History Main / MonsterArena

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom'': Several parts in the Depths feature dimly lit coliseums that look similar to the one located southwest of Hyrule Field (which was also present in ''Breath of the Wild''). However, each of these features a distinctly-themed assortment of enemies, such as all variants of Horriblin in one or all variants of Moblin in another; and the monsters come at Link in waves. The most difficult coliseum to conquer is the one that is located in the Depths' counterpart of the Hyrule coliseum, as it features all variants of ''Lynel'', making up for a very grueling sequential battle. Defeating all monsters in a coliseum unlocks a chest that guards a unique reward (the one in the Lynels' coliseum is none other than ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldfaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'').

* ''VideoGame/FrontMission1'' had arena sections which could be visited in between missions. The setup was rather simple--pick an opponent, place your bets (with odds updating as you won or lost matches) and bring one of your own [[HumongousMecha wanzers]] straight to the fight. There was no major strategy in terms of positioning--it was just a straight up slugfest, last man standing wins.

* Solomon's trials in ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts: Covenant'' and Lovecraft's pit fights in ''Shadow Hearts: From the New World'' offer some of the best items in the games as prizes.

* The [[TropeNamer aptly named]] Monster Arena in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. In addition to fighting monsters you've captured, you can also have the owner of the Arena create {{Bonus Boss}}es based on area or species, as well as Original Creation bosses that make the storyline endbosses look like utter pansies.

* The Colosseum from ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' had individual challenges (where you took on the enemies with one character) and party matches (with only three members). Most characters' best weapons and armour were earned in the Colosseum, though there they all still each get an InfinityPlusOneSword from the BonusBoss.

* ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' has the Lost Chapter, except that you'll be seeing the RecurringBoss Jeanne ''being constantly thrown in as mini-boss'' (for the record, you probably will fight said mini-boss almost 10 times during the entire run).

** Ratchet's segments in ''VideoGame/SecretAgentClank'',

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'''s ''Citadel'' DLC lets Shepard test his/her mettle at the Armax Aresnal Arena, where s/he can fight alongside holographic companions (including those from previous games like Miranda and Wrex) against waves of various enemies, including [[MirrorMatch themselves]], for prizes.

* Some monsters in the ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' games and expansions are fought in a special Arena battlefield. Typically, the player is encouraged to defeat the monsters as fast as possible to break a record and obtain a rank, and for extra challenge the game gives them a selection of pre-made armor/weapon sets and item supplies, not allowing them to bring their own. However, some postgame quests set in the Arena do allow the player to accept them with their own stuff. The most common Arena stage is a rocky or sandy battlefield in a medieval-styled stadium, but some games also feature special versions: A partially-indoors arena with a moat to fight certain monsters[[note]]Plesioth, Khezu and Shogun Ceanataur[[/note]] in ''[[VideoGame/MonsterHunterFreedom2 Monster Hunter Freedom Unite]]'', an underwater version to fight aquatic monsters in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter3Tri'' and ''3 Ultimate'', a small version in ''Monster Hunter Portable 3rd'' for MiniBoss monsters, a botanic version in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter4'' and ''4 Ultimate'' for monsters that take advantage of the tree nets, and a Special Arena in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld'' and ''Iceborne'' that features unique contraptions (including a Dragonator) to aid the hunter during battle. Many such Arenas return in ''Generations'' as {{Nostalgia Level}}s.

As such an area could be prone to LevelGrinding, some games do not give experience in this place, although you might still earn items, an EvolvingAttack, or a LimitBreak this way. It also regularly houses a game's BonusBoss. Of course, some games include it specifically as a place to level grind.

* ''VideoGame/{{World of Warcraft}}'' has the Argent Coliseum, a PlayerVersusEnvironment dungeon set up like an arena tournament. It houses both a 5-man and a raid instance.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' lets you gamble items in the Dragon's Neck Coliseum. This involves having one of your characters fighting a monster ''while acting randomly''. Have fun.

* Likewise, the UpdatedRerelease and NoExportForYou versions of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2'' have Fiend Arena, where the girls or monsters you can have now in party can compete in various tournaments and unlock more monsters to play with, various accessories and of course [[BonusBoss Bonus Bosses]].

* The Imperial Arena in ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'', it also has the BonusBoss at the end.

* ''VideoGame/TheLastStory'' has a Colosseum where the party can challenge numerous enemies, accessible from Lazulis City. As the game progresses, up to three tournaments can be unlocked, and the third one includes a difficult BonusBoss (hence why it can only be accessed during the PlayableEpilogue).

** The Olympus Colosseum was entirely composed of this in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI''. It wasn't until ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories'' that it became a full-fledged world. ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' adds the Hades Colosseum.

* Some monsters in the ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' games and expansions are fought in a special Arena battlefield. There's also an underwater version to fight aquatic monsters in ''Tri'' and ''3 Ultimate'', a small version in ''Portable 3rd'' for MiniBoss monsters, and a botanic version in ''4'' and ''4 Ultimate'' for monsters that take advantage of the tree nets.

[[caption-width-right:240: [[{{Film/Gladiator}} Are you not entertained?]]]]

Arena, often in the first or second big city visitable, where the party can fight slightly more advanced monsters at their leisure. To make the fights more challenging sometimes [[FakeDifficulty certain parameters]] are added to the battle requirements (beat opponent in X seconds, cannot use special commands, etc.). The game usually forces the player to try their hand at it once. In theory, many games allow you to play as many battles as you want, although some are extremely difficult until much later in the game... unless you have a DiscOneNuke.

* From ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry2'' onwards, a feature known as "Bloody Palace" is included where one can choose to go up different levels of difficulty, facing hordes of common demons with bosses at regular intervals.

** ''Mists of Pandaria'' introduced the Brawler's Guild, a secret arena in your faction's capital city that you can enter only if you have the appropriate item. The Guild allows you to challenge bosses that range from [[WarmupBoss extremely simple]] to [[ThatOneBoss sadistically tough]], getting progressively more difficult, and unlike most of the content in the game, [[DuelBoss you're completely on your own against them.]] You can also spectate other players fighting bosses from a special object, or get a better view in a VIP room. You can even lose all your gold by betting if the player or monster will win.

** ''Mists of Pandaria'' introduced the Brawler's Guild, a secret arena in your faction's capital city that you can enter only if you have the appropriate item. The Guild allows you to challenge bosses that range from [[WarmupBoss extremely simple]] to [[ThatOneBoss sadistically tough]], getting progressively more difficult, and unlike most of the content in the game, [[DuelBoss you're completely on your own against them.]]

* The aptly named Monster Arena in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. In addition to fighting monsters you've captured, you can also have the owner of the Arena create {{Bonus Boss}}es based on area or species, as well as Original Creation bosses that make the storyline endbosses look like utter pansies.

* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' had one of these as its second {{DLC}}.

As such an area could be prone to LevelGrinding, some games do not give experience in the MonsterArena, although you might still earn items, an EvolvingAttack, or a LimitBreak this way. It also regularily houses a game's {{Bonus Boss}}. Of course, some games include it specifically as a place to level grind.

* ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxterTheLostFrontier'' have them. Kinda. They are in fact {{Bar Brawl}}s in a pirate pub.