In The Legend of Zelda for the NES, players encounter a diverse array of enemies, each with unique behaviors and attack patterns. Understanding these foes is crucial for navigating the challenges of Hyrule and ultimately rescuing Princess Zelda.
Tektites
Spider-like creatures that move by making large, unpredictable jumps, making them difficult to hit.
Octoroks
Octopus-like enemies that inhabit both land and water, attacking by spitting rocks toward Link.
Lynels
Centaur-like beasts known for their strength and resilience, often found in mountainous regions. They can shoot sword beams and are among the toughest overworld enemies.
Peahats
Flying flower-like creatures that are invulnerable while in motion. They can only be attacked when they pause and settle on the ground.
Moblins
Bulldog-faced goblins that patrol forests and plains, wielding spears or arrows to attack intruders.
Armoses
Statue-like sentinels that remain stationary until disturbed. Once awakened, they become aggressive and pursue Link.
Leevers
Burrowing creatures that emerge from the ground, spinning rapidly toward Link to deal damage.
Ghinis
Ghostly apparitions commonly found in graveyards. Some are stationary, while others can move and multiply if not dealt with promptly.
Zoras
Aquatic creatures that dwell in water bodies, periodically surfacing to shoot fireballs at Link before submerging again.
Rocks
Boulders that tumble down from Death Mountain, posing a hazard as they roll across the terrain.
Zols & Gels
Blob-like enemies; larger Zols split into smaller Gels when struck, which are weaker but still pose a threat.
Vires & Keese
Vires are bat-like demons that, when hit, split into two smaller Keese, which are common bats found throughout dungeons.
Wallmasters
Giant hands that emerge from dungeon walls, attempting to grab Link and transport him back to the dungeon’s entrance.
Ropes
Snake-like creatures that sense Link’s presence and charge at him in a straight line when aligned horizontally or vertically.
Stalfoses
Skeletal warriors that wander dungeons, sometimes wielding swords and shields, posing a moderate threat to Link.
Goriyas
Boomerang-wielding creatures that move quickly and can attack from a distance, making them formidable opponents.
Wizzrobes
Magical enemies that can teleport and cast powerful spells. They come in different varieties, with some being more aggressive than others.
Pols Voices
Rabbit-like creatures that are weak to certain weapons; in some versions of the game, they are particularly vulnerable to sound-based attacks.
Like Likes
These are tube-like monsters notorious for their appetite for Link’s Magical Shield. They inhabit dungeons and, upon contact, can engulf Link, potentially consuming his shield. If Link defeats a Like Like quickly after being swallowed, he can recover his shield; otherwise, he’ll need to purchase a new one.
Darknuts
Heavily armored knights that wield swords and shields, Darknuts are challenging adversaries in dungeons. They are impervious to frontal attacks due to their shields, requiring Link to strike from the side or back to inflict damage. There are red and blue Darknuts, with the blue variants being more resilient and aggressive.
Lanmolas
Resembling large centipedes, Lanmolas are formidable foes found exclusively in Level 9. They come in red and blue varieties, with the blue ones being faster and more dangerous. Lanmolas move swiftly around the room, and Link must attack their tail segments first, as only the tail is vulnerable initially. With each successful hit, they become shorter until defeated.
Gibdos
Mummified enemies that are slow-moving but can endure significant damage before being defeated.
Moldorms
Worm-like creatures that move erratically, often found in confined spaces, making them challenging to avoid.
Patras
Large, eye-like bosses surrounded by smaller eyes that orbit them. Defeating the smaller eyes weakens the central Patra.
Bubbles
Floating skulls that don’t deal damage but temporarily disable Link’s ability to use his sword upon contact.
Stone Statues
Inanimate statues that come to life when approached, shooting projectiles at Link.
Traps
Also known as Blade Traps, these are mechanical devices that spring toward Link when he crosses their path, requiring quick reflexes to avoid.