ZD Top 5 – Fairies
Posted on November 05 2015 by Mark Olson
Ever since the very first Zelda game, fairies have played a role in one form or another throughout the series. Whether they grant Link special skills, accompany him on his journey, or heal him when he’s down for the count, these magical beings have always had a hand in saving the land of Hyrule. To recognize all their efforts over the years, we had some of the Zelda Dungeon staff recount their five favorite fairies, from their humble roots as free revivals to their modern and well-developed incarnations. Hit the jump to see the lists and be sure to share your own in the comments!
Jon Lett – View Profile
5. Navi (Ocarina of Time)
4. Leaf (Phantom Hourglass)
3. Fairy Queen (Twilight Princess)
2. Tatl (Majora’s Mask)
1. Ciela (Phantom Hourglass)
I like a good amount of character development. While everyone always says they hate Navi for the constant “HEY’s” and “LISTEN’s”, they never hate on Tatl or Ciela. I believe this is due to their development throughout their respective games. What makes Ciela win between the two of them is Ciela’s more significant involvement in the plot, her hilarious interactions with Linebeck, and most of all, her literally CONSTANT use in the game. You essentially do not control Link, but rather control Ciela, who leads Link around for the whole game. She also has sweet time-stopping powers, and when you power her up with courage gems, you gain the use of sword beams. As I have said before, Phantom Hourglass is one of my least favorite Zeldas, but at least it has some great characters, Ciela included.
Mark Olson – View Profile
5. The Great Fairy (Various)
4. Navi (Ocarina of Time)
3. Ciela (Phantom Hourglass)
2. Tatl (Majora’s Mask)
1. Fairy in a Bottle (Various)
Sure, it might not be taken seriously, but when I say that the poor little fairy incarcerated for Link’s own good is my favorite in the series, it’s not an exaggeration. If a fairy is trapped in a bottle, it can hardly yell at you incessantly, now can it? All jokes aside, few feelings beat falling in battle, only to be resuscitated by that fairy from two dungeons ago that you forgot you had. That sweet relief at not having fought your final battle catapults the most unspoken of heroes, the countless fairies in bottles, to the top of my list.
Kira Koneko – View Profile
5. The Great Fairy (Various)
4. Fairy Queen (Twilight Princess)
3. Tatl (Majora’s Mask)
2. Ciela (Phantom Hourglass)
1. Navi (Ocarina of Time)
This might seem absolutely insane but I have to say that Navi holds that #1 spot in my heart. Sure, I wish she had evolved more in the story like Ciela or maybe have even at times been more useful but that incessant “Hey” and “Listen” attached itself to my heart. All I have to do is hear those two words and it brings a giggle to my lips. Don’t get me wrong, she is the most annoying creature ever and there where many times that I yelled loudly for her to “Shut Up”, but all in all my game experience in Ocarina of Time would not have been the same without her. Maybe I’m a softie, or a little crazy, but what can I say, I like the underdog!
Alexis Anderson – View Profile
5. Navi (Ocarina of Time)
4. Tael (Majora’s Mask)
3. Fairy Queen (The Wind Waker)
2. Great Fairy of Power (Majora’s Mask)
1. Great Fairy (Four Swords Adventures)
Okay I love the fairies in the Zelda series, all of them, literally each and every single one. They’re all either pretty, helpful, funny, or memorable in some other way and they lend the series its fantastical feel. The Great Fairy in Four Swords Adventures was the first one I ever encountered, and I really wasn’t expecting her to coalesce from two imps, so she was a very pleasant surprise. Some honorable mentions that didn’t make my list would have to be the gorgeous Great Fairies from the original Four Swords and Twilight Princess. Also shoutout to Tingle, you’ll always be a true fairy in my eyes, bud.
