Gibdos

Gibdos are undead, mummy-like enemies that appear in The Legend of Zelda video game series. The plural term gibdos is used to refer to multiple such foes across different titles. They are typically depicted as humanoid corpses wrapped in bandages, often with exposed facial features and sometimes glowing eyes, giving them a distinct tomb-dwelling appearance.

Design and appearance have varied by game, but gibdos are generally slow-moving guards found in environments associated with temples, tombs, crypts, and desert ruins. Their eerie, mummified look contributes to the series’ atmosphere of ancient curses and hidden passages.

In most games, gibdos function as early- to mid-game threats that block progress or guard treasure. They usually engage in close-range melee attacks and can pose a challenge due to their persistence and vulnerable moments when the player is repositioning or solving puzzles. The exact mechanics—such as attack patterns, defenses, and vulnerabilities—vary between titles, with some entries offering specific weapons or strategies that are more effective against them.

Variants of gibdos appear in several installments, sometimes as stronger enemies or as part of a puzzle setup within a dungeon. While the core concept remains consistent—a defeated mummy-like foe yielded rewards or access to the next area—the specifics of drops and interaction can differ from game to game.

Gibdos have become a recognizable element of Zelda lore, contributing to the franchise’s enduring theme of ancient guardians and supernatural relics.

See also: Mummy, Undead (gaming), The Legend of Zelda.