Across the entire Zelda series, the use of ferocious reptilian enemies has been a common trend. From the terrifying dragon bosses to the routinely dangerous Lizalfos, these scaly beasts have challenged and threatened Link at every turn. But these reptiles come in more than a few varieties, with one of those being the dinosaur variety.…
The hunt for the 20 masks in Majora’s Mask is easily one of the most engaging collect-a-thon missions in the entire Zelda series. Not only does it sweep you all across Termina to meet colorful characters and solve some truly outrageous problems, but collecting them all also significantly improves your chances of beating the final…
The Legend of Zelda timeline has always been part of a debate among fans. In 2011, Nintendo tried to put all of that arguing to bed by releasing their official timeline in Hyrule Historia, a compendium of artwork, beta materials, and trivia regarding the Zelda series. If anything, however, that muddied up the timeline discussion…
I know quite a few Zelda fans who constantly beg for Link to remain left-handed in future games. Whether it be because they can relate to him (being lefties themselves) or they simply find it a unique trait, there are many fans who would fight for him to stay left-handed. He seems to be making…
When a character becomes iconic, it is easy to forget that they were likely inspired by preceding characters or other sources. Such is the case with the main cast of The Legend of Zelda, who have come to be archetypes in the video game world. For example, the name “Zelda” itself has become synonymous with…
Fairies have played a variety of roles throughout the many Legend of Zelda games. From granting magic powers to directing Link on his quest, and occasionally acting as his voice, the fairies are present in almost every game. Some, like Navi, are fully realized protagonists, while others are memorable in their own distinct ways. The…
There are many endemic threats in Breath of the Wild‘s Hyrule. Scorching deserts, lava-spewing volcanoes, and freezing mountains are among the hostile environments where unwary travelers risk exposure. The land is teeming with various, bloodthirsty monsters. Rogue, laser-firing death machines roam free. Even the wildlife can dish out serious damage (ever been headbutted by a…
The 1990s was an odd time in pop culture, and teenage Matt was completely engrossed in the hype. My hairstyle featured a buzz cut with lightning bolts etched into both sides as I strolled the classroom hallways with a Trapper Keeper in one hand and a Walkman on my belt. Friends swapped Dunkaroos and Surge…
An aggressive and tenacious breed of monster, the Deku Baba is a plant-like beast that Link commonly encounters throughout multiple versions of Hyrule and its connected lands. This monster could be seen as the Legend of Zelda‘s answer to Super Mario’s Piranha Plant enemies. Both take inspiration from the real-life Venus flytraps, and their functions…
About 20 years ago, I was flipping through a children’s encyclopedia when I came upon a fact that blew my little mind at the time: Epona was a Celtic goddess. That’s right, Epona, my Epona, was named after a goddess. There was something magical about seeing her name on the page of a book, particularly…
The character Gulliver from Animal Crossing is a video game trope that pays homage to Jonathan Swift’s satire from 1726. In both novel and game, Gulliver experiences a series of travel mishaps that result in grand adventures. In the novel, Gulliver’s escapades are a vehicle to ridicule English customs; however, in the Animal Crossing series,…
The enemies found and fought in The Legend of Zelda games are incredibly diverse. They encompass a variety of themes, designs, and purposes, all of which make every game fulfilling and memorable. One important aspect of Link’s foes is that they supply an undeniably important list of cliches associated with video game enemies. One of…
It is no secret that Breath of the Wild revolutionized the Zelda series by reimagining nearly every system and mechanic. From the open-world concept and physics engine to breakable weapons and slight role-playing elements, Breath of the Wild catapulted the franchise to new heights. While fans remain lukewarm to certain changes, the community gladly welcomed…
I wasn’t a fan of Breath of the Wild‘s Sheikah Slate at first. I found it a little farfetched to use what was essentially an ancient, magical smartphone to guide my journey through the wilderness. Part of my distaste may have been because I’m too attached to my phone in real life, and I wanted…
Released in 2000, Majora’s Mask is chock-full of unique characters. Each resident of Clock Town is eccentric and diverse; however, the oddities go much deeper than designs and behaviors. While the character models and conversations are some of the most unusual in the series, the personal stories and individual motivations of each character are what…
