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[Zee-Row]

Compared to all the bosses you had fought up until that point he is just so underwhelming. All you're doing is button mashing your sword in different directions hoping that invisible Ganon happens to warp near your sword strike , then when you hit him enough times you just finish him off with the silver arrow.

To me the actual final boss was the final dungeon itself since you had to fight through lots of powerful normal enemys and those eyeball fly things that have little flies spinning around them. The magic potion is essential.

But yeah it was the first Zelda and Miyamoto had to start somewhere.

My favorite Zelda final boss battle was in Ocarina of Time , just getting there and then the final battle itself was still the best build up to me.

What is your favorite Zelda final boss battle GAF?

 

[Frumix]

Demise.
The only reason for the motion controls to exist.

 

[ignata]

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Thunderbird is difficult enough, and then your shadow pops out of you? Mind blowing already, but extra crazy when you're an elementary school-aged child who took a year getting to that point in the game, and finally finishing it.

 

[Madao]

i got to experience the final boss battle of NES Zelda thanks to NES Remix. it was a joke there but it sounds just like what the OP described so i bet i could beat that game if i play it carefully someday (i have never beaten the normal NES Zelda)

as far as favorite final boss in Zelda, it's OoT's Ganon. the build up and battle itself felt so perfect back in the day. imo, none of the Zeldas that have appeared after it have matched the final dungeon and boss buildup that had even if the rest of the game has been bested by the sequels in various ways.

 

[Papercuts]

I liked fighting Majora since it's actually pretty damn hard without Fierce Deity Link, and if you do have that you feel like a bamf. And his one form where he basically dances around is hilariously weird.

 

[Laconic]

He was a shining example of perfect innovative design. The fact that he was unbeatable without

Spoiler

the silver arrows

was a new concept, at the time.

 

[Zee-Row]

Demise.
The only reason for the motion controls to exist.

Yeah that was a pretty good one too , in a way it kind of reminds me of the final boss battle in MGS3 , "We think you should have mastered CQC by now. Now use it instead of your puny weapons!".

 

[TreIII]

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Thunderbird is difficult enough, and then your shadow pops out of you? Mind blowing already, but extra crazy when you're an elementary school-aged child who took a year getting to that point in the game, and finally finishing it.

Yeah...there have been a number of great final boss fights in Zelda over the years, but none have been able to induce that first "OMG!" response that Link's Shadow invoked in me back then.

 

[genjiZERO]

oh, god. That fight was perfectly fine for its age.

 

[EhoaVash]

the final girahim/demise fight was really good in SS, same with the ganon fight in TP ( horseback with zelda <3 )

but the final fight in wind waker was a disappointment since A. ww combat really wasn't good. 2. even if ganon was cool and all..it all felt like a QTE at the end =/

 

[Toxi]

Metroid Prime.

Spoiler

The Metroid Prime trilogy's boss fights are basically first-person Zelda bosses.

For actual Zelda games, I'm not that fond of the final bosses other than Majora. Majora is great and weird.

 

[Brizzo24]

Argorok from Twilight Princess stands out in my mind.

 

[Tan]

I remember really liking the 3-part final boss fight of twilight princess.

 

[Zee-Row]

He was a shining example of perfect innovative design. The fact that he was unbeatable without

Spoiler

the silver arrows

was a new concept, at the time.

I must admit the first time I got to him as a kid , I kept thinking to myself ,"Why is he turning red every time i hit him a billion times?" They out of randomness I tried the arrow and boom he was dead then i was like , "Ohhhhh!"

 

[Why would you do that?]

I actually really liked that fight... I kind of liked the mystery of where he ran off to. Somehow he ended up being among the easiest bosses in the game, though. When I played Twilight Princess for the first time, I was actually rather happy when I saw what I interpret to be a callback to Zelda 1's Ganon.

My three favorite Zelda final boss fights though, not necessarily in order, are:

Zelda II - For the longest time I thought the Thunderbird was the final boss so I was surprised when the real one popped out with cool music, interesting graphics / setting, and all.

Ocarina: Ganon is amazing. His rise after transforming still gives me a little chill, lol.

Oracle of Seasons: The final boss is actually a sidesctolling / platforming boss inspired by the Mega Man X final boss. You jump on its hands, jump, and swing your sword in midair, and it is just really cool...

 

[Madao]

the final girahim/demise fight was really good in SS, same with the ganon fight in TP ( horseback with zelda <3 )

but the final fight in wind waker was a disappointment since A. ww combat really wasn't good. 2. even if ganon was cool and all..it all felt like a QTE at the end =/

it is basically a QTE after certain damage since the fight won't end until you press A at the correct moment. same with the final Ganondorf fight in TP and Demise.

i really hope the final boss of the Wii U Zelda plays differently to these bosses. 3 swordfights as the final boss fight is enough already.

 

[Wyndstryker]

Zelda 2, Links Shadow.

And beating him by sitting in the corner slashing away isn't beating him. Take the fight standing up and then you can say you truly beat him.

 

[Thatonemoor]

I have to agree with Demise only because I was having a hard time trying to figure out how to heart him at first until my brother said "Why don't you try Skyward strike, maybe it works now cause of the lighting" and as I was pointing the remote up I said "Ok I don't think it will...." at that moment a lighting bolt stuck my sword and scared the crap out of both of us. Shit was awesome.

 

[Sword Of Doom]

I think if u look at the entire dungeon as a whole it was pretty bad ass. The boss fight itself was ok I guess.

 

[Gorillaz]

I think the Ganon fight from Orcale of Time/Seasons was pretty bad as well. The build up to combining everything from both games lead to a weak fight where his biggest threat was reversing the controls on the D pad (which is kind of interesting boss mechanic but still)

 

[Green Mamba]

Ocarina of Time's fight against Ganon is still probably the best. It's not really hard at all, but I don't think any other Zelda has matched that level of atmosphere in a final battle before or since.

Every boss in the game has their name displayed on the screen in their introduction alongside a caption describing them. And then, there at the end, Ganondorf slowly transforms, his head rises, and the game only says one thing: "Ganon."

Awwww shit.

 

[squattingdonkey]

Wind Waker Ganondorf forever

 

[Shaanyboi]

Wind Waker's boss fight had a great visual to it, plus you were finally in a PROPER sword fight with Ganon which I'd always wanted to do.

But OOT's takes the top spot. It had the strongest build-up, and the strongest payoff. It was pitch-perfect the whole way through.

 

[Why would you do that?]

Awwww shit.

Too bad the 3DS version sort of ruined the mood with the brighter colors, lol.

 

[jabberwocker]

Gannon nes fight was awesome. Earlier Nes games did not have the traditional Boss fights we have now, as it would be looked as unfair.

 

[Tookay]

Pretty much every 3D Zelda has had a great final boss fight sequence, even if they're all easy.

OoT: The Ganondorf fight's good, but the castle escape, Ganon's emergence, and atmosphere are what send it over the top.

MM: It's just unsettling, weird, and then horrifying.

TWW: The Puppet Ganon's fight is okay, but the monologue and sword fight after are classic, capped off with an awesome finishing move.

TP: From Puppet Zelda to the sword duel, this one is still at the top. I wish it was a little more challenging, but the whole boss gauntlet here taken together is a great fan-service finish to the those who dreamed of something resembling the Spaceworld demo.

SS: Ghirahim and Demise both are really great one-on-one fights that feature a modicum of challenge, with varying attack patterns... and the Demise battle in particular is a really inspired location with a neat trick underneath.

i really hope the final boss of the Wii U Zelda plays differently to these bosses. 3 swordfights as the final boss fight is enough already.

Aw man, I really like this running theme they've got going. Makes the ending feel more personal. I've fought against enough big bosses for a lifetime in Zelda games.

 

[Green Mamba]

I have to say I hope that Zelda Wii U doesn't have a sword duel as the final boss. They're cool but every 3D Zelda has had one as the final boss since The Wind Waker, it's time to do something else.

 

[SatoAilDarko]

Definitely the three-part finale to Twilight Princess. Just walking in on Ganondorf sitting on his throne as chaos is around. Playing volleyball with possessed Zelda Fights a legitimate-looking monster Ganon as a wolf. Watched as Midna tries to take him down with the fuse shadow. Then fighting him one on one stabbing him through the chest.

Skyward Sword would be second. The climax with Ghirahim as you go all dynasty warriors amongst the darkness of night was awesome. The Demise fight left me wanting because they is no build up. Unlike Ganondorf in Twilight Princess who was better established with background information in Orcarina.

The final fight against Demise is the most visually impressive. A lightening filled silver plane with Demise who looks incredible. The problem was I had gotten a 100% and with potions the fight was ridiculously easy.

 

[Mike M]

Compared to all the bosses you had fought up until that point he is just so underwhelming. All you're doing is button mashing your sword in different directions hoping that invisible Ganon happens to warp near your sword strike , then when you hit him enough times you just finish him off with the silver arrow.

Weren't you supposed to hit the fireballs a couple times to make him appear, or am I completely misremembering?

 

[Dr Stabbingworth]

Weren't you supposed to hit the fireballs a couple times to make him appear, or am I completely misremembering?

you might be thinking of lttp

 

[Zee-Row]

Weren't you supposed to hit the fireballs a couple times to make him appear, or am I completely misremembering?

You had to light the lanterns in A Link to the Past.

 

[Rhapsody]

Favorite goes to OoT and WW. Ocarina's atmosphere was great. Plus losing your weapon added to it, especially if you didn't have the Biggoron Sword. Wind Waker I just really liked. I was expecting Link to use the Light Arrows for the final fight and then it turns out you have Zelda truly fighting along side you for the first time with them.

Twilight Princess I really can't remember. SS was ok. The first time I fought the boss I had a hard time. Replaying the fight was simple, but still nice.

For MM, what mostly stood out was its weirdness, but it still wasn't as good as the others to me.

 

[Ninjimbo]

Having just played SS, I'm tempted to say Demise. The feeling of lightning striking your sword and sending him flying with one swing is pretty damn great. I also like how much of a test the battle is on your reflexes..

But that said, OoT's Ganon is about the most perfect thing one can imagine for a final boss: the music, the setting, the monster design, the build up, etc. It was the perfect culmination for one the best journeys ever. OoT Ganon is still the GOAT.

 

[Wensih]

Demise.
The only reason for the motion controls to exist.

But all you do is flail your arms...

 

[pantsmith]

I actually just beat this fight for the first time *ever* earlier this week, and it was both really weird and... kind of awesome.

So you show up after a vicious slog of a final dungeon, having to place bombs on just about every wall because youre a paranoid freak by this point trying to find the right passage and/or trying to avoid those fuckig blue wizard assholes. Right- so you have gone half insane getting to him (everone else drew their own maps, right?) and the dude DISAPEARS on you.

Im sure the original booklet maybe mentioned something about Ganons ability to turn invisible, but I have never once heard of this ability so I ran around in a circle for ten minutes waiting for him to pop back out and expose himself to my sword. Nope. Im dead.

I genuinely thought it was a glitch, so I start swinging my sword like a madman on my next attempt and actually hit him a couple times, whih felt awesome. Then he just turns brown. Wtf?

Because I had just played Link Between Worlds I figured a holy arrow was the next best thing, and it turns out thats exactly what I was supposed to do. I feel so sorry for anyone who didnt find the arrow and couldnt figure out why he wouldnt die.

The fight makes no sense but it was way more interesting than fighting those goddamn blue wizards. Also him turning into a mound of demon barbeque was a worthy payoff.

 

[MisterGrey3000]

oh, god. That fight was perfectly fine for its age.

lol
Yeah, it was a pretty standard boss battle for the time.
The Bowser fights in SMB are kind dumb and simple, but it was the first time they ever really did something like that.
You gotta cut these old games some slack, it was a new frontier.

 

[Dr Stabbingworth]

I actually just beat this fight for the first time *ever* earlier this week, and it was both really weird and... kind of awesome.

So you show up after a vicious slog of a final dungeon, having to place bombs on just about every wall because youre a paranoid freak by this point trying to find the right passage and/or trying to avoid those fuckig blue wizard assholes. Right- so you have gone half insane getting to him (everone else drew their own maps, right?) and the dude DISAPEARS on you.

Im sure the original booklet maybe mentioned something about Ganons ability to turn invisible, but I have never once heard of this ability so I ran around in a circle for ten minutes waiting for him to pop back out and expose himself to my sword. Nope. Im dead.

I genuinely thought it was a glitch, so I start swinging my sword like a madman on my next attempt and actually hit him a couple times, whih felt awesome. Then he just turns brown. Wtf?

Because I had just played Link Between Worlds I figured a holy arrow was the next best thing, and it turns out thats exactly what I was supposed to do. I feel so sorry for anyone who didnt find the arrow and couldnt figure out why he wouldnt die.

The fight makes no sense but it was way more interesting than fighting those goddamn blue wizards. Also him turning into a mound of demon barbeque was a worthy payoff.

one great thing about pre internet days was asking your buddies on the playground for tips because solutions were so obscure

 

[brandonh83]

But all you do is flail your arms...

Nope. If that's all you did, you couldn't beat it.

 

[Thatonemoor]

But all you do is flail your arms...

Don't believe for a second you beat him if are serious about this post.

 

[TheGreatDirector]

I honestly dislike how the difficulty spikes up in the original Zelda. You go from fighting simple bosses to taking on Manhandla and Gleeok, two extremely difficult bosses.

One of my favorite Zelda bosses would probably be Volvagia from Ocarina of Time. Really liked the concept of it being a giant game of whack a mole.

 

[Bucket Mouse]

"This island is going to disappear... Our world is going to disappear... Our world... Our... world... "

 

[zeldablue]

"This island is going to disappear... Our world is going to disappear... Our world... Our... world... "

Oh wooooow....

Immediate feels.

 

[mrmickfran]

OoT Ganon was amazing. Too bad some of the atmosphere is lost in the 3DS version since it makes the battle so bright.

 

[Wensih]

Don't believe for a second you beat him if are serious about this post.

Nope. If that's all you did, you couldn't beat it.

From what I remember of the fight, you shield bash him and then flail. The second phase has you doing the skyward strike, but again it's a matter of performing that and flailing from what I can remember.

EDIT: My memory may be a little foggy on this. The game was sort of a blur. I did a 100% run the Christmas it came out. I didn't sleep for 36 hours.

 

[Uncle Rupee]

If you think about it, given the relatively limited scope of Zelda 1's design / technology, the final boss isn't that bad. I'm not really sure what you expected, but considering when it was made they did a pretty good job. It's easy to look back on it with 25 years of games riffing on its formula and say it's stupid, but you have to start somewhere.

 

[deltatheta]

one great thing about pre internet days was asking your buddies on the playground for tips because solutions were so obscure

This was the entire concept behind Zelda 1. It was meant to get you talking about the game with your friends, so that solving the game could be a social experience. It makes sense in that context that the final boss would be a "puzzle" fight.

I thought the Ganon fight was awesome in this game. They didn't have a lot to work with (the entire game was 128 KB), but I think they really nailed the atmosphere in the final dungeon and the game's climax.

 

[DarkLegion]

A Link to the Past, Twilight Princess, Ocarina of Time, Skyward Sword.. They were all good. But you guys haven't mentioned Spirit Tracks! Music was great and doing that final finisher with Zelda was epic.

 

[MisterGrey3000]

A Link to the Past, Twilight Princess, Ocarina of Time, Skyward Sword.. They were all good. But you guys haven't mentioned Spirit Tracks! Music was great and doing that final finisher with Zelda was epic.

Agreed, that was a kick ass final boss battle.
The fight with Malladas and Cole on the demon train was also pretty fantastic.

 

[Bucket Mouse]

Oh wooooow....

Immediate feels.

Someone hold me.

The entire end credits still gives me chills.

 

[Mike M]

you might be thinking of lttp

You had to light the lanterns in A Link to the Past.

Definitely not thinking of A Link to the Past, I distinctly remember as a kid that the conventional wisdom on the playground was that to make Ganon appear, you had to hit the fireballs a couple times.

I thought that was what you had to do right up until tonight, because it totally seemed to work, but I guess we were just getting lucky and hitting him while he was invisible or something?

Wish I had that fight on a save state somewhere to try it out and confirm that I'm nuts.