10 Best Boss Fights In The Legend Of Zelda Franchise

Certain parts of the fanbase turned against The Wind Waker even before its release, extrapolating from the cel shaded graphics that the game would be a cutesy affair. This was quickly proven to be incorrect, and for the most conclusive evidence of this, see the Ganondorf battle, perhaps the most brutal in the series.

The combat in Wind Waker, though not as involved as it would become in later games, is a huge leap forward from previous games, incisive and immersive, and gives the standoff with Link’s nemesis a rugged feel.

It helps that Ganondorf’s depiction here is as good as the series has gotten: he’s given real depth, an understandable motive, though he remains a malignant presence who you’re eager to defeat.

Best of all, you defeat him by jamming the Master Sword right through his skull. It’s a startling climax to the game, and certainly not what fans were expecting when they saw those charming, colourful trailers. The final fight lacks the frills of some other Ganon clashes, but this one’s got real grit. It’s yet to be topped.