Top 10 Hidden Bosses in Video Games

“Kingdom Hearts 2.5: ReMIX” (2014)
The “Kingdom Hearts” franchise has many optional bosses that can be battled against, but we elected to include this one. An animate suit of armor brought to life by someone’s leftover thoughts and feelings (you know, standard “Kingdom Hearts” mumbo jumbo), Lingering Will may not have much of a personality of its own, but it more than makes up for it in difficulty. To battle it, first you have to complete all the worlds and finish the game and then go to the Keyblade Graveyard. Lingering Will proves to be a lightning fast opponent, who can also disable some of your abilities; making for a very trying fight.

“Star Fox” (1993)
The original Super Nintendo “Star Fox” game has a few hidden levels, but only one has this unique hidden boss. First, the player must get to the asteroid level on the hard path and shoot a particular asteroid until a bird abducts them, which will unlock the hidden level, Out of This Dimension. In this bizarre level, the player fights against a giant slot machine. The only way to defeat it is to line up three “7s” in a row. However, even defeating it won’t end the level - you’re still stuck in a level that is in constant, wavy motion, is filled with paper airplanes, and plays what sounds like a version of “When the Saints Go Marching In!”

“Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars” (1996)
Although everyone’s favorite plumber is no stranger to RPGs these days, Mario’s first outing into the genre was in collaboration with Squaresoft, the folks behind “Final Fantasy.” To that end, the hidden boss in this game takes heavy inspiration from that series. Culex is a purple, otherworldly being completely unlike anything else in the game. His fight is arguably harder than the final boss, as he is surrounded by crystals that use some of the most powerful spells in the game and he’s no slouch either! At least you get to enjoy battle music from “Final Fantasy” while you fight them!

“God of War” (2018)
This celebrated action game actually features several optional bosses, including 8 Valkyries, whom you can battle throughout the game. However, it’s the Valkyrie Queen who stands above them all. Upon defeating the rest of the already difficult mythic female warriors, assembling their helmets at the Council of the Valkyries will summon, Sigrun, their queen. Possessing most of the abilities of the others and enough strength to kill you in one hit, depending on the difficulty, Sigrun is an unpredictable opponent that will test Kratos and son’s abilities, and those of the player, to their limits.

“Diablo II” (2000)
The “Diablo” series features some terrifying demonic entities that the player has to face, but it also has…cows. If the player has completed the game on Normal, they can transmute several items together in the Rogue Encampment to access a Secret Cow Level. Seriously, that’s what it’s called. Within this area are hordes, or rather herds, of hellish bovines who will assault you with polearms. However, hidden among these regular enemies is the Cow King. Although not visually different from other demonic cows, the Cow King is immune to lightning, and defeating it will prevent the portal to the Secret Cow Level from being opened on the same difficulty.

“Mortal Kombat II” (1993)
The “Mortal Kombat” series is famous for its hidden bosses, and while we were tempted to choose the original with Reptile, we instead opted for one from “Mortal Kombat II.” If the player is good enough to win 50 matches in a row, or just 25 on home releases, the game unlocks Noob Saibot. A black, shadowy figure in the silhouette of one of the ninjas, Noob Saibot can use all of Sub-Zero’s moves, although he can also use Scorpion’s spear. Later in the series, he’s revealed to have been the former Sub-Zero, though we doubt that was the intention from the start.

“Trials of Mana” a.k.a “Seiken Densetsu 3” (1995)
Don’t let the cute and cuddly appearance of this boss fool you – it’s one of the most power enemies in this game and the entire “Mana” franchise! Only accessible if you have Angela or Duran as your main character, the Black Rabite is located in a hidden passage of the Dragon’s Hole. The Black Rabite, also called the Grim Rabite, resembles its more mundane cousins, but has a ton of HP, can summon high level demons, and will probably kick your butt if you’re not in your final classes for each character! Where’s a holy hand grenade when you need one?

“Undertale” (2015)
Created as a result of a Kickstarter buy-in, So Sorry is a creature who can be encountered in the Art Club Room in Hotland if your computer or system has been turned to October 10th between 8-9pm. So Sorry will then rush in and apologize for being late, inadvertently attacking the player with crumpled bits of paper and doodles. Whether you kill him or not is up to you – art is subjective, after all. While some may argue this spot should be for Sans, we would like to remind you: This is for hidden boss fights. Sans is the final boss of one of the popular branching paths. Hope you didn’t forget that.

“Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker” (2010)
“Monster Hunter” has crossed over with seemingly everything, and its collaboration with “Metal Gear” leads to some interesting hidden boss fights. In order to find them, first you must listen to all of Chico’s briefings. Next do the Item Capture mission in Extra Ops. During this mission, you can find; Trenya, a Felyne (or talking cat) from the “Monster Hunter” series who will give you a series of missions. These missions involve battling creatures from the “Monster Hunter” series, including mainstays like Rathalos and Tigrex, as well as the Metal Gear inspired Gear Rex.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Yiazmat
“Final Fantasy XII” (2006)
Rodin
“Bayonetta” (2010) & “Bayonetta 2” (2014)

The Darklurker
“Dark Souls II” (2014)

“Super Street Fighter II Turbo” (1994)
Arguably the most popular fighting game of all time also has one of the most popular hidden bosses too. The series’ first hidden boss, Akuma bursts onto the stage and takes M. Bison down like nothing. The demonic looking fighter’s speed and multiple aerial projectiles are hard to handle. Almost as difficult is reaching him at all, as you need to defeat all your opponents without using a continue and either get a high score or beat them in less than 25 minutes. Akuma’s legendary status has helped him become a mainstay in the franchise and it began with this boss fight.