With The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD out today, we’ve decided to list some of our favorite moments in the Zelda series.
Please note that this list is in no particular order. Each selection has been made by individual writers who decided on their favorite experience in the Zelda universe.
Stephanie Burdo – Editor
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Nintendo 64/3DS – 1998
For me, the most significant moment in the The Legend of Zelda series was the first time I found Malon singing at night, inside the Lon Lon ranch corral in Ocarina of Time. At 6 years old, I had no understanding of day and night cycles and Ocarina of Time was one of the first games that introduced me to that concept. The fact that things would change and different events would occur on a timed basis, made me feel so wondrous as a young child.
Not only is Malon one of my favorite video game characters of all time, but she was one of the first female game characters that I connected with. Although Princess Zelda will always be near and dear to my heart; something about Malon’s youth, innocence, passion for song, and undying love for animals makes me feel close to her character. That moment will forever resonate with me.
Anthony Nash – News Editor
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – Nintendo Gamecube/ Wii U – 2002
Wind Waker is memorable for many reasons. Not only was it a huge departure in terms of style and animation, but it also introduced an entirely new concept of playing the game. There are tons of moments in this game that I could have chosen, but I don’t think any stuck with me as much as when you return to Hyrule Castle for the first time.
For those unaware, in Wind Waker, the land of Hyrule has been buried underwater for 100 years due to three goddesses trying to stop Ganon and his evil plans. When you make your return, you sink beneath the waves and come upon the castle, and that’s when everything changes. Instead of the bright, colorful world that you were once inhabiting, you’re taken to a world almost devoid of color. Welcomed by a dark, ominous rendition of the main theme, Link is now the only colorful thing in the black and white castle.
“Tense” and “unnerved” aren’t often words associated with Zelda, but that’s what I felt as I made my way through the castle. Thanks to how wonderfully Nintendo pulled it off, it’s stuck with me forever.
Jakejames Lugo – Senior Editor
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – Nintendo 64/3DS – 2000
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is often referred to as the most ominous game of the entire series. Unlike in previous games, where there was always a shimmer of hope against the evil Link would face, Majora’s Mask had me facing an inevitable fate. The end of the world was neigh, as the moon was on a collision course with Earth, and the land of Termina was its focal point. I would have to relive the same three-day cycle over and over in order to save everyone from the terrible fate that awaited. Nintendo took many chances with Majora’s Mask which worked well for the time, including setting the adventure outside of the iconic kingdom of Hyrule that the series was known for.
What I remember most about Majora’s Mask was seeing how the locals of Termina handled the news of their impending doom for the first time. Some characters would work hard to be with their loved ones, while others would fulfill one final wish in the last hours of the world. The characters were scared of death, but were forced to accept what was eventually going to happen. It was a dark approach for a series that prided itself on fantasy and cheerfulness, even in its most sinister of moments.
The underlying themes of grief and acceptance brought the Zelda series into new and uncharted territory, making me fear what would happen if I failed in my quest. If Ocarina of Time was like the first Star Wars movie, then Majora’s Mask followed its predecessor by being The Empire Strikes Back of the series. The threat felt imposing this time and took me to a much darker place in my quest to save the world. This is why The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is the most different of the Zelda games, but arguably one of the best in the series.
This concludes our list on favorite moments in the Zelda series. Are there any moments that you enjoyed throughout the entirety of this popular franchise? Please feel free to let us know which ones and why in the comments section below.
