10 Zelda enemies that would make great Pokemon

The world of Hyrule is often filled to the brim with life, in terms of both the people and the different kinds of enemies that our hero Link encounters in his grand adventures. In fact, it could be said that Link interacts with such creatures more often than he does with civilization proper. Some meet him with swords crossed, while others try to devour him. Many of them attempt to thwart the hero’s success in obedience to their dark masters. Not all baddies from The Legend of Zelda are minions in Ganon’s complex hierarchy. Some of them are simply part of the natural Hyrulean world, while others are fantastic creatures who happen to get caught up in his evil magic.

But for a moment, let’s imagine something else. What if all of that went by the wayside and Hyrule became part of the Pokemon world? It’s certainly feasible. After all, Pokemon Legends: Arceus bears a major resemblance to Breath of the Wild. With this in mind, you might encounter these Zelda creatures in the wild grassy areas in a whole different way. They could become part of your team to help you be the best Pokemon Master. Here are some good candidates on your quest to catch ’em all, complete with their habitats and likely type matchups.

10. Boko Babas / Deku Babas

• Appearances: Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword
• Habitat: Forests, Grassy Areas
• Type: Grass / Poison

Whether it be of the Deku or the Boko variety, a Baba would fit right at home with the dozens of other Grass / Poison-type Pokemon out there. If it didn’t have to compete with Victreebel, this buddy could easily be glomping James’s head with glee right now. It would also make a very good Pokemon for Team Rocket, or any bad guy trainer team for that matter.

9. Peahats

• Appearances: Numerous Zelda games
• Habitat: Grasslands, Forests, Caves and Remote Temples
• Type: Flying / Grass

Peahats are flying flower-like creatures who have been in the Zelda series since the first game, and they definitely look like Pokemon. While most are hostile, their harmless temperaments in Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword prove that they can be tamed with the guidance of a skilled trainer. Their renditions in The Wind Waker uncannily sound like Hoppip.

8. Seahats

• Appearances: The Wind Waker
• Habitat: Great Sea
• Type: Flying / Water (Obviously)

These giant Peahat counterparts strike fear in the hearts of heroes much like a formidable Gyarados would in battle. Like Gyarados, a Seahat could probably learn moves like Surf, Hyper Beam, and Dragon Rage. But unlike Gyarados, trainers would not have to endure the requirements of evolving a Magikarp to reap the rewards of owning a Seahat. Hmm, now there’s an interesting opportunity.

7. Molduga

• Appearances: Breath of the Wild
• Habitat: Deep Gerudo Desert
• Type: Ground / Steel

The sheer size and appearance of a Molduga just scream, “I can be a tough Pokemon!” It would be no problem for this desert creature to learn epic moves like Fissure, Dig, and Rock Tomb. It can even evolve into a Molduking. Like a Wailord of the sand, a Molduga could easily fit in a Ground trainer enthusiast’s repertoire. Its tough armored hide would make it a natural Steel type combination, much like a Steelix. But if it’s Steel, that means a Fire-type Pokemon could easily take it down and–well, never mind.

6. Tektite

• Appearances: Numerous Zelda games
• Habitat: Mountains, Rivers, Open Fields, and Caves / Dungeons
• Type: Bug / Water or Rock, depending on the terrain

In the canon Zelda games, Tektites are very annoying to deal with. They bounce at Link the instant he encroaches into their territory with their sharp spiny exoskeletons. They’re basically the “Rattatas” of Hyrulian monsters. But what if you could put their annoyance to good use? Like Caterpie and Weedle, Tektites would become natural Bug Pokemon to start with on a trainer’s journey. Depending on the terrain, you might find them with different type combinations. The question is, would they evolve just as quickly? There’s only one way to find out — catch them if you can.

5. Pols Voice

• Appearances: The Legend of Zelda, Link’s Awakening, Phantom Hourglass
• Habitat: Caves / Dungeons
• Type: Ghost / Normal

A Pols Voice is a strange-looking ghost with whiskers, big ears, and a gaping maw underneath. It is said that a Pols Voice dislikes noises and thus can be defeated with the built-in microphone capability of certain Nintendo consoles. These classic Zelda enemies are lesser-known today, but their designs would make an excellent comeback as a Pokemon species. Pols Voice would probably be best friends with Mawile and Mimikyu. And it would probably shudder at the thought of being awakened by a Loudred.

4. Octorock

• Appearances: Numerous Zelda games
• Habitat: Open Fields, Rivers, Caves, and Coastal Areas
• Type: Water / Rock

It’s cute, it’s squishy, and it’s shaped like a friend. It can do Rock Throw–I mean, shoot rocks at its foes. It even has its own official plushy. Why wouldn’t an Octarok be a Pokemon? Over the years, Octaroks have donned different looks, but its original round, red shape is the most iconic of them all. Perhaps the not-so-cute designs can be its evolutions? Who knows. In any case, there’s a ton of appealing Pokemon potential for this little guy.

3. Lynel

• Appearances: The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds, Breath of the Wild
• Habitat: Mountains, Valleys, Dungeons, Abandoned Structures
• Type: Fighting / Dark

Once in a while, trainers come across a Pokemon that is very tough to fight or capture, and it sure knows its stuff. That’s exactly the kind of Pokemon a Lynel would be. Not only would its stellar physique grant it moves to learn like Stomp, Body Slam, Earthquake, and Horn Attack, it also knows how to use a variety of weapons in hand-to-hand combat, opening up opportunities for even more terrifying moves with diversified types. This dude is definitely Elite Four material.

2. ChuChu

• Appearances: Numerous Zelda games
• Habitat: Anywhere
• Type: Anything

ChuChus are very peculiar creatures. Their gelatinous bodies are harmful to contact (and apparently poisonous to consume), but their jelly becomes life-giving medicine when properly processed. Despite being enemies, ChuChus are simple-minded and don’t really show malice toward people. They probably wouldn’t mind hanging out in a Pokeball. ChuChus seem to be social creatures that often appear in groups, making them a hilarious Double or Triple Battle idea. Their various colors in the series would enable them to come in every elemental type imaginable, from Fire and Electric to Ice and Dark and everything in between.

1. Gleerok

• Appearances: The Minish Cap
• Habitat: Cave of Flames
• Type: Fire

This Minish Cap boss practically resembles the fiery cousin of a shiny Lugia. If it wasn’t shooting lethal flames at Link, one might mistake it for even being friendly. That’s what Akira Himekawa concluded in their manga rendition of The Minish Cap tale. Is it possible to take a joyride on a Gleerok without getting scalded? Well, that may depend on how nicely you ask it, and how effective you are at catching one. Better bring the Master Ball for good measure.