When a video game takes place over a massive plot of land, it is almost essential to include some sort of method to quickly travel. This is the reason that fast travel or “warping” has been a staple of The Legend of Zelda, even all the way back to its original NES titles. Since then,…
A 35th anniversary isn’t traditionally one of the bigger landmark events, at least compared to something like a 25th for 50th anniversary. That said, many Legend of Zelda fans were dismayed by the general lack of fanfare made for their favorite series turning 35 this year. We got both parts of the Age of Calamity…
Its roots were firmly planted on United States soil, but Black Friday has spread throughout much of Western Europe and numerous other countries. Depending on whom you ask, this is (broadly) considered to be either a consumer-savvy economic blessing, a symptom of the terminal illness known as late-stage capitalism, or “leave me alone, Target just…
On the morning of November 5, Nintendo shared an article about the Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda, and the post is stuffed full of little secrets and tidbits about the watch and timer functionality. Among the features shown off was of course the playable 12-hour clock that will feature scenes from the original…
The final dungeon is always a critical juncture in the Hero’s Journey. They’ve conquered all the tasks set before them, defeated every dungeon, braved the highest heights and the lowest lows, and got some great gear along the way. They’ve reached the point of no return. One final roadblock keeps them from their goal. The…
Besides the transcendent “Ballad of the Wind Fish,” one of my favorite songs from Link’s Awakening is the music heard as the adventurer traverses the rocky area known as the Tal Tal Mountain Range. Its mad-capped melody which sounds like a smoothie made up of two parts “Overworld Theme” and one part mountain range music…
When Zelda fans talk about their all-time favorite Zelda games, the usual suspects are mentioned, such as Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, and A Link to the Past. One game I think needs to be added to that list is Link’s Awakening. Link’s Awakening was the first portable Zelda game, so it holds…
It’s nearing the middle of September, so that means summer is almost over. Most have gone back to school already, the leaves are beginning to change, and there’s that hint of fall in the chilly air. Time to break out the cardigans and pumpkin spice! Now, I don’t know if it’s just me, but I…
Have you ever woken up before your alarm went off? Well, the Wind Fish probably experienced that when speedrunner Astronumous beat Link’s Awakening DX in 54 minutes and 34 seconds. Astronumous’ run for the GDQ event, Flame Fatales, is classified as an “any percent” and “no out of bounds” run of the game. This means…
Although Princess Zelda remains the most prevalent love interest throughout the series, Link is oftentimes surrounded by a diverse cast of female companions. The list continues to expand and evolve, but common threads include Zora princesses, like Ruto and Mipha, as well as more traditional love interests, such as Saria, Illa, and Malon. Regardless of…
Fun fact about me: I have thalassophobia: fear of the deep sea. The thought that the Earth is made up of so much water and we haven’t even begun to discover what lies waiting for us in the depths is terrifying to me. Myths and folklore of civilizations past are full of references to sea…
Stubborn monsters and creatures abound in the Zelda series. Some foes hit hard. Some foes simply refuse to go down and stay down. And some foes are a challenging combination of both. The Armos Knights are a perfect example of the third option. Armos Knights are living statues that have had a long history of…
For many Zelda fans, the Kakariko Village theme is one of the most nostalgic melodies in the series. The town’s appearance across multiple titles and its consistent harmony create a shared experience regardless of the game that introduced players to the franchise. While the Kakariko Village theme is also near the top of my list…
The summer of 2019 was when Nintendo mania shifted into high gear for my family. We eagerly looked forward to each Friday’s viewing of Nintendo Minute. My daughter reached the age where she started developing her own taste in games. She spent many an hour painting turf with friends in the newest Splatfest in Splatoon…
Since I was a child, I have always loved the sound of violins and basses. Their versatility as they switch between quick, fast-paced notes to create a happy and playful mood before breaking your heart with long, slow-held notes is astounding. This incredible ability is showcased in the way only Zelda can in the Hyrule…
