Just hearing the word dragon gets many of you excited already. In games, they can be terrifying monsters, or an extremely intelligent species guiding players. Additionally, they come with diverse personalities, sizes, and origins. You might encounter a dragon stepping out from the mythologies of China or Japan; or even a uniquely shaped dragon with mysterious powers from the West. To get a more detailed look, let’s go through the top 10 most dominant dragons in the gaming world.
Charizard – Pokémon Red & Green
Pokémon has a whole classification of dragons for the creatures in the game. There are many impressive dragons you might know, such as Dragonite, Salamence, Dragapult… but perhaps the most special case is the famous Charizard – it looks just like a dragon but is not classified as one. It wasn’t until Pokémon X and Y that GameFreak officially classified Mega Charizard X as a dragon.
In the anime version, Ash’s Charizard is one of the most memorable Pokémon for viewers. In the Pokémon gen 1 game (Pokémon Red & Green), you can spend time and effort training Dratini (which is a true dragon from the egg). But if you want a fire dragon, Charizard is the only choice.
Ruined Dragon – Super Mario Odyssey
The Mario series also features quite a few dragons, but the Ruined Dragon from Super Mario Odyssey stands out. The dragons in other Mario games still fit the theme of those games, but this one looks like a monster from Dark Souls, with no resemblance to what you’d expect in a Mario game.
The battle against the Ruined Dragon is one of the most memorable moments in Odyssey. After exploring the Ruined Kingdom, you’ll face the Ruined Dragon, and the tension at that moment will peak. Facing it is much harder than previous bosses, and you might have to try multiple times to defeat the Ruined Dragon. By the way, here’s a little hint: you’ll have to defeat it once more later, and this time it won’t be as “easy as Mario eating mushrooms” anymore.
Hellkite Wyvern – Dark Souls
When it comes to dragons in games, Dark Souls is definitely a must-mention. The series features many terrifying dragons that are large, tough, unpredictable, and hit extremely hard. Notable examples include the three-eyed dragon Kalameet from the Artorias of the Abyss DLC of Dark Souls and the Midir that can shoot beams like Godzilla from the The Ringed City DLC of Dark Souls III. Hellkite Wyvern may not be as strong as those, but it leaves a more haunting impression, especially for new players.
This boss guards a narrow bridge in the game, and to cross it, you’ll have to fight it. While you are still too weak and unprepared to face strong bosses, Dark Souls will give you a memorable slap in the face with the Hellkite Wyvern. Once you’ve played Dark Souls, you’ll never forget the feeling of being chased by it on the bridge.
Rathalos – Monster Hunter
Rathalos is the iconic monster of the entire Monster Hunter series. They may not be the strongest dragons in the game, but they are the most famous. Rathalos even appears in the movie adaptation, and even those who have never played Monster Hunter might know them.
Is it a bit unfair to include an entire species of dragon on this list? Perhaps, but if we exclude it, the list would lack an iconic dragon in the gaming world. In fact, most people know Rathalos through the game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, without even realizing it’s a species rather than just a single dragon.
Alduin – Skyrim
There are many dragons in Skyrim, but not all are as impressive as Alduin. Predicted to be the dragon of the apocalypse and the main antagonist of the game, Alduin always stands out. As soon as it lands in Helgen, it unleashes devastation and turns the place to ashes. It’s a grand display of power that leaves a strong impression on players. You might like it at first, but later you’ll realize it’s more unpleasant than you thought.
Alduin is not an ordinary dragon. It is a divine entity that wants to destroy humanity and restore the dragon lineage to its golden age. Therefore, you must embark on your journey to find a way to defeat it. Luckily, the battle with Alduin isn’t too hard. However, even after defeating it, it will still haunt you throughout the game.
According to GVN360