Ganon's Castle


 * This article is about the Dungeon in Ocarina of Time. For the dungeon in The Wind Waker also known as Ganon's Castle, see Ganon's Tower.

Ganon's Castle, also known as Ganon's Tower, is the final dungeon in.

Entrance to the Castle
Ganon's Castle replaces Hyrule Castle over the seven years that Link sleeps after he withdraws the Master Sword from its pedestal. Ganon's Castle floats over a large lake of lava, rendering it inaccessible until the Six Sages are awakened and create a bridge of light allowing Link to enter Inside Ganon's Castle.

Themes and Navigation
Within the tower's center is a giant spindle leading up to the top that is blocked off by a surrounding magic seal. The force field that surrounds the spindle is powered by six barriers that are based on each of the adult dungeons. Above each of the barriers is the symbol that represents the element.

Ordered counterclockwise, the routes are:


 * Forest Barrier: Actually a wind-themed route, it revolves around collection of Silver Rupees over endless pits ventilated by fans, and a fight against Wolfos.
 * Water Barrier: Actually an ice-themed route, it revolves around pushing blocks on a slippery, icy floor and using Blue Fire to melt red ice.
 * Shadow Barrier: It revolves around crossing a prolonged chasm by activating some passages and walking through invisible platforms. The Golden Gauntlets are found here.
 * Fire Barrier: It revolves around collecting Silver Rupees across a huge room with lava while avoiding obstacles and enemies. The Gauntlets are required here.
 * Light Barrier: It can only be accessed after the huge boulder blocking it is removed with the Golden Gauntlets, and revolves around exploring various small rooms, each one showing a different puzzle. Notably, the barrier's core is behind a fake wall.
 * Spirit Barrier: It revolves around collecting Silver Rupees while avoiding Blade Traps, a Light Beam puzzle, and the use of rare items like Bombchus and Fire Arrows.

There is a secret room under the bridge that contains various Business Scrubs and fairies, which can become helpful as Link dispels each of the barriers in Ganon's Tower. Once the six barriers have been disintegrated, the magical barrier will disappear, allowing Link to make his way up to the tower.

The way up to the castle is a long staircase that leads to rooms filled with Dinolfos, Stalfos, and Iron Knuckles which Link must defeat individually to progress up the tower. At the top awaits Ganondorf, who plays an organ while Princess Zelda remains trapped in a crystal above him. After Ganondorf is defeated, the tower will begin to rumble, forcing Princess Zelda and Link to escape the tower within a time limit. All of the doors of the castle have been blocked, and as such, it is up to Zelda to use her powers and open up each of the exits. The two take a long path that winds in and out of the castle, fighting enemies and dodging falling rocks. Once out, the castle collapses in front of their eyes. However, Ganondorf appears among the rubble and transforms himself into the dark beast known as Ganon using the Triforce of Power. Link must defeat the beast once and for all to restore peace to Hyrule.

Master Quest
The mini-dungeons corresponding to each temple have been remixed in the version of the game. Also, instead of two Beamos there are a Blade Trap, two Green Bubbles, two Armos and an Iron Knuckle in the first room.


 * Forest Barrier: The first room is identical. In the turbine room, there are now more Beamos and also an Armos. The Song of Time must be played several times.
 * Fire Barrier: Most platforms are moving or either rise or sink when Link stands on them. There are two big rocks now, and the Silver Rupees are in places that are difficult to reach.
 * Water Barrier: In the first room, there are several stalactites that fall from the ceiling, and the blue fire is surrounded by a pillar of water. Curiously, there is a lone Dead Hand's hand that is used to "reveal" the location of a switch hidden inside a wall that lowers the pillar of water when hit. In the second room there are three Keese, each one is different. There is a Silver Rupee puzzle and more red ice.
 * Shadow Barrier: There are now some invisible platforms and a Beamos. The Golden Gauntlets are no longer found here, and Fire Arrows are required to solve some puzzles.
 * Spirit Barrier: In the first room, instead of Silver Rupees there are some stone thrones blocking access to a switch. Some Fire Keese and a Torch Slug are found here, and there is an eye on the wall that if shot, makes an Iron Knuckle appear so the thrones can be destroyed. In the second room there are now Green Bubbles, ReDeads and Gibdos. There are several suns, just like in the original version. However, one makes a Wallmaster appear, others make chests with replenishment appear and the last one makes the chest with the Golden Gauntlets appear. The sun required for opening the door is blocked by the Spirit Symbol on the wall and only a small portion of it can be seen.
 * Light Barrier: In the first room, there is a puzzle involving torches that must be lit quickly to make a chest appear over the door. The next room is the same, but instead of having to collect Silver Rupees, it is now required to activate a switch while avoiding the boulder and a Beamos. In the fake barrier room, there are no enemies, but there is a switch that gives access to the last room hidden inside a torch.

Trivia

 * The Forest and Water Barriers of Ganon's Castle are the only ones not to stay akin to its temple theme. Instead of having forest and water-type challenges, they instead incorporate wind and ice elements, the water barrier having rooms similar to that of the Ice Cavern. This is due to the developmental version of each temple being wind and ice based respectively.