First appearing in the original The Legend of Zelda, Ganon has become synonymous with the series and has gained notoriety as one of the most infamous video game villains. Despite being a part of the trio with Link and Zelda, Ganon doesn’t appear in every entry, and the series has had plenty of other great villains over the years.
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Having original villains helps differentiate each game from others in the series. While Ganon is a great villain, it’s refreshing to have a different antagonist once in a while. These games offer a unique adventure where you’re trying to save the kingdom from a new kind of threat.
7 Four Links Are Better Than One: Four Swords
Four Swords is the Zelda series’ first multiplayer game, with each person controlling a Link in a different-colored tunic. In Four Swords, you and up to three other players work together to take down the evil sorcerer Vaati, completing stages until you reach Vaati’s palace.
Four Swords’ multiplayer aspect is unlike any other game in the series, incorporating various mechanics that encourage you to compete and work as a team. Unfortunately, it was somewhat difficult to play the game as intended until the DS version because of the complicated Game Boy Advance setup. The DS version was only available as a limited-time download, though, making it one of the rarer Zelda games to own.
6 All Aboard: Spirit Tracks
Set 100 years after Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks takes place in the new Hyrule that Tetra established but follows a new Link and Zelda. After giving Link his diploma for becoming a Royal Engineer, Princess Zelda informs him of her distrust of Chancellor Cole, who is secretly planning to unleash the demon Malladus.
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Spirit Tracks built upon its predecessor with improved visuals and vibrant characters. While Cole and Malladus aren’t particularly strong compared to other Zelda villains, the game’s innovative mechanics, with the use of both the DS’ touch screen and microphone, make it a worthwhile playthrough. Having Spirit Zelda as your companion is just the cherry on top.
5 Link’s Toughest Trial: The Adventure Of Link
The Adventure of Link has become infamous among Zelda fans because of its relentless difficulty; however, if you can brave the challenge (or play a version of the game that allows you to create save states), there’s a lot to enjoy in its gameplay, which is nothing like anything else in the series.
In the game, Ganon’s followers pursue Link, believing that his blood can be used to resurrect their leader. While you never come face to face with Ganon in the game itself, getting a Game Over screen will signify Ganon’s return. The game’s final boss is Dark Link, a tough foe that tests Link’s courage as the hero of Hyrule.
4 A Bite-Sized Adventure: The Minish Cap
Developed by Capcom and Flagship, The Minish Cap takes Link on a whimsical adventure into the realm of the Minish. In the game, Link can become smaller to interact with the Minish and solve various puzzles throughout the dungeons.
The Minish Cap’s villain is Vaati, a sorcerer who desires the Light Force and turns Princess Zelda to stone. In order to rescue Zelda and protect Hyrule, Link has to gather the Four Elements to repair the Picori Blade and take on Vaati. Although Vaati had previously appeared in Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures, The Minish Cap established his origin story and gave more insight into him as a villain.
3 Origin Of The Curse: Skyward Sword
Although Ganon doesn’t appear in Skyward Sword, as the game is chronologically the first in the timeline, it does explain his origins through the villain Demise. You spend the majority of the game trying to keep Demise in his seal, but the villainous Ghirahim is determined to break him free.
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Both Demise and Ghirahim are interesting villains, and their personalities greatly contrast with each other, making them stand out. Seeing the beginning of the conflict between Link, Zelda, and Ganon through Link’s confrontation with Demise is an unforgettable moment that tops off an already solid entry to the series.
2 Waking Nightmare: Link’s Awakening
Link’s Awakening is one of the few Zelda games not set in Hyrule, which means there’s an opportunity for a new villain. In the game, Link washes up on the shores of Koholint Island and discovers that the only way to leave is to wake the Wind Fish.
Link also learns that the island is plagued with nightmares, controlled by the same entity keeping the Wind Fish asleep. Unlike other games in the series, you face off with a malevolent force rather than a figure lusting for power. Despite originally launching in 1993, Link’s Awakening and its remake remain one of the more unique entries in the series.
1 Three Days Remain: Majora’s Mask
Although a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask differs greatly from it, despite using a lot of the same assets due to its short development cycle. In the game, Link finds himself on a mission to protect Termina from Skull Kid, who’s being influenced by Majora’s Mask.
Little is known about Majora or its mask, but that makes it all the more intriguing. As it uses Skull Kid as a puppet throughout most of the game, the reveal of the true villain is satisfying, leading to an interesting boss fight. Majora’s Mask had a lot to live up to following the success of Ocarina of Time, and both Skull Kid and Majora helped make it deliver.
Next: The Legend Of Zelda: Bosses Unique To Handhelds
