If you’ve been around social media lately, you’ve probably come across a few memes about 100 men trying to take on a single gorilla. While that may sound completely unhinged in one way or another, it’s just another day on the internet.
Whether it’s plausible or not doesn’t really matter. If we’re done arguing about how many men it takes to beat a gorilla, let’s shift focus and talk about games instead. Specifically, boss fights involving apes—ones we can actually take down.
Here are four iconic video game apes you can fight with a significantly higher chance of survival:
Guardian Ape – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
If you’re checking out this list, you probably already knew the Guardian Ape from Sekiro would be here. The game is notorious for its punishing boss fights, especially if you're not great at parrying. An old man with a gun, a warrior on horseback shouting his name, a nimble old lady—Sekiro has no shortage of memorable bosses. But none quite match the sheer chaos of battling an immortal ape.
At first, the fight might seem manageable depending on your skill level. Then the game hits you with a classic FromSoftware twist. No spoilers, but let’s just say you won’t see it coming—and suddenly, you’re dead. Even after you beat this boss, Sekiro isn’t done with you. There’s still more monkey madness ahead.
Lavaback – Wild Hearts
Wild Hearts was EA’s attempt at a Monster Hunter clone, and while it didn’t hit all the right notes, I’ll give credit where it’s due—the Karakuri system was a cool mechanic. The monsters (or Kemonos) aren’t even memorable, except for a few like the Lavaback.
Sure, it’s not technically a real-world animal, but it definitely has monkey-like traits. It’s also covered in molten lava and pulls off gymnastic backflips like it’s training for the Olympics. It’s agile, it’s aggressive, and it’s an early-game wall for a lot of players.
And just when you think you’ve got it handled, the harder variants show up. So bring your best gear (or two friends) and get ready to fight one flaming monkey.
The Great Sage’s Broken Shell – Black Myth: Wukong
Like the other fights on this list, The Great Sage’s Broken Shell is a full-blown skill check. As the final boss of Black Myth: Wukong, it brings everything you've learned to the forefront—and then tries to tear it down.
This empty husk of the legendary Sun Wukong is relentless. It’ll steal your wine gourds, freeze your character in place, and summon clones just to overwhelm you. It’s not just a battle; it’s a trial.
Rajang – Monster Hunter World
If there’s one cold-blooded ape you absolutely don’t want to mess with, it’s Rajang. Even Elder Dragons like Kirin steer clear of this monster—and so do veteran Hunters who’ve already maxed out their builds.
Rajang is a blur of muscle, rage, and lightning. When it powers up into its “Super Saiyan” form, it unleashes a flurry of punches and electric blasts that can take out an entire squad. And yes, it has its own version of a Kamehameha. Just make sure you and your buddies focus on the tail. If you’re fighting a Furious Rajang variant, good luck.
But anyway, these four apes are brutally tough, but at least you’ve got a fighting chance. You won’t need 99 other guys to help you out, but you will need patience, grit, and a solid game plan.
So, before you think about taking on a real gorilla, try surviving these boss fights first. But seriously—don’t ever try to fight a gorilla.