Category: Editorials

This post was co-authored by Kristen G. Rosario. This year’s Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) featured three Zelda titles — A Link to the Past, Twilight Princess, and Ocarina of Time. We here at Zelda Dungeon loved watching the stream, especially since it showcased some of the series’ most beloved titles. But beyond the action on the stream, our team also had the privilege of getting exclusive interviews with the runners from each game. So, kick back and relax (antithetical for speedrunners, we know),…

Welcome back to “Storytelling Through Sound,” a series of editorials dedicated to the analysis of the major musical themes from every Zelda game. In this edition, we’ll be discussing one of the most interesting parts of Tears of the Kingdom‘s sound design: its dynamic soundtrack. We’ll take a look at what it means to have a dynamic soundtrack, and then we’ll talk about some of my favorite examples from Tears of the Kingdom. Let’s jump right in!   What’s a Dynamic Soundtrack? …

In this week’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unexpectedly dropped the bombshell that a brand-new Zelda game is coming this September. The new game is called Echoes of Wisdom, and it will be the first time Princess Zelda will be the playable protagonist in a mainline Zelda title. The Direct featured both a cinematic trailer and a gameplay showcase for a new item, the Tri Rod, so there’s a lot to unpack and even more that we still don’t know. So, let’s…

I loved playing through Breath of the Wild when it first released, so much so that I didn’t want the game to end. I wanted more. That’s why I was so delighted to get the first DLC pack for the game, The Master Trials. This expansion made Breath of the Wild outstanding, offering different ways to play the game with Master Mode and the gauntlet of the Trial of the Sword. But could things be taken further? Surely there was still…

If you’ve been following current events over the last few months, you’ll know that all is not well in the video game industry. Layoffs, studio closures, and downright baffling decisions have become commonplace. “Restructuring” has been popularized as the soft corporate word to mask negative publicity, but the fact of the matter is that the times are changing and a wave of uncertainty has flooded the market. However, amidst all the turmoil, one company seems to be absent from these…

Welcome back to “Storytelling Through Sound,” a series of editorials dedicated to the analysis of the major musical themes from every Zelda game. In this edition, we’ll be discussing a very nostalgic track for me: the theme from Dragon Roost Island, as well as its legacy and symbolism throughout the entire Zelda franchise. Without any further ado, let’s jump in!   Dragon Roost Island Once you first meet the King of Red Lions in The Wind Waker, it becomes completely clear…

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom released just over one year ago. Hopefully, that means fans have had enough time to explore the highs and lows of the game, discover most of its secrets, and become experts in Ultrahand!  This title took all of the gifts of its predecessor, and built upon them. Expansive areas like the Sky and Depths, and the hidden nooks and crannies of caves and wells, only added to this breathtaking iteration of Hyrule….

The Legend of Zelda series offers many different musical styles, with soundtracks ripe with potential for covers, remixes, and re-imaginings. In the video game music (VGM) scene, one can find all styles of music represented, from soothing orchestral covers, to chill lo-fi, to heart-pumping metal. The VGM scene is filled with collaborations among musicians that result in some truly unique takes on everyone’s favorite tracks from across the gaming landscape. In 2023, VGMCon, a video game music convention in Minneapolis,…

Happy release of Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department! For anyone in the center of the Taylor Swift-Zelda fandom Venn diagram, this editorial is for you. Swift is arguably the world’s most popular superstar, donning the cover of Time magazine as Person of the Year. Her long list of musical accolades has solidified her legacy, including her recent triumph of being the first woman to win Album of the Year at the Grammy’s four times. Her record-breaking Eras…

The year is 2024. Video games are pushing graphical and technological boundaries, constantly broadening our perspective on what the medium is capable of. New hardware and AI technology open the door for new possibilities as we creep ever closer to games that are indistinguishable from real life. Amidst this sea of innovation, a new Game Boy game was released. No, I didn’t say a Game Boy-inspired game, but a real, bona fide Game Boy game. Developed by Pie For Breakfast…