Tiny homes are all the rage nowadays! People appreciate them for their affordability and space-saving ingenuity. This tiny concrete home pictured above and sold by American startup, ICON, will only set you back around $4,000. It can be even be printed in only 24 hours!

Another, more functional design, is by San Francisco-based company Apis Cor and costs as little as $10,000. Apis Cor’s mission is to help address the housing crisis affecting the Bay-area of San Francisco.

What’s cooler than a 3D printer printing a tiny home? How about a huge home! An early peek into what a 3D printed mansion might consist of is this Shangai mansion designed by WinSun Decoration Design Engineering.

The house itself measures about 11,840 square feet and cost a little over $150,000 to make, as reported by the Washington Post. The house itself is fairly green, as well, considering most of the parts are recycled materials.

We’ve been building the cars the same way since Ford first put workers on an assembly line more than 100 years ago. There are still thousands upon thousands of tiny parts that come together to make a driving machine. But does it need to be that way?

Nope! At least not according to Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers, who has made a completely drivable 3D printed car known as the Strati, using an industrial-grade 3D printer. These city cars could end up costing as little as $5000, which makes them very affordable.

More and more artists turn to 3D printing as a means of expression, one that is both precise and contemporary. Many artists blend their skills in 3D design with their overall artistic vision to make something that’s stark and strange, like the above image from artist Danny van Ryswyk.

And check out the intricate design of the ceramics from artist Kate Blacklock!

If you’re a fan of Star Trek, then you’ll remember the replicator they would use to make just about any food dish instantly. Many of us thought that that future was way off, but it’s not. It’s here. Well, it’s almost here.

The attempts at 3D printing food are still…well…sometimes less than appetizing. But the potential this has is hard to fathom. Imagine the ways that 3D food printers could work to solve world hunger. It’s pretty incredible.

Some of the best attempts at 3D printing food we’ve seen have been with recipes that are naturally blended, like soups or plates of pasta. Some gastronomy experts are doing some pretty aesthetically (and tasty) things with the very modern cooking method, like this beautiful split-pea soup.

If drones are the future (and we suspect they are), then drones that are easily reproducible and cost-effective will change the way explore our environments. And yes, we think that a science-fiction future full of drones and other cool things isn’t too far away!

Make your own

There are loads of schematics available for 3D printed drones on Thingiverse, such as this mini 3D printed drone. You’ll obviously need some other parts to make the drone come to life, like a power supply and a video transmitter. You also have the option to customize the schema to your liking!

When innovation fulfills a need for those in society faced with difficulties, then something extraordinary can occur. Prosthetic limbs can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and many people struggle to afford them. 3D printing allows open-sourced, low-cost alternatives to traditionally pricey prosthetics.

One such nonprofit is Enabling the Future, which offers free or low-cost 3D printed designs for upper-limb prosthetics to those in need. There are also various easily customizable, free designs available on Thingiverse.

It’s not over until the 3D printer sings! 3DWasp recently designed a set used in the opera Fra Diavolo at the Opera Theater in Rome, Italy. Once the basic backdrop was printed and set up, the lighting engineers simply projected images throughout the production to mirror the changes in the scene. We think the results are pretty incredible and really show how innovative you can be with 3D printing!

These are really cool! Voice sculptors (Yes! That’s a thing!) like Giles Azzaro make 3d printed sculptures of voice recordings that stand as physical representations of the sound waves. His most famous installation, The Vision of a Sparkling Voice, renders sound recordings from the 20 and 21st centuries’ leading figures as 3D printed sculptures.

We’ve seen recently how shortages of life-saving medical supplies can happen quickly. Hospitals and medical supply companies are looking for new, innovative ways to make supplies quickly when a disaster strikes. 3D printing might be the solution, allowing hospitals and other facilities to 3D print a piece of equipment when supplies are low.

The Nonprofit organization, ReFab Dar, is hoping to use 3D printing to create vital medical supplies in Africa and other developing countries. They’ve recently run a contest that challenged African designers to create medical-based designs that would make use of the recycled bottles piling up at a nearby plant. We can’t wait to see what other innovative things can be done with recycling once it becomes more cost-effective.

This one might make your head spin! But what if you could 3D print a 3D printer, and then 3D print another 3D printer with that one. Would the universe implode?! Maybe.

While many 3D printers are capable of self-replicating in theory, like the Prusa i3 we’ve reviewed, one of the most famous projects to make this happen is the RepRap project. The project, out of the University of Bath, aims to find innovative ways to self-replicate 3D printers.

Step aside, Stradivarius. Behold the 3D-Varius! Okay. So maybe a 3D printed violin can’t compete with the rich tones of natural wood, but they are super cool and sound pretty decent.

There are also options that can be completely printed by most at-home 3D printers. And musicians are finding that the 3D printed violins’ unique tones actually work well for some more contemporary compositions.

Olaf Diegel, the designer behind Odd Guitars, makes personalizable, custom 3D printed electric guitars that actually sound pretty darn good. Diegel uses a process known as SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) that involves spreading a micro-thin layer of nylon powder, which is then fused to create the 0.1 mm slice.

Here’s where designers can really showcase what an at-home 3D printer can do! There are thousands of stunning vases that can be 3D printed. They’re generally easy to print for beginners and are easily customizable to match your home’s decor.

There are even options designed for self-watering and draining. We’ve certainly come a long way since the days of clay.

What if you could 3D print a custom heart to save someone’s life? We’re getting remarkably close to that. Studies have shown promise when it comes to 3D printing human tissue. The process is known as 3D bioprinting and is currently being used to print capillaries and other smaller parts of organs.

Another organ that’s showing promise in the 3D bioprinting industry is skin. (Yes, the skin is an organ!) The ability to 3D print a full skin graft could save the lives of thousands of individuals who wait for a skin graft. It’s seriously amazing!

Behold the 3Dirigo—the world’s largest 3D printed boat! The project, backed by government funding, was designed and executed by the University of Maine. Construction of the boat was made possible with a custom large-scale 3D printer, with a volume of 30 x 6.70 x 3 meters and a speed of 227 kilos per hour.

We can’t wait to see what the next big project 3D printing marine project will be!

Antique meets modern when it comes to a 3D printed music box. But there are various options from which to choose, and even the option to print a customizable version featuring whichever song you’d like. Thus far, our favorite has to be the 3D printed music box featuring the Super Mario theme song!

This award-winning 3D printed mesh bicycle frame was designed by James Novak and made as part of his Ph.D. thesis. The material used is called mammoth resin and is strong enough to hold the weight of most riders. It’s very lightweight and easily reproducible. The future likely looks bright for 3D printed bicycles, particularly using metal 3D printing.

So maybe adults don’t need a 3D printed book, but certainly, children love the tactile experience of 3D! (We’re thinking about pop-up books now.) We foresee a future where children can design their own stories and print them to make them come to life. We can’t wait to see what else can be done with a blend of traditional page printing and 3D printing.

Can you 3D print metal? You bet! Many at-home jewelry designers are taking advantage of the print-on-demand benefits when it comes to jewelry. A jewelry-maker has two options when it comes to printing jewelry. They can choose to print the cast for the jewelry pieces and fill it with liquid metal. Or they can direct-print the jewelry with the 3D printer.

A special 3D printing is used called direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) or selective laser melting (SLM), and a huge array of metal-types can be printed. You can also print plastic jewelry for certain designs, as well.

Dancing en pointe can be brutal on a dancer’s feet. If the shoes are not perfectly fit, then injuries can occur throughout the feet and ankles. Designer Hadar Neeman had this in mind when she created a project for her final year in art school aimed at helping with this issue. Her 3D printed ballet shoes are made from scans of a dancer’s feet so that the fit can be perfect. Her 3D design is called, fittingly, the P-rouette.

Another beneficial thing a 3D printer can provide is the ability to print various items in braille. Many things like signs, books, and labels can be 3D printed easily to give access in big new ways to those who are blind.

What is braille?

Braille is the 3D writing that consists of a series of patterned, raised bumps, which someone who is blind can follow with their fingers to read.

And if you think even further outside of the box, think of what other 3D printed items can be made to give access to those who are blind. Besides this 3D printed Rubik’s cube, we’ve seen 3D printed braille maps, board games, and multiplication tools.

Please don’t make every science fiction nightmare come true by 3D printing an entire army of robots like this open-sourced robot from inMoov, a French engineering company. Most of the parts can be entirely printed on an at-home 3D printer with various tutorials available to make it all come together.

Another cool 3D printed robot is Kengoro, the sweaty workout robot. This robot was designed to do various workout moves like pushups and situps. It even sweats after the workout gets more intense! This is totally something we would make over at Howchoo!

Okay. So maybe you won’t want to have a 3D printed TV as your primary television, but as a cool little retro television that you can keep on a bookshelf or kitchen counter…oh yeah! This little 2 inch TV can be almost entirely 3D printed and uses a screen from Adafruit to complete it. It’s based on an old design from the 1950s from manufacturer Philco.

And is entirely reproducible. Here’s a link to the file download.

Whether it’s to add some spice to the computer tool you use every day or you’re looking to create custom keycaps for a specific game layout, you can 3D print a set of keycaps to install on your keyboard. These cool keycaps from our good friends at Adafruit really shine when you have a backlit keyboard. But there are tons of options and ideas for just about any keyboard.

Headphones have been become expensive pieces of electronics to own, particularly the large, over-the-head headphones. For a fraction of the price, some people are printing their own custom headphones like these, which require just a few extra parts like small nuts and bolts to make happen. We can’t vouch for the sound quality, but it’s a pretty impressive design and 3D print.

But can’t you pick one of these up at the store!? Sure. The nice thing about 3D printing a letter board is that you can choose how many and which letters you need to print. (It’s also going to be much cheaper.) And if you need a particular letter later on, you simply 3D print that specific letter. No more running out of Es or As!

We don’t need to know why you want your secret shelf! (We’re going to imagine it’s being used to store candy, just candy.) But this is something that can totally be 3D printed and painted so that it blends in naturally with the rest of your decor. And when isn’t an extra shelf useful?

This one blends the line between uber-cool and functional. Besides a 3D printed bike mount for your cell phone, there’s a host of other practical prints that will blow you away. Like…how about 3D printing those cabinet shelf pegs that always tend to go missing! We appreciate not having to run to the hardware store every time we need a part.

Interest mentioned here

Explore

practicalprints

h/practicalprints • 7 guides

Tired of printing Yoda heads? Discover practical prints for your 3D printer.

Some of the most beautiful, contemporary lamps available right now for your home can be 3D printed, saving you hundreds of dollars and making your lighting experience a true DIY masterpiece.

Other popular options are customizable 3D printed lampshades, lamps, and nightlights. Many companies are selling a version of these in the shape of the moon, which would be a great gift for anyone having to be away from home.

Used here

See all

Customizable 3D Printed Moon Lamp

Check Price on Amazon

Tiny homes are all the rage nowadays! People appreciate them for their affordability and space-saving ingenuity. This tiny concrete home pictured above and sold by American startup, ICON, will only set you back around $4,000. It can be even be printed in only 24 hours!

Another, more functional design, is by San Francisco-based company Apis Cor and costs as little as $10,000. Apis Cor’s mission is to help address the housing crisis affecting the Bay-area of San Francisco.

What’s cooler than a 3D printer printing a tiny home? How about a huge home! An early peek into what a 3D printed mansion might consist of is this Shangai mansion designed by WinSun Decoration Design Engineering.

The house itself measures about 11,840 square feet and cost a little over $150,000 to make, as reported by the Washington Post. The house itself is fairly green, as well, considering most of the parts are recycled materials.

We’ve been building the cars the same way since Ford first put workers on an assembly line more than 100 years ago. There are still thousands upon thousands of tiny parts that come together to make a driving machine. But does it need to be that way?

Nope! At least not according to Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers, who has made a completely drivable 3D printed car known as the Strati, using an industrial-grade 3D printer. These city cars could end up costing as little as $5000, which makes them very affordable.

More and more artists turn to 3D printing as a means of expression, one that is both precise and contemporary. Many artists blend their skills in 3D design with their overall artistic vision to make something that’s stark and strange, like the above image from artist Danny van Ryswyk.

And check out the intricate design of the ceramics from artist Kate Blacklock!

If you’re a fan of Star Trek, then you’ll remember the replicator they would use to make just about any food dish instantly. Many of us thought that that future was way off, but it’s not. It’s here. Well, it’s almost here.

The attempts at 3D printing food are still…well…sometimes less than appetizing. But the potential this has is hard to fathom. Imagine the ways that 3D food printers could work to solve world hunger. It’s pretty incredible.

Some of the best attempts at 3D printing food we’ve seen have been with recipes that are naturally blended, like soups or plates of pasta. Some gastronomy experts are doing some pretty aesthetically (and tasty) things with the very modern cooking method, like this beautiful split-pea soup.

If drones are the future (and we suspect they are), then drones that are easily reproducible and cost-effective will change the way explore our environments. And yes, we think that a science-fiction future full of drones and other cool things isn’t too far away!

Make your own

There are loads of schematics available for 3D printed drones on Thingiverse, such as this mini 3D printed drone. You’ll obviously need some other parts to make the drone come to life, like a power supply and a video transmitter. You also have the option to customize the schema to your liking!

When innovation fulfills a need for those in society faced with difficulties, then something extraordinary can occur. Prosthetic limbs can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and many people struggle to afford them. 3D printing allows open-sourced, low-cost alternatives to traditionally pricey prosthetics.

One such nonprofit is Enabling the Future, which offers free or low-cost 3D printed designs for upper-limb prosthetics to those in need. There are also various easily customizable, free designs available on Thingiverse.

It’s not over until the 3D printer sings! 3DWasp recently designed a set used in the opera Fra Diavolo at the Opera Theater in Rome, Italy. Once the basic backdrop was printed and set up, the lighting engineers simply projected images throughout the production to mirror the changes in the scene. We think the results are pretty incredible and really show how innovative you can be with 3D printing!

These are really cool! Voice sculptors (Yes! That’s a thing!) like Giles Azzaro make 3d printed sculptures of voice recordings that stand as physical representations of the sound waves. His most famous installation, The Vision of a Sparkling Voice, renders sound recordings from the 20 and 21st centuries’ leading figures as 3D printed sculptures.

We’ve seen recently how shortages of life-saving medical supplies can happen quickly. Hospitals and medical supply companies are looking for new, innovative ways to make supplies quickly when a disaster strikes. 3D printing might be the solution, allowing hospitals and other facilities to 3D print a piece of equipment when supplies are low.

The Nonprofit organization, ReFab Dar, is hoping to use 3D printing to create vital medical supplies in Africa and other developing countries. They’ve recently run a contest that challenged African designers to create medical-based designs that would make use of the recycled bottles piling up at a nearby plant. We can’t wait to see what other innovative things can be done with recycling once it becomes more cost-effective.

This one might make your head spin! But what if you could 3D print a 3D printer, and then 3D print another 3D printer with that one. Would the universe implode?! Maybe.

While many 3D printers are capable of self-replicating in theory, like the Prusa i3 we’ve reviewed, one of the most famous projects to make this happen is the RepRap project. The project, out of the University of Bath, aims to find innovative ways to self-replicate 3D printers.

Step aside, Stradivarius. Behold the 3D-Varius! Okay. So maybe a 3D printed violin can’t compete with the rich tones of natural wood, but they are super cool and sound pretty decent.

There are also options that can be completely printed by most at-home 3D printers. And musicians are finding that the 3D printed violins’ unique tones actually work well for some more contemporary compositions.

Olaf Diegel, the designer behind Odd Guitars, makes personalizable, custom 3D printed electric guitars that actually sound pretty darn good. Diegel uses a process known as SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) that involves spreading a micro-thin layer of nylon powder, which is then fused to create the 0.1 mm slice.

Here’s where designers can really showcase what an at-home 3D printer can do! There are thousands of stunning vases that can be 3D printed. They’re generally easy to print for beginners and are easily customizable to match your home’s decor.

There are even options designed for self-watering and draining. We’ve certainly come a long way since the days of clay.

What if you could 3D print a custom heart to save someone’s life? We’re getting remarkably close to that. Studies have shown promise when it comes to 3D printing human tissue. The process is known as 3D bioprinting and is currently being used to print capillaries and other smaller parts of organs.

Another organ that’s showing promise in the 3D bioprinting industry is skin. (Yes, the skin is an organ!) The ability to 3D print a full skin graft could save the lives of thousands of individuals who wait for a skin graft. It’s seriously amazing!

Behold the 3Dirigo—the world’s largest 3D printed boat! The project, backed by government funding, was designed and executed by the University of Maine. Construction of the boat was made possible with a custom large-scale 3D printer, with a volume of 30 x 6.70 x 3 meters and a speed of 227 kilos per hour.

We can’t wait to see what the next big project 3D printing marine project will be!

Antique meets modern when it comes to a 3D printed music box. But there are various options from which to choose, and even the option to print a customizable version featuring whichever song you’d like. Thus far, our favorite has to be the 3D printed music box featuring the Super Mario theme song!

This award-winning 3D printed mesh bicycle frame was designed by James Novak and made as part of his Ph.D. thesis. The material used is called mammoth resin and is strong enough to hold the weight of most riders. It’s very lightweight and easily reproducible. The future likely looks bright for 3D printed bicycles, particularly using metal 3D printing.

So maybe adults don’t need a 3D printed book, but certainly, children love the tactile experience of 3D! (We’re thinking about pop-up books now.) We foresee a future where children can design their own stories and print them to make them come to life. We can’t wait to see what else can be done with a blend of traditional page printing and 3D printing.

Can you 3D print metal? You bet! Many at-home jewelry designers are taking advantage of the print-on-demand benefits when it comes to jewelry. A jewelry-maker has two options when it comes to printing jewelry. They can choose to print the cast for the jewelry pieces and fill it with liquid metal. Or they can direct-print the jewelry with the 3D printer.

A special 3D printing is used called direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) or selective laser melting (SLM), and a huge array of metal-types can be printed. You can also print plastic jewelry for certain designs, as well.

Dancing en pointe can be brutal on a dancer’s feet. If the shoes are not perfectly fit, then injuries can occur throughout the feet and ankles. Designer Hadar Neeman had this in mind when she created a project for her final year in art school aimed at helping with this issue. Her 3D printed ballet shoes are made from scans of a dancer’s feet so that the fit can be perfect. Her 3D design is called, fittingly, the P-rouette.

Another beneficial thing a 3D printer can provide is the ability to print various items in braille. Many things like signs, books, and labels can be 3D printed easily to give access in big new ways to those who are blind.

What is braille?

Braille is the 3D writing that consists of a series of patterned, raised bumps, which someone who is blind can follow with their fingers to read.

And if you think even further outside of the box, think of what other 3D printed items can be made to give access to those who are blind. Besides this 3D printed Rubik’s cube, we’ve seen 3D printed braille maps, board games, and multiplication tools.

Please don’t make every science fiction nightmare come true by 3D printing an entire army of robots like this open-sourced robot from inMoov, a French engineering company. Most of the parts can be entirely printed on an at-home 3D printer with various tutorials available to make it all come together.

Another cool 3D printed robot is Kengoro, the sweaty workout robot. This robot was designed to do various workout moves like pushups and situps. It even sweats after the workout gets more intense! This is totally something we would make over at Howchoo!

Okay. So maybe you won’t want to have a 3D printed TV as your primary television, but as a cool little retro television that you can keep on a bookshelf or kitchen counter…oh yeah! This little 2 inch TV can be almost entirely 3D printed and uses a screen from Adafruit to complete it. It’s based on an old design from the 1950s from manufacturer Philco.

And is entirely reproducible. Here’s a link to the file download.

Whether it’s to add some spice to the computer tool you use every day or you’re looking to create custom keycaps for a specific game layout, you can 3D print a set of keycaps to install on your keyboard. These cool keycaps from our good friends at Adafruit really shine when you have a backlit keyboard. But there are tons of options and ideas for just about any keyboard.

Headphones have been become expensive pieces of electronics to own, particularly the large, over-the-head headphones. For a fraction of the price, some people are printing their own custom headphones like these, which require just a few extra parts like small nuts and bolts to make happen. We can’t vouch for the sound quality, but it’s a pretty impressive design and 3D print.

But can’t you pick one of these up at the store!? Sure. The nice thing about 3D printing a letter board is that you can choose how many and which letters you need to print. (It’s also going to be much cheaper.) And if you need a particular letter later on, you simply 3D print that specific letter. No more running out of Es or As!

We don’t need to know why you want your secret shelf! (We’re going to imagine it’s being used to store candy, just candy.) But this is something that can totally be 3D printed and painted so that it blends in naturally with the rest of your decor. And when isn’t an extra shelf useful?

This one blends the line between uber-cool and functional. Besides a 3D printed bike mount for your cell phone, there’s a host of other practical prints that will blow you away. Like…how about 3D printing those cabinet shelf pegs that always tend to go missing! We appreciate not having to run to the hardware store every time we need a part.

Interest mentioned here

Explore

practicalprints

h/practicalprints • 7 guides

Tired of printing Yoda heads? Discover practical prints for your 3D printer.

Some of the most beautiful, contemporary lamps available right now for your home can be 3D printed, saving you hundreds of dollars and making your lighting experience a true DIY masterpiece.

Other popular options are customizable 3D printed lampshades, lamps, and nightlights. Many companies are selling a version of these in the shape of the moon, which would be a great gift for anyone having to be away from home.

Used here

See all

Customizable 3D Printed Moon Lamp

Check Price on Amazon

Knitting is number one on this list because it’s one of my favorite hobbies, it can be done at a very low cost, and it’s a fun and effective way to keep your hands busy or multitask while doing something else. I often knit while watching a movie, binge-watching TV, or chatting on the phone. Knitting is a great creative outlet that leaves me with a sense of productivity each time I complete a project.

All you need to get started knitting are:

• Some knitting needles or a set of knitting needles
• Scissors
• Yarn– The size really depends on what project you decide to work on first, but pick something simple like a dishcloth or scarf.

While there are many books and knitting supplies, such as stitch markers and row counters, a beginner only needs the basics to get started. There are so many free youtube videos, online tutorials, and knitting communities online that books are more a luxury than a need.

Did you know there are several movies shot on iPhones? Emmanuel Lubezki, the cinematographer known for movies like The Revenant (one of my favorite movies), recently shot a short film with the launch of Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro to show exactly what the camera was capable of.

Many iPhone users, like myself, bought their iPhone for the camera, and as iPhones, and other smartphones, advance, what we can do with them is expanding. Photography has always been considered a fairly expensive hobby. Depending on what camera you purchase, what tools you use to develop photos, and what props you need, the end result is usually thousands of dollars. The camera alone can cost that much.

On your iPhone, you can take and edit photos for the grand total of zero dollars. Of course, that is considering you already have an iPhone or other smartphone. If you want to get more technical with editing your photos in programs like Photoshop, or other Creative Cloud tools, you could spend as little as 31.00$ a month.

A hobby I recently started this week, embroidery is a lot like knitting in the sense that you can use it as a creative outlet, and multitask while watching TV or hanging with loved ones. Projects can be given as gifts and hung up as decor. creatively, the sky is the limit. Anything you can see, you can embroider.

To get started you could get an embroidery kit, or pick up the necessary tools at your local craft store.

Beginner’s embroidery tools:

• Embroidery hoop(s)
• Thread—otherwise known as embroidery “floss”
• Needles
• Scissors
• Fabric—There are different fabrics that can be used such as linen and cotton.

With isolation, I found DIY postcards have been a unique way to stay connected with friends. While mine are usually done in watercolors on watercolor postcard paper, there are also plain blank postcards that can be used with markers and other mediums.

Whichever medium you decide you prefer, DIY postcards are an extremely affordable way to let your loved ones know you are thinking about them!

What you need to get started:

• Blank Postcards—if you don’t prefer watercolor paper or plain, blank cards like the ones above, do a bit of research. I have found them in practically every color and variation you can imagine.
• Mediums—Use whatever you have at home be it crayons, markers, watercolor paint, etc.

Raspberry pi is basically a small computer that was originally developed as an affordable way to teach computer science in schools in the UK. Today, Raspberry pi is used for everything from streaming to retro gaming emulation to building complex applications with OpenCV.

This Raspberry Pi 4 kit is an extremely low-cost option for exploring coding, gaming, and creating projects. Learn more about what you can do with a Raspberry Pi.

I have been pressing flowers and other foliage since I was thirteen and got my first bouquet from my dad. Not only does flower pressing result in a piece of beautiful decor that you can frame or scrapbook, but it’s also a timeless way to hold onto memories or mark the importance of an occasion.

While it takes some time for the flower or leaf to press, I usually press a flower for around 14 days, the result can last several years. Most recently, I pressed a wildflower and framed it for my living room.

To press flowers, all you need is:

• A flower or leaf—It can be anything you find beautiful, one that was given as part of a bouquet, or even a flower you found on a walk that caught your eye.
• A book—use any book you have at home, but I do prefer a heavier book
• A sheet of wax paper

How to press a flower:

• Open your book
• Lay a sheet of wax paper to protect the pages
• Trim your flower- avoid over trimming
• Lay it flat on one side of the book
• Wait about two weeks

You can then frame or scrapbook your flower.

While I am not particularly good at watercolor painting, it’s a soothing hobby and a creative release. I’ve never minded not being good at it. Watching the pigment and water mix together, melt into the paper, and seeing the colors and images spread and change as they dry is consuming.

To watercolor paint, you will need:

• Watercolor paint—any kind you like is fine. I like to get a set of watercolor paint with a good variety of colors.
• Paper—it’s preferable to have watercolor paper that can handle the water and paint without puckering.

Used here

See all

Watercolor Set

Check Price on Amazon

There are different theories about where origami originated, with no definitive answer on which theory is correct, but what we do know is humans have been folding paper to create art for centuries.

What I enjoy about origami is its simplicity. Origami gives me a moment to slow down and focus on something small, and still. It’s an easy and affordable way to focus on breathing and creating, and anyone anywhere can do it. All you need is a piece of paper and a place to work.

If you’re the kind of person that prefers to work off of a kit, then here’s a great kit with lots of fun paper!

Used here

See all

Origami Kit

Check Price on Amazon

Reading can actually be expensive, especially if you’re like me and have an addiction to collecting hardbacks. Did you know there are ways that you can be reading online for free?

Here are a few ways to read for free:

• Open Library– Open Library has the goal to have every book ever published, but currently has an extensive collection and tons of the classics
• Project Gutenburg– Project Gutenburg has over 60,000 books and even has comic books
• Manybooks– Manybooks is known for having access to classic literature and self-published authors

Recently, I’ve been working on my green thumb. I’m infamous for killing plants, and it’s been something I have always wanted to improve. With more time at home, I purchased some succulents, a couple of pots, and crossed my fingers.

It’s been gratifying to see them grow and thrive, and for two plants and pots, I only spent around 20.00$.

What you need to get started:

• Plants—If you struggle to keep plants thriving as I do, consider succulents or air plants.
• Pots
• Soil—Research what soil blend is best for your plant before buying.

Did you know you can play video games for free? Not only does Steam offer free games such as, Art of War: Red Tides, Path of Exile: Echoes of the Atlas, and Runescape, but there are many other ways to play games legally and for free.

How to play video games for free:

• Epic Games—Epic games offers a free promotional game each week. This week you can play Galactic Civilizations III for free.
• Microsoft Store—Microsoft, like Steam, always has an array of games to choose from in the Microsoft Store.
• EA Games—EA Games also has an entire list of free-to-play games for console, PC, and mobile.

Ryder Carroll invented bullet journaling in the 90’s as a simplified way to stay organized in college, but it has since then exploded in popularity. While Carroll’s version of the bullet journal is minimalistic, many people who keep bullet journals have used them as a form of creative expression.

While you can go big, buy all the markers, highlighters, and stamps you want, you only need a few basic supplies.

To get started you will need:

• A dotted journal—Dotted journals are the best route for bullet journaling because they allow you to map out your layout without the limitations of lined pages.
• Fine liners
• Markers (optional)—Markers are great for colorful bullet journals
• Highlighters (optional)—Mildliners are commonly used in bullet journals due to their transparency, and because they don’t bleed through the pages.
• Washi tape (optional)

I currently tutor high school and college students in English and literature. It’s been a rewarding way to stay connected, make extra cash, and do something I love. Due to many students working from home and parents being overloaded with both work and helping school their children, there is a demand for tutors in all subjects.

If you are skilled in any subject matter, consider putting it to use to help others while also making extra money. You can even do it online!

Here are a couple of online tutoring companies:

• Brainfuse– Brainfuse is known for tutoring in higher education and most subjects, as well as many languages.
• VIP Kid– VIP kid is primarily for teaching English to ESL students worldwide.

Learning a new language can help you increase your skill set for potential jobs and communicate with people you might not be able to otherwise, but it’s also fun and a great exercise for your brain.

I like to use apps like Duolingo to learn new languages because they have free versions of the app, or you can opt to pay for Duolingo Plus for only 6.99$ a month. You can of course splurge on a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone, if you’re feeling really committed!

In the absence of concerts and shows, during the pandemic, there have been many virtual concerts. While concert tickets are usually extremely expensive, many virtual concerts are extremely low-cost and some are even free or by donation like the covid relief fund.

Personally, I’ve found virtual museum tours an inventive way to go to a museum I wouldn’t normally be able to go to otherwise.

Here is a short list of some free tours and events:

• Virtual Astronomy Days—From January 25th- January 31st, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is offering free virtual astronomy days. Each day, they focus on a different part of the museum.
• Smithsonian—The National Museum of Natural history has free virtual tours you can access any day of the week!
• The Louvre—You can take virtual tours of the Louvre regardless of what part of the world you’re in!

If you love to cook, or eat, consider challenging yourself. Each year, I like to give myself at least one cooking goal. this year I decided to give myself several so that by the end of the year, I can say, “Yes, I make homemade (insert food here).”

During isolation, I realized there are so many foods I’ve never made because they are intimidating, or because I am the only person I know who enjoys eating them, but that puts me in a position where I am not eating many of the healthy, delicious foods I’d like to be eating unless I order them. So, I made myself a cooking bucket list, which included poached eggs.

This past summer, I really started to enjoy podcasts when doing my weekly grocery pickup. There is so much information out there, just at the tips of our fingers, and we can learn while doing other things like driving, cleaning, working, or cooking dinner, and the best part is they don’t cost anything.

Here are a few ways you can listen to podcasts for free:

• The Podcast app on an iOS product
• Spotify
• Google Podcasts

Write fan-fiction, screenplays, poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, or keep a journal. Whatever you do, write it down. Writing is a free, limitless way to be creative, express yourself, and connect with your inner self or others.

You don’t have to write to publish or make it a career or even share it with anyone, but there is power in words and all the ways you can express them. Consider sitting down and putting pen to paper.

Here are a few prompts to get you started:

• Write about a time you were lost for words.
• Write about yourself from another person’s point of view.
• Write about a color without naming it.
• Write about something you regret not doing, as if you did do it, and what was the outcome?

And who knows maybe you’ll even write so much, you can publish a book on Amazon!

Did you know you can regrow green onions with just water? You can also regrow celery and lemongrass the same way.

How to regrow green onion:

• Keep the “roots” or bottom of the green onion, making sure to keep the bottom three inches or more.
• Place them in a glass of shallow water. (I used a shot glass because it’s small enough in diameter that the green onion stays upright.)
• Watch them grow!

Lemongrass can be regrown the same way, except you will eventually plant them in soil to keep them thriving. Green onions do not need to be replanted.

Versus using other people’s recipes, I like to make my own. Even when I am making something for the first time, I look at a handful of recipes online, combine the best parts of those recipes, and then add my own spin on it as well. Because I don’t follow a recipe exactly, I often end up wondering months later what I did the last time I made it.

So, this year, I grabbed some colorful index cards and a metal index cardholder, and I’ve been writing down all the recipes I’ve made recently and organizing them by food type. This way, the next time I’m craving the carbonara I had last month, I can recreate it. Howchoo even has some recipes to get you started!

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Discord is a platform that can be used to create servers and send instant messages. Discord is most known for its use among gamers, but it has servers for writing, art, traveling, music, crafting, anime, and more.

For every hobby or interest, there’s a Discord server bringing people together and creating a sense of community. I’m a part of many Discord servers, some for gaming, and the most recent a community of writers sharing ideas and seeking advice.

Discord servers are free to join, though if you want to have access to extra features in Discord, like more emojis and server boosts, you can subscribe to Discord Nitro for 9.99$ a month.

I was always very intimidated by investing money. I didn’t understand how investing works or what it would mean for me if I did invest. Recently, a friend taught me the basics of investing and I ended up finding the process fun, interesting, and empowering.

Investing costs money, of course, but you don’t need to invest big amounts of money to enjoy it, benefit from it financially, or learn from it. You can even get one free stock from Robinhood when you sign up for an account, and you don’t have to worry about paying commission to Robinhood either. Or you can try your hand at cryptocurrencies by creating a BitCoin wallet for example.

I’ve always loved to tie-dye. Growing up, anytime I stained a shirt, I tie-dyed it. I tie-dyed socks, shirts, underwear, headbands, and even sheets. You can tie-dye just about anything. There are so many color combinations, patterns, and designs that you can create. The options are so varied, and you never know completely what it’s going to look like until you’ve finished.

Here are some of the tools you need to tie-dye:

• Rubber bands
• Dye
• Fabric or Clothes

Whenever I need a lift in life, my go-to is self-care. I’ve always looked for affordable and natural ways to establish self-care. I enjoy the process of making different masks and concoctions at home and knowing each ingredient included. Here are some of my favorite self-care DIY’s.

My top 3 self-care DIY’s:

• Lavender epsom salts: Add 10 drops of lavender oil and a tablespoon of baking soda to 2 cups of Epsom salts and add them to your bath to soothe tense or tired muscles.
• Moisturizing lotion: Add 15 drops of jojoba and 15 drops of rosehip oil to your favorite body lotion to add an extra boost of hydration to your lotion, soothe dry skin, and reduce irritation.
• Hair mask for dry or damaged hair: Combine 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, 10 drops of argan oil, and 5 drops of jojoba oil and apply it to dry hair. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.

There are online book, cooking, and knitting clubs. There are online groups for different political movements, lifestyles, or interests. If you love yoga, Japanese food, fantasy baseball, cosplay, languages, or gardening, there are virtual groups collecting from all around with your same passions and interests.

There are even virtual support groups for those who haven’t been able to attend their normal support groups due to the pandemic, or who find themselves needing support during a difficult time.

I’ve seen hundreds of online writing, painting, photography, budgeting, and even business workshops since the onset of the pandemic. If you can think of it, there is probably someone giving a free, or by donation, workshop about it in an effort to stay connected and give others an opportunity or outlet.

Keep your eyes open for free workshops given by teachers and artists looking to spread their knowledge and join up!

I have always been a vivid dreamer. Over the years, I have kept dream journals to catalog those dreams. I recently began sketching fragments of my dream within my dream journal and found it a fun way to explore my subconscious and create yet another outlet for my creativity. So far, I have been surprised by the connection between my subconscious and conscious mind when I do this exercise.

Here’s what I use for my dream journal:

• A notebook—Any notebook will do. Pick whatever works for your purposes.
• Pens—I don’t use any color in my dream journal. I am strictly journaling and getting down the images from my dream before I’ve forgotten them.

The more time you spend at home, the more time you have to overthink the drapes in your office or the big empty space on the living room wall. It’s sparked many people’s inner interior designer, but redecorating or redesigning can be expensive. That’s why I love a good DIY, especially if that DIY reuses or repurposes something you already own or can purchase for cheap like this DIY mercury Glass.

What items do you have in your home that you can repurpose or new enhance with a little bit of paint or a fresh perspective?

Online learning has recently become the new normal for most students and teachers, and even before the pandemic, many students opted for online schooling to work or take care of their families while still getting an education; however, you don’t necessarily need to be a student or pay money, to benefit from online courses and education.

There are many free online courses from extremely reputable colleges and programs.

Here are just some of the ways you can take free online courses:

• Harvard– Yes! Harvard has free online courses on anything from Divination to Digital Humanities.
• Standford– Stanford, another Ivy League school, offers free courses as well. They even have a course in Artificial Intelligence.
• edX– edX is a global nonprofit with courses from over 160 universities including Berkely and MIT.

Collections don’t have to be expensive, they just need to have significance,

Every time I travel to a new place, I like to bring home some type of souvenir; not a coffee mug or a t-shirt, but something sentimental or beautiful like the wildflower I pressed from my last trip to Vermont, the smooth, white stones I got from The South Hamptons, or the shells I collected in The Exumas. The best part about this is, it costs me nothing.

This is the favorite of my collections because each item is somewhere in my home to remind me of a trip or memory I’m fond of. I also collect custom-bound books, but, of course, that is a much more expensive collection.

Even if you are just going for a walk on your favorite hiking path or along your favorite pond, consider collecting the little bits of magic you find along the way, or come up with your own collection.

Collections you can keep for almost nothing:

• Rocks
• Shells
• Foliage or Flowers—You can then press them like I mentioned above.
• Old coins
• Cards
• Pictures—Consider starting a scrapbook or photo album.
• Keepsake box—I also have a keepsake box that I decorated. It has a mix of pictures, gifts, letters, and other small items I have collected.

Let us know what hobbies you’ve started, and share your own tips for any of the above DIY or hobbies below!

1. Launch the Extensions Marketplace by the button in the sidebar, as shown in the image above.
2. Type the word Setting into the search bar at the top.
3. Identify the Settings Sync entry in the list and click Install.

Next, you will connect the extension to GitHub.

Settings Sync will display setup instructions in the Editor Window when it has installed.

1. Click the LOGIN WITH GITHUB button as shown in the image above.

Next, you will open GitHub inside VS Code.

Settings Sync needs to access GitHub from within VS Code.

1. Click the Open button as shown in the image above.

GitHub needs you to authorize Settings Sync.

1. Click the Authorize shanalikhan button as shown in the image above.

Sync Settings should now be installed. As this is a first-time installation*, there’s no existing Gist to select.

1. Check that the Success! message has appeared in your web browser and close the tab.
2. A message with the heading Select Your Existing Gist will appear in the VS Code Edit Window. Click the blue SKIP button.

A new Gist will be created automatically in Step 7.

1. Click the Manage button on the VS Code sidebar.
2. Choose Command Palette from the pop-up menu.

1. Type sync into the Command Palette search bar.
2. Click the command Update/Upload Settings.

The extension will automatically create a record of your current VS Code settings and upload it to a new secret Gist at GitHub.

In the next step, you will check that the new file has been created.

Settings Sync works by creating a JSON file that lists information about your VS Code environment. The file is rebuilt from the current environment when you issue the Update/Upload command (see Step 7). You should do this every time that you make a significant change to your setup.

The simplest way to verify the file is to open it in GitHub.

1. Sign-in to GitHub and click the account avatar in the top right of the UI.
2. Select Your gists from the dropdown menu.
3. Find a recent entry for cloudSettings and open the file. Check the date and the metadata to make sure it is a correct record of your setup.

Because the settings are stored on GitHub, installing them in VS Code on multiple machines is easy.

1. Install VS Code and follow the steps in this guide until Step 5. You should then see a list of existing settings files retrieved from GitHub.
2. Choose a file (usually the most recent). Your current machine’s VS Code will be updated with your preferred settings.

For additional help, refer to the extension’s notes.

We hope that this guide has saved you some serious VS Code hassle! Don’t forget to let your friends know how easy it is to keep your settings safe, whatever happens.

The Pico plugs directly into the Pico Explorer Base board which can be used for planning and wiring project ideas. It supports a variety of components using a breadboard, breakouts for Pimoroni’s Garden modules, and even has a built-in IPS LCD screen.

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Pico Explorer Base

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The Pico Omnibus (Dual Expander) module is designed for use with two bases or Pico packs at once. This board is also ideal for developing project ideas and prototypes.

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Pico Omnibus (Dual Expander)

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The Pico Decker (Quad Expander) is made to support a total of four Pico Packs and/or bases at once.

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Pico Decker (Quad Expander)

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This Pico Proto board is a 6 x 20 grid of holes with a 2.54mm pitch with the Pico pins already labeled. The idea is to secure your prototypes to this board for long term projects.

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Pico Proto

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The Pico Display Pack is a module featuring a 240 x 135px IPS display. It also has four programmable buttons and an RGB LED.

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Pico Display Pack

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The Pico Scroll Pack is a tiny LED matrix made with 119 white LEDs arranged in a 7 x 17 configuration. It also has four programmable buttons.

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Pico Scroll Pack

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Users can add audio output with the Pico Audio Pack. It uses a PCM5100A DAC and can support 32-bit 384KHz stereo audio. Speakers and headphones can be connected using the 3.5mm audio jack.

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Pico Audio Pack

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Not everything is ready to hit the digital shelves. Some of the new accessories are planned to release in the future.

Tiny 2040

The Tiny 2040 is a super small board featuring the new RP2040 chip. It’s fingernail-sized and with a USB port.

Pico Breakout Garden Base

The Pico Breakout Garden is similar to the current garden but made just for the Pico. It has four I2C and two SPI inputs.

Pimoroni Pico VGA Demo Base

Want video output? You got it! The Pico VGA Demo Base is engineered to output video through a VGA port. It also has digital I2S audio output and has an SD card slot.

PicoSystem

Gamers get hyped! There’s another new contender on the DIY handheld market and its name is PicoSystem. You want micro gaming? This is definitely a place to start. It features the new RP2040 chip and includes a screen, plenty of buttons, a joypad, and a battery.

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We’re really excited about the Pico and this new ecosystem of accessories from Pimoroni just makes us even more pumped for the new Pi! This is just the start of many new tools—even Arduino is releasing its own microcontroller using the new silicon to provide an alternative to the Pico for devs.

Game: Street Fighter IV

Release Date: 2009

In Street Fighter IV, Seth is responsible for aggravating players and delivering a steady stream of damage. According to Street Fighter lore, he’s the CEO for SIN, a weapon division of Shadaloo. He first appeared in 2009 and proved to be one of the most formidable foes in the entire franchise. You can still find copies of Street Fighter IV on Amazon for the PlayStation 3.

Note: Pictured is the latest redesign of the character which has much more hair than the Seth encountered in Street Fighter IV.

Game: Super Mario 64

Release Date: 1996

It’s no surprise that the big boss battle in Super Mario 64 is none other than Bowser. He’s always been a tough foe to face, but this time he’s notably fierce. He has three big moves, including a stomp, headbutt, and fire breath. If you pay close attention, you can recognize when a particular attack has begun to steer clear of incurring damage. Get around those attacks, and you might stand a chance at winning.

Game: Donkey Kong 64

Release Date: 1999

Donkey Kong 64 brought our favorite Nintendo primate to an entirely new dimension (3D, to be exact). Anyone who’s played through this game knows it’s bananas and can’t forget the main antagonist—King K. Rool. If you want to defeat him for good, you have to go toe to toe with King Krusha K. Rool, his boxer persona, in one of the hardest battles in the whole game.

Game: Chrono Trigger

Release Date: 1995

The final boss of this game is named Lavos. He’s an evil alien parasite and a serious threat to the world. If you want to take him down, it’s not going to be easy. This boss was saved for last for a reason.

Game: Earthbound

Release Date: 1989

The main villain of the SNES game Earthbound, known in Japan as Mother, is a big baddie named Giygas. This boss is beyond tough, and he comes in three aggressively dangerous forms. If you want to take down Giygas for good, all you can do is pray for a victory. No, literally! If you use Paula’s prayer ability and manage to squeeze in 9 prayers, you can beat Giygas and complete Earthbound.

Game: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Release Date: 2000

The final boss in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is none other than Majora. And what a final boss it is! Players have to face off against Majora, who has three forms to defeat: Majora’s Mask, Majora’s Incarnation, and Majora’s Wrath. Taking out all three nets earns you some serious bragging points and the completion status you need to finish the game.

Game: Metal Gear Solid

Release Date: 1998

Without giving too much away, let’s just say your character has a lot in common with this boss. If you want to take down Liquid Snake, you have to act fast. He gets tougher as the battle progresses, and the pressing time limit doesn’t do you any favors.

Game: Shadow of the Colossus

Release Date: 2005

Shadow of the Colossus was released in 2005, and the fanbase is still going strong 15 years later. This boss is referred to as Dirge by the fans. It can be found in the Forbidden Lands around quadrant B4. This worm-like boss is seriously destructive, but its glowing eyes are a weak spot that can be exploited.

Game: Guitar Hero 3

Release Date: 2007

Battle of the bands is totally on the table for this boss battle list. If you’re a fan of the mid-2000’s classic Guitar Hero, you may remember this carpal-tunnel-inducing ballad by DragonForce known as Through the Fire and the Flames. If you’re a sucker for rhythm games, this song is the hardest goal worth tackling on the greatest difficulty.

Game: Minecraft

Release Date: 2011

There’s an ending to Minecraft? That’s right—there is a way to beat this classic sandbox game. There’s only one way to get the Ender Egg, and it involves facing off against the Ender Dragon. The is the biggest monster in the game, and it takes a bit of patience to see through. We recommend starting this fight with quality armor and plenty of friends!

Game: Mortal Kombat

Release Date: 1992

It’s hard to imagine Mortal Kombat without Goro. Not only is he regarded as a staple character to the series, but he’s also often recognized as the toughest boss in the first Mortal Kombat. He’s a secondary boss next to Shang Tsung.

Game: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Release Date: 1996

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars brings all the best features of an RPG to the imaginative world of the Mushroom Kingdom. There are plenty of battles to complete, including optional ones like Culex. This boss is arguably the toughest in the game and even harder to beat than the main villain, Smithy.

Game: World Of Warcraft

Release Date: 2004

Until the release of new expansion packs, C’Thun was regarded as the toughest boss in WoW. If you wanted to max out your character and beat all the bosses, this guy was your last stop. He can be found in the temple of Ahn’Qiraj.

Game: Mega Man

Release Date: 1987

The only weakness this giant yellow boss has is his little red eye. The Yellow Devil is from Mega Man. It’s known for its gooey body that can split into pieces and fly around the screen. If you want to defeat him, dodge his body, and shoot for the eye!

Game: Final Fantasy VII

Release Date: 1997

The Final Fantasy series is known for its occasional inclusion of optional bosses. This superboss, from 1997’s Final Fantasy VII, is known as Emerald Weapon. It’s featured alongside four other weapons: Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire, and Ultimate.

Game: Mushihime-sama Futari

Release Date: 2006

They don’t call these games bullet-hells for no reason! Queen Larsa from Mushihime-sama Futari is the main villain and final boss fight in the game. The rules are easy, shoot first and don’t get shot. If you want to mark this game off your list, you’ve got to start firing and dodge!

Game: Destiny: House of Wolves

Release Date: 2015

Destiny: House of Wolves launched in 2015. The final boss in the Prison of Elders challenge is Skolas, and he’s more than mean. This go around, he still has his ground-smashing and teleportation abilities, but he’s beefed up with a Scorch Cannon. It only takes a few shots to get knocked out by this bad guy.

Game: Castlevania

Release Date: 1986

Castlevania dropped in 1986, and who better to serve as the final boss of this vampire classic than Dracula? If you want to beat this game, you’ve got to take the old bat down. Dracula can transform into a huge monster that hops around shooting fireballs at the player. There’s a reason they saved him for last. He’s an absolute beast to fight.

Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Release Date: 1998

The Dark Link mini-boss can be found in the Water Temple. This is hands-down one of the biggest challenges players will face in the Ocarina of Time. Dark Link knows all of your moves, and the damage from each attack hits hard. It doesn’t help that he can also teleport right behind you.

Game: Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

Release Date: 1989

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse was released in 1989. What better way to see out the ’80s than to spend countless hours getting whipped by Death himself. This is one of the toughest boss battles in the entire game. Players have to dodge flying scythes and withstand two different forms of this pixelated baddie.

Game: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Release Date: 2004

There’s only one thing tougher than a sniper, and that’s another sniper who’s better than the first sniper. If you want to finish Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, you’ve got to take our The End, an old sniper that could be one of 40 hiding spots across three maps. You can use a few tricks to beat this old sharpshooting master—one of the most amusing methods is to time travel ahead two weeks by adjusting your Xbox clock. The old sniper will die of old age.

Game: Ninja Gaiden

Release Date: 2004

Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox is classic and just one decade away from being an antique—but we won’t get into that. If you want to conquer this exciting game, you’ll need to take out Alma. She’s one of the main baddies in the game and for good reason. This boss is one of the biggest pains for completionists.

Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Release Date: 1992

In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, nothing stomped players quite like the Death Egg Robot from the Death Egg Zone. This is the last zone and is set on Dr. Robotnik’s Death Egg satellite. You have to defeat the robot to win the game, but this battle requires Sonic to survive the entire fight without any rings.

Game: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Release Date: 1987

If you want to get through Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, you’ll have to square up against Dark Link. He copies all of your abilities and looks just like Link, albeit a bit more shadowy. It’s hard enough to beat a monster but squaring up against a boss designed to mimic your moves is even harder. This fight is the closest you’ll get to an equally matched opponent.

Game: Kingdom Hearts

Release Date: 2002

If you have half a heart, you obviously haven’t spent hours facing off against Ansem. Wait, we mean Riku. Or do we? It doesn’t matter; what does matter is that this boss is responsible for one of the toughest Disney-themed JRPG battles you can encounter. He’s not even optional. This fight is necessary to complete the game. You can play the original Kingdom Hearts in a remastered edition for the PlayStation 4.

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Game: Street Fighter II

Release Date: 91

Anyone who grew up playing Street Fighter knows how serious the final boss fight is with M. Bison in Street Fighter II. Ever since his first appearance, his character has remained one of the most notorious baddies of the franchise. This boss fight is responsible for the transfer of countless quarters across arcades in the 90s.

Game: Punch-Out!!

Release Date: 1987

The big boss of this game is so big his name is on the box—or at least it was before the team lost rights to Mike Tyson’s name and rebranded the game as just Punch-Out!! The final boss with Mike Tyson was reworked into a new character called Mr. Dream. He might look different, but he’s the same, seemingly unbeatable boss.

Game: Kingdom Hearts 2

Release Date: 2005

It’s sometimes contested in the Kingdom Hearts community whether Sephiroth is harder to beat in KH1 or KH2. In both battles, the player is left to fight one on one without any assistance from Donald or Goofy. This battle isn’t even required, so any beatings that occur are entirely voluntary.

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Game: Final Fantasy XI

Release Date: 2002

This boss fight pushed players way beyond their limits in an incident that lasted over 18 hours with no success. Some players reportedly played until they were physically ill. Over 36 players marathoned the attempted takedown of Final Fantasy XI’s Pandemonium Warden, which ultimately led to an HP decrease of the monster along with a two-hour time limit.

Game: Dark Souls

Release Date: 2011

The Dark Souls game is a notorious beast, but even Dark Souls has to have a king of all monsters. In fact, it has two. The fight against Ornstein and Smough is arguably the toughest boss battle in the whole game. In the lore, Ornstein is regarded as one of Gwyn’s four Knights, along with Artorias, Ciaran, and Gough. You’ve got to take him down along with Smogh—be careful who you save for last as this will impact the loot dropped at the end of the battle.

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Dark Souls Trilogy PlayStation 4

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