Character Sheet: Toon Zelda

TOON ZELDA

Today, we begin a new round of character sheets, all primarily appearing in the 2D titles from Oracles to Tri Force Heroes. We have quite a few, though not as many as the 3D titles. Among them are:

1. Four Links

2. Ravio

3. Princess Hilda

4. Toon Zelda

5. Din

6. Nayru

7. Ezlo

8. Minish/Picori

9. Linebeck

10. Oshus & Ciela

11. Ralph

12. Alfonzo

13. Madame Couture

14. Subrosian

15. Onox

16. Veran

17. Vaati

18. Bellum

19. Chancellor Cole & Malladus

20. Yuga

21. Lady Maud

22. Byrne

Before we begin, I should note that this moveset is specifically for the Zelda appearing in Spirit Tracks. While Wind Waker does have its own "Toon Zelda" in the form of Tetra, who briefly takes on the iconic look, this Zelda bears the appearance the entire time and is a constant companion to Link throughout his game, making her one of my top three favorites, after Tetra and alongside the Breath of the Wild version.

Toon Zelda spends most of her time in the game as a spirit, having had her soul removed from her body by Chancellor Cole and Byrne. However, when in the Tower of Spirits, she can possess the body of a Phantom, enchanted suits of armor that patrol the tower. In this form, she carries a sword and a shield, can walk through lava, carry Link on her shoulders, use a torch, warp from location to location, and turn into a wrecking ball to roll around. She can also sing to perform magic and has a spirit flute that can play special songs.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Phantom Slash

She will lunge forward with her sword quickly, basically recreating the attack from Smash that Zelda uses currently.

Side B: Wrecking Ball

She will curl up into a ball and roll around, smashing into her opponents with high damage.

Up B: Spirit Warp

She will warp from place to place the way she often does inside the Tower of Spirits in order to help Link solve puzzles. Also, a Bowser Jr.-esque ejection from her armor might also work, but that's very similar to the Down B.

Down B: Release

She will release her hold on the Phantom, which will collapse into rubble, her intangible spirit form remaining where she stood. A good defense attack, basically making yourself impervious to damage for a moment.

Final Smash: Spirit Train

She will play a note on her Spirit Flute and summon a train to barrel through the stage, just like Toon Link's.

Entrance: The Phantom will be lying on the ground as Zelda's spirit flies into it.

Taunts: Up, she will burst from the Phantom and sit on its shoulder. Side, she will hold up her fists in front of her face and do that cute little dance she does. Down, she will look at her armored hands in confusion.

Thanks for reading! Next up, the titular Oracle of Seasons.

Character Sheet: Princess Hilda

PRINCESS HILDA

Today, we begin a new round of character sheets, all primarily appearing in the 2D titles from Oracles to Tri Force Heroes. We have quite a few, though not as many as the 3D titles. Among them are:

1. Four Links

2. Ravio

3. Princess Hilda

4. Toon Zelda

5. Din

6. Nayru

7. Ezlo

8. Minish/Picori

9. Linebeck

10. Oshus & Ciela

11. Ralph

12. Alfonzo

13. Madame Couture

14. Subrosian

15. Onox

16. Veran

17. Vaati

18. Bellum

19. Chancellor Cole & Malladus

20. Yuga

21. Lady Maud

22. Byrne

Today's will be an echo fighter, as Hilda doesn't do quite enough to stand on her own, yet she also stands very well as an echo fighter for Princess Zelda. She is Zelda's Lorulean opposite, balancing out Zelda's wisdom with foolishness, relying on the schemes of the treacherous Yuga to save her dying world by stealing Hyrule's triforce and dooming that realm instead. On a side note, it tickles me to no end knowing that someone on the Zelda team that's enough of a fan of Sabrina the Teenage Witch to make reference with the pair's names.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Dark Arrow

Sort of an opposite to Zelda's Light Arrows, but functioning basically the same (if a little weaker considering the state of her world).

Side B: Energy Barrier

A move we actually see her make good use of during her own game, so the shield will look similar to how Hilda's does in the game.

Up B: Sail Cloth

This one would likely have some kind of Lorulean design to it, possibly even Zelda in a painted state.

Down B: Gem

Same as Zelda's but with probably a lot more colors to it, given the game's whole color theme.

Final Smash: Lorulean Seal

She will cast the spell to seal Yuga away, just like Zelda's but it will feature a lot of the core imagery from the scene in Link Between Worlds.

Entrance: She will emerge from one of the cracks leading to Lorule.

Taunts: Up, she will raise her hand and the dark triforce will appear there. Side, she will cross her hands and look remorseful. Down, she will admire a painting for a second.

Thanks for reading! Next up, a version of Zelda appearing specifically in Spirit Tracks.

Character Sheet: Ravio

RAVIO

Today, we begin a new round of character sheets, all primarily appearing in the 2D titles from Oracles to Tri Force Heroes. We have quite a few, though not as many as the 3D titles. Among them are:

1. Four Links

2. Ravio

3. Princess Hilda

4. Toon Zelda

5. Din

6. Nayru

7. Ezlo

8. Minish/Picori

9. Linebeck

10. Oshus & Ciela

11. Ralph

12. Alfonzo

13. Madame Couture

14. Subrosian

15. Onox

16. Veran

17. Vaati

18. Bellum

19. Chancellor Cole & Malladus

20. Yuga

21. Lady Maud

22. Byrne

Today, we will be covering Ravio. Originally presenting himself as a traveling merchant who sets up shop in your house and sells you basically all the items you will need for the game, he is soon revealed to be Link's Lorulean variant, lacking the courage to stop Yuga on his own and so traveling to Hyrule to find his opposite and guide him to accomplishing the task. Now, I just wish I understood his name. Hilda and Zelda's an obvious reference. I don't know how Ravio and Link connect. (After some research, it apparently just means purple. That's kinda lame).

Among the various items that Ravio sells or rents out to you, he has bombs, a boomerang, a bow and arrows, a fire rod, a hammer (notably used by him in Hyrule Warriors), a gripshot, an ice rod, a sand rod, and a tornado rod, a lamp, and a net. He also has a bracelet that he can use to switch between dimensions (and given he is one of the main representatives of this game, it should be heavily factored in), and he carries it all around in a big bag. Finally, he has a companion bird called Sheerow, that will collect rented items off of your body when you die. I think we can work with this.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Dimension Shift

Ravio will activate the bracelet on his arm, switching him between 2D and 3D. While 2D, he is intangible, but can still move around on the stage. He can't attack either, and the effect will only last a short time.

Side B: Rental Hammer

He will pull out the hammer that he rents out to you and smash it down on top of his opponent, being a bit clumsy with it as he does so. Maybe we could factor in a rental gimmick somehow, maybe he can only use it a select amount of times or something?

Up B: Sheerow

He will grab hold of his little bird companion who will lift him up, up, and away from the battle.

Down B: Item Sack

He will be able to pick up items and stash them in his bag, able to toss them out again at his leisure.

Final Smash: Full Dimensional Shift

He will activate his bracelet again, but this time, the entire stage and everyone on it will be transformed into a 2D painting, with only Ravio able to move about freely and attack his foes.

Entrance: Ravio will emerge from one of the cracks that leads to Lorule.

Taunts: Up, Ravio will heft his bag and wave at the camera. Side, he will try to heft the hammer, lose his balance and topple over backwards. Down, he will take off his rabbit mask, revealing his Link face behind it.

Thanks for reading! Next up, the Lorulean variant of Zelda, acting as an echo!

Character Sheet: Four Links

FOUR LINKS

Today, we begin a new round of character sheets, all primarily appearing in the 2D titles from Oracles to Tri Force Heroes. We have quite a few, though not as many as the 3D titles. Among them are:

1. Four Links

2. Ravio

3. Princess Hilda

4. Toon Zelda

5. Din

6. Nayru

7. Ezlo

8. Minish/Picori

9. Linebeck

10. Oshus & Ciela

11. Ralph

12. Alfonzo

13. Madame Couture

14. Subrosian

15. Onox

16. Veran

17. Vaati

18. Bellum

19. Chancellor Cole & Malladus

20. Yuga

21. Lady Maud

22. Byrne

Today, we will be covering the four Links, more or less based on the teams from Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, and Tri Force Heroes. I decided to go with a quartet instead of a trio because it's more iconic, but the concept is the same: four Links in green, red, blue, and purple working together to pull off a variety of attacks. Think of it similarly to my Mario & Luigi character from the Mario RPG roster.

So, right off the bat, we will mostly be focusing on the moves that are distinct to the four working together. Obviously they will all have their sword and shield and a lot of their standard moves will build from those, but their specials will be team-specific. This means sparking their swords together, pulling things apart, picking up and throwing each other, pushing each other into position, forming horizontal and vertical lines, and stacking on top of each other. The Doppels used as stand-ins when playing alone can also factor in. From there, I think a few handheld specific regulars could also pop up if needed.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Doppel Switch

This will work in tandem with the Down B, being Placement (we'll get to that). What this will do will switch your player between which of the four Links they are controller, cycling through Green, Red, Blue, and Purple in that order, giving you advantages at certain points in time.

Side B: Pull Apart

Your Links will grab an opponent from two different sides and start pulling them in opposite directions, wracking up damage on the opponent without any knockback.

Up B: Stack Up and Throw

A first button press will cause the Links to stack up on top of each other. A second will cause them to throw each other into the air. If you just press the first time, they can attack as the stack.

Down B: Placement

While you will normally be playing with the three followers following around the leader and doing everything he does, you can press this to place one of the Links (going in backwards order from Purple), somewhere on the stage, where they will take up a doppel form and rest for a while. This can lead to strategies where you switch to that Link in times of danger, leaving behind a new doppel where the first was.

Final Smash: Seal of the Four Sword

The four will attack one after the other before all come together and stab down into their opponent's chest, cutting to a brief shot of the Four Sword Sanctuary, implying that the opponent is now sealed there instead of Vaati.

Entrance: Link will draw the Four Sword and split into four.

Taunts: Up, the Link's will stack up on top of each other and wobble for a second. Side, the Links will clang their swords together, causing sparks. Down, the Links will stumble all over each other and laugh.

Thanks for reading! Next up, a Lorulean variant of Link!

2D Zelda Returning Characters

RETURNING CHARACTERS

Alright! Now, we have about twenty-two newcomers to cover, but before we get to that, we should tend to our handful of returning characters to see if we have to tend to anything new.

First of all, we have Link, meaning the basic Link with the adult body and the green tunic that you typically think of when you think of Link. As per usual, this one is pretty much a catch-all for all of Link's standards, like his sword, his shield, his bow and arrows, his boomerang, and his bombs, while everything else gets dispersed to other more specialized Links or his companions. I . . . am sorta tempted to create a new Link based on the 2D versions (maybe with Link to the Past's design) given the recurrence of things like the elemental rods, the Pegasus Shoes, and the Roc's Feather, but I don't think it's quite enough to justify it, so I'm not.

Toon Link also returns, specifically highlighting his appearances in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. Two specific items I want to throw in on top of his pre-existing moveset are the Sand Wand and the Train, both of which heavily tie to his themes in both games, even more so highlighted in Hyrule Warriors. So, I think the Train barreling through works as a strong Final Smash, and the Sand Wand can easily work as his Side B.

Zelda returns, mostly playing small supporting roles, with such standards as her light arrows and her sealing spell, so not too much to update her on. Her Wind Waker variant Tetra also appears, with not much new on her end either. Of note, both characters got themselves turned to stone at one point, though I can't see that factoring in at all. A new variant will come along in our newcomer list, so stay tuned.

A number of smaller side characters popped up in these games, mostly as NPCs and not really contributing anything to what we already had before. Impa crops up from time to time, while Sahasrahla made another appearance in A Link Between Worlds. He had a grandson there, that I guess could be an echo if you squint, but he wasn't prominent enough for me to justify it. Malon and her father Talon made regular appearances, as did Beedle, generally running the ranches and stores that they are known for. Races like the Gorons, the Gerudo, and the Deku Scrubs appear, adding to their representatives as well, and of course, the Great Fairy likes to pop up when she can.

Ganon made a habit of cropping up a lot, even at points where he wasn't really needed, with a lot of his basics like disappearing, swinging his trident, throwing energy balls, and throwing lightning. Nothing particularly new here. Twinrova also appeared, their ice and fire magic, flight, and combining gimmick fully intact. The real standout here is Dark Link, who fully broke out on his own, with multiplication powers, giant leaps, giant bombs, and trick floors at his disposal. Personally, I would make his leaps his new Up B, make his down B a floor effect (probably fire), and I would have his gigantic bomb take up his Final Smash, officially making him no longer an echo.

As far as our returning enemies, we have quite a few, but very little with anything major to add. Armos are the same, as are our Hylian Soldiers, Wizzrobes, Darknuts, Lynels, Moblins, Octoroks, Stalfos, Poes, Dodongos, Gohmas, Hinoxes, and Bulblins. Our Chuchus can grow spikes now, and I don't remember if that had been factored in before or not. If so, I would like to add a spike attack wherever you can place one, so as not to mess with the electrical and stone attacks (I like those too). Finally, a Vire played a prominent role in the Oracles games, which I remember being the thing that pushed them over the edge for me, although I believe everything has been factored in already.

And that's it. The next four weeks, join me as we add in a bunch more characters, starting with Four Links acting as a team.

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TRI FORCE HEROES

I hesitate to put this game here, because I really don't consider it a proper Zelda game and more of a spinoff at best. It doesn't take place in Hyrule (yeah, yeah, Majora's Mask and the Oracles games), stars none of the standard cast, and has a much more level-based game system, even more so than the Four Swords games did. Honestly, the only real connecter is an NPC strongly implied to be the Link from A Link to the Past, meaning our trio of heroes aren't even really Link. But, the Zelda series officially recognizes it as Zelda proper, so . . .

The game stars a trio of heroes called Link who answer a call to rescue the princess of Hytopia, Princess Styla, who has been trapped inside a cursed bodysuit, which somehow drained all of Hytopia of its fashion sense. (I . . . this is so not the game for me). The three work together to complete the game's various challenges, using swords, arrows, bombs, the water rod, the claw shot, the boomerang, the gust bellows, the fire gloves, and the hammer, on top of stacking up on top of each other or throwing each other around. If you are playing alone, your Link can summon Doppels, little puppets of himself that he can switch between and play all three roles.

King Tuft and Princess Styla are among our major supporting cast, Styla being our "Zelda" stand-in, I guess. Madame Couture is probably your most reliable ally, as the sister of the game's main villain and the one who supplies you with the special clothes you need to complete the mission (Have we mentioned fashion is a big thing in this game?). The outfits she provides you include: the Big Bomb outfit that upgrades all your bombs; the Boomeranger, which enlarges your boomerang and allows it to carry two passengers; the Cacto Clothes that damage on contact; the Cheer Outfit that gives your allies a boost; the Cheetah Costume that raises your speed; the Cozy Parka that protects from freezing; the Dapper Spinner, which boosts your spin attacks; the Dunewalker Duds that let you cross quicksand; the Energy Gear that raises your energy; the Fierce Deity Armor; the Fire Blazer, that gives you access to three fireballs; the Goron Garb that protects you from lava; the Gust Garb that boosts your Gust Bellows; the Hammerwear that boosts your hammer; the Jack of Hearts, that gives you a new heart container; the Kokiri Clothes that let you fire three arrows at once; Princess Zelda's dress; the Light Armor that glows; Linebeck's uniform; the Lucky Loungewear that helps you dodge more; the Ninja Gi that gives you a dash attack; the Robowear that boosts your clawshot; the Rupee Regalia that heightens Rupee spawning; the Serpent's Toga that turns Link into a statue; the Showstopper that draws enemy aggro; the Spin Attack Attire that boosts your spin attack; the Sword Master Suit that gives you sword beams; Tingle's tights with balloons; the Torrent Robes that boost your water rod; and the Zora Costume that lets you swim faster.

Speaking of the main villain, Lady Maud is a witch who disapproved of Princess Styla's fashion sense and cursed her with the bodysuit as an attempt to spread her own fashion sense. She wields a parasol, traps people in bodysuits obviously, teleports, picks things up with bubbles, creates a circle of hearts, sends her parasols spinning, summons colored energy balls, takes on a giant cake form, and raises platforms to stand on.

Our bosses include Margoma (like a Gohma, but built into a big circular thing), Arrghus, Moldorm, Blizzagia (an ice serpent), the Lady's Pets (basically a repeat of Margoma, Arrghus, and Moldorm), a giant Stalfos named Stalchampion, a color-coded enemy named Prismantus, and a trio of Shadow Links. Our minibosses include a king and queen Buzz Blob, two Hinox brothers, an ice monster named Freezlord, a giant vulture named Vulture Vizier, a Poe grim reaper named Grim Repoe, and a Sarlacc-looking thing called Gigaleon. Our returning enemies include Chuchus, Deku Scrubs, Like Likes, Moblins, Tektites, Octoroks, Peahats, Hinoxes, Wizzrobes, Deadrocks, Hylian Soldiers, Armos, Leevers, Gyorgs, Hokkubokkus, Gibdos, Stalfos, Poes, ReDeads, Helmasaurs, and Aeralfos.

Outside of Hytopia Castle, which acts as the hub world, the levels are split up into eight zones: Woodlands, Riverside, Volcano, Ice Cavern, Fortress, the Dunes, the Ruins, and Sky Realm. The Woodlands include Deku Forest, Buzz Blob Cave, Moblin Base, and Forest Temple. Riverside includes Secret Fortress, Abyss of Agony, Cove of Transition, and Water Temple. Volcano includes Blazing Trail, Hinox Mine, Den of Flames, and Fire Temple. Ice Cavern includes Frozen Plateau, Snowball Ravine, Silver Shrine, and Ice Temple. The Fortress includes Sealed Gateway, Bomb Storage, Training Ground, and the Lady's Lair. The Dunes include Infinity Dunes, Stone Corridors, Gibdo Mausoleum, and Desert Temple. The Ruins include Illusory Mansion, Palace Noir, Lone Labyrinth, and Grim Temple. And finally, the Sky Realm includes Floating Gardens, Deception Castle, the Dragon Citadel, and Sky Temple.

That's about it! Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: sword, shield, bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, rod of seasons, switch hook, Harp of Ages, Tune of Echoes, Tune of Currents, Tune of Ages, gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds, hammer, ice rod, tornado rod, Ravio's bracelet.

Toon Link: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, bombchu, shovel, hammer, grappling hook, Phantom Hourglass, whirlwind, whip, sand wand, spirit flute, train

Four Links: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, Pegasus shoes, Roc's cape, magnetic glove, spark his swords, pull apart, pick up and throw, push, push together, Force gems, fire rod, the fire arrows, quake, bombos medallions, hammer, shovel, power bracelet, cannon, box, vertical line, horizontal line.

Three Links (probably will be combined with Four Links): swords, arrows, bombs, water rod, claw shot, boomerang, gust bellows, fire gloves, hammer, stack up, throw, Doppels.

Ravio: bombs, boomerang, bow and arrows, fire rod, hammer, hookshot, ice rod, sand rod, tornado rod, lamp, net, bracelet, bag, Sheerow.

Zelda: sealing spell, rainbow bridge, stone, light arrows

Tetra: stone, basic pirate stuff

Toon Zelda: spirit form, possess phantom, sword and shield, walk through lava, carry a torch, warp , wrecking ball, sing, spirit flute.

Hilda: barriers, transport, echo to Zelda.

Ezlo: gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds, shrink, grow, elastic mushrooms, updrafts, parachute, magic cap

Linebeck: ship, cannon, salvage arm, anchor, drill, tornado, hide in a box

Oshus/Ciela: true form, teleport, fuse with magic, elements of his temple, safe zones, Phantoms, Phantom Hourglass

Madame Couture: Big Bomb outfit, Boomeranger, Cacto Clothes, Cheer Outfit, Cheetah Costume, Cozy Parka, Dapper Spinner, Dunewalker Duds, Energy Gear, Fierce Deity Armor, Fire Blazer, Goron Garb, Gust Garb, Hammerwear, Jack of Hearts, Kokiri Clothes, Princess Zelda's dress, Light Armor, Linebeck's uniform, Lucky Loungewear, Ninja Gi, Robowear, Rupee Regalia, Serpent's Toga, Showstopper, Spin Attack Attire, Sword Master Suit, Tingle's tights, Torrent Robes, Zora Costume

Din: dance, seasons

Nayru: sing, harp of ages, echoes tune, currents tune, ages tune,  time portals, fireballs, warp

Ralph: sword, (maybe?) bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, switch hook

Alfonzo: train, cannon, passenger, freight car, drill, net, sword

Anjean

Jolene: cannons, cutlasses, lunging, blocking

Farore

Impa

Sahasrahla

Osfala

Gulley

Seres

Irene

Oren

Rosso

Ricky: pouch, leap high, pair of gloves

Moosh: fly

Dimitri: swim

Malon

Talon

Tingle: steal Force gems

Dampe

Maple: broom, crash, potions

Beedle

Goron

Gerudo

Deku Scrub

Minish/Picori: shrink, grow, elastic mushroom, updrafts, parachute

Subrosians: shovels, hammers, boomerangs, warp points, buckets, smelt ore

Tokay: steal, swim

Anouki

Pirate Captain

Great Fairy

Ganon: disappear, trident, energy balls, slam, warp, seal Zelda, lightning

Onox: lightning, cyclones, mace, stomp to make rocks fall, blue flames, dragon form

Veran: possession, ghostly form, summon enemies, dark Links, dark energy balls, fairy, turtle, and spider forms, time warps

Vaati: fly, tentacles, cyclones, lightning balls, colored energy balls, claws, ring of energy balls, stone, teleport, flames, eyeball, dark blob, laser eyes, purple spikes, arms, magic cap

Bellum: swim, hang, tentacles, blobs, pink goop, ghost ship, Bellumbeck, sword, spinning tornado

Cole/Malladus: float, dark spells, lightning bugs, laser beam, destruction orb, meteor breath, possession

Yuga: transform people into paintings, turn into paint, exploding pictures, lightning, enemies, fire, fuse with Ganon, trident, float, dark orbs, enter walls.

Lady Maud: parasol, bodysuit, teleport, bubbles, circle of hearts, parasols spinning, colored energy balls, cake form, platforms

Byrne: clawed gauntlet, slash, extend, shield, stunning blast, lunge, jump around

Dark Link: sword, shield, bombs, giant bomb, leap, multiply, fiery floor, icy floor

Twinrova: combine, fly, fire and ice, lava, glaciers

Vire: fireballs, shadow balls, fly, turn into keese

Armos

Hylian Soldiers

Wizzrobes

Deku Scrubs

Buzz Blobs

Darknuts

Keese

Gibdos

Lynels

Moblins

Octoroks

Goriyas

Zoras

Stalfos: scythe

Poes

Dodongo

Gohma

Eyegor

Helmasaur

Helmaroc King

Phantom Ganon

Hinox

Chuchu: spikes

Darknut

Keaton: knives

Phantom: sword, shield

Bulblin

Bosses:

Aquamentus

Dodongo

Mothula

Gohma

Digdogger

Manhandla

Gleeok

Medusa Head

Facade

Agunima

Frypolar

Pumpkin Head

Head Thwomp

Shadow Hag

Eyesoar

Smog

Octogon

Plasmarine

Ramrock

Swoop

Subterror

Smasher

Angler Fish

Dera Zol

Gouen

Dodongo

Gohma

Phantom Ganon

Stone Arrghus

Helmaroc King

Big Poe

Frostare

Giant Chuchu

Gleerok

Mazaal

Giant Octorok

Madderpillar

Blaaz

Cyclok

Crayk

Diabolical Cubus Sisters

Dongorongo

Gleeok

Eox

Eye Plant

Massive Eye

Stagnox

Fraaz

Phytops

Cragma

Skeldritch

Rocktite

Big Blin

Snapper

Heatoise

Margomill

Gemesaur King

Arrghus

Knucklemaster

Stalblind

Zaganaga

Dharkstare

Grinexx

Gigabari

Margoma

Blizzagia

Lady's Pets

Stalchampion

Prismantus

Hinox brothers

Freezlord

Vulture Vizier

Grim Repoe

Gigaleon

Stages:

Eastern Coast

Eyeglass Lake

Goron Mountain

Graveyard

Horon Village

Lost Woods

Moblin's Keep

Mt. Cucco

Natzu Prairie

Samasa Desert

Spool Swamp

Sunken City

Tarm Ruins

Woods of Winter

Temple Remains

Subrosia

Temple of Seasons

Gnarled Root Dungeon

Snake's Remains

Poison Moth's Lair

Dancing Dragon Dungeon

Unicorn's Cave

Ancient Ruins

Explorer's Crypt

Sword & Shield Maze

Onox's Castle

Labrynna

Cheval's Tomb

Crescent Island

Eyeglass Island Library

Fairies' Woods

Forest of Time

Jabu-Jabu's Shrine

Lynna City

Nuun Highlands

Rolling Ridge

Sea of Storms

Symmetry City

Talus Peaks

Yoll Graveyard

Zora Seas

Ambi's Palace

Coast of No Return

Deku Forest

Sea of No Return

Black Tower

Spirit's Grave

Wing Dungeon

Moonlit Grotto

Skull Dungeon

Crown Dungeon

Mermaid's Cave

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Ancient Tomb

Room of Rites

Chamber of Insight

Sea of Trees

Talus Cave

Death Mountain

Palace of Winds

Lake Hylia

Cave of No Return

Hyrule Castle

The Coast

Village of the Blue Maiden

Eastern Temple

Death Mountain Foothills

Mountain Path

Tower of Flames

Field

Swamp

Lost Woods

Kakariko Village

Temple of Darkness

Desert of Doubt

Desert Temple

Pyramid

Frozen Hyrule

Ice Temple

Tower of Winds

Realm of the Heavens

Dark Cloud

Palace of Winds

Minish Woods

Trilby Highlands

Mount Crenel

Castor Wilds

Royal Crypt

Cloud Tops

Deep Wood Shrine

Cave of Flame

Fortress of Winds

Temple of Droplets

Mercay Island,

Temple of the Ocean King

Tetra's ship

Ghost Ship

S.S. Linebeck

Temple of Fire

Temple of Wind

Temple of Courage

Goron Temple

Temple of Ice

Mutoh's Temple

Spirit Train

Demon Train

Tower of Spirits

Forest Realm

Aboda Village

Forest Temple

Snow Realm

Snow Temple

Ocean Realm

Ocean Temple

Fire Realm

Fire Temple

Sand Realm

Sand Temple

The Dark World

Ku's Domain

Lorule Lake

Misery Mire

Skull Woods

Thieves' Town

Treacherous Tower

Desert Palace

Eastern Palace

House of Gales

Inside Hyrule Castle

Tower of Hera

Dark Palace

Ice Ruins

Lorule Castle

Skull Woods

Swamp Palace

Thieves' Hideout

Turtle Rock

Hytopia Castle

Deku Forest

Buzz Blob Cave

Moblin Base

Forest Temple

Secret Fortress

Abyss of Agony

Cove of Transition

Water Temple

Blazing Trail

Hinox Mine

Den of Flames

Fire Temple

Frozen Plateau

Snowball Ravine

Silver Shrine

Ice Temple

Sealed Gateway

Bomb Storage

Training Ground

Lady's Lair

Infinity Dunes

Stone Corridors

Gibdo Mausoleum

Desert Temple

Illusory Mansion

Palace Noir

Lone Labyrinth

Grim Temple

Floating Gardens

Deception Castle

Dragon Citadel

Sky Temple

Thanks for reading! Tomorrow, we will begin our characters again, first by going over all returning characters and updating them where needed.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK BETWEEN WORLDS

A new console generation brought a whole new story to tell. A Link Between Worlds was released for the Nintendo 3DS as a sequel to A Link to the Past, set a hundred years later just like Spirit Tracks to Phantom Hourglass. It's even kind of a bit of a remake in terms of plot, just with the Dark World switched out for Lorule. Speaking of which, the story follows a new Link as he strives to rescue Princess Zelda and several other friends from Hyrule as they are transformed into paintings by a sinister being named Yuga.

Link is our protagonist, as always, and fights with most of his standards. Items work a bit differently this time around, nearly all of them provided by your ally Ravio for a certain price (more on him later). These include: bombs, the boomerang, a bow and arrows, the fire rod, the hammer, the hookshot, the ice rod, the sand rod, the tornado rod, a lamp, and a net. We also have his standard sword, shield, the power glove, the Pegasus boots, Zora's flippers, and a special bracelet from Ravio that allows our hero to switch between regular and 2D mode.

Speaking of our supporting crew, Zelda is here as always, equipped with her light arrows. Then we have three important figures from Lorule, the opposite "mirror" world of Hyrule. Ravio is revealed to be Link's opposite, the coward to Link's courage, who sought Link out and aided him because he knew Link had the courage he lacked. Again, Ravio has all the items he sells to Link, plus the 2D bracelet, the bag he carries the stuff in, and a little bird called Sheerow.

Hilda is Zelda's opposite (nice Sabrina reference), and is the foolish to Zelda's wise, putting her faith in Yuga and his plan to steal Hyrule's triforce, dooming the kingdom to save their own. She can create barriers and transport people, but in general can also be an echo to Zelda if needed. Yuga is Ganon's opposite, but more on him later. The game also features a set of seven sages pulled from supporting characters akin to Ocarina of Time, though we don't spend quite as much time with them. These include Impa, Osfala (the grandson of Sahasrahla, who also returns), Gulley (the son of your parental figures), a maiden named Seres, Irene (a little witch implied to be the apprentice of Maple from the Oracle games), Oren (queen of the Zoras), and Rosso (a Goron miner).

Yuga is our main villain and the opposite of Ganon, clever, cunning, and reliant on magic to counter his lack of raw power. He can transform people into paintings, turn into paint himself, attack with exploding pictures, call down lightning, create enemies, and summon fire. Later in the game, he summons Ganon only to fuse with him and take his power for himself (a rare case of Ganon getting hijacked), after which he can attack with a trident, float, throw dark orbs, and enter walls.

Our bosses include a Moldorm, a Margomill (a large spinning Like Like-esque thing), the Gemesaur King (like Helmasaurs but covered in gems), Arrghus, a large Wallmaster called Knucklemaster, a skeletal tornado warrior called Stalblind, a plant creature called Zaganaga, a giant eyeball creature called Dharkstare, and a turtle named Grinexx. Our mini-bosses include: an Armos, a Stalfos, two fire creatures called Heedles, two Goriyas, a large jellyfish called Gigabari, a Gibdo, an Eyegor, a Devalant, a large Pengator, a fire statue called Fire Gimos, and a ball-and-chain soldier.

Our enemies, beyond a few already listed, include Chuchus, Zoras, Octoroks, Hylian Soldiers, Tektites, Keese, Bubbles, Lynels, Beetles, Poes, Moblins, Baris, Geldmen, Hokkubokkus, Hinoxes, Wallmasters, Kodongos, and Wizzrobes. Newcomers include: gold crabs called Karat Crabs, dinosaurs called Deadrocks, eyeball creatures called Bawbs, more dinosaur creatures called Zazaks, minotaurs called Taros, and flying mushrooms called Zirros.

The map this time is practically a recreation of the map from A Link to the Past, with such familiar fare as Death Mountain, the Eastern Ruins, Hyrule Castle, Kakariko Village, Lake Hylia, the Lost Woods, the Sacred Realm, and Zora's Domain. Lorule, much like the Dark World, is a mirror version of the map with corresponding locations in each, such as a snowcapped Death Mountain, Ku's Domain, the toxic Lorule Lake, Misery Mire, Skull Woods, Thieves' Town, and Treacherous Tower. The game's dungeons include Desert Palace, Eastern Palace, House of Gales, Inside Hyrule Castle, and the Tower of Hera for Hyrule, and the Dark Palace, the Ice Ruins, Lorule Castle, Skull Woods, Swamp Palace, Thieves' Hideout, and Turtle Rock for Lorule.

Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: sword, shield, bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, rod of seasons, switch hook, Harp of Ages, Tune of Echoes, Tune of Currents, Tune of Ages, gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds, hammer, ice rod, tornado rod, Ravio's bracelet.

Toon Link: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, bombchu, shovel, hammer, grappling hook, Phantom Hourglass, whirlwind, whip, sand wand, spirit flute, train

Four Links: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, Pegasus shoes, Roc's cape, magnetic glove, spark his swords, pull apart, pick up and throw, push, push together, Force gems, fire rod, the fire arrows, quake, bombos medallions, hammer, shovel, power bracelet, cannon, box, vertical line, horizontal line.

Ravio: bombs, boomerang, bow and arrows, fire rod, hammer, hookshot, ice rod, sand rod, tornado rod, lamp, net, bracelet, bag, Sheerow.

Zelda: sealing spell, rainbow bridge, stone, light arrows

Tetra: stone, basic pirate stuff

Toon Zelda: spirit form, possess phantom, sword and shield, walk through lava, carry a torch, warp , wrecking ball, sing, spirit flute.

Hilda: barriers, transport, echo to Zelda.

Ezlo: gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds, shrink, grow, elastic mushrooms, updrafts, parachute, magic cap

Linebeck: ship, cannon, salvage arm, anchor, drill, tornado, hide in a box

Oshus/Ciela: true form, teleport, fuse with magic, elements of his temple, safe zones, Phantoms, Phantom Hourglass

Din: dance, seasons

Nayru: sing, harp of ages, echoes tune, currents tune, ages tune,  time portals, fireballs, warp

Ralph: sword, (maybe?) bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, switch hook

Alfonzo: train, cannon, passenger, freight car, drill, net, sword

Anjean

Jolene: cannons, cutlasses, lunging, blocking

Farore

Impa

Sahasrahla

Osfala

Gulley

Seres

Irene

Oren

Rosso

Ricky: pouch, leap high, pair of gloves

Moosh: fly

Dimitri: swim

Malon

Talon

Tingle: steal Force gems

Dampe

Maple: broom, crash, potions

Beedle

Goron

Gerudo

Deku Scrub

Minish/Picori: shrink, grow, elastic mushroom, updrafts, parachute

Subrosians: shovels, hammers, boomerangs, warp points, buckets, smelt ore

Tokay: steal, swim

Anouki

Pirate Captain

Great Fairy

Ganon: disappear, trident, energy balls, slam, warp, seal Zelda, lightning

Onox: lightning, cyclones, mace, stomp to make rocks fall, blue flames, dragon form

Veran: possession, ghostly form, summon enemies, dark Links, dark energy balls, fairy, turtle, and spider forms, time warps

Vaati: fly, tentacles, cyclones, lightning balls, colored energy balls, claws, ring of energy balls, stone, teleport, flames, eyeball, dark blob, laser eyes, purple spikes, arms, magic cap

Bellum: swim, hang, tentacles, blobs, pink goop, ghost ship, Bellumbeck, sword, spinning tornado

Cole/Malladus: float, dark spells, lightning bugs, laser beam, destruction orb, meteor breath, possession

Yuga: transform people into paintings, turn into paint, exploding pictures, lightning, enemies, fire, fuse with Ganon, trident, float, dark orbs, enter walls.

Byrne: clawed gauntlet, slash, extend, shield, stunning blast, lunge, jump around

Dark Link: sword, shield, bombs, giant bomb, leap, multiply, fiery floor, icy floor

Twinrova: combine, fly, fire and ice, lava, glaciers

Vire: fireballs, shadow balls, fly, turn into keese

Armos

Hylian Soldiers

Wizzrobes

Deku Scrubs

Buzz Blobs

Darknuts

Keese

Gibdos

Lynels

Moblins

Octoroks

Goriyas

Zoras

Stalfos: scythe

Poes

Dodongo

Gohma

Eyegor

Helmasaur

Helmaroc King

Phantom Ganon

Hinox

Chuchu: spikes

Darknut

Keaton: knives

Phantom: sword, shield

Bulblin

Bosses:

Aquamentus

Dodongo

Mothula

Gohma

Digdogger

Manhandla

Gleeok

Medusa Head

Facade

Agunima

Frypolar

Pumpkin Head

Head Thwomp

Shadow Hag

Eyesoar

Smog

Octogon

Plasmarine

Ramrock

Swoop

Subterror

Smasher

Angler Fish

Dera Zol

Gouen

Dodongo

Gohma

Phantom Ganon

Stone Arrghus

Helmaroc King

Big Poe

Frostare

Giant Chuchu

Gleerok

Mazaal

Giant Octorok

Madderpillar

Blaaz

Cyclok

Crayk

Diabolical Cubus Sisters

Dongorongo

Gleeok

Eox

Eye Plant

Massive Eye

Stagnox

Fraaz

Phytops

Cragma

Skeldritch

Rocktite

Big Blin

Snapper

Heatoise

Margomill

Gemesaur King

Arrghus

Knucklemaster

Stalblind

Zaganaga

Dharkstare

Grinexx

Gigabari

Stages:

Eastern Coast

Eyeglass Lake

Goron Mountain

Graveyard

Horon Village

Lost Woods

Moblin's Keep

Mt. Cucco

Natzu Prairie

Samasa Desert

Spool Swamp

Sunken City

Tarm Ruins

Woods of Winter

Temple Remains

Subrosia

Temple of Seasons

Gnarled Root Dungeon

Snake's Remains

Poison Moth's Lair

Dancing Dragon Dungeon

Unicorn's Cave

Ancient Ruins

Explorer's Crypt

Sword & Shield Maze

Onox's Castle

Labrynna

Cheval's Tomb

Crescent Island

Eyeglass Island Library

Fairies' Woods

Forest of Time

Jabu-Jabu's Shrine

Lynna City

Nuun Highlands

Rolling Ridge

Sea of Storms

Symmetry City

Talus Peaks

Yoll Graveyard

Zora Seas

Ambi's Palace

Coast of No Return

Deku Forest

Sea of No Return

Black Tower

Spirit's Grave

Wing Dungeon

Moonlit Grotto

Skull Dungeon

Crown Dungeon

Mermaid's Cave

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Ancient Tomb

Room of Rites

Chamber of Insight

Sea of Trees

Talus Cave

Death Mountain

Palace of Winds

Lake Hylia

Cave of No Return

Hyrule Castle

The Coast

Village of the Blue Maiden

Eastern Temple

Death Mountain Foothills

Mountain Path

Tower of Flames

Field

Swamp

Lost Woods

Kakariko Village

Temple of Darkness

Desert of Doubt

Desert Temple

Pyramid

Frozen Hyrule

Ice Temple

Tower of Winds

Realm of the Heavens

Dark Cloud

Palace of Winds

Minish Woods

Trilby Highlands

Mount Crenel

Castor Wilds

Royal Crypt

Cloud Tops

Deep Wood Shrine

Cave of Flame

Fortress of Winds

Temple of Droplets

Mercay Island,

Temple of the Ocean King

Tetra's ship

Ghost Ship

S.S. Linebeck

Temple of Fire

Temple of Wind

Temple of Courage

Goron Temple

Temple of Ice

Mutoh's Temple

Spirit Train

Demon Train

Tower of Spirits

Forest Realm

Aboda Village

Forest Temple

Snow Realm

Snow Temple

Ocean Realm

Ocean Temple

Fire Realm

Fire Temple

Sand Realm

Sand Temple

The Dark World

Ku's Domain

Lorule Lake

Misery Mire

Skull Woods

Thieves' Town

Treacherous Tower

Desert Palace

Eastern Palace

House of Gales

Inside Hyrule Castle

Tower of Hera

Dark Palace

Ice Ruins

Lorule Castle

Skull Woods

Swamp Palace

Thieves' Hideout

Turtle Rock

Thanks for reading! Next up, I hesitate to include this game here, because it really feels more like a spinoff than anything, but . . . I guess it's counted as a main series game, so . . . Tri Force Heroes!

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SPIRIT TRACKS

Today, the Legend of Zelda has trains! But, seriously, today, we'll be covering Spirit Tracks, a game set roughly a hundred years after Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass, on a new continent where Toon Link and Tetra's descendants have built a brand new Hyrule, and have apparently gone through enough of an industrial revolution to have constructed trains. The story follows a new Link and his best friend Zelda after her soul is ripped from her body by her advisor, secretly plotting to resurrect a demon named Malladus (Not Ganon, but really might as well be).

Toon Link is our main character, armed with such standard weapons as his sword, his shield, his bow and arrows, his boomerang, and his bombs, as well as a fan that summons whirlwinds, a whip, the sand wand that creates blocks of sand as platforms, and a flute that summons fairies, heals, and reveals hidden items. As a train engineer in training, he also has a train at his disposal, which can come with a cannon and a passenger or freight car, and a drill in the front for certain engines. You can also catch things with a net from the train, so . . . there's that.

This game's version of Zelda acts as Link's constant companion, giving the pair one of the most distinctly close relationships of the series (and making her one of my favorites after Tetra and Wild Zelda). She spends most of the game as a ghost, able to possess the phantom suits of armor seen in the Tower of Spirits. This phantom comes with a sword and shield, can walk through lava, can carry a torch, can warp around, and can become a wrecking ball. She also sings and gives Link the spirit flute.

As for our secondary characters, the most important here is Alfonzo, Link's instructor as an engineer (an obvious contender to take on all the train-related stuff seen above, but he is also shown to use a sword at one point). There is also Anjean, your mentor of sorts at the Tower of Spirits, and Niko, your father figure. A descendant of Linebeck and, I assume Jolene, shows up running a store as Linebeck III, and the Anouki and Gorons pop up here and there.

This game has three core villains. Chancellor Cole is Zelda's advisor secretly working to revive the demon Malladus using Zelda's body, but when Zelda gets her body back, Malladus uses Cole's body instead. Cole on his own can float, cast dark spells, and summon lightning bugs. Malladus can fire laser beams, summon a destruction orb, and fire meteor breath. Honestly, probably going to combine them. Byrne is a warrior acting as Cole's enforcer and the former pupil of Anjean. He has a clawed gauntlet he can slash with, extend out a ways, and shield with, and he can also fire off a stunning blast, lunge, and jump around.

Our bosses include a giant beetle called Stagnox, a being of fire and ice called Fraaz, a large tentacle-y monster called Phytops, a fiery stone statue called Cragma, and a living skeleton-tank thing called Skeldritch. The mini-bosses include a Mothula, a rock Tektite called Rocktite, a Geozard, a big Moblin called Big Blin, a whip-wielding enemy called Snapper, a fire tortoise called Heatoise, and a Dark Link.

Our returning enemies include Chuchus, Crows, Tektites, Armos, Wolfos, Miniblins, Deku Babas, Like Likes, Keese, Stalfos, Bubbles, Bulblins, Wallmasters, Octoroks, Skulltulas, and Gyorgs. Some new enemies include Enemy Trains that try to ram you, spiky Goomba things called Spinuts, enemies that throw projectiles from behind cover called Lobarriers, blobby projectile shooters called Octives, and ghosts called Nocturns.

Much like the game's prequels with boats, you spend a lot of time on your train, traveling from place to place. Naturally the Spirit Train itself then makes for a strong stage, as Smash has already agreed, as well as the Demon Train controlled by Cole and Malladus. The Tower of Spirits plays a similar role to the Temple of the Ocean King as well, except that here Zelda plays an essential role throughout it. Each area is divided into realms, with the Forest Realm housing Hyrule Castle, Link's home of Aboda Village, and the Forest Temple, the Snow Realm housing the Snow Temple, the Ocean Realm housing the Ocean Temple, the Fire Realm housing the Fire Temple, and the Sand Realm housing the Sand Temple. The Dark World is where the final battle takes place.

Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: sword, shield, bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, rod of seasons, switch hook, Harp of Ages, Tune of Echoes, Tune of Currents, Tune of Ages, gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds

Toon Link: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, bombchu, shovel, hammer, grappling hook, Phantom Hourglass, whirlwind, whip, sand wand, spirit flute, train

Four Links: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, Pegasus shoes, Roc's cape, magnetic glove, spark his swords, pull apart, pick up and throw, push, push together, Force gems, fire rod, the fire arrows, quake, bombos medallions, hammer, shovel, power bracelet, cannon, box, vertical line, horizontal line.

Zelda: sealing spell, rainbow bridge, stone

Tetra: stone, basic pirate stuff

Toon Zelda: spirit form, possess phantom, sword and shield, walk through lava, carry a torch, warp , wrecking ball, sing, spirit flute.

Ezlo: gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds, shrink, grow, elastic mushrooms, updrafts, parachute, magic cap

Linebeck: ship, cannon, salvage arm, anchor, drill, tornado, hide in a box

Oshus/Ciela: true form, teleport, fuse with magic, elements of his temple, safe zones, Phantoms, Phantom Hourglass

Din: dance, seasons

Nayru: sing, harp of ages, echoes tune, currents tune, ages tune,  time portals, fireballs, warp

Ralph: sword, (maybe?) bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, switch hook

Alfonzo: train, cannon, passenger, freight car, drill, net, sword

Anjean

Jolene: cannons, cutlasses, lunging, blocking

Farore

Impa

Ricky: pouch, leap high, pair of gloves

Moosh: fly

Dimitri: swim

Malon

Talon

Tingle: steal Force gems

Dampe

Maple: broom, crash, potions

Beedle

Goron

Gerudo

Deku Scrub

Minish/Picori: shrink, grow, elastic mushroom, updrafts, parachute

Subrosians: shovels, hammers, boomerangs, warp points, buckets, smelt ore

Tokay: steal, swim

Anouki

Pirate Captain

Great Fairy

Ganon: disappear, trident, energy balls, slam, warp, seal Zelda, lightning

Onox: lightning, cyclones, mace, stomp to make rocks fall, blue flames, dragon form

Veran: possession, ghostly form, summon enemies, dark Links, dark energy balls, fairy, turtle, and spider forms, time warps

Vaati: fly, tentacles, cyclones, lightning balls, colored energy balls, claws, ring of energy balls, stone, teleport, flames, eyeball, dark blob, laser eyes, purple spikes, arms, magic cap

Bellum: swim, hang, tentacles, blobs, pink goop, ghost ship, Bellumbeck, sword, spinning tornado

Cole/Malladus: float, dark spells, lightning bugs, laser beam, destruction orb, meteor breath, possession

Byrne: clawed gauntlet, slash, extend, shield, stunning blast, lunge, jump around

Dark Link: sword, shield, bombs, giant bomb, leap, multiply, fiery floor, icy floor

Twinrova: combine, fly, fire and ice, lava, glaciers

Vire: fireballs, shadow balls, fly, turn into keese

Armos

Hylian Soldiers

Wizzrobes

Deku Scrubs

Buzz Blobs

Darknuts

Keese

Gibdos

Lynels

Moblins

Octoroks

Goriyas

Zoras

Stalfos: scythe

Poes

Dodongo

Gohma

Eyegor

Helmasaur

Helmaroc King

Phantom Ganon

Hinox

Chuchu: spikes

Darknut

Keaton: knives

Phantom: sword, shield

Bulblin

Bosses:

Aquamentus

Dodongo

Mothula

Gohma

Digdogger

Manhandla

Gleeok

Medusa Head

Facade

Agunima

Frypolar

Pumpkin Head

Head Thwomp

Shadow Hag

Eyesoar

Smog

Octogon

Plasmarine

Ramrock

Swoop

Subterror

Smasher

Angler Fish

Dera Zol

Gouen

Dodongo

Gohma

Phantom Ganon

Stone Arrghus

Helmaroc King

Big Poe

Frostare

Giant Chuchu

Gleerok

Mazaal

Giant Octorok

Madderpillar

Blaaz

Cyclok

Crayk

Diabolical Cubus Sisters

Dongorongo

Gleeok

Eox

Eye Plant

Massive Eye

Stagnox

Fraaz

Phytops

Cragma

Skeldritch

Rocktite

Big Blin

Snapper

Heatoise

Stages:

Eastern Coast

Eyeglass Lake

Goron Mountain

Graveyard

Horon Village

Lost Woods

Moblin's Keep

Mt. Cucco

Natzu Prairie

Samasa Desert

Spool Swamp

Sunken City

Tarm Ruins

Woods of Winter

Temple Remains

Subrosia

Temple of Seasons

Gnarled Root Dungeon

Snake's Remains

Poison Moth's Lair

Dancing Dragon Dungeon

Unicorn's Cave

Ancient Ruins

Explorer's Crypt

Sword & Shield Maze

Onox's Castle

Labrynna

Cheval's Tomb

Crescent Island

Eyeglass Island Library

Fairies' Woods

Forest of Time

Jabu-Jabu's Shrine

Lynna City

Nuun Highlands

Rolling Ridge

Sea of Storms

Symmetry City

Talus Peaks

Yoll Graveyard

Zora Seas

Ambi's Palace

Coast of No Return

Deku Forest

Sea of No Return

Black Tower

Spirit's Grave

Wing Dungeon

Moonlit Grotto

Skull Dungeon

Crown Dungeon

Mermaid's Cave

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Ancient Tomb

Room of Rites

Chamber of Insight

Sea of Trees

Talus Cave

Death Mountain

Palace of Winds

Lake Hylia

Cave of No Return

Hyrule Castle

The Coast

Village of the Blue Maiden

Eastern Temple

Death Mountain Foothills

Mountain Path

Tower of Flames

Field

Swamp

Lost Woods

Kakariko Village

Temple of Darkness

Desert of Doubt

Desert Temple

Pyramid

Frozen Hyrule

Ice Temple

Tower of Winds

Realm of the Heavens

Dark Cloud

Palace of Winds

Minish Woods

Trilby Highlands

Mount Crenel

Castor Wilds

Royal Crypt

Cloud Tops

Deep Wood Shrine

Cave of Flame

Fortress of Winds

Temple of Droplets

Mercay Island,

Temple of the Ocean King

Tetra's ship

Ghost Ship

S.S. Linebeck

Temple of Fire

Temple of Wind

Temple of Courage

Goron Temple

Temple of Ice

Mutoh's Temple

Spirit Train

Demon Train

Tower of Spirits

Forest Realm

Aboda Village

Forest Temple

Snow Realm

Snow Temple

Ocean Realm

Ocean Temple

Fire Realm

Fire Temple

Sand Realm

Sand Temple

The Dark World

Thanks for reading! Next up, more of a sequel to A Link to the Past.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: PHANTOM HOURGLASS

It's not often we see a direct 2D sequel to a 3D game. Generally, sequels in this series tend to go by console generation, hence Ocarina and Majora both for the 64, Four Swords and Minish Cap both being Game Boy Advance, and Breath of the Wild and its sequel being on the Switch, and yet here we are, a DS sequel to a Game Cube game, with Toon Link and Tetra off on another adventure on the Great Sea. This time, we see Tetra and her crew come upon a mysterious ghost ship, Tetra hop aboard to explore it, only for the ship to disappear and take her with it.

Toon Link is our protagonist, naturally, and he is joined by a fairy companion named Ciela. In this game, he has a lot of his basics, like his sword and shield, his bow and arrows, his boomerang, and his bombs, alongside the bombchu, the shovel, the hammer, and the grappling hook. He also carries with him the titular Phantom Hourglass, which allows him to traverse the Temple of the Ocean King (a major recurring location) without being affected by the temple's draining effects.

For our secondary characters, Tetra returns of course, turned to stone for a majority of the game, but generally doing her standard pirate-y stuff when she's not. Link also has three major companions: the fairy Ciela, a wise old man called Oshus, and a cowardly treasure hunter named Linebeck whose ship Link uses to travel around the map. Linebeck, obviously, can take on any aspect of his ship, so we have a cannon, a salvage arm, an anchor, a drill on the hull should you choose to buy it, being carried off in a tornado, and so on. He has also been known to hide in a box, so there's that. Oshus is eventually revealed to be the Ocean King, trapped in his old man form by the demon Bellum. Obviously he has his true form, and he can also teleport, fuse things with magic, and a number of elements of his temple can probably be attributed to him to, like the safe zones to protect yourself from Phantoms.

Other minor NPCs include Jolene, a female pirate who has been hunting Linebeck for abandoning her, who has her own ship complete with cannons, who duels link with her cutlasses, including a lunging and blocking maneuver (hmm, I'm not sure she's there yet. Might have to wait and see about the comics). Then there's minor characters like the smith Zauz, the fortune teller Astrid, and Beedle. The Anouki are also a race of ice-dwellers, but they mostly just fill NPC roles, so . . . not much to go on.

Bellum is the main villain this time around, and being around the time that people started to criticize the trend of Ganon hijacking the plot, it remains the main villain. It is a nightmarish sea demon that infested the Temple of the Ocean King and stripped Oshus of his powers. It can swim around or hang from above, attack with its tentacles, throw blobs and spew pink goop, and created the ghost ship as a lure to draw in sailors. It also possessed Linebeck toward the end, making use of his sword and spinning like a tornado.

Our bosses include: Blaaz, a master of fire; Cyclok, an Octorok with power over winds; Crayk, a giant hermit crab; the Diabolical Cubus Sisters who guard the ghost ship and shoot lasers; Dongorongo, sort of like a Dodongo; a Gleeok; and Eox, a giant stone warrior. A couple of mini-bosses also include a giant Eye Plant, a whale creature called Massive Eye, Jolene whenever she catches up with you, and the Phantoms, walking suits of armor armed with swords and shields, who will go on to play a massive role in the next game, so . . . more on that.

After that, our returning enemies include Chuchus, Octoroks, Rats, Crows, Tektites, Bubbles, Keese, Miniblins, Pols Voices, Moldorms, Poes, Skulltulas, Like Likes, Armos, Hinox, Beetles, and Stalfos. New enemies include Eye Slugs (the name says it all really), Reaplings (basically Grim Reapers), Sandworms, and Geozards (which kinda look like old-timey Zoras, but on land).

Being similar to Wind Waker, most of the important locations in this game are random islands scattered across a map, ranging from heavily important to . . . just kind of a random island. The most important here is Mercay Island, where Link washes up and where the Temple of the Ocean King is located. You get between all of these islands by boat, and our boats include Tetra's ship, the Ghost Ship, and the S.S. Linebeck. From there, our major dungeons include the Temple of Fire, the Temple of Wind, the Temple of Courage, the Goron Temple, the Temple of Ice, and Mutoh's Temple.

And that's pretty much it. Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: sword, shield, bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, rod of seasons, switch hook, Harp of Ages, Tune of Echoes, Tune of Currents, Tune of Ages, gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds

Toon Link: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, bombchu, shovel, hammer, grappling hook, Phantom Hourglass.

Four Links: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, Pegasus shoes, Roc's cape, magnetic glove, spark his swords, pull apart, pick up and throw, push, push together, Force gems, fire rod, the fire arrows, quake, bombos medallions, hammer, shovel, power bracelet, cannon, box, vertical line, horizontal line.

Zelda: sealing spell, rainbow bridge, stone

Tetra: stone, basic pirate stuff

Ezlo: gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds, shrink, grow, elastic mushrooms, updrafts, parachute, magic cap

Linebeck: ship, cannon, salvage arm, anchor, drill, tornado, hide in a box

Oshus/Ciela: true form, teleport, fuse with magic, elements of his temple, safe zones, Phantoms, Phantom Hourglass

Din: dance, seasons

Nayru: sing, harp of ages, echoes tune, currents tune, ages tune,  time portals, fireballs, warp

Ralph: sword, (maybe?) bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, switch hook

Jolene: cannons, cutlasses, lunging, blocking

Farore

Impa

Ricky: pouch, leap high, pair of gloves

Moosh: fly

Dimitri: swim

Malon

Talon

Tingle: steal Force gems

Dampe

Maple: broom, crash, potions

Beedle

Goron

Gerudo

Deku Scrub

Minish/Picori: shrink, grow, elastic mushroom, updrafts, parachute

Subrosians: shovels, hammers, boomerangs, warp points, buckets, smelt ore

Tokay: steal, swim

Anouki

Pirate Captain

Great Fairy

Ganon: disappear, trident, energy balls, slam, warp, seal Zelda, lightning

Onox: lightning, cyclones, mace, stomp to make rocks fall, blue flames, dragon form

Veran: possession, ghostly form, summon enemies, dark Links, dark energy balls, fairy, turtle, and spider forms, time warps

Vaati: fly, tentacles, cyclones, lightning balls, colored energy balls, claws, ring of energy balls, stone, teleport, flames, eyeball, dark blob, laser eyes, purple spikes, arms, magic cap

Bellum: swim, hang, tentacles, blobs, pink goop, ghost ship, Bellumbeck, sword, spinning tornado.

Dark Link: sword, shield, bombs, giant bomb, leap, multiply, fiery floor, icy floor

Twinrova: combine, fly, fire and ice, lava, glaciers

Vire: fireballs, shadow balls, fly, turn into keese

Armos

Hylian Soldiers

Wizzrobes

Deku Scrubs

Buzz Blobs

Darknuts

Keese

Gibdos

Lynels

Moblins

Octoroks

Goriyas

Zoras

Stalfos: scythe

Poes

Dodongo

Gohma

Eyegor

Helmasaur

Helmaroc King

Phantom Ganon

Hinox

Chuchu: spikes

Darknut

Keaton: knives

Phantom: sword, shield

Bosses:

Aquamentus

Dodongo

Mothula

Gohma

Digdogger

Manhandla

Gleeok

Medusa Head

Facade

Agunima

Frypolar

Pumpkin Head

Head Thwomp

Shadow Hag

Eyesoar

Smog

Octogon

Plasmarine

Ramrock

Swoop

Subterror

Smasher

Angler Fish

Dera Zol

Gouen

Dodongo

Gohma

Phantom Ganon

Stone Arrghus

Helmaroc King

Big Poe

Frostare

Giant Chuchu

Gleerok

Mazaal

Giant Octorok

Madderpillar

Blaaz

Cyclok

Crayk

Diabolical Cubus Sisters

Dongorongo

Gleeok

Eox

Eye Plant

Massive Eye

Stages:

Eastern Coast

Eyeglass Lake

Goron Mountain

Graveyard

Horon Village

Lost Woods

Moblin's Keep

Mt. Cucco

Natzu Prairie

Samasa Desert

Spool Swamp

Sunken City

Tarm Ruins

Woods of Winter

Temple Remains

Subrosia

Temple of Seasons

Gnarled Root Dungeon

Snake's Remains

Poison Moth's Lair

Dancing Dragon Dungeon

Unicorn's Cave

Ancient Ruins

Explorer's Crypt

Sword & Shield Maze

Onox's Castle

Labrynna

Cheval's Tomb

Crescent Island

Eyeglass Island Library

Fairies' Woods

Forest of Time

Jabu-Jabu's Shrine

Lynna City

Nuun Highlands

Rolling Ridge

Sea of Storms

Symmetry City

Talus Peaks

Yoll Graveyard

Zora Seas

Ambi's Palace

Coast of No Return

Deku Forest

Sea of No Return

Black Tower

Spirit's Grave

Wing Dungeon

Moonlit Grotto

Skull Dungeon

Crown Dungeon

Mermaid's Cave

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Ancient Tomb

Room of Rites

Chamber of Insight

Sea of Trees

Talus Cave

Death Mountain

Palace of Winds

Lake Hylia

Cave of No Return

Hyrule Castle

The Coast

Village of the Blue Maiden

Eastern Temple

Death Mountain Foothills

Mountain Path

Tower of Flames

Field

Swamp

Lost Woods

Kakariko Village

Temple of Darkness

Desert of Doubt

Desert Temple

Pyramid

Frozen Hyrule

Ice Temple

Tower of Winds

Realm of the Heavens

Dark Cloud

Palace of Winds

Minish Woods

Trilby Highlands

Mount Crenel

Castor Wilds

Royal Crypt

Cloud Tops

Deep Wood Shrine

Cave of Flame

Fortress of Winds

Temple of Droplets

Mercay Island,

Temple of the Ocean King

Tetra's ship

Ghost Ship

S.S. Linebeck

Temple of Fire

Temple of Wind

Temple of Courage

Goron Temple

Temple of Ice

Mutoh's Temple

Thanks for reading! Next up, a sorta kinda sequel to this game, also on the DS (see what I mean?)

The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: MINISH CAP

Today, let's cover The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap, a Game Boy Advance game that serves as a prequel to the Four Swords games, telling the origin story of Vaati, how he was a Minish (a race of tiny people living in Hyrule) who stole his master's cap to gain powerful magic and then broke into Hyrule Castle, stealing a sacred chest and turning Zelda to stone.

Link is our protagonist, here portrayed as the lazy apprentice of a blacksmith and friend of Princess Zelda. When Vaati's attack occurs, the only blade that can save Zelda is shattered, requiring him to seek out the Minish and ask them to repair it. He uses such weapons as his sword and shield, a gust jar to blow winds, the Cane of Pacci that can flip over anything, a boomerang, mole mitts, a flame lantern, bombs, the Pegasus boots and Roc's cape, an ocarina to control wind, and a bow and arrow.

He is constantly accompanied throughout the game by the Minish sorcerer Ezlo, transformed into a hat by Vaati. Vaati teaches him how to get to the world of the Minish, and frequently helps him use items from their world (making him at least a partial gimmick rep). He and his race, the Picori, also have a few distinct abilities they can use, having adapted to life at minuscule size. They shrink and grow by traveling through special cracks, they can use elastic mushrooms to spring themselves, they can be blown up into the air by strong updrafts, and they can parachute via leaves, or his own body in Ezlo's case.

Zelda is our primary supporting character, though she spends much of her time as stone. Her father King Daltus and Link's mentor Master Smith, as well as a lot of regulars such as Malon, Dampe, Tingle, and the Great Fairy, make up a lot of the supporting NPC cast, as well as a few important Minish like Festari or Melari.

Vaati is our main villain this time, luckily staying free of Ganon and getting to shine on his own, and gaining a humanoid form instead of just his big monstrous form like the other games. In game, we see him throw a ball of lightning, turn people to stone, teleport, throw flames, turn into a flying eyeball, then a dark blob, fire lasers from his eyes, grow purple spikes, and then attack with his arms in his final monstrous form.

The bosses include a giant Chuchu (probably regular size, but you're tiny so . . .), Gleerok (basically a Gleeok, but with a rock shell), Mazaal (a big Mesoamerican-looking statue), a giant Octorok (again, probably regular size), and a pair of Gyorgs. A giant caterpillar called Madderpillar and a few Darknuts also act as minibosses. Our returning enemies include Chuchus (who can grow spikes now), Octoroks, Spiny Beetles, Tektites, Helmasaurs, Bob-Ombs, Peahats, Moblins, Moldorms, Ropes, Eyegors, Armos, Stalfos (who can throw bones), Wallmasters, Wizzrobes, Gibdos, and Ghinis. A few newcomers include: Acrobandits, masked ducks that stand on top of each other; Pestos, basically flies; Puffstools, walking mushrooms; Mulldozers, basically beetles; Rollobites, basically pillbugs; Sluggulas, basically slugs; and Keatons, masked foxes with knives.

The Hyrule of this game features a lot of the basics, including Hyrule Castle, Castle Town, Lon Lon Ranch, Eastern Hills, Minish Woods where you find the Minish and their village, Hyrule Field, the Trilby Highlands and Mount Crenel, the Western Wood, Castor Wilds, the Wind Ruins, Lake Hylia, the Royal Crypt, Veil Falls, and the Cloud Tops. The dungeons specifically include Deep Wood Shrine, the Cave of Flame, the Fortress of Winds, the Temple of Droplets, and Vaati's base of operations, the Palace of Winds.

Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: sword, shield, bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, rod of seasons, switch hook, Harp of Ages, Tune of Echoes, Tune of Currents, Tune of Ages, gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds

Four Links: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, Pegasus shoes, Roc's cape, magnetic glove, spark his swords, pull apart, pick up and throw, push, push together, Force gems, fire rod, the fire arrows, quake, bombos medallions, hammer, shovel, power bracelet, cannon, box, vertical line, horizontal line.

Zelda: sealing spell, rainbow bridge, stone

Ezlo: gust jar, Cane of Pacci, mole mitts, flame lantern, Ocarina of Winds, shrink, grow, elastic mushrooms, updrafts, parachute, magic cap

Din: dance, seasons

Nayru: sing, harp of ages, echoes tune, currents tune, ages tune,  time portals, fireballs, warp

Ralph: sword, (maybe?) bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, switch hook

Farore

Impa

Ricky: pouch, leap high, pair of gloves

Moosh: fly

Dimitri: swim

Malon

Talon

Tingle: steal Force gems

Dampe

Maple: broom, crash, potions

Goron

Gerudo

Deku Scrub

Minish/Picori: shrink, grow, elastic mushroom, updrafts, parachute

Subrosians: shovels, hammers, boomerangs, warp points, buckets, smelt ore

Tokay: steal, swim

Pirate Captain

Great Fairy

Ganon: disappear, trident, energy balls, slam, warp, seal Zelda, lightning

Onox: lightning, cyclones, mace, stomp to make rocks fall, blue flames, dragon form

Veran: possession, ghostly form, summon enemies, dark Links, dark energy balls, fairy, turtle, and spider forms, time warps

Vaati: fly, tentacles, cyclones, lightning balls, colored energy balls, claws, ring of energy balls, stone, teleport, flames, eyeball, dark blob, laser eyes, purple spikes, arms, magic cap

Dark Link: sword, shield, bombs, giant bomb, leap, multiply, fiery floor, icy floor

Twinrova: combine, fly, fire and ice, lava, glaciers

Vire: fireballs, shadow balls, fly, turn into keese

Armos

Hylian Soldiers

Wizzrobes

Deku Scrubs

Buzz Blobs

Darknuts

Keese

Gibdos

Lynels

Moblins

Octoroks

Goriyas

Zoras

Stalfos: scythe

Poes

Dodongo

Gohma

Eyegor

Helmasaur

Helmaroc King

Phantom Ganon

Hinox

Chuchu: spikes

Darknut

Keaton: knives

Bosses:

Aquamentus

Dodongo

Mothula

Gohma

Digdogger

Manhandla

Gleeok

Medusa Head

Facade

Agunima

Frypolar

Pumpkin Head

Head Thwomp

Shadow Hag

Eyesoar

Smog

Octogon

Plasmarine

Ramrock

Swoop

Subterror

Smasher

Angler Fish

Dera Zol

Gouen

Dodongo

Gohma

Phantom Ganon

Stone Arrghus

Helmaroc King

Big Poe

Frostare

Giant Chuchu

Gleerok

Mazaal

Giant Octorok

Madderpillar

Stages:

Eastern Coast

Eyeglass Lake

Goron Mountain

Graveyard

Horon Village

Lost Woods

Moblin's Keep

Mt. Cucco

Natzu Prairie

Samasa Desert

Spool Swamp

Sunken City

Tarm Ruins

Woods of Winter

Temple Remains

Subrosia

Temple of Seasons

Gnarled Root Dungeon

Snake's Remains

Poison Moth's Lair

Dancing Dragon Dungeon

Unicorn's Cave

Ancient Ruins

Explorer's Crypt

Sword & Shield Maze

Onox's Castle

Labrynna

Cheval's Tomb

Crescent Island

Eyeglass Island Library

Fairies' Woods

Forest of Time

Jabu-Jabu's Shrine

Lynna City

Nuun Highlands

Rolling Ridge

Sea of Storms

Symmetry City

Talus Peaks

Yoll Graveyard

Zora Seas

Ambi's Palace

Coast of No Return

Deku Forest

Sea of No Return

Black Tower

Spirit's Grave

Wing Dungeon

Moonlit Grotto

Skull Dungeon

Crown Dungeon

Mermaid's Cave

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Ancient Tomb

Room of Rites

Chamber of Insight

Sea of Trees

Talus Cave

Death Mountain

Palace of Winds

Lake Hylia

Cave of No Return

Hyrule Castle

The Coast

Village of the Blue Maiden

Eastern Temple

Death Mountain Foothills

Mountain Path

Tower of Flames

Field

Swamp

Lost Woods

Kakariko Village

Temple of Darkness

Desert of Doubt

Desert Temple

Pyramid

Frozen Hyrule

Ice Temple

Tower of Winds

Realm of the Heavens

Dark Cloud

Palace of Winds

Minish Woods

Trilby Highlands

Mount Crenel

Castor Wilds,

Royal Crypt

Cloud Tops

Deep Wood Shrine

Cave of Flame

Fortress of Winds

Temple of Droplets

Thanks for reading! Next up, a direct handheld sequel to a console game. That's rare.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: FOUR SWORDS ADVENTURES

Today, let's cover The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, the game that took the ideas presented in Four Swords and actually brought them to their full fruition. The story is mostly the same as Four Swords, with Vaati breaking free from his seal, except this time, Dark Link acts as a henchman for him throughout the game, and Ganon hijacks the plot at the end.

Given that this is one of the few true multiplayer Zelda adventures, it is structured differently than most Zelda games to account for those four players. Across the game, Link must work together with his three clones to get through the levels, collecting special Force gems along the way. Their items include the fire rod, the boomerang, fire arrows, Pegasus boots, the Roc's feather, the quake and bombos medallions, a hammer, a shovel, the power bracelet, and a cannon. The four Link can also form up into special formations, including a box, a vertical line, and a horizontal line.

Zelda is probably our only major supporting character here, and she is shown performing a sealing spell and creating a rainbow bridge. Other standards like Tingle, Malon, Dampe, and Kaepora Gaebora, and races like Gorons, Deku Scrubs, and Gerudo also pop up here and there. It's also worth noting that this is probably the source of most of the hatred for Tingle, as instead of just being a silly guy who makes maps for you, he's an active menace who slowly creeps onto the stage to steal Force gems if you don't pick them up fast enough.

Vaati is your initial main boss, and his boss fight involves creating cyclones and sending out a ring of energy balls. Dark Link fights you multiple times throughout the game, and is probably going to be the clincher on whether he remains an echo or not. He can use a sword and shield like other Links, but he can also drop bombs, including a giant bomb, leap around really high, multiply, and cover the floor in fire or ice. Finally, we have Ganon, who uses his trident, warps around, calls down lightning, and slams hard.

Outside of them, our bosses include Manhandla, Dodongo, Gohma, Ball-and-Chain Soldiers, Phantom Ganon, Stone Arrghus, the Helmaroc King, a Big Poe, a Moldorm, and an icy creature called Frostare. Our returning enemies include Zoras, Cheep Cheeps, Like Likes, Stalfos, Wizzrobes (with the ability to suck up Force gems), Keese, Hinox, Gibdos, Devalants, Armos, Geldmen, Ghinis, Pengators, and Zols. (Have we seen Devalants, Geldmen, and Pengators before, or was this their first appearance? They're very common, I'm not sure).

This game likewise features more of a level-based system suited to a multiplayer game, with eight worlds divided up into three areas each. The first and most basic chapter features Lake Hylia, the Cave of No Return, and Hyrule Castle. Eastern Hyrule features The Coast, Village of the Blue Maiden, and the Eastern Temple. Death Mountain includes the Foothills, the Mountain Path, and the Tower of Flames. A night-themed section features the Field, the Swamp, and Hyrule Castle again. The Dark World features the Lost Woods, Kakariko Village, and the Temple of Darkness. A desert world features the Desert of Doubt, the Desert Temple, and a Pyramid. An ice world includes Frozen Hyrule, the Ice Temple, and the Tower of Winds. And the final sky-themed world includes the Realm of the Heavens, the Dark Cloud, and the Palace of Winds.

Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: sword, shield, bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, rod of seasons, switch hook, Harp of Ages, Tune of Echoes, Tune of Currents, Tune of Ages.

Four Links: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, Pegasus shoes, Roc's cape, magnetic glove, spark his swords, pull apart, pick up and throw, push, push together, Force gems, fire rod, the fire arrows, quake, bombos medallions, hammer, shovel, power bracelet, cannon, box, vertical line, horizontal line.

Zelda: sealing spell, rainbow bridge

Din: dance, seasons

Nayru: sing, harp of ages, echoes tune, currents tune, ages tune,  time portals, fireballs, warp

Ralph: sword, (maybe?) bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, switch hook

Farore

Impa

Ricky: pouch, leap high, pair of gloves

Moosh: fly

Dimitri: swim

Malon

Talon

Tingle: steal Force gems

Dampe

Maple: broom, crash, potions

Goron

Gerudo

Deku Scrub

Subrosians: shovels, hammers, boomerangs, warp points, buckets, smelt ore

Tokay: steal, swim

Pirate Captain

Great Fairy

Ganon: disappear, trident, energy balls, slam, warp, seal Zelda, lightning

Onox: lightning, cyclones, mace, stomp to make rocks fall, blue flames, dragon form

Veran: possession, ghostly form, summon enemies, dark Links, dark energy balls, fairy, turtle, and spider forms, time warps

Vaati: fly, tentacles, cyclones, lightning balls, colored energy balls, claws, ring of energy balls.

Dark Link: sword, shield, bombs, giant bomb, leap, multiply, fiery floor, icy floor

Twinrova: combine, fly, fire and ice, lava, glaciers

Vire: fireballs, shadow balls, fly, turn into keese

Armos

Hylian Soldiers

Wizzrobes

Deku Scrubs

Buzz Blobs

Darknuts

Keese

Gibdos

Lynels

Moblins

Octoroks

Goriyas

Zoras

Stalfos: scythe

Poes

Dodongo

Gohma

Eyegor

Helmasaur

Helmaroc King

Phantom Ganon

Hinox

Bosses:

Aquamentus

Dodongo

Mothula

Gohma

Digdogger

Manhandla

Gleeok

Medusa Head

Facade

Agunima

Frypolar

Pumpkin Head

Head Thwomp

Shadow Hag

Eyesoar

Smog

Octogon

Plasmarine

Ramrock

Swoop

Subterror

Smasher

Angler Fish

Dera Zol

Gouen

Dodongo

Gohma

Phantom Ganon

Stone Arrghus

Helmaroc King

Big Poe

Frostare

Stages:

Eastern Coast

Eyeglass Lake

Goron Mountain

Graveyard

Horon Village

Lost Woods

Moblin's Keep

Mt. Cucco

Natzu Prairie

Samasa Desert

Spool Swamp

Sunken City

Tarm Ruins

Woods of Winter

Temple Remains

Subrosia

Temple of Seasons

Gnarled Root Dungeon

Snake's Remains

Poison Moth's Lair

Dancing Dragon Dungeon

Unicorn's Cave

Ancient Ruins

Explorer's Crypt

Sword & Shield Maze

Onox's Castle

Labrynna

Cheval's Tomb

Crescent Island

Eyeglass Island Library

Fairies' Woods

Forest of Time

Jabu-Jabu's Shrine

Lynna City

Nuun Highlands

Rolling Ridge

Sea of Storms

Symmetry City

Talus Peaks

Yoll Graveyard

Zora Seas

Ambi's Palace

Coast of No Return

Deku Forest

Sea of No Return

Black Tower

Spirit's Grave

Wing Dungeon

Moonlit Grotto

Skull Dungeon

Crown Dungeon

Mermaid's Cave

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Ancient Tomb

Room of Rites

Chamber of Insight

Sea of Trees

Talus Cave

Death Mountain

Palace of Winds

Lake Hylia

Cave of No Return

Hyrule Castle

The Coast

Village of the Blue Maiden

Eastern Temple

Death Mountain Foothills

Mountain Path

Tower of Flames

Field

Swamp

Lost Woods

Kakariko Village

Temple of Darkness

Desert of Doubt

Desert Temple

Pyramid

Frozen Hyrule

Ice Temple

Tower of Winds

Realm of the Heavens

Dark Cloud

Palace of Winds

Thanks for reading! Next up, a prequel to the Four Swords games!

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: FOUR SWORDS

Today, we're technically only covering half a game. Four Swords was released as a bonus story for the Link to the Past Game Boy Advance re-release that featured its own story of Zelda leading Link to help her reseal a shrine where an ancient evil named Vaati was kept sealed, only to find that Vaati had already started to break free. Drawing the sword there to fight Vaati, Link finds himself split into four by the sword's magic, creating a fun multiplayer adventure within the world of Legend of Zelda.

Link is our protagonist, but this time, the gameplay is built heavily around two to four of the Links working as a team. He brings with him his sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, as well as items such as the Pegasus shoes, the Roc's cape, and the magnetic glove. With the other three Links, he can also spark his swords together, pull something apart, pick up and throw himself, push his companions into position, and push things together. Zelda and the Great Fairy are the only real secondary characters of note, as it's not a very deep story.

Our main villain on the other hand is Vaati, a wind demon sealed away a long time before. He is shown to fly, attack with tentacles, create cyclones, throw lightning balls and differently colored energy balls, and grow giant claws to attack with. Outside of Vaati, the only bosses are a giant Manhandla, a large sluglike Zol called Dera Zol, and a living ball of fire called Gouen. Most of our enemies are pretty standard fare, like Ropes, Ball-and-Chain Soldiers, Eyegors, Helmasaurs, Like Likes, Wizzrobes, Moblins armed with bows, Tektites, Octoroks, Ghinis, Stalfos, Moldorms, and Bob-Ombs, with newcomers like the Hikkun and Nokkun who have to be pulled apart to be defeated, and the Rupee Wraiths that steal Rupees from our hero.

This game had more of the episodic level design that Mario is more known for than Zelda, being mostly split up into five areas: the Chamber of Insight (a tutorial area), the Sea of Trees (a forest area), Talus Cave (an underground area), Death Mountain (a volcano), and the Palace of Winds (Vaati's home base).

And that's really it. Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: sword, shield, bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, rod of seasons, switch hook, Harp of Ages, Tune of Echoes, Tune of Currents, Tune of Ages.

Four Links: sword, shield, bow and arrows, boomerang, bombs, Pegasus shoes, Roc's cape, magnetic glove, spark his swords, pull apart, pick up and throw, push, push together

Zelda

Din: dance, seasons

Nayru: sing, harp of ages, echoes tune, currents tune, ages tune,  time portals, fireballs, warp

Ralph: sword, (maybe?) bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, switch hook

Farore

Impa

Ricky: pouch, leap high, pair of gloves

Moosh: fly

Dimitri: swim

Malon

Talon

Tingle

Maple: broom, crash, potions

Subrosians: shovels, hammers, boomerangs, warp points, buckets, smelt ore

Tokay: steal, swim

Pirate Captain

Great Fairy

Ganon: disappear, trident, energy balls, slam

Onox: lightning, cyclones, mace, stomp to make rocks fall, blue flames, dragon form

Veran: possession, ghostly form, summon enemies, dark Links, dark energy balls, fairy, turtle, and spider forms, time warps

Vaati: fly, tentacles, cyclones, lightning balls, colored energy balls, claws

Twinrova: combine, fly, fire and ice, lava, glaciers

Vire: fireballs, shadow balls, fly, turn into keese

Armos

Hylian Soldiers

Wizzrobes

Deku Scrubs

Buzz Blobs

Darknuts

Keese

Gibdos

Lynels

Moblins

Octoroks

Goriyas

Zoras

Stalfos: scythe

Poes

Dodongo

Gohma

Eyegor

Helmasaur

Bosses:

Aquamentus

Dodongo

Mothula

Gohma

Digdogger

Manhandla

Gleeok

Medusa Head

Facade

Agunima

Frypolar

Pumpkin Head

Head Thwomp

Shadow Hag

Eyesoar

Smog

Octogon

Plasmarine

Ramrock

Swoop

Subterror

Smasher

Angler Fish

Dera Zol

Gouen

Stages:

Eastern Coast

Eyeglass Lake

Goron Mountain

Graveyard

Horon Village

Lost Woods

Moblin's Keep

Mt. Cucco

Natzu Prairie

Samasa Desert

Spool Swamp

Sunken City

Tarm Ruins

Woods of Winter

Temple Remains

Subrosia

Temple of Seasons

Gnarled Root Dungeon

Snake's Remains

Poison Moth's Lair

Dancing Dragon Dungeon

Unicorn's Cave

Ancient Ruins

Explorer's Crypt

Sword & Shield Maze

Onox's Castle

Labrynna

Cheval's Tomb

Crescent Island

Eyeglass Island Library

Fairies' Woods

Forest of Time

Jabu-Jabu's Shrine

Lynna City

Nuun Highlands

Rolling Ridge

Sea of Storms

Symmetry City

Talus Peaks

Yoll Graveyard

Zora Seas

Ambi's Palace

Coast of No Return

Deku Forest

Sea of No Return

Black Tower

Spirit's Grave

Wing Dungeon

Moonlit Grotto

Skull Dungeon

Crown Dungeon

Mermaid's Cave

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Ancient Tomb

Room of Rites

Chamber of Insight

Sea of Trees

Talus Cave

Death Mountain

Palace of Winds

Thanks for reading! Next up, the general idea of this game brought to its full fruition!

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: ORACLE OF AGES

The sister game of Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages was released at the same time and told a stand-alone story of its own, but when the two games were linked and both finished, you could unlock a secret final ending where the plots of both came together. This one follows Link as he travels to the neighboring kingdom of Labrynna, where he encounters Nayru, the Oracle of Ages, only for her to be possessed by a demonic witch named Veran who takes her body back in time to change the present.

Link returns as the main character, of course, with most of the abilities and items he had in the sister game, with a few distinctions such as the switch hook he could use to cross gaps, and the Harp of Ages, which allows him to play songs like the Tune of Echoes (which opens time portals), the Tune of Currents (which speeds up time), and the Tune of Ages (which lets him move freely between the future and the past). Ricky, Moosh, and Dimitri all return as well, doing the same as they did before.

The most prominent character here is Nayru, the Oracle of Ages and reincarnation of the goddess of the same name. She can sing to hypnotize animals around her, play the harp of ages with all of its tunes, create time portals, and (albeit while under Veran's control) throw fireballs and warp around. Another important figure is Ralph, a friend and protector of Nayru who acts as Link's rival, going on his own parallel quest. Seeing as he gets to a lot of the same places Link does, I have to assume he has the items needed to get there too, so . . . a gimmick rep of sorts is not totally out of the question. Beyond that, Zelda and Impa are both here, as are characters like Maple and Tingle. Then finally we have Queen Ambi, an ancient monarch manipulated by VeranNayru, and a new species called the Tokay, a race of reptilian islanders who steal your stuff and sell it back to you.

Veran is the main villain here, a witch/demon/thing capable of possession people and taking on a ghostly form. Throughout your battles with her, she can summon enemies and dark Links, throw dark energy balls, and take on fairy, turtle, and spider forms as phases. She can also create time warps thanks to Nayru's power. Once you have completed this story and Seasons' story and linked them both, you will unlock a secret ending, wherein the twin witches Kotake and Koume use the power collected from Veran and Onox's schemes to resurrect Ganon (yes, this one is a "Hijacked by Ganon" game). Twinrova can combine, fly around on brooms, and cast ice and fire spells. Ganon himself can disappear, swing his trident, throw energy balls, and slam the ground hard.

Bosses in the game include Pumpkin Head, Head Thwomp (a Thwomp with multiple faces), The Shadow Hag (who moves in shadow and releases bugs), Eyesoar, Smog (a living cloud), Octogon (basically Big Octo), Plasmarine (a jellyfish), and Ramrock (a giant living statue). Sub-bosses include a giant Ghini, a winged demon called Swoop, a mole-thing called Subterror, an Armos warrior with a sword and shield, the Great Moblin again, a big slug thing with a steel ball attached called Smasher, a Vire that throws fireballs and shadow balls on top of turning into Keese, a giant Angler Fish, and a blue Stalfos armed with a scythe. Most of the enemies are the same as Oracle of Seasons, except for Baris, Guards, and living candles called Kyandokyan.

Labrynna has two different versions in the game, set in both the past and the present. The most important regions of the present include: Cheval's Tomb, Crescent Island, Eyeglass Island Library, Fairies' Woods, the Forest of Time, Jabu-Jabu's Shrine, Lynna City, the Moblin's Keep, Nuun Highlands, Rolling Ridge, the Sea of Storms, Symmetry City, Talus Peaks, Yoll Graveyard, and the Zora Seas. The past also features: Ambi's Palace, the Coast of No Return, Deku Forest, and the Sea of No Return, as well as the Black Tower Veran is maniplating Ambi into building. The dungeons include: Spirit's Grave, Wing Dungeon, Moonlit Grotto, Skull Dungeon, Crown Dungeon, Mermaid's Cave, Jabu-Jabu's Belly, and Ancient Tomb. The Room of Rites is where you face Ganon and Twinrova in the end.

Here's what we've got so far:

Characters:

Link: sword, shield, bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, rod of seasons, switch hook, Harp of Ages, Tune of Echoes, Tune of Currents, Tune of Ages.

Zelda

Din: dance, seasons

Nayru: sing, harp of ages, echoes tune, currents tune, ages tune,  time portals, fireballs, warp

Ralph: sword, (maybe?) bombs, bombchus, boomerang, flute, ember seeds, gale seeds, Pegasus seeds, slingshot, magnetic gloves, power bracelet, Roc's feather, shovel, switch hook

Farore

Impa

Ricky: pouch, leap high, pair of gloves

Moosh: fly

Dimitri: swim

Malon

Talon

Tingle

Maple: broom, crash, potions

Subrosians: shovels, hammers, boomerangs, warp points, buckets, smelt ore

Tokay: steal, swim

Pirate Captain

Ganon: disappear, trident, energy balls, slam

Onox: lightning, cyclones, mace, stomp to make rocks fall, blue flames, dragon form

Veran: possession, ghostly form, summon enemies, dark Links, dark energy balls, fairy, turtle, and spider forms, time warps

Twinrova: combine, fly, fire and ice, lava, glaciers

Vire: fireballs, shadow balls, fly, turn into keese

Armos

Hylian Soldiers

Wizzrobes

Deku Scrubs

Buzz Blobs

Darknuts

Keese

Gibdos

Lynels

Moblins

Octoroks

Goriyas

Zoras

Stalfos: scythe

Poes

Dodongo

Gohma

Bosses:

Aquamentus

Dodongo

Mothula

Gohma

Digdogger

Manhandla

Gleeok

Medusa Head

Facade

Agunima

Frypolar

Pumpkin Head

Head Thwomp

Shadow Hag

Eyesoar

Smog

Octogon

Plasmarine

Ramrock

Swoop,

Subterror

Smasher

Angler Fish

Stages:

Eastern Coast

Eyeglass Lake

Goron Mountain

Graveyard

Horon Village

Lost Woods

Moblin's Keep

Mt. Cucco

Natzu Prairie

Samasa Desert

Spool Swamp

Sunken City

Tarm Ruins

Woods of Winter

Temple Remains

Subrosia

Temple of Seasons

Gnarled Root Dungeon

Snake's Remains

Poison Moth's Lair

Dancing Dragon Dungeon

Unicorn's Cave

Ancient Ruins

Explorer's Crypt

Sword & Shield Maze

Onox's Castle

Labrynna

Cheval's Tomb

Crescent Island

Eyeglass Island Library

Fairies' Woods

Forest of Time

Jabu-Jabu's Shrine

Lynna City

Nuun Highlands

Rolling Ridge

Sea of Storms

Symmetry City

Talus Peaks

Yoll Graveyard

Zora Seas

Ambi's Palace

Coast of No Return

Deku Forest

Sea of No Return

Black Tower

Spirit's Grave

Wing Dungeon

Moonlit Grotto

Skull Dungeon

Crown Dungeon

Mermaid's Cave

Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Ancient Tomb

Room of Rites

Thanks for reading! Next up, technically half a game, but still worth covering!