This Slack discussion about the best boss battle music from video games by Jeffrey Harris, Richard Kubina, Limarc Ambalina and Jack Boreham occurred in Slogging's official #gaming channel, and has been edited for readability.
What's the best boss theme in gaming?
For me it's "One Winged Angel" for Sephiroth in Final Fantasy
That's a classic. I've never played FF7 but I still know it just from how popular it is
Chrono Trigger's final boss!! (Big surprise from me, right? 😁) It's intense hype music, perfect for what is at stake with the battle's outcome!1 It's got great movements to it and these gut-wrenching noises the boss makes... I am hesitant to post it here, lest I spoil it for Limarc.
I have to say that it's the best video game soundtrack I have ever heard. All the cover albums of the soundtrack are testament to that. This various artists jazz one is brilliant:
I have to say that it's the best video game soundtrack I have ever heard. All the cover albums of the soundtrack are testament to that. This various artists jazz one is brilliant:
The time traveling aspect of the game lends itself to such a rich diversity of styles too. The Magus battle music is also great; medieval wizard summoning a ... well, do play the game if you haven't yet and you enjoy (J)RPGs.
I have to second Jeffrey's answer. I also really liked: Ultimecia Theme in FF8
I am seeing a lot of love for Japanese boss themes here! It definitely seems like western games don't really embrace the idea as much. At the very least, I can't think of a western game with an amazing boss theme off the top of my head.
The below theme from Mass Effect 2 might be the closest thing, but it's not really for a boss fight.
The below theme from Mass Effect 2 might be the closest thing, but it's not really for a boss fight.
It's quite interesting how most of the lists about gaming's best boss themes are filled with Japanese games
Mine has to be the dark Ganon boss battle in Breath of the Wild. Just incredible: