Zelda Central

Games

  • Ocarina of Time Remake
Other games

Ganondorf’s Return Walkthrough

Hyrule Warriors 100% Completion Walkthrough32 chapters
  • The Sorceress of the WoodsDefend Faron Woods, save the Deku Tree, defeat Gohma and unlock Lana.
  • The Girl in the Green TunicFaron Woods, Skull Kid, Cucco Chicks, Gold Skulltulas and heart items.
  • The Dragon of the CavesFind the ancient ring, take Volga’s keeps, beat two King Dodongos, and collect both Gold Skulltulas.
  • Darkness FallsValley of Seers, Gohma, Manhandla, Wizzro, Ganondorf and both Gold Skulltulas.
  • A New DisturbanceWin the Forsaken Fortress, get the Hammer, beat Gohma and Boss Blin, and find every collectible.
  • Watchers of the TriforceCapture the Sage Keeps, beat Gohma, Manhandla and Phantom Ganon, get every item.
  • The Armies of RuinCapture keeps, get the bombs, defeat King Dodongo and find every collectible.
  • The Sheikah TribesmanCross the Eldin Caves, escort the Bombchus, beat Wizzro and collect every heart.
  • The Sorceress of the ValleyKeeps, Boomerang, Manhandla, both Gold Skulltulas and the heart pieces.
  • Land in the SkyPumpkin Soup, Ghirahim, Volga, both Gold Skulltulas, heart pieces and Fi’s unlock.
  • Sealed AmbitionTurncoat Leader, The Imprisoned, Ghirahim, both Gold Skulltulas and heart pieces.
  • Land of MythDeath Mountain keeps, Darunia, both Gold Skulltulas, Heart Container and Piece of Heart.
  • The Water TempleLake Hylia, Ruto, King Dodongo, the false Zelda, Gold Skulltulas and heart items.
  • Land of TwilightLana in Twilight Field, Agitha, Midna, Gold Skulltulas, Heart Container, Piece of Heart.
  • The Shadow KingPalace of Twilight keeps, Magic Circles, Argorok and Zant, plus every collectible.
  • The Sacred SwordAwaken the Sealed Statues, expose Wizzro, pull the Master Sword and find all collectibles.
  • A War of SpiritCapture six Magic Keeps, survive the Dark Links, beat Ganondorf and find every collectible.
  • Shining BeaconCapture the Sanctums, time the Great Fairy, beat Volga and Cia, and find every collectible.
  • Ganondorf’s ReturnConquer the Gerudo Desert, beat King Dodongo, Gohma and Manhandla, and get every collectible.
  • March of the Demon KingFree Zant and Ghirahim, beat Impa’s clones and Lana, and find every collectible.
  • Battle of the TriforcePlay Ganondorf at Hyrule Field, stop Impa, beat Link and Zelda, and find every collectible.
  • Enduring ResolveHunt down Ghirahim and Zant in Gerudo Desert, save Lana from the heat, and find every collectible.
  • Liberation of the TriforceBeat both Argoroks, Ganondorf and Ganon with the Light Arrows, plus every collectible.
  • The Invasion BeginsOpen the gates, stop the Goron Captains, beat Lana, Impa and Zelda, and find every collectible.
  • The Usurper KingBeat Midna, Argorok, Agitha and Zant, and find the Heart Container, Piece of Heart and Skulltulas.
  • The Demon LordSkyloft keeps, Ghirahim, The Imprisoned, Fi and both Gold Skulltulas.
  • Powers CollideOpen the Water Temple, escort Darunia, beat Volga, plus both Gold Skulltulas and hearts.
  • The Demon Lord’s PlanStop the Imprisoned ritual, beat Ghirahim, and find both Gold Skulltulas and hearts.
  • Her True SelfPalace of Twilight keeps, Dark Zant, Dark Twili Midna, plus Gold Skulltulas and hearts.
  • The Other HeroRescue the Hylian Captains as Linkle, defend Hyrule Castle, and find both Gold Skulltulas, the Heart and Piece.
  • The Search for CiaPlay Lana in the Gerudo Desert, find Tetra, beat the Helmaroc King and collect every Skulltula and heart.
  • Reclaiming the DarknessBeat Dark Cia in the Temple of Souls and find both Gold Skulltulas and the hearts.
StoryGanondorf Ganondorf
StageGerudo Desert
WarriorsGanondorf Ganondorf only
BossKing Dodongo King Dodongo, Gohma Gohma and Manhandla Manhandla; the Lizalfos Lizalfos and Aeralfos Aeralfos leaders as officers
Heart ContainerGanondorf Ganondorf
Piece of HeartGanondorf Ganondorf
Gold Skulltulas2 (one on any difficulty, one on Hard or Hero after you clear the original scenarios)
UnlocksMarch of the Demon King

Ganondorf’s Return is the first scenario of the Ganondorf story, and you play as him in the Gerudo Desert. You win by capturing the desert keeps, freeing the imprisoned monsters, and defeating the three giant bosses: King Dodongo, Gohma and Manhandla. It opens March of the Demon King.

Before you start

Ganondorf is the only warrior here, so bring him well levelled with the best weapon you have, such as a strong Great Sword. Giant bosses have weak points, so a weapon with a strong special attack helps. Keep healing items on hand and check the command map often to see which keeps are open.

Western village keeps

Start by conquering the keeps in the west village. Along the way you pass prison cells holding Darknuts and Stalchildren. Free them and they fight on your side. Later, around the northern settlement, a mission appears to defeat all the Prison Guards, so clear them to release more prisoners. Zant and Ghirahim fight at your side throughout.

Central oasis keeps

The settlement gates are shut at first. Capture the South Settlement and Rockface Keeps and the gates open, drawing the settlement’s troops out. Push in and ravage the settlement. A side mission asks you to capture the Clifftop Keep; do it, since a chest holding the Piece of Heart waits at that keep.

Northeast keeps and King Dodongo

Next, take the northeast keeps, where the Lizalfos and Aeralfos leaders defend the ground. Once the monster troops rally, the objective turns to the Aeralfos at the Arbiter’s Keep, so deal with that keep first (see below). Then the monsters summon King Dodongo onto the field, and when the game tells you to gather near King Dodongo, lead your troops to him.

King Dodongo

King Dodongo boss fight

King Dodongo is a huge fire-breathing dinosaur. Keep away from his attacks, and when a weak-point message appears, hit him with your strongest combos to deplete his gauge. Finish him with a special attack. Keep fighting as the other two giants arrive.

Arbiter’s Keep

Head to the Arbiter’s Keep in the north. Your objective reads “Defeat the Aeralfos at the Sacred Grounds!” The keep closes behind you and the commanding Aeralfos sends its monsters at you. The keep opens again (“The Arbiter’s Keep is open!”) while you fight, and you then defeat the Aeralfos.

Message reads that Manhandla has appeared while King Dodongo is still on the field

Gohma and Manhandla boss fight

Gohma and Manhandla are summoned in the central desert while King Dodongo is still on the field, and the victory condition becomes “Defeat all the Giant Bosses!” Take them one at a time, attacking each weak point when it opens. When the last one falls, the scenario ends.

Ganondorf’s Return Gold Skulltulas

Gold Skulltula

First Gold Skulltula

The game announces the Gold Skulltula (“A Gold Skulltula has appeared on the battlefield!”) shortly before the “Defeated 1,000 enemies!” banner, so keep defeating enemies past 1,000 and find it on the wall east of the Arbiter’s Keep. It appears on any difficulty, and it can flee if you leave it alone, so strike it quickly.

Gold Skulltula

Second Gold Skulltula (Hard or Hero)

Play on Hard or Hero. Capture every keep, bring all the imprisoned monsters under your control, and defeat the Lizalfos, the Aeralfos and two of the giant bosses before they join up. The Gold Skulltula sits behind a Wall of Vines in the South Prison, so you need the Boomerang to reach it.

Heart Container and Piece of Heart

Heart Container

Heart Container

Play as Ganondorf and bomb the boulder west of the North Oasis to reveal the Heart Container.

Piece of Heart

Piece of Heart

Capture the Clifftop Keep as Ganondorf and a chest appears; open it to get the Piece of Heart.

Rewards and what unlocks next

CollectibleWarrior / conditionWhere
Gold Skulltula Gold SkulltulaDefeat 1,000 enemiesOn the wall east of the Arbiter’s Keep
Gold Skulltula Gold Skulltula (Hard or Hero)Capture all keeps, defeat the Lizalfos Lizalfos, Aeralfos Aeralfos and two giant bosses; Boomerang Boomerang neededBehind a Wall of Vines in the South Prison
Heart Container Heart ContainerGanondorf GanondorfBeneath a boulder west of the North Oasis
Piece of Heart Piece of HeartGanondorf GanondorfIn the chest at the Clifftop Keep

The clear pays out the Swords of Despair and materials such as Monster Teeth and Lizalfos Scales. Continue to March of the Demon King, where Ganondorf hunts the Triforce of Power in the Valley of Seers.

Google is changing how it surfaces content. Prioritize our high-quality Zelda guides and expert coverage in search results by setting ZeldaCentral.com as a preferred source.