Approaching Ganon’s Castle
After the trials of the Spirit Temple, the path to the ultimate confrontation with Ganondorf opens. The six Sages, having been awakened by Link’s bravery, will unite their power to create a bridge leading to Ganon’s Castle, a formidable structure that has risen where Hyrule Castle once stood. As Link approaches, the sage Rauru will communicate telepathically, likely offering final words of encouragement before the final challenge. The atmosphere will undoubtedly shift, signaling the imminent showdown with the King of Evil.
Upon entering the castle grounds, players will immediately notice the changed landscape. Where the familiar Hyrule Castle once stood, a darker, more menacing fortress now looms. At nighttime, keen-eyed adventurers aiming for complete collection should look to the right of the entrance, on the white bricked structure, for the final Gold Skulltula.
A well-aimed shot from the Longshot will secure this final token. Inside the entrance hall, two Green Bubbles patrol the initial staircase. While these spectral foes pose a minor threat, the primary focus should be on progressing deeper into the castle. The Beamos stationed in this initial area can be safely ignored, allowing a direct path to the first door.
The Central Chamber and Elemental Barriers
The heart of Ganon’s Castle features a large chamber from which six distinct energy barriers radiate, converging on a central tower. This central tower is the ultimate objective, but a powerful forcefield prevents access. To dispel this barrier, each of the six elemental pathways must be cleared. These pathways are themed after the temples Link has previously conquered: Forest, Fire, Water, Shadow, Spirit, and Light, each presenting challenges reminiscent of those dungeons.
At the end of each pathway lies a pulsating core of energy. Only by striking these cores with Light Arrows can the barriers be dispelled, freeing the corresponding Sage and weakening Ganondorf’s hold.
While the order in which these barriers are tackled offers some flexibility, a strategic approach can streamline the process. It is generally recommended to address the barriers in a specific sequence to gain crucial items that will aid in subsequent challenges. A suggested efficient order is: Shadow, Spirit, Forest, Fire, Water, and finally Light. This order prioritizes obtaining the Golden Gauntlets early, which are essential for later sections.
Shadow Barrier
The Shadow Barrier is a good starting point. Players will need the Lens of Truth and Hover Boots for navigation, and the Megaton Hammer and optionally Fire Arrows for puzzle-solving. The initial room requires lighting all five torches using Din’s Fire or Fire Arrows. The subsequent fan room tests the player’s Hover Boot skills to collect five Silver Rupees while avoiding obstacles and using the Longshot effectively.
Progressing further leads to an encounter with a Like Like. Defeating it and using the Lens of Truth reveals a hidden area where a switch opens the path to the Golden Gauntlets, a vital item found within a chest after pushing a large silver block. Returning to the previous room and using the Lens of Truth will reveal an invisible path to a rusty switch, which can be activated with the Megaton Hammer.
Finally, crossing the abyss with the Lens of Truth leads to the barrier core, which must be struck with a Light Arrow to free Impa and dispel the Shadow Barrier. The placement of the Golden Gauntlets within the Shadow Barrier is a strategic design choice, as these gauntlets are necessary for accessing and completing other barriers, highlighting the interconnectedness of the castle’s challenges.
Spirit Barrier
Next, the Spirit Barrier awaits. Bombs, Bombchus, Fire Arrows (optional), and the Mirror Shield are essential here. The first room involves defeating Beamos with Bombs and collecting five Silver Rupees using the Longshot and by manipulating Armos statues. The following room presents a Bombchu puzzle where players must use a Bombchu to hit a distant crystal switch, opening the way forward.
The subsequent area requires burning a cobweb with a Fire Arrow to allow sunlight to enter, which then must be reflected onto a Sun Face using the Mirror Shield to open the door. The final room houses the Spirit Barrier core, ready to be destroyed with a Light Arrow, releasing Nabooru. The Spirit Barrier tests a variety of skills, from combat to puzzle-solving with specific items, echoing the multifaceted nature of the Spirit Temple.
Forest Barrier
The Forest Barrier is next, requiring the Longshot, Hover Boots, Iron Boots, and the Song of Time. The initial room pits Link against two Stalfos. The subsequent chamber introduces a fan that periodically stops. Players must use the Longshot to reach a torch and quickly grab a Small Key before being blown off. The next room involves navigating fans and Beamos. Bombs are effective against the Beamos, and the Iron Boots and Song of Time are crucial for manipulating an Armos statue to activate a switch, opening the door to the barrier. Finally, a Light Arrow will dispel the Forest Barrier, freeing Saria. The Forest Barrier emphasizes agility and precise timing with items, reminiscent of the Forest Temple’s intricate design .
Fire Barrier
To tackle the Fire Barrier, the Goron Tunic, Hover Boots, Golden Gauntlets, and Longshot are necessary. The main challenge here is navigating a lava-filled room to collect five Silver Rupees. This involves careful jumps between sinking platforms, avoiding fire, and using the Golden Gauntlets to move a large pillar, revealing one of the rupees. The Hover Boots aid in traversing certain sections. After collecting all the rupees, the Longshot can be used to reach the door leading to the Fire Barrier core. A Light Arrow will free Darunia and extinguish the barrier. The Fire Barrier tests platforming skills in a hazardous environment, directly referencing the themes of the Fire Temple and requiring the Goron Tunic for survival .
Water Barrier
The Water Barrier requires Bottles, Blue Fire, the Megaton Hammer, and Hover Boots. The initial Blue Fire Cavern necessitates collecting Blue Fire in bottles after revealing its source by hitting a hidden crystal switch. This Blue Fire is then used to melt Red Ice barriers in the subsequent Ice Block Cavern, where a block puzzle must be solved to collect five Silver Rupees. More Blue Fire is needed to melt the final Red Ice, leading to a room with a rusty switch that must be hit with the Megaton Hammer before time runs out. Beyond this lies the Water Barrier core, ready to be destroyed with a Light Arrow, releasing Ruto. The Water Barrier emphasizes resource management and puzzle-solving, echoing the complexities of the Water Temple .
Light Barrier
Finally, the Light Barrier requires the Golden Gauntlets, Lens of Truth, and Longshot. The Golden Gauntlets are needed to lift a massive pillar blocking the entrance. The first room tests observation skills with the Lens of Truth, revealing an invisible Skulltula and three Keese that must be defeated to obtain a Small Key. Playing Zelda’s Lullaby on a Triforce symbol in the next room reveals another Small Key. A circular room with rolling boulders requires collecting five Silver Rupees, utilizing the Longshot for the final one. The final chamber appears empty, but the Lens of Truth reveals a fake wall leading to the Light Barrier core. A Light Arrow will dispel the barrier, freeing Rauru. The Light Barrier heavily relies on the Lens of Truth, testing the player’s ability to see the unseen, and the requirement of the Golden Gauntlets reinforces their importance acquired earlier .
Ascending Ganon’s Tower
With all six barriers shattered, the forcefield surrounding the central tower will dissipate, allowing Link to begin his ascent. The initial room of the tower is teeming with Blade Traps, Armos, and a Beamos. Collecting the Silver Rupees here requires careful navigation and using a Bombchu to hit an unreachable diamond switch. Burning a spider web with a Fire Arrow will let in light, and aiming the shield at a specific sun on the ceiling will unbar the door. Climbing the stairs will lead to encounters with two Dinolfos, testing combat prowess. Further up, in the Stalfos – Boss Key Room, defeating two Stalfos will reveal a chest containing the crucial Boss Key. The final ascent is guarded by two formidable Iron Knuckle knights. Overcoming these heavily armored foes will clear the path to the final confrontation with Ganondorf.
The Final Battle: Ganondorf
The battle against Ganondorf unfolds in multiple phases. He typically begins by launching an electricity attack. Players must Z-target him and deflect these energy spheres back with their sword (or even an empty bottle) until his own attack backfires, stunning him. While he is stunned, a Light Arrow should be shot to bring him to the ground. Quickly using the Longshot to reach him allows for sword slashes, with the Biggoron Sword dealing more damage if available.
This cycle repeats, with players needing to be aware of his green multi-shot attack, which can be interrupted with a Light Arrow or deflected with a Spin Attack. Should resources run low, the lower level contains pots with refills, accessible with a jump and returnable via Longshot or Hover Boots. After enough damage, Zelda will intervene, holding Ganondorf in place, allowing for further attacks with the Master Sword. The final blow to Ganondorf’s head with the Master Sword will conclude this phase. This initial fight tests the player’s mastery of combat mechanics and item usage .
The Final Battle: Ganon
However, the battle is not over. Ganondorf transforms into the monstrous beast Ganon, and Link temporarily loses the Master Sword. Ganon is surrounded by a ring of fire. The strategy here involves stunning him by shooting Light Arrows into his eyes. While stunned, players must quickly maneuver around him to attack his glowing tail with the Biggoron Sword or Megaton Hammer. If magic becomes depleted, Ganon can break through the remaining walls, revealing magic refills. After enough successful tail attacks, the ring of fire will dissipate, and Zelda will throw the Master Sword to Link.
The process of stunning Ganon with Light Arrows and attacking his tail continues, now with the Master Sword for greater effect. The final act involves Zelda using her magic to hold Ganon in place, allowing Link to deliver the decisive blow to his head with the Master Sword, finally vanquishing the evil. This final encounter emphasizes targeting weaknesses and utilizing the full arsenal of acquired items .
Ending and Post-Game
With Ganon defeated, Zelda and the Sages will seal him away in the Sacred Realm, restoring peace to Hyrule. Link and Zelda will then escape the crumbling Ganon’s Tower, navigating the collapsing structure while avoiding falling debris. The Master Sword will be returned to the Pedestal of Time. In a concluding scene, Link and Zelda meet in the royal garden, a moment that implies a warning to their past selves about the looming threat.
The game culminates in a cinematic sequence and the end credits. It is important to note that the game does not allow saving after defeating Ganon; instead, it returns to the last save point before the final boss fight. This allows players to revisit the world and complete any remaining side quests or collectables for 100% completion, which includes finding all Heart Pieces, Gold Skulltulas, completing the Biggoron Sword quest, upgrading all item containers, planting all Magic Beans, finishing all side quests, achieving high scores in mini-games, and discovering all hidden chests.