63 / 99
The Wind Waker
(2003)
The Wind Waker
saw a
dramatic change in the art
style of Link, which led
to the introduction of the
Toon Link we now see
in Smash Bros. titles.
The game focuses on
travel between multiple
islands through use
of the Wind Waker; a
baton manipulating wind
currents through music.
Twilight Princess
(2006)
Now 10 years old,
Twilight
Princess
saw Link transformed
into a wolf to travel between
parallel dimensions. The game is
considered by many to be the best
entry in the Zelda series to date.
Phantom Hourglass
(2007)
Phantom Hourglass
was released
for Nintendo DS as a sequel to
Wind
Waker
, and features the return of
“Toon Link” as he travels to save
his childhood friend Tetra. The title
was very well received and earned
numerous Game of the Year awards for
its platform.
Spirit Tracks
(2009)
A follow-on from
Phantom
Hourglass
for the DS,
Spirit
Tracks
employed a similar
gameplay mechanic to
the ship traversal of its
predecessor, this time having players
control a train. You could even blow
into the microphone on the console to
activate certain actions.
Skyward Sword
(2011)
Skyward Sword
is chronologically
the earliest instalment in the Zelda
franchise, however it didn’t make it to
Wii until 2011. Designed with the Wii
controllers in mind, players can use the
Motion Sensor Remote and Nunchuk
to control Link and his sword on their
quest to, once again, rescue Zelda.
63
FEATURE
GAMES
GAMES
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of
Seasons/Oracle of Ages
(2001)
Launched for the GameBoy Colour,
Oracle of Seasons
and
Oracle of Ages
arose from the idea to port the original
Legend of Zelda
to the GBC. The pair were
designed to be complementary, much like
iterations of the Pokémon games
that are released together.
A Link Between Worlds
(2013)
A sequel to the SNES’
Link to the Past
,
A Link Between Worlds
was developed for
the 3DS and mostly takes place in the same
setting as its prequel. The game allows
players to merge onto the walls of their
environment as a painting, granting access to
previously inaccessible areas.
Hyrule Warriors
(2014)
Hyrule Warriors
takes inspiration from
Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors series, and
introduces the first hack-and-slash title to the
Zelda series. Retaining the infamous spinning
move, as well as the typical bombs and
bow and arrows, the title also holds amiibo
compatibility.
Tri-Force Heroes
(2015)
A multiplayer-only title for the 3DS,
Tri-
Force Heroes
relies on teamwork to reach
the end of dungeons. The game exists
mostly outside the main Zelda “canon”, as
it involves three players as alternately
coloured Links.
The Legend of Zelda
(2016)
A remake of
the original
Legend
of Zelda
,
the 2016 Wii U port has
been delayed multiple times.
Featuring a more open world
and more choice for players,
the title is scheduled to land
sometime later this year.
The Triforce
The world of The Legend of Zelda was created by three mythical
goddesses; Nayru, the goddess of wisdom; Farore, the goddess of courage;
and Din, the goddess of power. When they departed the world they had
created, they left behind three golden triangles, better known as the Triforce.
It is said that any wish the holder of this Triforce desires will be imagined. It
does not, however, distinguish between good and evil, allowing for both good
and bad wishes. It is said to be the root of most disturbances in Hyrule, as
the battle to obtain it wages on throughout history.
HEY! LISTEN!
The chronology of The Legend of Zelda
isn't synchronous with the years the games
were released. But if you’re looking at it
from a chronological point of view,
Skyward
Swords
is the first entry in the franchise,
which then splits into one of three separate
timelines following events in
The Ocarina of
Time
. Either Link is defeated by Ganon and
descends into The Decline of Hyrule and the
Last Hero, or he is the champion and enters
either The Twilight Realm and the Legacy of
the Hero or The Hero of Winds and a New
World. Confusing, isn’t it?