15 Most Memorable First Boss Encounters In Gaming History

6. Del Lago (Resident Evil 4)

It takes a while for Resident Evil 4 to throw a boss fight at the player but when it finally comes, it's well worth the wait. Del Lago lurks in a lake not far from the Las Plagas infested village and the encounter with the huge beast is the first real showing of Resident Evil's new love for up close and personal action. Leon has to cross the lake in a boat but on his way, Del Lago emerges and tries to drag him to the ocean floor. The fight consists of Leon hurling spears at the hulking beast when it tries to attack him and there's a real Jaws feel to the whole thing - it's pretty freaking awesome. The final stages may be a bit quick-time event heavy (although hacking at the A button while Leon cuts through a rope tangled around his legs is intense stuff) but with precision aiming and quick reflexes needed for the earlier harpoon flinging, it balances out nicely. Annoyingly, the Del Lago boss battle never seems to get the credit it deserves; it's not the most challenging section of the game but it's exciting stuff that helps justify the reinvention brought about by Resident Evil 4.