Hot take alert: The Moblins are secretly the main antagonists of the 2D Zelda games. Well, at least a few of them are. In Link’s Awakening and the Oracle games, they are pig-like kidnappers who rally around some sort of king or gang leader. They often pose a bigger threat to the people of Labrynna and Holodrum than the big bads do. They aren’t just some existential threat like the Nightmares, Onox, or Veran; they are out in the open, being bullies and taking over. They’re the bad guys!
In Oracle of Seasons, they aren’t just hidden away in some hole-in-the-wall cavern like in Link’s Awakening. They have a giant fortress that shoots out literal bombs to help them protect their land. It’s complete anarchy!
Just west of the Sunken City, the Moblins have erected a massive structure that ominously towers over the city, casting a shadow over the people whose homes have been flooded. Unlike its Oracle of Ages counterpart, this castle is heavily fortified. It’s lined with cannons that fire bombs at passersby, even if they aren’t there to steal their treasure. Seriously. The first time I played this, I was so confused as to why this angry green man was shooting at me. I was literally just minding my own business when, all of a sudden — BAM! BOOM!
Anyway, there is only one way to access the keep’s interior; it lies to the south and is completely surrounded by water. Link needs to have his Flippers and Power Bracelets in order to tackle this mini-dungeon. Even though it is in his power to fly there, poor Moosh can’t go up stairs. (How many more times can I sneak Moosh into my Oracle articles before my editors get mad? Answer: The world can never have enough Moosh.)
Once up the stairs, the place is empty. No guards on the upper level or anything. The Moblins, in all their hubris, didn’t think anyone would make it past their bombs. They don’t need guards in front of the keep! They have cannons! When Link enters, he is greeted by the only guards in the entire fort: two Moblins with swords. Oooh, scary!
Upstairs, the Great Moblin awaits.
This chump is the big bad of the fortress. You can tell he’s Great because he has a crown and cape. He will toss bombs at Link, and Link must throw them back at him, timing it just right so the bombs will blow up next to him. Of course, exploding giant bombs INSIDE OF A CASTLE isn’t a great idea, so once he’s defeated, the Great Moblin makes a weird face and the castle crumbles around him.
Link is left in the rubble while the rest of the Moblins hightail it out of there. For his efforts, Link gets a Piece of Heart and the satisfaction of knowing that his careless bomb-tossing has saved the people of the Sunken City. They never have to fear the Great Moblin’s wrath again. They can stroll out of the city without worrying about getting blown up.
Except not really, because the Moblins just move into the Sunken City to make more bombs. They seem to be peaceful now, but just wait. They will amass great power. They will rebuild their keep and continue to fire bombs out of cannons all willy-nilly. But for now, the Moblins must gaze upon a mess of their own making: the ruins of the once awe-inspiring, fear-striking, poorly/greatly-defended Moblin’s Keep.
