Ghini

A Ghini is a ghastly spirit that thrives in graveyard or crypt-like regions. These cycloptic ghosts, first introduced in The Legend of Zelda, have become a staple of many 2D games, including Link's Awakening, Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Four Swords Adventures, and even up to The Minish Cap. For the most part, the Ghini changes little in behavior and appearance between games.

Characteristics
These spirits are easily disgruntled and often rise from their slumbers to terrorize any and all in their territory; these ghosts are not shy about openly haunting the graveyard in search of unfortunate victims. In The Legend of Zelda, merely touching a grave that hides one of these foes is enough to startle it into action, although one Ghini will haunt each set of gravestones without first being disturbed. Oracle of Ages showcases a particular pack of Ghini terrorizing Moosh. In The Minish Cap Ghini adopt Gibdo-like behavior; they will constrict Link's body, and literally lick his life away as long as they can secure him in their grasp. The Ghini's drooling mouth and constantly flopping tongue implies a gluttenous nature, and they seem on a constant search for those to steal life from.

Link's Awakening adds the Giant Ghini to the species, a larger foe whose behavior changes little in comparison to its smaller counterpart, although it has a weakness to light, which may be true for all Ghini.

Weakness
The Ghini are known to attack in groups, with a collective life force. In these instances, when the first Ghini is killed, all will be killed in the same instant. In The Legend of Zelda, gravestone Ghinis can only be destroyed by destroying the first Ghini. When they can be harmed, they can be dispatched with many weapons, but are more stringent and relentless in respect to their longevity and vitality as compared to much of the other enemies within the Zelda universe. Despite the Ghini's resilience, it can be defeated with a single swipe of the Rod of Seasons in Oracle of Seasons. This is the only enemy that can be attacked with the rod (other enemies are simply pushed back).

Ambiguously Canon Appearances
In Game & Watch Zelda, there is a ghost in some regular chambers. They cannot be defeated and do not disappear until the floor's goblin is defeated. Ghosts shoot arrows at the player from behind; these arrows can be blocked by Link holding the shield behind himself, which is done by holding down the attack button.

Trivia

 * Under a tombstone in Royal Valley in The Minish Cap, there is a friendly Ghini named Gina who will offer to fuse Kinstones with Link.
 * Ghinis almost always have one eye, but in BS The Legend of Zelda and in official art for the first game (upon which many sprites in BS The Legend of Zelda are based on), they have two.
 * Upon defeating a Ghini in Four Sword Adventures, it will vanish with a wail and leave behind a ball of light that floats away. This appears to be a Hidotama, a human soul.
 * Ghinis and Poes are very similar, and Big Poe in Four Sword Adventures is comprised of Ghinis. Unlike Poes, Ghinis never carry lanterns, and instead act as a light source themselves.
 * Poes originally appeared instead of Ghinis in early versions of Four Sword Adventures prior to release.

Gallery
Ghini