Best Darth Vader Boss Battles In Star Wars

Darth Vader is one of the most famous film villains of all time and easily the most iconic Star Wars character. Fans the world over have witnessed the heroes' struggle against him in the original trilogy. Ever since, they've dreamed of taking a shot at the Sith Lord themselves. Thankfully, developers recognize that dream.

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In the plethora of Star Wars games, many of them feature Darth Vader as a boss. In fact, these battles are so plentiful that they risk diminishing the villain's impact. However, certain scuffles stand out. Some do so through tense challenges; others achieve it through eye-popping spectacles; a few even get there through funny fan service. What they all have in common is the satisfaction of conquering this fearful foe.

5 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

This title aims to push the Force to its maximum strength. Starkiller--Darth Vader's secret apprentice--proves his prowess multiple times. He wields the mystical energy field to dispatch his enemies in the most explosive ways. It's no surprise that he eventually does the same to his master.

In the penultimate battle of The Force Unleashed, Starkiller duels Vader aboard the Death Star and utterly rips him apart. Breaking through the Dark Lord's defense isn't easy, but doing so lets fans earn some payback for all his abuse throughout the game. In addition, the quick-time events make for brilliant set pieces. The anti-hero hurls bits of machinery, bolts of lightning, and a whirling lightsaber at the villain. Players feel the crushing impact of each blow, especially as they destroy most of Vader's mechanical suit. In the end, he's a broken, wheezing husk. The brutality is as shocking as it is satisfying. The feeling is emblematic of The Force Unleashed as a whole. Even better, the sequel contains a rematch.

4 Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

As the name suggests, Revenge of the Sith adapts the plot of the third prequel film. That means the main campaign culminates in Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi's climactic duel on Mustafar. However, the game has a secret up its sleeve.

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In an epilogue level, fans play through the duo's rematch in the original Star Wars flick. It's just an extra boss battle, but those are the best parts of this hack-and-slash adventure. Revenge of the Sith frames these duels like a fighting game with a zoomed-in perspective. Players must rely on precise blocks and creative combos. If they master those skills, the victory is extremely rewarding. Not to mention, it's funny seeing Old Ben Kenobi and Darth Vader pulling off the acrobatic techniques from their younger days. The sight may not be realistic, but it's an amusing quirk on top of a challenging bout.

3 Lego Star Wars

The Lego Star Wars titles feature many battles with Darth Vader, but it's the clash in the original game that still reigns supreme. Taking fans through the prequel trilogy, the adventure ends in the pivotal duel with Anakin and Obi-Wan in Revenge of the Sith. Fans might wonder how a kids' game stacks up against more action-based entries. After all, the combat in Lego games is on the basic side, especially in the early days. That's why the fighting isn't the main attraction here.

The battle is just as much about platforming. The whole mining complex is coming down. As such, the level has several points where both combatants must outrun their doom. As pieces break off and sink into the lava, the players continually jump to safety...only to have that safety melt away as well. The pattern creates a consistent tension. Fans can rarely say that in a Lego game. Moreover, it injects a welcome variety into a typical lightsaber duel.

2 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2

The Force Unleashed 2 gives another Vader boss battle to rival the first. During the climactic attack on the Kamino cloning facility, Starkiller engages his former master in battle. The fight may not have the same degree of destruction as the first game, but it positively oozes atmosphere.

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That atmosphere borders on horror. Players begin by proceeding down a dark hallway as Vader strikes from the shadows. Later, when the fight begins proper, he summons malformed Starkiller clones. This move makes for effective psychological trickery on top of being a gameplay challenge. Finally, in the bleak yet raw brawl in the rain, Starkiller surrounds himself in lightning for a final barrage. These aspects are unconventional as far as duels go, but that's largely why people love The Force Unleashed.

1 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Fans get a taste of Darth Vader's might in Jedi: Fallen Order, but they get the full course in Jedi: Survivor. As Cere Junda sacrifices herself for the cause, players control her in a fierce fight with the Sith Lord. The atmosphere reflects the inherent desperation. The facility crumbles beneath the weight of their battle; the ensuing flames and wreckage create a hellish arena. The fight has all the bombastic splendor of The Force Unleashed on modern hardware. It's not just the visuals that impress, though.

The duel also sports the strategy seen in Revenge of the Sith. Fallen Order and Survivor both emphasize timing. Players must carefully avoid their opponents' strikes, memorize moves, and pick the right moment to counter. The same holds true for Vader, albeit with more difficulty. However, that's the way it should be for a Sith Lord. The eventual victory is all the more fulfilling, as the struggle deftly balances skill and spectacle.

MORE: Star Wars: Awesome Darth Vader Moments From The Comics