10 Most Memorable Video Game Bosses Of All Time

Not only does Shang Tsung devour the souls of those he defeats in combat, but he then absorbs all of these fallen competitors' abilities. This makes him a shape-shifting, immortal, master martial artist/sorcerer that is somehow the second deadliest villain in the game.

And yet, Shang Tsung has a devilish charisma that makes him infinitely more interesting boss than his primitive, oafish overlord, Shao Kahn.

When he was first introduced, he was one stylish mofo, as well. As the captivating grandmaster of the tournament, Shang Tsung was basically Han from Enter the Dragon, constantly watching over the preliminary matches in the background. But he was the character was actually designed with Big Trouble in Little China's Lo Pan in mind.

The dude was a certified badass in the tournament, since his soul-sucking ability granted him the moveset of every playable fighter in the game, making him awesome to control but hell to play against. You really had to be on top of your game to take him and his skull fireballs down in the original Mortal Kombat.

Though his overall appearance went through drastic updates with each installment, his cold-bloodedness never wavered.