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CHAPTER 1

What Is The Legend of Zelda?

Released in North America in 1987, The Legend of Zelda marked an important moment in the history of video games. It showed that a game with a real sense of exploration and adventure could be enjoyed even on a game console as simple as the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System.

Players took on the role of Link, exploring the open world of Hyrule, fighting monsters, discovering secrets, using tools, solving puzzles, and getting lost in a video game experience unlike anything before it. Hyrule felt alive, and Link's journey felt important, even though there wasn't much of a story. The game led to many sequels, and each has changed the way video games are designed up to this day. Nearly every successful modern video game designer points to The Legend of Zelda as an influence and there's a good reason why — The Legend of Zelda is one of the best video games ever made.

The Development

Shigeru Miyamoto is credited as Zelda's creator and often said the exploration of the woods and caves near his childhood home as a boy was the primary inspiration for the game's story. Miyamoto's first idea for Zelda was a multiplayer game where two players could design dungeons for one another to explore. The people at Nintendo decided that the best part of the experience was exploring the dungeons. From there, Miyamoto and the rest of Nintendo's development team began building a game focusing on the idea of dungeon exploration.

During development, the experience made its way above ground. The dungeons were incorporated into the overworld of Hyrule, and a story about a boy named Link on a journey to save a princess named Zelda began to take shape.

Today, The Legend of Zelda is in the safe hands of producer and sometimes director, Eiji Aonuma. Aonuma joined the franchise by working on Ocarina of Time, and was credited as the director of its sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Aonuma oversees The Legend of Zelda, with guidance from its original creator, Shigeru Miyamoto.

Alongside Miyamoto and Aonuma, a number of other prominent Nintendo developers have been involved with Zelda. Takashi Tezuka has been with Nintendo since 1984 and has served as writer, director, co-director, and designer on an assortment of Nintendo games, including most of the early Mario and Zelda games. Tezuka was instrumental in the development of the original Zelda, Link to the Past, and Link's Awakening.

Yoshiaki Koizumi's first job after getting hired with Nintendo was putting together the manual for Link to the Past, but he quickly moved into more prominent roles, penning the strange story of Link's Awakening, working on Ocarina of Time, and coming up with the core time travel mechanic of Majora's Mask.

Hiromasa Shikata, a comparably young designer at Nintendo, served as director on Link Between Worlds and the multiplayer follow-up, Tri Force Heroes. Before that, he worked on the world layout for Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Wind Waker.

More recently Hidemaro Fujibayashi has served as director of the Zelda games alongside Aonuma's watchful producer eye. Fujibayashi got his start in the video game industry working on PlayStation and Sega Saturn games, but started work on Zelda with the Oracle of Ages and Seasons games. He directed those games and went on to direct Minish Cap, Skyward Sword, and the recent Breath of the Wild.

The Story

Through the franchise's 30 years, the core story of each entry has basically stayed the same: The Legend of Zelda follows a young warrior named Link who must save a princess named Zelda and defeat the evil Ganon. The Triforce, a powerful three-piece object that represents Courage, Wisdom, and Power, is also usually part of the game. When its three pieces are combined it has the power to grant its owner a wish. Link, Zelda, and Ganon sometimes represent the Courage, Wisdom, and Power attributes of the Triforce.

Sometimes the same Link and Zelda will move between games for direct sequels, but often, each game represents a new generation of Link and Zelda as they fight the forces of evil. The same goes for Ganon, though he is not always the villain, nor does the Triforce always play an important role.

The main things that set each entry apart is who stands in Link's way, the world he is exploring, what tools he uses to make his way to Zelda, and finally, what type of controller you're holding in your hand while you join Link on his journey.

CHAPTER 2

What Makes a Zelda Game?

There are many thing that define a Zelda game, but there is no outline of rules that say a Zelda game must have these things in order to be considered a true Zelda experience. If that were the case, then Nintendo would break its own rules often. But here are many elements that appear in almost every Zelda game.

The Main Characters

Link

The star, the hero, and the character everyone thinks is named Zelda. Despite being the main character, the game is not named after him, which has caused confusion since the release of the original Zelda 30 years ago. He's a skilled warrior, problem solver, and frequently a talented musician.

He is often represented as an orphan without family, but sometimes he does have a caretaker in the form of an uncle, grandmother, or some other family member or friend. He is rarely seen without his green tunic and hat, sword, and shield. He represents the Triforce of Courage and has never had a voice outside of the grunts and shouts that accompany combat and movement.

His name is meant to represent a connection between the player and the world. He is the "link" that connects the player to the game. His name, however, can be chosen by the player. Whatever name players enter in the beginning the game is the one non-player characters will use when referring to him.

Zelda

Zelda is the focus of Link's journey. He must save Zelda. In the early games Zelda was not much more than a damsel in distress. As the storytelling of the games' consoles and technology improved, however, she has become more than just a woman waiting for her hero.

While Link has basically worn his famous green outfit since the beginning, Zelda's look has changed quite a bit over the years. She often wears a crown and a pink dress, but in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, she was actually a pirate princess and didn't look like royalty at all. In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Zelda adopts a secret identity and helps Link throughout the game without him realizing who she is until the end.

Shigeru Miyamoto has said that he borrowed Zelda's name from the wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald. She represents the Triforce of Wisdom.

Ganon

Sometimes his name is Ganon; sometimes his name is Ganondorf; sometimes he is a pig beast; sometimes he is a human that turns into a giant pig beast. He's not the villain in every Zelda game, but he usually is, even if that isn't clear until the very end.

He represents the Triforce of Power, and stealing Zelda is always part of the process toward acquiring the Triforce. His form changes from game to game, but he usually wears dark clothes and has red hair. Even when he takes on his pig beast form, he usually retains his red hair.

His characterization and voice in the games is usually limited to threats against Link or talking about his plans. Often he is the only male of the Gerudo tribe of women.

In addition to his Ganon or Ganondorf name, on at least one occasion he had the last name Dragmire. He is also sometimes referred to as Great King of Evil or the Dark Lord.

The Secondary Characters

Impa

Present from the very first game, Impa is a character that often gives Link an overview of what to expect over the course of the rest of the game. She imparts knowledge to Link, which is where her name comes from. She does not appear in every game, but when she does she often serves a crucial role in helping Link along his journey. She is typically a member of the Sheikah Tribe, a tribe that is sworn to protect the Hyrule royal family.

Epona

Link's faithful horse, Epona has appeared in many Zelda adventures. In her first appearance in Ocarina of Time, Link wins her in a race, stealing her from Ingo, Epona's caretaker. You can call her to your side and she even fights alongside you sometimes. In Twilight Princess you can give Epona a customized name.

The King of Hyrule

The King of Hyrule typically appears in Zelda games as the father of Zelda and the king of Hyrule. In early games, he would only appear in the backstory, but more recent releases like Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild feature him as a prominent character requesting Link's help in rescuing his daughter.

The Golden Goddesses

Crucially important to the history of Hyrule and the creation of the world in which the Zelda games take place, Din the Goddess of Power, Nayru the Goddess of Wisdom, and Farore the Goddess of Courage together are the Golden Goddesses. In some adventures, they are credited with creating the Triforce. In others, they are credited with crafting the world. And in some, they appear as characters that Link can speak and interact with.

Skull Kid

Skull Kid has only appeared in two Zelda games (though a character similar to Skull Kid does appear in Twilight Princess), but his impact on the series is undeniable. He serves as the main antagonist of Majora's Mask and wears the mask throughout the game. He's mischievous and intimidating, but also sympathetic.

Tingle

Tingle first appeared in Majora's Mask as a fairy-obsessed man who refuses to grow up, much to his father's dismay. He sells Link maps in Majora's Mask, but proved to be so popular that he has now become one of Zelda' s most celebrated side characters. Not only has he appeared in multiple Zelda games after his introduction (he was especially prominent in The Wind Waker), but he had a pair of spinoff games that told his own strange story. Typically dressed in a green, full-body leotard with red underwear, Tingle is one of the most endearing but strangest characters in the world of Zelda.

Beedle

Beedle is a merchant who first appeared in The Wind Waker, but has appeared in nearly every Zelda game since. He is instantly recognizable for his long nose, distinct haircut, and his enthusiastic "Thank you!" every time you buy something from him. In The Skyward Sword, he was also an avid bug collector, which accounted for a large side quest.

The Worlds

Hyrule

Most of Link's adventures take place in the land of Hyrule. Zelda is the princess of Hyrule, and Ganon seeks to take over Hyrule. Link has left Hyrule on occasion to explore neighboring worlds like Termina in Majora's Mask or Hytopia in Tri Force Heroes. Hyrule is home to many locations like Death Mountain — a volcano with a smoke ring around its peak — and the Lost Woods, a complicated maze that holds many secrets.

Termina

The world of Termina is a long horse ride away from Hyrule, if the opening of Majora's Mask is any indication. Some believe it is a creation of Skull Kid's imagination, aided by the magic of the Majora's Mask. It is home to Clock Town, a normal town surrounded by a coast, a swamp, a canyon, and a wintery forest. In Majora's Mask, Link relives the same three days exploring Termina, learning about its residents, and preventing the moon from crashing into the world.

Koholint Island

Koholint is another world that may or may not truly exist depending on which Zelda theories you subscribe to. Link crashes in Koholint in the Game Boy's Link's Awakening after his boat gets caught in a violent storm. Koholint is completely disconnected from Hyrule, and features a strange cast of characters inspired by the early 1990s TV show, Twin Peaks.

Lorule

In A Link Between Worlds, Link visits the land of Lorule. It's the dark opposite of Hyrule and features twisted duplicates of the locations and characters seen in Hyrule. It is ruled by Princess Hilda (Zelda's opposite), who is doing all she can to restore her world, which has been shrouded in darkness.

Labrynna and Holodrum

The Game Boy title Oracle of Ages takes place in Labryanna and Oracle of Seasons takes place in Holodrum. Both lands are far from Hyrule, but Link does meet Hylians in both worlds.

Hytopia

Featured in Tri Force Heroes, Hytopia is a world unusually obsessed with fashion and clothing. Among the worlds Link visits during the course of his many adventures, Hytopia may be the one he explores the least. Most of the game takes place in the connected Drablands.

The Music

The music of Zelda is as important as the look of the games. During Link's adventures, he usually uses some sort of instrument.

Written by Koji Kondo, who also created the music for Super Mario Bros., Zelda's music has become famous and instantly recognizable. The first game was planned to use Maurice Ravel's Boléro, but when that was not an option as it was not yet a public domain piece of music, Kondo composed original music for the game.

The themes he created for the original game still appear in The Legend of Zelda today, as Kondo continues to create the soundtrack in cooperation with other composers.

Link's Weapons and Tools

Every Zelda adventure features items that only appear in its game that are used to solve specific puzzles, but there are many that appear in every game.

The Master Sword: This sword is often the only weapon that can defeat Ganondorf, and Link is often the only one who can use it. It must usually be removed from a stone, like the sword of the King Arthur legend, and has a blue handle. In Skyward Sword, the Master Sword was given a personality and voice in the form of Fi.

The Hylian shield: Link goes through many shields over the course of even a single adventure, but the Hylian shield, which is blue and features Hylian symbols and imagery, is his protection of choice.

The bow and arrow: An important weapon in any fantasy story, Link uses the bow and arrow to solve puzzles as well as fight enemies. When Zelda joins the battle, she uses the bow and arrow as her weapon of choice. It can also take on fire, ice, and light abilities.

The boomerang: An important weapon that can be used to stun enemies but does not use ammunition. It sometimes takes on additional magic properties, like wind, as it did in Twilight Princess.

The bomb: Being able to blow up stuff like walls and enemies is important.

The bombchu: Being able to place a bomb on the ground that scurries off to blow up something in the distance is equally important.

The hookshot: An important tool for navigation and movement, the hookshot allows Link to pull himself to faraway locations, or pull enemies toward him.

The bottle: Bottles are containers that can hold potions, life-giving fairies, and many other useful objects or items. Link usually carries more than one.

Musical instruments: Link always enjoys music, but his favorite instrument changes from game to game. He has used a flute, a pan flute, an ocarina, a harp, a conductor's baton, drums, and even a guitar.

Magical rods: Link isn't always able to use a magical rod, but when he does, he is able to fire off fireballs, ice attacks, and more. Usually, the rod is connected to specific element.

The slingshot: Young Link, on occasion, will find a slingshot to fire off limited projectiles. It's never as strong as the bow and is usually abandoned once Link is able to fire an arrow.

The bug net: Link is usually a bug collector, depending on the game, but the main advantage of the bug net is to capture fairies, which brings us to ...

Fairies: Link can hold fairies, typically in bottles, that will instantly bring him back to life the moment he runs out of hearts. They are among his most valuable healing items.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "The Big Book of Zelda"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Kyle Hilliard.
Excerpted by permission of Triumph Books LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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