Summary
Of all theLegend of Zeldagames that have been released and helped the franchise to stay at the very height of the gaming industry for so long now,The Wind Wakeris definitely one of the most uncommonly created. The animation style was bold, appearing more childlike and friendly than previous entries.
Related:Games With Truly Unique Art Styles
This colorful style was hugely successful and has become iconic, even being calledone of the most influential Zelda games, but it was a risk at the time. However, the friendly animation didn’t keep developers from adding a great deal of challenge to the game, particularly in boss fights, of which there are several excellently designed and highly memorable ones throughoutThe Wind Waker.
6Molgera
The Wind Wakerhasseveral memorable temple designs, similar to manyLegend of Zeldagames which manage to use different mechanics in highly successful ways. But one of the very best temples remains the Wind Temple, which ends with the giant serpentine villain Molgera.
Link’s primary attack in his fight with Molgera is his hook shot, which remains easily one of the best mechanics that has appeared inLegend of Zeldagames. This boss is memorable for design and aesthetic, but most of all for the musical theme that plays during it. Molgera’s theme remains the absolute, unquestioned fan favorite piece of music fromThe Wind Wakersoundtrack, helping elevate the boss fight itself massively.
5Gohma
There is a great history of first boss battles inLegend of Zeldagames, butThe Wind Wakerreally put itself near the top of the list with Gohma. This franchise loves boss battles against arachnids, so it is unsurprising to find Gohma, who has now appeared in seven separateLegend of Zeldaentries in different forms, hiding in the cavern under the Spirit of the Sky.
The great thing about Gohma is the feeling of challenge without entering rage-inducing levels that the fight manages to have. Early in the game, the first big mechanic that is introduced and must be used to defeat Gohma is Link’s grappling hook, a wonderfully fun mechanic that helps Link bring the ceiling down on top of the fiery monster, making for a great opening in a game that isa good jumping-on point for beginners.
4Kalle Demos
While some bosses inThe Wind Wakerwere familiar to fans ofThe Legend of Zeldafranchise, others were fairly unique and new to this entry, such as Kalle Demos. Hanging from the cavern ceiling when Link enters, this boss has a wonderful design and can be tricky to bring down. Fortunately, there’s another great mechanic made for use in this fight.
Related:Best Games For Fans Of The Wind WakerLink’s boomerang is a great recurring mechanic, and the hero has to use it in the fight against Kalle Demos in order to break the monstrosity’s grip on the ceiling. Once it falls, Link can surge forward with his sword. This is a fun fight with a great design, and there is even an Easter Egg where players can do extreme damage with forest water against Kalle Demos.
3Puppet Ganon
One of the final bosses inThe Wind Waker, there areoften alternate versions of Ganonbefore the player must fight the real Ganondorf. In this case, it was a puppeteer version of the final boss, which came in three separate forms to try and stop Link from reaching the real Ganon.
Puppet Ganon has a fascinating design and is a particularly challenging boss fight. Players have to defeat a boar-like puppet Ganon, then a spider-like one, before the fight culminates with a Moldorm-like Ganon puppet creature which is probably the hardest boss fight in the game. With great music, design, and mechanics, this boss fight is truly memorable, and the truest test of continued focus and longevity inThe Wind Waker.
2Helmaroc King
The Wind Waker’sopening contains great sadness, mostly due to Link’s sister being kidnapped by the Helmaroc King. This huge bird is one of the true focuses of Link’s rage and determination throughout the game, so when he returns to the Forsaken Fortress and finally confronts it, players feel almost as much of a sense of grandeur around the boss fight as they do the final test against Ganondorf.
This boss battle technically comes in several parts, beginning with the wonderful rising water escape sequence as the Helmaroc King chases Link down, followed by the actual fight with the bird atop the tower. Link’s Skull Hammer is his main tool against the Helmaroc King, and the setting as well as the history between the foes helps make thisone of the most worthy and memorable boss fightsin the game.
1Ganondorf
While it isn’t always the case in otherLegend of Zeldaentries, there is very little question that the fight with Ganondorf concluding the game is the best overall boss fight inThe Wind Waker. The conclusion feels epic, the story of the fight, with Zelda pelting light arrows at Ganon until he attacks her and takes her out of commission; it all works brilliantly.
The sense of accomplishment when players defeat the Puppet Ganon and come face-to-face with the final boss himself, with nothing left but a sword battle to the death, is spine-tingling. The best part of the fight is that Link’s main defense is the parry attack, which he learned at the very beginning of the game. All of this, combined with the epic music and setting, helps to make Ganondorf a fantastic final boss that lets players feel a true sense of accomplishment when theywin this truly timeless game.
