Video game bosses with harder item restrictions

Discover the most intense challenges in the world of video games, where players face formidable foes with limited equipment options. This list explores battles that demand strategy and skill, as essential combat items are restricted or hard to come by. Prepare to relive epic encounters that tested the limits of your ingenuity and resources. From inventory restrictions to blacklisted items, these fights redefine video game difficulty.

0100% verified
  1. 1

    Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)

    0 Global Votes
    • Considered the hardest boss in Elden Ring

      (+3)

    Malenia is widely recognized as one of FromSoftware's most challenging bosses, and her difficulty skyrockets in self-imposed challenges like not using summons or healing. Her life steal makes her an unparalleled test of skill and patience.

  2. 2

    Bayle the Dread (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)

    0 Global Votes
    • Can have poise broken

      (+2)

    This boss from the new Elden Ring DLC is a cutting-edge challenge, featuring high health and elemental resistance. Its difficulty is greatly magnified when faced without summons or with item restrictions, making it a pure test of skill.

  3. 3

    Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice)

    0 Global Votes
    • Glorious to fight and defeat

      (+4)

    Isshin is Sekiro's final boss and is infamous for his multiple phases and the extreme precision he demands in deflections. His difficulty increases exponentially in challenges like 'no Kuro's Charm' or 'no healing items'.

  4. 4

    Laxasia the Complete (Lies of P)

    0 Global Votes
    • Can be cheesed

      (+4)

    Laxasia is a boss with great speed and devastating electrical attacks, especially in her second phase. She is a key point in 'no throwables' challenges, where the absence of throwable items drastically increases the difficulty.

  5. 5

    Simon Manus, Awakened God (Lies of P)

    0 Global Votes
    • Tests everything learned in the game

      (+2)

    As the final boss of Lies of P, Simon Manus features area attacks and a very aggressive second phase. His difficulty is accentuated in 'no throwables runs,' where the lack of throwable items makes the combat much more demanding.

  6. All the rankings you can imagine

    Thousands of verified votes to discover the best. Your vote here counts

  7. 6

    Dr. Kahl's Robot (Cuphead)

    0 Global Votes
    • Easy after learning patterns

      (+3)

    Dr. Kahl's Robot is a difficulty peak in Cuphead, with multiple phases and constant 'bullet hell.' Completing it without taking damage or without using certain 'charms' is a recurring challenge that restricts player aids.

  8. 7

    Gná (God of War Ragnarök)

    0 Global Votes
    • Extremely fun fight

      (+1)

    Gná is the optional Valkyrie Queen and the most powerful enemy in God of War Ragnarök. Facing her without specific runes or with restrictions on Kratos's equipment or abilities exponentially increases the difficulty, making it the ultimate challenge.

  9. 8

    Emerald Weapon (Final Fantasy VII)

    0 Global Votes
    • Can be defeated with item restrictions

      (+4)

    Emerald Weapon is an iconic super-boss with massive health and devastating attacks. Defeating it in 'no item runs' or 'no materia runs' in the original Final Fantasy VII or its remasters remains one of the toughest tests of strategy.

  10. 9

    Nemesis (Resident Evil 3 Remake)

    0 Global Votes

    Nemesis is a relentless pursuer with multiple forms and devastating attacks. 'Knife only runs' in Resident Evil 3 Remake are a popular and extremely difficult challenge, where weapon restrictions turn encounters with Nemesis into pure survival battles.

  11. 10

    Sisyphus Prime (Ultrakill)

    0 Global Votes
    • Delayed explosions upon completion of Clap and Sumo Combo

      (+2)

    Sisyphus Prime is an extremely fast and aggressive boss that pressures relentlessly. On difficulties like 'Brutal,' self-imposed restrictions such as 'no healing' or 'only certain weapons' make him even more overwhelming, demanding perfect reflexes.

  12. 11

    Sans (Undertale)

    0 Global Votes
    • Boss fight relies on player memory

      (+3)

    Sans is a boss that breaks the rules of the game, with unpredictable attacks and interface manipulation. Facing him without healing items or with equipment restrictions in the 'genocide route' is a test of memorization and mental endurance.

  13. 12

    Raven Beak (Metroid Dread)

    0 Global Votes
    • Requires learning patterns through multiple deaths

      (+4)

    Raven Beak is the final boss of Metroid Dread, with multiple phases and fast attacks. His difficulty increases in 'no damage runs' or 'low percentage runs,' demanding absolute mastery of Samus's movement and combat mechanics.

  14. 13

    Blindfolded Boy (Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty)

    0 Global Votes
    • Offers a fun and challenging fight

      (+4)

    This final boss of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty constantly sticks to the player, with suffocating attacks. His difficulty is accentuated in challenges where healing items or spells are restricted, forcing mastery of the deflection system.

  15. 14

    The Heir (Tunic)

    0 Global Votes

    The Heir is a two-phase boss who unleashes their full power in the second phase, in a dreamlike setting. Facing them with item restrictions or without certain upgrades is a challenge for lovers of action-adventure games with puzzles.

  16. 15

    AAP01: Arquebus Balteus (Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon)

    0 Global Votes
    • Can be staggered by Pile Bunker

      (+4)

    This Armored Core VI boss reappears with new technology and weaponry, being more powerful than before. Facing it with equipment restrictions or without certain AC components is a challenge that tests the pilot's customization and skill.

  17. 16

    Lost Skid: The Sun (AI Limit)

    0 Global Votes
    • Considered the hardest boss in AI Limit

      (+4)

    This boss from AI Limit, a recent 'Soulslike', demands precise dodges and blocks, with a 'sync rate' system that can be lethal. It is an ideal candidate for 'no items' or 'no healing' challenges, where managing the 'sync rate' is crucial.

  18. 17

    Fang Executioner (Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree)

    0 Global Votes
    • Unlocking Backlash

      (+2)

    This boss from Mandragora, a Lovecraftian horror Metroidvania, is an imposing werewolf that uses its blood to create clones. Its challenge intensifies without healing items or specific abilities, forcing players to deal with multiple threats.