If you’re just setting out on this tea-riffic journey, you can use our Cuphead bosses guide to get a handle on each of the antagonists, and perhaps learn a bit more about them before you smash them to smithereens. While we give tips for beating each boss, we recommend experimenting and finding your own flow with the game, as that’s most of the fun.
If you’re a huge Cuphead… Head, then why not check out our other great guides and treat the Cuphead fan in your life, even if it’s you. We’ve got everything you need to get your hands on a Cuphead Funko Pop, or a Cuphead plush, and you can check out our Cuphead characters guide to learn more about the main mugs who aren’t out to kill you. And if you want even more, check out everything we know about the potential Cuphead 2 sequel.
Here’s our guide to Cuphead bosses.
The Root Pack
Found in the level Botanic Panic, this trio of tricky vegetables are one of the very first bosses you face in Cuphead! First of all, a giant grubby potato shoots dirt balls at you, so it’s best to jump over them and parry any pink projectiles. Next up is a crying onion, though this one stays stationary, so just avoid the falling tears and wallop them with hits.
Finally is the carrot, which fires homing carrots that track you around the stage. Here the chaser gun is probably the best weapon to take out the missiles, and then avoid the hypnotic rays from the carrot and try to land a special attack to roast these vegetables. They have gone bad after all…
Goopy Le Grande
Once you’ve cleared Botanic Panic, it’s time to take on the Ruse of an Ooze, and it’s here you meet Goopy Le Grande. Don’t let his suave name fool you, he’s the meanest, largest blob of blue slime this side of Dragon Quest. This squishy fella is constantly on the move and hops around a lot during his boss fight, so your best bet is to use the chaser to make sure you can land some hits on him. Goopy Le Grande only continues to expand, and when he gets big enough he unleashes a giant punch attack. The best thing to do is to try and dash out of its path, and keep moving just as much as Goopy so you don’t get squished.
Finally, Goopy takes on the form of a moving tombstone in one of the earlier ‘troll’ moments from Cuphead. Watch out for when Goopy pulls back to unleash a slam attack and tries to swap to a more powerful gun for extra damage while it slams to get in some extra hits.
Hilda Berg
Next up is the Threatenin’ Zeppelin level, where you come face to face – literally – with Hilda Berg. Ol’ Hilda doesn’t have discernible phases like the first two bosses you encounter, and as such, she proves far more formidable, and it’s in this level you might start to find things tricky. Going up against Hilda is the first time Cuphead pilots a plane, and although this gives you some vertical movement, you need to avoid the purple planes that she throws your way.
When Hilda transforms and takes on the visage of a bull, things really start to ramp up. Watch out for her charge attack by listening out for the moo sound before she ramps up, and when she then turns into the two cloud characters, prepare yourself for the pinwheel attack by taking out as many foes as possible before you fly around it. The final phase is a large red moon with UFOs and star projectiles. It’s best to keep to the left of the screen so you have as much time between you and the projectiles as possible and make sure to learn the rhythm of the UFO attacks. You should have a knockout soon!
Cagney Carnation
The boss found in the level Floral Fury, Cagney Carnation is one huge thorn in your side and a particularly furious bit of flora. As soon as the fight starts, jump onto the leftmost platform to put as much distance possible between you and the projectiles. When Cagney curls up to attack, be sure to pay attention to how high they are, as this gives away which level they will attack at when they unfurl. Watch out for the boomerang seed attacks, which naturally do come back to bite you.
As Cagney starts raining down projectiles in the second phase, make sure you watch out for the floating seeds above and drop down to the floor when you need to. During the final phase, make sure to keep an eye on the roots underneath the platforms so you don’t get caught out, and just patiently fire away.
Ribby and Croaks
Two fiery frogs with an attitude, this duo is a really tricky one. To begin with, they stay on the right-hand side of the screen and lob projectiles, so get in close with a powerful weapon and just hammer them. Next up they work together to unleash a whirlwind attack while firing bounding balls, here, switch to the chaser, and just take your time waiting for the tornado to be over.
Finally, they form a slot machine and hurl platforms at you to jump over. Make sure you parry the handle on the slot machine when you can, and just avoid the spiked platforms and unleash every attack you can. They don’t move as the slot machine, so go to town with special attacks!
That’s it for our Cuphead bosses for now players, be sure to check back for even more bosses from Cuphead as we regularly update this guide. If you haven’t tried it out quite yet, why not read our Cuphead The Delicious Last Course DLC review to find out exactly what waits for you on the fourth Inkwell Isle. We can also help you out by explaining how to defeat the Cuphead The Devil boss fight, and how to defeat the Cuphead King Dice boss if you’re struggling.
