Ganon's Castle in Ocarina of Time can be reached from Hyrule Castle Town in the adult era. The location where Hyrule Castle stood during the child era has become Ganon's Castle in the adult era.
You Need All 6 Sage Medallions to Enter
If you have all 6 Medallions, a bridge of light will appear as you approach the entrance to Ganon's Castle, allowing you to enter. If you cannot enter, continue progressing through the story.
When you approach the entrance of Ganon's Castle with all 6 Sage Medals, a bridge of light will appear, allowing you to enter the castle. You cannot enter without all the medals.
Enter the Door Through the Beamos Room
Once inside the castle, head straight for the Great Hall. There is a Beamos in front of the door, but you can run past it to avoid its beam, so there's no need to defeat it.
Dispel the 6 Barriers in the Great Hall
Forest
Fire
Water
Spirit
Shadow
Light
To reach the place where Ganondorf is, you need to dispel the six barriers: Forest, Fire, Water, Spirit, Shadow, and Light. The symbols on the doors correspond to the Sage Medals.
It's Recommended to Start with the Shadow Barrier
Benefits of Dispelling the Shadow Barrier First
- Obtain the Golden Gauntlets. - You can enhance your defense at the Great Fairy's Fountain east of Ganon's Castle. - The Golden Gauntlets are required to dispel the Fire and Light Barriers.
The barriers can be dispelled in any order, but we recommend starting with the Shadow Barrier to obtain the Golden Gauntlets. This article will guide you through them counterclockwise, starting from the Shadow Barrier.
Enter the door with the purple mark in the northeast of the Great Hall.
Light the Brazier with a Fire Arrow to Cross
After entering the room, light the brazier on the right with a Fire Arrow to reveal a platform, allowing you to proceed. The platform is timed, so if it disappears, light the brazier again.
The Chest on the Left Contains 5 Rupees
On the opposite side of the brazier is a treasure chest containing 5 Rupees.
Another Brazier Ahead Also Creates a Platform
There is another brazier further in the room, and lighting it will also make a platform appear. This means you can light either one, so aim for the brazier closest to you.
Get Off the Platform and Press the Switch
Cross to the other side and press the switch on the lower area. Pressing the switch makes a treasure chest with the Golden Gauntlets appear on the platform you were just on.
You Can Return with the Longshot
Use the Longshot on the treasure chest that appeared to return to the platform in one go. Once back, open the chest to get the Golden Gauntlets.
Use the Lens of Truth to Get to the Left Switch
Use the Lens of Truth on the platform where you got the Golden Gauntlets to reveal an invisible path. Cross the path leading to the left and proceed to the platform with the rusted switch.
Hit the Switch with the Megaton Hammer
The rusted switch can only be activated with the Megaton Hammer. Hitting the switch will open the iron bars on the door ahead.
Cross the Invisible Path to the Next Room
Return to the original platform and cross the invisible path that extends straight ahead, checking it with the Lens of Truth, and go through the opened door to the next room.
Dispel the Barrier with a Light Arrow
Shoot the orb at the back of the room with a Light Arrow to dispel the Shadow Barrier. Dispelling the barrier will return you to the Great Hall.
Go to the East Great Fairy's Fountain
Not required to progress the story
▲Lift the pillar to enter
After getting the Golden Gauntlets, it's recommended to go outside the castle and head to the Great Fairy's Fountain to the east. Here, the Great Fairy can enhance your defense, reducing the damage you take by half. This is a significant upgrade that will make clearing Ganon's Castle much easier.
Collect the Gold Skulltula on the Way
You can collect a Gold Skulltula Token on the way to the Great Fairy's Fountain.
Move to the northwest of the Great Hall and enter the door with the red mark. This room is hot with lava, so equip the Goron Tunic before proceeding. In this room, you need to collect 5 Silver Rupees.
Get the First Rupee on the Right Side
First, collect the Silver Rupee on the right side of the entrance. Some platforms will start to sink into the lava when you step on them, so if one starts sinking, quickly move to the next platform.
The Central Platform Won't Sink with Hover Boots
The central platform will sink unless you are wearing the Hover Boots. Be sure to equip them before stepping on it, as equipping them after it starts sinking won't stop it.
Falling into the Lava Will Restart the Puzzle
Falling into the lava will not only damage you but also reset the Silver Rupees you've collected. Be careful of sinking platforms and proceed with caution.
Get the Second Rupee on the Left
Next, collect the Silver Rupee on the left side of the entrance. Flames are erupting, so avoid them while collecting it.
Lift the Pillar to Get the Third Rupee
The giant pillar at the back of the room can be lifted and thrown with the Golden Gauntlets. A Silver Rupee is hidden under the pillar, so don't forget to collect it. Throwing the pillar also clears the path to the remaining Rupees.
Collect the Remaining 2 Silver Rupees
Collect the remaining 2 Silver Rupees. Collecting all 5 will open the iron bars on the door ahead. If you have the Hover Boots equipped, you can't climb back up after collecting the farthest Rupee, so switch back to the Kokiri Boots to proceed.
Move to the Door Ahead with the Longshot
Once the door opens, use the Longshot on the target next to the door to move to the far door in one go.
Dispel the Barrier with a Light Arrow
Shoot the orb at the back of the room with a Light Arrow to dispel the Fire Barrier. Dispelling the barrier returns you to the Great Hall.
The giant pillar to the west of the Great Hall can be lifted with the Golden Gauntlets. Enter the door behind it.
Defeat All Invisible Enemies
This room contains invisible enemies. Use the Lens of Truth to see and defeat them all.
Take the First Small Key and Proceed
Defeating all the enemies reveals a treasure chest containing a Small Key. Use the key to open the door and move on to the next room.
Contents of the Surrounding Treasure Chests
From the other treasure chests in the room, you can get items like arrows and Recovery Hearts. Collect them as needed before moving on.
Play Zelda's Lullaby on the Royal Crest
Zelda's Lullaby
The floor of the next room has the Royal Crest on it. Stand on the crest and play Zelda's Lullaby.
Take the Second Small Key and Proceed
Playing the song will make a treasure chest with a Small Key appear. Use the key to open the door and move on to the next room.
Collect 5 Silver Rupees Within 1 Minute
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Upon entering the room, a timer will start, and you must collect 5 Silver Rupees within 1 minute. Boulders are constantly rolling in the room, so be careful not to get hit while collecting them.
Use the Longshot to Get the Central Rupee
The Silver Rupee located high up in the center of the room can be obtained by using the Longshot on the target on the ceiling.
Use the Lens of Truth to Pass Through the Wall
The next room appears to be a dead end, but using the Lens of Truth reveals that the far wall is fake and can be passed through. Go through the wall.
Watch Out for the Floormaster and Don't Stop
In this room, a Floormaster will drop from the ceiling. If it catches you, it will send you back to the Great Hall, so run through without stopping.
Dispel the Barrier with a Light Arrow
Shoot the orb at the back of the room with a Light Arrow to dispel the Light Barrier. Dispelling the barrier returns you to the Great Hall.
Enter the door with the orange mark in the southwest of the Great Hall.
Collect 5 Silver Rupees
Collect the 5 Silver Rupees in the room while avoiding the blades moving left and right. Collecting all 5 will open the door ahead. All Rupees are in plain sight.
Defeat the Beamos in the Center First
There is a Beamos in the center of the room, so defeat it with a bomb first to safely collect the Rupees.
Move a Statue to Block the Blade's Movement
The statues in the room can be moved. Placing a statue to block the path of a blade will stop its movement, allowing you to safely collect the Rupees.
Use the Longshot to Get the Rupee
The Rupee located high up in the center of the room can be obtained by using the Longshot on the target on the ceiling.
Send a Bombchu through the Iron Bars
The next room has iron bars with a switch behind them. Send a Bombchu through the gap at the top of the bars to hit the switch, which will open the door.
Press the Switch to Make a Bombchu Chest Appear
Activating the switch in front of the iron bars with a Spin Attack will make a treasure chest containing Bombchus appear. If you don't have any Bombchus, you can restock here.
Use a Fire Arrow to Burn the Ceiling Cobwebs
The ceiling of the dead-end passage is covered in a cobweb. Burn it with a Fire Arrow to let sunlight into the room.
Shine Light on the Sun on the Right Side
Reflect the sunlight with the Mirror Shield and shine it on the sun mural on the right side of the passage to open the door.
Lighting Other Suns Spawns Enemies
There are multiple sun murals on the wall, but shining light on any but the correct one will cause enemies to appear. Be careful not to shine light on the wrong sun.
Dispel the Barrier with a Light Arrow
Shoot the orb at the back of the room with a Light Arrow to dispel the Spirit Barrier. Dispelling the barrier returns you to the Great Hall.
Enter the door with the green mark in the southeast of the Great Hall.
Defeat the Wolfos in the First Room
A Wolfos will appear when you enter the first room. Bait its attack, then strike when it's open.
Defeating It Reveals a Chest with 5 Rupees
Defeating the Wolfos will make a treasure chest containing 5 Rupees appear in the center of the room.
Light the 5 Braziers
Lighting all 5 braziers opens the door ahead. Light the four braziers in the center of the room with Din's Fire, and the one above the door with a Fire Arrow.
Get 5 Silver Rupees While Avoiding Wind
In the next room, you need to collect 5 Silver Rupees. The fans in the room will periodically generate strong winds, so time your movements for when the wind stops.
Use the Song of Time to Get the First Silver Rupee
Song of Time
The first Silver Rupee is high up. Play the "Song of Time" to make a Time Block appear under the Rupee, then get on the block to collect it.
Move Around with the Hover Boots
For places with wide gaps between platforms, equip the Hover Boots and glide across.
Press the Switch to Make a Longshot Target Appear
Pressing the floor switch will make a pillar with a Longshot target appear under the Silver Rupee. Use the Longshot on the target to move to it and collect the Rupee on top of the pillar.
Continue After Collecting 5 Silver Rupees
After collecting all 5 Silver Rupees, the door ahead will open. Head through it.
Dispel the Barrier with a Light Arrow
Shoot the orb at the back of the room with a Light Arrow to dispel the Forest Barrier. Dispelling the barrier returns you to the Great Hall.
Enter the door with the blue mark in the east of the Great Hall.
Defeat the 2 Freezards
Defeating the 2 Freezards in the first room will open the door ahead. Be careful of their freezing breath and defeat them quickly before they can regenerate.
Put Blue Fire in an Empty Bottle
Put the Blue Fire in the room into an Empty Bottle. The icicles around the Blue Fire can be broken with your sword.
Melt the Red Ice with Blue Fire
The door ahead is blocked by Red Ice. Pour the Blue Fire from the bottle on it to melt it.
Put Blue Fire in an Empty Bottle Again
You will need one more Blue Fire ahead. Before leaving the room, put Blue Fire in an Empty Bottle again and then proceed.
The Treasure Chest Contains a Recovery Heart
You can get a Recovery Heart from the treasure chest in the room. The other treasure chest is a trap that will damage you, so be careful.
Move the Ice Blocks to Create a Platform
Upon entering the next room, a timer will start, and you must solve the puzzle and exit the room within 2 minutes. Move the ice blocks to create a platform to proceed.
Push the Block at the Back into the Hole First
First, push the ice block at the back and drop it into the hole.
Place the Remaining Block in Front of the Red Ice
Move the remaining ice block and place it in front of the Red Ice.
Melt the Red Ice with Blue Fire
Melt the Red Ice with the Blue Fire you put in the Empty Bottle.
Hit the Switch with the Megaton Hammer
Use the ice block as a platform to climb up and hit the rusted switch with the Megaton Hammer. Pressing the switch will open the door ahead, so exit the room before the timer runs out.
Dispel the Barrier with a Light Arrow
Shoot the orb at the back of the room with a Light Arrow to dispel the Water Barrier. Dispelling the barrier returns you to the Great Hall.
After dispelling all six barriers, the barrier covering the tower in the center of the Great Hall will disappear. Cross the bridge and enter the tower.
Climb the Stairs and Enter the Next Room
Once inside the tower, climb the stairs to the next room. Many Fire Keese will appear, but you can run past them.
Defeat the 2 Dinolfos
Strategy Points
- Watch out for their jump attack, as they will try to get behind Link.
Upon entering the room, you'll face 2 Dinolfos. Block their attacks with your shield and strike during the opening. Defeating both will open the door ahead.
Defeat the 2 Stalfos
Strategy Points
- Their jump attack leaves a large opening, creating a great opportunity to strike.
After climbing more stairs, you'll enter a room with 2 Stalfos. Bait their attacks, then strike during the opening.
Get the Boss Key from the Treasure Chest
After defeating both Stalfos, the flames surrounding the treasure chest will disappear. Get the Boss Key from the treasure chest and move on.
Defeat the 2 Iron Knuckles
Strategy Points
- After taking some damage, their armor will break. - Once their armor is broken, hitting them will make them flinch.
The next room contains 2 Iron Knuckles. Their axe attacks are very powerful, so wait for an opening after they attack to strike. Defeating both will open the door.
The Iron Knuckles won't move until you hit them. If you only strike one, you can fight them one-on-one, making the battle much easier.
Climb the Stairs to the Boss Room
Use the Boss Key to open the door. You will enter the boss room, but the actual boss fight is a little further on.
Enter the Right Door and Go Upstairs
After entering the boss room, open the door on the right and proceed. Opening the door reveals a long staircase.
Save the Pots for Later
There are many pots in the room containing items like hearts, arrows, and magic. However, it's best to save them for the boss fight. If you need to restock now, leave Ganon's Castle and prepare outside.
Open the Door to Start the Boss Fight
Opening the door at the top of the stairs will trigger an event, after which the boss fight will begin. Make sure you are prepared before opening the door. If you want to leave Ganon's Castle to restock, play a warp song.
Be Sure to Save
Ocarina of Time doesn't have a post-game save feature. After the credits roll, the game will reload from your last save point. If you don't save right before the final boss, you will lose all progress made since your last save, so be careful.
- Deflect Ganondorf's orb of light with your sword. - After hitting it back and forth a few times, Ganondorf will be hit. - When he is hit, shoot him with a Light Arrow. - He will go down, so follow up with a sword attack. - When he does a charge attack, it's a chance to hit him with a Light Arrow. - If your hearts or magic are low, go down and break the pots.
Reflect Ganondorf's light orb with your sword to stun him, and then follow up with a Light Arrow to knock him down. Once he's down, get close and attack him with your sword. This is the main flow of the battle.
Escape the Collapsing Tower Within 3 Minutes
After defeating Ganondorf, the tower will begin to collapse, and you must escape with Princess Zelda within 3 minutes. Simply follow Princess Zelda, and you won't get lost. You'll take damage if hit by falling debris, so avoid it as you proceed.
Princess Zelda Will Open the Iron Bars
Princess Zelda will open the iron-barred doors along the way. Stay with her so you don't get separated.
You Need to Defeat 2 Stalfos on the Way
Along the way, Princess Zelda will be surrounded by fire, triggering a battle with 2 Stalfos. If you take too long in this battle, you won't have time to escape, so try to defeat them quickly.
Proceed to the Center of the Map
After escaping the tower and finishing the conversation with Princess Zelda, approach the pile of rubble in the center of the map. After an event, the battle with the final boss, Ganon, will begin.
Defeat the Final Boss (Ganon)
Strategy Points
- Get behind Ganon and attack his weak point, the tail. - Hitting his face with a Light Arrow will stop him, making it easier to get behind him. - You can also go between Ganon's legs. - In the first half, you fight without the Master Sword. - Use Biggoron's Sword for the highest damage, or the Megaton Hammer as a solid alternative. - In the second half, you fight with the Master Sword.
Dodge his attacks, get behind him, and attack his weak point, the tail. In the first half, you have to fight without the Master Sword, so attack his tail with the Biggoron's Sword or Megaton Hammer.
Hitting Ganon's face with a Light Arrow will stop him, so it's safe to get behind him during that opening.
Retrieve the Master Sword in the Second Half
After dealing a certain amount of damage, Ganon will collapse, and the surrounding flames will disappear. Retrieve the Master Sword, which has fallen near Princess Zelda, and then continue the battle. The Master Sword deals the most damage to Ganon, so it should be your primary weapon for the rest of the fight.
Finish Him with the Master Sword
Once you've dealt enough damage, Ganon will collapse. Finish him off with the Master Sword to complete the fight. The ending sequence will then begin.
In the Ocarina of Time Ganondorf boss fight, reflect his energy balls back with your sword to stagger him, then follow up with Light Arrows to knock him down. Once he's down, close the gap with the Longshot and deal damage with your sword — that's the core loop. Magic is essential and incoming damage hits hard, so make sure to prepare before taking him on.
Double Your Magic and Defense
Stat
Where to Double It
Magic Gauge
Death Mountain Crater
Defense
Ganon's Castle
The Ganondorf fight deals heavy damage and magic is absolutely required to get through it. Taking a detour to double both your magic and defense beforehand will make the fight significantly easier, so it's highly recommended to power up your stats first.
Fully restores health and magic Unlocked via a side event / requires an Empty Bottle
Green Potion
Fully restores magic Requires an Empty Bottle
When the Ganondorf fight begins, your health is fully restored, but your magic is not. Since magic is essential to winning, make sure you have potions on hand so you can restore magic if you run out mid-fight.
The majority of Ganondorf's attacks are energy ball projectiles. You can reflect them by hitting them with a sword attack at the right moment, and landing the rally a few times will send the ball into Ganondorf and stagger him. It's recommended to fight while standing on the corner platforms, which can't be destroyed during battle.
A Vertical Slash While Z-Targeting Is the Easiest Way to Reflect
The recommended way to reflect Ganondorf's energy balls is with a vertical slash. You can't use Z-targeting during the Ganondorf fight except when he's staggered or knocked down, but pressing the ZL button will change your attack motion to a vertical slash.
Follow Up with Light Arrows Once an Energy Ball Connects
When an energy ball hits Ganondorf and staggers him, it's your chance to knock him down. Fire a Light Arrow to knock him down, then close in with the Longshot and attack with your sword to deal damage. Once Ganondorf gets back up, return to the wall side and wait for the next energy ball.
The Longshot Works on the Red Walls
The recommended way to move around is by firing the Longshot at the red walls on the corners. During the Ganondorf fight, energy balls and recovery from knockdown will destroy floor tiles, reducing your footing, but using the Longshot lets you reduce the risk of taking fall damage.
Knock Ganondorf Down with Light Arrows During the Energy Ball Barrage Windup
During the energy ball barrage, you can knock Ganondorf down by hitting him with a Light Arrow during the windup animation. The windup is an easy-to-read motion where he raises both hands accompanied by a burst of intense light, and it lasts a fairly long time. This is easier to land than the rallying method, so go for it aggressively whenever you see it.
If You Can't Make It in Time, Reflect with a Spin Attack
You can also knock Ganondorf down by reflecting the energy ball barrage with a Spin Attack. If you can't get a Light Arrow off in time, aim for a knockdown by reflecting with a Spin Attack instead.
Head Below When Things Get Dangerous
During the fight, if your health or magic runs low, heading down below is always an option. Ganondorf won't attack until you return to the upper area, so you can recover safely. The area below is the same one you passed through before the fight, and the pots contain health and arrows. Just note that if you already collected everything before the battle, the pots will be empty.
In Ocarina of Time, Ganon can be defeated by circling behind him and attacking his weak point — his tail. During the first half you cannot use the Master Sword, so make full use of equipment like Biggoron's Sword and the Megaton Hammer.
First half: fight without the Master Sword
During the opening cutscene of the battle, Ganon knocks the Master Sword out of your hands, so you must fight the entire first half without it. In addition to Biggoron's Sword and the Megaton Hammer, you can deal damage to the tail using arrows, Bombs, and Deku Nuts. Keep attacking the tail repeatedly to end the first phase.
Circle behind Ganon and attack his weak point: the tail
Ganon's weak point is his tail — attacking him from the front deals no damage. The basic strategy is to dodge his attacks, circle around to his back, and strike the tail.
Hit his face with a Light Arrow to stop him in his tracks
Hitting Ganon's face with a Light Arrow will stop his movement for a period of time. Use that opening to get behind him and safely attack the tail. Regular arrows, the Longshot, and Deku Nuts can also stun him briefly if you don't have Light Arrows to spare.
You can also roll between Ganon's legs
If you time it during a break in Ganon's attacks, you can run straight at him, pass between his legs, and get behind him. Use this technique when you want to conserve magic power or arrows.
Second half: attack with the Master Sword
After the first phase ends, Ganon collapses and the flames surrounding the arena disappear. Pick up the Master Sword that has fallen near Princess Zelda. In the second half Ganon's attacks become more intense, so the safest approach is to shoot his face with a Light Arrow to stop him, then get behind him and attack the tail with the Master Sword.
The Master Sword deals the most damage
In the Ganon fight, the Master Sword is the highest-damage weapon available. Make it your go-to weapon throughout the battle.
Break rubble to restock and recover
Smashing the rubble scattered around the arena can drop Fairies, Magic Jars, arrows, and Bombs. Rubble can be blown up with a Bomb, or you can bait Ganon's attacks into the rubble to destroy it. Use this whenever you run low on magic power or arrows for firing Light Arrows.
Finish him off with the Master Sword
Keep attacking the tail and Ganon will eventually collapse. Deliver the final blow with the Master Sword to complete the battle.
1. Opening
2. Great Deku Tree
3. Hyrule Castle
4. Dodongo's Cavern
5. Lord Jabu-Jabu
6. Forest Temple
7. Fire Temple
8. Ice Cavern
9. Water Temple
10. Bottom of the Well
11. Shadow Temple
12. Gerudo Fortress
13. Spirit Temple
14. Ganon's Castle
