20 Video Game Villains You Couldn’t Wait To Kill

Following Sucker Punch Productions’ ascendancy to the big time with Sly Cooper, they partnered with Sony on not just one of the most iconic games of 2009, but one of the most iconic PlayStation 3 games of all.

Launching into action on the mean streets of Empire City (no prizes for guessing where this is supposed to be), we play as Cole MacGrath, a bike messenger caught in a terrorist bombing that he is the prime suspect for, and which grants him the ability to absorb and project electricity. Thus, we drain electricity from the grid, fire lightning at enemies and zip around the massive sandbox city on rooftops and train tracks, developing our powers as we go.

It’s got everything: addictive gameplay with constantly evolving mechanics, an original and exciting story, and a killer bad guy. Because our every move is haunted by a mysterious figure called Kessler, who wields similar but far more formidable powers, controls terrorist group the First Sons, and makes Cole’s life a misery, including killing his girlfriend Trish.

And, somehow, despite being the architect of Cole's misery, Kessler turns out to be Cole himself. And no explanation about how he has come back to prevent a worse future can stop us from wanting him dead – and making it so. And what could be more badass than knowing your arch-enemy is the future-you and killing him anyway?