10 Video Game Enemies We Hate More Than The Final Boss

When it comes to the annoying flying enemies of the 8-bit era, most people think of the Medusa heads from Castlevania. And look, no one here is saying they aren't one of the most annoying enemies in gaming, but people are forgetting the final form of the Medusa heads: the birds from Ninja Gaiden. 

The secret behind what makes the birds so annoying is all about their placement. The devs seemed to have taken truly sadistic pleasure in putting these damn things in the exact spot where they can destroy your entire playthrough in one swoop. Whether over bottomless pits or when you're already surrounded by enemies, expect to get pelted in the head by at least one rat with wings. 

Now, of course, we know why this is. Ninja Gaiden started as an arcade game, meaning that its priority is to drain your quarters. But that's cold comfort when you're playing at home and Tweety has knocked you down a firepit or whatever. And it isn't like getting out of the arcades made Ninja Gaiden easier - if anything, the games got harder from there.