The Hardest Part In Every Zelda Game

The Hardest Part in Every Zelda Game

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re taking a look at the hardest part in every mainline Zelda game. From brain-busting puzzles to difficult boss battles, these are moments in Nintendo’s legendary series that left us a little frustrated.

Level 9 (Second Quest)

“The Legend of Zelda” (1987)

While getting through the original Legend of Zelda game is a challenge in itself, the game’s Second Quest makes that playthrough feel like a cake walk. More specifically, the final level of the second quest is far and away the hardest part of the game. Located in Death Mountain, the dungeon map takes the shape of series villain Ganon’s head and offers not one, but two items Link can find to help defeat him. The fight with the demonic pig plays out similar to how it did in the first quest, but Link must use the Silver Arrow to take care of Ganon once and for all (or so it seems).

The Great Palace

“Zelda II: The Adventure of Link” (1988)

 Honestly, we could name any part of the 1987 sequel to the Legend of Zelda and it would fit nicely onto this list - the inventive sidescrolling RPG elements are a drastic departure from the formula we continue to see today, and it was brutally difficult. But the absolute hardest part of this game is the final dungeon, the Great Palace. This massive labyrinth is the ultimate challenge in Zelda II, and sees the titular hero taking on the toughest enemies in the game, culminating in the final battles with Thunderbird and the easily cheesable Link’s Shadow. Luckily, your time spent in frustration at the Great Palace is slightly made better by its awesome theme song.

The Ice Palace

“The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past” (1992)

A Link to the Past is a lot of gamer’s favorite Zelda title, and with good reason. Building on the 2D elements from the original brought this to the 16-bit era, along with new challenges. One of those challenges is the Ice Palace, one of this game’s later dungeons. In typical video game fashion, this level has a ton of slippery ice floors that Link must navigate while solving puzzles and fighting enemies, which can be extremely frustrating. The usual tight controls you’ve grown accustomed to are thrown out the window here, giving this dungeon an air of unpredictability that left us low on hearts most of the way through. Your troubles are well worth it, since you’ll find the Blue Mail, which buffs Link’s defense by 50%.

Eagle’s Tower

“The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening” (1993)

In both the 1993 Game Boy original and the 2019 Switch remake, Link’s Awakening’s toughest moment always has been and always will be the Eagle’s Tower. The penultimate dungeon sees our hero navigating multiple floors, taking out pillars to collapse the tower, battling multiple sub-bosses, and fighting the Evil Eagle at the top. Oh, and throwing a metal ball around for some reason. Link’s Awakening isn’t really the most difficult Zelda game around, making it a great jumping on point for newcomers to the series, but Eagle’s Towers will always give us trouble.

The Water Temple

“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998)

The first 3D entry in the series, Ocarina of Time stands out to many fans as not only the best Zelda game ever made, but one of the best video games ever made, period. The shift to 3D came with its own challenges at the time, as gamers were trying to learn to navigate this space, but the hardest part of Ocarina of Time is the opening level, the Great Deku Tree… Juuuust kidding, it’s obviously the Water Temple, come on. To this day, we have to consult a walkthrough to navigate the rising water levels, multiple floors, and missing small keys to get through this extremely frustrating dungeon. The 3DS remake helped streamline the level, but even that requires some guidance. Nintendo learned their lesson here, and water levels moving forward were designed to be significantly less annoying. Luckily, the Shadow Link sub-boss in this level is super fun.

Obtaining the Fierce Deity Mask

“The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask” (2000)

The next unconventional entry in the series after Link’s Awakening, Majora’s Mask is another game like Zelda II that has a handful of tough moments. But the hardest part has to be collecting the Fierce Deity mask, a powerful item that transforms Link into a powerful god-like being. You can only get this by trading in all 20 of the other game’s masks (besides the four that transform Link) to the Moon Children wearing the boss masks from throughout the game. This means doing every side quest, unlocking all the masks, and then making it to the end of the game. The juice is worth the squeeze, as the Fierce Deity Mask makes quick work of the final boss.

Onox

“The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons” (2001)

In 2001, Nintendo went the Pokemon route with the Legend of Zelda series, simultaneously launching Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons on the Game Boy Color. In Oracle of Seasons, Link wields the Rod of Seasons to change the weather to solve puzzles, culminating in a fight with the dastardly Onox, General of Darkness, whose fight is easily the hardest part of this game. The enormous armored, ball-and-chain-wielding villain takes up most of the screen, making it extremely hard to dodge his attacks. He’ll also send boulders crumbling down as an area of effect attack. Once you deal enough damage here, the fight transitions to the second phase, where Onox transforms into a massive flying dragon. Here, you’ll have to use Roc’s Cape to jump onto his hands and attack the red gem on his head, all while dodging his attacks. Getting the timing down can be tough, so good luck.

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

“The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages” (2001)

 Many long-time Zelda fans agree: Oracle of Ages’ version of Jabu Jabu’s Belly is the most difficult in series history. If you’re expecting the relatively easy jaunt through the whale’s innards from Ocarina of Time, think again - this level is brutal. Like another of Ocarina of Time’s dungeons, you’ll have to manipulate water levels to navigate the Belly’s three floors, and it’s extremely easy to get lost while doing so. And just like the Water Temple, you’ll likely miss a small key or two that are crucial for making it out alive.

Vaati

“The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords” (2002)

Not to be confused with the GameCube title Four Swords Adventures (more on that in a bit), this version is a pack-in title with the GBA re-release of A Link to the Past that requires you and up to three friends to use a the GameBoy link cable for some multiplayer mayhem. Even just playing this game poses its own challenge, but in terms of gameplay, the final fight with new villain Vaati takes the cake here. This fight takes place over two phases, with the first one requiring you to throw bombs into the cyclones he creates. The next phase is a lot more involved, forcing you to practice your best dodges and strategize with your friends to take him down.

The Wind Temple

“The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” (2003)

The last of Wind Waker’s main dungeons before plunging into the depths and taking on Ganondorf, the Wind Temple on Gale Isle is this entry’s hardest challenge. Link and the adorable Korok Makar have to work together to solve this dungeon’s puzzles. Navigating this maze and fending off some of the game’s toughest enemies, all while keeping track of Makar, can be pretty frustrating, as you’ll have to carry the lil’ guy around most of the time. You do get to control him and fly around a bit, which can be fun, but some of the puzzles left us scratching our heads.

Temple of Darkness

“The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures” (2004)

The bigger, better multiplayer experience on the GameCube, Four Swords Adventures’ hardest section is without a doubt the Temple of Darkness. Another labyrinthian dungeon, the Temple of Darkness sports a wide variety of puzzles, difficult enemies, and a tough boss fight involving four, that's right four, Phantom Ganons. Try doing all this while trying to coordinate with three other players. Pass.

Palace of Winds

“The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap” (2005)

The Minish Cap is one of the shortest and easiest Legend of Zelda games, but it’s incredible nonetheless. Taking its art style from the Four Swords tie-in, the game’s hardest challenge is the final dungeon, the Palace of Winds. Navigating countless rooms and its verticality can be extremely confusing, and the boss fight against the red and blue Gyorgs is also a bit-rage inducing. You’ll have to time your jumps between them, then charge up the Four Sword using the right formation, then attack all eyes at the same time. Don’t be surprised if you have to try this fight over and over again.

Cave of Ordeals

“The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” (2006)

 The Cave of Ordeals is an optional dungeon in Twilight Princess that has you descend dozens of floors with combat challenges that progressively get harder. With a total of 50 floors, each tenth floor gives Link a reprieve from battle with a Great Fairy Fountain to heal his wounds. You’ll have to revisit the Cave of Ordeals later on in the game, as you’ll need the items from the main dungeons to progress deeper. The juice is worth the squeeze too, since clearing the Cave will reward you with a Bottle full of Great Fairy Tears, which is a great asset to have when it’s time to face Ganondorf.

Temple of the Ocean King

“The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass” (2007)

 Ahh, the Temple of the Ocean King. This recurring hub-dungeon on the first DS Zelda game is not only the hardest part of the game, but easily the most annoying, frustrating, and eye-rolling part as well. Having to return to it over and over and over…. And over again gets old fast. You also have to contend with other obstacles like phantoms and puzzles. We get what Nintendo was going for with the design of the Temple of the Ocean King, it just feels like they massively missed the mark. It would have been much better to just be able to skip to the next part of the dungeon instead of needing to replay most of it.

Getting 900 Hits in the Training Game

“The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks” (2009)

 The second entry on the DS, and a bit of a black sheep of the franchise among fans, Spirit Tracks is another Zelda title that isn’t the hardest overall. The most difficult part of this one, oddly enough, is a mini game that takes place in Hyrule Castle. The Training Game isn’t a new feature to Zelda games, but here, if Link is able to get 900 consecutive hits without being struck by royal guards, the captain of the guard Russell bestows upon Link the title of captain. It’s useless, like Hestu’s Gift from the recent Switch titles, but it’s a fun accolade to earn either way.

The Silent Realm

“The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” (2011)

The Silent Realms are tests created by the Goddesses Hylia for Link to prove his mettle. Similar to Phantom Hourglass's Phantoms, Link has to stealthily evade Guardians while collecting fifteen Sacred Tears scattered around, and if he’s caught, will be sent back to the beginning. What makes the Silent Realms so hard, you ask? Only Link is able to enter the Silent Realm, and Fi is not. If you haven’t played Skyward Sword, Fi is Link’s sword. So you’re going in completely bare, relying on your wits and stealth skills to make it out.

The Treacherous Tower

“The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” (2013)

 Located in Lorule’s Death Mountain, the Treacherous Tower is another optional dungeon that is this game’s toughest challenge. The Advance Level contains 50 rooms of various combat challenges that award you with tons of Rupees, and if you’re able to make it to the end of each difficulty level, you’ll get a sweet prize. The 49th floor will see you taking on three Black Lynels, some of the toughest enemies in the game, and the final floor has you face off against a Purple Moldorm. This isn’t usually the hardest boss around, but the Treacherous Tower’s floors are all surrounded by a bottomless pit, so watch your step.

The Den of Trials

“The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes” (2015)

 What’s harder than finding two friends to play multiplayer in Triforce Heroes, the way it was intended? That would be the Den of Trials, and like other Trials on this list, consists of 40 floors filled with different combat challenges. These are all themed after the different zones from throughout the game and offer challenges present in those as well. If you’re able to make it to the end and defeat the Shadow Links, you’re rewarded with the Fierce Deity Armor, an invaluable item that increases Link’s attack power and shoots beams when you swing with your sword at full health.

The Trial of the Sword

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” (2017)

That’s right, it’s another floor based combat trial. Breath of the Wild’s version is the Trial of the Sword, a DLC sidequest that can only be accessed once you’ve obtained the Master Sword in the main game. What’s different about this game’s version of the trials is that it has roguelike elements, with Link starting out with nothing but his Champion abilities, picking up weapons and items for each run that are lost if you die or complete the challenge. Completing the Final Trials is definitely worth it, as you’ll get a suped up, fully awakened version of the Master Sword.

The Depths

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” (2023)

Tears of the Kingdom encourages the player to explore; getting off the beaten path to find something cool is at the core of these games. However, if you venture down into the depths without the proper gear, you’re gonna have a bad time. It will be almost entirely pitch black, the enemies are tougher than what you’ll experience on the surface, and Gloom is everywhere and eager to take Link out. Like the surface’s Skyview Towers, you’ll find Lightroots down here that act as fast-travel points and a source of light. You’ll likely die quickly down here if you jump in unprepared, but in the later game, the Depths are home to some of the best materials and armors in the game.

Smog

“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” (2024)

The most recent title on this list, Echoes of Wisdom takes the open-ended exploration from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom and translates it seamlessly to 2D, and gives fans something they’ve been asking for for years: you can play as Zelda. Its hardest challenge is the optional boss fight against Smog, which you can take on twice; at the Eastern Temple and the Hidden Ruins. What makes this fight so annoying is, once you damage him initially, he’ll break off into multiple parts that you’ll have to recombine by manipulating the environment using Zelda’s new Bind ability. If this wasn’t already frustrating enough, it’s easy to take hits from him, since he’s electrified and moves pretty fast. Your reward is a well-earned Piece of Heart and the satisfaction that you’ll never have to see him again. Did you find any other difficult parts in the Legend of Zelda games? Let us know in the comments below.