Compared to minions, mini-bosses rank higher on the enemy food chain. These ambitious baddies have dreams of one day ruling their dungeon, but for now, they’re content with just being a mini-boss. Battles against mini-bosses are still quite intense, and Link must defeat each of these worthy foes as he quests to clear each dungeon.
Woodfall Temple — Gekko
The first mini-boss that Link encounters is called a Gekko. Don’t be afraid of this hopping menace: just lock on, and attack the Gekko three times with Link’s blade.
After suffering three hits, the Gekko calls for a Snapper, which it hops on and uses as a steed. Quickly put on the Deku Mask and burrow into a Deku Flower, then pop up and strike the Snapper’s soft belly as it passes by.
Striking the Snapper from below knocks off the Gekko, which quickly flees to the walls. Take off the Deku Mask and pull out the Hero’s Bow, then lock on to the Gekko and strike it with an arrow.
Hitting the Gekko with an arrow knocks it down from the wall. The monster quickly returns to its Snapper steed and begins chasing after you again. Put on the Deku Mask and dive into a flower, then pop up and knock off the Gekko again. Use the Hero’s Bow to knock it down from the wall afterward, and repeat this sequence once more to slay the Gekko.
Snowhead Temple and Stone Tower Temple — Wizzrobe
Snowhead Temple’s mini-boss is a cruel spellcaster known as a Wizzrobe. Another Wizzrobe is also encountered as a mini-boss in the Stone Tower Temple. The fight plays out the same way in both battles.
When the battle begins, the Wizzrobe teleports to one of the pads around the room. Remain in the center of the room and
-Target the Wizzrobe each time he appears, then strike him with an arrow before he has a chance to unleash his evil magic. (You can also attack the Wizzrobe with Link’s sword, but it’s more difficult.)
After suffering a few hits, the Wizzrobe steps up his game, summoning clones in an effort to confuse you. The clones are harmless and merely meant to distract you—and they can be quite distracting. Rely on your pal Tatl, for she only targets the real Wizzrobe. Lock on with
-Targeting whenever Tatl flies to the Wizzrobe, and continue using your Hero’s Bow to score damage until you finally defeat the villain.
Great Bay Temple — Wart
Wart is a challenging mini-boss fought in the Great Bay Temple. Look all the way up at the ceiling to spot the monster and begin the battle!
Wart is a giant eyeball that’s surrounded by about 100 smaller pink eyeballs. To damage Wart, you must strike its open eye with the Hookshot or an arrow from the Hero’s Bow. However, before attempting to harm Wart, spend time plucking the smaller pink eyes off of it with the Hookshot and slaying them with a quick swing of Link’s sword.
It may seem like Wart has an unlimited number of pink eyes, but this is not the case. There is a finite amount, so just keep snatching them with the Hookshot and cutting them with Link’s sword. If you lose patience, rush Wart and slice up its pink eyeballs with your sword to speed things up.
Removing Wart’s pink eyes gives you a clearer shot at the mini-boss’ main eye. Begin striking that big, ugly eye with arrows or the Hookshot. You can only damage Wart while its eye is open, so don’t waste arrows while it’s closed. Tatl targets Wart’s eye while it’s open, so just lock on, and fire the Hero’s Bow or Hookshot to score a hit.
After suffering several hits, Wart slams down on the ground, shedding all of its pink eyes. The pink eyes then begin bouncing everywhere and would be very dangerous had you not slain most of them already. Wart races around the room, smashing into walls. Being hit by Wart inflicts a full Heart of damage, so roll to avoid him. Pull out the Hero’s Bow (arrows are faster than the Hookshot), and wait for Tatl to target Wart’s open eye. Fire arrows at Wart the moment that Tatl targets him, and keep it up until you finally defeat the monster.
Great Bay Temple — Gekko (Round 2!)
Your old pal Gekko returns in the Great Bay Temple, and he’s hopping mad over your last battle in Woodfall. The Gekko has a new strategy this time, and he’s far more dangerous.
The Gekko begins the battle by summoning a number of big, jelly-like blobs called Mad Jellies to protect him. These Mad Jellies present obstacles that knock 1/4 Heart off Link’s life energy if touched. The Gekko is your target, so chase after him. Slash the Gekko with Link’s blade to send it fleeing to the ceiling. You can also use the Hookshot to bring the Gekko within striking range, or simply shoot the monster with arrows from afar.
Heads up! The Mad Jellies surround the Gekko after he flees to the ceiling, covering him in a giant Mad Jelly blob. The Gekko then tries to slam down on you, inflicting significant damage if he succeeds. Roll away from the plummeting Gekko’s giant shadow, then lock on and freeze him with an Ice Arrow.
After you’ve frozen the Gekko, he’ll fall from the ceiling and smash apart. At this point, the battle begins anew: the Gekko hops away from you while his Mad Jellies try to interfere. Hookshot the Gekko and slash him again (or hit him with an arrow), then look to freeze him with another Ice Arrow after he flees to the ceiling. Repeat this until the Gekko is a goner.
Stone Tower Temple — Garo Master
During his explorations of the Stone Tower Temple, Link must battle a formidable foe known as the Garo Master. This nimble warrior is tough to keep up with.
Lock on and raise your shield to block the Garo Master’s swift attacks, then quickly counter by stunning the Garo Master with the Hookshot. You must be quick to land the Hookshot against the nimble
Garo Master. It’s much easier if you can manage to back the Garo Master close to a wall.
Once you manage to stun the Garo Master, race forward and strike him with Link’s blade, then immediately raise your shield to block his counterattack. Continue the sequence of block, stun, strike, and block, but remember that speed is key. Use the Bunny Hood to help you land your sword strikes, and hold
to defend throughout the battle whenever you aren’t lashing out.
Stone Tower Temple — Gomess
Link faces another devilish mini-boss in the Stone Tower Temple known as Gomess. This freaky fiend must be fought!
Gomess surrounds itself in bats and attacks by swinging a massive scythe. Keep your shield up for defense, and maintain your distance from Gomess as you look to shoot the fiend with a Light Arrow.
Hitting Gomess with a Light Arrow banishes its bats for a brief moment. Now’s your chance! Advance and strike Gomess to score damage, then immediately raise your shield to block the villain’s swift counterattack. Fall back and hit Gomess with another Light Arrow, then dive in and strike. Repeat this until Gomess is no more.