Metroid is not just a nostalgic video game series, but a franchise that changed the industry. Before, games were usually thought of as mindless entertainment. However, when the first Metroid entered the stage in 1986, everything changed. By giving audiences the feeling that they’re alone, Metroid challenged players to fight against forces within the dark depths of the galaxy.

For a series that’s been ongoing for decades, the various bosses keep the games endlessly exciting. These mighty foes range from being a piece of cake to impossible to conquer. Through this, the franchise has gained a reputation for its notoriously hard bosses. If you’re feeling brave, here are the hardest bosses in the entire Metroid series that will certainly test your skills.

10 SA-X (Metroid Fusion)

Parasite Mimicking Samus Aran

What Makes SA-X Difficult?

• It fires constant and random devastating attacks that fly around the room.
• After its first phase, SA-X transforms into a powerful monster and attempts to stomp on you.
• With its unpredictable movements, it’s hard to get through this fight quickly.

As the main antagonist of Metroid Fusion, SA-X is a terrifying parasite that mimics Samus. Infecting themselves into her Power Suit after fighting Hornoad, the parasite seemingly transformed into a copy of Samus and now wears the iconic Varia suit.

In the beginning, SA-X’s fight isn’t all that difficult. Firing only ice beams and screw attacks, it can be a piece of cake. Once you hurt them enough, they will suddenly fall to their knees. However, you’re not safe yet, as it transforms into a terrifying and towering monster that could eat you whole in a second. But, despite its devastating attacks, you could easily take SA-X down if you memorize their movements. Which, in turn, makes them admittedly the weakest challenging boss in the series.

9 Ridley (Super Metroid)

Dragon-Like Supervillian

What Makes Ridley Difficult?

• His movements are constantly unpredictable.
• He deals a significant amount of damage once he hits you.
• You’ll have to focus on agility and shooting quickly to deal significant damage to him.

It takes an impressive level of agility to get through this fight without taking any devastating damage. Ridley is an exhilarating boss in the Metroid series, and his battle in Super Metroid is no different. At the heart of this fight, there isn’t a strategy that you can depend on to make it out alive.

Firing constant missiles at Ridley is the best way to take him down. While this might sound easy, his unpredictable movements make it far from easy. Ranging from being able to pick you up in one fell swoop or stomp at you randomly, it’s hard to tell what could come next. But luckily, this fight is less demanding because of his fragile moments. Taking damage from just about anything, you can kill Ridley quite swiftly.

8 Quadraxis (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)

Powerful, Spidery Guardian

What Makes Quadraxis Difficult?

• His towering form makes it hard to figure out how to deal damage to him at first.
• You’ll have to think extra strategically during this fight.
• Quadraxis’ charging attack deals a devastating amount of damage if you don’t keep an eye out.

Quadraxis is one of the best bosses you’ll encounter in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. His boss fight is a wonderful gateway to letting you learn your skills and weapons, yet it’s still a rather difficult learning curve. Besides having a heart-pumping soundtrack playing during the battle, Quadraxis’ eerie look alone is enough to make you frightened.

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This boss stands out among the rest in the series. It’s a hair-pulling fight, but it’s not unfair at the same time. His multiple phases are well-designed, forcing you to think about how you could fight him strategically. In the end, the easy ability to find the weakness in his legs is what earns him a bit of a lower spot.

7 Phantoon (Super Metroid)

Ghostly Entity Who Feeds Off Raw Energy

What Makes Phantoon Difficult?

• You’re only able to deal damage to him when his eye is open.
• His fire attacks are vast and devastating to the point where you have to rely on quickly dodging them to avoid being hit.
• You have to keep a close eye on this fight, as your chance to dealing a mighty blow could be gone in a second.

Immune to just about any attack, killing Phantoon won’t be a walk in the park. Facing him in his grotesque form is intimidating enough, let alone how quick you’ll have to be on your feet during this fight. He’ll cast a long line of blue flames toward you, as well as somehow materializing more flames out of thin air.

Although it’s nearly impossible to strike a blow to him, you’re sure to find a way to kill him. Striking Phantoon in his eye while it’s open is the key to coming out of this fight victorious. However, it’s important to note that if you end up hitting him with a super missile, he’ll become angry and close his eye while rapidly firing attacks left and right.

6 Diggernaut (Metroid: Samus Returns)

Ancient Mining Robot

What Makes Diggernaut Difficult?

• It’s made unclear how to go about this fight at first, leading you to wonder how you can take him down.
• He attacks with huge drills and Plasma Beams that are hard to dodge.
• It’s easy to miss your chance to take him down and deal significant damage.

If you don’t pay attention to the minimal space you have to move during this fight, then you’re likely to lose the fight. Diggernaut stands tall in his shining metal glory, attempting to take you down no matter the cost. His fight is truly one of trial and error as the game strays far away from holding your hand, throwing you into the battle with barely any guidance.

Many find Diggernaut’s fight difficult because it’s hard to figure out what to do at first amidst his Plasma Beams and powerful drills. It will take time and patience to overcome this fight. However, if you’re quick on your feet, Diggernaut could become dust in minutes.

5 Mother Brain (Metroid: Zero Mission)

An Ambitious A.I. Who Threatens Galactic Society

What Makes Mother Brain Difficult?

• The limited standing space makes it hard to dodge her attacks without damaging yourself in the process.
• Damaging rings and fire follow you around the small area, constantly hurting you.
• Her attacks quickly catch you off-guard, making it hard to dodge both her and the fire around you.

Serving as the main antagonist in various Metroid games, Mother Brain’s boss fight in Metroid: Zero Mission is considerably a difficult feat through it being her hardest and scariest one yet. In the original Metroid, this fight would’ve marked the true end of the game. However, Mother Brain is just the beginning of what we’ll endure later on.

Once you reach her boss room, you’ll be instantly trapped and forced to break her brain free from its glass prison. Once shattered, Mother Brain will awaken and the treacherous fight will begin. In Super Metroid, her iconic fight wasn’t as difficult. But, when it comes to Zero Mission, the limited standing space and her constant airborne attacks are enough to swiftly kill you and frustrate you beyond belief.

4 Yakuza (Metroid Fusion)

Lurking Spider-like Creature

What Makes Yakuza Difficult?

• His quick movements are hard to read at first.
• He has a grabbing attack that’s nearly impossible to get out of and takes almost all of your energy.
• Yakuza gets vastly more aggressive the closer he is to dying.

Also known as Spider Boss, Yakuza is a quick towering spider-like creature. Dealing damage to him isn’t frustratingly hard, but how he retaliates is what makes this fight noticeably unforgiving. Unless you roll up into a ball and hide in the corner, he’s sure to grab onto you and steal the majority of your energy.

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His grip is hard to break out of, and his attacks only get more aggressive the closer he is to dying. His movements also feel hard to understand to the point where it could feel safe to move, yet he’s ready to take you down in an instant. Not to mention how far away the nearest save point is from him, gruelingly reminding us that this fight is up there for how much it puts players at a disadvantage.

3 Nightmare (Metroid Fusion)

Ruthless Biomechanical Lifeform

What Makes Nightmare Difficult?

• He has three linear phases that flow very seamlessly together, making it hard to prepare for the next phase.
• There are moments where there’s barely any breathing room to move around and attack.
• Nightmare can easily block your attacks.

Nightmare is a notorious Metroid Fusion boss. Not only is he the most aesthetically spooky boss in the game, but his fight is completely tormenting. His three distinct phases seamlessly weave into one another, leading us with no warning and feeling quickly unprepared. Although he isn’t the hardest boss in the series, his spot on the list comes from it being nearly impossible to forget his ruthless battle.

Getting by in this boss fight could be a bit of a headache. No matter how well-prepared your equipment might be for the fight, there’ll always be one element about it that deters you from landing a powerful blow. On the other hand, if you learn how to manipulate his movements, you can work against him. That is, as long as you don’t panic when being face-to-face with him.

2 Boost Guardian (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)

Intelligent Creature Mutated From Samus’ Boost Ball

What Makes Boost Guardian Difficult?

• You end up with few energy tanks at the start, leaving you with little ability to heal.
• His attacks and movements are erratic, making it hard to land a hit.
• There is a lack of safe zones, which leads to you being incredibly vulnerable to his attacks.

Regarded as the hardest boss in Metroid Prime 2, Boost Guardian is a mutated version of Samus’ Boost Ball. With several different attacks, Boost Guardian poses a huge threat. On top of this, the only available space for cover is four pillars that he later demolishes. And it’s merely from this alone that Boost Guardian’s difficulty is forever cemented in players’ minds.

You’ll also always end up with very few energy tanks at the start of the battle. This makes the fight nearly impossible through the constant damage being done to you due to the lack of safe zones. When he’s rolled into a ball, he is invulnerable to all attacks. One way to break him free is with a bomb, but his erratic movements lead to it being an almost impossible feat to accomplish.

1 Raven Beak (Metroid Dread)

Mighty Chozo Leader Of The Mawkin Tribe

What Makes Raven Beak Difficult?

• It’s hard to make heads or tails of his erratic movements.
• One false move could lead to you losing the fight quickly.
• His aerial attacks and arm cannon are incredibly hard to dodge.

And the winner for hardest boss in the Metroid franchise goes to the one that’s seemingly impossible to beat: Raven Beak. His fight is the grand finale of Metroid Dread, holding a powerful force within his movements that lead to hard-hitting attacks covering the entire area.

Unlike a few other difficult bosses in the franchise, understanding Raven Beak’s attacks is grueling to master. From starting the fight off on foot, he will transform into performing devastating aerial attacks that could kill you instantly. No matter how much you’ll have to grind, you will get the hang of Raven Beak’s fight soon enough. However, be wary, as just one small mistake could lead to your untimely death in seconds.

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