Chapter 14 · Adult Link · Final dungeon
Ganondorf’s Castle Walkthrough
This Ganondorf’s Castle walkthrough covers all six barriers, both final bosses and the ending requirement. To finish Ganondorf’s Castle, clear all six barrier trials and shoot each barrier orb with a Light Arrow (start with the Shadow trial for the Golden Gauntlets), climb the central tower, defeat Ganondorf, follow Zelda out of the collapsing castle, then beat Ganon with the Master Sword.
The remake keeps the six trials and the tower climb from the original. One remake guide reports that the escape from the collapsing tower is no longer timed, but two other remake walkthroughs still describe a three-minute countdown, so play it as if the clock is running. Restock arrows, magic and fairies before the tower, because the bosses come back to back.
What changed in the remake
- Single source The escape from Ganon’s collapsing tower no longer has a timer (games.gg, attributing TheGamer). CONFLICT: FinalBoss’s and KeenGamer’s remake walkthroughs both still describe a timed escape, FinalBoss specifying three minutes.
- Confirmed Six Sage trials remain, and the Golden Gauntlets are still in the Shadow trial, as in the original.
- Single source Some bosses gain new, rarely used attacks; no source says which, so expect the occasional unfamiliar move from Ganondorf or Ganon.
- Confirmed Full voice acting in cutscenes, including Zelda and Ganondorf, and an orchestral soundtrack for the finale.
Before you go
After the Spirit Temple, Zelda reveals herself in the Temple of Time and gives you the Light Arrows. With all six Medallions, the Sages build a rainbow bridge over the lava moat at Ganon’s Castle. This is the last stretch of the story, so make a manual save first if you want to come back for Heart Pieces, Gold Skulltulas or upgrades.
Bring the Longshot, Hover Boots, Iron Boots, Megaton Hammer, Lens of Truth, Mirror Shield, Goron Tunic, Fire Arrows, Bombs, Bombchus and at least one empty Bottle for Blue Fire. Fill other bottles with fairies or potions, and carry Biggoron’s Sword if you have it. The remake’s D-pad slots are worth setting up here: Light Arrows, Lens, Longshot and Hover Boots cover most rooms.
Ganondorf’s Castle walkthrough: the six barrier trials
Every trial ends at a glowing orb. Shoot it with a Light Arrow and that Sage breaks one of the six beams around the tower door. The trials can be done in any order, but the Light trial needs the Golden Gauntlets, so the usual plan is Shadow first.
- Shadow: light torches with Fire Arrows to make temporary platforms, follow the hidden path with the Lens of Truth, hit the floor switch with the Hammer and Longshot to the big chest for the Golden Gauntlets.
- Forest: ride the fan winds and Song of Time blocks to gather five silver rupees, using Hover Boots and the Longshot target for the hard one.
- Water: catch Blue Fire in a Bottle, push blocks to fill the hole within the time limit, then melt the red ice and hit the switch. Refill the Bottle for the second room.
- Fire: wear the Goron Tunic, collect the silver rupees over lava while avoiding the rotating flame, lift the giant pillar with the Golden Gauntlets to make a bridge and Longshot to the exit.
- Spirit: move the Armos, collect the rupees, send a Bombchu through the bars to hit the crystal switch, then reflect sunlight with the Mirror Shield onto the correct sun.
- Light: lift the pillar at the door with the Golden Gauntlets, kill the hidden enemies with the Lens for a key, play Zelda’s Lullaby on the Triforce mark, grab five silver rupees while dodging boulders, and look behind a false wall for the real orb.
Tower climb and Ganondorf
- With all six beams gone, enter the tower. Clear the Keese on the stairs and the Dinolfos in the first room.
- Beat the two Stalfos for the tower’s Boss Key chest.
- Wake the two Iron Knuckles one at a time so their axe swings never overlap.
- Unlock the big door and climb to Ganondorf. Stay near the outer edge, because his opening attack shatters the middle of the floor.
- Return his energy balls with sword swings until one hits him, shoot a Light Arrow while he is stunned, then jump to the centre and slash him. Retreat before he recovers. Answer his multi-orb charge with a spin attack. Pots on the lower floor refill supplies.
The escape and Ganon
After Ganondorf falls, follow Zelda down the crumbling tower. She opens barred doors; when fire traps her, kill the two Stalfos so she can continue. Avoid falling rubble and the ReDeads on the last bridge, and note that the ocarina cannot be used during the escape. Whether a countdown is on screen is the one disputed point on this page, so do not linger either way.
Ganon knocks the Master Sword away at the start, so switch to the Megaton Hammer or Biggoron’s Sword. Roll under him or bait a blade swing and circle round to hit his glowing tail. A Light Arrow to the face stuns him and opens the same chance. When he collapses and Zelda calls out, the ring of fire drops: grab the Master Sword at once. Keep hitting the tail until Zelda pins him with her magic, then deliver the final strike with the Master Sword.
Common stuck points
The tower door will not open: one beam is still up. Recheck each trial door and make sure you shot the orb, not the decoy room in the Light trial.
You cannot enter the Light trial: the pillar needs the Golden Gauntlets from the Shadow trial. The same gauntlets lift the pillar outside the castle that hides a Great Fairy with the defence upgrade, which halves damage taken.
Ganon will not go down: only the Master Sword lands the last blow, so retrieve it as soon as the fire ring falls.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Golden Gauntlets in Ganon’s Castle?
In the big chest at the end of the Shadow trial, reached with Fire Arrows, the Lens of Truth, the Hammer and the Longshot.
Is the Ganon’s Castle escape timed in the remake?
Sources disagree. One remake guide says the timer was removed, while two remake walkthroughs still describe roughly three minutes, so move quickly and treat it as timed.
How do you beat Ganondorf?
Bat his energy balls back with your sword, hit him with a Light Arrow while he is stunned, then slash him from the central platform.
How do you beat Ganon without the Master Sword?
Use the Megaton Hammer or Biggoron’s Sword on his tail until Zelda drops the fire ring, then retrieve the Master Sword for the final blow.
Can you go back after beating Ganon?
Finishing Ganon rolls the ending. Save before the tower so you can reload for any Heart Pieces or Gold Skulltulas still missing.