Upon first meeting him in Ocarina of Time, Sheik is a very mysterious character. As players progress further in the game, the mystery remains as little else is added. Sheik seems like a pretty simple character. It’s only near the end of the game, with the revelation that Sheik is actually Princess Zelda in disguise,…
Despite the early American education system labeling it a critical skill, I have never been the best at cutting paper. Well, at least when it comes to cutting something with precision. If something needs to be cut into an intricate shape, or if Hylia forbid I have to cut a shape out of a piece…
For a generation of gamers, Ocarina of Time resounds as the pinnacle of 3D adventures. While the industry had been experimenting and refining the types of games it could make in three dimensions, it was those first few steps out into Hyrule Field that caused gamer’s minds to explode with the sheer promise of what…
As I began yet another playthrough of Ocarina of Time recently, I was surprised how often Ganondorf was referred to as the “man from the desert” in the opening hour or so of the game. Each time, it seemed like the game was almost trying to tie the arid desert land with the death and…
During the last few years, many of us have struggled to maintain our mental health. Some turn to therapy, friends and family, exercise, and resting to help them recuperate physically and emotionally. My favorite recent instance of self care that I saw by a friend was when they parodied a famous line from Star Wars:…
When first playing Ocarina of Time, every appearance of Sheik leaves both Link and the player with a common question: who was that masked man? While that question is answered by the end of the game, early attempts to puzzle out its solution elude us as Sheik is always quick to disappear with the snap…
Ever since Super Mario Bros. back on the NES, players have “warped” around game worlds in order to ease their journey. Whether avoiding Lakitu and his pesky spinies or just avoiding a grueling hour-long walk across Hyrule, warping or fast travel has become a common tool to lower players’ stress and make their travels across…
Perhaps the most iconic moment in the whole Legend of Zelda series is the moment where a kind, elderly hermit passes over a simple, wooden sword and gives Link a simple warning: “It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.” This single screen has been made into countless memes and a horde of merchandise ranging from…
One word that could easily be used to describe Breath of the Wild would be epic. The world you explore dwarfs any other version of Hyrule in size as does the possibilities afforded the player. Link’s arsenal is also incredibly expansive, and his wardrobe is so diverse that he’d need a shrine-sized closet just to…
When you’re a kid, everything seems bigger. Adults tower over you when giving you directions or scolding you, pillow forts turn into cavernous castles, and even a video game as simple and small as the original Legend of Zelda can seem to hold an adventure that continues beyond the farthest horizon. Through her Spirit Tracks…
Despite being a primarily fantasy-based franchise, the Zelda series has dabbled with technology quite a bit, especially in recent entries. From opposite ends of the timeline, Breath of the Wild’s Guardians and Sheikah tech and Skyward Sword‘s Timeshift Stones speak to a world where science and fantasy mix. Perhaps that’s why there are so many…
I hate Simon. Not just any person named Simon — that would be super rude — but that multi-colored devilry that older people have been trying to pass off as “fun” to children for decades. The cacophony of lights and sounds mixed with the unpleasant smoke emanating from my head as my brain tries to…
For all the many (and potentially valid) complaints about the way Breath of the Wild’s story is told, one complaint that can’t be levied against it is that it lacks the ability to inspire new stories in the player’s imaginations. Theorists and players have concocted vast backstories for the Champions and NPCs. They did this…
A Link to the Past introduced many iconic and memorable elements to the Zelda series. From the Master Sword and “Zelda’s Lullaby” to the Dark World, many of these items, locations, and melodies have reverberated throughout the rest of the saga. Few would claim Mothula, the boss of the dungeon in the Dark World’s Skull…
Disclaimer: For the purposes of this article and in order to protect my daughter’s privacy, I will be referring to her by the name “Shadow.” Despite not being traditionally known as a “horror” series, each year when the spooky season comes around, the Zelda series has players covered. From enemies like Dead Hand and the…
