My fascination with gaming guides began with a Final Fantasy VII guide that revealed an astonishing array of secrets hidden within the RPG. It wasn’t long before I realized how much I was missing whenever I attempted to play RPGs without one. This realization ignited my inner completionist.
As gaming evolved, the Xbox 360 introduced an impressive Achievement system, which Sony later mirrored with its Trophy system on the PS3 and subsequent consoles. This innovation provided gamers with a digital platform to showcase their in-game accomplishments.
Fast forward to the present, and an entire community has emerged around the pursuit of trophies and achievements. For some dedicated gamers, certain titles require immense effort, as evidenced by the 10 rare platinum trophies that only 0.1% of players have managed to obtain.
To uncover these elusive achievements, I utilized PSN Profiles as a reference, selecting games with sizable player bases while ensuring no franchise entries were repeated.
10. Injustice 2
Trophy: World Destroyer
As a fan of Superman, I tentatively delved into Injustice, a series of fighting games I’ve only touched. However, after observing a friend spend almost three years (taking breaks along the way) to earn the platinum trophy in Injustice 2, I opted not to engage with the trophy list myself.
You might guess that the difficulty settings or multiplayer elements contribute to the trophy’s challenge, but the reality is that many trophies hinge on monotonous grinding and chance-based elements. For instance, you must level 20 characters to maximum. Utilizing guides suggests that achieving this for three characters takes around 8 hours, translating to approximately 50 hours for all. Alternatively, players can spend $100 on microtransactions to fast-track their progress.
Additionally, there are trophy challenges involving loot boxes, notably the Catwoman trophy. To unlock it, players need to perform an Epic move called Cat Call from a loot box and then use it to defeat Cheetah. The straightforward execution is marred by the incredibly low odds of pulling Cat Call, complicating the journey to earning the platinum trophy.
9. FIFA 18
Trophy: No.1 Fan
Initially, I was taken aback by the rarity of this platinum trophy. Trophy roadmaps suggest achieving it takes about 40 hours with a medium difficulty rating, which seems manageable for dedicated FIFA players. However, I suspect there are underlying reasons for its scarcity.
Firstly, casual gamers often demonstrate little interest in trophies. Furthermore, with EA releasing a new FIFA title every year (recently rebranded as EA Sports FC), many players shift to the latest installment rather than committing to completing the previous one.
While certain trophies, like advancing to Division 1 in FIFA Ultimate Team or scoring a trick shot goal, may seem accessible, loyal FIFA fans are less likely to pursue them consistently due to their tendency to move on to the newest game.
Additionally, there are trophies linked to the Women’s International Tournament, which may disinterest traditional football fans, further explaining the low completion rates.
8. Killzone Shadow Fall
Trophy: Hero
Requiring between 150 and 200 hours for platinum achievement, Killzone Shadow Fall’s demands are extreme. However, its rarity stems from a more severe limitation: the platinum trophy is currently unobtainable.
Due to the shutdown of Killzone Shadow Fall’s servers in 2022, all online trophies are lost, rendering them inaccessible. Although the game has been available since 2013, providing ample time for completionists, the closure of servers has left many frustrated.
While losing online trophies is disappointing, it’s worth noting that the platinum trophy would still present an authentic challenge without them, involving considerable grinding for maxing upgrades and the task of finishing the campaign without dying.
7. LittleBigPlanet 3
Trophy: 100% Complete
LittleBigPlanet 3 also succumbed to server shutdowns, leading to some unobtainable trophies, including the platinum. I was surprised to learn that the title had been completely removed from PSN, but I believe I still have my digital copy stored away.
Initially, earning the platinum trophy was straightforward, typically achievable within 25 hours of gameplay. However, once Sony ceased server operations, trophies like Curator—requiring merely the creation of a new playlist—have vanished, alongside requiring participation in community adventures. These trophies encapsulated the essence of LittleBigPlanet 3, making their loss more significant.
According to Sony, hackers caused the repeated server breaches leading to the permanent shutdown. Unfortunately, that decision negatively impacted future players aiming to earn the platinum trophy.
6. Mortal Kombat X
Trophy: Konquer All Trophies
Noticing a recurring theme among PSN’s rarest platinum trophies? Yes, online trophies! Mortal Kombat X, despite still having online functionality, has dwindled in player activity since its 2015 launch, especially after several sequels have been released.
At present, Mortal Kombat X shows a mere 360 active players on SteamDB, a stark comparison to the nearly 1, 000 players engaging with Mortal Kombat 1.
To obtain multiplayer trophies in Mortal Kombat X, boosting—where players coordinate to achieve trophies together—is often the most practical approach. Although this method can be viewed as a grey area, it frequently serves as a necessary solution.
Even after securing a boosting partner and accumulating the required 1, 000 Respect Points, players must still grind to achieve personal level 65 and level 50 in all factions, underscoring the challenges inherent in this title.
5. Overwatch 2
Trophy: Overwatch Platinum Trophy
The platinum trophy in Overwatch 2, despite its unremarkable title, demands exceptional skill and teamwork. Unlike single-player titles, all Overwatch 2 trophies hinge on multiplayer performance, requiring not just individual skill but also synchronization with teammates.
Several trophies impose rigorous conditions. For instance, achieving four kills or assists within six seconds using Zenyatta’s Orb of Discord may seem simple—yet relies heavily on the corresponding positioning of opponents and collaboration with your team.
This pattern appears throughout Overwatch 2’s trophy list, where objectives often depend on external factors beyond a player’s control, fostering the complexity that leads to rarer platinum trophies, even among large player bases.
4. Fall Guys
Trophy: Ultimate Fall Guy
The rarity of the platinum trophy in Fall Guys can be attributed to a significant divide between casual players who may only have sampled the game during its initial surge of popularity and dedicated players who persevered to earn every trophy.
This trophy is undoubtedly challenging, with many guides rating its difficulty at 9 or even 10 out of 10. Players must not only engage consistently but excel to secure victories. The toughest trophy, Infallible, requires winning five consecutive episodes, a daunting task that will test even the most skilled contenders.
While aspiring for this monumental goal, players will likely complete other associated trophies, including reaching level 40 in a season or equipping legendary items. Earning this platinum demands both strategic gameplay and a touch of luck.
3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Trophy: We are RTB
Although the platinum trophy for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II isn’t as challenging or time-consuming as others on this list, its prominence as one of the rarest, with only 0.1% of players having earned it, struck me as noteworthy.
According to trophy guides, achieving the platinum requires around 15 hours of gameplay, rated at a 6 out of 10 in difficulty—a relatively accessible goal in comparison. Nevertheless, many players buy Call of Duty for the competitive multiplayer experience, overlooking the single-player campaign, where most of the trophies are located. This discrepancy in player focus may contribute to the rarity of the platinum trophy.
2. Red Dead Redemption II
Trophy: Legend of the West
A friend of mine once earned the platinum trophy in Red Dead Redemption II and received a round of applause online; it felt like an epic achievement. Indeed, the game is widely regarded as a masterpiece, inviting players to meander through its captivating open world naturally. However, the strict roadmap for trophy completion, which includes tasks like skinning every animal and enduring 18 bear attacks, can detract from the immersive experience.
Earning a trophy may lead players to replay story missions excessively for a Gold Medal, with a total of 70 required for completion, which can tarnish that initial enjoyment. Ultimately, the platinum trophy’s rarity arises not merely from the extensive gameplay needed—exceeding 200 hours and some online elements—but also because many players treasure the narrative and leisurely exploration over rigid trophy hunting.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
Trophy: Los Santos Legend
Rockstar’s approach to platinum trophies is notoriously challenging. As one of the best-selling video games of all time, the percentage of players who have achieved platinum in GTA V is naturally diminutive.
However, beyond the sheer player numbers, the platinum trophy’s rarity stems from its grueling requirements. Garnering the trophy demands over 150 hours of playtime, with upwards of 100 hours spent in multiplayer mode, necessitating a sustained PlayStation Plus subscription.
Even in single-player mode, which “only”requires 50 hours, players face the risk of missing trophies due to decisions made during gameplay, leading to frustrating scenarios where one must restart from the beginning to claim the sought-after trophies. To avoid this fate, creating a second save file is crucial, yet remains dependent on player awareness.
The last trophy to be unlocked, Solid Gold, Baby!, requires acquiring 70 Gold Medals across various missions and challenges. Notably, the multiplayer aspect tends to rely on teamwork with other players, but the Gold Medals make up for the platinum’s rarity by demanding significant individual skill. Ultimately, patience and perseverance are required for players who aim to conquer Los Santos and achieve this coveted platinum trophy.
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