Link’s Awakening for Nintendo Switch, scheduled to release on September 20th, was one of Nintendo’s marquee showings at E3 2019. This upcoming remake of the Game Boy classic was in fact playable on the E3 show floor, as attendees were invited to play through the game’s opening 15 minutes, from the moment Link wakes up on Koholint Island to the completion of the game’s first dungeon. The Zelda Dungeon team was given the opportunity to be among the first people…
It seems like a lifetime ago that The Legend of Zelda Series Producer Eiji Aonuma stood in front of a still image of a new and vibrant Hyrule, explaining how he wanted to rethink the conventions of Zelda and bring a new sense of adventure and exploration to a series some would argue had grown a bit stagnant. Everything about that short video presentation, from Link’s blue tunic, to his mechanical arrows, to the strange creature chasing him, suggested that…
This editorial was originally published on February 29th, 2017 Side quests. Don’t let the title of this piece fool you; this won’t be just a simple love letter to my favorite side quest. This will also be a scathing note written by a jilted lover who’s been burned and worn out by side quests in the recent years, and is ready just to give up on them completely. But first, some context. A few months ago, I was sitting in…
Romani Ranch is a small ranch community located off of Termina Field, home to Cremia, Romani, and a bunch of cows. The location serves a halfway point for Link’s quest in Majora’s Mask, as the path from Milk Road is originally blocked by a boulder and Link can only blow it up once he obtains a Powder Keg after conquering the game’s second dungeon. In addition to an opportunity to finally save Link’s loyal steed Epona, Romani Ranch is also home…
Despite the imminent threat of darkness that plagues Twilight Princess’ Hyrule, most of the game’s side content is relatively lighthearted. That’s by no means a knock against the game, though. From the delightful zaniness of the Flight By Fowl and Fruit Pop Flight Challenge mini-games to the awe-inspiring serenity of Iza’s Rapid Ride and Hena’s Fishing Hole, Twilight Princess boasts some of my favorite side quests in the series. Agitha’s bug collect-a-thon speaks to the Banjo-Kazooie fan in me, while…
There are plenty of things to love or hate about Breath of the Wild, but whatever your beefs and bouquets are with this monolith of a game, there is certainly something for everybody. Sure, us fans squabble over weapon durability, whether or not the weather is actually that big of a hindrance, or if horse travel is really worth it. But there’s one thing that every Zelda fan agrees on: Hestu’s Gift is a giant load of crap. Well… everyone, that is,…
The trading sequence side quest is one of the oldest traditions in the Zelda series. These optional quest lines ask Link to travel the vast game world, meet a diverse cast of characters, and make a series of bizarre trades until he finally gets his hands on something valuable. Our hero may start with something as mundane as a clock; but after a few trades and a bit of leg work, he may end up with a legendary blade. From…
Breath of the Wild has one of the most beautiful and distinct worlds in the Zelda franchise. Brimming with animal and plant life, it’s easy to forget the immense tragedy and danger that have left the Hylians scattered like “fallen leaves on a forgotten pool” (Ganondorf from The Wind Waker). Mammoth Guardians, ferocious Lynels, and pesky Bokoblins all stalk the landscape looking for prey. It’s a dangerous world, one that is in desperate need of hope and love. And if…
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has received much praise from both fans and critics alike since it first came out about a year and a half ago. However, one aspect of the game that has received particularly mixed opinions is the game’s story. Some claim that it has one of the better stories in the franchise; others regularly express their disdain for it. However, while I understand why some might not enjoy the story of Breath of…
I’ve had the fortune to grow up playing Zelda games. My first, Ocarina of Time, when I was 12 years old on the Nintendo 64 I had just gotten for Christmas; The Oracle games on the bus, going to and from school in junior high; the original NES classics when I was a bit older, had saved some money from my first job and bought a used NES from the pawn shop; as an adult, with a career and a…
