Summary
Action-heavy video games are almost always going to offer their players a mega-challenge by the end of the game, typically in the form of a super-strong foe, but some of our favorites require you to take an extra step and track down these big bads before you’re able to take them on.
The hidden enemies and boss battles in games can often prove to be some of a title’s most challenging, and the entries in our list of the most challenging hidden boss fights cover a wide range of series known for their grueling tests of mettle. Good luck with these!
Updated on July 08, 2025 by Gabrielle Castania:With so many powerful hidden foes added to some of our favorite series, we’re updating our list of the best hidden enemies in games to include a few new additions.
10Magician Faust
The Legend of Dragoon
You’ll need every Stardust inThe Legend of Dragoonand obtain the Vanishing Stone before you’re able to battle therealFaust – if you come before gathering them all, you’ll instead be met with a false Faust who cannot take damage from your party.
Over ten thousand years old and well hidden behind an apparition until your party is able to collect the Vanishing Stone and make it to the Land of Taboo, the actual Faust is waiting to bring you one heck of a battle. You’ll need to be able to counter his extremely high magic defense, and you’d be smart to come prepared to heal.
9Manus, Father of the Abyss
Dark Souls
Have you ever faced off against an entity so mighty and powerful that not even death can stop them? That’s Manus, Father of the Abyss inDark Souls, who came back a second time in Dark Souls 2 with its pieces split between what seem to be regular characters.
Possessing one of the most intense Dark Souls, Manus, Father of the Abyss has quite a storied past. He was originally a burdened human who died long ago, and whose spirit has done nothing but cause problems for players since.
8Elizabeth
Persona 3 Reload
Throughout the entirety of the story ofPersona 3 Reload, Elizabeth serves as your faithful Velvet Room attendant. You’ll speak with her about requests, when you need to head in to perform some fusions, and you’ll even take her on a series of dates – so when she challenges you to a fight, it’s kind of a surprise.
Elizabeth proves herself to be one of the most formidable foes in Persona 3 Reload, with the fight requiring some extremely specific strategizing to best.
You’ll be without your party for the battle, so don’t challenge Elizabeth until you’re really, truly ready.
7The Nameless King
Dark Souls 3
Once you feel up to a fight as challenging as the one against The Nameless King inDark Souls 3, ring the Great Belfry at Archdragon Peak to summon and challenge him, but don’texpect this battleto be a breeze! The Nameless King has long lived a life of a warrior, and he’s got the skills to prove it.
Revered as the God of the Sun, The Nameless King has inspired a cult following, and you’ll see altars built to him fairly often. During the battle, you’ll need to be mindful of his mighty electrical attacks, keeping your head above water in this fearsome two-phase fight.
6Culex
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Sure, maybe Culex is a little less spooky and intense than some of the other fearsome foes we’ve included in our list, but he’s more than worth a mention. Renowned as one of, if notthetoughest enemy inSuper Mario RPG, Culex doesn’t go down without a fight.
He’ll tell you practically his whole life story, in an attempt to bait Mario and friends into his challenge. In the Nintendo Switch remake, you’ll even accidentally grant his wish with the completion of the Star Road – andall Culex wants is to fight you.
5The Moon Presence
Bloodborne
Just the name The Great Ones alone is powerful enough to strike fear in our hearts, but the Moon Presence inBloodborneis a whole extra layer of creepy. With a body composed of decaying human parts and a whole lot of tentacles on its head, we don’t want too much to do with the Moon Presence.
But, if you’re looking to fight it, you’ll need to wait, as the Moon Presence is the final boss in Bloodborne. Prepare yourself for some truly unpredictable attack patterns and a fondness for combos that, if your not careful, can easily prove fatal.
4Yiazmat
Final Fantasy 12
Are you ready for one of the most grueling, drawn-out battles in all of Final Fantasy? If so, hop intoFinal Fantasy 12and play through to the final boss, Yiazamat. Think you’re ready to take it on when the time comes? Be ready to fight for atleastan hour, if not more.
Yiazamat’s Bestiary entry describes it as, “most sacred among its Kind,” but notes that, “its great Power drove it to Madness.” An additional problem in the epic battle is that, not only with Yiazamat buff itself if you get too far from the fight, but it begins taking reduced damage as its critically high HP falls.
3Omega Weapon
Final Fantasy 8
Feeling ready to take on a being that has overone million HPin its strongest form in Final Fantasy 8? Head into the walls of Ultimecia Castle, where you’ll encounter Omega Weapon, renowned for being one of the most challenging boss fights in Final Fantasy 8. Thankfully, you’ll notice its attack pattern before long, so as long as you can dodge the oddball hurdles, we believe in you in your fight with Omega Weapon!
How you track down Omega Weapon (and what level it is when you face it) depend entirety on the console you’re playing on, as well as the version – original or remake – that you’re playing.
2The Ancient Dragon
Dark Souls 2
Who’d have thought there would be yet another Dark Souls entry in this list fromDark Souls 2, when the series is regarded as one of the most unforgiving in all of gaming? The abilities it gives allows you access to the memories of the deceased, but you can also choose to take on this dragon as well.
What’s worse is that you have tochooseto engage the Ancient Dragon, as it remains totally neutral until you attack it. Once you do, we sure hope you shored up your Fire defense…
1C’Thun
World of Warcraft
One of the Old Gods inWorld of Warcraftwho’s been stripped of power, C’Thun managed to take over Silithus in the desert and turn the being there into something of an army on its behalf. We guess that’s one way to shore up your defenses, C’Thun, but we’re still coming for you in the Temple of Ahn’Qiraj!
You’ll even periodically hear C’Thun whispering creepy sentiments at you as you push through its section of the game, and it’s not lying to you about how tough it is. Considered by WOW fans to be one of the toughest raid encounters in the whole game, C’Thun has been the bane of players’ existence since its introduction in 2006.
