Best Zelda Games That Don’t Feature Ganon - July 2024

Best Zelda Games That Don't Feature Ganon

Highlights

Zelda
games often offer diverse adventures without Ganon playing a leading role, like facing Nightmares in
Link’s Awakening
.
Vaati introduces new challenges in
Four Swords
, trapping Zelda to reign with her as his bride.
The
Oracle
games showcase unique lands and villains, with Link battling Onox and Veran to save the worlds.

As someone who has spent countless hours exploring the captivating worlds of The Legend of Zelda series, I can honestly say that each installment offers a unique and enriching experience. From my perspective, these games have not only provided me with endless entertainment but also allowed me to grow and learn in various ways throughout my life.

In the beloved Legend of Zelda series, the battle between the hero Link and the evil lord Ganon is a common theme. Yet, the collection offers more than just this classic conflict. It introduces various titles with original antagonists that expand Hyrule’s realm in intriguing ways.

These games showcase the enchantment of the Zelda franchise goes beyond just its iconic antagonist. From voyages through time and teamwork-based missions, to ominous stories with captivating atmospheres and lighthearted journeys filled with whimsy.

Warning: Spoilers for The Legend of Zelda series

1 The Legend of Zelda: The Adventure Of Link

The Second Adventure

Best Zelda Games That Don't Feature Ganon

In a striking shift from the initial “The Legend of Zelda” game, released in 1987’s “Zelda II: The Adventure of Link” introduced side-scrolling gameplay and role-playing features. This captivating adventure follows the journey of our hero, Link, as he embarks on a quest to rouse Princess Zelda from an enchantment cast by a formidable spell.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed something different about this game compared to its predecessors in the series. Instead of battling it out with the classic antagonist Ganon, I find myself going head-to-head against a variety of challenges. The real test comes at the end when I face off against Dark Link, a formidable foe who looks just like Link but is shrouded in darkness. This shadowy doppelgänger puts my skills to the ultimate test.

2 The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Facing The Nightmares

First introduced for the Game Boy in 1993 and then revamped for Nintendo Switch in 2019, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is set on Koholint Island, an enigmatic place located at a great distance from Hyrule.

When Ganon is out of the picture, the game presents the Nightmares, under the leadership of DethI, who have arrived on Koholint with an ambition to seize control. To accomplish this, they aim to prevent the Wind Fish from being roused by playing the Sirens’ Instruments.

3 The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

The Darkest Game

In the intriguing world of “Majora’s Mask” within the Zelda series, a distinctive feature is its time-centric gameplay. Nestled in the alternate realm of Termina, our hero Link is confronted with a pressing challenge: averting the imminent collision of the moon with the land. With only a three-day window at his disposal, he must diligently tackle puzzles and finish quests to save the day, repeatedly reliving these days until success is achieved.

In this version of “The Legend of Zelda,” Ganon is absent, and instead, Skull Kid emerges as the ominous and mysterious adversary, having made off with Majora’s Mask. Even without Ganondorf’s presence, this installment is renowned for its darkness among all the series offerings.

4 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons And Oracle Of Ages

The Game Boy Duo

The Game Boy Color editions titled Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, developed in partnership between Capcom and Nintendo, present distinct adventures within the Zelda franchise without focusing on Ganon as the main adversary. In these games, players explore the realms of Holodrum and Labrynna, respectively, where Link works to prevent various villains from causing disorder in each world.

In “Oracle of Seasons,” Link encounters Onox, the Darkness General, who seizes Din, the Seasons’ Oracle. Conversely, in “Oracle of Ages,” Link clashes with Veran, the Shadow Sorceress, who takes control of Nayru, the Oracle of Ages.

5 The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords

One Is Good, Four Is Perfect

The Game Boy Advance addition to “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past,” titled “Four Swords,” stands out in the series due to its unique multiplayer features and teamwork aspects. This game marked the debut of a new antagonist named Vaati.

In the storyline, Vaati is portrayed as a frequent antagonist who once was a Minish but now suffers from intense anger and controls the wind. He had been imprisoned within the sanctuary’s sword, but managed to break free and kidnapped Zelda with plans of ruling alongside her as his queen.

6 The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Vaati Returns As The Antagonist

For the Game Boy Advance, there’s a title in the “Legend of Zelda” franchise called “The Minish Cap” that doesn’t make Ganon its central villain. Instead, it introduces Vaati as the antagonist, who turns Princess Zelda to stone and aims to rule the world once more. In this installment, Link collaborates with Ezlo, a hat possessed by a Minish spirit, enabling him to shrink to a minuscule size and explore the Minish realm.

7 The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Continuation Of Wind Waker

In the Nintendo DS series debut, titled “Phantom Hourglass“, Ganon isn’t the primary antagonist as in other games. The storyline unfolds right after the conclusion of “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” where Link successfully vanquishes Ganon.

An new adversary named Bellum emerges, kidnapping Tetra and putting the entire world at risk. To save Tetra and vanquish Bellum, Link must sail through the enigmatic waters of the Ghost Ship and delve into the Temple of the Ocean King.

8 The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Trading Ships For Trains

After the defeat of Ganon as depicted in “Phantom Hourglass,” the subsequent Nintendo DS installation in the “Legend of Zelda” series was titled “The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks” where Princess Zelda appears alongside Link in spirit form. She aids him by taking control of Phantom Guardians and contributing to puzzle-solving solutions.

In this part of the story, we encounter a fresh danger for the kingdom as Chancellor Cole and his sidekick Byrne scheme to bring back the malevolent Demon King Malladus.

9 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Origin Of Everything

In “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword,” players join Link as he sets out on an exciting adventure to uncover the beginnings of Hyrule’s legend. This captivating tale unfolds in a realm situated high above the clouds, where our hero ventures forth to save his cherished friend Zelda. She has been kidnapped and taken to the ground by an enigmatic power.

In the game, Ghirahim is presented as a significant adversary with immense power and shrouded in mystery, aligned with the greater evil known as Demise. Rather than focusing on a fresh confrontation between Zelda and Link against Ganon, Skyward Sword delves into the roots of this conflict predating the appearance of Ganondorf, rooted in the downfall of the malevolent being named Demise.

10 The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

The Three Heroes Of The Triforce

In the realm of Zelda, Tri Force Heroes distinguishes itself through its collaborative multiplayer experience, where a team of three players unite to conquer puzzles and vanquish adversaries. Debuted on the Nintendo 3DS, this title transports us to the quirky, fashion-conscious kingdom of Hytopia.

The main villain is a wicked witch named Lady, who casts a spell on Princess Styla, making her unwillingly don an unattractive jumpsuit that she cannot take off. Gamers manage three Links of distinct colors – red, blue, and green – to cooperate in surmounting diverse obstacles, all featuring the same version of Link as seen in “A Link Between Worlds”.

2024-07-20 06:06