Highlights
- Nintendo's classic Zelda games featured iconic boss encounters that added excitement and challenge to the gameplay.
- Each game in the series introduced new and visually stunning boss battles, showcasing the advancements in Nintendo's hardware.
- Boss fights in the Zelda franchise, such as the epic battle against Ganon in Twilight Princess, were praised for their intense gameplay and memorable music.
With the Nintendo Switch successor looming, The Legend of Zelda prepares to enter a new console generation with a decidedly clear direction. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have established the new direction Nintendo wants to take the series moving forward, but one thing that hasn't changed is the brilliant boss encounters.
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Nothing makes a game feel as good as an epic boss fight to challenge the player. Here's which action games excel when it comes to bosses.
Over the past three decades of Zelda, Nintendo has built a roster of iconic foes for Link to fight. Classic villains like Gohma, Dodongo, and Shadow Link have made multiple appearances and helped fill out an already hefty roster of formidable foes.
6 A Link To The Past (1991)
Link's First 16-Bit Adventure Sets The Standard
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Platform(s)
- SNES , Nintendo Game Boy Advance , 3DS
- Released
- April 13, 1992
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Nintendo's first Legend of Zelda title on their new 16-bit hardware was a remarkable achievement, translating the rough estimations of what these characters looked like on the NES and turning them into fully-featured images. In A Link to the Past, Link is once again thrust into the role of fending off evil monsters from the land of Hyrule and a whole host of new bosses stand in his way.
This all-new roster of boss characters ranges from the armor-plated Helmasaur King to the six Armos Knights that defend the Eastern Palace, as well as a beefy final battle against a new and fully-powered-up Ganon. This version of the Gerudo King is much nastier than any previous version seen to this point, a worthy finale to this legendary game.
Every Boss In A Link To The Past
- Armos Knight
- Lanmola
- Moldorm
- Agahnim
- Arrghus
- Mothula
- Blind
- Kholdstare
- Vitreous
- Trinexx
- Ganon
5 Ocarina Of Time 3D (2011)
The First 3D Zelda Upped The Scale On Boss Fights
Among the Nintendo 3DS' many incredible titles, one of its best is easily the remake of Ocarina of Time. With updated graphics, improved UI, and numerous quality-of-life changes, it's the best way to play OOT today. With that comes all of Ocarina of Time's boss battles, including spectacular fights against the likes of Queen Gohma and Phantom Ganon.
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The advancements in hardware from the SNES to the N64 allowed Nintendo to craft some of the biggest and most intricately designed bosses yet seen in the series, including impressive particle and water effects in the battle with Morpha. This evolution in Nintendo hardware powered the bosses just as much as it did Link.
Every Boss In Ocarina Of Time
- Queen Gohma
- King Dodongo
- Barinade
- Phantom Ganon
- Volvagia
- Morpha
- Bongo Bongo
- Twinrova
- Ganondorf
- Ganon
4 Link's Awakening (2019)
Remake Of A Classic Zelda Title Features Faithful Boss Encounters
The Switch remake of Link's Awakening maintains every bit of the magic and charm of the 1993 original but remade in an absolutely beautiful art style. Nintendo also did right by the boss battles, keeping them pristine and intact for this new version. Old favorites like Shadow Ganon and Slime Eel return, just as challenging and fun to fight as ever.
Where the boss battles in Link's Awakening really shine is when Nintendo makes use of hardware that far exceeds the original platform, as the Switch gives an added dimension to these classic encounters. The terrifying battles with the Angler Fish and Facade really stand out, as the new visuals make everything old feel brand-new again.
Every Boss In Link's Awakening
- Moldorm
- Genie
- Slime Eye
- Angler Fish
- Slime Eel
- Facade
- Evil Eagle
- Hot Head
- Giant Gel
- Agahnim's Shadow
- Moldorm's Shadow
- Shadow Of Ganon
- Lanmola
- Dethl
3 The Wind Waker (2002)
Link's First Adventure On The GameCube
As Zelda transitioned from 2D to 3D on the Nintendo 64, the first entry to be released on the GameCube brought a new cel-shaded art style and replaced the Hyrule Field with the Great Sea. As players explored the vast ocean, they encounter some of the franchise's best boss battles.
The Wind Waker's beautiful art style added some unique character to previous bosses, like Gohma and Phantom Ganon, who return once more. Newcomers like Godhan feature in one of the more visually appealing fights of the game, while Kalle Demos and Molgera show off what Nintendo can really do with powerful new hardware. The visual effects at play in all these battles are truly astounding.
Every Boss In The Wind Waker
- Gohma
- Kalle Demos
- Gohdan
- Phantom Ganon
- Helmaroc King
- Jalhalla
- Molgera
- Puppet Ganon
- Ganondorf
2 Twilight Princess (2006)
A Dark Zelda Adventure With The Series' Best Ganondorf Showdown
After The Wind Waker, it was fair to say that Zelda fans were seeking something a bit more like something that Nintendo showed at Spaceworld 2000. They ended up getting something much better in the form of Twilight Princess, a game that features some absolutely fabulous battles against tough opponents. Battles against Diababa inside the dreary Forest Temple, as well as an intense encounter with Armogohma in the Temple of Time, are some of the best in the franchise's history.
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There have been plenty of versions of Ganon found throughout the Legend of Zelda franchise. Here's how they all stack up.
Twilight Princess also features what is easily the best Ganon fight, as this multi-stage showdown first sees the Gerudo King take control of Zelda and pit her against Link. The music spectacularly combines the melodies of "Zelda's Lullaby" and "Ganon's Theme," culminating in a one-on-one sword fight between Link and his nemesis that is one of the series' best.
Every Boss In Twilight Princess
- Diababa
- Fyrus
- Morpheel
- Stallord
- Blizetta
- Armogohma
- Arkorok
- Zant
- Puppet Zelda
- Dark Beast Ganon
- Gannondorf
1 Skyward Sword (2011)
Motion Controls Add Dimension To Boss Encounters
Although Twilight Princess was a cross-gen release between the GameCube and Wii, the Zelda title that truly made good on the promise of the new Nintendo hardware was Skyward Sword. Making use of the Wii MotionPlus add-on, which improved the functionality of the original Wiimote. In Skyward Sword, Nintendo puts the Master Sword in the player's hand and challenges them with a bevy of incredible bosses to vanquish.
Through multiple battles against the Demon Lord Ghirahim, escalating battles against The Imprisoned, and a sensational climax against the Demon King Demise, Skyward Sword is all about interaction with these bosses. No game in the franchise has truly let the player feel as connected to Link as Skyward Sword or offered up the same kind of energy that these heart-pounding confrontations do.
Every Boss In Skyward Sword
- Ghirahim
- Scaldera
- Moldarch
- The Imprisoned
- Kolkotos
- Tentalus
- Bilocyte
- Demise
