DvSag
The Void in the Triforce
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2009
- Location
- New Jersey
I've always wondered about the term "canon" and what can be described as such, especially when it comes to the Zelda series.[according to Dictionary.com]
canon - (n) A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field; (n) The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic
So, what makes Zelda games canon?
Is it the fans, or is it the creators/writers/developers?
Authenticity is obviously a factor; the Zelda CD-i games are not considered canon because they were not developed by Nintendo, but what about the manga? To my knowledge, some of the stories not only add up and fit in, but they were actually published by Nintendo. Is that not authentic enough?
And what about some of the games?
There are two versions of ALttP: the original on the SNES, and the most recent GBA version. There aren't many differences story-wise, but in the newest version there is a new added dungeon: The Palace of the Four Sword. With this, the newest version of ALttP on the GBA is widely considered canon because of this, but does that make the original SNES version non-canon now? It was considered canon at one point, and the overall story hasn't changed more than a few hairs, so why wouldn't it still be? It just doesn't tell the "whole" story. It'd be like saying that the original, unaltered Star Wars films ("A New Hope", "The Empire Strikes Back", and "Return of the Jedi") aren't canon anymore because we now have digitally remastered versions with added scenes. If the story is there for the most part, what does it matter if some pages are "omitted"?
And what of the "alternate reality" games?
[SPOILER ALERT]
(Link's Awakening, Majora's Mask, and Phantom Hourglass) Each of these games has Link in an altered state of reality or consciousness, and his actions in the main story seem to hold little value of consequence to the rest of the world.
~ The adventure in Link's Awakening was just a dream of Link's; are dreams canon?
~ In Majora's Mask, Link enters a land called Termina. It is unknown if Termina actually exists, or if it is a parallel dimension of Hyrule. Is it considered canon if it doesn't exist?
~ Phantom Hourglass starts with what seems like Link falling overboard into the ocean chasing after Tetra who had been taken by a ghost ship. Phantom Hourglass ends with Link waking up on the same ghost ship, only to find that no time had elapsed for the rest of the pirates on Tetra's ship. Do we know if the events actually took place? Do we know if that section explored in PH even exists? If it doesn't exist, and if the world and everyone in it (outside of Link and Tetra) were uneffected by the events of the game, is it still considered canon?
[/Spoilers]
What do you think?
What is "canon"?
Do you feel any games may be "questionably canon"?
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