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.