In The Legend of Zelda for the NES, players encounter a diverse array of enemies throughout Hyrule’s overworld and treacherous dungeons. Each foe presents unique behaviors and attack patterns. Understanding these adversaries is crucial for survival, navigating the challenges ahead, and ultimately rescuing Princess Zelda from the clutches of Ganon.
Tektites
One-eyed, spider-like creatures commonly found in mountainous regions. They move erratically by making large, unpredictable jumps, making them difficult to hit reliably with the sword. Come in blue and red varieties.
Octoroks
Common octopus-like enemies found frequently in the overworld, inhabiting both land and water. They attack by spitting rocks toward Link. Red Octoroks are weaker, while Blue Octoroks are tougher and move more erratically.
Lynels
Powerful centaur-like beasts known for their strength and resilience, often found guarding Death Mountain. They aggressively charge Link and shoot powerful sword beams, making them among the toughest overworld enemies. Come in red and tougher blue variants.
Peahats
Flying, propeller-like creatures resembling flowers. They fly rapidly around the screen and are completely invulnerable while their “petals” are spinning. They can only be damaged when they briefly pause and settle on the ground.
Moblins
Bulldog-faced goblins that patrol Hyrule’s forests and plains, wielding spears. They typically move back and forth horizontally or vertically and throw their spears at Link. Red Moblins are weaker than the blue variants.
Armoses
Knight-like statues often found guarding pathways or dungeon entrances in the overworld. They remain stationary until Link touches them, at which point they spring to life and aggressively pursue him with surprising speed.
Leevers
Strange, burrowing creatures often found in desert or beach areas. They emerge unpredictably from the ground, spinning rapidly toward Link before submerging again. Red and blue variants exist, with blue being slightly tougher.
Ghinis
Ghostly apparitions commonly found haunting Hyrule’s graveyards. Some Ghinis are stationary, appearing when Link touches certain headstones. Others can move and will relentlessly pursue Link. Defeating the mobile Ghini often causes the stationary ones to disappear.
Zoras
Aquatic, fish-like creatures that dwell in Hyrule’s rivers and lakes. They periodically surface to shoot fireballs at Link before quickly submerging again, making them tricky targets. The Magical Shield can block their projectiles.
Rocks
Environmental hazards rather than traditional enemies. These large boulders perpetually tumble down from the cliffs of Death Mountain, posing a significant obstacle that Link must carefully dodge while ascending.
Zols & Gels
Blob-like enemies commonly found in dungeons. Larger gray Zols split into two smaller, weaker black Gels when struck with the standard Wooden Sword. Stronger swords can defeat Zols in one hit, preventing them from splitting.
Vires & Keese
Vires are winged, horned demons found in dungeons. They move erratically and hop around. When struck with a weaker sword, a Vire splits into two smaller, faster Keese (standard bats common throughout dungeons). Stronger swords can defeat Vires directly.
Wallmasters
Infamous giant hands that emerge from the walls of certain dungeon rooms. They slowly creep towards Link, and if they successfully grab him, they drag him back to the dungeon’s entrance, forcing him to restart his progress within the labyrinth. Must be defeated quickly.
Ropes
Small, fast snake-like creatures found in dungeons. They remain stationary until Link aligns with them horizontally or vertically, at which point they rapidly charge towards him in a straight line.
Stalfoses
Skeletal warriors commonly encountered in Hyrule’s dungeons. They patrol rooms and sometimes wield swords. While not the toughest enemies, they can be dangerous in groups or tight spaces.
Goriyas
Blue, goblin-like creatures found in dungeons that wield Boomerangs. They throw their weapon, which travels a distance before returning, requiring Link to dodge both the outgoing and incoming projectile. Red Goriyas are stronger variants.
Wizzrobes
Powerful wizard-like enemies encountered in later dungeons. They teleport around the room, becoming briefly tangible to cast damaging magic spells. Red Wizzrobes fire single spells, while the tougher Blue Wizzrobes can phase through walls and fire continuous beams.
Pols Voices
Strange, rabbit-like creatures with large ears and whiskers found in dungeons. They hop around the room randomly. While resistant to sword attacks, they are notably weak to arrows. (In the Japanese Famicom version, they were famously weak to sounds made into the controller’s microphone).
Like Likes
These slow-moving, tube-like monsters are notorious for their appetite for Link’s Magical Shield (the upgraded shield). They inhabit dungeons and, upon contact, can engulf Link, potentially consuming his shield permanently if not defeated quickly. If Link defeats a Like Like shortly after being swallowed, he can recover his shield; otherwise, he’ll need to purchase a new one.
Darknuts
Heavily armored knights wielding swords and shields, Darknuts are challenging adversaries found in later dungeons. They are impervious to frontal attacks due to their shields, requiring Link to skillfully strike their sides or backs to inflict damage. Red Darknuts are formidable, while the Blue variants are even tougher and more aggressive.
Lanmolas
Large, fast-moving centipede-like creatures found exclusively in Level 9 (Death Mountain). They emerge from the ground and move swiftly around the room, making them hard to hit. Link must typically attack their head segments to defeat them. Red and blue variants exist.
Gibdos
Slow-moving, mummified enemies found within dungeons. Despite their lack of speed, they can endure a significant amount of damage before being defeated, making them durable obstacles.
Moldorms
Segmented, worm-like creatures often encountered in dungeon rooms. They move erratically and unpredictably around the screen, making them challenging to avoid and defeat, especially in confined spaces.
Patras
Unique enemies found in later dungeons, resembling a large central eye orbited by several smaller eyes. The smaller eyes fly in formations, protecting the central core. Link must typically defeat the orbiting eyes first to expose the vulnerable main Patra.
Bubbles
Floating, flaming skulls typically found in dungeons. They do not inflict direct damage upon contact but will temporarily disable Link’s ability to use his sword, leaving him vulnerable to other threats. The effect wears off after a short time.
Stone Statues
Often positioned near doorways or walls within dungeons, these seemingly inanimate statues come to life when Link approaches, firing projectiles across the room. They cannot be defeated and must be avoided or blocked.
Traps
Also known as Blade Traps, these are mechanical hazards, not living enemies. They are spiked blocks usually positioned near walls. When Link crosses their horizontal or vertical path, they rapidly spring across the room to collide with him, requiring quick reflexes to dodge.
Facing this hostile menagerie requires careful strategy, skillful use of items, and often, pattern recognition. Good luck navigating the dangers of Hyrule!