Top 10 Secret Bosses In Video Games

Not all secret bosses have to be epic challenges-some are actually fun in-jokes. Case in point, the Cow Level, who was long rumoured to be a secret area in the original “Diablo.” It was untrue, but in response, the Secret Cow Level was added in the sequel, with this bovine monarch being found at the level’s end. While the fight is not particularly difficult, experienced players will tell you that it’s best to AVOID killing the cow king, since doing so prevents you from returning to the bovine realm in the future. If and when you spot him it’s probably best to run – not from fear of death, but fear of losing your favourite grinding spot.

This creature may look like a bunch of blocks put together-well, technically, that’s what it is-but it’s still a major challenge. To make it spawn, the player must perform a summoning ceremony with three Wither Skeleton Skulls and Soul Sand – both of which you’ll need to go to the Nether to find. It will jump out at you as its health increases and it grows in size, ending with an explosion. THEN he can finally be damaged. After that, its three heads go on the offensive, throwing projectiles at the player that causes health to slowly deplete, all the while regenerating a half heart every second and destroying every block it touches. Damn, for a game about building things, that’s pretty destructive.

While Sephiroth is probably the more well-known secret boss from this franchise, the Lingering Will holds more weight in terms of scope, difficulty and story. Found in Disney Castle and onlyin the 2.5 Remix version for Western players, this mysterious figure wears Terra’s armor, as seen in the game’s secret ending, makes some cryptic comments, then gives Sora the series’ greatest challenge. This boss utilizes an enormous arena, all of which will be needed to avoid his powerful, wide-striking attacks. His true nature is still not entirely known, and will hopefully be revealed in the third game...if it ever comes out. Just be ready to die, a lot. Speaking of dying a lot...

The Souls series is no stranger to having hidden bosses in their games, the Moon Presence the Ancient Wyvern, so many to choose from but eventually the Darklurker nudged ahead. In order to find it, the player must light all three beacons in the Dark Chasm of Old and clear its dungeons, which itself is no easy feat. When actually fighting the creep, it can use swords, spears, beams, meteors, fireballs, and explosions to subdue the player, all of which dealing high amounts of magic damage. Oh, and if that’s not enough, and once you’ve finally beaten it, it can still throw one final attack at you, even with zero health. Ouch.

The “Super Mario” franchise isn’t known for its bosses, but Culex proves to be the exception to the rule. He’s an interdimensional being that can be found in a rift behind a door in Monstro Town, which can only be opened after obtaining a Shiny Stone from a little girl in Moleville. If you accept his challenge, the battle begins. He is fought alongside four crystals of earth, fire, water, and wind, each with their own health bar. Epic in scope, and a tribute to the “Final Fantasy” series, with the Final Fantasy IV Boss Theme that plays during the battle, it’s certainly a good series to take secret boss cues from, but we’ll get to that later.

Don’t let the name fool you: this guy is no noob. Rather, his name is the surnames of “Mortal Kombat” creators Ed Boon & John Tobias spelt backwards. In his debut, he is a black palette-swap of Scorpion, before receiving a more fleshed-out backstory in later entries, due to his popularity. To unlock this battle is, you must win either fifty or twenty-five matches in a row, depending on the system, which will transport the player to Goro’s lair, where the faceoff will happen. Defeating him will take patience, quick thinking, and fast reflexes, but the satisfaction will be worth it. While Reptile from the original game was considered for this list, Noob has proven the series’ most enduring secret.

Despite being one of Bayonetta’s closest allies, Rodin appears in both games as a hidden boss. In both appearances, he is unlocked by purchasing a Platinum Ticket that is available for just under ten million halos. Father Rodin, as the boss in the first game is called, is an angelic figure who possesses massive strength and speed. Conversely, Rodin, the Infinite One is a demonic iteration who is just as fast and uses powerful, swift fist attacks. Both times he is incredibly difficult, thanks to the amount of damage he can inflict, so be prepared to see that game over screen a lot.

The fact that ten powerful superbosses known as the Dark Aeons, need to be defeated before challenging this monstrosity is telling of how difficult it is to defeat. While the “Final Fantasy VII” Weapons was considered for this list, Penance is considered to be the hardest boss in the entire series, and for good reason. To even stand a chance against this guy you need to max out your entire party’s stats and be prepared for a battle that will last at least an hour, as he has twelve million hit points and extremely powerful attacks that can wipe out the entire party with a single blow. The word “penance” means “voluntary self-punishment,” which is a fitting title for such an epic boss.

This entry in the “Metal Gear Solid” series featured a crossover with Capcom’s “Monster Hunter” series, featuring a Rathalos, a Tigrex, as well as a unique monster: The Gear REX asoptional bosses. They can be found in separate Hunting Quests, which are unlocked by finding the felyne Trenya, who is hidden in mission twenty-nine. Each monster is more difficult than the last, each providing a different move set and requiring a different strategy to defeat. Not to mention it’s just plain fun to pit Big Boss against some of our favourite monsters. Now if only we could get an entire game with this crossover.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.

Karstaag
“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)

Izanami-no-Okami
“Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4” (2008)

The Slot Machine
“Star Fox” (1993)


The X-Hunters
“Mega Man X2” (1995)

What rockets this alternate final boss to the top of the list is the difficulty just to reach him. To do so, the player must play through the single player mode without using a continue, as well as land three perfect wins. When you get to the final boss M. Bison will Akuma to come annihilate him, and brings an even greater threat. Since his initial appearance, Akuma has gone fromsecret to icon of the “Street Fighter” franchise, and that is yet another reason for him to be our number one pick.

Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favourite hidden boss? For more clandestine top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.