Daily Debate: Which Non-Recurring Character Would You Bring Back In a Future Zelda Game?
Posted on March 21 2021 by Michaela El-Ters
Something I’ve always thought was interesting about the Zelda series was the cast of characters. Featuring a combination of new and old, recurring characters, it’s always interesting to see which characters come back versus the ones who don’t. Impa’s role as Princess Zelda’s guardian is important, so it makes sense that she’s featured in multiple games. But other characters like Tingle have me scratching my head. Whether it’s based on character popularity or the nebulous role they play in the story, I guess there isn’t a way to know for sure. But I’ve always wondered if Hilda, Saria, Groose, or other characters who only appeared in one Zelda game could return down the road. Could their stories be expanded outside of their respective game? How could bringing them back contribute to a different story and new characters?
If I could pick a character I would bring back in a future game, it would be Medli. My favorite character in The Wind Waker, I always liked her character long before she was awakened as the Sage of Earth. A kind and supportive ally of Link, I was pleasantly surprised when she gained a more prominent role in the game, and her story always struck a chord with me. She chooses to leave her home without saying goodbye to her closest friend, Komali, and I sympathized with the sadness she felt. As a plus, being able to play as her briefly in The Wind Waker was a lot of fun, and as a kid, her presence helped make the Earth Temple less scary to navigate. Medli stays within the temple afterward, imbuing the Master Sword with the power needed to vanquish Ganondorf. But what happened to Medli afterward? She’s briefly in the ending rescuing Link and Tetra, but we don’t see what happens to her after that. Did she return to Dragon Roost Island, or did she explore the world? What are her duties as the Sage of Earth now that Ganondorf is gone? Either way, I think Medli would be a fun character to bring back in a future Zelda game. Her sweet personality, ability to fly, and her powers as a Sage could no doubt be valuable, and I think there’s potential to expand on her role as well.
What do you think? If you could bring back a non-recurring character to a future Zelda game, who would you pick? Let us know in the comments!
Feature art by Zambiie, bellhenge, and tsumi
Michaela El-Ters is a Senior Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She is also an Senior Writer for Boss Rush Network, and writes blogs and streams games on Objection Network. Her favorite Zelda game changes with the seasons, but the series as a whole is near and dear to her heart.
