Boss: Difference between revisions

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]].

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:

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:

Along with all the bosses from the Wii U version returning, 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.

Unlike the three games prior, {{p4}} 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]].  

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 completly unique battle themes that do not include any element of the sting, specifically the [[Giant Breadbug]] and [[Ancient Sirehound]].

* {{icon|Snowfake Fluttertail|y|v=P4}}