Editing The Legend of Zelda (section)

==Vidya Games==

There's been A TON of them, but the one that gives the most nostalgia is the first one, which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrn8RBxM4W0

All of the games share the same basic gameplay: Link needs to stop Ganon/Ganondorf (or whoever the big bad is supposed to be for the game) by visiting various locations in Hyrule (or wherever the game takes place), collecting various artifacts or rescuing people before finally confronting the main boss. Each location typically has a dungeon that is heavily puzzle-oriented; Link will usually have to fight his way to a mini-boss, which will drop a new gadget that he'll use to complete the dungeon and fight the final boss. Each game will usually also feature an additional gameplay feature unique to the game, whether it's commanding your own little ship, turning into a wolf, or hopping between the real world and a mirror world.

In every game, though, you play Link though, that is the one constant across any of them (except for those creepy Tingle games and the CD-i spinoffs). Even the Hyrule Warriors spinoff games have much of their focus centred on Link, though they do allow you to also play other characters as well including fan favourites such as Impa or fan banes such as Tingle.

*'''The Legend of Zelda''' – The game that started it all and introduced many of the ideas the future games would take: Princess Zelda, Ganon, the Triforce, going around and defeating dungeons, and things like that. That said, the game is fairly difficult to play due to how cryptic it can be, with secret caves and overly short messages from the handful of NPCs in the game making the game just awkward to play these days.
*'''The Adventure of Link''' – The original black sheep of the series and far more RPG compared to the more action-adventure of its predecessor. It is NOTORIOUS for the combat and even more cryptic messages from the NPCs (“I am Error” being the meme probably most well known from this game, an ironic translation error as the NPC should actually be “Errol” and is actually an important NPC in the game).
*'''A Link to the Past''' – This game is what really put Zelda on almost every gamer’s radar. While most can agree the original was a decent start and that even the second game had some good ideas, this game fully embraced its action RPG role and truly established what it was to be a Zelda game – great puzzles, a strong story, and a number of twists that make the game far more expansive than it appears at first glance. Almost every game after this one used it as a basis for how a Zelda game should be, even the 3D ones. The story is the first Prequel to the saga and introduces the Master Sword to the Mythos. 
*'''Link’s Awakening''' – When a bunch of game programmers at Nintendo got bored, they decided to make their own Zelda game but for the handheld Gameboy. The higher-ups liked the idea so much they gave them a wide berth and the end result is one of the best 2D Zelda games ever to the point it’s been redone twice now (Link’s Awakening DX adding color and a bonus dungeon while the Switch remake overhauled all of the graphics and added just a few quality of life improvements to make it not just a carbon copy). This game actually started the trend where a dungeon has an item you use to clear and beat the boss used in future games, in prior games sometimes a dungeon would have this trait, and sometimes it wouldn't.
:It is also the first Zelda game to have a mysterious and dark undertone to it with the player eventually learning that all the NPCs they’ve been getting to know and care for aren’t even real, just parts of the Wind Fish's dream and that by beating the game and waking up the Wind Fish they will all disappear. Needless to say, it showed that Zelda games could be just as deep and complex on a handheld as they were on a regular console.
*'''Ocarina of Time''' – Widely seen by many in the industry as one of (if not THE) greatest game ever made (at least until fairly recently), Ocarina of Time was the franchise’s first attempt at 3D and to say it did it well would be an understatement. Though incredibly similar to A Link to the Past in terms of what the story is (save Zelda, defeat <s>Ganon</s> Ganondorf and acquire the Triforce and Master Sword along the way), it took a major departure in introducing a time travel mechanic (which inadvertently made three timelines for the games to occur in). Introduced concepts and tropes to the series that are still seen to this day such as the Gorons, Z-targeting and notorious Water Temples. Still well worth going back and playing to this day (though you might want to play the remake on the 3DS for small quality-of-life improvements). This game also features a monster called Dead Hand, the inspiration for the [[False Hydra]].
*'''Majora’s Mask''' – What happens when you get an absolute smash hit of a game and your boss tells you to make a game that is just as good but you’re only given one year to finish it? Well, in most cases you fail miserably, but in this instance, it was done phenomenally. Set not in Hyrule but in the lands of Termina (only the second time a Zelda game did not take place at least partially in Hyrule), Link must stop the machinations of a crazed Skull Kid who is being warped and manipulated by the titular mysterious ancient mask to drop a moon onto Termina. 
:During the game Link will gather a vast collection of masks, each with its own abilities from making him run faster, helping solve a missing person’s case, and MAKE HIM THE EMBODIMENT OF A PRIMAL DEITY. Oh, and he has only three in-game days to stop the moon from crashing into Termina and killing everyone, so no pressure. This game is practically a horror story the amount of creepy stuff you come across, albeit one where you play as the hero who ensures a happy ending.
*'''Oracle of Seasons/Ages''' – For the first time, Nintendo gave another company the rights to make a mainline game using the Zelda franchise. The company was Capcom and they were originally told to just remake the original Zelda but they quickly changed those plans to make a trilogy of games. A trilogy proved too much, though, and they pared it back to just two games but made sure the two could interact in specific ways. Seasons focuses more on the action, getting Link into melee proving to usually be the best option much of the time, but Ages focuses more on puzzle solving and figuring things out across the map and within dungeons.
:When you complete one game you get a code to take much of your save data to the other. Both games are also set outside of Hyrule, Seasons taking place in Holodrum and Ages in Labrynna. If you do carry your save data over to the second game (doesn’t quite matter which but canonically it is Seasons and then Ages) you unlock the secret true ending and face off against Ganon once again.
*'''Four Swords''' – A quirky co-op game that was on the same cartridge as the Gameboy Advance’s version of A Link to the Past. Link has taken up the Four Sword and is beside himself in confusion. You and up to three friends have to traverse semi-randomly generated dungeons to eventually fight and defeat a new villain in the franchise named Vaati. Would later get a full sequel.
*'''The Wind Waker''' – Another 3D Zelda game, this time on the Gamecube. At its launch, it was received with a very mixed response due to the idea that the game would actually have looked more like a traditional “realistic” fantasy game rather than the rather cartoony cel-shaded one we got with this one. Over time though the game has gotten more positive responses with most agreeing the look helped the game age incredibly well. Its main gimmick this time is that Hyrule is no more, drowned under the waves of the Great Ocean.
:Despite the apocalyptic inundation, Ganondorf is back and ready to find the full Triforce once more so he can attempt to again subjugate the people (though he admittedly has a lot more nuance in this game than previously). Link must sail across the ocean and fish up clues (usually quite literally) to help save his sister first and foremost and the world by extension. Oh, and be sure to go home every now and then and make sure your grandma is safe, okay? She even makes yummy soup for you. 
*'''Four Swords Adventures''' – The sequel to Four Swords on the GBA, this Gamecube game is much the same as the first but with the added function to play solo properly. Once more you must fight Vaati but you also get a shot at fighting Ganon. Despite this, the game is still basically just a series of fast dungeon crawls.
*'''The Minish Cap''' – Ever wonder why Link wears a green hat? Well, this is the game for you then! Vaati(this is a prequel to Four Swords) interrupts a festival and ruins everyone’s day and it’s up to Link and his magical talking hat named Ezlo to save the day. The unique gimmick of this game is the ability to shrink Link down to minuscule size which has the odd effect that monsters that would typically pose little to no threat to a normal-sized Link are suddenly massive and double as boss fights. Also details the reason why Link always finds money and items when they cut grass and smash bottles – A Picori (a minuscule fairy person) put it there for Link to find! Regarded as one of if not the best handheld Zelda games by most fans.
*'''Twilight Princess''' – After the backlash to The Wind Waker over its cutesy design, Nintendo knew they needed to get in the good graces of fans once more. Twilight Princess went for a more traditional-looking Zelda game with a fuck ton of brown and grey smeared over your screen(it was the late 2000s when most vidya makers decided that color was for little babies). Link must save his childhood friends with the help of the snarky shadow-being named Midna.
:For large parts of the game Link is transformed into a wolf, which no doubt made plenty of furries happy, during which he has several heightened senses and scares the shit out of normal people. Otherwise, it’s a typical “go to X dungeon, get Y item and defeat Z boss, then use the new item to help progress to the next dungeon, rinse and repeat.
:The new villain of this game, Zant, is actually just a puppet to a downright menacing Ganondorf (who even temporarily mind-enslaves Zelda). There is a good reason why every Smash game still uses this Ganondorf. While the game was incredibly well received (some fans legit broke down into tears at the announcement), it’s seen some growing resentment over the years over how poorly it has aged in terms of looks and how seemingly by the books a lot of the game turned out to be. It even has the dungeon boss largely regarded as the easiest in the whole franchise, a giant eel monster thing named Morpheel who basically cannot kill Link and is easily dispatched in just moments.
*'''Phantom Hourglass''' – A sequel to The Wind Waker, it was not very well received for a multitude of reasons, chiefly the absolute shit controls where you’re forced to use the touch screen of the DS for most things in the game, including moving Link around. Has some interesting dungeons but is incredibly clunky and awkward to play.
*'''Spirit Tracks''' – A sequel to Phantom Hourglass, it literally is a railroad game, with Link needing to conduct a train from point A to point B for much of the game. It does however let players play with Zelda though! Kinda. Well, mostly. See, Zelda is basically a ghostlike figure for much of the game and can possess phantoms to help Link solve puzzles and fight enemies.
:While fans were quite happy to finally play with her, the game is viewed as fairly subpar overall due to basically the same mechanics from Phantom Hourglass being in the game as well as the on-the-rails approach to the overworld.
*'''Skyward Sword''' – One of the better Zelda games storywise but with a somewhat awkward control scheme that forces the player to use a Wiimote (the main controller for the Nintendo Wii) to swing a sword and solve certain puzzles, Skyward Sword broke a lot of new ground in terms of story for the Zelda franchise. Among other things, it set a new visual standard by combining Twilight Princess's realistic designs with Wind Waker's cel-shaded graphics to give the series a distinct [[anime]] look.
:Canonically the earliest game in the series, it finally tells the story as to why Link wears Green and why so many of the characters always seem to show up in the games and more, namely the feud between an incredibly powerful demon named Demise and humanity’s patron goddess Hylia.
:While many laud it for the deep story and wonderful characters (Groose is one of the best new characters to the franchise, and Fi eventually starts to warm on you), most agree the game was fairly weird to handle due to the forced Wiimote swinging and toggling. The HD remake for the Wii U is much better in that regard but really? Who the fuck even owned a Wii U? Thankfully, Nintendo later released a Switch version that features more traditional controls.
*'''A Link Between Worlds''' – Part sequel and part pseudo-remake of A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds is a rather curious take on the Zelda series. In this game, Link must save Zelda and a number of other Sages from a mysterious villain who is also a painter named <s>Hitler</s> Yuga. In the process, Link acquires the ability to merge himself into a wall and take on a stylized painting form and move across certain locations in the overworld and in dungeons in this fashion to solve puzzles and get by enemies. Eventually, Link appears in a dark twisted otherworld version of Hyrule called Lorule (real original, Nintendo) and bests dungeons in both realms to save the day.
:Another unique trait of the game is that almost all of the dungeons can be done in whatever order the player chooses, something not seen in quite some time (if ever) in the franchise thanks to the item rental system. No longer do you need to conquer a dungeon or perform some weird trade sequence to acquire the various tools needed to move from one dungeon to the next; now all you need to do is talk to the guy who suddenly made your house into a shop and rent (and later buy) the items you want/need to deal with the next dungeon of your choosing. Basically took what A Link Between Worlds introduced and made it all better.
*'''Tri Force Heroes''' – Hot garbage that no one played.
*'''Breath of the Wild''' – Probably the most anticipated game of all time (I’m not joking about that either), the game had been hyped by Nintendo for quite some time, with snippets of gameplay released and small nuggets of information slowly leaking out from them about the game. Did not help that the game got delayed multiple times which only drove fans crazy. When it was finally released it quickly garnered MASSIVE praise from critics and fans alike, with most agreeing it topped Ocarina of Time as the best Zelda game of all time.
:Players take control of an amnesiac Link who is thrust into a vast and dangerous world and must use their wits and an arcane artifact known as a Sheikah Slate to overcome the odds and eventually defeat the Calamity Ganon. There are only 5 real dungeons in the whole game, over 100 mini-dungeons called shrines (though some are barely more than “defeat this one monster” or “walk to this one part of the shrine with no traps or puzzles”, but still there are a fuck ton of them!) as well as hundreds of little side quests and puzzles to ponder over. Or you could just go running naked and armed with just a tree branch to fight Ganon, it’s up to you (no joke, you can get inside the final dungeon right after the start of the game - good luck surviving, not only will you be at minimum hearts and whatever gear you picked up along the way, Ganon will be at full health AND you have to fight the four dungeon bosses as well).
:The world is enormous and is filled to the brim with things to do, sites to see, people to meet, quests to complete and more. It was so successful that Nintendo almost immediately announced a sequel
*'''Tears of the Kingdom''' - The sequel to Breath of the Wild. Takes place a few years after BotW, with Link also travelling to some floating islands in the sky and into Hyrule's version of the [[Underdark]]. Oh, and Link gets new hand-based magic powers that allow him to take several items and fuse them together into a new item such as a weapon or boat, or combining weapons with random objects like rocket shields, wieldable sails, etc, fly upwards through solid objects most of the time, and reverse time on many objects to send them back from where they were when he activates the power. The game also follows up on characters from the previous game (except for Kass who is mysteriously completely absent from the game) and goes DEEP into lore. Beyond that, though, the fundamental gameplay is roughly 90% the same as the previous game in regards to a lot of mechanics (since it was built on the same engine) and there are still a massive number of shrines and Koroks to find to expand your resources, as well as a new battery mechanic that powers many of the items Link can make/use now (which inevitably results in people making either the most insanely overpowered death machines to cheese the game, or the most cursed abominations). Despite being called just $70 DLC, it takes what the previous game did well and does more. Also, when we say the game is fuck huge we mean it. Not only does it have all the same land as the previous game, but add to that the Sky Archipelago and the Depths, and you've got a significant amount of verticality to contend with. Seriously, you can go 60+ hours in and feel like you've barely done anything.
*'''Hyrule Warriors''' and '''Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity''' - A spinoff series of games by Koei Tecmo modelled on their ''Dynasty Warriors'' games. In the original Hyrule Warriors game, a mysterious sorceress named Cia fucks with all of the timelines (yes, all of them) after getting corrupted by darkness after she starts straight up lusting after all of the Links in the timelines. That's right, she gets so fucking horny for Link's ass she throws all of the timelines out of whack to try to sleep with him.
:Hyrule Warriors, being a Dynasty Warriors clone, has its main focus be taking control of a unique hero unit (sometimes multiple units to swap between in the various levels) and just demolishing waves of hundreds upon hundreds of enemies with each hero's unique abilities and weapons.
:Age of Calamity steps back from the "all timelines" bit but still fucks with time anyway. See, in Breath of the Wild when Calamity Ganon starts his, well, calamity over Hyrule, a little guardian robot Zelda built as a child wakes up, realizes what is going on and jumps back in time to try and stop it, causing two timelines to form - one where the little robot did nothing because it ran to the past and which is the same timeline Breath of the Wild takes place in, and the other being one where it shows up and helps rally the Champions of Hyrule (present and future because "fuck how timelines should really work, amirite?") to stop Calamity Ganon.
:The first Hyrule Warriors game has a lot going for it, mostly for being the first (good) Zelda game where you can actually play the titular character as well as a whole slew of other characters from the franchise such as Agatha the Bug Princess from Twilight Princess, Skull Kid from Majora's Mask and even a new version of Ganondorf himself. Age of Calamity is a bit more restrictive in heroes to choose from but with a much more focused story tied directly to the newest and possibly most popular Zelda game in decades. Age of Calamity is now widely considered to be at least partially canon thanks to the depth of its story and how Nintendo's team worked with Koei Tecmo to ensure the game was as faithful as it could be to Breath of the Wild, right down to helping to guide them on level design.