Every year, the Met Gala delivers looks so outrageous they barely feel real. But this year's event took things to a whole new level. Between Beyoncé walking down the steps in a sparkly skeleton dress and Katy Perry hiding her face behind a chrome mask, it stopped looking like a red carpet and started looking more like a boss rush.
Fashion's biggest night has always been an over-the-top spectacle, but this year's look triggered something in the back of every gamer's mind. The celebrities who attended the 2026 Met Gala took their inspiration directly from the game's most iconic bosses. Don't you believe it? Continue reading.
5
Twilight Thorn has been earning this energy since 2005, and Lisa finally got hold of it
Blackpink's Lisa walked the red carpet in a custom Robert Wun gown that stopped everyone in their tracks and nearly blinded photographers with a flash. The all-white sheer dress was covered in 66,960 Swarovski crystals and featured a pair of 3D-printed arms sculpted from Lisa's own body that posed in traditional Thai dance poses and held up the billowing crystal veil above her head. It was a breathtaking, surreal outfit that looked all too familiar Kingdom Hearts fans.
Before players can even adjust to the dramatic changes at the beginning of Kingdom Hearts IIthey are thrown into the first boss fight. The Twilight Thorn is a bulky, almost solid white. No one with arms so long they drag across the floor and a body so weird it almost certainly shouldn't exist, even in Kingdom Hearts universe. Does that sound familiar? Lisa's crystal veil, sculpted arms and sheer white dress give off the same energy, only with much better jewelry. Twilight Thorn is one of Kingdom Hearts' most unforgettable boss battles, and any fan of the series would prepare for a fight if they saw Lisa strut down the red carpet.
4
Katy Perry borrowed the twins' chrome mask and forgot to return it
Katy Perry arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in an elegant Stella McCartney dress, and absolutely no one knew who she was. But that was the point. From the burnt train to the six-fingered glove that made fun of her AI fakes making the rounds online, her entire ensemble had a cool, futuristic look that was almost impossible to look away from. When she eventually removed it, the entire crowd stopped and stared before losing their minds in awe.
The twins in Atomic heart give the same atmosphere. The pair of robotic ballerinas wrapped in an elegant chrome has a deliberate sense of mechanical beauty and calculated danger that perfectly matches the alluring sense of mystery of Katy Perry's outfit. When the twins dance into the room, you know a fight is about to go down. When Katy Perry danced down the red carpet, gamers got the exact same feeling.
3
Beyoncé showed up to the Met in Marie's outfit, and no one noticed
Beyoncé returned to the Met Gala for the first time in a decade, and she did not disappoint. Arriving on the carpet in typical Beyoncé style, she wore a stunning Olivier Rousteing creation that was part armor, part dress, with a crystal-covered skeleton adorning every inch and a sweeping, feathered train so huge it took several people just to carry behind her. It was lavish, theatrical and completely stole the show. But Skullgirls fans couldn't help but notice some similarities to one of their favorite bosses.
Mary is Skullgirls final boss, and like Beyoncé, she's as memorable as they come. Her entire aesthetic revolves around skeletons and bones. She exudes a dark, undeniable force that demands attention and makes everything else around her feel completely irrelevant. When Marie walks into the room, everyone stops in awe, knowing full well that they are in serious trouble. But Beyoncé just reminded the world that she will always be the last boss.
2
Edea did this look first, and she did it without Madonna's seven assistants
In typical Madonna fashion, she blew everyone away with her unbeatable, over-the-top outfit when she arrived at the 2026 Met Gala. The black lace Saint Laurent dress, her satin gloves, platform boots and jet black wig were all brought together by the stunning cape shaped like a haunted pirate ship. The sheer size and chaos of the outfit required seven people to follow her and carry the veil. Her appearance was as extravagant as any executive introduction.
Final Fantasy VIII players had seen this entrance before. When one of the game's most iconic villains, Sorceress Edea, appears, she has the commanding presence and theatrical spectacle of Madonna. The dark dress, surrounding entourage, and unmistakable sense of ceremony all scream an impending boss fight. Madonna understood the mission, but Edea set the standard back in 1999, and gamers everywhere know which one they'd rather take on.
1
Malenia wore it better and Rihanna would agree
Rihanna closed the 2026 Met Gala the way she does everything else, with exuberance, extravagance and a sense of presence that no one else in the room could match. She stunned attendees in her dramatic Maison Margiela gown with jeweled sleeves dripping in crystals and a sheath that draped over her shoulders and gathered into the skirt. The silver and gold tones gave her outfit an almost metallic, armor-like look that screamed boss fights. The Met Gala always saves the best for last, just like Fire Ring.
Fire Ring players couldn't help but see Malenia, Blade of Miquella, when looking at Rihanna. Two golden warriors, bosses so striking and powerful that their reputations precede them. Malenia is one of the most feared bosses in gaming history, and Rihanna's name is no less. She was the final boss of the 2026 Met Gala, and like Malenia, she needed no introduction. Everyone already knows who she is.
The 2026 Met Gala delivered some of the most theatrical and unforgettable looks in the event's history. But the surprising thing about it was that players had seen it all before. The most legendary boss fights will always showcase extravagant, daring character designs and outfits, just like celebrities. Fashion and gaming will always have more in common than either side wants to admit. The 2026 Met Gala just made it impossible to ignore.
