10 Awesome Video Game Villains That Only Appeared ONCE
Haytham Kenway was an immaculate P.O.S.
It's hard to keep a good villain down in the gaming world. When an insidious adversary captures the hearts of gamers, it's no surprise they become a recurring enemy. Just look at Bowser, Dr. Robotnik, and M. Bison. No matter how many times these evildoers are beaten, they keep coming back for more.
Even if the villain in question is killed off, they mightn't be gone for good. Sephiroth, Mother Brain, and Shao Kahn have returned again and again, despite kicking the bucket on multiple occasions.
And yet, there are a couple of antagonists who've successfully made a lasting impression, even if they've only showed up once. No sequels. No spin-offs. No crossovers. Not even a cameo.
Despite these scoundrels' solitary appearances, they have become infamous, influential, and iconic. Whether it's because of their complex backstory, awesome design, or brutal difficulty, these one-off foes grabbed our attention in an instant. Some characters on this list are so memorable, it's a mystery why they never returned.
Although it's uncertain whether these ten villains will reappear in the future, nobody is going to forget them anytime soon.
10. Arkham - Batman: The Telltale Series
In Batman: The Telltale Series, Bruce Wayne is caught in a scandal after a conspiracy surrounding his parents goes public. Over time, the World's Greatest Detective learns this revelation is tied to a new villain called Arkham, who's hellbent in destroying Bruce's reputation.
Considering Batman has a legion of iconic foes, it seems odd at first how this point-and-click adventure focuses on a brand-new baddie (especially one with such a unoriginal appearance and name).
But what makes Arkham so interesting is how this criminal mastermind's scheme is directed at Bruce Wayne, not Batman, making their rivalry more personal. Arkham is far more effective than most of Batman's rogue gallery, since the masked supervillain swiftly turns Gotham against the playboy billionaire and causes irreversible damage to his personal life.
Without giving the game away, it's a real shocker when Arkham's identity is revealed, since Bruce (and the player) truly trusted them. Learning about the sadistic killer's backstory is heartbreaking, since it becomes clear Arkham's resentment toward Bruce is understandable and somewhat justified.
Despite being a well-written and memorable villain, Arkham hasn't appeared in any Batman property since.