The 25 Most Kickass Dragons in Video Games

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If there is a book out there on the history of video game characters, there has to be a chapter devoted to dragons. Dragons in gaming emerged as early as the game Atari Adventure in 1979, and the two have become synonymous. Could it be the developers’ culture, what the dragons symbolize, or because they’re just plain awesome?

Whatever the reason, dragons found their way into gaming and took it to another level. They have turned out to be the best sidekicks and the most epic bosses. Whether it was fighting Hydus, the Sea Dragon, in Shadow of the Colossus, getting mileage out of the blue and pink dragons from Golden Axe, or being awestruck by the Mortal Kombat logo, dragons managed to be the most fun and the most memorable aspects of video games.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year and the start of the Year of the Dragon, we listed The Most Kickass Dragons in Video Games.

Written by Obi Anyanwu (@obianyanwu)

Tamagon

25. Tamagon

Series: Devil World
First Appearance: Devil World

This little guy picked up little dots like Pacman while eating ice cream cones and shooting demons with crosses in the game Devil World. The game was never released here in the states due to strict rules about the use of religious imagery, but how can you be mad when he’s using the Bible for good?

The little dragon exorcist got axed from Super Smash Bros Melee as a trophy, which was just enough for us to do our homework on homeboy and see how awesome he is.

DragonMan

24. DragonMan

Series: Altered Beast
First Appearance: Altered Beast

Altered Beast is an arcade classic developed by Sega. As the hero traversed the circles of Hell to save Athena from the Demon God, Neff, you got jacked up and eventually transformed into a tiger, a bear, and the most memorable, the dragon.

Stage 2 threw all types of tricks and monsters your way, but the dragon power kept you afloat and untouched. With a game as tough as this, you needed anything to save those lives. You didn’t have to worry in Stage 2, because the dragon was god tier.

Fire Dragon

23. Fire Dragon

Series: Dragon Blaze
First Appearance: Dragon Blaze

There are several top-down shooters in existence today, some with planes and others with robots. The few dragon shoot em' up games have been fun like the game Dragon Blaze for the PS2.

In the game, you can dismount your dragon and shoot enemies while your dragon acts as a drone gun. All of the dragons were fun to play as, but the Fire Dragon became our dragon of choice over time.

Onaga

22. Onaga

Series: Mortal Kombat
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deception

The team behind Mortal Kombat gave the series a serious overhaul with Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. The lava stage and Reptile’s ending gave hints that the “Dragon King” will return.

Needless to say, we were hyped, and we weren’t disappointed. Onaga became the new villain in Mortal Kombat: Deception and turned out to be one of the coolest new villains in gaming as well as a formidable foe.

Bonetail

21. Bonetail

Series: Paper Mario
First Appearance: Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door

Bonetail is the last opponent in the of the Pit of 100 Trials in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. Bonetail is no joke. You know those bosses that you prepare for in RPGs?

You equip the best armor and weapons, you grab the most effective items in the game, and you recharge and save the game about 100 times, but against Bonetail it wouldn't be enough. If you're lucky, you'll face Bonetail and win on your first try but don't count on it. There are a couple of dragon bosses in Thousand Year Door, and Bonetail beats them all.

Blue Dragon Shadow

20. Blue Dragon Shadow

Series: Blue Dragon
First Appearance: Blue Dragon

Shu, the main character of the game, Blue Dragon, was the holder of the Blue Dragon Shadow. The shadow reflected most of Shu's brash character by being very violent and cold. See the correlation?

This selfish dragon had about the same depiction in the anime, where the Killer Bat (who is Zola's shadow) describes the Blue Dragon as destructive and feared by friends and foes. We ask, what's the problem with that? Feared and destructive sounds awesome to us.

Czar Dragon/Zombone

19. Czar Dragon/Zombone

Series: Mario RPG/Final Fantasy Series
First Appearance: Final Fantasy VI

Czar Dragon was the holder of the 6th star in Super Mario RPG. Though the Axem Rangers took the star after defeating this dragon, he is the rightful holder. Just when you thought you were finished with Czar Dragon, he dropped into the lava and reemerged as Zombone, even stronger and even more of a challenge.

You would have had a chance to face Czar Dragon two years prior to Mario RPG if he wasn’t taken out of Final Fantasy VI. Let’s thank the fanboys for finding that boss fight.

Ash

18. Ash

Series: Kameo: Elements of Power
First Appearance: Kameo: Elements of Power

There are a handful of different monsters you can become in Kameo. One in particular was the dragon, Ash. We put in work as Ash detonating bombs with our fire breath, destroying bridges, and laying waste to our enemies. If we wanted to run through a bunch of cronies, Ash was the monster of choice, and he never let us down.

Gyrados

17. Gyrados

Series: Pokémon
First Appearance: Pokémon Red/Blue

Patience is a virtue. Those that sat on Magikarp for 20 levels know that for sure. Having to switch Magikarp out for a stronger pokemon to win battles was a long, grueling process, but Gyrados made it totally worth it.

When you threw Gyrados out in a battle, you had to check your friend to see if he would lose his poker face. Of course it never failed.

Tiris Flare's Dragon

16. Tiris Flare's Dragon

Series: Golden Axe
First Appearance: Golden Axe

Golden Axe wasn’t very easy even when you picked a partner to go up against Death Adder. We’re sure that those that consistently picked Tiris Flare got into several arguments over magic.

Tiris’ level 6 magic attack was an epic dragon that dealt massive damage. For a game that did anything to get on your last nerve, breaking out the mystery dragon to unleash hell was enough payback.

Akatosh

15. Akatosh

Series: The Elder Scrolls
First Appearance: The Elder Scrolls: Arena

Akatosh is the Dragon God of Time in the Elder Scrolls Series, and he represents invincibility. That’s badass! Unfortunately, Akatosh has only been mentioned in each part of the Elder Scrolls Series, but that’s what raises excitement.

The epic fights and dragons in this game make us geek out over what would happen if we went up against or fought alongside this beast.

Dragon Breed

14. Dragon Breed

Series: Dragon Breed
First Appearance: Dragon Breed

Side scrolling shooters were prevalent in the late 80s and early 90s. This unsung game, Dragon Breed, had the hero armed with a crossbow while atop his dragon sidekick.

Don't get it twisted, the dragon didn't just sit around. As expected, it did damage in this game. The intricate movements made the dragon's body a weapon on top of the giant flames the dragon would breathe. Talk about firepower, this dragon was an awesome sidekick.

Ridley

13. Ridley

Series: Metroid
First Appearance: Metroid

Ridley is a huge fan favorite amongst Metroid lovers. Samus’ rival faced off against her in several Metroid games until he appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl to face all of the heroes. Never one to turn down a challenge.

Fights with Ridley have always been an enjoyable experience, and have left us with our own war stories. It took us almost 10 years to have a duel with Ridley since Super Metroid, but we got our fill against Meta Ridley in Metroid Prime. We can never turn down a fight against this guy.

Charizard

12. Charizard

Series: Pokémon
First Appearance: Pokémon Red/Blue

One of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to make in our gaming lives would be picking between Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander in Pokemon Red/Blue. The gamers that picked Charmander were very satisfied by level 36.

Charizard was able to slay opponents with ease, and fly you to the next city when you needed it most. He always got us out of a bind. Die hard Charizard fans with a point to prove got to show off Charizard’s fighting skills in Super Smash Bros. Brawl to silence the haters.

Rayquaza

11. Rayquaza

Series: Pokémon
First Appearance: Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire

Pokémon #384, Rayquaza is a member of the list of legendary pokémon. This dragon flies over the Pokémon universe through the ozone layer stopping only to rest in certain areas. Rayquaza is known for calming others and resolving the conflict between Team Magma and Team Aqua leaders Maxie and Archie, respectively.

That's pretty deep, how many dragons appear to play peacemaker? They usually destroy cities like bosses. Rayquaza also proves to be a good challenge in Super Smash Bros. Brawl during the Subspace Emissary boss chapter. Major props.

Liu Kang Dragon

10. Liu Kang, Dragon Fatality

Series: Mortal Kombat
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat had tricks up their sleeve in the early days. MKII took the best of the best of part one, sprinkled some nuances, and threw out a ton of surprises. Liu Kang’s dragon fatality is the most memorable. This Shaolin Monk wasn’t playing games the second time around.

He kept the uppercut fatality, but he wanted to take lives too, and thus the dragon fatality was born. The first time you see it, everything around you comes to a screeching halt, and then you’re left in awe until the next match. We get the same feeling a decade later.

Spyro

9. Spyro

Series: Spyro
First Appearance: Spyro the Dragon

Spyro is truly an original just from his size and color alone. He was a tiny, purple dragon, but that didn't mean he couldn't hold his own.

Throughout the series, Spyro expanded his move set passed ramming enemies with his horns and blowing fire. Over time, he was spitting ice and electricity. Little guy packed a punch, no Napoleon Complex here.

Arokh

8. Arokh

Series: Drakan
First Appearance: Drakan

In Drakan, the dragon, Arokh, awoke to fight alongside the hero Rynn. Sounds like no big deal, but Arokh woke from his eternal slumber after his long time companion, Heron, died.

Dragons don't just roll over and wake up from their eternal slumber, do they? Well if Rynn was able to make Arokh budge, she must be a big deal. Throughout the game, Arokh does more than carry his weight and proves to be a great partner in crime. Yet another awesome, loyal dragon.

Alexstrasza

7. Alexstrasza

Series: Warcraft
First Appearance: World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

Alexstrasza is given the role of "Life-Bender" as she worked to keep all of the creatures of Azeroth safe. She is not the oldest, but she is one of the most powerful dragons in the Warcraft universe. She has the ability to regrow forests, and she can resurrect the dead. So if this 2012 thing is real, we want Alexstrasza in our corner.

Angelus

6. Angelus

Series: Drakengard
First Appearance: Drakengard

Angelus is Caim's sidekick in Drakengard. Caim discovers Angelus captured, spares her life, and thus gains her trust. This leads to them joining souls as they embark on their adventure. Jealous? Yeah, we are too. It's not commonplace for a dragon to trust your clumsy, destructive self in joining souls. Who wouldn't want to join souls with a fire breathing behemoth that can destroy everything in their path?

White Fatalis

5. White Fatalis

Series: Monster Hunter
First Appearance: Monster Hunter Freedom 2

The White Fatalis dragon is one of three Fatalis dragons, and the strongest of the three. Sure you would have to download the quest in order to face him, but who wouldn't go the extra mile for a good fight?

This dragon gets stronger as the fight progresses, it shoots electricity from its mouth, and even when it has fallen it still looks alive. Like the perfect rival, you never know when the fight is over and done with. The White Fatalis was very difficult, but we don't mind because the fight was kickass. Anytime, anywhere, we're down for another fight.

Yoshi

4. Yoshi

Series: Super Mario Bros.
First Appearance: Super Mario World

Yoshi would have to be one of the best sidekicks of all time. Though he would leave it up to us to explore ghost houses and trounce Bowser's adopted children in Super Mario World, Yoshi always held it down and made sure we got out of sticky situations. He became a star in Super Mario World 2 which launched his own series. W

e can say Yoshi is the most popular dragon in gaming with the amount of games he has been in as well as the amount of memorabilia in his likeness and image (in a vast and almost endless number of colors). Yoshi goes hard in every game, and when the going gets tough he manages to keep his smile

Lightwing Dragon

3. Light Wing Dragon

Series: Panzer Dragoon
First Appearance: Panzer Dragoon

The Light Wing Dragon is not the highest upgrade in Panzer Dragoon, but it is the most fun. While the Solo Wing is the highest and most rewarding upgrade, the Light Wing gives everything back from the start and more. All of the beserks can be performed with the Light Wing, on top of how you get to regenerate your health. That's enough of a reason to 100% a game. Lesson Learned.

Phalanx

2. Phalanx

Series: Shadow of the Colossus
First Appearance: Shadow of the Colossus

Phalanx is the 13th Colossus in Shadow of the Colossus as well as the largest. That always made us smile from ear to ear. The fight with Phalanx is beyond epic and it is every bit of awesome you can imagine. From the size of Phalanx to the suspenseful music, this is one of the most memorable moments with any dragon in video gaming, ever.

Bahamut

1. Bahamut

Series: Final Fantasy
First Appearance: Final Fantasy

Bahamut is a staple in the Final Fantasy Series. His allegiance has changed several times throughout the series. Sometimes he was on your side by giving an upgrade to your abilities and armor, and other times he was a major boss in the game. In most Final Fantasy games, you fight Bahamut in order to earn a right to summon him. Bahamut had several looks throughout the years as well.

He has consistently had the same body type, but slight alterations in color and personality was enough for Bahamut to have a fresh, new look for each game. We look forward to crossing Bahamut's path in every Final Fantasy game since he has not let us down yet when it comes to a challenge, and we have reaped the benefits after each victory against this monster.

His longevity in the series, consistent challenges, and reliable benefits are what makes him the most kickass dragon in all of gaming.