The end of this year is rapidly approaching, which means that it’s time for my favorite annual tradition here at Zelda Dungeon: Best. Zelda. Ever! While no new Zelda games were released this year, we did have some DLC come out for Cadence of Hyrule and we’re looking forward to the upcoming release of a new Hyrule Warriors game: Age of Calamity! The prequel to Breath of the Wild just missed the cut for this year’s list, so you’ll have…
Despite the existence of an official, overarching timeline, much of the narrative continuity throughout the Zelda series is implicit and vague. The stories in games like Link’s Awakening, Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, The Minish Cap, or Twilight Princess largely stand on their own. Winks and nods to past titles are common, but explicit references to their events or characters are very rare and usually incidental. For example, it was long theorized and eventually confirmed that the Hero’s Shade who teaches Link…
Akira Himekawa’s manga adaptation of the Legend of Zelda series has long been a major touchstone for fans. The Zelda Dungeon Discord channel and article comments reveal that, for a good number of our community, the beloved graphic novels were a key first exposure to Link’s adventures. For older fans like me, the books have been wonderful to share with our children, as they flesh out the world and lore of Hyrule. Amid the flurry of excitement surrounding Hyrule Warriors: Age…
Some of my fondest memories as a kid was the Friday night disco at my local school hall. The music was cheesy, but there were plenty of sweets and the chance to slide on your knees across the dance floor. Songs such as The Time Warp and Cha Cha Slide were popular and a good time had by most. Dancing appears in many forms throughout the Zelda series and can be found in the odd side quest. For example, in…
The success of Nintendo’s remake of Link’s Awakening for the Nintendo Switch has understandably piqued the curiosity of longtime fans. What other games from the handheld era could be ported, remastered, or even completely remade for the Switch? Even traditionalists (like myself), who feel a nostalgic need to play the DX version must acknowledge the awe of seeing the game brought to life on a television screen. Calls have been many for a similar revival of beloved classics like The…
The first ten dungeons of our Top 50 dungeons are down below! Make sure to check back next week when 10 more are revealed! Let’s get started! 50. Tower of Hera A Link Between Worlds The Tower of Hera in A Link Between Worlds is where the dungeons of the game really start to get good. Although it’s pretty short, I loved climbing the levels of the tower using the Hammer and the Moles, and I enjoyed the use…
What is the greatest dungeon in the Zelda series? A simple question on the surface, but one with so many layers that it makes finding an answer almost impossible. How does one define ‘great’? Is it the dungeon layout? Perhaps the ways the dungeon item is implemented into the puzzles? Or is it the bombastic boss fight at the end? Surely the music and overall aesthetic play a part? And to be honest – what does being a dungeon in…
Oracle of Ages and Oracles of Seasons were originally released on the Game Boy Color back in 2001. One of the interesting features of these games was their ability to interact with one another. If you completed Oracle of Seasons for example, you could gain access to passwords that would enable you to use items in Oracle of Ages and vice versa. There was also an extended ending which included a battle between Twinrova and Ganon. This is nothing compared to…
Since late 2016, publisher VIZ Media has been releasing special “Legendary Edition” versions of Akira Himekawa’s popular The Legend of Zelda manga series. These deluxe editions — which are available for the Ocarina of Time, Oracle of Ages & Seasons, Majora’s Mask & A Link to the Past, The Minish Cap & Phantom Hourglass, and Four Swords adaptations — have featured new covers and colored art pieces by Himekawa. Fans who have not yet picked up these Legendary Editions now have…
Highlights of the Zelda series, such as Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild, stand as staples of the franchise. As a result, however, they tend to outshine other gems, as other games are pushed to the “back burner” and regarded with less value. Whether judging based on nostalgia, quality, accessibility, or attention in the media, some Zelda games tend to fall through the cracks. I would say that Spirit Tracks or The Minish Cap never quite get the…
