The characters from the original Legend of Zelda don’t say much, but what they do say is highly memorable. Among the most recognizable quotes is “It’s a secret to everybody,” uttered to Link by a Moblin in hiding. Versions of this iconic phrase have become a recurring Easter egg in the Zelda series (and in non-Zelda games, too). As our Zelda’s Study column is all about unearthing secrets, I thought it would be fun to identify all the times this quote has appeared and make these secrets known to everybody.
The Zelda series has many characters who wish to keep their secrets, so I have restricted my criteria to sayings that include both “secret” and either “everybody” or “everyone.” Sentences like “Keep it between us” and “Don’t tell anyone” stray too far from the original to count in my book. With that said, let’s start spilling the beans.
Name and game: Moblin(s), The Legend of Zelda
Secret: Found in multiple clandestine caves, these Moblins give Link rupees with the assumed intention of bribing him to keep their locations and non-confrontational natures underground.
Name and game: Average Middle-Aged Man, A Link to the Past
Secret: After Link discovers that the Average Middle-Aged Man used to be a thief specializing in picking locks, the man agrees to open a locked chest if Link keeps his identity confidential.
Name and game: Guard, Ocarina of Time
Secret: After Link bribes the guard standing…guard outside of Hyrule Castle to open the gates and let him pass, the guard asks Link to keep their deal discreet.
Name and game: Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time
Secret: Zelda lets a boy she just met in on her royal family’s generational secret. Within the Temple of Time is the entrance to the Sacred Realm, sealed behind the Door of Time that can only be opened by collecting three Spiritual Stones and using the royal heirloom, the Ocarina of Time. Seems like something to tell a complete stranger.
Name and game: Kafei, Majora’s Mask
Secret: Kafei was ambushed by a thief who stole his wedding ceremony mask. He’s now too embarrassed to return to his betrothed Anju without it. He’s not embarrassed about turning into a child, though.
Name and game: Makar, The Wind Waker
Secret: Can’t a Korok rehearse in peace?! The pre-awakened Sage of Wind practices his fiddle in a cave hidden behind a waterfall, out of earshot of the other Forest Haven residents.
Name and game: Goron, Twilight Princess
Secret: Afraid of “agitat[ing] the young ones,” this Goron doesn’t tell any of his brethren of the dark fate that has befallen Hyrule Castle.
Name and game: Yerbal, Skyward Sword
Secret: This snoring, tree-bound hermit tells Link that the Sacred Flame is with the Water Dragon, Faron, deep within Lake Floria. Apparently he has told this to many others, so the truth of his assertion that “it’s a secret to everybody” is doubtful.
Name and game: Secret Parella, Skyward Sword
Secret: Found hiding in an underwater cave behind a boulder, this Parella takes a bit of reassuring before he lets Link know the location of the Water Dragon on his map.
Name and Game: Thief Girl, A Link Between Worlds
Secret: After Link springs her from a cell and helps her escape the Thieves’ Hideout, Thief Girl relocates to a cave in Lorule’s southern swamp. Visiting there will prompt her to give Link 100 rupees and ask to keep her location hidden.
Name and game: Hinox, A Link Between Worlds
Secret: Much like the Moblins that started it all, this Hinox gives Link rupees to leave him in peace and keep his hideout and non-combative nature a secret. But only if Link doesn’t keep extorting him for more.
Name and game: Hidden message, Tri Force Heroes
Secret: In the Hytopian courtyard, a mysterious message is written on the southern wall. Once Link obtains the Tri Suit, he can decipher the message to read the infamous quote. So the secret is that it’s a secret. How meta.
With that, all the secrets are exposed. Who will be next to say the famous quote and when? It’s a secret to everybody.
