Long, long ago, in the age before HD video, a preview of The Wind Waker was shown at SpaceWorld 2001 and E3 2002 to hype up fans for the game’s upcoming release. The shown footage is, for the most part, similar to the game we know today. However, there are some notable differences, such as…
I think it’s a fair statement to make that Twilight Princess is one of the most polarizing titles in the lineup of 3D Zelda games, if not the entire series. Some fans wished to deviate from the trends set by the vibrant, whimsically cartoonish Wind Waker and wholeheartedly embraced the new game’s chilling atmosphere and…
Despite placing more focus on the water than any other Zelda title, The Wind Waker never actually shows an animation of Link swimming. It would make sense for Link to not have a swimming animation, since the water in The Wind Waker is opaque, meaning it would never be visible in normal gameplay. However, by…
Elder of Kakariko Village and one of the first mentor characters in the Zelda series, Sahasrahla is the old man who points Link toward the Pendants in A Link To The Past, as well as providing him with the Pegasus Boots. Sahasrahla has the power of telepathic communication, able to talk directly to Link no…
I don’t think I’m alone in the sentiment that the cinematic cutscenes from Breath of the Wild are a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, they do succeed at stitching together a cohesive narrative for this fundamentally nonlinear game, and the performances are sufficiently polished to avoid breaking the immersion – a…
Since its first appearance in A Link to the Past back in 1991, the song “Zelda’s Lullaby” has become a ubiquitous melodic presence in the Zelda series. It has been represented, either prominently or as a cleverly-hidden Easter egg, in 13 mainline Zelda games since its debut, as well as several spin-off and crossover games.…
If you were to ask me what my favorite game series is outside of The Legend of Zelda, I would say Fire Emblem. But then closely following that — and I mean very, very, very closely — would be the two Horizon games. I am completely smitten with this series, and I honestly think a…
While mythological inspirations are nothing new when it comes to the names of Zelda characters, General Onox from Oracle of Seasons has a rather surprising one. The General’s Japanese name is “Gorgon”, a name he shares with the snake-haired Gorgon sisters from Greek myth, including the legendary Medusa. While Onox’s relation to the creatures of…
The Spirit Temple of Ocarina of Time stands out as one of the more mysterious and elusive dungeons in the game. Even though the temple is found deep within the desert, there is very little within the temple itself that reflects the outside environment. Whereas the Fire and Water Temples are designed with their respective…
Many people complain that the hero’s journey is an overused storytelling trope as stale as week-old bread and as wrung of creative potential as an old dishrag is wrung of water, but it has endured for so many years for one simple reason: These kinds of stories emotionally resonate with the common man. The idea…
Despite humble beginnings as a Picori apprentice, Vaati has made a name for himself as one of the more well-known villains of Hyrule. Though he never takes up the title in The Minish Cap, Vaati is referred to as “The Wind Mage” in the Four Swords titles. Interestingly, it’s noted in Hyrule Historia that Vaati…
When it comes to the business of breaking a game, you’ll find no group more dedicated than the speedrunning community. While all glitches used in speedrunning can help complete games faster, there are some glitches that live in a league of their own. After all, at the end of the day, a video game is…
Link is a man of many titles. Some are dignified appellations bestowed upon him by Sages to reflect his status as Hyrule’s savior (“Chosen Hero,” “Hero of Twilight,” etc.), others are special nicknames given by local tribes to mark him as an honorary member (“Sworn Brother”), and a rare few are cruel monikers meant to…
November can be a pretty stressful month for many. End-of-semester exams loom on the horizon, holiday preparations begin in earnest, and the chilly winds of winter start sweeping through, sapping energy and darkening moods. Everyone should have something they can turn to for relaxation during this hectic time of year, and for me, few things…
The mountain-dwelling Gorons have never been known for their subtlety. Many brave heroes and skilled blacksmiths known to the Zelda universe are Gorons, and it is a tenet of Goron society to respect the great people of the tribe who are recognized not only within the walls of Goron City but all across Hyrule. But…
