Story
The Legend of Zelda game franchise centers around the Triforce, a sacred item created by three goddesses. These goddesses created the land of Hyrule, and sealed away the sacred triangle away. Anyone who lays their hands on the Triforce will have their wishes granted by the goddesses' ancient power. If one of pure heart lays their hand on the Triforce, the land of Hyrule will experience peace and prosperity and become a paradise. If one with an evil heart touches it, Hyrule will become a den of evil monsters, as well as having the Triforce split into three parts: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. The legend came true, when the evil sorcerer Ganondorf took the Triforce and granted his wish. The Triforce then split into three parts. Ganondorf wanted more power though, and he sought out the other two pieces of the Triforce: Wisdom and Courage, as he had received the Triforce of Power. He then found out that the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda, had the Triforce of Wisdom. Ganondorf kidnapped her, but she split the Triforce of Wisdom into eight parts, hoping a hero would arrive to collect them and save Hyrule from Ganondorf's evil. Zelda's advisor, Impa, tells a young boy of the danger, and sends him off on a journey to save Hyrule. Wielding a sword and shield, he fights the evil forces of Ganondorf to save Hyrule. It is then revealed that Link holds the Triforce of Courage, and that is why he was chosen to save Hyrule. Link successfully defeated Ganon and brought peace to the land of Hyrule. This legend continues and is passed down from generation to generation.
Main Recurring Characters
- Link - A warrior clad in a green tunic, he plays the role of protagonist and hero in the Legend of Zelda series. He wields sword and shield to face down the evil forces of Ganondorf and save Hyrule. In most Zelda games, Link is a different person, and this has been proven that he has many different incarnations. Most of his incarnations hold the Triforce of Courage, which is why he strives to save Hyrule every so often.
- Zelda - The princess of Hyrule, who is kidnapped constantly pursued (and kidnapped) by Ganondorf. She holds the Triforce of Wisdom, and like Link, has different incarnations in many of the Zelda games. She usually wears a white dress and has blonde hair, but recent appearances have her with brown hair.
- Ganondorf - "Ganon", "Gannon", or "Ganondorf". Whatever the variation, he is the main antagonist of the Legend of Zelda series, and always strives to collect the Triforce and have his evil ambitions for domination over Hyrule made true, and with the Triforce, it is possible. He is referred to as the Great King of Evil, but since Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, he has obtained a backstory of being a king of Gerudo theives.
Franchise Games
- Legend of Zelda - The game that started it all. As Link, you must collect the eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom and save Zelda from the evil clutches of Ganondorf.
- Link's Adventure - The sequel to Legend of Zelda, where Zelda is put into an indefinite sleep unless Link collects the seven crystals. While doing this task, he must also prevent the resurrection of Ganon! This game was the first game where Ganon was not the main antagonist. Instead, the last boss is Dark Link, who has significance in Smash Bros.
- A Link To The Past - The first Legend of Zelda game that featured the two worlds concept of the franchise. This is also the first Zelda game that gives you a control of a new incarnation of Link. The story revolves around an evil wizard named Agahnim, who turned traitor to Hyrule and started kidnapping speculated "descendants of the ancient sages", who were all girls. Princess Zelda was one of them, but she managed to warn Link's uncle about it, but Link also followed, worried about his uncle. Seeing his dying uncle, he took his sword and shield and set off on a quest to save Hyrule. Collecting the three pendants, he pulled the Master Sword out of its pedestal and found out that Zelda had been once again kidnapped by Agahnim, so Link had a showdown with him. Agahnim, however, knew he would lose, so he escaped by plunging Link into the Golden Land, now known as the Dark World. Link then had to rescue all of the Seven Maidens, including Zelda, so he could face the true monster behind this: Ganondorf, who has been resurrected by Agahnim. Link defeats Agahnim and Ganon and liberates the Triforce. For some reason, this game is thought to be the first Zelda game by many gamers. The Master Sword first appears in this game.
- Link's Awakening - The sequel to Link To The Past, Link shipwrecks on isolated Koholint Island, and must find the Wind Fish in order to return to Hyrule. In the end, it turns out that it was all a dream caused by the Wind Fish that reacted with Link's feelings and dreams.
- Ocarina of Time - The first 3-D game of the Zelda franchise, Ocarina of Time was one of the most groundbreaking games of its time. Bringing back the two worlds concept and putting in night to day features, Ocarina of Time is still played to this day due to the high replay value. Bringing in yet another Link incarnation, this one must collect the Spiritual Stones to help Princess Zelda save Hyrule from Ganondorf. This fails, though, as Zelda must flee, leaving Link to get the Ocarina of Time and pull out the Master Sword......and progressing into the ages by seven years. Now an adult, Link must awaken all the sages, many which are his friends, and freeing Hyrule from a grasp of evil and defeating Ganondorf.
- Majora's Mask - The sequel to Ocarina of Time. Link is searching for Navi, the fairy companion that aided him in Ocarina of Time, when he is ambushed and knocked out by two fairies who work for the evil Skull Kid (speculation is still going around if the skull kid is the one from Ocarina of Time who plays Saria's Song). The Skull Kid then steals Link's Ocarina of Time and horse (Epona), and proceeds to escape. Link catches up only to be transformed into a Deku Scrub. Deku Link meets the Happy Mask Salesman from Ocarina of Time and agrees to help him get back the mask that the Skull Kid is possessed by, Majora's Mask. However, Link must plunge into a world parallel to Hyrule, called Termina, which is fated to be destroyed by a falling moon in three short days. Link must use the power of the Ocarina of Time as well as the power of many masks to solve people's problems and stop the Skull Kid.
- Oracle of Seasons + Oracle Of Ages - Though it uses the same animation as Link's Awakening, it uses a totally different Link. Like the many Pokemon games, these two games share similarities and differences. Both require Link to rescue one of the Goddesses' reincarnations (Din or Nayru) from an evil being (not Ganondorf). Using the power of to change Time/Seasons, Link must find new allies to help him take on this new challenge.
- Four Swords - A first ever multiplayer Zelda game. This game had players team up using Game Boy Advances to play as the 4 different Links and stop the evil Vaati from making Zelda his bride.
- Wind Waker - The first Zelda game to ever use Cel-Shading. This put players in the vast Great Sea, where, guided by a mysterious boat, must collect the three pearls to rescue Link's sister and defeat Ganondorf, commander of the Forsaken Fortress.
- The Minish Cap - The prequel to Four Swords, Minish Cap explains the birth of the Four Sword and friendship between the princess and Link. After Zelda is turned to stone by a wizard named Vaati, Link finds a mysterious talking cap that holds the power to turn into a Minish (tiny being) and explore the true face of Hyrule. This game explained the concept behind finding rupees in the grass and under rocks.
- Twilight Princess - The first Zelda game to utilize the potential of the Wii. After his friends were kidnapped and he was turned into a wolf, Link must team up with a mysterious being named Midna, collect the Fused Shadows, and save Hyrule from the corrupting Twilight the aims to cover the land. This was one of the most celebrated Zelda games, due to its amazing cutscenes, weapons development, and freedom.
- Phantom Hourglass - The sequel to Wind Waker, this game has Link discovering new islands in the undiscovered Great Sea. Tetra is then kidnapped by the evil Ghost Ship, and Link must save her, with the help of a new fairy friend and a shipmate, named Linebeck. This is the most recent Zelda game up to date.
Four Swords Adventures is not mentioned because it is basically a one-player version of Four Swords.
System Compatibility
- Legend Of Zelda - NES/Gamecube/Game Boy Advance/Wii
- Link's Adventure - NES/Gamecube/Game Boy Advance
- Link To The Past - SNES/Game Boy Advance
- Link's Awakening - Game Boy/Game Boy Color
- Ocarina Of Time - N64/Gamecube/Wii
- Majora's Mask - N64/Gamecube
- Oracle Of Seasons/Oracle Of Ages - Game Boy Color
- Four Swords/FS Adventures - Game Boy Advance/Gamecube
- Wind Waker - Gamecube
- The Minish Cap - Game Boy Advance
- Twilight Princess - Gamecube/Wii
- Phantom Hourglass - DS