Calamity Ganon Threat

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ganon is an evil warlord turned demon king who fights against Link and Princess Zelda. He wishes to use the Triforce, a sacred relic capable of granting any wish its user desires when complete, to remake the world in his own dark image. The series notes that if someone without a balance of Power, Courage, and Wisdom attempts to touch the Triforce, it splits into three triangles and bonds with three people whose hearts embody those virtues. While Ganon serves as the central antagonist for the series, some games have featured other settings and antagonists where Link travels to other lands in their time of need.

In Their Own Story

The narrative backbone of the series involves Link, a courageous young man of the elf-like Hylian race, fighting alongside Princess Zelda, who is within the bloodline of the goddess Hylia. They work to save the land of Hyrule from Ganon. Zelda's role has often been that of a damsel in distress or a donor who assists Link. The series has expanded since its 1986 release to include 21 entries, with some installments and re-releases outsourced to developers like Flagship, Grezzo, and Tantalus Media. An American animated TV series based on the games aired in 1989, and manga adaptations have been produced in Japan since 1997.

Reader's Guide

Players control Link or Princess Zelda from a fixed top-down perspective or a 3D game world with a free-roaming camera. The gameplay features a mix of puzzles, action-adventure, and exploration. Staples include bombs, boomerangs, keys, shields, bows and arrows, light sources, magical rods, hammers, musical instruments, digging tools, and the hookshot. In Breath of the Wild (2017) and Tears of the Kingdom (2023), swords and weapons are found in the world or stolen from enemies rather than being fixed items. Motion controls in Skyward Sword (2011) simulate sword fighting by swinging the controller. The series pioneered features like the first console save function and Ocarina of Time's targeting system.

Did You Know?

• If someone without a balance of Power, Courage, and Wisdom touches the Triforce, it splits into three triangles.
• The original Legend of Zelda was released in 1986, with an American animated TV series following in 1989.
• Some installments have been outsourced to developers including Flagship, Grezzo, and Tantalus Media.
• Zelda's role has often been that of a damsel in distress or a donor who assists Link.
• The series includes 21 entries on all major Nintendo consoles as well as various spin-offs.