“There’s no hero without a villain” – these are words from American film and TV actor Mark Pellegrino, and he is absolutely right. This doesn’t just apply to movies and television shows but also to video games, where encountering villains gets even more thrilling as you play as the hero, in most cases.
This time, we’ll explore the gaming franchise that is “The Legend of Zelda” and list the most evil villains it has introduced. Let’s begin.
1. Ganon
Ganon is hailed as the most vicious. He appears as the final boss in more than 10 different entries of “The Legend of Zelda” franchise, and not just that, but he is more menacing than the last appearance. Yikes!
Why wouldn’t he? He is the primary antagonist in the entire series, embodying power and darkness. Originally a Gerudo Thief or an agile swordsman seeking the Triforce, the ultimate source of power in the series, he turns into a demon fueled by his obsession for control. His recurring presence throughout the franchise is a challenge for Link and Zelda, symbolizing the seemingly eternal struggle between good and evil in the lore of Hyrule.
2. Demise
What’s in a name? Demise’s is yelling evil. He may have only appeared in “Skyward Sword,” but it was strong enough to shake the whole franchise’s timeline.
It is also interesting that Demise is an ancient evil in the series and is the primary source of Ganon’s curse (Demise’s red hair signifies his connection with Ganon). He is the embodiment of absolute chaos and hatred, likewise cursed to reincarnate forever to fight against the champions of the goddess Hylia. His relentless chasing of destruction fuels the series’ overarching conflict, testing its heroes’ courage and resolve whenever they encounter him.
3. Majora’s Mask
Majora’s Mask is more potent than you think, as the name of the game where it stars is him (though Majora’s Mask does not have a gender). Furthermore, call it a mockery, but he isn’t a demon nor a sorcerer, but actually an item, a mask.
The players of “Majora’s Mask” love this character so much as he is a dark and surreal entry in the series. Here’s the backstory. He is a cursed mask possessed by an ancient evil and threatens Termina with destruction. To stop its cataclysmic power and save his land, Link must go through twisted dungeons and even manipulate time.
4. Vaati
If there’s a fan vote in “The Legend of Zelda,” Vaati will win this category. As a fan favorite, he has garnered support to be included in “Super Smash Bros.” several years ago. Sadly, it did not push through. He appears briefly in three titles in the series, two of the entries in the “Four Swords” saga and in “The Minish Cap.”
Vaati is a sorcerer who wants ultimate power. Initially a Minish (a small race of people no larger than Link’s thumb) corrupted by greed, he turns into an evil wind mage. In his various forms, he manages to challenge Link as he embodies the dangers of unchecked and unbalanced ambition in the franchise.
5. Zant
Fifth on the list is Zant, another fan favorite in “The Legend of Zelda” universe. He made a dazzling yet infamous impression with his appearance in “Twilight Princess.”
Gamers know him as an enigmatic and unstable antagonist that if Batman’s villains appear like the series’, he would stand a chance to be a part of them. Zant is a puppet leader driven by envy and hunger for power. Manipulated by Ganondoft, he usurps the throne of the Twilight Realm, spreading chaos across Hyrule. His sorcery and psychological warfare threaten the game’s hero. The Riddler is waving.
6. Yuga
Yuga appeared only once in the series, being the main antagonist of “A Link Between Worlds” for Nintendo 3DS. But he is ambitious.
This cunning sorcerer’s goal: to reshape the world in his image as the artist that he is. He can merge with paintings and uses this to harness the power of Triforce for his benefit. His mastery of dark magic and sinister charisma are a threat to Link, who Yuga successfully transforms into a painting.
7. Twinrova
In “Ocarina of Time,” Twinrova serves as the Spirit Temple’s boss. They are not one, but two. Twinrova are the twin witches in “The Legend of Zelda,” also recurring antagonists with a shared goal to revive Ganon, the most evil of all.
One of the twins, Koume, represents fire, while the other, Kotake, represents ice. With these elements in their hands, there is no doubt they are powerful. In “Ocarina of Time,” they manipulate events in the hopes of reaching their goal. Their schemes of using elemental magic are obstacles for Link, of course.
8. Shadow Link
If “Spider-Man” has Venom, “The Legend of Zelda” has Shadow Link. He also makes an appearance in “Ocarina of Time,” similar to Twinrova, and in “Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.”
As Link’s dark alter-ego, he is often encountered by gamers in dungeons or as a final challenge. He is capable of mirroring Link’s abilities and strategies. Link is strong, and with a villain who mirrors him, what can you imagine? Defeating him requires the utmost skill and strategy, testing the gamer’s mastery of Link’s moveset.
9. Agahnim
Last on this list is Agahnim, who appears as one of the primary antagonists in “A Link to the Past.”
It’s interesting to see Ganon existing in the stories of many of the franchise’s villains. Agahnim is a wizard and pawn of Ganon. He manipulates the nobility of Hyrule to unleash his master’s evil. His dark magic and cunning tactics create a sense of foreboding in the game, which leads to a climactic head-to-head with Link as he stops him from restoring peace to Hyrule.
In “The Legend of Zelda,” players control the hero, Link, who must do everything to rid the evil forces plaguing Hyrule. You can’t be friends with enemies here, or it’s game over, so one of the best ways to successfully defeat its villains is to know more about them.
