Ask any JRPG veteran about the most impactful series in this genre that probably them into these types of games in the first place, and chances are that Final Fantasy will be the two words coming out of their lips — or anyone else's, for that matter. There are several reasons as to why this is the case, from the excellent stories to the enthralling tactical gameplay being just some of the many reasons why this RPG series has made such a massive mark in the gaming landscape.
It's a series that entices both beginners and veterans, namely due to the sheer level of diversity when it comes to the content present in these games. Of course, if one wishes to look at Final Fantasy from a hardcore lens, then the one thing that they should definitely be aware of is the sheer number of bosses in the series that will absolutely wipe the floor with you if you aren't wary enough to deal with their offence. If you wish to form a checklist and etch your name into the annals of Final Fantasy history, here are 10 of the hardest bosses in the series you should beat.
10 Penance (FFX)
There's no better way to start off this list than talking about the hardest boss in Final Fantasy X. The Dark Aeons leading up to this fight were hard enough as is, making Penance even more imposing.
Players who wanted to tackle this boss would need to be on their toes at all times. For starters, this boss boasts a whopping 12 million HP, making it the need of the hour to ensure that this fight is a battle of attrition. Appropriate strategies need to be set in place to ensure the same.
9 Omega Weapon (FFVIII)
The fight against Ultima Weapon in Final Fantasy VIII is not easy by any means, but it is definitely possible once you get a fair amount of grinding done. However, the same can't be said for Omega Weapon, who is definitely an imposing challenge that is incredibly hard to beat.
The boss attacks in a set pattern, making it imperative for players to set up strategies that conform to said pattern. However, even this strategy can go for a toss if Omega Weapon decides to randomly perform a physical attack that might incapacitate one of your party members.
8 Ruby Weapon (FFVII)
Final Fantasy VII is one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, and it's only fitting that the superbosses present in this game would also become the stuff of legends. The first boss we need to talk about is none other than Ruby Weapon.
To fight this boss, you need to enter the battle with your party members already KO'ed. If you fail to do that, then Ruby Weapon will proceed to chuck two party members off the battlefield.
As if Ruby Weapon wasn't hard enough as is.
7 Emerald Weapon (FFVII)
Of course, one simply can't mention Final Fantasy VII superbosses without mentioning one of the most imposing bosses of all time. Yep — we're talking about none other than the legendary Emerald Weapon.
Equipping materia in this fight is asking for trouble since Emerald Weapon's Aire Tam Storm will completely wipe the floor with you. There's a 20-minute timer during the fight as well, and it's up to you whether you want to take the risk and equip the Underwater materia.
6 Yiazmat (FFXII)
The superboss from Final Fantasy XII boasts the highest hitpoints in the entire series, at a whopping 50 million. Yiazmat is a test of your patience and is perhaps the best way for you to understand that you've spent way too much time on this game.
If you're patient enough to best this behemoth, then you'll certainly attain the title of being the most patient gamer of all time.
5 Ozma (FFIX)
Final Fantasy IX is an absolute gem of a title, so you'd be right in thinking that its superbosses would also be memorable in their own right. While Hades is definitely a strong contender, the title for being the most challenging boss fight of all time has to go to Ozma.
The fact of the matter is that Ozma is the hardest foe you'll face in Final Fantasy IX, and you need to keep your wits about yourself if you truly wish to pose a challenge.
4 Warmech (FF)
How could we talk about Final Fantasy superbosses and not mention the one that started it all? Warmech from the original Final Fantasy is a memorable boss for this exact same reason.
The fact that the original game was incredibly hard in itself makes the addition of Warmech all the more imposing.
3 Enuo (FFV)
The release of the Advance version of Final Fantasy V brought with it the addition of a whole new superboss who would waste absolutely no time in wiping the floor with you if you aren't well-equipped to handle this challenge.
Enuo is the final superboss that players need to best in Final Fantasy V. Beating him is no easy task, so make sure that your party is well-equipped to deal with this challenge.
2 Proto-Babil (FFIV)
An exclusive superboss found in the 3D remake of Final Fantasy IV, it must be said that Proto Babil is one of the hardest superbosses in the entirety of the series.
This is partly due to the fact that Final Fantasy IV's 3D remake is one of the most challenging RPG experiences that anyone can expose themselves to. Thus, it's pretty obvious that Proto-Babil would be no pushover and serve as the toughest challenge in a game that's already hard-as-nails.
1 Absolute Virtue (FFXI)
Most challenges in MMORPGs are generally accomplished due to the sheer dedication hardcore players have in this genre. However, keeping all this in mind, it still needs to be said that Absolute Virtue in Final Fantasy XI is an absolute nightmare of a superboss.
The boss was so hard that Square Enix actually started getting bad press about the sheer lengths people were going to try and beat the boss. Thus, the boss was nerfed and one of the hardest superbosses of all time became slightly easier... but just slightly.