There’s something to be said about a companion. Someone to share important moments with and to help you bear your burdens. In games and stories, companions help to flesh out the world you explore and often give you an additional reason to go on the adventure. The Legend of Zelda is full of such companions.…
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a fantastic game. The realistic design, its dark storytelling, and dramatic gameplay make for an exciting adventure. It also introduced a wide assortment of characters that make a unique impact on the series. An entire anthology could be made discussing what each character was meant to do and…
There is an item that is common in RPGs and Adventure titles: the secret weapon. A hidden artifact that normally requires a great deal of searching and sacrifice, often involving an enemy more powerful than the final boss. But once obtained, that special weapon puts all other items to shame. It’s a badge of honor…
I played Link’s Awakening when it first came out on the original Game Boy. The tense opening scene immediately filled me with excitement, and I explored Koholint Island with delight. The enemies, and especially the puzzles, gave my young self a great challenge and, like A Link to the Past, a great sense of accomplishment…
As we reached the end of the Nintendo Direct at this year’s E3, we were impressed and satisfied with the lineup of games that were awaiting us. With plenty of titles to look forward to, there was nothing left but to wait for Pokemon Sword and Shield, Links Awakening, and all of the other anticipated…
The Legend of Zelda is well known not just for its world and gameplay but also for its iconic soundtracks. From its first appearance on the NES, the Zelda series has held pieces of music that are not only inseparable from the games but also some of the hallmarks of video game music as a…
The effects that Ocarina of Time has had on The Legend of Zelda, and on gaming as a whole, can hardly be overestimated. Its character design and world-building are second to none, and its game mechanics are nothing short of revolutionary. Those of us who played this game when it was first released 20 years…
Throughout the worlds of fiction and fantasy, there exist a near endless trove of unique and magical weapons and items. They give a sense of individuality to the characters wielding them, and, when used effectively, they provide us with a wide variety of dramatic events and special moments. Yet despite the plethora of weapons in…
Breath of the Wild can easily be summed up in a single word. Like all the Zelda games before it, it is an adventure: a journey that takes you to the farthest reaches of your imagination and, in this case, your ability to overcome it. It’s a familiar theme, one that is colored by the…
Throughout our lives, we discover things that truly touch us — items and ideas that spark our imaginations, drive our passions, and inspire us on a level beyond mere interest. They open our minds to possibilities we had never before conceived. Whether it’s a person, a movement, or a creative work, these gleaming stars in an…
While every adventure needs its hero and every kingdom needs its ruler, there is no true journey without opposition to face, and the greatest of stories are only so in part because of its villain. Many evildoers have come and gone over the years, but a few, through their deeds, personality, and sheer gravitas, are…
A few months back when the 2nd Breath of the Wild trailer was released, I, and pretty much all of the Zelda community was in awe. Everything about what we were being shown filled us with joyful anticipation for the newest edition to the Zelda series. I myself was freaking out with excitement and more than…
When it comes to gameplay in The Legend of Zelda, one of the most prominent features is item usage. Not only is Link courageous, willing to explore perilous dungeons and face fearsome beasts, but he is clever and versatile; he’s almost automatically an expert with any new piece of equipment he comes across and finds…
The structure standing before you is immense, ornate, and ancient. Imposing statues flank the entrance. The flames from the nearby torches flicker as if they had been lit only recently. Inside lays the next key to your quest, guarded, no doubt, by a myriad of monsters and puzzles that would repel even the most daring…
Any fan of The Legend of Zelda has heard the joke. You see it on memes, comic strips, even T-shirts. It’s the running gag that, to every person telling it, is hilarious and, to every person hearing it for the umpteenth time, nothing but an annoying and tedious remark. Even worse is the rare occasion…
