The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/Ganon's Castle

'In the course of seven years, Ganondorf obliterated Hyrule Castle, creating his own in its place. Its evil magic radiates throughout the land, carrying the tainted essence of the former Six Sages, shattered by his evil magic.'

A Very Familiar Face
Use the Prelude of Light to return to the Temple of Time for the last time. This time, as you enter, Sheik appears. However, this time, Sheik is not here to give Link a song. Instead Sheik reveals that when Ganondorf tried to steal the Triforce, his heart was imbalanced, and the Triforce split into three parts: The Triforce of Power, The Triforce of Wisdom, and The Triforce of Courage, and that the parts of the Triforce went to the three destined to receive them. Sheik says Ganondorf received The Triforce of Power,. Sheik then suddenly reveals part of the Triforce; The Triforce of Wisdom. Using it he changes into: ZELDA?!!

A Sacred Weapon
Zelda reveals that she wanted to help you on your journey because it was her fault for causing everything to happen, and that she is the Seventh Sage, the one destined to become the leader of the Six Sages. Zelda then gives Link a gift, the Light Arrows, which can penetrate through darkness. She tells you that you and she will now finally defeat Ganondorf. However, suddenly the Temple of Time starts to rumble, and Ganondorf's voice can be heard, commending Zelda on her seven years of hiding. Zelda is encased in a crystal prison, and carted away. Ganondorf tells Link that if he wants to save Zelda, he'll have to come to his castle.

The Path to Ganon's Castle
Go into the now desolate Hyrule Market and go up the path where Hyrule Castle used to be. You'll find Ganon's Castle is in its place, and it's completely unreachable! However, Rauru speaks to telepathically and says the Six Sages will make a bridge for you using their powers. With the combined power of the six medallions you have obtained from each respective sage, a bridge connecting to the castle appears, and now you can enter the castle.

It is best if you prepare for Ganon's Castle by purchasing a few jars worth of blue potion (talk to the lady in the red barn behind the potion shop in Kakariko Village) for it restores both health and magic at once. Make sure you have empty bottles to put it in. Each filled jar will cost you 100 rupees.

Ganon's Castle
Remember to use light arrows to destroy barriers.

The final dungeon of the game is imposing at first, but rather simple. A series of Temple-Themed challenges awaits you, along with a few new items. March straight through the ascending stairs and the two Beamos and enter the main hall. You'll see that there are six separate mini-dungeons that require disabling, to disable the large barrier in front of you. There is no specific order as to how to complete, however, you must obtain the Gold Gauntlets from the Shadow region before you can complete the Fire region.

If you are low on health, fairies, or magic, simply back flip to the bottom of the tower, and directly below the entrance is a hidden alcove. Use the Lens of Truth if you can't find it, it's on the ground floor. If you enter, several fairies and Business Scrubs await. You can stock up here if need be. The recommended travel companions are three fairies, and a green or blue potion. You'll find that you'll want to be able to readily replenish magic later on.

From the entrance, to the right lays the first temple. Enter it to head for the Forest Barrier.

The Forest Barrier
Move a little bit forward and you'll hit a Wolfos. Easy battle, stab it up the back. Afterwards, light the torches using fire arrows, then continue.

This room, unfortunately, is a bit more complicated. Yes, it's another silver-rupee gathering fest. You'll notice several platforms, and a jump won't be enough to get you to first one. Hover boots? Not only that. Fans. So how do you get around? Well, start by playing the Song of Time to make a block materialize under the rupee on your left. From there, you can hover with the wind and then drop onto the other platform. From there, try to kill the Beamos in the middle, which will net you another rupee. Then jump (or float) down towards the fan to the left of the exit door to find a switch which, when pressed, will make a hookshot target appear on the platform you came from. Use that target to get another rupee, then gather the remaining rupees. Keep in mind that the fans will blow you around if you wear hover boots carelessly.

In this last room, you get to use the Light Arrows for the first time. Equip them and shoot one into the center of the Forest barrier. Saria will then destroy the barrier and she'll warp you back to the entrance that led to the barrier. This will happen each time you destroy a barrier. Head to the right once more to find the Water barrier.

The Water Barrier
Start by killing off the annoying Freezards. Then fill a bottle with Blue Fire, melt the ice over the door, then refill your bottle with Blue Fire. You'll need it for this next part.

If you are having trouble with the ice maze simply get an empty bottle and fill it with Blue Fire to destroy the walls, then try the block challenge. Push the block farthest from you to the hole, then push the other block up to the ice block. After that push it to the other ice block and then push it towards the wall. Then climb up on the block and use your blue fire. The just simply walk into the room and shoot the barrier with your Light arrows. Princess Ruto will destroy the Water Barrier. Then, return to the entrance and you'll find the Light Barrier, except go one further to the Spirit barrier. However, you don't have to.

The Spirit Barrier
Another rupee-collecting quest! Luckily, there are no pitfalls here, just spike traps.

First things first, blow up the Beamos. Once that's done, latch onto the target above where he used to be and get his rupee. Then to get the others, slide the statues around until you can collect them easily. If you feel the need, play the Sun's Song where the Beamos was to pick up a big fairy.

Kill the torch slugs, then look up at the bars. You'll notice a hole at the top. Spin with your sword by the metal bars to hit the silver switch. Then a chest will fall. Open the chest by it to find ten Bombchus, because you'll need to put one through that hole and hit the switch. If you have more, it helps. Afterwards, look up in the room with the suns and fire a Fire Arrow up into the webbing to expose light. Shine some light on the sun to the right of the doorway you just came through. Get the wrong one, and a Wallmaster will come to get you. Finish off this barrier and go back to where the Water barrier entrance is, continuing one more to the Shadow Barrier.

The Shadow Barrier
This barrier gets irritating if you have to restart it. Rule #1: Do not fall. Ever. You will be as annoyed as if you hadn't pulled that first block in the Water Temple. Having said that, let's do this dungeon.

Shoot the torch on the right (it might be hard to see, but it's there) with a Fire Arrow. Alternatively, if you don't have Fire Arrows, you need to be fast - Longshot across to the torch and use Din's Fire, then quickly Longshot back to the entrance. When you do this, a series of platforms will appear. If the torch goes out, they'll disappear. Then run to cross to the main platform, and kill the Like Like if needed, but be careful not to hit it so that you won't make things hard on yourself. There's another torch by the door, so shoot it as well. This will cause another set of temporary platforms to appear. Alternatively, use your Fairy Boots with two well-timed attack rolls to cross to the next platform. Then head downwards using them to find another switch. A chest will drop and the platforms will remain in place. If there's enough time after hitting the switch, head back to the platform on the ice platforms. Otherwise, longshot to the chest that appeared. You'll find the ever-important Golden Gauntlets. They are twice as strong as the Silver Gauntlets and allow you to lift incredibly heavy objects. Then use the Lens of Truth, which will reveal the path to the torch to the exit, and another path to the exit itself. Destroy the barrier and Impa will appear to get rid of the Shadow Barrier. Now, go and leave the castle to find the final Great Fairy's Fountain.

The Last Great Fairy


Leave the castle, cross the bridge, then turn left. You'll see a bunch of rocks and a stone pillar blocking at the end of the path. With the Golden gauntlets, you can toss it out of the way and reveal one final Fairy Fountain. In this fountain, play Zelda's Lullaby and the Great Fairy will enhance your life energy. You'll receive borders around your hearts, meaning that you now take half damage from any attack. Yes, a very nice reward for the last couple of bosses.

Once you're done out here, head back inside and head left, passing the pillar you see. Don't worry, you'll get it soon enough. Go past the pillar to the Fire Barrier.

The Fire Barrier
If you got the feeling that the Shadow Barrier was annoying and the Forest Barrier was a pain, things get even harder. This one requires the use of the Hover Boots nearly all the time, so be careful where you step. You'll be collecting even more Silver Rupees, and facing a few traps ahead.

Head to the left to the rotating wheel of fire. Take your time here, get the rupee, and get back. Grab the next rupee on the brown platform, but don't slack off because this one isn't as nice as the platform in the middle. Now, see the big pillar? With the Golden Gauntlets, you can heave that aside to get the rupee under it. After you've done that, hookshot to the door and kill the Fire slug, then longshot to the platform behind you and to the right. What do you know? It's the pillar. Jump onto the pillar and onto the platform, then hurry back and longshot back to the exit. Destroy off the Fire Barrier,and Darunia will get rid of the Fire Barrier. Then you can move on to the ridiculously easy Light Barrier.

The Light Barrier
Easy to find. You passed it earlier. It's that big pillar! Lift it out of the way and head on through the door.

In the first room, pull out your lens and bow and kill all of the enemies who think that being invisible gives them an evolutionary advantage. Hit the chest in the middle, but no others, as they're mostly traps. Continue to the next room, which is easy, given the number of Triforce symbols we've seen so far. In the next room, hookshot to the ceiling and survey your surroundings. Plan and time your path, as getting hit by boulders is not fun. There are some rupees in the middle and on the outside. Once you're done here, pat yourself on the back. No more silver rupees! Ever! The next room looks like a dead end, but you can prove you're better than the average Link and walk right into the wall. You know what do do from here. Continue into Ganon's Tower.

Ganon's Tower
This is the final gambit that Ganon throws at you to delay your arrival. To move on, you must kill everything in your path, except those first Keese.

Dinalfos Attack
The first enemies of the tower are Dinalfos. These lizards are like Lizalfos, but have more strength in them. However, you're now well-equipped to take them.

Boss Key
Proceed further up the tower and you'll find your next challenge, two Stalfos. You must quickly kill both to move on. Normally, this would seem difficult, but if you picked up the Ice Arrows on your quest, it's very simple. Just wait for them to drop their guard and hit them with the arrows, then jump-slash them to kill them in one strike! Now with them gone, the fire trap in the room vanishes, revealing the chest with the Boss Key.

Final Defense
Up at the next section on the tower await two Iron Knuckles, the minibosses of the castle. However, they aren't silver like the ones you faced in the Spirit Temple: they've been beefed up to suit a stronger defense. The weaker one has white armor, and the stronger one has black armor.

There are several ways to defeat them, like to unload all of your remaining bombchus on them, because they won't be very useful from here on out, or quickly hit-and-run them with either sword. As you get higher, you'll notice some creepy organ music. When you reach the room with nothing but a bunch of jars in it, DON'T break them yet. Instead, go through the door on your right. You'll then be at the base of another staircase which will lead you to Ganondorf's Room and the very pinnacle of the tower.

Gathering of the Triforce
As Link comes face to face with Ganondorf, he sees him at the foot of a pipe organ, playing a song with a dark lull to its melody. Above him, Link sees Zelda, held captive in the crystal in which she was encased. As Ganondorf plays his dark song, The Triforces of Courage and Wisdom show their marks amongst Link and Zelda's hands. Soon, Link finds his body rejuvinated by the song's melody. Ganondorf, his desire achieved, suddenly stops playing the organ and speaks to his confronter. His song brought out the pieces of the Triforce and started to combine them. However, this goal is not finished. As Ganondorf flashes the Triforce of Power amongst Link and Zelda, he begins the final phase of his plan: slaying them!

Boss: Ganondorf
Navi is held back by Ganondorf's evil aura so you cannot use Z-targeting during this battle. Make sure you have the hover boots on. Simply stand on any of the outer blocks in the corners and let Ganondorf shoot at you. Otherwise, he may send shockwaves through the floor and make it crumble, like at the start of the fight. If you remember the fight with Phantom Ganon, you'll know what to do. Use your sword or an empty bottle to deflect Ganondorf's magic back at him. After a few volleys, he'll get hit by his own magic and will be stunned. At this point hit him with a light arrow, then jump (or hover) onto the platform in the center and slash him to pieces. Don't use Nayru's Love to protect you though since you can't shoot the light arrows when being protected by the Love. Jump back to the squares and repeat. Sometimes (when he's low on health) he'll shoot a large blast of magic at you. You can deflect this one by using your fully charged spin attack, otherwise avoid it. It'll make pieces of the floor crumble away, making the battle trickier. You have a choice of either keeping the hover boots on or changing over to your regular boots in order to run faster to avoid the blast of magic. Either way, as you run from the bolts of magic, rolling at the last second helps you to avoid getting hit.

If you need health or magic drop down to the bottom area where the pots are. Hopefully you have some blue potion if you need it.

Alternately, you may not have to equip the hover boots. If you have the Biggoron's sword, equip it, and have the hookshot ready as well. After stunning Ganondorf, and firing the light arrow, line up a direct path with him. You can jump/hookshot yourself into Ganondorf, either way as soon as you land, you can jump slash him. Since one jump slash with the Biggoron's sword is the equivalent of four Master Sword strikes, this initial blow will speed up the process. Stabbing gives you quicker attack rates, and less lag time after the swing. Once you see him recover, hookshot the windows and fly away. When Ganondorf begins charging up his large sphere that can be reflected by using your fully charged spin attack or a more economical firing of a light arrow into his body. This will prevent the charge from ever happening.

Eventually you'll kill Ganondorf. Unfortunately with his dying breath he tries to bring the castle down around him, intending to bury you alive!

Escaping the Castle
Note: If you attempt to save your game at any of the stages from this point on, and proceed to die or quit after, it will not work. You will start at your last save point (before Ganondorf). In other words, you have to kill Ganondorf, escape from the castle, and kill Ganon without dying!

Follow Zelda down through the different levels of the castle to escape. Because of the havoc Ganondorf unleashed before his collapse, the top of the tower has crumbled, along with several halls, staircases, and the corridors that led you to the top of the tower, so now the only way out is through several barred passageways, which only Zelda can open. Be sure to stand right in front of each barred passageway in order to trigger Zelda to open them. Most of the time you can second-guess her and run on ahead. However, if you get hit by falling debris Zelda will gasp and remain where she is, so you'll need to go back for her.

At one point Zelda will be encircled with flames and two Stalfos appear. Destroy both of them quickly or they'll revive! The flames will then vanish and Zelda will release hearts. Go up to her and get them if you need them, then continue on your way.

Eventually you'll come down the stairs and reach a doorway with bright white light outside. Avoid the Re-dead before then. Go through and you're back outside. You'll now see the castle slowly crumble down into a pile of rubble.

Zelda now goes on about how everything will get back to normal when suddenly there comes a noise from the rubble. She sends you to investigate.

Walk over, and Ganondorf will emerge from the rubble and use the Triforce of Power to transform into his super-form, Ganon. Ganon knocks the Master Sword out of Link's hands, leaving him without his most effective boss-killing weapon.

Final Boss: Ganon
This time you've got your trusty Z-targeting back. Strike Ganon between the eyes with the light arrows leaving him stunned. This makes his vulnerable tail drop down within reach. Quickly target it and rush in behind him to slash it to pieces. If you don't have the Biggoron Sword the Megaton Hammer will also work. If you need a magic refill just head to one of the crumbled walls and let Ganon strike at it, revealing the bottles. Also, if you're running low on arrows or magic, you can simply hit him once with a light arrow, then go around behind him to strike the tail. Keep the Z-Target on the tail and stay near the tail. He will try to turn around and hit you but just keep following the tail and hitting it. After about 10 hits he will go down hard.

Once he's down rush over and get the Master Sword, and equip it, then go and hit him quickly before he gets up (the more blows the better). However if you are not fast enough he will get back up and you will have to do it all over again. If you want an easy win, just roll between his legs to get to his tail, real fast. Either way, repeat the same basic process until he's down yet again.

This time however Zelda will hold him still with her powers and tell you to deliver the final blow. Simply walk up to him and slash, and it's all over.

Peace is Finally Restored
Now that you have struck down Ganon, Zelda will call on the Six Sages, who seal Ganondorf into the void of the Evil Realm. Ganondorf vows once the seal on him is broken, and as long as he has the Triforce of Power, he will then exterminate Link and Zelda's descendants.

Zelda then shows her gratitude to Link and thanks him for restoring peace to Hyrule. She also apologizes for causing all of what has happened because she did not know as a child what the consequences would be. Then she asks something very surprising of Link; To lay the Master Sword to rest, closing the Door of Time and to give the Ocarina of Time to her so he can be brought back to his own time where he belongs, by using her powers as a Sage. She then tells Link that they will have to say good-bye once peace is restored to Hyrule because once the Master Sword shuts the Door of Time, the road between times will close as well. She then plays her own lullaby, which returns Link to his time, as well as his former self.

The credit sequence begins, which shows peace returning to Hyrule, Zora's Domain thawing, the Deku Tree Sprout very happy, and the adult Epona running freely across Hyrule Field. As she does so, night time comes over. Then you'll see a celebration where the Gorons, Zoras, and even Koriki are together. Everyone from Hyrule Market, Kakriko Village, and the Lon Lon Ranch are here, too. The Gerudos are even there, dancing. The boss and his workers from Kakariko Village are getting along well now, and Ingo and Talon are friends now. (If you haven't noticed, they are replicas of Mario and Luigi.) Malon is happier then ever, and is humming like always. Even Biggoron from atop Death Mountain is there!
 * Credits

Meanwhile, King Zora and Mido are watching from afar, King Zora missing Ruto and Mido missing Saria, when lights start raining above them. They look up and see the glowing lights of five of the Six Sages flying by, Ruto and Saria flying right overhead, reassuring them they're alright.

Saria, Darunia, Princess Ruto, Impa, and Nabooru are happy to see peace once again. As for Rauru, the Sage of Light, nothing is depicted.

The warp back into time returns Link to his child form and the Master Sword to the Pedestal of Time. Navi flies out of the temple from a window, no longer accompaying Link, as he has matured into an adult. Link takes one last look at the sword before leaving, and the bells of the temple sound off in harmony.

Link returns to Zelda once again, having defeated Ganondorf, both very pleased.

After all the credits, when you see the sepia-toned, freeze-framed "The End" screen, leave the game on. It will eventually start playing a song, either the Prelude of Light or the custom Scarecrow Song that you created, over and over in different instruments.
 * The End

Congratulations! You've finally finished the whole game!