What Happens if You Beat Ganon Early? The Ultimate Zelda Guide
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So, you’re feeling brave, eh? You want to bypass all the side quests, the exploration, the everything, and head straight for Ganon? You want to know what happens if you confront the ultimate evil early in the game? In short, you can do it in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and the game lets you. But don’t expect a drastically different outcome. Beating Ganon early essentially triggers the end credits and grants you a star symbol on your save file, indicating you’ve completed the main objective. The game then reverts to your last save before the Ganon fight, allowing you to continue exploring and completing any remaining tasks in the world. Think of it as a “checkpoint win,” rather than a game-altering event.
The Allure of an Early Showdown
The beauty of modern Zelda titles, particularly Breath of the Wild (BOTW) and Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK), lies in their open-world design. Unlike previous iterations with linear storylines, these games offer unprecedented freedom. This naturally leads players to wonder about challenging the final boss prematurely. The developers, anticipating this, have cleverly integrated this possibility without compromising the core gameplay loop.
Why Do People Beat Ganon Early?
Several factors drive players to rush towards Ganon:
- Challenge Run: Some players thrive on the challenge of defeating Ganon with minimal resources and upgrades, often creating intricate strategies and exploiting game mechanics.
- Speedrunning: The speedrunning community focuses on completing games as quickly as possible, and early Ganon fights are a staple for optimizing routes and strategies.
- Curiosity: Pure, unadulterated curiosity! Players simply want to see what happens and test the limits of the game’s open-world design.
- “I’m Good Enough”: Some gamers are just so good at the games, they feel that they are ready to take on anything and anyone at any time.
- I’m Over This: Some people might not enjoy the game and just want it to be over
The Consequences (or Lack Thereof)
Despite the initial satisfaction of defeating Ganon early, the immediate consequences are minimal:
- Star on Save File: As mentioned, you receive a star (or similar indicator depending on the game) on your save file. This serves as a badge of honor, signifying that you’ve conquered the final boss.
- No True Post-Game: There’s no “post-game” content in the traditional sense. The world reverts to its pre-Ganon state, allowing you to continue side quests, explore dungeons, and collect items. The NPCs will act like Ganon is still alive, even though you killed him
- The “Defeat Ganon” quest is not removed: The main storyline quest will never go away.
- Same as Before: the story, gameplay, all of the quests etc. are all still the same as before
- Sense of accomplishment: The major pro is that you have accomplished defeating the game. You are now free to do what you wish
The Real Value: The Journey, Not the Destination
The true value in Zelda games lies in the journey, not just the destination. By skipping significant portions of the game, you potentially miss out on:
- Character Development: You won’t experience the full growth of Link and his relationships with other characters.
- World-Building: You’ll lose the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the rich lore and diverse environments of Hyrule.
- Skill Progression: You won’t hone your combat skills and learn new strategies through challenging encounters.
- Useful Items: You might not get some of the best gear or upgrades available in the game.
- Helpful Abilities: Depending on the order of the game, you might not get a lot of the special powers that help Link through the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the details of beating Ganon early:
1. Can you kill Ganon at the very beginning?
Yes, both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom allow you to head straight to Ganon after completing the initial tutorial area (the Great Plateau in BOTW). The difficulty will be significantly higher, but it’s technically possible.
2. What happens after you beat Ganon?
The game doesn’t truly “end.” You’re reverted to your last save before the final battle, with a star on your save file to mark your victory. You can continue exploring, completing quests, and discovering secrets.
3. Is there a post-game in Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom?
No, there is no dedicated post-game content. The game reverts to the pre-Ganon state. This allows players to continue side quests and any other content they want.
4. Can you fight Ganondorf early in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, much like Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom allows you to confront Ganondorf relatively early, although finding his location may present a challenge.
5. How many hearts should you have before fighting Ganon?
While you can fight Ganon with minimal hearts, it’s recommended to have at least 10-13 hearts for a better chance of survival, especially if attempting an early fight. Hearty meals that provide temporary extra hearts are also highly recommended.
6. What happens if you go to Ganondorf without the sages?
In Tears of the Kingdom, if you face Ganondorf without gathering the Sages, you’ll have to fight their respective boss battles (like skipping Divine Beasts in BOTW). If you collect them, they help during the fight.
7. Can you continue Tears of the Kingdom after beating Ganon?
Technically, you cannot continue past the ending. The game reverts to the pre-Ganon save, allowing you to tie up loose ends, but the world state remains unchanged.
8. What is the best weapon to use against Ganon?
The Master Sword is ideal, as it glows with power during the fight and doesn’t break. Otherwise, powerful elemental weapons or ancient weapons can be very effective.
9. Can you Flurry Rush Ganon?
Yes, in the first phase of the fight, you can effectively use Flurry Rushes to deal significant damage to Ganon. Good timing and dodging skills are essential.
10. Do you need all the memories before fighting Ganon?
No, the memories aren’t required, but they enhance the experience, influence the final boss battle, and unlock the best ending. They provide valuable context and emotional depth to the story.
11. Can you beat Ganon without the 5th Sage?
Yes, you can challenge Ganon at any time, regardless of whether you’ve acquired all the Sages. However, without them, you must face all the monster waves and dungeon bosses on your own.
12. Is Ganondorf always a Gerudo?
Yes, Ganondorf consistently appears as a Gerudo in the Legend of Zelda games. This is deeply rooted in the lore and plays a significant role in his character and motivations.
13. Do blood moons stop after defeating Ganon?
No, even after defeating Ganon, Blood Moons will continue to occur. This is a fundamental mechanic of the game’s world, ensuring that enemies respawn and the world remains dynamic.
14. Can you go back to Hyrule Castle after beating Ganon?
Yes, you can return to Hyrule Castle after defeating Ganon. However, interacting with certain elements might trigger the final boss fight again, sending you back to your pre-battle save.
15. What is the hardest Ganon to fight?
In Breath of the Wild, Thunderblight Ganon is widely considered the most challenging of the Blight Ganons due to its speed and unpredictable attacks. Some people think that Ganondorf is very tough in Tears of the Kingdom.
Games and Learning
The open-world design of games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom provide a rich learning enviroment. These games encourage problem solving, critical thinking, and exploration. To learn more about the educational benefits of gaming, visit the Games Learning Society website. There you can read the work of people dedicated to proving the value of games in our lives.
Final Thoughts
Beating Ganon early in Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom is a unique experience that tests your skills and understanding of the game mechanics. While it provides a sense of accomplishment, it’s crucial to weigh the potential loss of experiencing the full depth and breadth of the game’s story and world. Ultimately, the choice is yours, adventurer. Play the game your way, explore every nook and cranny, or head straight for the final showdown – the world of Hyrule is your oyster!