Editing Boss

{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y|hp=y|pa=y}}
[[File:Burrowing Snagret P4 icon.png|thumb|The [[Burrowing Snagret]] is a boss present in all four games.]]
{{spoiler}}
Some types of [[Enemy|enemies]] are larger or stronger than most, and appear less frequently, often in prominent places. These are known as '''bosses''' ({{j|巨大生物|Kyodai Seibutsu|Huge Creature}}), and normally only one or two of each type appear in the entire game. Given that battles against them are usually more complex, the rewards tend to be more significant, such as a large number of [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] seeds, [[Poko]]s, or an important [[Story Mode|story]]-related item.

The definition of a "boss" seems to change with each game. In {{p1}}, the game seldom makes a distinction between a boss and a regular enemy. In {{p2}}, bosses are given different slots on the [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)|Piklopedia]] and a specific [[music]]al theme, with some having unique ones. In {{p3}}, bosses are clearly identified as such by the game itself,{{cite quote|Boss enemies you hurt will maintain their damage! Whittle their health down, and defeat them the next day!|[[Loading]] screen tip|the US [[Region|version]] of {{p3}}}} and are divided between main bosses and '''mini-bosses''', with both having unique musical themes and the former having even having unique [[cutscenes]]. They need to be defeated to progress with the story. {{hp}} also has bosses with unique cutscenes and music, and defeating them is necessary to advance to the next [[sector]].

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== Bosses in ''Pikmin'' ==
In {{p1}}, bosses are only defined within the game's internal files, and it is never explicitly stated in the game which enemies are bosses. The following four enemies are categorized as bosses:
* {{icon|Beady Long Legs|y}}
* {{icon|Burrowing Snagret|y}}
* {{icon|Goolix|y}}
* {{icon|Emperor Bulblax|y}}

Oddly, [[Candypop Bud]]s, [[geyser]]s, and [[Iridescent Flint Beetle]]s are also technically bosses, though this is likely due to their unique nature as enemies. As a result, approaching a Candypop Bud or a geyser will change the [[music]] to the enemy battle variant.

Four other enemies are often considered bosses by fans due to their rare appearances and boss-like level of difficulty.

* {{icon|Puffstool|y}}
* {{icon|Mamuta|y}}
* {{icon|Armored Cannon Beetle|y}}
* {{icon|Smoky Progg|y}}

Interestingly, these enemies all leave behind a corpse of some kind, while the “true” bosses drop pellets instead.

== Bosses in ''Pikmin 2'' ==
In {{p2}}, there are twelve bosses, all of which exclusively use a [[Music in Pikmin 2#Common boss battle|special musical theme]] when fighting against them. Three use their own unique theme, specifically: the [[Titan Dweevil]], the [[Waterwraith]], and the [[Giant Breadbug]]. They also appear in a larger bubble on the [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)|Piklopedia]]'s listing. These bosses are usually found in [[cave]]s, with at least one being found on the final floor presented as the final challenge (save for the [[Emergence Cave]]). When first defeated, many reward the player with a piece of [[gear]] for defeating them. Some bosses can be also found in specific spots in the overworld [[area]]s. The following are listed in Piklopedia order, which is roughly the order they are intended to be encountered in:

{{columns|2|
* {{icon|Empress Bulblax|y}}
* {{icon|Burrowing Snagret|y}}
* {{icon|Beady Long Legs|y}}
* {{icon|Emperor Bulblax|y}}
* {{icon|Giant Breadbug|y}}
* {{icon|Pileated Snagret|y}}
* {{icon|Man-at-Legs|y}}
* {{icon|Ranging Bloyster|y}}
* {{icon|Waterwraith|y}}
* {{icon|Segmented Crawbster|y}}
* {{icon|Raging Long Legs|y}}
* {{icon|Titan Dweevil|y}}
}}

There are no mini-bosses in this game, though the Burrowing Snagret and Emperor Bulblax have literal ''mini'' variations with lower [[Health|HP]], which appear in places where they aren't fought as final bosses of a cave. The Empress Bulblax also has a lesser variation with lower HP and fewer attacks than the "primary" version. Late in the game, earlier bosses are sometimes rebattled and act as mini-bosses of a cave, such as in the [[Hole of Heroes]]. Additionally, the [[Fiery Bulblax]], which may have originally been [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)#Trivia|intended as a boss]], is occasionally considered a mini-boss by fans, as it is a relatively difficult enemy.

== Bosses in ''Pikmin 3'' ==
In {{p3}}, the six main bosses are clearly labeled by the game, and their battles are considerably larger and more complex than with most other enemies. Most are fought within special arenas separated from each of their [[area]]'s main sections and all have special [[cutscene]]s for encountering and defeating them. They normally have clearly defined vulnerability and invulnerability phases, commonly attacking during the latter. Since these bosses are meant to be fought with clear phases, the game may sometimes lock their [[health]] to a certain point, and only let the Pikmin damage it further after it moves on to the next stage. Main bosses will not restore their [[health]] as the days go by, and their corpses will also last until the next [[day]], but not any longer. Every one that is defeated drops an important object to the progression of the story, thus the game often pushes players toward fighting them as their next objective. These bosses can be re-fought in special [[Mission Mode]] stages. The following is a list of bosses in this game:

* {{icon|Armored Mawdad|y}}
* {{icon|Vehemoth Phosbat|y}}
* {{icon|Sandbelching Meerslug|y}}
* {{icon|Scornet Maestro|y}}
* {{icon|Quaggled Mireclops|y}}
* {{icon|Plasm Wraith|y}}

=== Mini-bosses in ''Pikmin 3'' ===
While other games may have what can be considered such, ''Pikmin 3'' is the first to distinctly define mini-bosses by using a different music theme &ndash; a remastered version of the boss theme from ''Pikmin 2''. Unlike the main bosses, their health will be reset at the start of a new day, and their corpses last only for the day they were defeated on. In [[Story mode]], these do not give out something plot-critical when defeated, and instead drop a [[fruit]]. The following are mini-bosses in ''Pikmin 3'':
* {{icon|Shaggy Long Legs|y}} (in white and purple variants)
* {{icon|Burrowing Snagret|y|v=P3}}
* {{icon|Bug-Eyed Crawmad|y}}
* {{icon|Baldy Long Legs|y}} (exclusive to [[Side Stories]] and [[Mission Mode]])

In addition, the [[Calcified Crushblat]], [[Peckish Aristocrab]], and [[Medusal Slurker]] are sometimes considered mini-bosses by fans due to their difficulty, rare appearances, and the fact that they protect a fruit or drop one when defeated, but they do not have the mini-boss theme.

=== ''Pikmin 3 Deluxe'' ===
The final day of [[Olimar's Comeback]], [[The Ship Restored]], has a unique boss fight against golden variants of the Baldy Long Legs and Shaggy Long Legs (the latter with larger feet). This fight has unique battle music. While this fight isn't much different from either of their normal variants, they warrant distinction as their fight comes with a unique boss theme.

== Bosses in ''Pikmin 4'' ==
{{stub|See if the game files have anything to help define this better.}}
Unlike the three games prior, {{p4}}'s definition of a boss is unclear and inconsistent. The best way to define them is by the music cue that commonly accompanies them when they are encountered. However, some enemies use two different themes for different encounters. For instance, a [[Sovereign Bulblax]] uses a major boss cue at the bottom of the [[Subterranean Swarm]] and within the [[Cavern for a King]], but uses a minor boss drumbeat when encountered in the [[Giant's Hearth]]. 

In terms of progression, none of these bosses are specifically required to be defeated other than the [[Ancient Sirehound]] to complete the story. Many of them house [[castaway]]s, either inside of them or behind numbered gates, requiring the boss to be defeated to rescue them. Boss battles being part of progression (seen in ''Pikmin 3'') is instead replaced with [[Dandori Battle]]s against [[Olimar]] and [[Louie]], all of which are required to complete the game's story.

Because of all this, the bottom classification is mostly conjecture and not finalized.

=== Major bosses in ''Pikmin 4'' ===
Bosses in ''Pikmin 4'' are defined by the dramatic sting that begins and ends their unique battle themes, similar in tone to the boss themes of ''Pikmin 2'' and ''Pikmin 3''. This also includes enemies that have completely unique battle themes that do not include any element of the sting, specifically the [[Giant Breadbug]] and [[Ancient Sirehound]].

{{columns|2|
* {{icon|Foolix|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Emperor Bulblax|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Groovy Long Legs|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Waterwraith|y|v=P4}} 
* {{icon|Gildemander|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Snowfake Fluttertail|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Giant Breadbug|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Man-at-Legs|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Sovereign Bulblax|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Smoky Progg|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Ancient Sirehound|y|v=P4}}
}}

=== Minor bosses in ''Pikmin 4'' ===
These are bosses that are typically fought above ground or at the bottom of short caves. They are typically accompanied by a drumline cadence.

{{columns|2|
* {{icon|Porquillion|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Burrowing Snagret|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Crusted Rumpup|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Bug-Eyed Crawmad|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Baldy Long Legs|y|v=P4}}
}}

=== Tough enemy encounters in ''Pikmin 4'' ===
Sometimes, a tougher enemy acts as a boss in easier caves or a mini-boss partway through of a cave. They typically use a slower battle theme in these instances. These are not particularly bosses on the same level as the ones above, and are more situational encounters.

{{columns|2|
* {{icon|Tusked Blowhog|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Puffy Blowhog|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Empress Bulblax|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Masterhop|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Arctic Cannon Beetle|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Mammoth Snootwhacker|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Toxstool|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Jumbo Bulborb|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Titan Blowhog|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Blizzarding Blowhog|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Bloomcap Bloyster|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Horned Cannon Beetle|y|v=P4}}
}}

=== Bosses in Olimar's Shipwreck Tale ===
In [[Olimar's Shipwreck Tale]], all large enemy encounters use the same one theme &ndash; another rendition of the boss theme from ''Pikmin 2''. Because of this, we can easily define what is a boss and what isn't in this side mode.

{{columns|2|
* {{icon|Horned Cannon Beetle|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Burrowing Snagret|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Baldy Long Legs|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Bug-Eyed Crawmad |y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Sovereign Bulblax|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Porquillion|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Gildemander|y|v=P4}}
* {{icon|Man-at-Legs|y|v=P4}}
}}

=== Numbered gate battles ===
Since the concept of a boss in ''Pikmin 4'' seems to be more defined by the setting rather than the enemy fought, it is helpful to instead look at all the scenarios that the game presents as a "boss battle" using characteristics seen in previous games. As stated above, this has typically been based on how the music changes, the type of rewards dropped, if there's a large arena for the fight, or if it is the final sublevel of the cave.

Notably, [[numbered gate]]s are a type of blockade exclusive to caves, introduced in ''Pikmin 4'', which display a number of enemies that must be defeated in order to open. Outside of [[Dandori Challenge]]s and the [[Trial of the Sage Leaf]], this feature consistently appears to be associated with encounters with a single tough enemy, as the number is most frequently "01". When the number is higher, it is usually multiple enemies not truly considered bosses but still pose a boss-like level of difficulty given the conditions. Most often, the boss will drop a [[castaway]] and the gate will open to allow access to a treasure or vice-versa. This tends to make the battle a requirement for progress similar to boss battles in ''Pikmin 3'', while other encounters with the same boss can be less difficult or skipped altogether.

The following is a list of these numbered gate battles that debatably can be considered bosses along with their rewards.

{|class="wikitable"
!Cave!!Sublevel!!Enemy!!Reward
|-
|[[Drafty Gallery]]||4||[[Puffy Blowhog]]||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to [[Sphere of Family]]
|-
|[[Secluded Courtyard]]||4||[[Foolix]]||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to [[Expression Hider]]
|-
|[[Kingdom of Beasts]]||3||[[Empress Bulblax]]||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to [[Disk of Joyous Wisdom]] &times; 3
|-
|[[Kingdom of Beasts]]||6||[[Emperor Bulblax]] &times; 2||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to [[Ancient Statue Head]]
|-
|[[Seafloor Resort]]||4||[[Masterhop]]||Drops [[Greed-Inducement Device]], opens numbered gate to castaway.
|-
|[[Subzero Sauna]]||3||[[Arctic Cannon Beetle]]||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to [[Contemplation Station]].
|-
|[[Below-Grade Discotheque]]||5||[[Groovy Long Legs]]||Drops [[Amplified Amplifier]], opens numbered gate to castaway.
|-
|[[Engulfed Castle]]||5||[[Waterwraith]]||Drops [[Glinty Circular Disc]], opens numbered gate to castaway.
|-
|[[Doppelgänger's Den]]||4||[[Gildemander]]||Drops [[Thrill-Ride Track]], opens numbered gate to castaway.
|-
|[[Frozen Inferno]]||4||[[Snowfake Fluttertail]]||Drops [[Shattering Lance]], opens numbered gate to castaway.
|-
|[[Plunder Palace]]||3||[[Porquillion]]||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Plunder Palace]]||5||[[Giant Breadbug]] &times; 2||One carries castaway and drops [[Disk of Angry Wisdom]] &times; 3, defeating both opens numbered gate to cave exit.
|-
|[[Ultimate Testing Range]]||5||[[Man-at-Legs]]||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to [[Winged Freedom Sculpture]].
|-
|[[Cradle of the Beast]]||3||[[Empress Bulblax]] (with [[Bulborb Larva]])||Drops [[Stately Rubber Cutie]] &times; 5, opens numbered gate to castaway.
|-
|[[The Mud Pit]]||3||[[Bug-Eyed Crawmad]]||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to cave exit.
|-
|[[Subterranean Swarm]]||5||[[Sovereign Bulblax]]||Drops castaway, opens numbered gate to [[Sweet Stumble-Not]].
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||1||[[Toxstool]]||Drops [[Sticky Jewel]], opens numbered gate to next sublevel (other enemies do not need to be defeated).
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||2||[[Jumbo Bulborb]]||Drops [[Uniquely You Goo]], opens numbered gate to next sublevel (other enemies must be defeated).
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||3||[[Burrowing Snagret]] &times; 3||One drops [[Talisman of Life (Phoenix)]], defeating all opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||4||[[Arctic Cannon Beetle]]||Drops [[Orbital Communication Sphere]] &times; 3, opens numbered gate to next sublevel (other enemies do not need to be defeated).
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||5||[[Emperor Bulblax]] &times; 3||One drops [[Tremendous Sniffer]], defeating all opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||7||[[Blizzarding Blowhog]] and [[Titan Blowhog]]||Respectively drop [[S.S. Peppermint]] and [[S.S. Berry]], defeating both opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||8||[[Crusted Rumpup]]||Drops [[Dapper Blob]], opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||9||[[Man-at-Legs]]||Drops [[Bright Sword]] &times; 2 and [[Heroic Sword]] &times; 2, opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||10||[[Smoky Progg]]||Drops [[Wayward Moon]], opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||11||[[Bloomcap Bloyster]] &times; 3||Drop [[Disk of Amusing Wisdom]], [[Disk of Sorrowful Wisdom]], and [[Neon Goo]], defeating all opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||13||[[Gildemander]]||Drops [[Mysterious Carriage]], opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||14||[[Horned Cannon Beetle]]||Drops [[Foolish Fruit]], opens numbered gate to next sublevel (other enemies must be defeated).
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||15||[[Baldy Long Legs]]||Drops [[Trap Lid]] &times; 10, opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||16||[[Waterwraith]] &times; 2||One drops [[Connection Detector]], defeating both opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||17||[[Empress Bulblax]] (with [[Bulborb Larva]])||Drops [[Fire-Breathing Feast]], opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||18||[[Sovereign Bulblax]]||Drops [[Don't-See-It Specs]], opens numbered gate to next sublevel.
|-
|[[Cavern for a King]]||20||[[Ancient Sirehound]]||Drops castaway and [[Gift of Friendship]]. There is no numbered gate, but completing the fight is necessary for progression.
|}

== Bosses in ''Hey! Pikmin'' ==
{{hp}} has 9 enemies that are clearly bosses. They are fought on the final [[area]] of each [[sector]], and have their own [[cutscene]]s and [[music]] themes. They all drop a large [[treasure]] when defeated, which needs to be collected before the [[S.S. Dolphin II]] unlocks a new sector to visit. When fighting bosses, the player must exploit their movements and actions to find an opening, where they can finally strike. Since the bosses need to be fought in a minimum number of cycles, the game will lock the creature's [[health]] and won't allow the Pikmin to cause any further damage until the next cycle is entered. The following are bosses in ''Hey! Pikmin'', ordered by sector:

* {{icon|Bulborb|y|v=HP}}
* {{icon|Long Water Dumple|y}}
* {{icon|Armurk|y}}
* {{icon|Electric Cottonade|y}}
* {{icon|Queen Shearwig|y}}
* {{icon|Fiery Blowhog|y|v=HP}}
* {{icon|Luring Slurker|y}}
* {{icon|Emperor Bulblax|y|v=HP}}
* {{icon|Berserk Leech Hydroe|y}}

== Music ==
{{main|Music}}
When fighting bosses, the [[music]] of the [[area]] or [[cave]] is changed to a different theme that lasts for as long as all bosses in the vicinity are alive. In ''Pikmin'', this is only the case for the [[Beady Long Legs]] and the [[Emperor Bulblax]], with each one having their own theme. In ''Pikmin 2'', a global boss theme exists, and plays whenever a living boss is nearby. This theme changes dynamically with the events happening in the fight. The following bosses have their own specific boss themes: [[Waterwraith]], [[Giant Breadbug]], and [[Titan Dweevil]]. In ''Pikmin 3'', two boss themes exist &ndash; one for the major bosses and another for the mini-bosses. The exceptions to this are the [[Vehemoth Phosbat]] and the [[Plasm Wraith]], which have their own themes. The mini-boss theme is a remastered version of the ''Pikmin 2'' boss music. In ''Hey! Pikmin'', each boss has a unique musical theme, and these themes do not dynamically change.

== Names in other languages ==
{{Foreignname
|Jap=巨大生物
|JapR=Kyodai Seibutsu
|JapM=Huge Creature
|ChiTrad=巨大生物
|ChiTradR=Jùdà shēngwù
|ChiTradM=Huge Creature
|ChiSimp=巨大生物
|ChiSimpR=Jùdà shēngwù
|ChiSimpM=Huge Creature
|FraA=Colosse
|FraAM=Colossus
|FraE=Créature géante
|FraEM=Giant creature
|Ger=Bossgegner
|GerM=Boss Enemy
|Ita=Colosso
|ItaM=Colossus
|Kor=거대생물
|KorR=geodaesaengmul
|KorM=Huge Creature
|Spa=Ser colosal
|SpaM=Colossal being
}}

== See also ==
* [[Pikmin Adventure enemies#Bosses|Bosses in ''Pikmin Adventure'']]
* [[Enemy]]
* [[Area]]

== References ==
{{refs}}

{{featured|{{date|1|February|2018}}|{{date|2|April|2018}}}}

[[Category:Bosses|Bosses]]