A mini-boss is a special kind of enemy in the Legend of Zelda series that is neither a regular enemy nor a boss. They generally make up the second hardest battle in a dungeon, second only to the boss. Sometimes a dungeon will have no mini-boss at all. Also, on rare occasions, a dungeon may have more than one mini-boss. Most games have a consistent number of mini-bosses per dungeon. Mini-bosses do not appear in just dungeons, however. They also serve as the head of mini-dungeons and in some difficult out-of-dungeon battles. Because many enemies are not confirmed to be mini-bosses, the definition of the term is a commonly disputed aspect of the series. Link usually must beat a mini-boss to get that dungeon's special item. Sometimes, larger enemies may serve as a mini-boss, such as Darknuts, Stalfos and Lizalfos. While uncommon, some bosses are battled for a second time as mini-bosses.
The Legend of Zelda[]
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening[]
- Rolling Bones
- King Moblin
- Hinox
- Dodongo Snakes
- Lanmola
- Cueball
- Master Stalfos
- Gohmas
- Armos Knight
- Smasher
- Grim Creeper
- Head of the Turtle
- Blaino
- Fire Cephalopod
- Giant Buzzblob
- Stone Hinox
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[]
- Deku Scrub Brothers
- Lizalfos
- Bigocto
- Stalfos
- Poe Sisters
- Flare Dancer
- White Wolfos
- Dark Link
- Dead Hand
- Iron Knuckle
- Nabooru
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask[]
- Gekko and Snapper
- Dinolfos
- Wizzrobe
- Wart
- Gekko and Mad Jelly
- Captain Keeta
- Igos' Servants
- Igos du Ikana
- Garo Master
- Gomess
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages[]
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons[]
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[]
- Bokoblin
- Green
- Blue
- Moblin
- Mothula
- Darknut
- Phantom Ganon
- Stalfos
- Red Wizzrobe
- Gohma
- Kalle Demos
- Jalhalla
- Molgera
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures[]
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap[]
- Madderpillar
- Spiny ChuChus
- Darknut
- Red Darknut
- Black Knight
- Big Blue ChuChu
- Wizzrobes
- Ball and Chain Soldier
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[]
- Ook
- King Bulblin
- Dangoro
- Shadow Kargaroc
- Twilit Bloat
- Deku Toad
- Death Sword
- Darkhammer
- Skull Kid
- Darknut
- Aeralfos
- Phantom Zant
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass[]
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks[]
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[]
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds[]
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes[]
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild[]
- Hinox
- Molduga
- Talus
- Frost Talus
- Igneo Talus
- Igneo Talus Titan ("Champions' Ballad" DLC)
- Stone Talus