Daily Debate: What is the Saddest Moment in Zelda for You?

Zelda has always been known for its light-hearted and (mostly) family friendly storylines, but I can think of a handful of moments throughout this series that have had me reaching for tissues. I’ve low-key always been a sucker for sad moments that can make me sappier than a pine tree, because those scenes just make stories so much more memorable and impactful. I could list my top five moments in the series, but I’ll just focus on one that always brings the waterworks for me.

The Wind Waker may be the most colorful and whimsical game of the series, but the cheery art style sort of distracts from its overall melancholy tone. Yes, there are many moments on Link’s journey throughout the sea that remind you of the tragedy that Hyrule has been swallowed within its depths, which is a sad tale on its own. But what truly brought tears to my eyes as a 12-year-old on my first playthrough, was how much Link’s poor grandma suffers when Aryll is kidnapped, and Link sets out to rescue her.

Unlike many other chosen heroes, this Link has living family members who care about him deeply and worry about him incessantly. And it’s so heartbreaking to see how those worries take such a depressive toll on his poor grandmother during his adventures. Of course, the game does make up for it in the fact that you can heal her from her suffering, and she gives you kick-butt soup later on. But there’s just something so incredibly heart-wrenching and realistic in this situation, because most Links are free of parental and family figures throughout their perilous journeys. His sweet little grandma gives us a reminder of the importance of connecting with the ones we love most.

I could go on about the many other moments in the series that have shattered my sensitive heart into a million pieces, but I want to hear from you! What was the saddest moment for you in Zelda?

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