I'm coming at you with an all new series, because I didn't see anyone else doing it and video game bosses stand out as some of my most poignant virtual memories. Whether it be Mother Brain, Bowser, Ganon, Tyrant, or some overpowered mother fucker from Final Fantasy, bosses are integral parts of video games. I want to focus on the emotions I felt when facing these horrors over the mechanics of actually fighting them. Hopefully this feature will help trigger some of your special memories.



Ganondorf


I have fond memories of playing the Ocarina of Time. Struggling to survive against dangerous creatures and the willing tools of Ganondorf when I was a child are feelings that I wish I could replicate today. Once you've completed a Zelda game once, it's never the same again. That sense of discovery is gone. I remember taking months to trigger all of the sages once the Ocarina of Time took its famous turn and sent you into the future. The sense of satisfaction I got from watching the land slowly be restored would be impossible to replicate now. I felt like a hero.

When I finally formed the bridge to Ganondorf's castle, and scaled it with the sole intention of rescuing Zelda and casting down the evil tyrant, I was very nervous. I had to make sure that I didn't take too much damage. I wanted to be in prime condition for what had been built up to me to be an unstobbable force. Still, even with doubt in my mind, I was ready. Ganondorf's greed and lust for power were going to crumble just as Hyrule had did years ago.



I reached the door to his chamber. I took a deep breath, and then... I entered. I remember being struck by how casually he played the organ layed out in front of him. It was time to finish what had begun months ago, and I listened to his speech with a silent determination. When the room did finally shift into what would become his grave, I was in the zone. The world around me melted, and I became Link, sword raised.

He was powerful, but predictable. Had it not been for the Light Arrows I had been so graciously supplied with earlier, he would have been invincible. I suppose he didn't realize I'd have something to trump him, his power had clearly blinded his reasoning. How could a boy defeat a God? Defeat him I did, though not without a serious amount of effort and concentration. Playing volleyball with his spells, quickly using my bow, and then leaping at the monster with my sword was easier in theory than it was in practice.



A wave of satisfaction rushed over me when he did finally fall. He wasn't a God at all, just a magician. I rushed out of the tower with Zelda in tow, shaking my head in disbelief as the very symbol of my oppression was falling around me. When we did finally reach the base of the tower, Zelda expressed her gratitude and we began to walk away from the nightmare. I knew that tomorrow would be a brighter day for the people of Hyrule. A disquieting rumbling shot me out of my daydreaming, and I watched as a monster, perhaps the very embodiment of evil, burst from the rubble of the broken tower.

This was Ganon.

Ganon


All of my determination was gone. Was it Ganondorf? No, Ganondorf was dead. This creature was the blackness of his heart. His soul come to life to seek revenge against the one who dared to defy the odds. It had come to claim me, and I was going to be damned if I let it. When he knocked away my sword, my heart dropped. That was my lively hood, the only thing that could banish this evil forever.

Though I was disheartened, I soldiered on. I’d use everything in my power to defeat him, and seal away his evil for as long as I can. Lightning flashed in the sky and the fires of the wreckage burned around me. Still, I fought on. I was merciless in my attacks, rolling underneath him and littering his body with arrows.



Eventually, he dropped. Zelda aided me with her magic, and I retrieved my sword. I watched as my sword began to glow, and without hesitation, I dealed the final blow. Putting an end to what had become the very essence of darkness, and shining a light on Hyrule once again.

Afterthoughts:
Now you may not be a fan of the Legend of Zelda series, but I can’t deny that it became a huge part of my childhood. Embodying Link and adventuring in the magical kingdom of Hyrule was the closest I ever came to feeling important as a younger child. If you’re interested in that story, read my recent blog. I have a problem with becoming long winded when I write blogs like this, so if you feel that I need to address it I will. Otherwise, leave your comments on the bottom of the page. I’d love to know what you think.