The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD

Alright, here we go! Breath of the Wild. Everyone’s favorite open-world Nintendo game for good reason. Lots of content, a lot of it difficult to categorize, but we can do it. Breath of the Wild is set way into the future of . . . one of the timelines, with a new Link waking up from a hundred-year sleep with no memory of how he got there, only the voice of Zelda telling him he needs to stop the Calamity.

Our Link is more or less an adult Link, but with abilities and mechanics distinct enough from other games to be its own thing, and a distinctive look that would justify it. He uses a lot of standard items like a sword, a shield, a sledgehammer, a bow and arrows, and so on, but he also is equipped with the Sheikah Slate, a special “iPad”-like item with four major functions: Magnesis, Cryonis (freezing things), Bombs coming in spherical and cube shapes, and Stasis that locks objects in place for a short time. He also has a paraglider, can climb really well, can perform a timed flurry rush, and uses special “ancient weapons” with more power.

The Princess Zelda of this game appears mostly in flashbacks, a curious researcher type who struggles to unlock the magical abilities of her predecessors. When she does unlock them though, she casts powerful enough light energy to keep the Calamity at bay for a hundred years and can use light arrows. Her father, King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule appears to Link in the form of an old man, carrying around a water pail, starting a fire, using a woodcutter’s axe and glider, disappearing, and revealing his true form.

Our most important supporting characters are the four champions, four companions of Link and Zelda who were killed in battle a hundred years before, appearing mostly in flashbacks, alongside their four descendants in the modern day. Mipha is the Zora champion, and she and her younger brother Sidon can swim fast, climb waterfalls, wield a trident, throw a spear, and use healing magic. Daruk is the Goron champion, and he and his descendant Yunobo can project a shield around themselves, punch hard, demolish boulders, and fire themselves from cannons. Revali is the arrogant and self-assured Rito champion, and he and his descendant Teba can fly, use bows and arrows as weapons, and summon a powerful wind from the ground. Urbosa is the Gerudo champion, and she and her descendant Riju can call down lightning to strike, wield a staff, ride a walrus, and cast a barrier of protection from lightning.

Other major figures include the elderly Impa, the two researchers Purah and Robbie, Hestu the friendly giant Korok, Kass the wandering musician, Beedle now carrying around a giant pack, the Great Fairies, and the monks that reside in the Sheikah shrines throughout the game.

Calamity Ganon is our primary villain, having lost nearly all physical form, human or pig, over the centuries, and now exists as a giant angry wildfire made of toxic goop. In his boss battle, he breathes dark fire, fires a laser blast, covers the world in goop, takes on a giant spider form, takes on a giant beast form, and fires laser breath. Each Divine Beast also features a mini-boss that is part of Ganon, called the Blights, that take on the elements of the champions. Waterblight Ganon carries a spear, summons ice blocks, and raises the water; Windblight creates tornadoes, controls drones, and fires laser blasts; Fireblight wields a fire axe and shield and shoots fireballs; and Thunderblight creates lightning spikes, throws lightning balls, and electrifies things.

As for our major enemies, we see the return of the Bokoblin (with staffs, clubs, bombs, and bows and arrows at their disposal), Chuchu, Stalfos, Lizalfos (now more like chameleons that can camouflage themselves and attack with their tongues), Octoroks, Keese, Moblins, and Wizzrobes. I want to give a special shoutouts to Lynels and Hinoxes, as both are technically returning but, oh boy, did someone give them steroids laced with LSD and Monster energy drink. Lynels are now terrifying roided-up monsters with shields, broadswords, and lightning arrows, that can charge, warp around the battlefield, and breathe fire, while Hinoxes are gigantic cyclopes that can yank a tree out of the ground, butt bash the ground, roll logs at you, throw boulders, and toss bomb barrels.

Our newcomers are no slouches either. We have the Ancient Guardians, which are practically Armos mixed with Beamos and given spider-legs, that can fire lasers, wield lightning swords, carries spears, shields, and axes, and even have helicopter drone variants. Then we have Taluses, giant stone monsters that pretend to be boulders. And finally we have the Yiga Clan, ninjas that have the audacity to pretend to be harmless NPCs before revealing themselves, throwing darts at you, attacking with a circular blade, teleporting, wielding torches, and going bananas for bananas for some reason. Their chief, Master Kohga, also acts as a minor boss in the games, summoning barriers, throwing bombs, zipping around really fast, hovering, rolling on a big bomb, and using magnesis.

By nature of open world games, it’s a little difficult to differentiate all the different regions of the game, but there are a few distinct locations. You start on the Great Plateau, activate large Shiekah Towers all over the map, explore Shiekah Shrines that supply you with tests, you can visit the Temple of Time, Kakariko Village, Hateno Village, Zora’s Domain, Gerudo Town, the Yiga Clan Hideout, Rito Village, Eldin Volcano, the Great Hyrule Forest, and Hyrule Castle, as well as the four Divine Beasts, which is the closest the game comes to a dungeon, Vah Ruta, Vah Rudania, Vah Medoh, and Vah Naboris.

As for items, there are lots of different types of those mostly listed above, most notoriously known for their breakability factor. Food also becomes a factor in the game, helping you maintain your health.

Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: Master Sword, Hylian Shield, Epona, Iron Boots, Megaton Hammer, Pegasus Boots, bombs, fire arrows, ice arrows, light arrows, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, lens of truth, climb, slingshot, fish, falcon, Wind Boomerang, Magnet Boots, Fish Bomb, Clawshot, Spinner, Ball and Chain, Dominion Rod, fatal blow, sail cloth, vents, slingshot, beetle, bug net, gust bellows, harp, dragon scale, whip, claw shots, Loftwing

Young Link: jumping, rolling, crawling, Kokiri Sword, Deku shield, Epona, slingshot, Deku stick, bomb flowers, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, Navi, lens of truth, mirror shield, travel back in time three days, slow time, song of soaring, song of storms, song of awakening, bunny hood, camera, heartless soldier, masks, Fierce Deity Mask

Toon Link: sword, shield, horizontal and vertical slices, thrust, spin attack, telescope, bag for spoils, bombs, grappling hook, Deku Leaf, boomerang, skull hammer, fire and ice arrows, iron boots, power bracelets, mirror shield, hide in barrels, wind waker, change winds, tornado

Wolf Link: growl, dig, bite, warp, rage, stick torch, howl, Kargarok

Wild Link: sword, shield, sledgehammer, bow and arrows, Sheikah Slate, Magnesis, Cryonis, Bombs, Stasis, paraglider, climb, flurry rush, ancient weapons, champion abilities

Princess Zelda: Zelda's Lullaby, jewel, light arrows, remove bars, spell of light, seal Ganon, sword, heal, Triforce blast, float, tennis match, harp, sail cloth, seal herself, Loftwing

Sheik: Zelda's Lullaby, Sun Song, Song of Storms, Song of Time, Epona's Song, Saria's Song, warp songs, disappear, leap, harp

Tetra: cutlass, blunderbuss, cannonballs, raising platforms, rope swinging, spoils bag, catapult, bombs, arrows of light.

Wild Zelda: light magic, light arrows

King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule: boat form, sail, cannon, grappling anchor, tornado warp.

King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule: water pail, fire, woodcutter’s axe, glider, disappear, true form

Impa: disappear, Zelda's lullaby, Lens of Truth, magic shield, old and young

Midna: leap, cast energy balls, teleport, grab things, warp, float, shapeshift, shadow, warp objects, Kargarok, stab, monstrous form, Twili form, tear

Hero’s Shade: finishing blow, shield attack, back slice, helm splitter, mortal draw, jump strike, great spin, wolf form

Fi: skyward strike, dowsing, float, dance, sacred flames, tablet, other sword abilities

Groose: Loftwings, sailcloth, pumpkins, slingshot, Groosinator

Saria/Kokiri: Deku Sticks, Deku Nuts, Deku Sprouts, Great Deku Tree, Saria's song, slingshot, Mido

Darunia/Darmani/Darbus/Goron: rolling, defensive curl, strength, bomb flowers, hammer, dance, punch, ground pound, roll, drums, powder keg

Daruk/Yunobo/Goron?: shield, punch, boulder buster, cannons

Ruto/Mikau/Ralis/Zora: swim, dive, high speed swim, punch, fin blades, guitar, blue shield

Mipha/Sidon/Zora?: swim fast, climb waterfalls, trident, spear, healing magic

Nabooru/Gerudo: twin blades, guard, spear, Iron Knuckle

Urbosa/Riju/Gerudo?: lightning, staff, walrus surf, lightning barrier

Deku Scrub: launch from flower, fly with flowers, shoot bubbles, Deku Nut, spin dance, pipes

Medli/Rito: fly, lyre, reflect light, grappling hook, Valoo

Revali/Teba/Rito?: fly, bow and arrow, Revali's gale.

Makar/Korok: violin, spinning leaf, plant a tree, spitting flowers, Deku Leaves, Deku Nuts

Mogma: burrow, bomb flowers, steam vent, mole mitts, iron mitts

Ancient Robot: Timeshift Stones, digging claws, minecarts, propellers, boats, cannons, time shift orbs, upgrade

Happy Mask Salesman: draw in fairies, make chicks follow, milk bar, past Garos, Stalchildren, past Gibdos and ReDeads, become a giant, see hearts, detect smells, lead frogs, summon a Keaton, song of healing, shake

Ilia/Colin/Rusl/Malo/Talo/Beth/Bo: bow, slingshot, falcon, epona, sumo wrestling, cuccos

Agitha

Tingle: balloon, maps, magic dust, Tingle Tracker

Beedle: ship, flying ship, trapdoor, giant pack

Purah

Robbie

Hestu

Kass

Aryll: telescope

Great Fairy: Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, Nayru's Love, magical power, sword, spin attack, heal, expand pouch

Malon: Epona, Epona's song, Cuccos, Lon Lon Milk, bow

Dampe: dig, float, fire

Kafei: push

Yeto/Yeta: punch, sled, cannons, stew, rise, icy wind, ice chunks

Monkeys: clear smoke, climbing, swinging their companions, give a boost, forming chains, dark boomerang, pillars

Ganondorf: horse, blast of light, waves of darkness, ground pound, ball of lightning, horse, lightning, elbow strike

Toon Ganondorf: twin swords, slash, multi-attack, block, lunge, swoop forward, punch, dodge

Phantom Ganon: ride horse, float, lightning tennis

Beast Ganon: two giant swords, barrier of fire, charge, teleport, body slam

Calamity Ganon: dark fire, laser blast, Malice, spider form, beast form, laser breath, Blights, spear, ice blocks, raise water, tornadoes, drones, fire axe, shield, fireballs, lightning spikes, lightning balls, electrify.

Skull Kid: dance, steal, float, curses, call down the moon, Tatl and Tael, warp, puppets

Majora: spins, tentacles, summon masks, laser beam, weird dance, long tentacles, top

Zant: wave of light, ball of red energy, telekinesis, shadow stone, twilight sword, Zant Heads, create portals, twilight bats, giant hands, phantom form, teleport, shadow balls, spin, fly, alter the world, twin blades

Ghirahim: sword, teleports, two finger block, darts, charge, slash downward, downward strike, barriers, summon enemies, platform, block, lightning hands, circle of fire, spell to resurrect

Demise: Imprisoned, sword, wind, dark portal, block, lightning, disc of lightning.

Pirate captain: electric rod, hook

King Bulblin: Lord Bulbo, horns, axe, summon twilight, horn, other Bulblins

Master Kohga: barriers, bombs, zip fast, hover, giant bomb, magnesis

Gohma: climbs, drops eggs, lava, bite, lasers, baby Gohmas

Dodongo: dig, leap, breathe fire, roll around, swallow bombs

Kotake and Koume/Twinrova: quicksand, fly around on brooms, fire and ice magic, combine.

Dark Link

Iron Knuckle/Darknut: giant axe, slam, collapsing pillars, broadswords, shields, spears, punch, sword, second sword, mace

Stalfos: stalchildren, kick, sword, shield, dust breath, floating head, mace, multiple arms

Poe: disappearing, throwing flames, spinning with lanterns, paintings, puzzle blocks, illusions, curse, Jalhalla, scythe, blue fire

Armos: Beamos, lasers, sentrobes, maybe Dominion Rod

Octoroks: Big Octo, spit rocks, projectiles, tentacles, whirlpools, fly

Moblins: charge with spears, clubs shockwaves, spears, Helmarocs, giant shields

Deku Baba: crawl, hang upside down, Mini Baba, Boko Baba, Big Baba, Baba Serpent, Diababa

Deku Scrub: hide, shoot Deku Nuts, merchants

Wolfos

Lizalfos/Dinolfos/Aeralfos: jump, swords, breathe fire, fly, arm guard, club tail, camouflage, tongue

Gibdo

Wizzrobe: teleport, spell of ice, staff, fireballs, fire spell, summon ally

Stalchildren

Chuchu: hopping, dropping from the ceiling, sparking with electricity, turning to stone

Gekko: punch, hop, ride a Snapper, Mad Jelly

Garo: hop, attack with swords, pop out of ground, barrier of fire, flaming swords, leap high

Bokoblins: clubs, swords, shields, broadswords, Helmarocs, burst from pots, cleaver, mace, boulder, technoblins, staffs, bows and arrows, bombs, exploding barrels

Helmaroc

Helmasaur

Bulblins: hogs, arrows, clubs, set fires, Kargaroks (maybe King Bulbin and regular Bulblin as echoes?)

Shadow Beasts: grab, claw

Kargarok

Lynel: shields, broadswords, lightning arrows, charge, warp, breathe fire

Hinox: yank a tree, butt bash, roll logs, throw boulders, bomb barrels

Ancient Guardian: fire lasers, lightning swords, spears, shields, axes, helicopter drones

Talus

Yiga Clan Member: disguise, throwing darts, circular blade, teleporting, torches, bananas, blade masters.

Bosses:

Gohma

Dodongo

Barinade

Phantom Ganon

Volvagia

Morpha

Bongo Bongo

Twinrova

Beast Ganon

Odolwa

Goht

Gyorg

Twinmold

Helmaroc King

Kalle Demos

Gohdan

Jalhalla

Molgera

Diababa

Fyrus

Morpheel

Stallord

Argorok

The Imprisoned

Scaldera

Moldarach

Koloktos

Tentalus

Bilocyte

Waterblight Ganon

Windblight Ganon

Fireblight Ganon

Thunderblight Ganon

Calamity Ganon

Stages:

Lost Woods

Kokiri Village

Hyrule Field

Lon Lon Ranch

Hyrule Castle

Castle Town

Temple of Time

Kakariko Village

Death Mountain

Zora's Domain

Lake Hylia

Gerudo Valley

Great Deku Tree

Dodongo's Cavern

Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Forest Temple

Fire Temple

Water Temple

Shadow Temple

Spirit Temple

Ganon's Castle

Clock Town

Termina Field

Woodfall

Snowhead

Great Bay

Ikana

Inside the Moon

Great Sea

Outset Island

Pirate Ship

Forsaken Fortress

Windfall Island

Dragon Roost Island

Forest Haven

Great Fish Island

Tower of the Gods

Earth Temple

Wind Temple

Kingdom of Hyrule

Ganon’s Tower

Faron Woods

Eldin Volcano

Lanayru Desert

Ordon Village

Bridge of Eldin

Goron Mines

Arbiter’s Grounds

Snowpeak Ruins

Hidden Village

City in the Sky

Palace of Twilight

Twilight Realm

Skyloft

Lumpy Pumpkin

Thunderhead

Sky Keep

Sealed Grounds

Skyview Temple

Lake Floria

Ancient Cistern

Earth Temple

Fire Sanctuary

Lanayru Mining Facility

Lanayru Sand Sea

Sand Ship

Silent Realm

Great Plateau

Shiekah Tower

Shiekah Shrine

Hateno Village

Yiga Clan Hideout

Rito Village

Hyrule Castle

Vah Ruta

Vah Rudania

Vah Medoh

Vah Naboris

Thanks for reading! Now, let's start our character sheets, first with a . . . somewhat new thing that will attempt to cover all pre-existing roster members and update them without wasting several weeks at a time!

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword seems to be generally the least well-liked of the 3D Zeldas, mostly due to its motion control problem, but as far as story and visuals go, it’s pretty much fantastic just like the rest. The story takes place hundreds of years before every other game in the franchise, and depicts the founding of Hyrule as we know it, the story following a young Link and Zelda, two friends growing up on a floating island called Skyloft, before Zelda is swept up in a hurricane and falls to the surface world.

Our Link is your pretty standard “Adult Link” type, so I probably won’t worry too much about him and look at the gimmick reps, but he is seen wielding a sword and shield to perform a spin attack and a fatal blow. He also carries a sail cloth that allows him to float down safely and rise on vents, a slingshot, a flying robotic beetle, a bug net, bombs, a bellows full of winds, a harp, a scale from a water dragon to be able to swim, a whip, claw shots, and earrings that protect from fire. He also wields the Skyward Sword for most of the game, a blessed sword that will soon become the Master Sword, and is guided by the sword’s spirit Fi, who, being said sword spirit, can take up every major sword-based move in the game, including the skyward strike and dowsing, and she can also float, dance around to reveal a prophecy, summon sacred flames, and create a tablet.

Princess Zelda is not quite a princess yet, but we do see her using a harp, a sail cloth, sealing herself away, and flying on a Loftwing just like Link. Another notable element of this game is the flying element, where individuals raised on Skyloft are bonded to a giant bird called a Loftwing that they can use to get around. There’s not too much to their mechanic as they just fly, can go through boost areas to speed up, and can perform a spiral charge to attack.

We have quite a few supporting characters throughout the game. First up, we have various NPCs around Skyloft, most notably Link and Zelda’s classmates at the academy, such as the bully Groose, his cronies Cawlin and Stritch, the nervous kid Fledge, and so on. Anyone who knows anything about the game knows that Groose is the best, and is easily first pick to take on pretty much everything to do with Skyloft life, such as the Loftwings, the sailcloth, their love of pumpkins and so on (as well as his Groosinator machine built to fight the Imprisoned). Other notable individuals around Skyloft include Zelda’s father Gaepora, the merchant Beedle with a flying shop now (and a trapdoor for anyone who tries to leave without buying anything), a friendly monster named Batreaux, a father and daughter working at a pumpkin-themed restaurant, and a giant flying whale named Levias.

Once down on the surface, you meet a few more major NPCs. First off, Zelda is constantly in the company of this game’s version of Impa, who is seen producing a magic shield at one point, and an old woman hanging around the Sealed Grounds, later revealed to be Impa thousands of years older. Each of the three major areas of the surface world all come with their own species inhabiting them. Faron Woods features both timid plant creatures called Kikwis and sea horse things called Parella, neither of which do much. Eldin Volcano features the Mogma, friendly moles that burrow, roll and throw bomb flowers, use steam vent, and have specialized mitts for digging holes and moving through underground tunnels. Lanayru Desert features a race of long-extinct ancient robots, brought back to life by Timeshift Stones, who use their technology to mine, with large digging claws, minecarts, propellers to fly, special boats, cannons, orbs to enact time shifts, and the ability to upgrade items. One named Scrapper becomes important to your ability to complete sidequests. Three dragons inhabit the three regions, and a handful of Gorons are seen wandering all three areas, a researcher named Gorko being the most prominent.

For most of the game, our main villain is Ghirahim, a mysterious, flamboyant man pursuing Zelda and Impa. During his various battles, he wields a sword, teleports, uses two fingers to block your attacks, fires multiple darts in various formations, charges at you, slashes downward, strikes downward, creates barriers, summons other enemies, raises a platform off the ground, summons a block, shoots lightning from his hands, creates a circle of fire, and performs a spell to resurrect his master. In the end, he is revealed to be a sword spirit just like Fi, the sword of an ancient and powerful demon named Demise. For most of the game, Demise is a mindless monster called the Imprisoned, but once freed, he takes on a more humanoid form, and fights you with a sword, controlling wind, summoning a dark portal, blocking your strikes with his sword, shooting lightning, and throwing a disc of lightning.

Outside of Ghirahim and Demise, your bosses include: Scaldera, a walking fireball thing that rolls and shoots fire; Moldarach, basically a giant scorpion; Koloktos, a giant mechanical being with six arms bearing swords; Tentalus, a Kraken-esque sea monster; and Bilocyte, a parasite driving Levias mad. A robotic Stalfos-ish pirate captain also acts as a mini-boss, attacking you with an electric rod and hook.

Returning enemies include: Chuchus, Deku Babas, Bokoblins (with cleavers, maces, and boulders), Deku Sprouts, Skulltulas, Stalfos (some with multiple arms), Octoroks that can fly, Lizalfos (with arm guards and club tails), special future-tech themed Armos and Beamos (with flying variants called Sentrobes), and Moblins with spears and giant shields. New enemies include: pooping birds called Guays, skeletal dragons called Staldras, fire-breathing monkeys called Pyrups, huge bloated lava fish called Spumes, electric hermit crabs called Ampilus, high-tech variants of Bokoblins called Technoblins, little scorpions called Aracha, flying pufferfish called Froaks, living statues called Guardians, and basically Fenghuang birds called Furnix.

As for our stages, there’s not all that much variety this time around, with all the action taking place in the sky or the three main areas of the surface. In the sky, notable areas include Skyloft, the Lumpy Pumpkin, the Thunderhead, and the final temple, Sky Keep. Faron Woods features the Sealed Grounds where Demise is trapped, the Skyview Temple, Lake Floria, and the Ancient Cistern. Eldin Volcano features the Earth Temple and the Fire Sanctuary at the summit. And the Lanayru Desert features an ancient mining facility, as well as a sea of sand that was once a vast ocean, with a crashed pirate ship called the Sand Ship. At certain points in the game, you can also travel into the Silent Realm to complete an important task.

All items as previously listed above.

Here's everything we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: Master Sword, Hylian Shield, Epona, Iron Boots, Megaton Hammer, Pegasus Boots, bombs, fire arrows, ice arrows, light arrows, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, lens of truth, climb, slingshot, fish, falcon, Wind Boomerang, Magnet Boots, Fish Bomb, Clawshot, Spinner, Ball and Chain, Dominion Rod, fatal blow, sail cloth, vents, slingshot, beetle, bug net, gust bellows, harp, dragon scale, whip, claw shots, Loftwing

Young Link: jumping, rolling, crawling, Kokiri Sword, Deku shield, Epona, slingshot, Deku stick, bomb flowers, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, Navi, lens of truth, mirror shield, travel back in time three days, slow time, song of soaring, song of storms, song of awakening, bunny hood, camera, heartless soldier, masks, Fierce Deity Mask

Toon Link: sword, shield, horizontal and vertical slices, thrust, spin attack, telescope, bag for spoils, bombs, grappling hook, Deku Leaf, boomerang, skull hammer, fire and ice arrows, iron boots, power bracelets, mirror shield, hide in barrels, wind waker, change winds, tornado

Wolf Link: growl, dig, bite, warp, rage, stick torch, howl, Kargarok

Princess Zelda: Zelda's Lullaby, jewel, light arrows, remove bars, spell of light, seal Ganon, sword, heal, Triforce blast, float, tennis match, harp, sail cloth, seal herself, Loftwing

Sheik: Zelda's Lullaby, Sun Song, Song of Storms, Song of Time, Epona's Song, Saria's Song, warp songs, disappear, leap, harp

Tetra: cutlass, blunderbuss, cannonballs, raising platforms, rope swinging, spoils bag, catapult, bombs, arrows of light.

King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule: boat form, sail, cannon, grappling anchor, tornado warp.

Impa: disappear, Zelda's lullaby, Lens of Truth, magic shield, old and young

Midna: leap, cast energy balls, teleport, grab things, warp, float, shapeshift, shadow, warp objects, Kargarok, stab, monstrous form, Twili form, tear

 Hero’s Shade: finishing blow, shield attack, back slice, helm splitter, mortal draw, jump strike, great spin, wolf form

Fi: skyward strike, dowsing, float, dance, sacred flames, tablet, other sword abilities

Groose: Loftwings, sailcloth, pumpkins, slingshot, Groosinator

Saria/Kokiri: Deku Sticks, Deku Nuts, Deku Sprouts, Great Deku Tree, Saria's song, slingshot, Mido

Darunia/Darmani/Darbus/Goron: rolling, defensive curl, strength, bomb flowers, hammer, dance, punch, ground pound, roll, drums, powder keg

Ruto/Mikau/Ralis/Zora: swim, dive, high speed swim, punch, fin blades, guitar, blue shield

Nabooru/Gerudo: twin blades, guard, spear, Iron Knuckle

Deku Scrub: launch from flower, fly with flowers, shoot bubbles, Deku Nut, spin dance, pipes

Medli/Rito: fly, lyre, reflect light, grappling hook, Valoo

Makar/Korok: violin, spinning leaf, plant a tree, spitting flowers, Deku Leaves, Deku Nuts

Mogma: burrow, bomb flowers, steam vent, mole mitts, iron mitts

Ancient Robot: Timeshift Stones, digging claws, minecarts, propellers, boats, cannons, time shift orbs, upgrade

Happy Mask Salesman: draw in fairies, make chicks follow, milk bar, past Garos, Stalchildren, past Gibdos and ReDeads, become a giant, see hearts, detect smells, lead frogs, summon a Keaton, song of healing, shake

Ilia/Colin/Rusl/Malo/Talo/Beth/Bo: bow, slingshot, falcon, epona, sumo wrestling, cuccos

Agitha

Tingle: balloon, maps, magic dust, Tingle Tracker

Beedle: ship

Aryll: telescope

Great Fairy: Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, Nayru's Love, magical power, sword, spin attack, heal, expand pouch

Malon: Epona, Epona's song, Cuccos, Lon Lon Milk, bow

Dampe: dig, float, fire

Kafei: push

Yeto/Yeta: punch, sled, cannons, stew, rise, icy wind, ice chunks

Monkeys: clear smoke, climbing, swinging their companions, give a boost, forming chains, dark boomerang, pillars

Ganondorf: horse, blast of light, waves of darkness, ground pound, ball of lightning, horse, lightning, elbow strike

Toon Ganondorf: twin swords, slash, multi-attack, block, lunge, swoop forward, punch, dodge

Phantom Ganon: ride horse, float, lightning tennis

Beast Ganon: two giant swords, barrier of fire, charge, teleport, body slam

Skull Kid: dance, steal, float, curses, call down the moon, Tatl and Tael, warp, puppets

Majora: spins, tentacles, summon masks, laser beam, weird dance, long tentacles, top

Zant: wave of light, ball of red energy, telekinesis, shadow stone, twilight sword, Zant Heads, create portals, twilight bats, giant hands, phantom form, teleport, shadow balls, spin, fly, alter the world, twin blades

Ghirahim: sword, teleports, two finger block, darts, charge, slash downward, downward strike, barriers, summon enemies, platform, block, lightning hands, circle of fire, spell to resurrect

Demise: Imprisoned, sword, wind, dark portal, block, lightning, disc of lightning.

Pirate captain: electric rod, hook

King Bulblin: Lord Bulbo, horns, axe, summon twilight, horn, other Bulblins

Gohma: climbs, drops eggs, lava, bite, lasers, baby Gohmas

Dodongo: dig, leap, breathe fire, roll around, swallow bombs

Kotake and Koume/Twinrova: quicksand, fly around on brooms, fire and ice magic, combine.

Dark Link

Iron Knuckle/Darknut: giant axe, slam, collapsing pillars, broadswords, shields, spears, punch, sword, second sword, mace

Stalfos: stalchildren, kick, sword, shield, dust breath, floating head, mace, multiple arms

Poe: disappearing, throwing flames, spinning with lanterns, paintings, puzzle blocks, illusions, curse, Jalhalla, scythe, blue fire

Armos: Beamos, lasers, sentrobes, maybe Dominion Rod

Octoroks: Big Octo, spit rocks, projectiles, tentacles, whirlpools, fly

Moblins: charge with spears, clubs shockwaves, spears, Helmarocs, giant shields

Deku Baba: crawl, hang upside down, Mini Baba, Boko Baba, Big Baba, Baba Serpent, Diababa

Deku Scrub: hide, shoot Deku Nuts, merchants

Wolfos

Lizalfos/Dinolfos/Aeralfos: jump, swords, breathe fire, fly, arm guard, club tail

Gibdo

Wizzrobe: teleport, spell of ice, staff, fireballs, fire spell, summon ally

Stalchildren

Chuchu: hopping, dropping from the ceiling, sparking with electricity, turning to stone

Gekko: punch, hop, ride a Snapper, Mad Jelly

Garo: hop, attack with swords, pop out of ground, barrier of fire, flaming swords, leap high

Bokoblins: clubs, swords, shields, broadswords, Helmarocs, burst from pots, cleaver, mace, boulder, technoblins

Helmaroc

Helmasaur

Bulblins: hogs, arrows, clubs, set fires, Kargaroks (maybe King Bulbin and regular Bulblin as echoes?)

Shadow Beasts: grab, claw

Kargarok

Bosses:

Gohma

Dodongo

Barinade

Phantom Ganon

Volvagia

Morpha

Bongo Bongo

Twinrova

Beast Ganon

Odolwa

Goht

Gyorg

Twinmold

Helmaroc King

Kalle Demos

Gohdan

Jalhalla

Molgera

Diababa

Fyrus

Morpheel

Stallord

Argorok

The Imprisoned

Scaldera

Moldarach

Koloktos

Tentalus

Bilocyte

Stages:

Lost Woods

Kokiri Village

Hyrule Field

Lon Lon Ranch

Hyrule Castle

Castle Town

Temple of Time

Kakariko Village

Death Mountain

Zora's Domain

Lake Hylia

Gerudo Valley

Great Deku Tree

Dodongo's Cavern

Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Forest Temple

Fire Temple

Water Temple

Shadow Temple

Spirit Temple

Ganon's Castle

Clock Town

Termina Field

Woodfall

Snowhead

Great Bay

Ikana

Inside the Moon

Great Sea

Outset Island

Pirate Ship

Forsaken Fortress

Windfall Island

Dragon Roost Island

Forest Haven

Great Fish Island

Tower of the Gods

Earth Temple

Wind Temple

Kingdom of Hyrule

Ganon’s Tower

Faron Woods

Eldin Volcano

Lanayru Desert

Ordon Village

Bridge of Eldin

Goron Mines

Arbiter’s Grounds

Snowpeak Ruins

Hidden Village

City in the Sky

Palace of Twilight

Twilight Realm

Skyloft

Lumpy Pumpkin

Thunderhead

Sky Keep

Sealed Grounds

Skyview Temple

Lake Floria

Ancient Cistern

Earth Temple

Fire Sanctuary

Lanayru Mining Facility

Lanayru Sand Sea

Sand Ship

Silent Realm

Thanks for reading! Next up, we finish things off with Breath of the Wild!

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TWILIGHT PRINCESS

After initial criticism to Wind Waker’s cartoony design, Nintendo apparently took a hard left and made a game with some of the ugliest “hyper-realistic” graphics in the series. But if ugly’s the only critique I can give the game, it’s doing pretty darn good. Twilight Princess takes place thousands of years after the “child timeline” of Ocarina of Time, when Hyrule is threatened by invaders from a shadowy twilight realm.

Our main character is an adult Link, more or less akin to the standard “Link” you think of, so most of his moves will likely end up there. Across the game, he carries around the typical sword and shield, and can also grab and throw, climb, use a slingshot, fish, summon a falcon, and has such items as the Wind Boomerang, Iron Boots, Magnet Boots, Bombs, a swimming Fish Bomb, a Clawshot, a spinning top he can ride around on, a pair of gauntlets with a ball and chain attached, and the Dominion Rod, a staff that lets you control several types of statues (including some with hammers to swing around and bells that take them from place to place). The real question here is if there’s enough connection to tie those statues to Armos or not. Hmm.

Perhaps the most iconic gimmick of the game is Link’s transformation into a wolf when in the Twilight Realm. As a wolf, he can growl, dig, bite, warp from place to place with Midna, attack in a rage, carry around a stick as a torch, howl, and summon a Kargarok to carry him. Speaking of which, Midna is a small impish creature who becomes his Navi-esque companion throughout the game, eventually revealed to be the titular Twilight Princess, ousted from her throne and transformed into her current state. She is shown to be able to leap, cast energy balls, teleport, grab things with her hair, warp from place to place, float, shapeshift, become a shadow, warp heavy objects from place to place, control a Kargarok, stab with her hair, and take on a monstrous form. Toward the end, she is restored to her true body, shown with a magic tear strong enough to destroy the Mirror of Twilight but not much else. (We’ll have to wait for Hyrule Warriors to see if we can differentiate that form).

Princess Zelda is very much a minor character this time around, locked up in her castle most of the time. She is shown to wield a sword, heal with her magic, use the Triforce to let of a blast, fire light arrows, and, under the influence of Ganondorf, float and play the infamous tennis match with you. Another figure worth noting is the Hero’s Shade, strongly implied to be the spirit of Ocarina’s Link, who teaches you such sword moves as the finishing blow, the shield attack, the back slice, the helm splitter, the mortal draw, the jump strike, and the great spin.

Minor NPCs abound throughout the game. First and most importantly, we have the residents of Ordon Village, including Link’s childhood friend Ilia, brother figure Colin, father figure Rusl, local kids Malo, Talo, and Beth, and the mayor Bo, who teaches you a sumo fighting style. On top of that, the slingshot, bow, falcon, and the horse Epona are all heavily linked with your time in the village, so you could reasonably tie it all to one major member. Ilia would probably be on top of that list to inherit it, but I’ll have to think on it. Other NPCs wander around other areas, such as the rebellion leader Telma and other members such as Ashei, inhabitants of Kakariko Village such as Barnes and Renado, Gorons and Zoras such as Darbus and Prince Ralis, and notably, a certain bug-loving little girl named Agitha, who I might not mention if it weren’t for a certain role in a later warrior-y game.

I should also mention Yeto and Yeta, a pair of Yetis living up in the icy mountainous region of Hyrule. Yeto is shown to punch hard, sled down a mountain, has multiple cannons around his castle home, and can cook a mean stew. Yeta becomes possessed by the influence of the Mirror of Twilight, fighting you in a boss fight where she rises into the air, blows icy wind around, and causes ice chunks to fall. Monkeys also return to this game, helping Link out by clearing smoke with a lantern, climbing, swinging their companions, giving you a boost, and forming chains. Their chief Ook becomes possessed, similar to Yeta, and fights you by throwing a dark boomerang and knocking over pillars. Finally we have the Ooccoos, really weird bird things that can warp you to Temple entrances, plus the great spirits Ordona, Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru, and the sages that sealed away the Twilight Realm in the first place.

Zant is our initial villain, a usurper of Midna’s throne who doesn’t seem to be quite all there. He can cast a wave of light, throw a ball of red energy, use telekinesis, summon a shadow stone, wield a twilight sword, summon large Zant Heads, create portals, summon twilight bats, chase you with giant hands, take on a phantom form, teleport, cast shadow balls, spin really fast, fly, alter the world around him, and attack with twin blades. He turns out to have been serving Ganondorf, who emerges as the final boss, riding a horse, casting lighting, striking you with his elbow, and turning into a beastly Ganon form that mostly just charges and body slams.

Our most important boss has to be King Bulblin, the main enforcer of Zant who forms a sort of rivalry with Link. He always rides around on his giant pig Lord Bulbo with two big horns to skewer you with, wields an axe when off of him, can summon twilight at will, and blows a horn to command his fellow Bulblins. Other major bosses include Diababa, a giant monster plant; Fyrus, a chained fire monster; Morpheel, a giant sea monster; Stallord, a giant skeletal monster in a pit that can breath smoke and fire; Armogohma, a very realistic-looking giant spider that fires lasers, and drops eggs full of baby Gohma; and Argorok, a literal dragon. Mini-bosses include the strong Goron Dangoro, a big bloated beetle named Twilit Bloat, a giant Deku Toad, Skull Kid (who can warp from place to place and controls puppets with a pipe), a demonic goat named Death Sword, a mace-swinging enemy named Darkhammer, a Darknut wielding a sword, shield, second sword, and mace, and a winged variant of the Lizalfos called the Aeralfos.

Returning enemies include: Deku Baba (including Big Babas and Baba Serpents), Bokoblins, Keese, Skulltulas, Dodongos, Chuchus, Helmasaurs, Lizalfos, Tektites, Baris, Shellblades, Poes with scythes and blue fire, Stalfos, Gibdos, Wolfos, Freezards. New enemies include the Bulblins, who ride around on hogs, fire arrows, wield clubs, set fires, and ride around on Kargaroks; Shadow Beasts that mostly grab and claw; aforementioned Kargarok birds; Bomblings; worms that hide under tiles; icy warriors called Chilfos; and skeletal canines called Stalhounds.

Twilight Princess goes back to a more traditional Hyrule map, bringing back such locations as Hyrule Castle, Hyrule Field, Kakariko Village, Death Mountain, Castle Town, Lake Hylia, Zora’s Domain, Gerudo Desert, and the Temple of Time (now a full temple in its own right). To my knowledge, this is also the first true appearance of the names Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru, referring to the Lost Woods, Death Mountain, and Lake Hylia regions respectively (which is odd, because Lanayru will come to be linked with the desert areas in the future). Other notable areas include Link’s home of Ordon Village, the Forest Temple, the iconic Bridge of Eldin, the Goron Mines, the Arbiter’s Grounds, Snowpeak Ruins where Yeto and Yeta live, the Hidden Village, the City in the Sky, and the Palace of Twilight, with the Twilight Realm itself having a distinct look and feel to it.

All items as previously stated, with most of the other standards still in play.

Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: Master Sword, Hylian Shield, Epona, Iron Boots, Megaton Hammer, Pegasus Boots, bombs, fire arrows, ice arrows, light arrows, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, lens of truth, climb, slingshot, fish, falcon, Wind Boomerang, Magnet Boots, Fish Bomb, Clawshot, Spinner, Ball and Chain, Dominion Rod

Young Link: jumping, rolling, crawling, Kokiri Sword, Deku shield, Epona, slingshot, Deku stick, bomb flowers, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, Navi, lens of truth, mirror shield, travel back in time three days, slow time, song of soaring, song of storms, song of awakening, bunny hood, camera, heartless soldier, masks, Fierce Deity Mask

Toon Link: sword, shield, horizontal and vertical slices, thrust, spin attack, telescope, bag for spoils, bombs, grappling hook, Deku Leaf, boomerang, skull hammer, fire and ice arrows, iron boots, power bracelets, mirror shield, hide in barrels, wind waker, change winds, tornado

Wolf Link: growl, dig, bite, warp, rage, stick torch, howl, Kargarok

Princess Zelda: Zelda's Lullaby, jewel, light arrows, remove bars, spell of light, seal Ganon, sword, heal, Triforce blast, float, tennis match

Sheik: Zelda's Lullaby, Sun Song, Song of Storms, Song of Time, Epona's Song, Saria's Song, warp songs, disappear, leap, harp

Tetra: cutlass, blunderbuss, cannonballs, raising platforms, rope swinging, spoils bag, catapult, bombs, arrows of light.

King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule: boat form, sail, cannon, grappling anchor, tornado warp.

Impa: disappear, Zelda's lullaby, Lens of Truth

Midna: leap, cast energy balls, teleport, grab things, warp, float, shapeshift, shadow, warp objects, Kargarok, stab, monstrous form, Twili form, tear

 Hero’s Shade: finishing blow, shield attack, back slice, helm splitter, mortal draw, jump strike, great spin, wolf form

Saria/Kokiri: Deku Sticks, Deku Nuts, Deku Sprouts, Great Deku Tree, Saria's song, slingshot, Mido

Darunia/Darmani/Darbus/Goron: rolling, defensive curl, strength, bomb flowers, hammer, dance, punch, ground pound, roll, drums, powder keg

Ruto/Mikau/Ralis/Zora: swim, dive, high speed swim, punch, fin blades, guitar, blue shield

Nabooru/Gerudo: twin blades, guard, spear, Iron Knuckle

Deku Scrub: launch from flower, fly with flowers, shoot bubbles, Deku Nut, spin dance, pipes

Medli/Rito: fly, lyre, reflect light, grappling hook, Valoo

Makar/Korok: violin, spinning leaf, plant a tree, spitting flowers, Deku Leaves, Deku Nuts

Happy Mask Salesman: draw in fairies, make chicks follow, milk bar, past Garos, Stalchildren, past Gibdos and ReDeads, become a giant, see hearts, detect smells, lead frogs, summon a Keaton, song of healing, shake

Ilia/Colin/Rusl/Malo/Talo/Beth/Bo: bow, slingshot, falcon, epona, sumo wrestling, cuccos

Agitha

Tingle: balloon, maps, magic dust, Tingle Tracker

Beedle: ship

Aryll: telescope

Great Fairy: Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, Nayru's Love, magical power, sword, spin attack, heal, expand pouch

Malon: Epona, Epona's song, Cuccos, Lon Lon Milk, bow

Dampe: dig, float, fire

Kafei: push

Yeto/Yeta: punch, sled, cannons, stew, rise, icy wind, ice chunks

Monkeys: clear smoke, climbing, swinging their companions, give a boost, forming chains, dark boomerang, pillars

Ganondorf: horse, blast of light, waves of darkness, ground pound, ball of lightning, horse, lightning, elbow strike

Toon Ganondorf: twin swords, slash, multi-attack, block, lunge, swoop forward, punch, dodge

Phantom Ganon: ride horse, float, lightning tennis

Beast Ganon: two giant swords, barrier of fire, charge, teleport, body slam

Skull Kid: dance, steal, float, curses, call down the moon, Tatl and Tael, warp, puppets

Majora: spins, tentacles, summon masks, laser beam, weird dance, long tentacles, top

Zant: wave of light, ball of red energy, telekinesis, shadow stone, twilight sword, Zant Heads, create portals, twilight bats, giant hands, phantom form, teleport, shadow balls, spin, fly, alter the world, twin blades

King Bulblin: Lord Bulbo, horns, axe, summon twilight, horn, other Bulblins

Gohma: climbs, drops eggs, lava, bite, lasers, baby Gohmas

Dodongo: dig, leap, breathe fire, roll around, swallow bombs

Kotake and Koume/Twinrova: quicksand, fly around on brooms, fire and ice magic, combine.

Dark Link

Iron Knuckle/Darknut: giant axe, slam, collapsing pillars, broadswords, shields, spears, punch, sword, second sword, mace

Stalfos: stalchildren, kick, sword, shield, dust breath, floating head, mace

Poe: disappearing, throwing flames, spinning with lanterns, paintings, puzzle blocks, illusions, curse, Jalhalla, scythe, blue fire

Armos: Beamos

Octoroks: Big Octo, spit rocks, projectiles, tentacles, whirlpools

Moblins: charge with spears, clubs shockwaves, spears, Helmarocs

Deku Baba: crawl, hang upside down, Mini Baba, Boko Baba, Big Baba, Baba Serpent, Diababa

Deku Scrub: hide, shoot Deku Nuts, merchants

Wolfos

Lizalfos/Dinolfos/Aeralfos: jump, swords, breathe fire, fly

Gibdo

Wizzrobe: teleport, spell of ice, staff, fireballs, fire spell, summon ally

Stalchildren

Chuchu: hopping, dropping from the ceiling, sparking with electricity, turning to stone

Gekko: punch, hop, ride a Snapper, Mad Jelly

Garo: hop, attack with swords, pop out of ground, barrier of fire, flaming swords, leap high

Bokoblins: clubs, swords, shields, broadswords, Helmarocs, burst from pots

Helmaroc

Helmasaur

Bulblins: hogs, arrows, clubs, set fires, Kargaroks (maybe King Bulbin and regular Bulblin as echoes?)

Shadow Beasts: grab, claw

Kargarok

Bosses:

Gohma

Dodongo

Barinade

Phantom Ganon

Volvagia

Morpha

Bongo Bongo

Twinrova

Beast Ganon

Odolwa

Goht

Gyorg

Twinmold

Helmaroc King

Kalle Demos

Gohdan

Jalhalla

Molgera

Diababa

Fyrus

Morpheel

Stallord

Argorok

Stages:

Lost Woods

Kokiri Village

Hyrule Field

Lon Lon Ranch

Hyrule Castle

Castle Town

Temple of Time

Kakariko Village

Death Mountain

Zora's Domain

Lake Hylia

Gerudo Valley

Great Deku Tree

Dodongo's Cavern

Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Forest Temple

Fire Temple

Water Temple

Shadow Temple

Spirit Temple

Ganon's Castle

Clock Town

Termina Field

Woodfall

Snowhead

Great Bay

Ikana

Inside the Moon

Great Sea

Outset Island

Pirate Ship

Forsaken Fortress

Windfall Island

Dragon Roost Island

Forest Haven

Great Fish Island

Tower of the Gods

Earth Temple

Wind Temple

Kingdom of Hyrule

Ganon’s Tower

Faron Woods

Eldin Volcano

Lanayru Desert

Ordon Village

Bridge of Eldin

Goron Mines

Arbiter’s Grounds

Snowpeak Ruins

Hidden Village

City in the Sky

Palace of Twilight

Twilight Realm

Thanks for reading! Next up, we take to the skies in Skyward Sword!

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: WIND WAKER

Alright, today let’s go over one of my . . . favorites? (Although come to think of it, this is Legend of Zelda, most of them are my “favorite” for one reason or another. Hmm, it’s my favorite version of Zelda herself anyway), The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker! The game is best known for its breathtaking cel-shaded graphics and cartoony design, despite those aspects earning it undue criticism early on. The story follows a new Link whose sister is kidnapped by a giant bird, forcing him to set sail across a vast sea with a band of pirates.

Best known as Toon Link thanks to Smash, our hero wields a sword and shield with which he can perform horizontal and vertical slices, thrust, and perform a spin attack. He also carries such items as a telescope, a bag for spoils, bombs, a grappling hook, a Deku Leaf with which he can glide and blow wind, a boomerang, the skull hammer, fire and ice arrows, iron boots, power bracelets, and a mirror shield. He is also known to hide out in barrels, and carries the eponymous wind waker, a conductor’s baton with which he can change the flow of the winds and summon a tornado to warp around the map.

The first of our major supporting characters is Tetra, a young girl Link’s age and the captain of the pirate crew. She carries both a cutlass sword and a blunderbuss gun, though she does not seem to ever use them onscreen unlike Hyrule Warriors, but roping in her crew and ship, we also have cannonballs, raising platforms, rope swinging, a spoils bag, a catapult, and bombs at her disposal. Later in the game, she is revealed to be the direct descendant of Princess Zelda and true inheritor of the name, giving her access to the arrows of light.

Once separated from Tetra and her crew, Link joins forces with a talking boat called the King of Red Lions, which allows him to move around the map on his own. The boat is later revealed to be the spirit of the last king of Hyrule, King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule. With his boat form, he carries a sail, an on-board cannon, and a grappling anchor to fish for sunken treasure, alongside such Wind Waker-based abilities as the tornado warp.

This game brings with it several major supporting characters, such as Link’s sister Aryll and his grandmother, Tingle once again providing you with maps, our first appearance of Beedle the merchant, traveling around in a boat to sell things to you, the Great Fairy who will heal you and expand your pouch, and two wind gods named Zephos and Cyclos. The game also introduced two new species, the Ritos and the Koroks, evolutionary descendants of the Zoras and the Kokiri respectively. The most important members of these races are the two new sages, Medli and Makar, who help you through the game’s temples and can even briefly be playable. Medli, the Rito caretaker of their prince Komali, can fly just like most of their race, carries a lyre with which she can play magical songs and reflect light, and gives Link his grappling hook. The dragon Valoo is also heavily connected to her. Makar is a musician prone to getting himself into trouble, who plays a violin, can fly with a spinning leaf, and can plant a tree. His fellow Koroks are also seen spitting flowers, using Deku Leaves, and throwing Deku Nuts.

Tracking the giant bird to an immense fortress, you soon discover the identity of the main villain, a toon version of Ganondorf, returned from the dead after Hyrule was flooded to seal him away. This version of Ganondorf is a bit different from other incarnations, wielding a pair of twin swords with which he can slash, launch a furious multi-attack, block, lunge, and swoop forward. He is also seen to punch and dodge during his fight. Though I’m hesitant, this just might be a good case for a separate slot. A phantom form also appears, once again doing its infamous tennis attack style, as well as a puppet form that mostly just flops around with its body.

The bird from the beginning of the game, the Helmaroc King, is probably the most iconic boss from the game, with the abilities shown to fly, peck at you, and destroy the platforms you’re standing on, but we also have a large centipede version of a Gohma that lives in lava and bites at Valoo’s tail, a giant plant called Kalle Demos, a floating idol head called Gohdan, a bunch of Poes stuck together called Jalhalla, and a flying sand worm called Molgera.

Our returning enemies include: the Moblins, which are seen carrying spears and dropping from Helmarocs; Keese; Chuchus, seen hopping, dropping from the ceiling, sparking with electricity, and turning to stone when hit with light; versions of the Deku Baba called Boko Babas; and giant forms of the Octorok which cause massive whirlpools, attack with tentacles, and shoot projectiles at you; aquatic versions of the Peahat called Seahats; Mothulas; Jackal-headed Darknuts with broadswords, shields, and spears who punch at you and collapse pillars; Toucan Wizzrobes that can teleport, cast fire spells, and summon allies; Poes who lay a curse on you; Stalfos that carry maces; and ReDeads. Bokoblins are our first major new enemy, smaller versions of the Moblin who carry clubs, swords, shields, broadswords, are dropped by Helmarocs, and can burst from pots. They also man most of the sea outposts. Other newcomers include the aforementioned Helmaroc birds, Miniblins (even smaller Moblins with bombs), and Magtails (basically centipedes that roll up into balls).

The entire game takes place on the Great Sea, replacing the kingdom of Hyrule which was flooded centuries ago. You start on Outset Island, before climbing aboard Tetra’s pirate ship and setting sail for the Forsaken Fortress. Other notable islands include Windfall Island, Dragon Roost Island (home of the Ritos), Forest Haven (home of the Koroks), Great Fish Island, the Tower of the Gods, and the Earth and Wind Temples respectively. Later in the game, you can descend to the sunken kingdom of Hyrule, a recreation of Hyrule Castle from Ocarina of Time, as well as Ganon’s Tower where the final battle is fought.

All items as previously listed, as well as such items as Rupees and Heart Pieces.

Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: Master Sword, Hylian Shield, Epona, Iron Boots, Megaton Hammer, Pegasus Boots, bombs, fire arrows, ice arrows, light arrows, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, lens of truth

Young Link: jumping, rolling, crawling, Kokiri Sword, Deku shield, Epona, slingshot, Deku stick, bomb flowers, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, Navi, lens of truth, mirror shield, travel back in time three days, slow time, song of soaring, song of storms, song of awakening, bunny hood, camera, heartless soldier, masks, Fierce Deity Mask

Toon Link: sword, shield, horizontal and vertical slices, thrust, spin attack, telescope, bag for spoils, bombs, grappling hook, Deku Leaf, boomerang, skull hammer, fire and ice arrows, iron boots, power bracelets, mirror shield, hide in barrels, wind waker, change winds, tornado

Princess Zelda: Zelda's Lullaby, jewel, light arrows, remove bars, spell of light, seal Ganon

Sheik: Zelda's Lullaby, Sun Song, Song of Storms, Song of Time, Epona's Song, Saria's Song, warp songs, disappear, leap, harp

Tetra: cutlass, blunderbuss, cannonballs, raising platforms, rope swinging, spoils bag, catapult, bombs, arrows of light.

King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule: boat form, sail, cannon, grappling anchor, tornado warp.

Impa: disappear, Zelda's lullaby, Lens of Truth

Saria/Kokiri: Deku Sticks, Deku Nuts, Deku Sprouts, Great Deku Tree, Saria's song, slingshot, Mido

Darunia/Darmani/Goron: rolling, defensive curl, strength, bomb flowers, hammer, dance, punch, ground pound, roll, drums, powder keg

Ruto/Mikau/Zora: swim, dive, high speed swim, punch, fin blades, guitar, blue shield

Nabooru/Gerudo: twin blades, guard, spear, Iron Knuckle

Deku Scrub: launch from flower, fly with flowers, shoot bubbles, Deku Nut, spin dance, pipes

Medli/Rito: fly, lyre, reflect light, grappling hook, Valoo

Makar/Korok: violin, spinning leaf, plant a tree, spitting flowers, Deku Leaves, Deku Nuts

Happy Mask Salesman: draw in fairies, make chicks follow, milk bar, past Garos, Stalchildren, past Gibdos and ReDeads, become a giant, see hearts, detect smells, lead frogs, summon a Keaton, song of healing, shake

Tingle: balloon, maps, magic dust, Tingle Tracker

Beedle: ship

Aryll: telescope

Great Fairy: Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, Nayru's Love, magical power, sword, spin attack, heal, expand pouch

Malon: Epona, Epona's song, Cuccos, Lon Lon Milk, bow

Dampe: dig, float, fire

Kafei: push

Ganondorf: horse, blast of light, waves of darkness, ground pound, ball of lightning

Toon Ganondorf: twin swords, slash, multi-attack, block, lunge, swoop forward, punch, dodge

Phantom Ganon: ride horse, float, lightning tennis

Beast Ganon: two giant swords, barrier of fire.

Skull Kid: dance, steal, float, curses, call down the moon, Tatl and Tael

Majora: spins, tentacles, summon masks, laser beam, weird dance, long tentacles, top

Gohma: climbs, drops eggs, lava, bite

Dodongo: dig, leap, breathe fire, roll around, swallow bombs

Kotake and Koume/Twinrova: quicksand, fly around on brooms, fire and ice magic, combine.

Dark Link

Iron Knuckle/Darknut: giant axe, slam, collapsing pillars, broadswords, shields, spears, punch.

Stalfos: stalchildren, kick, sword, shield, dust breath, floating head, mace

Poe: disappearing, throwing flames, spinning with lanterns, paintings, puzzle blocks, illusions, curse, Jalhalla

Armos: Beamos

Octoroks: Big Octo, spit rocks, projectiles, tentacles, whirlpools

Moblins: charge with spears, clubs shockwaves, spears, Helmarocs

Deku Baba: crawl, hang upside down, Mini Baba, Boko Baba

Deku Scrub: hide, shoot Deku Nuts, merchants

Wolfos

Lizalfos/Dinolfos: jump, swords, breathe fire

Gibdo

Wizzrobe: teleport, spell of ice, staff, fireballs, fire spell, summon ally

Stalchildren

Chuchu: hopping, dropping from the ceiling, sparking with electricity, turning to stone

Gekko: punch, hop, ride a Snapper, Mad Jelly

Garo: hop, attack with swords, pop out of ground, barrier of fire, flaming swords, leap high

Bokoblins: clubs, swords, shields, broadswords, Helmarocs, burst from pots

Helmaroc

Bosses:

Gohma

Dodongo

Barinade

Phantom Ganon

Volvagia

Morpha

Bongo Bongo

Twinrova

Beast Ganon

Odolwa

Goht

Gyorg

Twinmold

Helmaroc King

Kalle Demos

Gohdan

Jalhalla

Molgera

Stages:

Lost Woods

Kokiri Village

Hyrule Field

Lon Lon Ranch

Hyrule Castle

Castle Town

Temple of Time

Kakariko Village

Death Mountain

Zora's Domain

Lake Hylia

Gerudo Valley

Great Deku Tree

Dodongo's Cavern

Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Forest Temple

Fire Temple

Water Temple

Shadow Temple

Spirit Temple

Ganon's Castle

Clock Town

Termina Field

Woodfall

Snowhead

Great Bay

Ikana

Inside the Moon

Great Sea

Outset Island

Pirate Ship

Forsaken Fortress

Windfall Island

Dragon Roost Island

Forest Haven

Great Fish Island

Tower of the Gods

Earth Temple

Wind Temple

Kingdom of Hyrule

Ganon’s Tower

Thanks for reading! Next up, we cover Twilight Princess!

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: MAJORA'S MASK

Today, let’s cover The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, the beloved sequel to Ocarina of Time and widely considered one of the darkest and most disturbing games in the canon. The game picks up almost immediately after the end of Ocarina, with Young Link wandering the woods in search of Navi, being accosted by a possessed Skull Kid, and ending up in a new land called Termina which will soon be destroyed by a rapidly descending moon.

The child version of Link is the base version throughout the entirety of the game, so I’d say its fair to list most of this for him. He brings with him a lot of his standards: his sword, his shield, his bow, his hookshot, fire, ice, and light arrows, and bombs, with a few returning items like the lens of truth, the mirror shield, and his Ocarina, with which he can travel back in time three days, slow the flow of time, play the song of soaring to teleport around the map, play the song of storms, wake sleepers from their slumber, and other random uses throughout. New items include the bunny hood that makes him run faster, the camera to take pictures, and the heartless soldier, a statue of himself he can leave behind to hold down a switch or something.

While we’re on the subject of Young Link, we should bring up the mask gimmick of the game. Though many do have random effects, such as masks to draw in fairies, make chicks follow you, get you into a milk bar, get you past the Garo’s defenses, win the loyalty of Stalchildren soldiers, get past Gibdos and ReDeads, become a giant, see people’s hearts, detect certain smells, lead frogs to sing, and summon a Keaton (all of which we might be able to tie to the Happy Mask Salesman, we’ll see), the most important four are the masks of transformation.

These masks, at least the first three, all contain the soul of a person killed as a result of the possessed Skull Kid’s actions, and Link will transform into them when he places their mask on, giving him brand new abilities common to the creature they are. The first is a Deku Scrub, the son of the Deku King’s steward, who can dig into and launch himself from a flower, fly using a pair of spinning flowers, shoot bubbles from its mouth, throw a Deku Nut, do a little spin dance to cross water and such, and play a set of pipes. Second is Darmani, a Goron hero frozen to death, who can throw a massive punch, pound the ground, roll around at high speed, play the drums, and throw a powder keg. Third is Mikau, a Zora musician killed by pirates, who can swim at high speed, punch, throw his fins as blades forward, play the guitar, and project a blue shield around himself. The fourth transformation is Fierce Deity Link, which doesn’t have any new abilities per se, but is more of a god-tier power-up for our little Young Link.

As for our supporting characters, we have a few unique, such as the fairies Tatl and Tael, who take up the “Navi” role in her absence, and the Happy Mask Salesman, who may or may not be able to take up the abilities of the various masks as well as the Song of Healing that he teaches you so that you can collect more masks. Everyone’s favorite fairy boy Tingle makes his first appearance here, floating on a balloon, making maps, and using magic dust. Most of the other NPCs are directly reused character models from Ocarina, such as the sisters Cremia and Romani who reuse Malon’s adult and child forms, and the fiancée of Kafei, Anju, who uses the Anju character model from Kakariko Village. Speaking of Kafei, he is a man turned into a child by Skull Kid and is briefly playable, but you only use him to push things and press buttons. It’s not a big deal. The Great Fairy likewise appears, granting you magical power, teaching you the spin attack, and gifting you a sword.

Skull Kid is our main villain, a lonely child living in the woods who mugs people for fun, having the misfortune of accosting the Happy Mask Salesman and putting on a cursed mask in his collection, which then took possession of his body and used him to do terrible things. Under its influence, Skull Kid can float, cast all manner of terrible curses such as turning Kafei into a child and Link into a Deku Scrub, and, of course, call down the moon to smash into Termina. For the final battle, the mask tosses Skull Kid aside and fights Link in three forms: Majora’s Mask, Majora’s Incarnation, and Majora’s Wrath. As the mask, Majora spins, lashes with tentacles, summons other masks, and fires a laser beam. As Incarnation, Majora does a weird dance. And in the final Wrath form, Majora lashes you with long tentacles and spins like a top.

The four main bosses of the game are all summoned by Majora. First is Odolwa, a warrior wielding a club and a shield. Second is Goht, a giant bull that charges and shoots lightning. Gyorg is a giant fish that tries to bite you and can release smaller fish from its mouth. And finally, Twinmold is a pair of Majora-esque Moldorms that fly around and dig.

Returning enemies include the Skulltula, the Big Octo, a dinosaur-ish version of the Lizalfos called the Dinolfos that can breathe fire, the White Wolfos, Wizzrobes as sorta mini-bosses that can teleport, cast a spell of ice, wield a staff, and cast fireballs, Bubbles, Deku Babas that can now crawl around, hang upside down, and have a mini-form, Gibdos, Poes, Stalchildren, Iron Knuckles, Stalfos that can kick, breathe dust breath, and float around as a head, ReDeads, and Eyegors. New enemies include the Chuchu (though I don’t see the difference between them, Gels, Zols, and Buzz Blobs), Dragonflies, large turtles called Snappers, big charging bugs called Hiploops, shadow creatures called Black Boes, giant bees, snowball-throwing Eenos, birds called Takkuris, aliens that abduct Romani and, um, moving on, Dexihands that grab and throw you, big eyes covered in blobs called Warts, and living bounders called Nejirons. I also want to bring special attention to the Gekko, a recurring mini-boss that’s actually a mutated member of the Frog Chorus, who will punch you, hop around really high, ride on top of an angry Snapper, and protect itself and attack with a Mad Jelly; the Garos, mysterious warriors involved in the Ikana conflict, who will hop around, attack with swords, pop out of the ground, create a barrier of fire, wield flaming sowrds, and leap really high into the air; Gomess, basically a Vire who wields a scythe; and the pirates who reuse the Gerudo character model.

As for stages, Termina is laid out sort of like a clock, with Clock Town at the very center, surrounded by Termina Field. To the east lies Woodfall, a dense swamp whose waters have been poisoned. To the north is Snowhead, a mountain trapped in an eternal winter. To the south is Great Bay, the location of the Zora Music Hall and the Pirate Fortress. And to the west is Ikana, a land of ruins, including the Castle of Ikana and the Stone Tower. Finally, you can go inside the moon in the finale.

All items as listed above.

Now, here’s what we’ve got so far:

Characters:

Link: Master Sword, Hylian Shield, Epona, Iron Boots, Megaton Hammer, Pegasus Boots, bombs, fire arrows, ice arrows, light arrows, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, lens of truth

Young Link: jumping, rolling, crawling, Kokiri Sword, Deku shield, Epona, slingshot, Deku stick, bomb flowers, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, Navi, lens of truth, mirror shield, travel back in time three days, slow time, song of soaring, song of storms, song of awakening, bunny hood, camera, heartless soldier, masks, Fierce Deity Mask

Princess Zelda: Zelda's Lullaby, jewel, light arrows, remove bars, spell of light, seal Ganon

Sheik: Zelda's Lullaby, Sun Song, Song of Storms, Song of Time, Epona's Song, Saria's Song, warp songs, disappear, leap, harp

Impa: disappear, Zelda's lullaby, Lens of Truth

Saria/Kokiri: Deku Sticks, Deku Nuts, Deku Sprouts, Great Deku Tree, Saria's song, slingshot, Mido

Darunia/Darmani/Goron: rolling, defensive curl, strength, bomb flowers, hammer, dance, punch, ground pound, roll, drums, powder keg

Ruto/Mikau/Zora: swim, dive, high speed swim, punch, fin blades, guitar, blue shield

Nabooru/Gerudo: twin blades, guard, spear, Iron Knuckle

Deku Scrub: launch from flower, fly with flowers, shoot bubbles, Deku Nut, spin dance, pipes

Happy Mask Salesman: draw in fairies, make chicks follow, milk bar, past Garos, Stalchildren, past Gibdos and ReDeads, become a giant, see hearts, detect smells, lead frogs, summon a Keaton, song of healing, shake

Tingle: balloon, maps, magic dust

Great Fairy: Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, Nayru's Love, magical power, sword, spin attack

Malon: Epona, Epona's song, Cuccos, Lon Lon Milk, bow

Dampe: dig, float, fire

Kafei: push

Ganondorf: horse, blast of light, waves of darkness, ground pound, ball of lightning

Phantom Ganon: ride horse, float, lightning tennis

Beast Ganon: two giant swords, barrier of fire.

Skull Kid: dance, steal, float, curses, call down the moon, Tatl and Tael

Majora: spins, tentacles, summon masks, laser beam, weird dance, long tentacles, top

Gohma: climbs, drops eggs

Dodongo: dig, leap, breathe fire, roll around, swallow bombs

Kotake and Koume/Twinrova: quicksand, fly around on brooms, fire and ice magic, combine.

Dark Link

Iron Knuckle/Darknut: giant axe, slam, collapsing pillars.

Stalfos: stalchildren, kick, sword, shield, dust breath, floating head

Poe: disappearing, throwing flames, spinning with lanterns, paintings, puzzle blocks, illusions

Armos: Beamos

Octoroks

Moblins: charge with spears, clubs shockwaves

Deku Baba: crawl, hang upside down, Mini Baba

Deku Scrub: hide, shoot Deku Nuts, merchants

Wolfos

Lizalfos/Dinolfos: jump, swords, breathe fire

Gibdo

Octorok: spit rock, Big Octo

Wizzrobe: teleport, spell of ice, staff, fireballs

Stalchildren

Chuchu

Gekko: punch, hop, ride a Snapper, Mad Jelly

Garo: hop, attack with swords, pop out of ground, barrier of fire, flaming swords, leap high

Bosses:

Gohma

Dodongo

Barinade

Phantom Ganon

Volvagia

Morpha

Bongo Bongo

Twinrova

Beast Ganon

Odolwa

Goht

Gyorg

Twinmold

Stages:

Lost Woods

Kokiri Village

Hyrule Field

Lon Lon Ranch

Hyrule Castle

Castle Town

Temple of Time

Kakariko Village

Death Mountain

Zora's Domain

Lake Hylia

Gerudo Valley

Great Deku Tree

Dodongo's Cavern

Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Forest Temple

Fire Temple

Water Temple

Shadow Temple

Spirit Temple

Ganon's Castle

Clock Town

Termina Field

Woodfall

Snowhead

Great Bay

Ikana

Inside the Moon

Thanks for reading! Next up, we cover Wind Waker!