The 50 Coolest Video Game Villains of All Time

Say hello to the bad guys.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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In Disney's Wreck-It Ralph (out this week), the "villain" finally gets an empathetic treatment as a protagonist. The appeal? For our entire lives, we've been taught to cheer for the hero, and boo the villain. Always. 

But there are those moments when you simply can't ignore the charisma—or outright coolness—of a well-performed baddie. Video game villains tend to be exponentially cooler than the heroes they're typically pitted against. For example: Who wouldn't want Sephiroth on their team instead of Cloud Strife's emotional ass? 

Not us. As such, these 50 Coolest Video Game Villains Of All Time should give you a good idea of just who—or what—we're talking about. 

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50. Alma Wade

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49. Tom Nook

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48. Lich King

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47. Necromorphs

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46. Eve

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45. M. Bison

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44. Mother Brain

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43. Albert Wesker

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42. GLaDOS

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41. Dr. Wily

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40. King Pig

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39. Dr. Robotnik (Eggman)

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38. Bowser

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37. Kuja

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36. Ganondorf

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35. Sephiroth

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34. Sinistar

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33. Dracula

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32. Mecha-Hitler

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31. Team Rocket/Giovanni

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30. Dr. Breen

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28. Big Boss

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27. Origami Killer

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26. Carmen Sandiego

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25. The Joker

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24. The Covenant

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23. Donkey Kong

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22. Zakhaev

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21. Lazarevic

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20. Edea

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20. Wario

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19. Liquid Snake

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18. Bob the Killer Goldfish

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17. Darth Malak

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16. Sarah Kerrigan

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15. Pyramid Head

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14. Illusive Man

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13. Cyberdemon

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12. Master-D

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11. Great Mighty Poo

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10. LeChuck

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9. Dormin

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8. Frank Fontaine

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7. Diablo

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6. Lavos

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5. Yeti

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4. Pac-Man Ghosts

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3. Purple Tentacle

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2. SHODAN

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1. Kefka Palazzo

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