Superbosses, or optional bosses, are overpowered hidden bosses in video games that are not essential encounters to beat the game. They are the ultimate challenge to see if you have mastered every mechanic and can utilize every item efficiently to take down these nigh-unstoppable monsters.
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It has been a long-standing tradition forJRPGsto include one superboss per game, which you can often find minding their own business in endgame-level dungeons. These superbosses are memorable for several reasons, but mainly because of how easily they can wipe out your entire party before you even know what hit you.
10Culex - Super Mario RPG
Developed by Square and released for theSNESback in 1996,Super Mario RPGis the first foray of the gaming icon into the RPG genre, and it was a fun and solid outing, too. Culex is an optional superboss that you may find behind a locked door in Monstro Town. He is such an obvious reference to Square’s other successful RPG series, Final Fantasy, as well.
He is the only enemy in the game that is displayed in a 2D sprite; his design is classic Final Fantasy grandioso; and even the music is extremely similar to the boss theme music from Final Fantasy 4. Oh, and like all good superbosses, Culex is significantly more powerful than the main storyline’s final boss, Smithy.
9Caroline And Justine - Persona 5
Caroline and Justine are twins who act as jail wardens in the Velvet Room and also act as Igor’s assistants. They also help you fuse Personas via a pretty macabre and darkly funny method. InPersona 5 Royal, the twins are Strength confidants and can also be fought as an optional superboss inNew Game Plus modeonce the two have fused to become Lavenza, their true form.
While, in their true form, Lavenza is the more challenging optional boss fight, the twins and the fact that you are fighting two powerful bosses at the same time are more intimidating and memorable. The fight itself is pretty straightforward, but it is recommended that you go in with above-level 60 characters and endgame-level Personas at your disposal.
8Lingering Will - Kingdom Hearts 2
While Sephiroth might be the most popular superboss to appear in the mega-successful JRPG series bySquare EnixandDisney, another secret, powerful boss in the game needs to get the recognition he deserves. This is, of course, the mysterious Lingering Will.
First appearing inKingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix, the Lingering Will is a keyblade wielder wearing gold, black, and red armor. As a secret boss, Lingering Will might just be a tougher customer than Sephiroth. Even at max level with ultimate weapons and gear, Lingering Will can still pose a considerable threat to Sora, Donald, and Goofy. Pattern memorization, lightning-fast reflexes, and a spoonful of luck are needed by those who wish to face this deadly superboss.
7Adamantoise (Final Fantasy 15)
Based on first impression alone, the Adamantoise superboss fromFinal Fantasy 15can easily top every other entry here. It appears as a hunting mission that is best done during the post-game section, where Noctis will receive an urgent distress call reporting powerful earthquakes happening in Leide.
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Once you accept the Lonely Rumblings hunting mission in Hammerhead, an event will trigger that will introduce you to the Adamantoise. What you originally thought was a mountain in the distance is its shell, andthe sheer size of this beastwill cause tremors from kilometers away. While not exactly a hard boss fight, it will be a long and grueling one. Adamantoise is one of the most epic and cinematic superboss fights around, and that alone merits its inclusion.
6Black Rabite - Trials Of Mana
From one of the most visually intimidating bosses to the most unassuming, the Black Rabite superboss from Seiken Densetsu 3 and its remake,Trials of Mana, can catch you unaware. You come across it at the Dark Castle by interacting with its statue, which will then transport you to its nest.
The Black Rabite looks just like the ordinary Rabites in the game, but black. If you didn’t know, Rabites are likeDragon Quest’sSlime equivalent in that they are cannon fodder. Now, the Black Rabite is not that; to be more precise, you are the cannon fodder in this scenario. It is extremely powerful, hits like a freight train on steroids, and can even summon powerful demons to aid it in battle. A word of advice: use everything you have to take it down.
5The Immortal One - Lost Odyssey
Lost Odyssey is a criminally underrated JRPG from developer Mistwalker that exclusively launched on theXbox 360in 2008. With music composed by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu, you can bet on some epic boss fight tunes in the game, and you will be right. It also has one of the best superbosses in the form of the Immortal One, a weird nautical-looking monster that you will face at the end of the Backyard side quest.
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The Immortal One is the toughest enemy you will face in the game, even more powerful than the final boss. As such, it is best to face this creature before you start the endgame with high-level characters and weapons in tow. In addition to being extremely tough to beat, if you wish to get the best prize for beating this superboss, you will need to defeat it in under 30 turns. With its HP being over one million, that is easier said than done.
4Yiazmat - Final Fantasy 12
You can easily fill up a whole list of the best superbosses in gaming just with theFinal Fantasyseries. Along with Warmech, probably the first superboss of gaming, Yiazmat is another memorable one you will face, for better or worse.
What makes Yiazmat such an unforgettable superboss is the amount of time you will pour into this boss fight. This superboss can take as much as one to eight hours of your time to beat! It will all depend on how strong your party is and how lucky you are. With a staggering HP of 50 million, Yiazmat is certainly one of the most intimidating optional bosses to face. Beating this superboss can even take longer than finishing some indie games!
3Ethereal Queen - Valkyrie Profile
Valkyrie Profilehas one of the toughest superbosses in JRPGs, the Ethereal Queen, who is a staple in developer Tri-Ace’s IPs. She has appeared in both theStar Oceanand Valkyrie Profile games and is exclusively an optional boss for you to fight. In Valkyrie Profile, you can face the Ethereal Queen in the post-game dungeon, the Seraphic Gate.
This dungeon is filled with powerful monsters, and beating the Ethereal Queen herself will require you to have the most powerful party members, ultimate weapons, armor, and accessories. Those alone don’t guarantee victory, as the Ethereal Queen can wipe out your entire party in one turn. Prepare plenty of resurrection items and pray that Lady Luck is on your side if you want to face the Ethereal Queen.
2Red - Pokemon Gold & Silver
It is not often that you get to fight the previous protagonist of a game series, but that is exactly whatPokemonGold & Silver gave to fans. After defeating all 16 Gyms, talk to Professor Oak, who will then unlock the path to the top of Mount Silver. At the peak, you willfind the original protagonistof Pokemon, Red.
It is a fun moment for fans of the Pokemon series — that is, until Red challenges you to a duel, and you find out the hard way why the Champion from Pallet Town is considered a living legend. Red has a diverse team of Pokemon at his disposal, all of which are above level 70. Bring an equally diverse team of high-level Pokemon if you wish to stand a chance.
1Warmech - Final Fantasy
Unlike most superbosses, the Warmech is technically a super rare enemy that has a 1:64 chance of appearing in a random encounter at the Flying Fortress dungeon. It is not exactly a traditional superboss, but with how powerful it is, it might as well be. It can also be considered the first ‘true’ superboss in gaming history.
The Warmech, or Death Machine, is such a powerhouse that it is easily more powerful than 99 percent of all enemies and bosses in Final Fantasy, except for Chaos, the final boss of the game. What makes the Warmech even tougher is that it starts the battle with a preemptive strike.
Depending on your level, this attack will probably put your entire party on or near yellow status, forcing you on the defensive from the start. If that isn’t enough, the Warmech alsoregenerates its health after every turn. You will need to hit fast and hard if you want to take down this mechanical death dealer.
