M. Bison is one of the most iconic villains in all of fighting game fandom. Ever since his debut in Street Fighter II, Bison has become a fearsome signal of corruption and deadly power that should give any fighter reason to fear.
What about Shao Kahn, however? This Mortal Kombat baddie is also known for his notoriety and crushing levels of power. Who should take the crown? Today we're examining 5 reasons why M. Bison is the best fighting game villain, and 5 reasons why it's Shao Kahn. You decide!
10 M. BISON: He Has Psycho Power
Bison's incredible strength comes from a form of kinetic energy known as Psycho Power. This mystical energy feeds off of negativity, anger and fear. Bison utilizes Psycho Power as a propellant for various attacks, including his devastating Psycho Crusher.
Psycho Power can also be inflicted on others as a form of mind control, or as a corrupting force that attacks the very soul. In the hands of Bison, it makes him one of the strongest foes on the face of the Earth.
9 SHAO KAHN: He Has Powerful Magic
Shao Kahn's magic power is so incredible that he can enslave souls, use telekinesis on opponents, and conjure energy-based weapons and attacks on a whim. This magical power knows very few bounds.
In fact, Shao Kahn can steal thousands of souls at any given moment with the right tools, and each one can imbue him with their knowledge and experience, making him even stronger in a fight. Combined with his natural physical strength, Shao Kahn is a tough opponent to put down.
8 M. BISON: He's An Expert Martial Artist
Despite his beefy appearance, Bison is both quite agile and very powerful in a fight. He practices a style of his own making known as Ler Drit, which includes a number of unconventional attacks including leaping stomps, scissor kicks and heavy blows.
Bison is quick, and able to block and parry attacks with stunning speed and accuracy. Even without his Psycho Power, his skill in battle is almost unmatched, allowing him to beat even stronger fighters to a pulp without breaking a sweat.
7 SHAO KAHN: He's A Tank
Shao Kahn isn't really a martial arts master but what he lacks in fighting skill, he makes up for with sheer brute force. Even his lighter attacks are bone-crushing, and when he breaks out the big guns, it's lights out for all but the most skilled opponents.
Kahn's shoulder charge and hammer blow are devastating attacks that can put most fighters down single-handedly. When used in conjunction with his magic-based attacks, Kahn is almost unfairly overpowered.
6 M. BISON: He's An Expert Strategist
Bison might be powerful, but he knows his limitations. Using his criminal network Shadowlaw, he has spread his influence around the world, corrupting government officials and sewing the seeds of illicit activities.
With a virtual army at his beck and call, Bison has little need to soil his hands with dirty work, but that doesn't mean he's incapable. His ego and pride always take a backseat to a golden opportunity to teach his opponents a lesson.
5 SHAO KAHN: He's A Ruthless Tyrant
Shao Kahn is less concerned with strategy, as opposed to all-out warfare. While he is forced to play the long game at times, it's nothing to him given his immortality. When the moment presents itself, Kahn will strike hard and fast.
While this tyrannical approach might leave him open to make mistakes, most never get the chance to capitalize on them before Kahn grinds them into the dirt with his armies, or the heel of his very own boot!
4 M. BISON: He Has Charisma
Bison's God complex and massive ego might put off many, but his inherent charisma has attracted many similar like-minded evildoers over the years. Whether by promise of greatness or wealth, or merely tapping into their desire for revenge (such as his dealings with Sagat), Bison has enough collected stature to woo would-be cohorts into his fold.
The downside is that most either see through Bison's manipulations or they grow to loathe him outright if given enough time. As a result, Bison cannot hold on to members of his cabal for very long, before they start slipping away.
3 SHAO KAHN: He Uses Fear
Shao Kahn isn't one for small talk, and his brutish personality is devoid of much charisma. Rather, Kahn uses sheer force to attain his goals, with little thought for those he commands. He is quick to punish subordinates who fail him (such as Shang Tsung), and quite willing to force free agents into his service without hesitation.
This allows Shao Kahn to retain control over his villainous accomplices, sometimes for entire centuries. Those who dare to defy him usually end up dead within a short space of time, while others who spend years trying to usurp his rule do so with a hefty degree of caution!
2 M. BISON: He Always Has A Backup Clone
Bison is essentially the Emperor Palpatine of the Street Fighter universe, right down to lightning powers and cheating death by invading other host bodies. His appearance in Street Fighter Alpha changed dramatically when he occupied a new host body for Street Fighter II, and plans to extend his life have never been far off.
Numerous fighters have been targeted as candidates for Bison's new host body, including Cammy, Rose, Seth and Ryu.
1 SHAO KAHN: He's Immortal
Bison may have been around longer than many suspected, but his lifespan is a drop in the bucket compared to Shao Kahn. The Outworld warlord may be well over 10,000 years old, pre-dating Shinnok's fall from grace - and that's just the best guess anyone has!
Regardless of the exact time frame, Kahn is long in the tooth. Thousands of years of fighting, conquering and soul-harvesting give him an edge when it comes to experience, making him all the more deadly.