Vire

Vile as seen in the Oracle games.
Vire
Type	Demon
Debut	The Legend of Zelda

The Vire is a winged gargoyle-like beast that appeared as an enemy primarily within the early Zelda games. Its most notable appearance since then has been as a recurring boss character within the Oracle games.

Information

Vire was initially described as a type of winged demonic entity that controlled the Keese. Attacking a Vire will usually cause it to split into a pair of Keeses. Their coloration and specific abilities differs depending on the game.

Appearances

In The Legend of Zelda, they are blue and appear in several different dungeons. When attacked, it divides into red Keeses. Vires also appear within Turtle Rock in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, where they are much like the Vire mini-boss in color and battle strategy. They are red and attack by swooping at Link and launching fireballs. After being hit, the Vire splits into two big Keeses.

Oracle Games

Vire appears as a mini-boss in Oracle of Seasons and Ages, being notable for having multiple appearances throughout the two games and a type of personality. This Vire is a red creature who acts as the mini-boss for the Ancient Ruins in Seasons and the Mermaid's Cave in Ages (notably the sixth dungeon for each game). He attacks by swooping around and launching fireballs, and he splits into two Keese-like creatures once he is beaten. He describes himself as a loyal henchman for his master (Onox in Seasons and Veran in Ages), but he is somewhat cowardly and complains when he is losing a battle. Once he is beaten in the first mini-boss battle, he will retreat to report to his master. Vire makes an extra appearance in a linked game prior to the second mini-boss battle, in which he either hides the Pyramid Stone out of Link's reach (in Seasons) or captures Princess Zelda and holds her in the Black Tower until Link saves her after dodging Vire's attacks (in Ages). Vire was ultimately destroyed at the end of the second mini-boss battle and bade Link farewell after apologizing to both of his masters.

Other Appearances

Other Media

• Vires appeared in several episodes of the Zelda cartoon series as minions of Ganon, based on their appearance in The Legend of Zelda.

Trivia

• Its name is likely a play on "vile" (due to ls and rs being interchangeable in the Japanese language) and could also be contracted from "vampire".
• The Black Tower event in the linked Oracle of Ages game actually plays as an homage to Donkey Kong, with Vire acting out the role of Donkey Kong.