10 Video Games That Start With The Final Boss

If you haven't played 2004's Ninja Gaiden but are nonetheless aware of it, you'll probably have heard that it's not the easiest of games out there. To put it mildly.

And a punishing game normally means even more punishing bosses - a lot of them. Hardly a shock that some come back for seconds, then, is it?

The first level of Ninja Gaiden has the player character, Ryu Hayabusa, fight his way through the Shadow Clan fortress, where he meets with his uncle, Murai. The two immediately square off as a kind of greeting between warriors, and although it's in good spirits, in no way does that make it easy.

Much later, it is revealed that Murai has been following Ryu the whole time, and, through the power of the Dark Dragon Blade, transforms into a huge, godlike being that sets the stage for the unforgiving final boss fight.

Whether you saw it coming or not, the actual outcome of this twist is certain to keep you on your already nimble toes, all the while pondering how someone you knew from the very start of the game could fall so far.