Secret characters in video games have long captivated players, offering a thrilling blend of mystery, challenge, and reward. These hidden gems—often powerful, unique, or just plain bizarre—require players to go above and beyond, completing intricate tasks, mastering difficult challenges, or uncovering obscure secrets. From fighting games to RPGs, the journey to unlock these characters can be as memorable as the characters themselves. In this article, we explore the 10 hardest secret characters to unlock in video games, diving into the grueling steps required and why they stand out as some of the most elusive figures in gaming history.

Whether you’re a completionist hunting for every unlockable or a casual gamer curious about the extremes of video game challenges, this list will take you through the most demanding secret character unlocks ever created. Let’s uncover the hidden heroes, villains, and oddities that have tested players’ skills, patience, and perseverance.

The List: 10 Hardest Secret Characters to Unlock

Below are the 10 most challenging secret characters to unlock, ranked from the most grueling to the still-formidable. Each entry includes the game, the character’s significance, the steps required to unlock them, and why the process is so notoriously difficult.

1. The Forgotten from The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

The Forgotten from The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
  • Game: The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (2014)
  • Character Description: The Forgotten is a skeletal version of Isaac, wielding a bone club and offering a unique playstyle with the ability to switch between melee and ranged forms.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Defeat the first boss in under a minute to receive a broken shovel.
    2. Survive Mom’s stomps by using the shovel to stop her attacks.
    3. Complete a boss rush to repair the shovel.
    4. Survive waves of enemies until reaching the Dark Room.
    5. Dig up the Forgotten’s remains in the Dark Room.
  • Why It’s Difficult: This unlock is a gauntlet of precision, survival, and endurance. Each step builds on the last, and failure at any point means starting over. The time constraints, relentless enemy waves, and need for flawless execution make The Forgotten one of the most punishing secret characters to obtain.

2. Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy Tactics

Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy Tactics
  • Game: Final Fantasy Tactics (1997)
  • Character Description: Cloud Strife, the iconic protagonist from Final Fantasy VII, makes a guest appearance, bringing his unique skills to the tactical RPG battlefield.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Keep Mustadio in your party and complete Chapter 4.
    2. Return to Mustadio’s hometown and aid his father in completing a portal device.
    3. Complete a lengthy side quest that includes recruiting other party members and defeating a secret boss.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The side quest is extensive and requires careful progression through the game’s story. Missing any step or failing to recruit necessary characters can lock you out of obtaining Cloud. The secret boss fight is also notoriously tough, demanding strategic mastery.

3. Nordom from Planescape: Torment

Nordom from Planescape: Torment
  • Game: Planescape: Torment (1999)
  • Character Description: Nordom is a Modron, a mechanical being from another plane, who adds a unique perspective and combat abilities to your party.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Purchase a seemingly ordinary cube from the Curiosity Shop.
    2. Speak to specific NPCs to learn about the cube’s true nature.
    3. Solve the cube’s puzzle to teleport to a maze.
    4. Navigate the maze, filled with strong enemies and shifting parts, to find Nordom.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The maze is one of the game’s most challenging levels, and the steps to access it are obscure. Without prior knowledge or meticulous exploration, players are unlikely to stumble upon Nordom.

4. Skelly from Chrono Cross

Skelly from Chrono Cross
  • Game: Chrono Cross (1999)
  • Character Description: Skelly is a skeletal clown who, once reassembled, becomes a valuable party member with unique abilities.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Collect specific items scattered across different locations and playthroughs.
    2. Complete tasks that require multiple playthroughs to access all necessary areas.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The need for multiple playthroughs makes unlocking Skelly time-consuming and complex. The items are well-hidden, and the process demands meticulous planning and exploration.

5. Reiji Kido from Revelations: Persona

Reiji Kido from Revelations: Persona
  • Game: Revelations: Persona (1996)
  • Character Description: Reiji Kido is a powerful ally with a compelling backstory, adding depth to the game’s narrative.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Make specific choices throughout the game.
    2. Complete the game multiple times to access different story paths.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The choices required are not obvious, and the need for multiple completions can be tedious. Players must carefully manage their decisions to unlock Reiji.

6. Zero from Bayonetta

Zero from Bayonetta
  • Game: Bayonetta (2009)
  • Character Description: Zero is a mysterious and powerful character, offering a fresh perspective on the game’s combat.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Complete the game on the hardest difficulty setting.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The hardest difficulty in Bayonetta is notoriously challenging, requiring mastery of the game’s mechanics and reflexes. Only the most skilled players can achieve this feat.

7. The Crystalmen from FTL: Faster Than Light

The Crystalmen from FTL: Faster Than Light
  • Game: FTL: Faster Than Light (2012)
  • Character Description: The Crystalmen are a unique race with special abilities, offering strategic advantages in the game’s roguelike gameplay.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Encounter a series of random events.
    2. Make specific choices during these events to access the hidden Crystal sector.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The reliance on random events means that unlocking the Crystalmen is partly based on luck. Players may need multiple playthroughs to encounter the necessary events.

8. Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy VII

Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy VII
  • Game: Final Fantasy VII (1997)
  • Character Description: Vincent is a brooding, optional party member with a dark past and powerful abilities.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Solve a puzzle to access a safe in Shinra Manor.
    2. Defeat the secret boss, Lost Number.
    3. Make specific dialogue choices to recruit Vincent.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The puzzle and dialogue choices are easy to miss, and the boss fight is challenging. Players must be thorough in their exploration and careful in their interactions.

9. Mewtwo from Super Smash Bros. Melee

Mewtwo from Super Smash Bros. Melee
  • Game: Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)
  • Character Description: Mewtwo is a powerful Pokémon character, adding a unique moveset to the roster.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Play for 20 hours or complete 700 versus matches.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The time investment is significant, requiring either extensive playtime or a large number of matches. This can be a grind for players eager to access Mewtwo.

10. Akuma from Street Fighter II

Akuma from Street Fighter II
  • Game: Street Fighter II (1991)
  • Character Description: Akuma is a formidable fighter with a moveset that challenges even the most skilled players.
  • How to Unlock:
    1. Perform a series of complex inputs and meet specific conditions during gameplay.
  • Why It’s Difficult: The inputs are intricate and must be executed precisely, often under pressure. This makes unlocking Akuma a test of both knowledge and skill.

Why These Unlocks Are So Challenging

The hardest secret characters to unlock share common traits that elevate their difficulty:

  • Multi-Step Processes: Characters like The Forgotten and Cloud Strife require a series of interconnected tasks with no margin for error.
  • Obscure Requirements: Unlocks such as Nordom and Skelly demand players solve puzzles or find hidden items without clear hints.
  • Skill-Based Challenges: Zero and Akuma test players’ mastery of game mechanics or precise execution.
  • Time and Repetition: Mewtwo and Reiji Kido require significant time investments or multiple playthroughs.

These elements combine to create experiences that are as frustrating as they are rewarding.

Conclusion: The Joy of the Journey

Unlocking secret characters in video games is more than just a test of skill—it’s a journey that rewards persistence, exploration, and sometimes a bit of luck. The characters on this list represent some of the most challenging and satisfying secrets in gaming history. From the convoluted steps to unearth The Forgotten in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth to the sheer difficulty of mastering Bayonetta on its hardest setting for Zero, these unlocks push players to their limits. For those who succeed, the satisfaction of adding these elusive figures to their roster is unmatched. As gaming evolves, the thrill of discovering and unlocking secret characters remains a timeless joy, proving that the greatest rewards often lie just beyond the next challenge.