To beat Phantom Ganon in the Ocarina of Time remake, shoot him with the Fairy Bow as he rides out of a painting, picking out the real one because the fakes turn back at the canvas. When he starts hovering in the room, lock on and swing your sword to send his energy ball back at him, rally until he falls, then run in and slash.
He is the boss of the Forest Temple, the first dungeon adult Link takes on. Below is what you need, how to reach him, both phases of the fight, and what to do afterward.
Before the Fight
- The Fairy Bow. It is the prize of this temple, so you will have it by the time you reach him. Our 1998 Bow guide covers the item.
- Arrows. The first phase uses them, so go in with a full quiver. A chest in the rotating basement just before the boss has more.
- The Boss Key. It is in the room past the twisted corridor on the second floor. Shoot the eye switch above the corridor’s doorway to straighten it out, and the chest is on the ground beyond it.
- The Master Sword. You need it for the second phase.
Our 1998 Forest Temple guide covers the road to the temple’s door. Getting through that door takes the Hookshot, and the blue block in the lobby takes the Song of Time.
How to Reach Phantom Ganon
- Beat the four Poes. Each one you defeat lights a torch in the main lobby. Once the last one falls, a lift appears in the middle of the room.
- Take the lift down to the basement. A Gold Skulltula is on the wall of the south room, if you are collecting them.
- Rotate the room. Push one of the handholds sticking out of the outer walls. Push clockwise for a chest with Arrows, then again for a switch that lights a torch.
- Line up the shot. Keep pushing until the lit torch lines up with the iced-over eye switch behind it. Fire an arrow through the flame to melt the ice, then fire again to hit the switch and open the way.
- Walk up the corridor. Enter the arena, then turn back toward the door, and the fight begins.
The Buttons You Need
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Open the quick-select bar | Hold R |
| Fire the Fairy Bow | ZR, once you pick it on the bar |
| Target him | ZL |
| Swing your sword | Y |
| Jump, or backflip while targeting | X |
Our quick swap guide explains the R bar, and if tilting the controller throws off your aim, the motion aiming guide shows how to turn it off. The camera settings guide can help in a room where you are always turning.
Phase One: The Paintings
Phantom Ganon rides toward you through the paintings on the walls, and several copies come at once. The fakes turn back when they reach the surface of the canvas. The real one keeps coming and emerges into the room.
- Stand at the edge of the room. From there you can watch three or more paintings at the same time.
- Put the Bow on ZR and keep it ready. Hold R and select it before the riders arrive.
- Watch for the rider who does not turn back. If he is in one of the paintings you can see, fire. If not, turn quickly and catch him as he comes out.
- Stay near the wall. Standing at the edge also keeps you out of the way of the projectile that follows if you miss him.
- Repeat until he stops using the paintings.
Phase Two: The Rally
Now he hovers in the room and throws a ball of energy at you. This part is a game of tennis.
- Switch to your sword and lock on with ZL.
- Swing with Y as the ball arrives. It flies back at him.
- Keep it going. He hits it back too, so swing again each time it comes your way.
- Run in when he drops. After enough returns he is struck down. Rush over and hit him directly with your sword until he recovers.
- Repeat until the fight is over.
The timing is the only hard part. Swing a little sooner than feels right, and keep some distance so you have more time to react. Standing too close leaves you almost no time to get the sword up.
What You Get, and Where to Go Next
Collect the Heart Container and step through the warp for a cutscene and the Forest Medallion. You then land back at the spot where the Deku Tree stood. Our 1998 guide to what comes after the Forest Temple covers the same stretch.
Beating this boss changes what you can do:
- Go back to the Temple of Time. You can now return the Master Sword to the pedestal to become young Link again. Sheik also teaches you the Prelude of Light, a warp back to the temple.
- Unlock the Hall of Fallen Foes. Approach Kakariko Village from Hyrule Field as young Link, and Kaepora Gaebora stops you to explain it. The hall opens through a bed glowing green, and the closest is at the Grand Lodge in the south of the village. Our Hall of Fallen Foes guide has more on rematches.
- Head for the Fire Temple. It is next, through Goron City on Death Mountain, as adult Link. Our 1998 temple order guide covers the sequence, and our boss list has the rest of the fights.
Every remake guide is on our Zelda hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Phantom Ganon in the Ocarina of Time remake? At the end of the Forest Temple. The way in is through the rotating basement, under the main lobby.
How do you tell which painting has the real Phantom Ganon? The fakes turn back when they reach the surface of the painting. The real one keeps coming and emerges into the room.
Where should you stand to fight Phantom Ganon? At the edge of the room, where you can watch three or more paintings at once and avoid the projectile if you miss.
How do you beat Phantom Ganon’s second phase? Lock on and swing your sword to send his energy ball back at him. Rally until he is struck down, then hit him directly.
Do you need the Bow to beat Phantom Ganon? Yes, for the first phase. It is the Forest Temple’s own treasure, so you will have it by then.
What do you get for beating Phantom Ganon? A Heart Container and the Forest Medallion. It also lets you become young Link again at the Temple of Time.