdez Museum of Video Game Box Art

[Ixo]

Zubat wouldn't suck quite so bad if it didn't know Supersonic. Speed disadvantage I can live with, but speed disadvantage + opponent has the first opportunity to inflict Confusion? It's pretty much guaranteed that you'll be seeing a lot of "[Your Pokemon] hurt itself in it's confusion!" because the computer is a cheating bastard when it comes to status effects. Hope you caught a Pikachu in Veridian Forest before heading through Mt Moon, because it's your best option re: speed and type advantage against these guys. Even then, it's a 50/50 chance of Ground Type or Zubat in there, so have fun switching out regardless.

Having to love your Golbat enough to evolve it to Crobat is still one of the funniest things Pokemon as a series has ever done.

 

[WildcatJF]

GHOSTS (PAC-MAN)

#21 (87 points, nominated by Torzelbaum [21], Johnny Unusual [7], Daikaiju [7], Dracula [22])
First Appearance: PAC-MAN

Inky, Pinky, Blinky and Clyde were the original ghostly bunch that hounded "the hero" in the 1980 arcade classic. Each was given their own unique AI script, meaning that each ghost would track down the player in different ways. Unfortunately for them, power pellets exist, which render their invincibility moot and makes them digestible for "the hero". In the sequel Ms. Pac Man a female ghost, Sue, replaced Clyde.

Donors had this to say:
​

You have to remember which colors have which movement styles, or else you'll never win at Pac-Man. Ha ha. Who am I kidding? Nobody wins at a Pac-Man. ~ Dracula​

Iconic and the first rebel who rejected the rhyming nickname scheme of his [Clyde] fellow ghosts. The more I learn about his behavior the more I identify with him. ~ Torzelbaum​

Spoiler: Pac Man Fever

I don't have a lot of money but I'm bringing everything I made

Note - Votes for individual ghosts were included for this entry.​

 

[Daikaiju]

 

[Octopus Prime]

Zubats were another guy that was on my initial list but I had to cut because, like all Pokémon, they’re friends.

Friends you don’t like very much and go out of your way to avoid

 

[Dracula]

The last time I played RBG, it felt super freeing to go into the game with the mindset of "you run from wild pokemon battles." Not having to defeat every single Zubat in the caves is like Pokemon nirvana, man. I am enlightened.

But not enlightened enough to put Zubat on my team.

 

[Daikaiju]

The last time I played RBG,...

 

[Kishi]

They're not ghosts, though.

 

[Torzelbaum]

Interesting and a little odd how the Ghosts are in the same place on the Top 50 as they were on my list (and that Drac and I ranked them nearly the same but Johnny and Daikaiju ranked them exactly the same).

And in case you're wondering how Clyde behaves then here's a simplified explanation:

The orange ghost, "Clyde", is the last to leave the ghost house, and does not exit at all in the first level until over a third of the dots have been eaten. The unique feature of Clyde's targeting is that it has two separate modes which he constantly switches back and forth between, based on [how close he is] to Pac-Man. The combination of these two methods has the overall effect of Clyde alternating between coming directly towards Pac-Man and then changing his mind and heading back to his corner whenever he gets too close.

(That is from the blog post Understanding Pac-Man Ghost Behavior which is based on Jamey Pittman's "Pac-Man Dossier" on Gamasutra.)

 

[Ixo]

They're not ghosts, though.

They....aren't?

 

[Octopus Prime]

No; They clearly have physical bodies since they can kill and nourish Pac-Man.

They’re revenants

 

[Johnny Unusual]

They are marshmallows, as detailed in this documentary.

 

[Beta Metroid]

Zubats are a great choice and incredibly obnoxious, but the Pokemon anime taught me that even the most obnoxious Pokemon are not your enemies. Still, their design is pretty neat (love the lack of eyes), but I've often wondered how they stand/hang/do anything but fly.

The Pac-Man...antagonists are an excellent choice. I ended up voting for an enemy group of a similar vintage and spirit instead...we'll see if they show up.

 

[Johnny Unusual]

enemy group of a similar... spirit

I see what you did there.

 

[WildcatJF]

BEHEMOTH (FINAL FANTASY)

#20 (89 points, nominated by Issun [1], Octopus Prime [9], Rascally Badger [23], Kirin [23])
First Appearance: Final Fantasy II

Large canine-esque creatures that typically have purple skin, bull horns, a long mane and are often among the (if not the) most powerful and hearty enemies in the Final Fantasy series. Occasionally they do appear as bosses*, such is their mightiness. Following their debut in II (after being teased in artwork for I that did not come to pass), Behemoths have made some sort of appearance in every numbered FF and many spinoffs since. Whenever the "hero" and their party run into one of these, it's always a long and difficult battle.

Spoiler: Music for Dogs - Deep Sleep Sounds to Relax!

Dog Music!

* - Behemoth is perhaps the most debatable inclusion on the Top 60 Enemy list, as they have rotated being between a boss and an enemy from the get-go. I'm letting it slide as it has appeared as an enemy in the series as a whole than as a boss.​

 

[Octopus Prime]

Figuring out how to deal with the FF4 Behemoths was a *turning point* for Young Octo

 

[Torzelbaum]

As you can see they weren't on my list but when they start showing up as random encounters is when you know a Final Fantasy game is getting serious. (The same is also true of dragons.)

 

[Kishi]

If you like Behemoths and haven't played Final Fantasy XV, you should really play Final Fantasy XV.

 

[Issun]

Behemoths are just so freaking cool. Possibly Amano's greatest creation.

 

[Positronic Brain]

If you like Behemoths and haven't played Final Fantasy XV, you should really play Final Fantasy XV.

And don't play XIII because they wear shorts. With zippers.

(admittedly, YMMV)

 

[Octopus Prime]

You think they could handle button-flies with fingers like that?

 

[WildcatJF]

Time for Round 4 of "Didn't Make the Cut for a Full Exhibit but Are Still Rad":

#92 Boss Galaga (Galaga) Nominated by Dracula #7

Notable enough to become an item in Super Smash Bros., Boss Galaga will steal "the hero's" ship if they're not careful...or perhaps, if "the hero" IS careful and can blast the alien but not the captured ship with their next life, earn double the firepower!

#159 The Squids Gang (River City Ransom series) Nominated by Rascally Badger #15

Tough, quick and rich, the Squids are a perfect example of risk/reward within the multitude of gangs within River City Ransom. They can give quite the payout if "the hero" can topple them, but will they be able to overcome such difficult odds?

#152 Red Chomper (Darkwood) Nominated by Johnny Unusual #14

Hyper aggressive and twitchy, red chompers are the torn remnants of people who have undergone all stages of the plague affecting the game's plot, and will immediately attack "the hero" on sight. While fast, they do have a stamina limitation and can tire out, making that the perfect time to strike back.​

 

[Zef]

Behemoths are fun. Figuring out that they countered physical attacks in FF4 was, like Octo mentioned, a turning point. Seeing them stand up in VI* made them much more intimidating. Their colossal variants in X and XV are just magnificent (especially the Dread Behemoth with wings). But I'll always have a soft spot for the FF Tactics variety.

Once, on a whim, I used my Oracle to capture a Behemoth just to see if I could. A few battles later, I brought it into battle to Poach it. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong battle to try that. I completely underestimated the Undeads, my squad was poorly suited to counter them, and everyone but my Oracle and the Behemoth was killed. Hell, the Behemoth was at nearly full health. Together, they carried the fight, and the Behemoth destroyed the last Undead within Ramza's Game Over turn.

I ended up kicking Generics out of my party so I could keep the Behemoth around, and his name, Dwyvaer, lives on in other games where I get to name monsters, and only my favorite monsters get the honor of that name.

* Incidentally, Sr. Behemoth is my second favorite kind.

 

[WildcatJF]

Man, where's the comic?

Eeeek, I know I did it today.

Thing is, it was right here.

Ah dammit, these rare enemies are just the worst. Always fleeing all the time!

*Looks for entry*

Son of a....I CAN'T have it wandering around the forum again, I already did that!

Let's not repeat Hell House.

It was amusing then, but then I'll not have a fresh gimmick.

Maybe I can do something else. Like a "first letter of each sentence adds up to be the enemy this time" thing.

Er, no, that might be too abstract.















Hm, well, maybe if I continue with the entry it'll show itself. Kind of defeats the whole enterprise not having anything to show for it, though. Little bugger.

METAL SLIME (DRAGON QUEST)

#19 (93 points, nominated by Kzinssie [4], Wildcat JF [4], Octopus Prime [23], Daikaiju [20])
First Appearance: Dragon Quest

Metal slime A flees!
Metal slime B flees!
Metal slime C flees!
Metal slime D flees!
Metal slime E flees!
Metal slime F flees!
Metal slime G flees!
Metal slime H casts Sizz! Miss! It does no damage!

Spoiler: Shine

Shining in my heart
Shining in your heart
Shining forever

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!​

 

[Daikaiju]

GIVE ME YOUR XP, YOU LITTLE SLAG!

 

[WildcatJF]

SNIPER JOE (MEGA MAN)

#18 (94 points, nominated by Daikaiju [6], Octopus Prime [16], Dracula [10], Kirin [18])
First Appearance: Mega Man

Based on the design schematics of Proto Man, Dr. Wily mass produced the "Joe" series of robotic defense units to help his plans for world conquest. The initial Joe was a Sniper, thus the name. Using their shields to deflect "the hero's" attacks, and then fired off shots of their own. In the original game Sniper Joe would jump back over any attempt to bypass him, forcing an encounter. As the series continued the Joe series evolved, equipping mechs, bulking up to throw hammers, infusing with level motifs like the Skull Joe or Crystal Joe, and more.

Here's what our donors have to say:​

I like these guys because they're mysterious. Seems like there's more going on behind that single red eye. What are you planning, Sniper Joe? ~ Dracula​

Spoiler: Ride On Shooting Star

Sniper
Fuchidotta sono sekai ni
Nani ga mieru tte iu n da
Nerau mae ni sawaritai na

 

[Kishi]

Capcom seemed interested in giving Mega Man a rival from the very first game. They finally scored a keeper in the third game with Proto Man, but Proto Man himself borrowed cues from their original effort, which was Sniper Joe. (Mega Man 2's in-between entry was Quick Man, and of course Mega Man 7 brought us Bass.) It's always interesting to see all the different forms Joe takes as he continues to return game after game.

 

[Falselogic]

Quick Man is supposed to be special in MM2?

 

[Kishi]

I don't remember where now, but someone asked Inafune about how Quick Man's Gundam crest extends past the border of his portrait, and he said they were trying to call attention to him as a prospective rival character.

 

[Daikaiju]

Hm. That explains some of his manga portrayals

 

[Octopus Prime]

And his prominence on the US Cover art.

Re: Metal Slimes, they are the kind of RPG monster that is fully aware that everybody is going to want to kill it (so much so that any player worth their salt is going to ignore any fire breathing dragons or demon wizards or whatever in order to focus on them) and has evolved accordingly.

My hats off to you, Metal Slime! You put in the effort.