Sub-Boss

A mini-boss is generally one particular enemy or a group of common enemies which are harder to defeat. They usually protect an item within a dungeon or other locations such as equipment or must be defeated for Link to proceed within a dungeon. An example would be the Stalfos in Ocarina of Time which one guards a small key, while another set guards the dungeon treasure, the Fairy Bow.

A common characteristic for distinguishes a mini-boss from a regular enemy is a particular battle theme played during the encounter, which is different from the usual enemy theme. Other important aspects include:


 * They may have appeared previously as main bosses.
 * They may return later as common enemies, likely because Link will have new tools and weapons to defeat them more easily.
 * They may come in groups, as in the case of common enemies.
 * If they are in a dungeon, they need to be fought to complete it.
 * If they are in a room, it is locked until they are defeated.
 * They need to be defeated to access, obtain or unlock something.
 * They may be optional and so don't need to be fought to complete the main game.

The Legend of Zelda

 * Almost every boss is eventually fought again as minibosses, as they no longer guard Heart Containers or Triforce fragments in their later appearances.
 * Blue Gohma
 * Patra

The Adventure of Link

 * The Iron Knuckle boss also known as Rebonack returns as a mini-boss in the Three-Eye Rock Palace.
 * Horsehead appears a second time as a mini-boss in the Palace on the Sea but only in the Japanese version of the game.

A Link to the Past

 * Ball & Chain Trooper
 * The first three bosses of the game (Armos Statues, Lanmolas and Moldorm) return in Ganon's Tower as mini-bosses.
 * In the Palace of the Four Sword (exclusive to the Game Boy Advance version), the first four bosses from the Dark World dungeons (Helmasaur King, Arrghus, Mothula and Blind the Thief) return as stronger mini-bosses.

Link's Awakening

 * Rolling Bones
 * Hinox
 * Dodongo Snakes
 * Cue Ball
 * Master Stalfos
 * Gohma
 * Smasher
 * Grim Creeper
 * Blaino

Ocarina of Time

 * Deku Scrub Trio
 * Lizalfos
 * Big Octo
 * Stalfos
 * Poe Sisters
 * Flare Dancer
 * White Wolfos
 * Dark Link
 * Dead Hand
 * Iron Knuckle
 * Dinolfos

Majora's Mask

 * Dinofols
 * Gekko (who fights Link along with a Snapper in Woodfall Temple, and along with samples of Mad Jelly in Great Bay Temple).
 * Wizzrobe (icy variation in Snowhead Temple, fiery variation in Ancient Castle of Ikana).
 * Gerudo Pirate
 * Wart
 * Captain Keeta
 * Iron Knuckle
 * Big Poe
 * Igos du Ikana Servants
 * King Igos du Ikana
 * Garo Master
 * Gomess
 * Poe Sisters

Oracle of Ages

 * Giant Ghini
 * Swoop
 * Subterror
 * Armos Warrior
 * Smasher
 * Vire
 * Angler Fish
 * Blue Stalfos

Oracle of Seasons

 * Brother Goriyas
 * Facade
 * Omuai
 * Agunima
 * Syger
 * Vire
 * Poe Sisters
 * Frypolar

The Wind Waker

 * Bokoblin
 * Moblins
 * Mothula
 * Phantom Ganon
 * Darknut
 * Stalfos
 * Wizzrobe
 * Mighty Darknut
 * Cyclos
 * Big Octo

Four Sword Adventures

 * Chief Soldier
 * Shadow Link
 * Manhandla
 * Helmaroc King
 * Big Dark Stalfos
 * Phantom Ganon
 * Mace Knights
 * Big Dodongo

The Minish Cap

 * Madderpillar
 * Spiny ChuChu
 * Darknut
 * Big Blue Chuchu
 * Red Darknut
 * Black Knight

Twilight Princess

 * Ook (and Baba Serpents)
 * Dangoro
 * Shadow Kargaroc Rider
 * Twilit Bloat
 * Deku Toad (and Toados)
 * Skull Kid (and Puppets)
 * Death Sword
 * Darkhammer
 * Darknut
 * Aeralfos
 * Phantom Zant
 * King Bulblin

Phantom Hourglass

 * Giant Eye Plant
 * Massive Eye
 * Jolene
 * Phantom x9

Spirit Tracks

 * Mothula
 * Rocktite
 * Geozard Chief
 * Big Blin
 * Snapper
 * Heatoise
 * Stalfos Warrior
 * Dark Link

Skyward Sword

 * Stalfos
 * Lizalfos
 * Stalmaster
 * Moldarach (second fight)
 * Scervo
 * Magmanos
 * Dark Lizalfos
 * Moldorm
 * Metal Shield Moblin
 * Dreadfuse