Daily Debate: What Do You Think of Zelda Games that Don’t Include Princess Zelda?

A Zelda game, to me, isn’t complete without the series’ namesake character making an appearance. Don’t get me wrong, I love games like Majora’s Mask and I love Link’s Awakening as much as the next Zelda fan; however, games like these haven’t stayed with me the same way other entries do. There’s something about the entries that include the classic dynamic of Link and Princess Zelda battling a great evil together that just hit different.

I understand that most Zelda titles that don’t include Princess Zelda are usually thought of as sequels that take place in an already established world where Link has departed on his own adventure after saving Hyrule. However, I still think there is a way that writers could have included Zelda in these adventures to continue fleshing out her character. In Majora’s Mask, instead of seeing her in a brief memory where she teaches Link the “Song of Time,” it would have been nice to see the Hero of Time return to Hyrule and be reunited with Princess Zelda after saving the people of Termina. In Link’s Awakening, it would have been cool to see her recognize that Link is trapped in a dream on Koholint which required her to guide him telepathically like she did in its predecessor, A Link to the Past.

I’m grateful that as the years go by, our princess continues to get more involved in the adventures in her kingdom (now her own adventure in Echoes of Wisdom). However, it has always seemed odd to me to have her name in the title when there is little to no mention of her in some of these adventures! I might just be biased, but I will always reach for Zelda games that give Princess Zelda the limelight she deserves before those that don’t.

What do you think about games in the series that don’t include Princess Zelda? Let me know in the comments!

Chakell Herbert

Chakell (pronounced shuh-kell) is an associate editor for Zelda Dungeon! She has loved The Legend of Zelda series since she was a little girl because of its equal mix of princesses, besting bad guys, and heartfelt stories. Chakell lives in the overall tame state of Utah, but holds onto her childhood hopes to find an adventure in her backyard one day. She has a degree in English and is a full-time editor for a magazine. You can usually find her gaming (obviously), laughing with her husband, taking a long time to tell stories because she keeps getting distracted; getting sucked into books and podcasts; or snuggling her cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.