After sealing the Keyhole at Hollow Bastion, a mysterious battle appears in Phil's list of options. This battle is called the Platinum Match, and you must go one on one with the toughest Boss in the game to win.

Sephiroth is very difficult. You need to complete the Hercules Cup or lock the Hollow Bastion Keyhole. He is very fast and does a lot of damage. When you hit him, it appears that you are doing no damage, but you are. You need to hit him about twenty times to get his life bar to start moving, then he will do a finishing move where he disappears. He will appear behind and probably kill you. Being at a very high level (about 85) and having the Ultima Weapon is recommended.

When you start talking life, he will do Heartless Angel, which lowers your health to 1 and MP to 0. After his life goes down a bar or two, he will run at you and do a deadly combo. Try to stay away -- gliding will not help. When he has one bar remaining, he will glow blue and make blue orbs appear around you. He will then make a group of large blue rocks appear. They will move around the battle field in a circle, then cast Meteor. If you are lucky and remain alive after this, continue attacking him. He will do it again. When he is almost dead, he will run around and not stop, becoming very difficult to hit. Hit him a few times to winthe battle. You will get about 60,000 experience points.

The Ultima Weapon or the Oblivion (found in Hallow Bastion just on the upper level behind you after you defeat Ansem/Riku) and being at level 80 to 85 is recommended. Study his moves and attack pattern. He usually five slashes then casts Halo (three huge fire pillars). Strike him after he casts Halo, or strike him when he jumps at you and attempts a slice attack. After giving him four slashes, he fades away and appears behind you, doing a surprise slice. However, this does not happen very fast and gives you about five seconds to jump away. The "invisible" life gauge he has will wear off and he will begin to lose health. Keep repeating this until the orange appears. He will fade away and start to taunt you. He will run at you but will fade again. Use the lock function on him as soon as he fades. You will lock on him, and when you have him on sight, speed glide or run at him then slice at him to interrupt Sin Harvest move. This move is similar to Heartless Angel, but it takes away your MP as well. If you are too slow, have some Hi Potions or Elixirs ready. In his second stage, you will have be quick and use the lock on continuously. Once he fades, you will have to lock on again. Dodge all his slices, especially his special. Whenever you get hit, keep casting Curaga on yourself. Repeat the same strategy until his life gauge is yellow and green. He will call out meteors. Try to dodge them. They will thump down and spin for a bit before exploding. He will throw a huge energy ball at you which takes off quite a bit of health. Cast Curaga on yourself to help. He will turn blue, be stronger, and slash repeatedly. Having MP Rage and MP Haste will help. Slice at him when you have the chance to defeat him.