Best Goron Characters in Zelda, Ranked

Gorons is The Legend of Zelda's answer to Tolkien's dwarves: stout, hardy, and somewhat obsessed with rocks and gems. Instead of hoarding precious stones like dwarves, gorons covet them for their taste, being that they eat them. A goron's diet generally matches their personalities, as gorons tend to be strong, bold, and down to earth, making them prime contenders for being some of the most memorable characters.

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Every goron has fire in their bellies and a little rock and roll in their blood (perhaps literally), but these gorons stand out as mountains amongst giants. To land a spot, these gorons need to be memorable and beloved by the fans and will thus be ranked by their legend-building and winning personalities. From the rolling slopes of Death Mountain to the blazing flow of Goron City, the legends of these stony heroes will thump in the heart of every Hylian until the end of time.

6 Link - Majora's Mask

The Other Link (The One With The Blue Hat)

• Memorable for: having the same name as Link
• Beloved for: his cultural refinement and patient temperament

This goron's name actually depends upon the name the player writes in at the start of Majora's Mask, but by default, his name would be "Link." Like many characters across Termina, this fellow meets a tragic fate, but in a unique twist, for once, the misfortune comes about as the result of the player's actions. After making his way down Snowhead's freezing and dangerous slopes, Link finds himself in Clock Town, where festivities await.

Link had a room booked in advance at the Stock Pot Inn. However, should Tatl and her green-hooded partner choose to claim the room by exploiting this unlikely case of mistaken identity, the poor goron will be forced to sleep outside. Besides his amazing name, this goron is special as he is the only one willing to travel across the land to experience a culture other than his own, making him an adventurer and goron of the world.

5 Yunobo - Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom

From Crumbling Courage To Rock Of The Community

• Memorable for: his chunky drip
• Beloved for: his courageous character arc

There are plenty of massive, mighty goron warriors on this list, but what makes Yunobo stand apart is his courage in the face of fear and his character growth. It's easy to perform impressive acts without fear, but it is the process of overcoming it that creates bravery. If that is true, Yunobo might be one of the bravest Hylians of them all. Not only does he have a winning personality, but he has style, from his chunky chain and belt to the drippy mohawk and soul patch.

After teaming up with Link and finally taking down the Divine Beast Vah Rudania, Yunobo proves himself worthy to his great ancestor, Daruk, and begins to believe in himself. During Tears of the Kingdom, Yunobo has become a pillar of the goron community, having founded the mining company YunoboCo. His high station is exploited, and Yunobo is corrupted by an evil mask. Thankfully, Link stops by and helps to restore him to his true self.

4 Biggoron - Ocarina of Time, Various

The Very Best Of The Big Gorons

• Memorable for: being the biggest goron
• Beloved for: his exquisite metalwork

Biggoron is too big for just one game, as he appeared in multiple Legend of Zelda adventures, including Ocarina of Time, The Minish Cap, and Oracle of Seasons. It's easy to see what makes this character memorable. Biggoron is hard to miss, even while he's at home near the top of a mountain. However, in Majora's Mask, he did inexplicably become invisible, perhaps due to the tricks of a mask-possessed Skull Kid.

Unlike this younger sibling, Medigoren (who may as well be called "Mediocregoron" for his penchant for creating some of the worst weapons in all of Hyrule), Biggoren's produce is as strong as steel. After a lengthy side quest, Biggoren helps protect Hyrule from evil by giving the Hero of Time Biggoren's sword, a massive, two-handed blade (for Link at least, as Biggoren could use it as a butter knife, that is if he ate butter and not just rocks).

3 Daruk - Breath Of The Wild

The Protective Shield Of Hyrule

• Memorable for: his love of rock roast, legendary strength, and defensive powers
• Beloved for: his gregarious personality, wisdom, love for shooting lasers at Ganon

The epitome of the goron spirit, Daruk was large, headstrong, gregarious, but, ultimately, heroic. The rock roast-loving warrior wielded a massive sword-hammer called the Boulder Breaker, which Daruk once used to carve out Gortram Cliff so that his brethren could enjoy plentiful amounts of delicious rock roast. Despite his overwhelming power, his greatest strength was his defensive ability, which he expressed through his Daruk's Protection ability.

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As the pilot of Vah Rudania, Daruk stood in defense against Calamity Ganon. However, during Hyrule's darkest hour, 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, he was defeated by Fireblight Ganon, and his spirit was trapped inside his own Divine Beast. Daruk was not just a blazing warrior but deeply soulful in times of peace. He also hid a paralyzing fear of dogs, a phobia he picked up as a child. Like his descendant, Yunobo, he was shy as a child, but through hard work, acts of altruism, and a healthy diet of rocks, he learned to grow strong.

2 Darmani The Third - Majora's Mask

A Mighty Warrior In Life, A Powerful Ally In Death

• Memorable for: the powerful catharsis after hearing the song of healing
• Beloved for: his sweet tattoos, legendary deeds, and great big heart

Darmani the Third was once Termina's greatest goron warrior, so renowned for his deeds that the gravestone carved with his accomplishments rises high above any who would stand before it. Through Darmani, Zelda fans got to dig into the very core of goron culture and values and the dark side of heroism and sacrifice. Despite being faced with overwhelming odds and for the sake of his people, Darmani chose to confront the demon at the heart of the unnatural winter. After falling to his death, Darmani is cursed with a sense of eternal shame and regret.

When Link comes to show him how beloved he is by his people, despite having failed them, players are treated to a heart-melting scene in which a mighty goron sheds tears (presumably made of diamonds) while surrounded by his adoring family and tribe in a memory. As thanks for healing his sorrows, Link is granted the Goron Mask, which lends him Darmani's might (as well as his necklace, mighty gauntlets, and patches of his ink and facial hair) when he wears it.

1 Darunia - Ocarina Of Time

The Passionate Brother, Dancer, And Champion

• Memorable for: his white-hot dance moves
• Beloved for: his brotherly spirit, naming his firstborn after Link

Despite having a severe, fixed expression carved onto his face, Darunia is a goron of great passion, respect, and warmth. His love for dance is outmatched only by a passion to see his people safe and thrive. But what a dancer he is! Hearing anything with rhythm is likely to get him on his feet. Not only is Darunia a badass, but he's also got the moves to back up his rocky exterior.

After initially shutting out visitors from the outside, Darunia is touched by Link's ability and willingness to save gorons from hunger by slaying the firebreathing King Dodongo, naming him the "legendary dodongo buster," and his brother. Where many Hyrulians take Link's prowess for granted, Darunia sees him for the hero he is and, in a show of true brotherly spirit, even names his son after him.