Zelda Universe: Recent Episodes
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Gee, it sure is boring around here in the Zelda community. Don’t you wonder what the writers of the Zelda CD-i games are up to? Well, of course you do. And lucky for you, Zelda Universe came in clutch. Signed, sealed and delivered. We sat down with Jonathan Merritt, the now-legendary staff writer for the…Source
During the last week of July, Benjamin Ainsworth shared with press interviewers brief but fascinating glimpses behind his thoughts and feelings playing as Link in The Legend of Zelda movie. While he couldn’t say too much of course, the excitement through Ainsworth’s words is both clear and palpable. One interview with reporter Megan O’Keefe from…Source
The cyclone of news surrounding the Legend of Zelda movie has not ceased to swirl this weekend. Recently, movie news source Deadline has revealed yet another actress in the cast roster. This time it’s the New Zealander actress Lydia Peckham, who previously played as Soona in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in 2024.…Source
Magic is somewhat of a rarity in the world of Hyrule. Though it most certainly exists, it isn’t something that Link interacts with frequently. Most use of magic is relegated to specifc items or specific character’s connection to the Goddesses, such as Zelda’s ability to utilize some forms of magic thanks to her connection to…Source
The late Sam Neill is set to appear in Nintendo and Sony's The Legend of Zelda movie releasing in 2027. Alongside this, two other actresses, Dichen Lachman and Yvonne Strahovski, were also announced by the news outlet Deadline to be in the movie.Source
Throughout the history of The Legend of Zelda series, we rarely see a King and Queen alive on the Hyrulean throne. Tears of the Kingdom treated us with a look into the Era of Prosperity with an alive and well ruling couple: Queen Sonia and King Rauru, the first rulers of Hyrule. And while the…Source
Nintendo has done an excellent job keeping The Legend of Zelda movie under wraps. Its release is less than nine months away now, and aside from vague details about plot, filming locations, the release date, and who plays Link and Zelda, there is very little we actually know about the movie itself, including a rather…Source
All eyes are on the Ocarina of Time remake it seems, and new information has come to light on Nintendo’s website listing for it. Not surprisingly, the game’s page now has an official ESRB rating of E10+ for “animated blood” and “fantasy violence” like its 3DS predecessor. What’s curious is that the “suggestive themes” description…Source
In an unfortunate mistranslation by NStyles on X, it was implied that Nintendo’s salary increase for employees had occurred recently. It was later confirmed that the change actually happened back in 2023. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa clarified that the company remains committed to its employees and has actually implemented further salary increases in addition to…Source
It goes without saying that Link is a hero who strives to do good in his many different forms. As such, it is not surprising that Link very, very rarely causes pain to innocent bystanders. Even in Twilight Princess, when Link takes the form of a wolf and is seen as a dangerous beast by…Source
The falling moon of Majora’s Mask is a dooming presence, counting down the end of days. With the reminder hanging in the sky, not letting the end be forgotten, it is natural to give in and surrender to the end. In these dark times, there is one group that fights for justice, and to bring…Source
Zelda dungeons are known for many things. Devious puzzles that test our brains, sinister secrets that test our resolve, and ferocious foes that test our courage. All of that is to say that they’re not usually cheery affairs. In their artwork titled “Forest Temple,” EliottSontot provides a new view of perhaps one of the most…Source
Hasbro has unveiled their new 6" inch Tears of the Kingdom figures of Link and Zelda and their 7.5" figure of Ganondorf. These have a projected release date of May 2027.Source
Hasbro announced that they would be partnering with Nintendo in a multi-year collaboration for new The Legend of Zelda toys. This collaboration between the two companies is set to start in 2027. Source
If it seems like Celine Dione, N*SYNC, Cher and TLC are suddenly gracing your ears again like old childhood friends over the air waves while trying to figure out tonight’s dinner at the grocery store, you’re not imagining things. The 1990s are as back as the Backstreet Boys in 2026, and they’re resurfacing in everything…Source
There was a time not long after Breath of the Wild came out when my love for the Zelda series seemed to flicker out. I lost interest in journeying through Hyrule, not only in the newest game, but even in the older Zelda games that I once felt I could pick up any day, play…Source
Games Done Quick’s annual charity video game speedrunning event Summer Games Done Quick has just concluded on July 12 in Minneapolis, MN, and they raised an astonishing $2.4 million USD for Doctors Without Borders, a nonprofit dedicated to providing quality medical care to people in need in parts of the world who do not have…Source
For years, the writing has seemed to be on the wall for physical video games. Digital downloads have steadily eaten away at retail shelves, collectors have become a niche audience, and major publishers have increasingly prioritized convenience over preservation. But if you thought boxed games were nearing their end, Nintendo is saying otherwise. According to…Source
Even though there are many fan remakes of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time that have cropped up over the years, one in particular stands out from the rest. Giuseppe Macula, or more commonly known as CryZENx on Youtube, has been making his own version with Unreal Engine 4 for more than a decade.…Source
The dogs in Hyrule Castle Town are a deeply beloved part of Ocarina of Time, bringing a lot of life to the city despite not being interactable NPCs. Especially at night, having dogs running about is a great way to bring energy to a town that is otherwise asleep. During the day, you can find…Source
One of the cutest creatures in Skyward Sword is the little cat-like creatures of Skyloft: Remlits. At night, they may be a ferocious little beast that hinders Link’s journey, but in the day they are adorable bundles of fur that mew and look up at Link with eyes that are hard to ignore. One cry…Source
Zelda fan, KikiScrybbles, has created an amazing Zelda inspired island, Hyrule Island, in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream!Source
Almost as soon as Nintendo announced the upcoming remake of Ocarina of Time, the team behind SiIvaGunner, a video game music YouTube channel, began churning out “high-quality rips” of the new Ocarina of Time soundtrack. At this point in its decade-long history on the Internet, SiIvaGunner has become a well-oiled machine, regularly publishing music from…Source
Our friends at ZREO: Second Quest have announced that they are working on an all-new album inspired by Ocarina of Time, and it will be soon available for the public. With an official remake of the game to be released sometime this year, it’s a great project for fans to look forward to on the…Source
The Zelda series is memorable for too many reasons to count. The tales it tells are certainly memorable. The characters have won our hearts. Even the enemies bring fans a fair amount of glee, leaving us wondering what each new incarnation will look like. There’s just so much to love about this beloved series. That’s…Source
Zelda fan and Pokopia player, Moyassy, built two iconic Breath of the Wild locations in-game, Zora's Domain and Rito Village.Source
On June 4, 2026, YouTuber Chuggaconroy put together a touching tribute for the late Christina Grimmie, an accomplished singer and Zelda fan whose life was tragically cut short by gun violence on June 10, 2016. She would have been 32 today. The tribute comes with an option for viewers to donate to the Christina Grimmie…Source
When people heard the Zelda movie was going to be live-action, some were upset. They thought it should be animated instead. This four minute short simply titled The Adventures of Wallace: Hero of Cheese shows a direction Nintendo could’ve taken if the Zelda movie had taken a different turn. Created by YouTube creator Tommy in…Source
Koei Tecmo announced on its socials Friday that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is back on the docket as a nominee for the Japan Game Awards 2026, this time for the “Annual Works” category. Last year, Age of Imprisonment took home an award in the Future Division category which is for games that were not…Source
While we all wait for the Zelda news we want: more information on the Ocarina of Time remake, Nintendo handed us a small dosage of cope by releasing the soundtrack for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment on the Nintendo Switch Music app. It’s not quite a new trailer, but for Zelda fans starving for anything…Source
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is one of my favorite Zelda games in the whole series. I’ve replayed it many times over the years, and each playthrough has been just as enjoyable as the last. Funny enough, there was a time when I almost didn’t even give the game a chance. Back in the…Source
Last week a Nintendo Direct revealed an upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time coming to Nintendo Switch 2. The short teaser trailer doesn’t show us much…or does it? Zelda fans have been pouring over every frame for days, and we’re sharing one analysis from Zeltik. How many details did you miss?Source
Phantom Hourglass introduced a lot more characters that roam the seas alongisde Link, especially compared to how many there were in The Wind Waker. Often, the Great Sea of The Wind Waker felt like a frontier that Link alone was attempting to confront, which was interesting in its own right, but there’s a different kind…Source
Majora’s Mask introduced a roster of characters stuck within a never-ending cycle of sorrow and despair. At the dawn of each rising day, each character, no matter how small, had a story to tell, a story to be saved. One such story began with a curse. Hidden by a mask, a young boy named Kafei,…Source
Deep in the Minish Forest lies a small surprise. Well, it’s a big surprise, but small. As in, it’s small size-wise, but big as in it’s another race of sentient beings. Of course, The Minish Cap is full of small big surprises, but this is the first time Link actually gets to meet his new…Source
Rejoice fellow Legend of Zelda fans! We finally got some exciting news! A new Zelda is on the way! Well, sort of. Nintendo has finally announced the long-rumored Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake/remaster! During this year’s summer games reveal that used to happen religiously every year with an event back in the day…Source
Nintendo has announced its first main Direct showcase for 2026 on the mobile Nintendo Today! app, which streams live on 10am EDT June 9 online and at the Nintendo New York store. The Direct will be roughly 50 minutes followed by a 95 minute Nintendo Treehouse Live presentation of the games that will be revealed…Source
It always fascinates me the ways in which game designers approach tutorials and information delivery. It’s almost always very awkward, grinding gameplay to a halt to show a few lines of text that detail menu navigation and the functionality of the A-button, among other mechanics. This is handled rather charmfully in Ocarina of Time, in…Source
The annual online event Zelda Creator Con returns once again this year, and it begins this weekend to host over 150 creators of Legend of Zelda themed artistic works. Conceptualized by Joel Siegel and other volunteers behind the Linktober event, the Zelda Creator Con runs from June 5th – 7th, 2026 and is hosting many…Source
A glitch surrounding the Twinrova fight in Ocarina of Time is once again making its rounds in the Zelda community. This glitch involves a new, invisible Twinrova spawning after a certain period of time, leading to the duplicate of heart containers and warp portals.Source
Nintendo continues to expand its Nintendo Music library with the recent addition of Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds soundtrack, bringing tracks from the beloved Nintendo 3DS adventure to the music streaming service. It joins the catalogue alongside Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time, and Phantom Hourglass, among many others. Nintendo Music has received several…Source
Throughout the history of Hyrule, Impa is a figure of white hair who emerges time and time again to protect Princess Zelda and aid her knight. The spin-off game, Hyrule Warriors, is no exception. In a game that celebrates The Legend of Zelda, we are presented with a young yet mature Impa. As one of…Source
The unofficial start of summer has greeted us, and for many gamers it means one thing. It’s video game announcement season. Summer Games Fest 2026 kicks off next week with a packed schedule of game reveals, and everyone seems to be participating except Nintendo. This comes as no surprise of course, as the Big N…Source
There’s nothing quite like taking a walk in the park to stop and smell the flowers and… collect Zelda themed items? Hey! Who put Zelda in my Pikmin? Well, you can likely guess who. And there’s still enough time to catch Pikmin Bloom’s current special event that focuses on classic retro Nintendo nostalgia. Some of…Source
After the success of two Super Mario movie installments, a third unnamed collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination is currently scheduled for 2028. The untitled animated film was discovered in an official Universal Pictures Spain release schedule document and is currently dated for April 12, 2028. Here’s an excerpt from the document: Nintendo and Illumination have…Source
Alongside a number of different LEGO sets, The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 LEGO set is already being retired in July. The 2,500 piece set, which retails for $299.99 USD, originally released back in 2024. It features pieces to either build the the Breath of the Wild and Ocarina of Time versions of the Great Deku…Source
Nintendo recently wrapped up earnings presentations for the first fiscal quarter of the year, and while they’re not in the first place category, Zelda games are huge players in leading the charge in software sales. Specifically, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now sit comfortably in the top ten Switch games ever…Source
The Water Temple in Ocarina of Time has certainly earned its reputation of being one of the most annoying dungeons in the series. For many fans, such as myself, this dungeon was easily the hardest one in the game. It wasn’t because the enemies were difficult or that every room was necessarily treacherous; the real…Source
The first full-length Zelda inspired ballet from the Loudon Ballet Performing Arts Company premiered in May 2026! A fully digitized version will be available soon! Source
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, a group of hardcore fans have decided to create a version playable on personal computers. Requiring a legal acquired ROM of Twilight Princess, the port is able to be downloaded on macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Featuring much higher frame rates, resolutions and…Source
“See you later…” Midna’s last words ring out at the Mirror Chamber above the Arbiter’s Grounds. Such simple and casual words of goodbye hiding what is left unsaid. Beneath Midna’s cool demeanor is a girl accepting a final farewell and sacrificing her own happiness for the future of both light and dark realms. The Twilight…Source
On the eve of Tears of the Kingdom’s third anniversary, Nintendo finally announced more information regarding Mineru’s Construct amiibo. The amiibo itself is impressive. Covered with exquisite Zonai technology details in every centimeter, Mineru’s Construct has posable arms that can bend with great dexterity. While we don’t currently know the scale, it appears to be…Source
“This is Miyamoto.” These words are powerful enough to shake even the sleepiest Nintendo fan awake in an instant. On May 13 this year, Shigeru Miyamoto announced through the Nintendo Today! app and Nintendo company social media channels that The Legend of Zelda Movie is ahead of schedule and is actually getting released sooner. “This…Source
For decades, few creative figures have shaped Nintendo’s identity quite like Takashi Tezuka. The company recently announced that he will retire this year from his role as Executive Officer on June 26. With reports surrounding his retirement from Nintendo, longtime fans are reflecting on a career that helped define not only Nintendo itself, but the…Source
From the overworld theme filled with allusions to “Zelda’s Lullaby” to the Eldin Temple’s spicy tango and more, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has some of the very best music in the entire franchise. A lot of Echoes of Wisdom’s musical charm stems from its location-based musical cues which borrow from real-world traditions.…Source
On Friday May 8, President of Nintendo Shuntaro Furukawa released an official statement that prices for the Switch 2 will experience a worldwide increase as well as prices for the previous Switch console, the Switch OLED, and the Switch Lite in Japan. “Given that the impact of various changes in market conditions is expected to…Source
I was browsing online one day, reading about everyone’s favorite shop keeper in the Zelda series, Beedle, when I came across a face I hadn’t seen for many, many years. Or, well, the golden helmet he wears hides most of his features, but you get what I’m saying. I definitely recognized him and I recall…Source
NintenFan Migue, also known as LinkOscuro on Twitch, has taken full advantage of Animal Crossing’s new Dream Island feature. Rather than simply decorating their island here and there with the occasional Zelda-related item, they instead transformed it entirely into the world of the original Zelda game released in 1986 for the NES. All together, it…Source
In the realm of The Wind Waker, the Zoras no longer swim the sea, giving up their fins and gills for beaks and wings. There is one Zora who’s spirit lives on, holding onto the traditions of the past so that her wisdom and her strength may live on. This Zora is known as Laruto.…Source
A kingdom conquered. Surrender to the darkness just to save your people. A princess garbed in a black cloak like funeral garb. Twilight Princess is a bleak story. Through their use of leading lines and facial expression, Icezimy is able to convey the profound sorrow of a princess whose kingdom has been lost along with…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Sorrow flowing down first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo recently announced that My Nintendo rewards members can snag a few goodies featuring official artwork from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Printable color bookmarks of Princess Zelda, Ganondorf, Rauru and the Ancient Sages are available for download, as well as digital wallpapers of Zelda, Rauru and Ganondorf with various image sizes. A small amount…
The post Free Age of Imprisonment bookmarks and wallpapers now available for My Nintendo members first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Days after Age of Imprisonment's release, it was confirmed by the official Hyrule Warriors account on X that two free updates would be coming to the game in the near future!
The post A free Age of Imprisonment update is out now with another one on the way first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Our music album for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, The Hour of Twilight: A Twilight Princess Album is now available for listening. Consisting of over 70 re-orchestrated tracks from the game, Zelda Universe’s music team, led by Finny Zeleny has faithfully recreated the music fans have come to know and love. The music is…
The post Zelda Universe’s Twilight Princess fan music album is out now first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Google is working with Nintendo to bring the highly anticipated application to the newest generation of Nintendo hardware. Despite having seamless backwards compatibility with the majority of Nintendo Switch titles, many games and apps are still incompatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 system, even seven months post console launch. YouTube, the popular video-sharing platform owned…
The post YouTube application is in the works for Switch 2 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A group of four Zelda fan artists are hosting an art charity raffle to help families in need for the 2025 holiday season. All donations benefit No Kid Hungry, a non-profit founded to end child hunger. The event begins today, November 18, and donations are accepted until December 1, 2025. Winners will be drawn on…
The post Zelda-themed art charity raffle benefits No Kid Hungry first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A fan by the name of edlothian on X and other social media platforms has been creating beautiful dioramas of various areas and scenes from The Legend of Zelda series!
The post This Zelda fan is making impressive dioramas first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The moment has at last arrived. We now have first official looks of Link and Zelda in the live action Legend of Zelda movie, Nintendo and Sony’s joint venture. Benjamin Evan plays as Link and Bo Bragason plays as Zelda. These images came straight from the Nintendo Today! smartphone app, which plays as a slideshow…
The post Nintendo reveals first look of Link and Zelda in live action Legend of Zelda movie first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Death Mountain has always been known for housing the most burning hot areas in Hyrule, but only in Breath of the Wild did it take some kind of heat resistant clothing merely to reach the Goron settlement, Goron City. The Goron Tunic was needed to survive the depths of Death Mountain in Ocarina of Time,…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: The Goron Blood Brothers first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tears of the Kingdom took us along with Princess Zelda back in time to a different era of Hyrule: The founding era of Hyrule. On this new yet old journey, Princess Zelda adorned a white and green dress with numerous beads and embellishments fit for one of the royal family. Popular artist Hannah Alexander, famed…
The post Madame Couture’s Boutique: The Sage of Time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Scammers are impersonating as Nintendo in an attempt to steal the data of Nintendo Switch Online users. The emails look like official notifications asking if you’d like to renew your subscription. If they are opened, dangerous malware could be downloaded to your device. Unlucky recipients who click on the link in the email have the…
The post Nintendo warns NSO users about phishing scam emails first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s dangerous to go alone. Take this! Middleborne Arms is a unique family business that makes all kinds of weapons made out of different species of wood. One sword they have made is none other than the iconic Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda. The family makes a living out of making wooden swords…
The post Family business creates wooden Master Swords first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Back in July 2025, Nintendo revealed that British actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will portray Link, and British actress Bo Bragason will take on the role of Princess Zelda in Wes Ball’s directed The Legend of Zelda film. This announcement capped years of speculation around who would bring these iconic characters to life. It is worth…
The post The Zelda Movie is fully casted and is now in production first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On November 11, 2025 several Nintendo social media outlets have released a twelve-second video of a rather exciting officially licensed Lego set coming in 2026. The clip teases an armed Lego Adult Link facing off against a familiar foe in a dark ominous Lego-ish setting with shimmering flames and a familiar lemoteif and a Lego…
The post Nintendo teases new Ganon Lego set coming in 2026 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
An Age of Imprisonment demo was recently released in select North American stores!
The post Age of Imprisonment demo playable in select North American stores first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Slimes are odd creatures —creatures you may not expect to encounter in a vast majority of games. Despite this fact, they happen to be a rather common entry in the lexicon of standard RPG enemies. The Zelda series is, of course, also home to many slimy creatures. You may be already familiar with the Chuchu,…
The post Zelda’s Study: Death and rebirth of the Zol first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s almost time for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment to arrive, and with it comes the palpable excitement for many Zelda fans around the world. Closer studies of the game’s footage from Nintendo’s website is cropping up fascinating findings, which include the first-ever look of Twinrova’s Kotake on the battlefield, more character faces, and the…
The post Fans spot first glimpses of Kotake on the Age of Imprisonment game battlefield, the name for the Hylian spear Warrior, and more first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has surprisingly revealed a brand new overview video showcasing a paid Switch 2 upgrade for Animal Crossing New Horizons as well as a free update for both Switch and Switch 2 users. The latter comes with a variety of new features and activities but perhaps most interesting to Zelda fans is the fact that,…
The post A Link to the Island: Nintendo announces new Zelda-themed items and villagers coming to Animal Crossing New Horizons via amiibo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Four Swords Adventures follows a different game style to the majority of entries in The Legend of Zelda series. With individual levels, stages, and minigames, there isn’t much room to get to know NPCs with many of them not even receiving names. For the most part, NPCs are named after what they are or what…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Malon (Four Swords Adventures) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s the end of October, we’re officially deep into spooky season and the Halloween weekend is here. Although I’m not a big fan of the festivities, probably because I didn’t grow up with Halloween, I do partake in the spookiness in my own way. When the temperature goes down and the morning fogs lingers a…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Spooky Zelda tunes first appeared on Zelda Universe.
While The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask enjoys turning 25 this year, art director Takaya Imamura has shared an interesting story on X that occurred during development. A TV station offered Imamura to appear in a portrait drawing competition which would inevitably take him away from the game for an entire week. In the comments,…
The post Lights, camera, action: Majora’s Mask art director was whisked away during development for TV first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo and Koei Tecmo have revealed some more information about the characters in the newest installment of the Hyrule Warriors franchise! This time around it's the Sages and Zelda's Chamberlain!
The post Here’s what we know so far about the new characters revealed in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo announced on social media channels Wednesday that all-new vinyl record sets of the Breath of the Wild original soundtrack are now available to preorder for fans in Europe and the United States. Customers have the opportunity to preorder a color 2LP or an 8LP box set through the My Nintendo online store as well…
The post New Breath of the Wild vinyl record set is coming to the United States and Europe first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Happy Halloweek! From the Shadow Temple and the Depths to Skull Kids and Poes, Hyrule and its parallel worlds are riddled with spooky places and characters. I wrote recently about the uncanniness inherent in the Twilight Realm and its battle music. Spookiness and creepy music come easily to darker Zelda games like Twilight Princess and Majora’s Mask. Breath…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Kilton’s creepy shop theme first appeared on Zelda Universe.
With less than two weeks to go until the release of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Nintendo shadow dropped a snazzy third trailer of the game online. Plenty of fun details were teased across the board, including more combat mechanics involving hands, the return of Tears of the Kingdom bosses, and just enough story to…
The post Third Age of Imprisonment trailer features a tantalizing patchwork of details first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Can you believe the release of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is only two weeks away? There’s still time to secure your copy with the Zelda Universe preorder guide. Surprisingly, not a lot of preorder bonuses are currently announced for the game at the time of this writing. But if you’ve been paying attention to…
The post Don’t forget about these in-game bonuses for Age of Imprisonment first appeared on Zelda Universe.
People seem to have the belief that video games are bad for children and teenagers. While this is true for some games, others such as Animal Crossing and the most recent entries in The Legend of Zelda franchise have proven them wrong. Studies show that playing Breath of the Wild has improved symptoms of depression…
The post Study finds that playing Breath of the Wild can be beneficial to mental health first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A Breath of the Wild themed gachapon machine featuring various weapons from the game is coming to Japan in February 2026. For those unfamiliar with gachapon, it’s a machine filled with novelty items where you can insert money into to receive one of the items inside at random. (Think Kirby and the Forgotten Land.) They…
The post A new Breath of the Wild themed gacha machine is coming to Japan in 2026 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Calling all Zelda fans! The grassroots Super Smash Bros. fansite Source Gaming is gathering research for an upcoming video, and they need your help. We must know the burning question. What dream Legend of Zelda character do you want to see as a fighter in a future Super Smash Bros. game? Is it a returning…
The post What Zelda character do you want to see in the next Smash Bros? first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Some of my favorite pieces of music from the Zelda series are truly bonkers. I have a special place for the wildest Zelda tracks in my music library, but one of them I added on accident; I am surprised and disoriented every time the track “Twilit Battle” plays in a shuffle. Among the wild tracks…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The Twilight Realm’s uncanny and grotesque battle music first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Photo credits: Michael O’Connell / Patch, Katherine Gross / Guinness World Records Tucked away in an obscure basement in Fairfax, VA lies the largest collection of Zelda memorabilia anywhere on the planet, and it might have still been a secret to everybody if it wasn’t for the Guinness Book of World Records making it known.…
The post Zelda fan makes Guinness world record for largest collection ever first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Clock Town, the main hub of Majora’s Mask, has been recreated in Unreal Engine 5 by a talented fan. Benoit Bourgerie has spent over a year working on it. Not only has he made Clock Town from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5, he included Termina Field as well. To pull this off, Bourgerie…
The post The haunting beauty of Majora’s Mask comes to life in Unreal Engine 5 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A new speedrunning trick was recently discovered in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, saving over two minutes in the Fire Temple. The method involves using the Hookshot item to perform an evolved version of a Hookshot Jump, a trick that shoots Link up into the air. A combination of three speedrunning techniques resulted…
The post Watch this new speedrunning trick discovered for Ocarina of Time’s Fire Temple first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has grown into a notable household name these days, even when compared to Apple. We now know that more people watched the latest Nintendo Direct on September 12 than the iPhone 17 reveal, which happened three days before. An astonishing 2.92 million viewers watched the 90 minute presentation by Nintendo whereas only 2.80 million…
The post Random: the last Nintendo Direct attracted more viewers than the Apple iPhone 17 reveal first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If there is one thing we know for certain about Hyrule’s long history, it is that the kingdom’s roster is cyclical in nature. There will always be a Princess, a Demon King, and a Hero. As the tales of Hyrule stretch over the ages, these three players remain constant. However, by no means are they…
The post Zelda’s Study: Telma’s Resistance across the ages first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A final boss battle is the cherry on top of a great game. It tops off the experience and rewards the player’s patience and perseverance. And The Legend of Zelda certainly has the vibes going for it. The treacherous trek through Death Mountain with its ominous music and the unsettling breathing of the enemy you’ve…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: An old battle reimagined first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the latest Nintendo Direct, a two minute trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment was shown, revealing an assortment of new characters. There are two new characters who are prominently featured within the game’s box art. One is a Zonai construct that has taken on a Hylian-like form resembling Link’s design in Tears of…
The post New characters revealed in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment in latest Nintendo Direct first appeared on Zelda Universe.
An announcement was made today that Koei Tecmo’s demo booths for Nioh III and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment have both won the “Future Division” award at the Tokyo Game Show 2025. This highly sought after award is won by a popularity vote. One look at the elaborate booths, and you can see why they…
The post Age of Imprisonment wins “Future Division” award at Tokyo Game Show first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has recently rebranded one of their subsidiaries. Previously known as Warpstar, Nintendo Stars was originally a joint venture between Nintendo and Kirby developer HAL Laboratory which was the former home of Super Smash Bros. series boss Masahiro Sakurai. Back in 2001 when it was founded, its primary purpose was to manage the Kirby franchise…
The post Nintendo to focus more on producing films with the rebranding of Warpstar first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has released the official soundtrack for Zelda II: The Adventure of Link on the Nintendo Music app, featuring both the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Famicom Disk System versions. Both editions will take you about 16 minutes of listening time, but interestingly, the NES version offers 20 tracks while the Famicom version features 19,…
The post Zelda II: The Adventure of Link OST is added to Nintendo Music app first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Attendants at the 2025 Tokyo Game Show are making their rounds at the game demo booths, which include a simple but snazzy display at the Koei Tecmo booth featuring Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. One of those attendants is none other than Ikabozu, the Japanese fellow who managed to beat Calamity Ganon and trigger the…
The post Player who beat Breath of the Wild at Switch 2 demo has played the Age of Imprisonment demo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Often writers in this column discuss moments of triumph, joy, or fond memories with the games of the Legend of Zelda franchise, or other ways in which the games have shaped us. While much of what our wonderful writers produce is tinged with nostalgia, excitement, and wonder; I feel as though the beginning of autumn…
The post Realm of Memories: The ossuary of the occult first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Are you ready to relive the Imprisoning War and defend Hyrule from the Demon King Ganondorf? Of course you are. Preorders have kicked off for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment on the Switch 2. Set for a worldwide release on November 6 this year, that’s coming a lot faster than we think. Where do you…
The post Here’s where to preorder Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There’s a broken-down, half-sunken shack in the northeast corner of Deya Lake. As far as I can tell, it’s not a quest marker. There’s no Korok seed. Other pieces of Breath of the Wild‘s Deya Village Ruins hide metal chests, and nearby, there’s a Stone Talus you can wake up. But this quiet wooden house…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Unmarked, unforgettable spaces across Hyrule first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Shortly after the trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment ended during the latest Nintendo Direct, excited Zelda fans detected with their ‘Lens of Truth senses’ that new official art of Ganondorf and screenshots of the game were quietly posted on Nintendo Japan’s website, several of them featuring none other than the nefarious Twinrova and…
The post New Age of Imprisonment screenshots of Ganondorf appear on Nintendo’s website first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fuse your Zonai devices and prepare to defend Hyrule. Industry sources have confirmed that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will finally have playable demos at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show this week, as well as at PAX Australia 2025 in October. Business representatives will have access to the game demo first at the Koei Tecmo…
The post Age of Imprisonment demo will be playable at PAX Australia and Tokyo Game Show first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Shiver me timbers! Our Legends Cookbook friends have a new Zelda themed fan cookbook on the horizon. This time around, it’s a Wind Waker themed book called Hero of Tides that is filled with tasty and creative tropical recipes inspired from the game. A Kickstarter fund is in place for it to help cover publishing…
The post Hero of Tides Legends Cookbook is surpassing its kickstarter goal by over 646% first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If your Nintendo Switch 2 internal storage space is almost full, you might want to consider deleting some unplayed games or upgrading to a microSD Express Card since Nintendo has revealed that the file size for Age of Imprisonment will be a whopping 44.9 GB. For comparison, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch is…
The post Age of Imprisonment’s file size is considerably higher than previous entries first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As you may know, a great deal of characters introduced in Ocarina of Time have a counterpart in Majora’s Mask. Many characters who did not get a chance to really stand out in Ocarina of Time were given a chance in Majora’s Mask to truly make a name for themselves with a brand new purpose.…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Flat and Sharp, the Composer Brothers first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The first time we played Breath of the Wild and travelled down from the Shrine of Resurrection to the Temple of Time unlocked a core memory. For some it came with the curiosity to discover, explore, and uncover the broken past they had wandered into, just like the Link of the story. For others, it…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Memories Throughout Time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Along with revealing the worldwide release date of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment this past Friday during the Nintendo Direct, Nintendo also announced a Japan-exclusive bundle edition of the game. Known as the “treasure box,” the bundle includes not only the game but also a scarf, acrylic stand, keychain, cloth poster and two clear sheets.…
The post Nintendo Japan reveals upcoming Age of Imprisonment “Treasure Box” first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo hasn’t shyed away from making live-action commercials that feature animated segments and even utilizing puppets for their ads. While some of their commercials were great, others weren’t. This creativity has led one animator and Zelda fan in particular, Capsyst Animations, to turn the artwork from a Zelda II instruction booklet into a full-blown animated…
The post Fan turns Zelda II instruction booklet artwork into an animated commercial first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Littlejem, a Youtuber well-known for her cosplay work has recently made a fully functional replica of the King of Red Lions from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. She decided to build the boat to fulfill one of her childhood dreams of wanting to sail away in Link’s boat. Using a wooden boat as…
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We’re finding more tantalizing info from the latest trailer of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. This trailer focuses more on gameplay than the story. Even though the game is set in the historical events of Tears of the Kingdom, there seems to be plenty of new things to discover and connect the dots with. Some…
The post Gloom Spawn returns in Age of Imprisonment, new monsters appear first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Great news has arrived for those that are anticipating the new Hyrule Warriors game, Age of Imprisonment. The Nintendo Direct today was a whopping 60 minutes full of exciting new games, DLC and other surprises such as the mention of the new Super Mario Bros. movie coming out next year. Amongst the many games that…
The post New screenshots surface of mysterious construct in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has finally confirmed Age of Imprisonment’s release date of November 6, 2025 in a brand new trailer at today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. Earlier trailers and promotional material slated the game for this winter, but it seems it’s coming a little earlier than that. The trailer reveals a ton of new details and information we’ll…
The post Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment release date announced in latest Nintendo Direct first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On September 10, Nintendo confirmed through their mobile app Nintendo Today! that there will be a Nintendo Direct scheduled to air live this Friday September 12. Nintendo of America verified the same on X and specified that the Direct would air 6am PT and will contain a full hour of pure Nintendo goodness. This much-anticipated…
The post Nintendo Direct is confirmed for Friday September 12 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The art gallery at the Nintendo museum in Uji, Japan opened on September 3rd. It has concept art and character illustration sketches from games in series such as Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. The Nintendo museum first opened last October, housed in an old factory which was once used to manufacture and repair…
The post Nintendo museum art gallery is now open first appeared on Zelda Universe.
At the start of The Wind Waker, Link is informed by Rito postman, Quill, that all across the sea young girls are being taken to Forsaken Fortress, where they are never heard from again. This knowledge acts as the young Link’s call to action, inspiring him to set off in search of his recently kidnapped…
The post Zelda’s Study: The Moblin’s Letter first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the wake of the Great Calamity, the way of life changed for Hylians and all creatures across Hyrule. While the Calamity itself was contained within the confines of the ruined castle, the blood moon rises time and time again raising monsters across the land. A simple stroll across the fields now requires swords and…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Leekah (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Now that access to English translated Legend of Zelda manga is easier than ever at bookstores these days, most fan linguistic work that was done over the years is finally accomplished. Some fans, however, continue their labor of love on the remaining exceptions in the quiet corners of the internet. Thanks to the hard work…
The post Fan translates rare Taiwan & Hong Kong Ocarina of Time 3D manga into English for the first time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
With a new Hyrule Warriors game and an official Legend of Zelda movie on the way, things are gearing up around here at Zelda Universe! We’re looking for new team members to help keep up with the demand. Do you get excited whenever you see new things happening online and people talking about Nintendo and Legend of Zelda? Do you…
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For the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, talented fan animator RwanLink has made a new film celebrating the game’s release. The story first shows Clock Town on fire while the final battle between Majora’s final form and Fierce Deity Link takes place. The second part of the film shows the Carnival…
The post RwanLink releases special Majora’s Mask X Ghibli tribute for 25th anniversary first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Nintendo Switch 2 console passed 2 million units sold in the United States this July, signaling early success for Nintendo in the newest generation. After record breaking launch sales, the Nintendo Switch 2 continued to generate demand in the console’s first full month on the market. According to the latest Circana gaming sales report,…
The post Nintendo Switch 2 ranked bestselling console in the U.S. first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Could the Ancient Hero be a playable character in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment? Or is it a way for Link to become playable in the game? Popular Youtube Channel Commonwealth Realm explores this possibility in a recent video. Very little is known about the Ancient Hero himself in the Zelda canon. At best, we…
The post Commonwealth Realm explores Ancient Hero’s Aspect theory in Age of Imprisonment first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There are many different kinds of Zelda merchandise. From water bottles to clothes and even replicas of the Master Sword, there is a lot to choose from. One Zelda fan in particular, Brian from Brian’s Big List of Projects on Youtube, has made the dream of the fishbone guitar and crab bass from Majora’s Mask…
The post Zelda fan builds functional Zora guitars from Majora’s Mask first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Just about every popular video game series has a board game these days. Don’t believe me? Just check out Kickstarter, gamefound, or BoardGameGeek and type in one of your favorite series. Chances are, you’ll find it there. But for every Bloodborne, The Elder Scrolls, and Super Mario Bros. board games you’ll find, you’d be at…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: The Legend of Zelda Board Game (1988) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
With last month’s trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a lot of talk has sprung up about Fi and her musical theme. With all this talk, I thought it would be nice to talk about Fi’s Theme, where we’ve heard it in Zelda games since Skyward Sword, and what its inclusion in the Age…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The elegance and fragmentation of ‘Fi’s Theme’ first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The land of Hyrule is home to all kinds of creatures, some more common than others. While creatures such as Bokoblin deeply color the fields of Hyrule in games like Breath of the Wild, feeling as numerous as the very blades of grass they reside on, creatures such as dragons are almost never encountered by…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Valoo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A Short Hike, which is an indie adventure game that released in 2020, was greatly inspired by the exploration of Breath of the Wild. With its open world format, players can choose to follow the marked trails as in a linear game, or explore the back country to their leisure as they make their way…
The post A Short Hike creator names Breath of the Wild as a big source of inspiration first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Artists have been experimenting with colors, shape and composition to create illusory motion in static artwork for centuries. From perspective, blur, depth and the Mona Lisa effect, artists throughout history have created optical illusions that transform their still images into living and breathing works of art. Danish artist Louise, known on social media as Louivi,…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: A Dancing Blade first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Team Asano’s Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is Square’s take on a Zelda style game. There are similar mechanics in Elliot that can be seen in 2D Zelda games. Players can use swords and bows like in the Zelda series. You will also be able to equip shields to defend yourself and blow up…
The post You should be playing Square’s HD-2D Zelda game first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Two Joy-Con 2 attachable accessories were discovered in a July Nintendo patent filing: a crank and a clickable wheel. First discovered by Nintendo Patents Watch, the crank attachment “features a rotary disc which is tracked by the mouse sensor through a window.” This attachment appears to connect to the Joy-Con 2 with magnets similar to…
The post Nintendo files patents for Joy-Con 2 accessories first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Though we have been blessed with the official Zelda timeline to make sense of the chronology between the games within the Zelda Series, it is actually pretty difficult to make definitive connections between the different games. For example, though Twilight Princess technically takes place directly after Ocarina of Time, landmarks like Death Mountain and Lake…
The post Zelda’s Study: A connection between Triforce Heroes and Adventure of Link first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Thanks to sharper graphics provided by the Switch 2 console, fans are noticing even more details in Tears of the Kingdom’s expansive world. A Zelda fan known by the name of @xdreamerzo was able to translate some of the headlines in the Lucky Clover Gazette from its native in-game Hylian language to English and kindly…
The post Fan translates Lucky Clover Gazette newspaper in Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the beginning there was chaos, or so the legend claims. In Ocarina of Time, we were told the story of three Golden Goddesses who descended from above and transformed the chaotic abyss below. One such goddess was Din, who held fire and power in her hands. Din led the charge and was the first…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Din (Ocarina of Time) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was one of the few games that left fans surprised when it was released. It was only the second game in the series to feature Princess Zelda herself as the primary playable character, the first being Zelda’s Adventure which was released back in 1994. The blend of old…
The post Final Fantasy XVI producer explains why he believes Echoes of Wisdom is an “amazing” game first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The $59.99 LEGO Game Boy set is available to pre-order now and will release October 1, 2025. Originally released in 1989, the Nintendo Game Boy revolutionized the gaming experience by allowing gamers the ability to play their favorite titles portably. The system was a huge success, selling over 100 million units and creating countless memories…
The post LEGO to release Game Boy set with Link’s Awakening brick cartridge first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A group of modders on Youtube called Newer Team has created a new mod combining the games of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney called Hero of Law. They have previously created other mods that have risen to popularity such as a sequel to New Super Mario Bros. Wii…
The post Zelda mod mashes up Ocarina of Time and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Sheikah tribe are a secretive type, clinging to the shadows and never more than a lunge away from the Goddess Hylia’s chosen few. Servants to the goddess and her mortal incarnations, the Sheikah are seldom seen by other Hylians and prefer a life of devout obscurity. In a number of titles, we are introduced…
The post Realm of Memories: My Sheikah way first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many speedrunners will gather in Pittsburgh, PA next week to give their precious time and talent to help defeat one more final boss — the sting of cancer. Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) is teaming up once again to bring on the excitement and help raise charitable funds for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and several…
The post AGDQ speedrunners will play several Zelda games next week to help prevent cancer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many years removed from the release of his fan-favorite Majora’s Mask albums, Times End and Times End II, Theophany has surprised us with a brand new Zelda remix – his first in eight years – to start the new year. This six minute remix is a stunning rendition of the Colgera battle theme from Tears…
The post Theophany surprises Tears of the Kingdom fans with a new Colgera remix! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As we reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025, there are plenty of things for gamers to be excited about as we celebrate the New Year. Nintendo seems to be celebrating their wins too. Recently they shared an adorable new Echoes of Wisdom artwork of Princess Zelda and Tri on social media. “Looking forward…
The post Nintendo celebrates the New Year with fresh Echoes of Wisdom art first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tears of the Kingdom brought numerous changes to the Zelda franchise, further deepening the already rich lore and character design in the series. Among these changes came the introduction of the first queen of Hyrule, dubbed Queen Sonia. Her strong, wise, and kind character captivated many fans as we watched her shape the kingdom that…
The post Madame Couture’s Boutique: The Zonai Queen first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Although Echoes of Wisdom is Zelda’s first solo adventure as the heroine who will save Hyrule, a Princess is still entitled to her royal quarters. After regaining access to Hyrule Castle, Zelda once again may find respite in her bedroom. Resting between two radiant beams of sunlight shining through ornate windows is Zelda’s bed. Ensconced…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Zelda’s Room (Echoes of Wisdom) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
While Mos Espa has been the peak of the Podracing world for years, it will soon be replaced by the Geurdo Desert thanks to the amazing Podracer created by a talented Tears of the Kingdom fan. Hailing from the Star Wars franchise, Podracing has captured the imagination of people all over the world since it…
The post Fan recreates Star Wars’ Podracer in Tears of the Kingdom using Ultra Hand first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Across the many Legend of Zelda titles, Link is given nicknames by several different characters. For example, Malon from Ocarina of Time refers to him as “fairy boy” and the Fishman from The Wind Waker refers to him as “small fry”. Some nicknames are more common than others, such as “Hero of Time” being used…
The post Zelda’s Study: Grasshopper Link first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“Drum major Zach Hedrick, is your band ready?” The year is 2012 and the Pride of Oklahoma marching band take the field for their performance. The theme— video games. In this captivating performance, the band plays a familiar melody for Zelda fans in the audience. This segment is often praised for the arrangement, intricate formations,…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The Marching Band first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Well, the leaves have finally dropped from the trees (in some hemispheres), and in some places winter has set up shop early. That means it’s a long time coming for us to finally reveal the winners of the ZU Linktober art contest for 2024! We would like to thank all of our contributors for their…
The post ZU Linktober Contest Winners first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Traversing across the West and East Necluda regions, a young Hylian girl walks on foot, taking in the world around her and tracing the steps of a legend. To many, she may come across as just another wanderer, another NPC to rescue from Bokoblins, gather a meal from, or ignore as you gallop across the…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Celessa first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In a surprising turn of events, the colorful Playstation 5 platforming game Astro Bot won over the hearts of players and judges alike at The Game Awards on December 12 in a winning sweep, along with the independent mobile game Balatro. Astro Bot was crowned Best Action / Adventure Game and Best Family Game over…
The post Astro Bot wins over Echoes of Wisdom at The Game Awards, crowned Game of the Year 2024 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Trains! Toon Link! Toon Zelda! Despite its initial cuteness, the actual story of Spirit Tracks is actually a surprisingly dark tale. Within the early moments, Princess Zelda is nearly killed only to haunt the hero for the rest of the adventure. Chancellor Cole and the Demon King Malladus are suitably creepy, especially with the latter’s…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Candy-Coated Death Bomb first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hey, who put chocolate in my Zelda? The popular toy giant’s partnership with Nintendo continues with a new line of collectible cards featuring Tears of the Kingdom screenshots and artwork. The cards will be available at Japan retailers December 23rd, and each card will be packaged with a twinset of chocolate flavored wafers. According to…
The post Bandai teams up with Nintendo to promote Tears of the Kingdom themed chocolate and cards first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The River Zora have been a rare species in recent years, their last mainline appearance being in 2013’s A Link Between Worlds. This time around, in Echoes of Wisdom, they’ve left their role as enemies behind entirely and embraced a peaceful lifestyle. It’s a very welcome change in my book, and not just because I’ve…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Boss Dradd’s cozy brass first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As anyone working in the arts and creative industries knows, ideas often interact with other ideas to germinate new ones, and sometimes ignite with enormous success. Such ideas include J.R.R Tolkein’s critically acclaimed The Lord of the Rings novel trilogy, written between 1937 and 1949. The high fantasy trilogy has long been considered a staple…
The post Popular YouTuber explores connections between Zelda and Lord of the Rings first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On December 4, Nintendo announced that active Nintendo Switch Online members will be able to pre-order the Alarmo alarm clock starting sometime in mid-December 2024. The demand for the device has been so high that they had to limit pre-orders in Japan by utilizing a lottery system back in October. Originally, general sales for Alarmo…
The post Nintendo Alarmo launch delayed, pre-orders to ship February 2025 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s… real life Zonai devices? Yes, that’s exactly what they are. Well, at least as gacha toys. Bandai has apparently partnered with Nintendo to sell small toys based on Zonai parts from Tears of the Kingdom. The parts feature common Zonai items such as the Fan, Wheel, Rocket,…
The post Real life Zonai device gacha machines appear in Japan stores first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In a recent interview with Video Games Chronicle, Takaya Imamura, the creator of Tingle, stated that Masi Oki would be his pick to play the legendary fairy if he were to appear in the upcoming live-action movie adaptation of the Zelda franchise. Because of course, the most important character in the Zelda series and therefore…
The post Creator of Tingle gives his input on who should say “Kooloo-Limpah” on the big screen first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Calling all heroes of the kitchen! A brand new revised edition of The Legend’s Cookbook+ is now published and for sale by JobJob, the folks behind bringing the flavors of Hyrule to fans’ homes everywhere. Based on the previous version of the original Legend’s Cookbook, the “plus” edition includes over one hundred recipes inspired by…
The post New revised Legend’s Cookbook+ and pins now for sale first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When one thinks of the Legend of Zelda franchise, we all first think of Zelda, clad in green, fighting daring monsters – no, wait, that’s Link. Across all the installments of the franchise, Princess Zelda has played a variety of roles. From the damsel in distress of titles like A Link Between Worlds, to the…
The post Realm of Memories: A Daring Dame first appeared on Zelda Universe.
By now, most of us have seen our fair share of Master Sword replicas, whether authorized like the recent version from Proplica or the not so authorized. Either way, most Zelda fans probably have a version of the Blade of Evil’s Bane somewhere in their collection. Today, though, we’re going to talk about a not…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Master Sword and Hylian Shield by Master Replicas first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fans likely remember the renowned Youtuber RwanLink, who we covered about a year ago with the Studio Ghilibi-inspired Ocarina of Time fan project. It seems RwanLink has graced us with another teaser trailer for an upcoming fan project for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which he has made in Unreal Engine 5 all by…
The post RwanLink teases upcoming fan made Twilight Princess cinematic in Unreal Engine 5 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s not a surprise that a game like Ocarina of Time, which has time travel as a core mechanic is home to at least a couple paradoxes. For the most part, the residents of Hyrule in the Adult Timeline are far more concerned with the impending doom of Ganondorf’s rule to worry about the past…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Phonogram Man first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Throughout The Legend of Zelda series, we have been gifted with various royal Zoras who instantly steal our hearts—or claim we have no choice but to love them. Imagine one day, a shooting star flies across the sky and lands upon the edge of Zora River. A glimmering beacon leads not to a fallen star…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Zoralina first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A hero’s adventure is not complete without a noble steed to aid the journey. And Princess Zelda, who adorns the hero’s mantle in Echoes of Wisdom is no exception. The call to adventure beckons our heroine to many locations across the troubled land, aiding those in need. One location, however, will provide Princess Zelda with…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Hyrule Ranch (Echoes of Wisdom) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When I think of pesky Zelda enemies, a few options come to mind. Of course, there’s Moblins, Keese, Ropes, and my personal favorite, the Octorok! Before I go any further, I want it to be known that I’m strictly talking about Red Octoroks; the species present in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Octorok Plush first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Echoes of Wisdom gets off to a rollicking start, leaving little time for rest. From the initial but temporary Link battle against Ganon, to Zelda’s stressful escape from first the encroaching rift, then the patrolling Hyrule Castle guards, the player is thrown from one moment of conflict to another. In some ways, Suthorn Village is…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The importance of silence first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In a recent interview with BBC Newsbeat, Echoes of Wisdom directors Tomomi Sano and Satoshi Terada joined series producer Eiji Aonuma to discuss players’ reception to the latest Zelda installment. A playable Princess Zelda wasn’t the only massive departure from the other games in the series. Introducing an entirely new system of traversal and combat…
The post Echoes of Wisdom developers discuss common criticisms of menus and performance first appeared on Zelda Universe.
While most of the attention surrounding The Legend of Zelda games continues to be around 3D installments, Eiji Aonuma recently went on the record in an interview with Famitsu about the future of top-down 2D games. Prior to Echoes of Wisdom, we haven’t seen a top-down 2D game since A Link Between Worlds back in…
The post Nintendo asserts that 2D Zelda will continue to offer contrast to 3D games first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Remember the days when you’d settle down in front of the monitor on a Friday night with a bag of chips and root for your favorite speedrunner on livestream? Those days are still alive and well for the speedrunning community when it comes to The Wind Waker. In fact, several new glitches have been recently…
The post More glitch discoveries put Wind Waker speedrun world records back on the table first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Deep in the Hyrule kingdom, a brave knight faces the trials and tribulations that plague the citizens. Equipped with a sword and shield, Link vowed to protect his princess, his kingdom, and himself against those who try to destroy the peace. Through These trials, Link became a symbol across the land, inspiring those who played…
The post Madame Couture’s Boutique: A Knight in not so Shining Armor first appeared on Zelda Universe.
November seems to be a good month to get into fanzines. This time we have an all-new startup project that is simply called “Silent Princess: A Zelda Zine,” and it’s all about – you guessed it – Princess Zelda. Collaborated by an emerging pool of creative fans in 2024, the online project is dedicated to…
The post Silent Princess fanzine preorders open November 25 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and with it comes a sleighful of opportunities for gamers on the snow-capped horizon. Nintendo announced in a press release on Tuesday that there will be a nice variety of Black Friday promotions on their products at various retailers including Nintendo eShop and the Nintendo Store website.…
The post Tears of the Kingdom and other Nintendo games slated for Black Friday sales first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s June of 2011, and I’m sitting in front of a computer with a blank white page and a cursor flashing. Nintendo’s webform sits there waiting for me to input some words into the Wii>General Questions/Feedback section and yet my fingers are hesitating on the keyboard. I’ve had a lot of time to think about…
The post Realm of Memories: That time Zelda and I broke up first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In a recent interview with Famitsu Magazine, producer Eiji Aonuma, Grezzo director Satoshi Terada, and Echoes of Wisdom director Tomomi Sano sat down and revealed quite a lot of fascinating information about how the development of Princess Zelda’s adventure came to be. As one could imagine, many times they had to think outside the box…
The post Nintendo admits they almost broke this golden Zelda rule in Echoes of Wisdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There’s a lot about a game one can learn by inspecting its unused leftover data and The Minish Cap is no exception. The image above is a small section of a test map of Hyrule Castle that can be found in the files of The Minish Cap and it shows a handful of assets that…
The post Zelda’s Study: Unused assets in Minish Cap suggest a connection to The Wind Waker first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many journalists have eagerly interviewed Shigeru Miyamoto, the father of the Legend of Zelda series, over the years. But few have ever figured out one puzzling enigma he would sometimes convey to them – that he would liken Zelda games to a “miniature garden.” That might not sound like much of a big deal to…
The post The golden question no one asks Miyamoto about the Legend of Zelda first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nothing beats boredom or a stressed out day quite like entertaining yourself with some hardcore Zelda fan theorizing. That’s exactly what Commonwealth Realm attempted to do with an all-new YouTube explanation of Echoes of Wisdom’s place in the infamous Legend of Zelda timeline. The whopping one and a half hour video focuses on the lore…
The post Commonwealth Realm attempts to tackle Echoes of Wisdom’s placement in the timeline first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In a special surprise announcement, Nintendo confirmed that it will air a special Nintendo Direct update about a new attraction coming to Super Nintendo World. The Direct will last approximately 10 minutes and will livestream on Monday November 11th at 2pm Pacific Time. Those who are interested in watching the Direct can do so here.…
The post Nintendo Direct featuring Super Nintendo World to air November 11 with new attractions first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Minish Cap has a lot of things going for it. The sprite work is beautiful. The characters are hilarious. The deepening of Vaati as a villain beyond what we’d seen in previous games is masterful. Perhaps more than all of those things, what makes The Minish Cap so good is its core mechanic of…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Small hero, big background first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We now have confirmation that the Legend of Zelda movie is scheduled to be released sometime within the next five years. Last Tuesday Nintendo released their second quarter financial report that contains a briefing of future plans for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends in March 2025. This financial report was presented to…
The post Zelda movie planned to be released before 2030, says Nintendo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Sometimes the biggest news from Nintendo comes to us in the most unusual – and uneventful – ways. Last Tuesday Nintendo President Furukawa stated that the company confirmed that the successor of the Switch will indeed have backwards compatibility for Nintendo Switch games as well as access to Nintendo Switch Online. This is great news…
The post Nintendo President confirms Switch 2 will be backwards compatible first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As the youngest sibling of three, with my brothers being twins, I didn’t seek out what games to play but was happy with the treasures my brothers had found instead. Since my brothers are older than me, they usually knew what games were good, which ones to buy, and I simply played whatever they had…
The post Realm of Memories: That time I had to quit playing ‘Zelda’ first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On October 27, the popular Zelda marathon nonprofit Zeldathon announced an upcoming mini charity marathon named Side Quest: Winter Masquerade. Set to begin December 29 later this year, the marathon’s theme will feature a mysterious thriller winter themed vibe. Submissions are currently open now for prospects until November 15. Zeldathon is looking for various volunteer…
The post Zeldathon announces Starlight Children’s benefit marathon Side Quest: Winter Masquerade first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Leftover sales for Homemade in Hyrule Vol. II, a digital and physical cookbook fanzine centered around home cooking in the Legend of Zelda series, are now open until November 11th (or until supplies last). Covering all mainline and spinoff titles, this zine contains recipes, artwork, and merchandise for your culinary journey! If you’re feeling peckish,…
The post Leftover sales for cookbook zine Homemade in Hyrule Vol. II open until November 11 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Leftover sales for Hyrule Fashion Anthology, a non-profit collaborative fanzine exploring the complex evolution of fashion history throughout the Legend of Zelda series, are now available for purchase until November 15th (or until supplies last). At the time of this writing, several items have already sold out, so be sure to act fast if you’re…
The post Hyrule Fashion Anthology leftover sales open until November 15 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Halloween has come and gone and the ink from this month’s Linktober has just begun to dry. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest and to give a few updates before we get too far into November. First of all, if you’re not sure what I’m…
The post Linktober art contest wrap up first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The croaking frogs of the amphibian world have long been known for their musical voices. From the chorus frogs in the local pond, to everyone’s favorite green frog singing about rainbows, and that froggish prince who ribbeted through the Jazz Age. Ocarina of Time is no exception, hosting not one, not two, but five singing…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Fabulous Five Froggish Tenors first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s a good thing that most games in the Zelda series feature a different Link. Can you imagine how annoying it would be to go to see Princess Zelda only to find out some dastard had carried her off again? Link would never shirk his duty, but he’d probably spout something like “Really? It feels…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Her time to go first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo really said “We’ll make our own Spotify!” Yesterday, the company announced and released a new smartphone app called Nintendo Music. With this app, users can stream from a growing collection of soundtracks from your favorite Nintendo games. All you need is to download the app and have an existing Nintendo Switch Online membership. There’s…
The post Nintendo shadow drops Nintendo Music, a new streaming app for smart phones first appeared on Zelda Universe.
After decades of playing as Link, many players were beyond hyped to play as Princess Zelda in a mainline Zelda game: Echoes of Wisdom. The game promised all the mysteries, puzzles, dungeons, and battles of previous games, but this time we would get to experience it as Zelda. In their art titled “Echoes of Wisdom”,…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: The glow of adventure at last first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The sun rises over Mount Lanayru, and the princess of Hyrule watches wistfully from the other side of the vast kingdom. She’ll be visiting that snowy mountain tomorrow, and it could be her last chance to awaken her bloodline’s sacred power. Whether she succeeds or not will determine the fate of her kingdom and her…
The post Medli’s Melodies: To Mount Lanayru first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s that time of year again. The wind is a bit more brisk, the leaves are starting to turn, and everyone has an unhealthy fascination with pumpkin spice…that’s right, it’s Linktober season! For those that are unfamiliar, Linktober is a themed art event that invites artists of all levels to practice their craft throughout the…
The post Zelda Universe hosting Linktober art contest first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Yesterday Nintendo published Part 4 of their “Ask the Developer” interview with the Zelda staff leaders who worked on the new game. In Part 4, the final section of the interview, Eiji Aonuma, Tomomi Sano, and Grezzo director Satoshi Terada discussed how Echoes of Wisdom embodies the “Zelda-like” feeling, and what the definition of said…
The post Aonuma admits to almost tearing up at Echoes of Wisdom ending in Nintendo interview first appeared on Zelda Universe.
During Part 2 of Nintendo’s “Ask the Developer” Interview published on September 23rd, one of the key talking points was about how the development team was driven by the core idea of “being mischievous.” This idea was born out of the desire to allow players freedom with how they navigate puzzles and traverse Hyrule in…
The post Mischief is at the heart of Echoes of Wisdom gameplay first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Before we had Majora’s Mask and the ability to change form, I was obsessed with mask quests in Ocarina of Time. Was it the dress-up aspect that drew me in, the strange masks themselves, or the shop and its bizarre proprietor? The Happy Mask shop is the first location where The Legend of Zelda gets…
The post Tingle’s Maps: The Happy Mask Shop (Ocarina of Time) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On September 23rd, Nintendo shared more information about their much-anticipated release of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. In Part 2 of their “Ask the Developer” interview, the developers discussed how they had “struggled with the ideas for echoes” because they were looking for the right combination of items that can both “help and…
The post Echoes of Wisdom promotes creative problem solving with “over 100 echoes” first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of Yunobo at first. He’s introduced as a fumbling coward and doesn’t seem to change during the events of Breath of the Wild. Then, when Age of Calamity’s DLC mission in Kakariko Village came out, Yunobo started to really grow on me. After defeating the Yiga Clan, he tells Daruk…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Yunobo’s quest for courage first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It seems the floodgates have opened with Zelda content as of late, and the new release of the Tears of the Kingdom Master Works book is certainly contributing to that. The book released August 30, and fans worldwide are eagerly sharing their findings from their freshly arrived preorders to the public online. The official Legend…
The post Fans gush over Tears of the Kingdom Master Works book, attempt to translate development notes first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo is getting ready for high merchandise demand as promotion for the new game Echoes of Wisdom kicks into high gear ahead of its release date this month. On August 30, the Big N made an official social media announcement that a restock of two of their official amiibo figurines will return to select retailers…
The post Two amiibos being restocked ahead of Echoes of Wisdom, but no sign of EoW Zelda amiibo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There’s still time left for attendees at PAX West to get this exclusive pin of Princess Zelda as depicted in her debut in the new game Echoes of Wisdom. Those who check in at the Nintendo booth on the floor with their MyNintendo Rewards have a chance to receive the pin featuring her Royal Highness…
The post PAX West 2024 attendees can still snag this Zelda pin at the Nintendo booth while supplies last first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 LEGO set released today, September 1, 2024. This set is the first-ever based on the Legend of Zelda series. Specifically, and as explained by its name, it is based on both the Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild games. This set’s main feature is the option to create…
The post Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 LEGO set now available first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There’s a ton to unpack in the latest trailer for Echoes of Wisdom, among them being strange new realms and mysteries. But other exciting treasures to uncover were also familiar faces, including the return of a longtime favorite boss, Volvagia. For those of you who need to catch up to speed, Volvagia is the subterranean…
The post Familiar bosses and NPCs make a comeback in Echoes of Wisdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo continues to turn up the dial as we get ever closer to the release of Echoes of Wisdom. Last Friday the Big N shadow dropped an all-new game trailer to the world online, this time focusing more on story and the return of classic dungeons. Yes, you read that right. Classic Zelda dungeons are…
The post Nintendo reveals an exciting third trailer for Echoes of Wisdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many of The Legend of Zelda games have a ghost town as a featured location. Hyrule Castle Town in the adult timeline of Ocarina of Time is probably a classic example, along with the Hidden Village in Twilight Princess. One of the central images of Breath of the Wild is the decaying buildings of an…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Old Kasuto (The Adventure of Link) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Since the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System in the United States, we have never lacked for a glut of Super Mario Brothers merchandise. The Legend of Zelda, though? Selections there were always few and far between in the 80s and 90s. Despite its popularity with gamers, the series never really boiled over into mainstream…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Johnny Lightning Ocarina of Time car first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As we get closer to the inevitable day that Echoes of Wisdom graces our Switches with its presence, you can expect the theories, hype and deep dives into the media and info that we’ve been given to be picked apart and explored at every angle. Recently in a new promotional display from the Japanese version…
The post New gliding character spotted in Japanese promotional art for Echoes of Wisdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tears of the Kingdom is arguably one of the greatest Zelda games of the Nintendo Switch era. From its stellar gameplay to its fun building mechanics, right down to the vast exploration and entrancing soundtrack. Many different factors come together to make a video game iconic, and the music is one of them. It helps…
The post Tears of the Kingdom official soundtracks now available through online stores first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Those who have played Link’s Awakening may be aware that Koholint Island is home to a great many references to worlds outside of the Zelda series. Well known characters such as Kirby and Yoshi make cameos as enemies and items respectively, but one lesser known reference actually happens to have a more relevant role in…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Richard (Link’s Awakening) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The characters of Twilight Princess endure an era of darkness, trapped in pockets of perpetual twilight to match the realm of their enemies. Shadows of the night, dulled colors, and haunting scenery became the backdrop for one of the darkest games in the series. Which is why, after the evil is vanquished and light shines…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: A Moment’s Rest first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Big news for Zelda fans! Nintendo of America recently announced that they will have a booth at PAX West from August 30th to September 2nd, 2024. They will have playable demos of Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Zelda Universe will also be there at PAX West, and…
The post Nintendo and Zelda Universe will both be at PAX West 2024, Echoes of Wisdom to have demo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We’re less than one month away from the release of Echoes of Wisdom, and we’ve been fortunate to see a lot of footage already from the upcoming game. The previews thus far showcase a large number of enemies, so we’ve put together a list of every enemy or potential enemy that has been confirmed to…
The post Every enemy we know of so far in Echoes of Wisdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On August 18, 2024, Nintendo staff broadcasted a special 10-minute Direct update regarding the progress of the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan. Plans are going well, and the museum is scheduled to open very soon on October 2nd this year. The Direct is recorded and can be seen in its entirety here. In the Direct,…
The post Miyamoto hosts public Nintendo Museum tour in a special Direct presentation first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Australian clothing brand Black Milk recently collaborated with Nintendo on a Legend of Zelda line for the second time. Many of the clothing items are based off The Wind Waker, Majora’s Mask, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, and of course Tears of The Kingdom. These beautiful pieces are crafted with the…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Black Milk Zelda Robe first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tears of the Kingdom is approaching another monumental sales landmark. According to a report by Famitsu Sales, Tears has sold 1,998,388 physical copies in Japan and is expected to surpass 2,000,000. It will become the second Zelda game ever to surpass 2,000,000 sales in Japan, after Breath of the Wild. Tears of the Kingdom has…
The post Tears of the Kingdom approaches record breaking 2 million sales in Japan first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Skyloft is such an iconic location in the Zelda series. Not only does it feature memorable locations like the Knight’s Academy, but it’s the home of charming (and memorably odd) characters like Peatrice who develops a perhaps unhealthy infatuation with Link and the owlish-looking but loving father, Gaepora. All in all, Skyloft feels almost like…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Skyloftian music box first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Is it that time of year already? It sure is, it’s Zeldathon time! Zelda Universe has partnered with the popular charity speedrunning group Zeldathon to have a blast speedrunning Legend of Zelda games and help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event is happening live right now and runs through August 20.…
The post Zeldathon 2024 kicks off with strong start, over $10k raised on first day first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“Only the memory of this dream land will exist in the waking world…” bellows the Wind Fish. The Sleeping God–awoken–relays the hurtful truth of Koholint, that saving the world means destroying it. But, by holding his memories of this world dear, by keeping the images of this island in his mind, it could never truly…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Camera Shop (Link’s Awakening DX) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
While there are a truly incredible amount of high fantasy creations in the world, few can claim to be as universally well known as J. R. R. Tolkien’s books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In many ways, Tolkien’s work would go on to become part of the foundation that many high fantasy…
The post Zelda’s Study: Deku Scrubs were named “Hobbit” early in development first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Throughout the series, many brave NPCs take up the dangerous task of tending to the deadly Cuccos pecking their way through Hyrule. In Ocarina of Time, a young lady with auburn hair looks after a flock of Cuccos terrorizing Kakariko Village, and is aptly named the Cucco Lady. Unlike various Links through the games, the…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Cucco Lady (Ocarina of Time) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As the plethora of Korok torture memes from Tears of the Kingdom shows, not everyone appreciates the cuteness of those little leafy guys. Perhaps it’s their constant need for attention, always asking to be lugged not just a little ways away, but often up a cliff or on the other side of an enemy camp.…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Save the Blupees! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Sweet toothed Deku Scrubs, Zora turf wars, trident-wielding Gerudo, and glimpses of what could be the biggest top-down map of Hyrule we’ve seen yet – welcome to Echoes of Wisdom, the newest 2D Zelda title that’s full of surprises. While the twenty-first entry into our beloved series is certainly making a splash with Princess Zelda…
The post Echoes of Wisdom might have heavier lore than once thought first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If you thought the second trailer of Echoes of Wisdom was amazing enough, even more tantalizing information has come to light on the Japanese website for the game. Fans discovered that various screenshots and videos were seemingly shadow dropped into the site like treasure chests waiting to be opened. These screenshots included another screenshot of…
The post More never-before-seen screenshots appear on Japanese Echoes of Wisdom website first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Twilight Princess is notorious for its dark and serious style, but the game isn’t afraid to be goofy once in a while, too. Something that makes this game one of my favorites in the Zelda series is how it mixes bizarre elements into otherwise grim scenarios, creating a horrifyingly comical tone. This is especially true…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The bulky beat of the Deku Toad first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Early in the morning of August 5th, Nintendo dropped a brand new trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom that was packed with new information on the top-down title. Right off the bat, the trailer gets moving, detailing multiple locations in the game. The Central Plateau with Hyrule Castle and Town, Gerudo Desert…
The post New six-minute Echoes of Wisdom trailer is packed with new information first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Bonus merchandise items are now available for customers who preorder the curious upcoming Zelda title Echoes of Wisdom as we get closer to release day. This list specifically covers the preorder bonus items. For a list of all of the merchants you can preorder the game and the golden Nintendo Switch Lite, go here. We’ll…
The post Check out these Echoes of Wisdom preorder merch bonuses first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The wait is finally over! The prototype of Good Smile Company’s highly detailed Figma posable figurine of Ganondorf from Tears of the Kingdom is complete, and the figurine is available for preorder in the United States and Canada. Much like Link’s Figma set, various parts are included with Ganondorf to help replicate scenes from the…
The post Good Smile’s Figma Ganondorf is complete, now available for preorder first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda franchise has been host to a number of unique dungeons and mechanics over the years. Some have lasted across multiple iterations, while others faded into obscurity (poor Spinner, you deserved better). One incredibly common theme across all of the games is, unsurprisingly, darkness and light. For all the posturing around good…
The post Realm of Memories: Mirror mayhem first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda regularly follows traditional fantasy tropes with its castles, cathedrals, and enchanted woods. One trope that it often skipped is the great library. There are only two examples I can think of throughout all the games of libraries: the Hyrule Castle Library from Breath of the Wild that appears in Tears of…
The post Tingle’s Maps: The House of Books (A Link to the Past) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring games that was ever made. Its unmistakable elements can be seen in almost every facet of gaming, from huge expansive exploration games to amazing sword combat-focused ones, even down to the simplistic 2D side scrollers that seem to borrow just enough of that Zelda…
The post Former Capcom developers create new indie game inspired by Zelda and 90’s anime first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A fresh batch of Nintendo Switch profile icons have appeared, this time promoting the newly released Switch game Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Close to twenty different styles are available to choose from featuring classic Nintendo Entertainment System games like the very first Super Mario Bros., Metroid, and of course The Legend of Zelda. Now…
The post Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition icons now available on Switch Online first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The World of the Ocean King in Phantom Hourglass is filled with all kinds of creatures, some of which are well known to veterans of Hyrule, and some of which have hardly been seen outside of these seas. While travelling throughout the many islands of the Ocean King’s waters, Link will eventually encounter the Old…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Joanne (Phantom Hourglass) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The opening of Tears of the Kingdom shattered our hearts as Link, injured and in pain, used the last of his strength to reach for his falling princess and missed her reaching hand by a fraction. Link failed again; Princess Zelda’s soul was lost to the abyss, trapped in the time of the Zonai when…
The post Madame Couture’s Boutique: Zonai Zelda and the Light Dragon first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Since the fall of Breath of the Wild’s Calamity, Princess Zelda has been on a journey to help the people of Hyrule recover and rebuild. That was, at least, until she vanished beneath Hyrule Castle at the beginning of Tears of the Kingdom. One of the unfinished projects she left behind, the Hateno Village School, is…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Hateno Village’s School first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to love all things cozy. A warm cup of coffee and a low-stakes book about a baker; a fuzzy blanket and a farming sim like Stardew Valley or Fae Farm; or a clingy cat who wants to be petted while I watch a Studio Ghibli movie are my jam.…
The post Medli’s Melodies: A cozy concert quest first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“Open your eyes…” You have until July 25th to preorder a digital copy or bundle of Residents of the Wild, a Zelda NPC fanzine! The good people involved in Zelda Creators and Linktober have come together to organize a digital zine focusing on the colorful NPCs from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the…
The post Preorders are open for Residents of the Wild, a Zelda NPC fanzine first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The charity speedrunning marathon Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) has reached new records in several speedrunning categories in 2024, as well as a lifetime total achievement of raising over $50 million USD. SGDQ 2024 raised a total amount of $2,546,290 USD for Doctors Without Borders, a nonprofit organization that sends critical emergency aid and medical…
The post SGDQ 2024 hits milestone, shows historic Ocarina of Time “Ganonfloor” glitch first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s a good time for Zelda fans in the United Kingdom to shout “huzzah!” because the Game Boy Advance (GBA) classics A Link to the Past and Four Swords are now available for Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) Expansion Pack members in the United Kingdom to play right away. Nintendo UK made the announcement today on…
The post GBA Link to the Past and Four Swords for NSO now available in the UK first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On July 4th, creator Aimee Wood launched a crowdfunding campaign for a second edition of her successful fan-made cookbook, The Unofficial Legend of Zelda Cookbook. The campaign is running through August 3rd and had an initial goal of $4,000 USD. The project reached its funding goal within 15 minutes of being posted, and has so…
The post The 2nd Unofficial Zelda Cookbook flies past Kickstarter goal first appeared on Zelda Universe.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Zelda series, the Creating a Champion book was published with a main focus on the development of Breath of the Wild. Among a wealth of discussion about many of the games development topics, you can find a section dedicated to the Zora people and their very own Prince…
The post Zelda’s Study: Sidon used to have gray scales first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Zelda Dungeon Marathon, an annual charity event supporting No Kid Hungry, raised $17,085.16 this June. Each year, members of the Zelda Dungeon team stream on Twitch for a week straight, playing Zelda games, related titles, and mini-games. They also live-reacted to the Nintendo Direct. The event took place between June 15 and June 22.…
The post The 2024 Zelda Dungeon Marathon raises over $17K for No Kid Hungry first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has now published its rating for Echoes of Wisdom, a good sign that delays for the game won’t happen anytime soon. Curiously Echoes of Wisdom has received an “E10” rating, which is a little higher than Link’s Awakening’s “E” rating for Nintendo Switch. The ESRB has also released a…
The post ESRB publishes rating, playable Link confirmed in Echoes of Wisdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo Treehouse is back in the advent of Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition releasing July 18, 2024. This time, they showcase a fun live demonstration of the Switch game and the different speedrunning challenges players can best themselves in. Some of the modes they play include a “Defeat all enemies” mode in the first Legend…
The post Missed the latest Nintendo Treehouse? Watch them play Nintendo World Championships here first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Release day for a new Nintendo game or console is an exciting time. But when that hot new thing suddenly sells out and gets posted for sale at ridiculous prices, the fun gets sucked faster than Kirby can swallow. Nintendo’s President Shuntaro Furukawa released a followup statement with shareholders that they have a plan in…
The post Nintendo plans to combat scalping for Switch 2, says parts shortage no longer an issue first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Up in the skies of Skyloft, Knights protect the peaceful citizens from any lingering darkness piercing through the clouds. Many join the Knight Academy in the hopes of joining the ranks and gaining their knighthoods. Karane, named after the wetlands bird crane, is one such student in her senior year training to fly through the…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Karane first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda has many strange mysteries scattered throughout its history, and YouTuber Zeltik’s recent video attempts to tackle one of the more perplexing mysteries, the Fishmen from The Wind Waker. The Fishmen are a vital source of information in The Wind Waker who can be found jumping around every island in the game…
The post Zeltik video discusses Wind Waker’s frightening Fishmen first appeared on Zelda Universe.
While I didn’t really have pets growing up, getting married to a pet lover and having a child who loves all creatures big and small has made me a big fan of pets and animals in general. It’s even better when you can combine cute animals and video games. I’m definitely on the team of…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Gifts of the wildlife first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Even though it’s been over one year since Tears of the Kingdom launched, thousands of fans are still deep diving into every nook and cranny of Hyrule’s newest map. Everything still feels so fresh and raw that the game trailers continue to command the same hype and grandeur whether you’ve already beaten the game or…
The post SPOILERS: this fan Game Boy demake Tears of the Kingdom trailer is as epic as the original first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to see the world through the eyes of Link, then this first-person mod for Tears of the Kingdom has got you covered. Created by modder MaxLastBreath, the “Ultracam” mod does exactly what it sets out to do, switching the usual third-person camera for a first-person…
The post First-person mod brings new perspective to Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Pirates’ Fortress is one of my favorite sections of Majora’s Mask. Returning the stolen Zora eggs was the most emotionally important mission in the game to me, and that’s saying a lot. Majora’s Mask is overflowing with heart, but invading the Gerudo stronghold felt extra personal. Not only were we stealing back eggs for…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The secret of the Pirates’ Fortress theme first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As the video game industry matures into a more sophisticated medium, so have the tactics of online leakers and dark web hackers, and the stakes are only climbing higher by the month. The notoriety of Nintendo’s high quality original content has dramatically increased over the years, and with that notoriety comes higher product demand –…
The post Nintendo cracks down against piracy, sues modders, leakers go dark first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s been a while since I have covered Twilight Princess, but I find myself coming back to it this week because I’m feeling particularly nostalgic for one crucial moment in Link’s story. For a story so closely tied to a personal motive for our Hero of Twilight, that being saving the children of Ordon Village…
The post Realm of Memories: Writing delicious nostalgia first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Twilight Princess is certainly one of the weirder Legend of Zelda games. The characters are bizarre, the tone moody, and the gimmicks unconventional. The overall design choices are both bolder and more specific than the games that came before. One such choice is the design of the Boat Rental Cabin. In a few ways, it…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Boat Rental Cabin first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s always a treat when My Nintendo Rewards has a physical Zelda item in the mix. Over the years I’ve collected a decent amount of Zelda prizes that I cherish. My Nintendo Rewards are prizes, either digital or physical, that can be earned by playing various Nintendo apps or by registering new games. This entire…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: My Nintendo Rewards, Zelda prizes first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The island of Dragon Roost is one of the only hometowns of the Rito, introduced to us in The Wind Waker, and is the first window we as players have into the life of the Rito people. Although the primary Rito characters that Link interacts with in The Wind Waker are Medli and Komali, two…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Rito Chieftain first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.” Everyone’s favorite ditzy little Cucco farmer stirs up a new look fit for children (and heroes) who wind up lost in the fog heavy mystical forests. Gone are the beloved twin crossbows and in its place a flowering witch’s hat and a belt of resources…
The post Madame Couture’s Boutique: Witch Linkle first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai discusses a topic many in online spaces have heard about before, the echo chamber. Sakurai’s video is short, but he goes on to give a brief definition of the term, and then discusses the role it plays in video game development.…
The post Masahiro Sakurai discusses echo chambers in his YouTube channel first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Way back in 1996 Nintendo released the Nintendo 64. While video games were not incredibly old at that point in history, the system distinguished itself from its competition by providing players with a unique controller and the ability to play with four of your friends at the same time. From that point forward we got…
The post YouTuber makes his own mech suit to play Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fans’ hype for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is palpable with the upcoming release sitting at the top of IGN users’ most wanted titles. GamesIndustry.biz sourced the data from the IGN Playlist, a backlog tracker. It only includes games that were shown in this month’s developer showcases (such as the recent Nintendo Direct),…
The post Echoes of Wisdom is IGN users’ most wishlisted game first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo of Australia has released a new, family-oriented commercial for the Switch console, with a cameo from one of the system’s flagship Legend of Zelda games. The video starts with a father rocking his newborn in a harness while playing Tears of the Kingdom on the television, before playing it portably as the baby sleeps…
The post Tears of the Kingdom featured in new Nintendo Switch commercial first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In many ways, the story of Ocarina of Time is a story of growing up. Both Link and Zelda begin the story as kids. After their fateful meeting in the palace gardens and their hatched plan to save Hyrule from the cunning Ganondorf, they are forced to grow up. Link’s journey to get the Spiritual…
The post Medli’s Melodies: A circular lullaby first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda fans anticipating the digital release of Echoes of Wisdom will need to reserve about 6GB of Nintendo Switch storage space for the upcoming game. Nintendo has published an official eShop listing for the title, which reveals its file size and allows for pre-orders. Echoes of Wisdom shares a similar file size…
The post Echoes of Wisdom’s file size is similar to Link’s Awakening’s first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Good Smile Company released a public image update on their US social media page on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the progress of the highly detailed Figma figurines of Princess Zelda and Ganondorf from Tears of the Kingdom, and it’s going very well. The figure design for both models are finalized and the paint for Ganondorf…
The post Figma prototypes of Ganondorf and Zelda from Tears of the Kingdom make progress first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo appears to have indirectly confirmed amiibo compatibility for the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The amiibo logo is featured on the game’s official Japanese website. If you scroll down to the game’s box art and release information section, you’ll see it in the upper-right corner: There are currently no details on how…
The post Echoes of Wisdom will have amiibo support first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many fans are excited to play Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the first canon Zelda game starring the Princess herself. Last week during the Nintendo Direct, a trailer for the game was shown off for the first time along with a new golden Triforce themed Switch Lite. Both items are set to be released…
The post Where to preorder Echoes of Wisdom and the new Switch Lite first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s been a few days since the announcement of Echoes of Wisdom, and we can’t be more excited. Our first look at the game was less than five minutes long, but we already learned a lot about the new Hyrule that Zelda will be exploring in her new title. We’ve compiled a list of all…
The post Echoes of Wisdom: Familiar races and enemies return, old and new Zora both present first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A small difference has been spotted in the design of Link’s sword when comparing The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s official artwork and the game’s recent reveal trailer. Reddit user CloqueWise noticed the peculiar change, comparing images of Link’s appearances to show that the crossguard of his sword has a different style. Usually, something…
The post Link’s sword design differs in Echoes of Wisdom artwork and trailer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Deep in the shifting sands of the Gerudo desert awaits the quiet Spirit Temple, one of the last sojourns for the Hero of Time on his epic quest. Unfortunately for Link, the insular Gerudo clan are closed to visitors, especially in these uncertain times in Hyrule. To purloin the Spirit Medallion, Link will have to…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Gerudo’s Fortress (Ocarina of Time) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This Nintendo Direct delivered quite a bit of pulled punches for Zelda fans that included an immediate Nintendo Switch Online release of A Link to the Past and Four Swords for the Game Boy Advance, a graceful golden Zelda themed Switch Lite, and an all-new 2D Legend of Zelda game that is being released this…
The post Nintendo World Championships NES Edition coming July 18 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has announced a new Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch Lite that will be launching on the same day as the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The Hyrule Edition console was announced during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. It will launch on September 26, 2024, sporting a golden finish and a Hylian crest design on the…
The post ‘Hyrule Edition’ Nintendo Switch Lite launching alongside Echoes of Wisdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Well, that was one of the best Nintendo Directs in a long while. Light on the remakes, heavy on tons of crazy new stuff! And sure, we have a brand new Zelda game Echoes of Wisdom (starring the princess herself!) that we will talk about much more very soon, but there’s a lot of other…
The post Everything announced at the June 2024 Nintendo Direct first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has released a batch of images online for the newly announced Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The material includes the game’s official artwork, as you can see below. The company has also released 28 new screenshots, which depict various scenes from the announcement trailer. The upcoming game, announced during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation,…
The post Echoes of Wisdom box art and screenshots released first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s finally happened, fellow Zelda fans! In today’s Nintendo Direct, we got news of a brand new Legend of Zelda adventure coming our way, this year! It’s called The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. This time around, we get to play as the beautiful Princess Zelda herself. For over a decade, fans have been…
The post The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom announced for 2024, starring a playable Zelda first appeared on Zelda Universe.
During the June 18 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced A Link to the Past and Four Swords would be ported to their online service. Players with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack will have access to the game through the system’s collection of Gameboy Advance games. Four Swords will be playable through online multiplayer. The release…
The post A Link to the Past and Four Swords announced for Nintendo Switch Online first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Minish of The Minish Cap have their own way of speaking, which initially leads to some confusion on Link’s part when he first encounters the tiny civilization. Thankfully, the Jabber Nut makes quick work of that problem and Link hardly has to deal with the language barrier with the Minish for the remainder of…
The post Zelda’s Study: Minish Speak is treated differently in other translations first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda series is one that has garnered many fans across its myriad of games in the franchise. Some are fans of the older 2D versions of the games, while some prefer the 3D combat-heavy ones. There are even fans of the spin off games such as Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland, Link’s Crossbow Training,…
The post Kit and Krysta recall Nintendo of America’s worries about Hyrule Warriors first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“Aw, yeah! Check it!” – Purah, Age of Calamity The young eccentric genius and researcher of ancient Sheikah technology knows how to make an entrance. Gone is the short, cute design known to players in Breath of the Wild as, one hundred years ago in the events of Age of Calamity, Purah was a snazzy…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Purah (Age of Calamity) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Link has never been a stranger to bling. Even in the original Legend of Zelda, Link could keep slaying all day by donning the Blue Ring or Red Ring to reduce his damage. In A Link to the Past, the whole first part of the hero’s quest involved getting pendants in a variety of colors…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Bling fit for a hero first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The history of the Zelda fan community might not be as old as the history of Hyrule itself, but it’s certainly long enough to have witnessed a rich variety of content treasures made by talented fans across the decades. Younger fans recently discovered one such hidden treasure with thanks to the Wayback Machine, and that…
The post Step back in time with this Wind Waker fan comic from former site Indie Zelda first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Linktober’s annual event for all things Zelda and art returns online this Friday from June 14th 12am to June 16th 11:59pm EDT. For a simple donation of one USD dollar, you can access the event’s main site portal and see the wares of a wide variety of Zelda fan content creators, as well as participate…
The post Linktober’s Zelda Creator Con 2024 starts this Friday online first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) charity speedrunning marathon is fast approaching, and the games list is finalized. The event will be held June 30 through July 6, 2024 and will be streamed live online from Minneapolis, MN to raise funds for charity. A variety of activities will be held onsite simultaneously during the livestream…
The post SGDQ 2024 game marathon heats up, prize submissions open first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is currently on sale at a reduced price for European Nintendo Switch owners. The Nintendo eShop is currently holding a “Summer Sale” which has lowered the price of Breath of the Wild by 30 percent, bringing the Tears of the Kingdom predecessor down from £59.99 to £41.99.…
The post Breath of the Wild 30% off in Europe’s Nintendo eShop sale first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Zora are a people with an astoundingly rich history, even for Zelda standards. The modern day Zora of Tears of the Kingdom may not have known of its existence, but the Ancient Zora Waterworks likely once served a grand purpose. In fact, water temples in general tend to be gold mines for lore and…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Ruins of the ancient Zora first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda franchise has always put forward games that encourage players to be resourceful and creative, oftentimes giving players large sandboxes, rigorous optional challenges, and an abundance of resources to experiment with. As a result, no two people really experience the games in quite the same way – the stories may be the…
The post Realm of Memories: What ‘all you’ve learned’ truly means first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The director and producer of Tears of the Kingdom have thanked fans of the game following the success of its first year. To commemorate the game’s first anniversary, Japanese magazine Nintendo Dream talked to director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma. Reflecting on the game’s mighty cultural impact, Aonuma recalled recently hearing about…
The post Tears of the Kingdom director and producer reflect on the game’s first year first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The nine-CD box set of Tears of the Kingdom‘s soundtrack, previously announced to celebrate the first anniversary of the game’s release, has officially hit markets for preorder. We previously reported the Japanese box set was a Japan exclusive. However, preorders are now available in the USA through various distributors. According to the soundtrack’s page on…
The post Preorders for Tears of the Kingdom soundtrack go live in Japan and USA first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s so Nintendo to put something weird in their games. One could argue that Zelda is a weird series anyway, strange and convoluted, with funky monsters and gimmicks. The Wind Waker has plenty of quirks to offer. The sailing mechanic, the cutesy art style, the Tingle Tuner, take your pick. It’s a funny little game.…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Skyward Sword has been a fan-favorite since its release back in 2011. The plot, characters, and contribution to the Zelda timeline has been significant and important for Zelda lore for 13 years. With a great game comes great merch, and that’s exactly what we’re going to be discussing as I’m going to talk about the…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Figma Link (Skyward Sword) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Shopkeepers are an important part of the land of Hyrule and are frequently the only place for Link to aquire necessary items for traversing the world and progressing through the game. Although there are many different shopkeepers that have called Hyrule home across the ages, some particular shopkeepers appear multiple times throughout the series, such…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Stockwell first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has announced an official Master Sword replica in collaboration with Bandai Spirits. The announcement was made on their Japanese website for the first anniversary of Tears of the Kingdom, along with a clothing collaboration and soundtrack release. As of right now, preorders for the sword are available in Japan through Tamashii Web for 22,000…
The post New PROPLICA Master Sword to be released September 2024 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We’re always down for a good dungeon builder game, and while there surprisingly aren’t many out there, the independent studio Apogee Entertainment rises to the occasion and has decided to make their own. Developed by Apogee, Skydevilpalm, and Julian Creutz, the game is called Quest Master, a dungeon building fantasy sandbox that draws inspiration from…
The post Zelda-like dungeon builder game Quest Master now available for early access first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Well, what a random Tuesday morning surprise! Nintendo and LEGO have announced the first Legend of Zelda LEGO set, and it’s none other than the iconic Great Deku Tree! Which one, you might ask? Both! Shut up and take our rupees! The set releases on September 1, though you can pre-order it now on LEGO’s…
The post The Great Deku Tree, the first LEGO Legend of Zelda Set, ships September 1 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Creepy and unpredictable. Those are two words that I would use to describe Midna when Link first meets her. Her constant teasing and vague threats of torment mirror her impish form, and she’s certainly not trustworthy at first. Her and Link’s partnering is more one of necessity than anything else. It’s not until much later…
The post Medli’s Melodies: A twilit melody straight out of Zebes first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s safe to say by now that gamers are living in one of the best times to be a Zelda fan. We’ve got amazing games, with the most recent being Tears of the Kingdom, an exciting and technical marvel. We’ve got a plethora of media such as VIZ Comics’s Twilight Princess that just finished up…
The post Shigeru Miyamoto in “closest collaboration” with Sony over Zelda movie first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The adventure has ended. Once again, the Hero of Legend is triumphant over evil — the Nightmares that torment the Wind Fish are put to rest. Inside this egg, an alien realm of never-ending passages, stairs materialize before Link; an ascension to a higher realm, one worthy only of gods, one the hero is invited…
The post Tingle’s Maps: The Wind Fish’s Celestial Realm first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The expansive world of Tears of the Kingdom leaves much to be explored. Tucked away in the little pockets of Hyrule many stories emerge. They may not be about heroes conquering evil or riding dragons but they bring a warmth to the heart and give a reason to the player to be the hero and…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Pyper first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On May 10, 2024, two days before the first anniversary of Tears of the Kingdom, the official Legend of Zelda X social media account announced that a new concept art book was in the works for the game. Titled “Master Works,” the book is available for preorder on Nintendo Japan’s website and the Play Asia…
The post EXCLUSIVE: Check out these English translations of the Tears of the Kingdom Master Works book first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The celebration of Tears of the Kingdom’s one-year anniversary is far from over, and Nintendo is not ashamed to brag about it. First off, the Big N promoted items themed from Tears of the Kingdom again at their local Tokyo store in Japan. It’s still only available in Japan at this time as far as…
The post Nintendo promotes new key art, icons and merch for Tears of the Kingdom’s first anniversary first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A Link to the Past has one of the more atmospheric openings in the Zelda series. From the moment Link awakens, it’s clear that trouble is brewing. A mysterious voice warns him of danger, his Uncle suddenly leaves, and the young Hylian has to brave the thundering storm that lies between him and his destiny.…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Sorrowful beauty first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The official soundtrack of Tears of the Kingdom is getting its first physical release as a CD box set on July 31, 2024. The announcement was made on Nintendo’s Japanese website. It contains 344 tracks across 9 discs and includes original recordings, as well as BGM and sound effects. There also will be a limited…
The post Tears of the Kingdom official soundtrack to be released in Japan first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A Link to the Past is one of those games that never really gets old. Despite being released over 30 years ago, it’s still considered one of the greatest installments in a series full of innovative masterpieces. It has brilliant pixel art, introduces several groundbreaking mechanics, and establishes the classic formula that Zelda titles would…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The perfect simplicity of Kakariko Village first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Last month Felix from the Nintendo Life YouTube channel started a let’s play of one of the most memorable entries in the Zelda series. Majora’s Mask was released for the Nintendo 64 in October 2000, a mere two years after the classic Ocarina of Time was released. While fans immediately noticed a large number of…
The post Felix from Nintendo Life plays Majora’s Mask for the first time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s time to get hyped like it’s May 2023 all over again. On Friday May 10, two mere days before the game’s one year anniversary, The Legend of Zelda’s official Japanese X account shadow dropped another upcoming concept art book for Tears of the Kingdom called “Master Works.” It will be co-published by Tokuma Shoten…
The post Massive Tears of the Kingdom concept art book teased, to be released in Japan August 30th first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The successor to the Nintendo Switch, dubbed “Switch 2” by fans, was officially confirmed by Nintendo on Tuesday. According to a tweet written by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, the new system will be officially revealed “within this fiscal year.” This means we can expect an announcement about the console by March 2025. Furukawa also confirmed…
The post Nintendo confirms reveal of Switch successor first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I am a Zelda collector. My collection over the years has grown in a nonlinear way and has been generously fed by the likes of friends and family. My favorite place to nab items is from eBay, and more recently a Facebook Zelda Marketplace, where individuals like me sell pieces of their collection. Once in…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Monneret Jouets first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hey, look! Listen! If you missed out on BlackMilk’s award-winning line of Legend of Zelda apparel, we have good news for you. The Australian clothing company announced last week that it’s revealing a brand new “sequel” of Zelda themed apparel. Some pieces have returned since the first time, but most pieces are as fresh as…
The post Award-winning BlackMilk Clothing returns with new line of Zelda apparel first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Thanks to the power of technology, new inventions and implementations are always at the forefront and pioneering the future. And sometimes, technology allows us to take the rare opportunity to step back in time. One such example is how certain “archivists” are able to re-create older toy collections from years prior. An “archivist” is a…
The post Archivist 3D scans 1987 Zelda II “Famicom Choco” Keshi Figures first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the wake of Wes Ball’s movie Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes releasing in theaters next week, the Zelda movie director assured fans that he vows the live action movie will feel “grounded and real,” according to an interview with Polygon. (And it’s a safe bet there probably won’t be any trains involved,…
The post Wes Ball assures fans Zelda movie will be “best thing possible,” plans to use less motion capture first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tears of the Kingdom is arguably a technical success for developers by leaps and bounds. Many of the elements that were included in the game are nothing short of a technical marvel. Developers are in awe by how much the Zelda team has accomplished with this game, with many saying that achieving such success in…
The post Game devs reveal Tears of the Kingdom’s physics engine for sound first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The bird folk of Dragon Roost Island used to be one of the Zelda Series’ least represented races due to the fact that they only properly appeared in The Wind Waker prior to the release of Breath of the Wild. However, the world of Hyrule in Breath of the Wild saw the inclusion of Rito…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Harth first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fires burn a myriad of colors in the center of Lon Lon Ranch. A joyful tune with a hot beat sends a rhythm to all those around, lifting up their dancing feet. From the hidden forest of the Kokiri to the scorching deserts of Gerudo, everyone has come together to celebrate a new era of…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Celebration of Peace first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fans of The Legend of Zelda series are often spoiled with rich gameplay experiences that make the player’s efforts feel crucial within Hyrule’s truly epic history. Traveling though time, uniting entire races of people, and facing off against godlike villains – all are events which hold an intense emotional weight that players actively participate in.…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Piercing the veil of myth atop the Stormwind Ark first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This past week the Nintendo Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto X (formerly Twitter) account posted a surprise for Zelda fans with a whole new set of Tears of the Kingdom merchandise that any fan of the series would want. The new set of Zelda collectors items includes various forms of clothing, key chains, Secret Stone ornaments, Glyph computer decals,…
The post New Tears of the Kingdom merch appears in Nintendo Tokyo store first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Ever since 2009 and the short-lived acapella singing competition show The Sing-Off, my wife and I have been amazed by the skills of acapella musicians. The astounding sounds they can produce and the way they work to weave them together to make melodies is nothing short of a beautiful, musical jigsaw puzzle. The S.N.O.T. Chamber…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Acapella treasure first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s always refreshing to see (or hear, in this case,) a new batch of Zelda inspired songs made for fans, by fans. It’s especially impressive when said songs are based on the already powerful orchestrated soundtracks of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. This week, we’re going to focus on albums from…
The post Check out these chill fan albums inspired by Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The wonders never cease in the world of modding. A few weeks ago, we showed off some of the Smash-inspired modding creations of notCHase, and this time we’re back with another of their projects, a fusion of inspirations that turns Ocarina of Time’s Hyrule into a playground. Shield surfing is a mechanic that stands out…
The post Modder creates Tony Hawk-like shield surfing in Ocarina of Time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Deep in the fiery belly of Ocarina of Time’s Death Mountain lies a subterranean labyrinth known as Dodongo’s Cavern. As the second dungeon on Link’s adventure, it not only serves as a challenge of puzzles and monsters, but as a narrative pivot in Link’s journey as a hero. This dungeon is a labyrinthian cave system…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Dodongo’s Cavern first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As a core character in one of the largest side quests in Majora’s Mask, the purple haired Kafei is nothing if not memorable for those who have gone out of their way to aquire the Couple’s Mask. This suspicious young boy wearing a Keaton mask is one of the unfortunate victims of the Skull Kids…
The post Zelda’s Study: Kafei as an adult first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A young boy waits under the Statue of the Goddess, his eyes on the skies and the clouds off in the distance. He has waited for this moment his whole life. To finally bond with one of the many Guardian Birds of Skyloft and take to the skies like a true knight of Skyloft. What…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Crimson Loftwing first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fans of the Zelda series know that there are those select few creative types who look at the current availability of The Legend of Zelda merchandise and think “this isn’t enough,” and then take matters into their own hands. Their skill and love for the franchise combine to produce truly artistic creations that make even…
The post Watch how to create a custom Ganondorf figure from start to finish first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Last week, Tears of the Kingdom once again galloped head-to-head against the impressive game lineup from last year’s market at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’s Game Awards 2024. While Tears did not win the highly coveted Best Game Award, there was no reason to cry just yet. Tears nabbed (or should we…
The post Tears of the Kingdom nabs Technical Award at BAFTA 2024 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Treasure ahoy! While The Wind Waker is filled with pirates such as the fearless Tetra, the ingenious Mako, and the witty Gonzo, my favorite pirate of them all is a late addition to the crew: Link’s sister Aryll. After rescuing her from the clutches of the Helmaroc King, Aryll joins the buccaneers, even adopting a…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Watch the paint! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity does a magnificent job of worldbuilding through its soundtrack, and the four Champions’ themes are great examples of this. Upon starting each of their recruitment missions, the player is treated to an action-packed version of their themes from Breath of the Wild. At least, that’s the case for three of…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The protectors of Tabantha first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hello lovers of all things Zelda! We’ve got some good news for you. It seems that the most recent Legend of Zelda manga by Akira Himekawa is going to be available for preorder in box set format on Amazon starting September 24, 2024. This manga is about none other than Twilight Princess, based off the…
The post Twilight Princess manga box set available for preorder first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The music of Zelda is so iconic. Ever since the very first Legend of Zelda game, the music has been masterpiece after masterpiece. Most gamers in the world can recognize at least one or two songs from the series over the years. What is even more amazing is when talented musicians such as YouTuber Nick…
The post Multitalented woodwind musician creates beautiful Lookout Landing cover first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It looks like after joining Super Smash Bros. in 2001, Ocarina of Time’s Young Link hasn’t played his whole hand of moves to all the other competitors just yet! This modder has a penchant for rendering the powerful, iconic moves of Smash in Ocarina of Time’s engine to see what kind of outlandish interactions can…
The post Unleash powerful Smash moves in these Ocarina of Time mods first appeared on Zelda Universe.
For the month of March, Game Informer magazine held its own bracket-style tournament to determine the “greatest video game of all time.” Game Informer assembled the entries using a readers vote they held back in 2018 to determine the top 300 games of all time, as well as input from various online communities, staff input,…
The post Ocarina of Time wins Game Informer’s greatest games of all time poll first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’ve been listening to some nostalgic gaming podcasts on my commute to work recently, so I’ve got the N64 on my mind. Weighing up whether Ocarina of Time or Majora’s Mask was a more formative playing experience has proved moot: I played them simultaneously and both have different merits. But Ocarina of Time is such…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Link’s Nightmare (Ocarina of Time) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Phantom Hourglass is my third favorite Zelda game, with The Minish Cap and The Wind Waker in second and first place. As a Zelda collector, I of course want items from my favorite games the most. Some of the merchandise that came with Phantom Hourglass can be difficult to find today if you’re a collector…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Phantom Hourglass Sound Drops first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The land of Hyrule is no stranger to eccentric characters, and the denizens of A Link to the Past certainly live up to that expectation. With the inclusion of the Dark World, practically every corner of the map has some version of freaky little guy you can get to know. Thanks to it’s magic, the…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Bully first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Born from the mountains of snow and ice, Ashei is a warrior with more strength and courage than the knights of Hyrule combined. The harsh nature of Snowpeak Mountain and a father focused on training her to be the best knight she could be, Ashei is tough, maybe a little rude, but an inspirational strong…
The post Madame Couture’s Boutique: Ashei first appeared on Zelda Universe.
At last month’s Game Developers Conference (GDC), technical director Takuhiro Dohta, lead physics engineer Takahiro Takayama, and sound programmer Junya Osada, led a talk that gave gamers great insight into the accomplishment that was the development of Tears of the Kingdom. While most players of the game will readily admit that Tears felt like a…
The post Zelda team explains the developmental complexity of Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
With the new Ultrahand ability being introduced in Tears of the Kingdom, the Zelda player community sought to push the game to its limits by building the most complex and biggest creations they could think of. The most recent impressive creation comes from the player @saiotoko002 who managed to create the longest object in the…
The post Tears of the Kingdom creation boasts game’s longest object first appeared on Zelda Universe.
An anonymous Hollywood crew member came forward today with rather startling information concerning the upcoming live action Zelda movie. Identified only on the internet as Oroyp, the individual claimed to be a disgruntled videographer and leaked information across several social media channels that the title for the Zelda movie would be Legend of Zelda: Secret…
The post Live action Zelda movie to be based on Spirit Tracks, fans divided first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Depths Research department of the Zonai Survey Team has made a groundbreaking discovery about the source of the Upheaval event. From what we had previously known, the awakening of an ancient evil known as the Demon King Ganondorf was responsible for the Upheaval happening in Hyrule. But thanks to the discovery made by Josha,…
The post EXCLUSIVE: Demon King Ganondorf may be related to trains, new study finds first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Now that the Upheaval has (somewhat) quieted down in Hyrule and Princess Zelda is found, the darling of Hyrule has already set new sights for rebuilding the Kingdom, and that vision includes a never-before-seen mechanical marvel — a network of moving machines called “trains.” These vehicles won’t need horses to move, but will actually move…
The post Princess Zelda plans new railroad infrastructure, some Hyruleans balk first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The infiltration of Gerudo Valley and the excavation of the Spirit Temple are some of my favorite moments in Ocarina of Time. The memories of the game of cat and desert rat between Link and the Gerudo Guards, following the Poe through the raging sandstorm, delving into the Spirit Temple as both a child and…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Howling desert defiance first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Have you always dreamed of being an engineer pulling on the horn and crying out, “all aboard the Spirit Train!” to your heart’s content? Of course you have. Word is traveling fast in the online community that a Spirit Tracks based attraction may be in the works at none other than Universal Studio’s Nintendo World.…
The post Nintendo World Zelda train attraction in the works, may have safety issues first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Happy Trans Day of Visibility! I’m Jess Rappaport, aka @GoldenChaos, the owner of Zelda Universe and a very proud trans woman. Today I want to celebrate how supportive Zelda Universe and the Zelda community has always been to LGBT+ individuals. Zelda Universe isn’t just supportive of trans people, Zelda Universe is made by trans people,…
The post Happy Trans Day of Visibility! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The newest lineup in the Zelda franchise wins two more awards at the Game Developers Choice Awards 2023 held last week during the Game Developers Conference in New York City. This time around, Tears of the Kingdom wins the Innovation and Best Technology Awards for the game’s remarkable ingenuity in game design. These impressive rewards…
The post Tears of the Kingdom gains traction with more awards under its belt first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The overworld is a classic feature in game design to assist the player in traversing to the many landscapes and challenges the game has to offer. An overworld is something of a world terminal, a central nexus. Termina Field, found in Majora’s Mask, embodies this concept. Termina Field can act as a reflection of Ocarina…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Termina Field first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tears of the Kingdom has been out for almost a year now. Released last May, it is arguably one of the best Zeldas ever created, and some of the most fun you will ever have in the land of Hyrule. While there are different types of players when it comes to this game, such as…
The post Player builds impressive flyboard in Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the climax of Twilight Princess, after Link delivers the final blow to Ganondorf, the Gerudo King stumbles forward and utters one final message before going letting his consciousness slip away. Ganondorf implies that this conflict transcends the current battle and represents only one chapter in a history of war between “light and shadow”, as…
The post Zelda’s Study: Ganondorf’s final speech used to be similar to Demise’s first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Aaron Grubb just released his latest album, The Legend of Zelda Collection: Volume 4. The album’s twelve tracks include music from Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, and Twilight princess. As with his previous albums, Aaron Grubb delivers beautiful and creative new arrangements of familiar songs. “Malo Mart,” known for being fast and energetic, has a…
The post New Legend of Zelda album from Aaron Grubb releases today first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Wes Ball, the director for the upcoming official Legend of Zelda movie, was recently interviewed with movie industry magazine Total Film regarding his thoughts about the latest Nintendo adaptation for the silver screen. Not everything is revealed until the Total Film issue hits the shelves on March 28, but thanks to the detective work of…
The post Zelda movie director confident in creative direction, wants to fulfill high expectations first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hello, fellow Zelda fans. Allow me to take you to back in time to the year of the very first true multiplayer Zelda game: Four Swords Adventures. This game was technically predated by the GBA version of A Link to the Past that was released in December 2002, which first introduced the multiplayer concept with…
The post Realm of Memories: Multiplayer Madness first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many fairies live across the kingdom of Hyrule in Four Swords Adventures, bringing Links back from the dead, upgrading Links’ sub-weapons or simply healing the Links’ weary souls. One fairy stands out though, trapped in a unique situation that begs for the Links to help her for once. The Queen of Fairies herself isn’t hiding…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Queen of Fairies (Four Swords Adventures) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Zelda development team takes home several well-deserved wins on home soil at the 2023 Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards and CEDEC Awards 2023 in Japan. Facing stiff competition from Street Fighter VI, Final Fantasy XVI, Armored Core VI, and Resident Evil 4, Tears of the Kingdom was crowned Game of the Year and Best Adventure…
The post Tears of the Kingdom wins GOTY at Famitsu Game Awards 2023, Special Award at CEDEC first appeared on Zelda Universe.
He might Ascend through your shelf, too, if you’re not looking. The Good Smile Company’s high end Figma sculpture of Tears of the Kingdom Link is now open for preorders for customers in Japan and the United States. Figma enthusiasts are already excited about Link’s latest addition due to his meticulous detail and the remarkable…
The post Tears of the Kingdom Figma Link preorder is ready to parasail into your home first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fog looms around the woods, casting the sun away. A soft steady rhythm hums through the air and beats through the ground. A small imp lands in front of a great tree, a devilish smile upon its face. He says nothing, simply laughing before playing his horn. Leaves rise through the wind and then four…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Skull Kid (Twilight Princess) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
"All the hours of sewing, molding, and embroidering paid off in a photo session that is equally stunning as it cleverly speaks to the telling bond between the princess and the knight."
The post Madame Couture’s Boutique: A royal pair first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It's official! The Legend of Zelda is finally coming to the big screen. Though the movie itself is likely months, or even years away, that's not going to stop us from discussing, predicting, and sweating over what is likely to come. With such a big topic, we've gathered some of ZU's varied perspectives into the worlds of Zelda, movie-making, and beyond to talk about what we hope for, what we fear, and what is likely to come in Zelda's first theatrical release.
- Podcast Participants: Connor, Jodie, Amanda, and Cayden
- Intro0:00 - 2:26
- Zelda's Getting a Movie!2:27 - 12:41
- What the Zelda movie "needs"12:42 - 20:47
- Concerns about adapting Zelda20:48 - 28:52
- What goes into Zelda's plot?28:53 - 30:37
- The Soundtrack30:38 - 37:08
- References we hope they make37:09 - 38:47
- Portraying the Princess38:48 - 48:44
- Unseen events put to screen48:45 - 53:30
- Crazy Predictions53:31 - 1:03:24
- See ya!1:03:25 - 1:04:29
The end of the year comes the annual celebrations and gift giving that bring friends and families together. For this festive season the Zelda Universe Podcast looks to the real world and appreciate the many Zelda-themed gifts we've received over the years. Then, we turn to the winter months and examine the snowy environments in Zelda.
- Podcast Hosts: Connor and Matthew
- Welcome: Hyrule's Environment & Weather0:00 - 8:54
- Segment 1: Zelda Gifts8:54 - 33:30
- Segment 1 Follow-up
- 33:30 - 43:42
- Segment 2: Winter in Hyrule43:42 - 1:00:02
- Segment 2 Follow-up1:00:02 - 1:08:35
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
Happy Halloween! In a time where the spooky and the dangerous are celebrated, we turn our attention away from the heroes and villains that dominate the Zelda story and focus more on the legions of baddies that haunt our every step. By the time we've slain our thousandth keese, they seem pretty uneventful, but what would happen if they were in our world? Could you handle swarms of chuchus? What about a Gohma? Today, our Zelda experts look at what it would mean if Zelda monsters were a part of our real lives.
- Podcast hosts: Connor and Zara
- Welcome: What Zelda Monsters Do You Like/Hate?0:00 - 8:27
- Segment 1: What Zelda Boss Could You Defeat Yourself? - Jason and Zach8:28 - 28:05
- Segment 1 Follow-up28:06 - 37:09
- Segment 2: Zelda Monsters in our Everyday Lives - Shona and David37:09 - 52:50
- Segment 2 Follow-Up52:50 - 1:04:13
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
A happy end of August to you all and happy returns to ZUCast! Our focus on "Tears of the Kingdom" continues with a stronger focus on how its story relates to our other adventures in Hyrule. Our first segment looks at how well the game fulfilled its role as a true "sequel" to a previous Zelda game, while the second looks at its overall placement in the Zelda Timeline. A lot of questions to be asked, and a lot answers that may or may not be given (or make sense). We'd love to hear your theories. SPOILER WARNING: Major and minor gameplay and plot details for "Tears of the Kingdom" are discussed and referenced throughout this episode.
- Podcast hosts: Connor and Amanda
- Welcome: How was "Tears of the Kingdom's" Story? 0:00 - 10:52
- Segment 1: How well did "Tears of the Kingdom" carry over from "Breath of the Wild?" - Jory and Jason 10:52 - 31:08
- Segment 1 Follow-up 31:09 - 43:39
- Segment 2: The State of the Zelda Timeline - Mary and Elias 43:40 - 1:04:42
- Segment 2 Follow-Up 1:04:43 - 1:17:19
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
A happy end of August to you all and happy returns to ZUCast! Our focus on "Tears of the Kingdom" continues with a stronger focus on how its story relates to our other adventures in Hyrule. Our first segment looks at how well the game fulfilled its role as a true "sequel" to a previous Zelda game, while the second looks at its overall placement in the Zelda Timeline. A lot of questions to be asked, and a lot answers that may or may not be given (or make sense). We'd love to hear your theories. SPOILER WARNING: Major and minor gameplay and plot details for "Tears of the Kingdom" are discussed and referenced throughout this episode.
- Podcast hosts: Connor and Amanda
- Welcome: How was "Tears of the Kingdom's" Story?0:00 - 10:52
- Segment 1: How well did "Tears of the Kingdom" carry over from "Breath of the Wild?" - Jory and Jason10:52 - 31:08
- Segment 1 Follow-up31:09 - 43:39
- Segment 2: The State of the Zelda Timeline - Mary and Elias43:40 - 1:04:42
- Segment 2 Follow-Up1:04:43 - 1:17:19
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
Happy Tears of the Kingdom release! With the game just reaching a month's time in our hands we wanted to discuss what we've enjoyed about the game and what fascinating directions it has taken our adventures. Instead of breaking it up into specific segments and hosts, our contributors instead gathered around our mics for a roundtable discussion. We specifically avoided all plot-relevant discussions, so no spoilers beyond the most general locations and activities you can expect in this game.
- Participants - Connor, Cody, Elias, Josh
- Howdy! 0:00 - 3:44
- What's it like returning to this Hyrule? 3:45 - 10:07
- What general area have you enjoyed exploring the most? 10:08 - 18:31
- "Hand"-y new abilities 18:32 - 19:57
- A side discussion about death and dying 19:58 - 23:10
- Fusion 23:11 - 27:10
- Ultrahand and Ridiculous Builds 27:11 - 33:07
- Puzzles and Encounters 33:08 - 39:00
- Recall 39:01 - 42:32
- Ascend 42:33 - 45:27
- Exploration 45:28 - 48:36
- Shrines 48:37 - 51:16
- Thanks for Listening! 51:17 - 53:02
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
Happy Tears of the Kingdom release! With the game just reaching a month's time in our hands we wanted to discuss what we've enjoyed about the game and what fascinating directions it has taken our adventures. Instead of breaking it up into specific segments and hosts, our contributors instead gathered around our mics for a roundtable discussion. We specifically avoided all plot-relevant discussions, so no spoilers beyond the most general locations and activities you can expect in this game.
- Participants - Connor, Cody, Elias, Josh
- Howdy!0:00 - 3:44
- What's it like returning to this Hyrule?3:45 - 10:07
- What general area have you enjoyed exploring the most?10:08 - 18:31
- "Hand"-y new abilities18:32 - 19:57
- A side discussion about death and dying19:58 - 23:10
- Fusion23:11 - 27:10
- Ultrahand and Ridiculous Builds27:11 - 33:07
- Puzzles and Encounters33:08 - 39:00
- Recall39:01 - 42:32
- Ascend42:33 - 45:27
- Exploration45:28 - 48:36
- Shrines48:37 - 51:16
- Thanks for Listening!51:17 - 53:02
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about Tears of the Kingdom’s map and abilities, and we read your comments from the last weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Interactive Zelda Map & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The bond between Link and Midna in Twilight Princess is one that evolved throughout the duration of the game and touched many players’ hearts. Whether he was a wolf or a human, Midna stayed with Link until the end, ensuring that he never had to face any challenges alone. While endgame Midna and Link bring…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Wolf and Imp first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda series is known for its many emotional moments, whether they be heartwarming, terrifying, or genuinely joyful. Yeta and Yeto hugging at the end of the Blizzeta boss fight in Twilight Princess always tug at my heartstrings, seeing the moon come crashing down in Majora’s Mask always gives me an overwhelming sense…
The post Realm of Memories: When I cried at the happiest ending first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many of us are making our way through Tears of the Kingdom right now, but it’s too soon for me to think too deeply about the game. But as I play, I can’t help but compare the experience to playing Majora’s Mask for the first time. The world of Majora’s Mask is considerably smaller than…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Kafei’s Bedroom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The latest entry in The Legend of Zelda series, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, features fully voiced cutscenes. There are several returning actors as well as newcomers in the English voice cast. We’ve listed out who they play in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to the best of our…
The post Meet the English Voice Cast from Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When Volume 11 of the acclaimed Twilight Princess manga released in English in April 2023, fans across the world rejoiced that they would finally be able to witness the epic finale to Link’s six-year odyssey through Twilit Hyrule. It’s a true testament to the enduring power of Akira Himekawa’s work that the Zelda manga has…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: “Molblin’s Magic Spear” Golden Story Book ‘n’ Tape first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Although not a particularly rough spot, Windfall Island seems to be home to several bad-mannered and haughty citizens. Interestingly, the island also houses the Great Sea’s only jail (its sole inmate being Tingle, imprisoned for transgressions unclear). Because Windfall functions primarily as a port for sailors and merchants, it provides little in the way of…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: The Killer Bees first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Life can be tricky sometimes when you don’t like scary things. As a person who does not enjoy being scared in the slightest thank you very much, certain activities are lost on me. Horror movies as a genre are out (I don’t even like the commercials), and October in general can get frustrating. But sometimes…
The post Realm of Memories: Terror in Hyrule first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It depends on every individual’s playthrough of Breath of the Wild, but it’s rare that people head out to the upper corners of the map right out the gate. By the time the average player reaches the autumn-swathed Akkala province, they’ve likely completed numerous shrines, side quests, boss fights, and/or freed a Divine Beast (maybe…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Illuminating the Blue Flame path through Tumlea Heights first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about Tears of the Kingdom’s Collectors Edition and Merchandise, and we read your comments from the last weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Tears of the Kingdom Is Finally Here! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If you missed your chance to snag a Zelda-themed icon or two during Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild Switch Online event, don’t fret, as Tears of the Kingdom icon elements have been added as part of the Missions & Rewards scheme for Switch Online! Featuring character art and screenshots from the new game, the Tears…
The post Tears of the Kingdom icons available for Nintendo Switch Online members first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Majora’s Mask is a game that constantly twists your expectations. From the moment Link falls down the proverbial rabbit hole and makes his way to Termina, the player’s view is constantly tested. The leisurely pace of Ocarina of Time is replaced by the stress-inducing countdown of the approaching moon, characters who seem so familiar go…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The Termina twist first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In real life, princesses are usually assigned with lesser important tasks than a ruling monarch, but that seems to have never been the case for the royal princesses of Hyrule. While little is known of what kind of responsibilities might be expected of a Hylian king or queen, we know that every Princess Zelda has…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Princess Zelda (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It all started with a little guy in a green and brown tunic with a sword and a shield with a cross on it. His task was simple, find the eight pieces of the Triforce and save the Princess named Zelda from the clutches of Ganon, the King of Evil. Since then, The Legend of…
The post Take a trip through Zelda’s history in GameSpot’s latest mini doc first appeared on Zelda Universe.
After completing Breath of the Wild‘s four Ancient Shrines on the Great Plateau, the Old Man reveals his true identity to Link as the former King of Hyrule – King Rhoam. He informs Link of events that occurred one-hundred years ago before suggesting Link make his way east towards Kakariko Village, home of the Sheikah,…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Paya (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
One of the many mysteries surrounding Breath of the Wild’s highly anticipated sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, was the lack of clarity in Nintendo’s messaging on the inclusion of traditional dungeons in the game. The marketing cycle focused more on the story and the new mechanics such as the Fusion and Ultrahand abilities, but there…
The post Nintendo confirms classic dungeons return in Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As the days before May 12 dwindle to a matter of hours, you can celebrate the countdown New Year’s-style with a neat timer lens Nintendo has created with the help of Snapchat. Called “Adventure Awaits,” the camera lens features artwork from the upcoming game and a real time countdown clock to the midnight release! The…
The post Countdown the final hours before Tears of the Kingdom with this super cool Snapchat lens first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Zelda fans in the United Kingdom can participate in a special Tears of the Kingdom competition, but they must act quickly. The My Nintendo Store announced recently that ten lucky UK fans could win a special Tears of the Kingdom Shikishi if they follow the UK Nintendo Store Twitter account and leave a comment about…
The post Tears of the Kingdom Shikishi giveaway by Nintendo UK closes May 12 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Exploration is the main draw of Breath of the Wild; at least for me. With a vast land to traverse and trouble lurking behind every corner, as a wise old man once said, “It’s dangerous to go alone.” What better companion is there to bring aside from a lovable animal? Not just one you can…
The post Realm of Memories: My beloved Dorito first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Grab your chance at winning some awesome Zelda-themed prizes by entering the MyNinendo Tears of the Kingdom sweepstakes. Announced on the Nintendo of America Twitter, these Sweepstakes offer many cool Tears of the Kingdom–related rewards such as a Collectors Edition Strategy Guide, a Master Sword Crystal Statue, a 1 TB microSD card, a PowerA controller,…
The post New MyNintendo sweepstakes offers a variety of Zelda-themed merch first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about Patricia Summersett reprising her role as Zelda, GlitchxCity’s new Zelda Lofi, more Tears of the Kingdom order bonuses, and we read your comments from the last weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | New GlitchxCity Zelda Album & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This past April Nintendo confirmed that the annual “Nintendo Live” event would be hosted outside of Japan for the first time this year, and now we officially know it will coincide with PAX West, happening on September 1 through 4, 2023 in Seattle, Washington! Originally hosted back in 2018, Nintendo Live is a multi-day event…
The post Nintendo Live 2023 to coincide with PAX West this September first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Nintendo Store and GameStop locations in New York City aren’t holding back with their immense lineup of Tears of the Kingdom merchandise by any means. On May 5, the Nintendo Store’s Twitter page announced plans for a special launch event starting May 12 at the stroke of midnight following the Nintendo Treehouse Live event…
The post Nintendo Store New York, GameStop to host midnight release celebrations of Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I don’t think I’m alone in the sentiment that the cinematic cutscenes from Breath of the Wild are a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, they do succeed at stitching together a cohesive narrative for this fundamentally nonlinear game, and the performances are sufficiently polished to avoid breaking the immersion – a…
The post Zelda’s Study: Save Our Souls first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is right around the corner and Nintendo is oiling up the marketing machine as we prepare for the game’s launch. They have announced a Nintendo Treehouse: Live presentation that will be happening this Thursday at 6:45 PM PT / 9:45 PM ET / 2:45 AM in the…
The post Nintendo announces a Treehouse: Live presentation for Tears of the Kingdom’s launch first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This past weekend Power, Wisdom, and Courage faced off in Splatoon 3‘s latest Splatfest, and the results are now in! Power took home the gold in a sweeping victory, winning every category. After centuries of being defeated by Wisdom and Courage, it turns out the only thing Power needed to achieve victory was Shiver and…
The post The results are now in for the Zelda-themed Splatoon 3 Splatfest first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There are prisons without bars. Sometimes expectations, whether from parents, society, or ourselves can lock us up and keep us from leading the life we want. Princess Zelda from Breath of the Wild finds herself in this situation. She’s extremely curious and intelligent and wants nothing more than to explore the mysteries of the ancient…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Breaking free first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Happy Tears of the Kingdom month! On May 1, Nintendo gave Patricia Summersett the go-ahead to announce that she is indeed returning as Princess Zelda’s voice actor in Tears of the Kingdom, making her the second voice actor to announce after Matt Mercer before the game’s release date. We admit, the news seems rather obvious…
The post Patricia Summersett confirmed to return as Zelda in Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Every major event and story beat in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild told in one long supercut movie. Every cutscene and conversation is fully dubbed by the Zelda Universe voice cast. (including redubbed cutscenes) Get the full story told to you before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the…
The post The Complete Story of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It seems Target may have a bonus item to go with their Tears of the Kingdom purchases after all. Images online revealed a mostly put-together side stack that advertises the game on its side, and it has text that says, “Receive a free Adventure Hip Pack when you purchase The Legend of Zelda: Tears of…
The post Target Tears of the Kingdom bonus revealed in ad, Collectors Eds may become available first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s been a long-standing dream of mine to serve on a jury. At one time, I aspired to a career in law, and though I ultimately chose a different path, I’ve always found real-life courtroom drama to be oddly alluring. For most of my adult life, though, the judicial stars have never seemed to align…
The post Realm of Memories: Tears of the juror first appeared on Zelda Universe.
With the release of Tears of the Kingdom approaching (yay!) and the leaks that have happened (boo!), we want to share how we will be handling spoilers across all Zelda Universe channels. We are committed to allowing all Zelda fans to continue being a part of our community while also allowing them to experience Tears…
The post Our Tears of the Kingdom Spoiler Policy first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The unearthly and disturbing Lost Woods beckon to nearly everyone who plays Breath of the Wild with the strength of a Siren. Something about it is just so alluring. Perhaps it’s because it doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the world. Engulfed in a mysterious fog that makes the whole place feel haunted,…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Korok Forest (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
With Tears of the Kingdom only one week away, content creator GlitchxCity has released her new album The Legend of Lofi, as a love letter to the Zelda series. The eight tracks to the album are beautifully chill. It’s perfect to listen to while working, studying, or relaxing with friends while sipping on a Noble…
The post GlitchxCity releases new album The Legend of Lofi first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I know I am going to get so much hate for this, but I am prepared for it. Breath of the Wild is a critically-acclaimed game and a favorite among Zelda players both new and old. It was an exciting step for the Zelda franchise and a game I thoroughly enjoyed upon release, but it…
The post Realm of Memories: I’m not excited, and I just can’t hide it first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo is set to return to Gamescom for their 2023 expo, following a four year hiatus. The announcement was made via a statement posted to the official Gamescom Twitter account. Details regarding Nintendo’s presence at Gamescom in 2023 are yet to be announced, so speculation abounds in how involved the event will be. In previous…
The post Nintendo confirmed to return to Gamescom 2023 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Christmas is always a magical time of the year, but 2018 was definitely one of the best Christmases I’ve experienced as a parent. My brother-in-law gifted my son a Nintendo Switch, and I’ll never forget the smile on his face as he opened up the present. I still have the photo of it today, and…
The post Realm of Memories: The night I left the Great Plateau first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On the morning of April 13th, 2023 (at least, it was morning where I live), Zelda fans across the world waited not-so-patiently at their computers to hear from Eiji Aonuma and witness the final official trailer for Tears of the Kingdom. The trailer, coming in at almost four full minutes, blew the minds of everyone…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The final Tears of the Kingdom trailer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If you’re on the hunt for some serious Zelda inspiration without running into Tears of the Kingdom spoilers, we’re pleased to inform you that the complete fan music album for The Wind Waker by ZREO: Second Quest is now available! This gorgeous album, called Fair Winds and Following Seas, was made in collaboration with 29…
The post ZREO: Second Quest Wind Waker fan album and merch now available first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If you’re playing other Zelda games to prime yourself up for Tears of the Kingdom, now is the perfect time to play the hit Zelda-indie crossover Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer for free. Nintendo Switch Online Members can download and try the entire game now through May 7 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. After…
The post Cadence of Hyrule free trail available on NSO for limited time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Ancient Armor Set from Breath of the Wild takes the aesthetic of the Sheikah technology and turns it into a suit of armor perfect for taking down the rogue Guardians roaming the fields of Hyrule. If you have one of the Champion Amiibos, you’ve probably dropped the weird-looking Ancient Helm in favor of one…
The post Madame Couture’s Boutique: Vah Medoh Ancient Armor first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about Tears of the Kingdom getting previews from multiple content creators, Splatoon 3‘s Zelda Splatfest, a daily shirt from The Yetee, and we read your comments from the last weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Tears of the Kingdom Previews & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Prince Sidon reminds me of an old Hollywood movie star. He has the swagger and charisma often attributed to actors like Clark Gable, and his characteristic smile surely makes all the Zora gals and guys swoon as he channels his inner Errol Flynn and steps into the role of adventurous swashbuckler. Sidon has the glitz…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Music for a movie star(fish) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We are less than two weeks away from the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom! We came together with some of our fellow Zelda YouTubers and content creators to talk about the latest gameplay footage demonstrated by Eiji Aonuma as well as the final prelaunch trailer that released a few weeks…
The post Zelda YouTubers discuss Tears of the Kingdom one more time before release day first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild icon elements have returned for Nintendo Switch Online members, Nintendo announced via Twitter. The Breath of the Wild icon collection was available back in June 2022, but were ultimately switched out for a new set of rewards the following month. However, Nintendo has given Switch Online members…
The post Breath of the Wild icon elements return for Nintendo Switch Online members first appeared on Zelda Universe.
You know that feeling when you look at a photo of your childhood self and think: “Wow, I look so young and happy?” If you’re a 90s kid like me, that’s usually a printed photo from your mom’s old family album, faded from the passage of time and carrying a scrawled date on the back. …
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Portrait of youth first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I love the Super Smash Bros. games — a lot. You could say I’m something of a fanatic. In particular, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate takes the prize as my favorite multiplayer game of all time, attested to by the insane number of hours I’ve logged since its release in December 2018 (I’ll give you a…
The post Realm of Memories: Becoming the Hero of the Wild first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the final episode of Hades’ Misguidance, the cast of colorful characters from Kid Icarus Uprising talk about the last remaining fighters from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Those featured are Joker from Persona 5, Sephiroth from Final Fantasy & Sora from Kingdom Hearts!
The post Hades’ Misguidance: Season 3, Episode 15 – Joker, Sephiroth & Sora (SERIES FINALE) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If you can’t get enough of Tears of the Kingdom while you wait until May 12, we got you covered. No stone is left unturned in this in-depth fan analysis of the final trailer released by the YouTube fan theorist Zeltik. You’ll want to sit down to lunch and savor a cup of coffee or…
The post Zeltik releases analysis for final Tears of the Kingdom trailer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If you’re a Zelda fan in Japan who gets a sudden craving for fried chicken, you’re in luck. It turns out that the Japanese convenience chain company Lawson announced a Tears of the Kingdom inspired food product just twenty-four hours after the final trailer was revealed. (For those of you who have never set foot…
The post Lawson Japan stores offer new Tears of the Kingdom themed chicken snacks first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As the barrage of Tears of the Kingdom marketing merchandise continues, it’s nice to know that other companies besides Nintendo are producing Switch accessories inspired by the game to help fill in preorder sell-out gaps. The Japanese company HORI has stepped into the ring with new Tears of the Kingdom themed merchandise so you can…
The post HORI releases Tears of the Kingdom inspired Switch accessories first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breath of the Wild has a massive open-world, with so many locations to explore. At first glance, though, the Gerudo region may appear bare when compared to the rest of Hyrule. Just looking at the topographic map, all you can see are these cliffs that fall off into a flat desert plain. You can tell…
The post Tingle’s Maps: The Seven Heroines first appeared on Zelda Universe.
With almost two weeks from the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, various news outlets and creators got to play the upcoming game by Nintendo. Those who got to play were given roughly 70 minutes to explore new areas and do whatever they wanted to an extent. All the known previews,…
The post Previews for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are out in the wild first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Since its first appearance in A Link to the Past back in 1991, the song “Zelda’s Lullaby” has become a ubiquitous melodic presence in the Zelda series. It has been represented, either prominently or as a cleverly-hidden Easter egg, in 13 mainline Zelda games since its debut, as well as several spin-off and crossover games.…
The post Zelda’s Study: The possible origins of Zelda’s Lullaby first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As we approach the release of the highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, new information continues to emerge through various Nintendo channels. According to the official Japanese website for the game, the Breath of the Wild sequel will have a file size of 16GB exactly. What’s curious about this number is…
The post Tears of the Kingdom file sizes revealed, different between regions first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about the new Tears of the Kingdom website, new Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf art, and we read your comments from the last weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Tears of the Kingdom Website & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The marketing momentum heats up for Tears of the Kingdom as we get closer to the worldwide launch date. A new commercial was just uploaded to Nintendo’s Youtube, and features a few new peeks at what’s to come on May 12. It mostly centers on Link’s abilities, weapon fusions, and Ultrahand creations. However, there is…
The post Tears of the Kingdom commercials broadcasted, more pre-order bonuses for other countries first appeared on Zelda Universe.
What does it mean to be courageous? It has been described in many different ways: standing up for those who cannot fight for themselves, confronting scary or dangerous situations, and battling against overwhelming odds. One of the more popular definitions of courage I’ve heard is “the quality to do what’s right, even when it’s not…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: The cost of courage first appeared on Zelda Universe.
More than six years after its initial launch, Nintendo has released a free, digital version of Breath of the Wild’s Explorer’s Guide. Previously, it was only available as a physical copy through the Explorer’s Edition bundle of the game. Ninety-four pages are currently available to view and download as a PDF from the Zelda website…
The post The Breath of the Wild Explorer’s Guide is now available as a free download first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is just around the corner and the excitement is palpable. Nintendo treated us with a brand new four-minute trailer last week and a whole bunch of new information and details from the game. Some of these new tidbits come from the game’s official US website which not…
The post New Tears of the Kingdom details emerge from official Nintendo channels first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Well, that’s how you do a final boss! Forgive me for being a prisoner of the moment, but I cannot stop thinking about the final battle with Ganondorf in the Twilight Era. Amid all the craze, murmurs, and the dirty googly eyes (you know who you are) about the return and look of Ganondorf in…
The post Realm of Memories: Twilight fight first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about the new final trailer of Tears of the Kingdom that was shown a few days ago, Twilight Princess’ final manga being released in the US, Splatoon 3 getting a Zelda event, and we read your comments from the last weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Tears of the Kingdom Final Trailer Breakdown & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s only been one week since the final trailer for Tears of the Kingdom was unleashed to the world. Yet, it seems as if we’ve stepped into a whole new era since that time. We’ll give you another excuse to rewatch the epic adventure and get goosebumps for the 100th time with this amazing YouTube…
The post This video of the internet reacting to the final Tears of the Kingdom trailer is tissue worthy first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Leftover items from The Legend’s Cookbook: The Imp’s Masquerade Kickstarter are now live on their Job Job LLC store! The Imp’s Masquerade is an original, fanmade Majora’s Mask-themed cookbook, taking elements of inspiration from mask-themed festivals around the world. This Mini-Game Cookbook will be published by JobJobLLC and will feature 24 original recipes (+1 recipe…
The post Extra stock available for The Legend’s Cookbook: Imp’s Masquerade collection first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Throughout all of the various Links’ journeys, there’s one fight that stands out to me as the most personal. The Helmaroc King serves as the Hero of Winds’ final obstacle before meeting Ganondorf at the top of the Forsaken Fortress, but it is also the entire reason he left his home island for this grand…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Serving revenge to the Helmaroc King first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Welcome back to ZUCast! Now back and ready for a new format filled with discussions, banter, and plenty of opinions. We're happy to have you along with us.
With this setup we're going to dive into themes and topics that will look at the Zelda franchise in new and interesting angles; creating a forum for our hosts to explore new facets of Hyrule. Each episode will surround a theme, with the segments exploring a question based on that theme. Our segment hosts will discuss and debate while the podcast hosts will tie them all together.
Our first foray into this adventure involves multiple adventures. Specifically the times our fearless hero gets himself a sequel. Not every Link simply rides off into the sunset after his adventure is over, and what Nintendo does with those second installments is something we hope to explore.
- Hosts - Connor and Zach
- Segment 1: What would you add to Phantom Hourglass to make it feel more like Wind Waker? - Jory and Joshua6:35 - 23:56
- Segment 2: Which single adventure Link deserves another adventure? - Amanda and Elias36:57 - 53:14
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
Perhaps one of the coolest revelations of The Wind Waker is that the game takes place in Ocarina of Time’s post-apocalyptic future, and every island is just a mountain peak or broken piece of the Hyrule of old which sleeps at the bottom of the ocean. This means that several characters are callbacks to Ocarina…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Jabun first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There seems to be no end to the flow of add-on merchandise bundles for Tears of the Kingdom preorders. That’s a good thing, since preorders seem to be selling faster than you can say Zonai. To date, Tears of the Kingdom is making record headlines in selling more preorders than those of its predecessor Breath…
The post Even more Tears of the Kingdom preorder merchandise add-ons are available first appeared on Zelda Universe.
No, this is not a drill. Less than twenty-four hours after Nintendo revealed the final trailer for Tears of the Kingdom, the Big N gave Ganondorf’s voice actor the go-ahead to announce himself publicly on Twitter. It turns out that the voice of the King of Evil belongs to none other than Matthew Mercer! Matthew…
The post Ganondorf’s voice actor in Tears of the Kingdom is revealed early first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Oh, what a journey it’s been! After six long years, the Twilight Princess English manga has finally reached its thrilling conclusion with Volume Eleven, which is now available for purchase as of April 11, 2023. The Japanese manga, written and illustrated by duo artists Akira Himekawa, originally ran from February 2016 to January 2022 and…
The post The final volume of the Twilight Princess manga is now available in English first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Attention all Inklings, Octolings, and Hylians; a brand-new Zelda-themed Splatfest is coming to Splatoon 3 and will ask the age-old question: which is the best? Power, Wisdom, or Courage? Taking place on May 5 through May 7, this event in Splatoon 3 will allow players to finally settle this debate by voting on their virtue…
The post Power, Wisdom, and Courage face off in new Zelda-themed Splatoon 3 Splatfest first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The first time Link encounters Levias, the Great Spirit of the Sky, it’s not a pleasant experience. The Thunderhead lives up to its name with dark stormy clouds and sparks of dangerous lightning threatening to knock Link out of the sky. Levias is not in a talking mood, a parasite turning him to the dark…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Levias at Sunset first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Sheer bliss and imagination were unleashed in Nintendo’s showcase of Tears of the Kingdom with one last trailer before the game releases on May 12. The trailer begins with our good friend Eiji Aonuma, Producer of the Zelda franchise, surfacing once again to show us a more in-depth look at the game and a new…
The post Ganondorf revealed and mysteries abound in epic Tears of the Kingdom trailer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When it comes to The Legend of Zelda, the series isn’t shy in terms of putting the player’s feelings through the wringer. Whether it be feelings of joy, anger, sadness, etc., each game always has some way of making you feel something in a tremendous way. Breath of the Wild is no exception to this.…
The post Realm of Memories: My most emotional Zelda moment first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo released the final trailer for Tears of the Kingdom today, 29 days ahead of the game’s launch. It sounds like there will still be a trailer on launch day, but most of us will be knee-deep in sky islands by then. In the trailer, we’re introduced to a ton of new story details, weapon…
The post New trailer for Tears of the Kingdom released first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Join us on August 2 for four days of Zelda gaming when ZUthon returns. There will be Zelda shenanigans of all kinds when your favorite Zelda Universe members are joined by special guests. Best of all, it’s for charity! Watch us and help benefit The AbleGamers Foundation. Check out our playlist below for an idea…
The post ZUthon: Zelda for Eternity 2023 returns this summer for charity first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The wait is almost over for Tears of the Kingdom, and I know we’re all feeling the same excitement. How many articles, videos, memes, and works of fanart have you seen depicting the feeling of jumping off the Great Plateau since Breath of the Wild was released? Countless, I’d bet. But when we talk about…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Old Man’s Cabin first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On April 13, at 7am PST, the final trailer before Tears of the Kingdom launches will be available from Nintendo. Will this be the equivalent of the Switch Presentation trailer from January, 2017? Who knows. Some might argue it doesn’t need to be. How is it possible to be more excited for this game than…
The post The final Tears of the Kingdom trailer releases tomorrow, one month from launch first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If you were to ask me what my favorite game series is outside of The Legend of Zelda, I would say Fire Emblem. But then closely following that — and I mean very, very, very closely — would be the two Horizon games. I am completely smitten with this series, and I honestly think a…
The post Zelda’s Study: Triforces on the Horizon first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’ve always maintained that you don’t have to fully understand something to love it. This pretty much sums up my feelings for the Rito Champion, Revali, who remains my favorite of the four Hyrule Champions despite his somewhat divisive reception among the fanbase. His patented updraft technique, Revali’s Gale, has been an invaluable (and frankly…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Revali (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hello, readers! As the release of the Tears of the Kingdom draws nearer, we’re recruiting new writers to help us during this momentous occasion. From here on out, it’s going to be a busy and exciting time to be a Legend of Zelda fan, which is why we turn to you, our beloved community! We…
The post Zelda Universe is looking for volunteers to write about Zelda news, columns, features, and guides! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’ve always considered Breath of the Wild to be a comfortable game. Even though plenty of encounters and surprises are sure to bring your heart rate up (Guardians and Lynels, anyone?), the natural beauty and serene stillness of the game’s overworld will always stick with me the most. My first exposure to the game was…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: An inviting voxel-art training session first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Are you ready for one more Trial before we dive further into Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda fans? Nintendo is advertising a special Nationwide Quiz Event this weekend to test your meddle about Breath of the Wild. This real-time event is available in both the United States and Japan. You can participate by clicking this…
The post Show off your knowledge this weekend with Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild trivia first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s officially April, and that means we are that much closer to the release of Tears of the Kingdom! Many fans are looking forward to finally getting their hands on the game, but for a joyous occasion like this, it would only be fitting to have a Zelda-themed snack to chomp on while gaming, right?…
The post Tears of the Kingdom gummy candy releasing in Japan in May first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The debate over which video game controller is best is one that will never be fully settled. Every person might have their favorite, sure, yet getting all players to agree on a superior option (obviously the Nintendo GameCube, in my definitely-not-biased opinion) seems unlikely. But if there is something the various best controller factions can…
The post Realm of Memories: Button changes first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If your decision for where to buy Tears of the Kingdom comes down to which pre-order bonus catches your eye the most, North American fans have a new option. Best Buy recently revealed that they are offering a free art print for anyone who pre-orders a physical copy of Tears of the Kingdom with them.…
The post Best Buy is offering an art print as a pre-order bonus for Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Well, you’ve done it. You’ve freed all four Divine Beasts, completed all 120+ shrines scattered across Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule, and collected every photographic story detail Zelda left for you a century ago. You’re finally ready to tackle Calamity Ganon at the source: Hyrule Castle. But what’s the best way to go about that?…
The post Tingle’s Maps: The mysterious docks beneath Hyrule Castle first appeared on Zelda Universe.
David Erick Ramos, an ocarina specialist you may have seen on YouTube or at gaming events like PAX, has been raising funds via Kickstarter for an online virtual ocarina museum. The crowd-funding campaign is nearing its end – there are just 3 days to go – and still needs more fans of our favorite instrument…
The post Kickstarter for online ocarina museum nearing its end first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Zelda Lore recently released a new Tears of the Kingdom analysis video that expands on a simple question. Why does the new Recall ability make the center of Link’s hand glow yellow while the other three new abilities – Fuse, Ultrahand, and Ascend – make Link’s entire right arm glow green? By comparing the symbols…
The post Tears of the Kingdom may have four more abilities, according to Zelda Lore analysis first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The final showdown between Hades and Medusa is about to get underway… who will emerge victorious in this fight to the finish? Meanwhile, the cast of Kid Icarus talk about the DLC Fighters Pass 2, including Min Min from ARMS, Kazuya from Tekken and Pyra and Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
The post Hades’ Misguidance: Season 3, Episode 14 – Min Min, Kazuya, Pyra & Mythra first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about the new gameplay of Tears of the Kingdom that was shown a few days ago, E3 being cancelled, and we read your comments from the last weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Breakdown & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Who doesn’t love a good festival? Savory and sweet foods, slightly rigged carnival games, displays of dancing, and the accompanying sounds of sweet music are enough to get anyone’s heart racing. Perhaps the best instance of this kind of celebration in the Zelda series is found in the Picori Festival in The Minish Cap. During…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Sinful funnel cake first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This past week the cancellation of E3 2023 was announced, and it’s increasingly looking like this was the last we’ll see of E3, at least in its current format. Major video game companies, Nintendo included, have largely left trade show booths out of their marketing budgets in favor of more direct appeals to fans, such…
The post Realm of Memories: Remembering E3 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the world of The Minish Cap, there are three Minish Elders, one for each type of Minish found in Hyrule. The Mountain Minish are led by Melari the Blacksmith, while the Forest Minish are led by Gentari, the Minish Elder who informs Link of the locations of the Elements he must collect to restore…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Librari first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Here at Zelda Universe, we clearly love The Legend of Zelda. That said, we fully accept that it’s not exactly God’s gift to gaming. As good as Zelda is, there are plenty of other games out there that the franchise simply can’t compete with. So, to prove that we love The Legend of Zelda but…
The post 10 video game series that are admittedly better than The Legend of Zelda first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hungry_Clicker is an extremely talented Japanese digital artist who I think you ought to know about. He’s best known for his contributions to the fighting game community, drawing stylish pieces based on the characters of Street Fighter, Tekken, Super Smash Bros. and countless other series. The incredible speed at which he works is a large…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: The striking gaze of a Champion first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Eiji Aonuma’s gameplay demonstration video showcased a variety of new mechanics and details from the upcoming Breath of the Wild sequel, including a new enemy type called a Soldier Construct. These enemies seem to be connected to the mysterious Zonai race, which are also confirmed to be in the game. Shortly after the video dropped,…
The post Nintendo shares official key visual for a new enemy from Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In November 1998, a new game known as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time came out and took local video stores, such as Blockbuster, by storm. It was a huge hit for the Nintendo 64 upon release, and finding a copy of it in the wild was rare. Back in the good old days…
The post Realm of Memories: A prank fit for April Fool’s first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We’re still unpacking all the latest details in Eiji Aonuma’s gameplay demonstration of Tears of the Kingdom, and it’s undoubtedly good stuff. We’ve learned that Link’s new hand has a lot of new abilities that range from building entire rafts and aircraft from scratch to swimming through mountains. But we’re also seeing new information about…
The post Koroks are back in Tears of the Kingdom, but the Forest may be gone first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Elias, Peyton, Amanda, and Jodie from Zelda Universe sit down to react to the new The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom gameplay trailer.
The post ZU Reacts: Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Trailer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the new gameplay trailer for Tears of the Kindom, Eiji Aonuma showed off some new and interesting combat mechanics involving ingredients. In the previous game, Breath of the Wild, ingredients were mostly limited to cooking and eating. However, this trailer has revealed new ways to allow for creativity and experimentation using Link’s new ability,…
The post New combat mechanics combining weapons and ingredients shown in Tears of the Kingdom gameplay trailer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The recent Tears of the Kingdom footage clearly shows that weapons can, and will, still break as they did in Breath of the Wild. That same familiar warning will show up while you’re wailing on enemies. Before you know it, the familiar (yet oddly satisfying) blue shatter will erupt as the weapon breaks. But all…
The post Tears of the Kingdom footage shows weapons will continue to break, but offers cunning solutions first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Super Smash Bros. franchise welcomed Gerudo Valley as a new stage in its installment for the Nintendo 3DS (along with Spirit Train, giving the Zelda series two new representations). Gerudo Valley, a location from Ocarina of Time, would go on to be one of the nine stages featured from the Zelda universe in Super…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Gerudo Valley (Super Smash Bros.) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
While mythological inspirations are nothing new when it comes to the names of Zelda characters, General Onox from Oracle of Seasons has a rather surprising one. The General’s Japanese name is “Gorgon”, a name he shares with the snake-haired Gorgon sisters from Greek myth, including the legendary Medusa. While Onox’s relation to the creatures of…
The post Zelda’s Study: General Onox’s Japanese name connects him to Greek mythology first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There’s plenty to unpack here in Eiji Aonuma’s gameplay demonstration of Tears of the Kingdom, and if there’s anything for fans to get excited about, it’s the long-awaited confirmation of one popular theory. Yes it’s true, the mysterious Zonai race is officially mentioned in the game! Remember that green mechanical creature we saw from the…
The post Zonai confirmed in Tears of the Kingdom trailer, new mechanical enemies revealed first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In today’s ten-minute showcase of Tears of the Kingdom, we were treated to a little surprise at the end: a new model of OLED Switch, a themed Pro Controller, and a new carrying case. The Switch itself appears to be the same design reported in leaks earlier this year. It features golden Joy-cons with Zonai…
The post New Zelda themed OLED Switch and accessories announced first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A new trailer for Tears of the Kingdom has been released, this time showing off some of the upcoming game’s creative gameplay mechanics. The near 13-minute video sees series producer Eiji Aonuma exploring both the altered surface of Hyrule, and the sky islands high above the land. Several new features that we’ve only seen glimpses…
The post Tears of the Kingdom trailer shows off weapon fusing, vehicle building, and more first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tears of the Kingdom was not at PAX East this past weekend, but North American fans did get a chance to take photos with the life size Link statue that was shown in Japan last year. However, on Sunday, the community was rumbling with rumors of an imminent announcement coming on Tuesday. I was pretty…
The post Tears of the Kingdom gameplay presentation announced for March 28 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Every villain needs their henchmen. Some are simply followers of evil, and others simply don’t know any better. For the Dragon Knight, Volga, he fought against and lost against a powerful foe but decided (with the aid of some dark and powerful magic) that he wanted to be on what he thought was the winning…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Volga first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breath of the Wild added many things to the Zelda series. Its world was more expansive and gave players more creative freedom than ever before. The environment was yours to manipulate and develop your own methods of survival. The adventure unfolded the way you wanted. For Zelda fans with a fondness for the culinary arts,…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: A heroic cookout first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Have you played a Zelda game that made you feel like Brendan Fraser? Yes, you read that correctly. It’s a legitimate question if you stop to think about it. Well okay, maybe not, but for whatever reason, it was the first thing I thought of when I entered Arbiter’s Grounds in Twilight Princess. It really…
The post Realm of Memories: A journey in Arbiter’s Grounds first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Earlier this week, you may have noticed some sort of shift in your life. Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know that something has happened to make your outlook on life a little bit better. Indeed, on Monday, March 20th, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere were treated to…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Rabbitland Rescue first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Another preorder bonus for Tears of the Kingdom dropped on March 17, this time from Amazon Japan. Customers who preorder a physical copy will receive an engraved metal spoon, and if they preordered the Collector’s Edition, an engraved spoon and fork set. Unfortunately, the set is about as rare as the Man Fish’s mythical Triumph…
The post New Amazon Japan Tears of the Kingdom preorder bonus is a fork and spoon first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Last month we learned that Nintendo would be one of the marquee exhibitors at this year’s edition of PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts. As one of the last major gaming events before Tears of the Kingdom’s May 12th release date, there was speculation that we might see more of the upcoming Legend of Zelda adventure…
The post Tears of the Kingdom will not be at PAX East 2023 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tears of the Kingdom has now won the Most Anticipated Game award not once, but twice. First, the sequel to Breath of the Wild earned the prestigious title at Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards 2022. Now, it swoops in to stash another Most Anticipated Game award at the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards 2023. Eiji Aonuma,…
The post Aonuma speaks after Tears of the Kingdom wins Most Anticipated Game at the Famitsu Game Awards first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Let’s face it, gamers sometimes empty their wallets on their collections faster than a Rupoor can jump at you from a treasure chest. If that’s you, there’s good news. PowerA has released brand new controller swag for your Nintendo Switch on Amazon, and for a good price too. Each controller comes with a ten-foot USB…
The post Officially licensed Switch controllers add budget-friendly style first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“Whenever there is a meeting, a parting shall follow.” These familiar words from the Happy Mask Man couldn’t be more fitting as we head closer to the Dawn of the Final Day for the Nintendo eShop on the 3DS and Wii U gaming systems, which are destined to close forever this week on March 27,…
The post Zelda games on Wii U and 3DS eShop are going away soon first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Deku people are one of the proudest races in all of the Zelda canon, in my opinion only challenged by the Rito. However, the ability to interact with them (outside of shooting them with their own nuts) is a surprisingly rare occurrence, considering how strong their personalities are. This rarity, while frustrating for Deku…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The dance of Deku Village first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Link’s companions come in all shapes and sizes and have different skills and functions, but if I had to pick my favorite type of companion, it would be the ones who aid Link in temples. Instead of providing information about enemies you already targeted before or pointing out obvious clues, these companions have special abilities…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Gongoron first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Majora’s Mask invites players to experience a whirlwind of emotions that will leave them picking up the pieces of their fractured hearts. So many moments bring tears to the eyes. So many souls are lost, though not lost forever. As the game says, “Whenever there is a meeting, a parting shall follow. But that parting…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Sorrow, despair, and hope first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The cast gets a call from a mysterious person, but they keep playing tricks on the cast. However, Hades confronts this person to settle the score once and for all. Meanwhile, Hades, Pit, Palutena and everyone else talk about the blocky fighters from Minecraft: Steve, Alex, Zombie and Enderman!
The post Hades’ Misguidance: Season 3, Episode 13 – Steve, Alex, Zombie, Enderman first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Ocarina of Time was both my first Zelda title and my first Nintendo 64 game. I got to play it on my brother’s console, which he only owned briefly before trading up for the Sony Dreamcast (a decision that my six-year-old self greatly resented, but unfortunately, I had no say in the matter). My gaming…
The post Realm of Memories: How my first Zelda experience gave me nightmares first appeared on Zelda Universe.
One of the more surprising aspects of Breath of the Wild‘s DLC packs was the inclusion of a motorcycle as the game’s final reward, but Zeltik sets out to clearly break down the real world and in-game reasons behind this unlockable in his recent video on the bike. In the video, Zeltik breaks down how…
The post Zeltik explores the Master Cycle Zero’s history in new video first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Clock Town is probably one of those places that every Zelda player feels like they know inside and out. Majora’s Mask’s central hub conjures nostalgic memories for all who have visited it, even if they’ve never played through the full game. That song that you hear the moment you enter South Clock town is probably…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Inside the Clock Tower first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about all the different pre-orders Tears of the Kingdom has, TUNIC’s physical edition and plushie, and we read your comments from the last weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Tears of the Kingdom Pre-order Bonuses & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The good folks at Zelda Dungeon are back with their fifth annual Musical March Madness event, a tournament in which Zelda fans will create their own musical bracket and compete against each other to predict the “greatest Zelda song ever!” If you are unfamiliar with the event, here is the rundown: sixty-four songs will compete…
The post Zelda Dungeon hosts fifth annual Musical March Madness event first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Last time on Tetra’s Treasures, we took a deep dive into the Hyrule Lifestyle Collection, a batch of exclusive collectibles that could only be acquired by participating in the Ichiban Kuji Lottery in Japan. It offered quite an eclectic array of fun items, from sound effect boxes that make every fridge raid feel like a…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Ichiban Kuji’s Hyrule Lifestyle Collection 2 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In Ocarina of Time, the first character Link meets after leaving the boundaries of Kokiri Forest is a large, enigmatic owl named Kaepora Gaebora. This feathered fellow can be a bit of a handful for first-time players, as his monologues famously occupy many text boxes. If you’re impatiently mashing to get to the end, he…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Rauru, the Sage of Light first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I like writing about games that I feel don’t get enough love. I mean, I’ve been writing about The Minish Cap since I joined the staff, which was way before people could play it on their newfangled Nintendo Switch device. Have you read my love/hate letters to the Oracle games? I love being able to…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Princess in the mirror first appeared on Zelda Universe.
First impressions can be lasting and among the most important, people often say. Yet, how does one make a first impression with a character who has lived many lifetimes and travelled across many realms? Link, our brave silent hero, is a character who may look and seem completely different in the minds of two people…
The post Realm of Memories: An introduction to Link first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Last month, we were treated to a new, eagerly-awaited trailer for Tears of the Kingdom releasing in May during the February Nintendo Direct. In addition to the base game, a Collector’s Edition of the game was made publicly available for pre-order. The bundle appeared to have sold out in a matter of minutes, much to…
The post Multiple retailers offering Tears of the Kingdom pre-order bonuses first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The deceptively adorable Tunic is receiving a physical edition for PS4 and Switch, the developers announced. To answer the most immediate question of Tunic fans; yes, it comes with a physical copy of the manual. A deluxe, hardcover edition of the manual is also available by itself. It’s expected to ship in late July. For…
The post Tunic Physical Edition Pre-order goes live, includes physical manual first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Face Shrine is the sixth of Link’s Awakening’s eight dungeons. It is where you find the Powerful Bracelet, a tool used for lifting exceptionally heavy objects, and the Coral Triangle, one of the shimmering musical instruments that Link will need to perform the Wind Fish’s symphonic ballad. Functionally, it is a rather standard Zelda…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Face Shrine (Link’s Awakening) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When Link first entered the Dark World in A Link to the Past, it must have been quite the shock. Not only was he now sporting a very cute bunny body, but the very air and atmosphere of the Dark World was oppressive. Any warmth, any goodness, any sweetness of the Sacred Realm had been…
The post Medli’s Melodies: A sorrowful sound in a dark place first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Within the world of The Minish Cap, there exists the phenomenon known as Kinstone Fusion. Many characters across Hyrule possess Kinstones and are searching for people with complementary pieces because a successful fusion of two halves brings good luck to both participants. Most of the characters who are able to fuse with Link throughout the game are human, but there are some notable exceptions such as inanimate doors and statues. When Link is in his Minish form, he is also able to talk to animals, several of which happen to be potential partners for Kinstone Fusion. Scratcher the cat is one such animal who stands out for a number of different reasons.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
One interesting thing about Scratcher as a character is that it won’t always have a Kinstone Fusion available. It is relatively easy to understand the basics of Kinstone Fusion, but the further one dives into the intricacies of the system, the more complicated things get. There are 18 Kinstone Fusions that are considered random, meaning that they can be completed by speaking to anyone within a larger pool of characters. I think the reason why this mechanic is in place is because of the way the plot progresses in the game. See, one of the characters in the pool of participants is King Daltus. It makes sense that such an important character would have a Kinstone Fusion available, but after Vaati begins impersonating the king, you are no longer to speak with him. When this happens, the Kinstone Fusion that would’ve been assigned to Daltus is transferred to one of the other characters within the pool, so the player won’t ever permanently miss out on a Fusion.
Today, Scratcher chooses violence.Anyway, back to Scratcher. This kitty belongs to Julietta, one of the characters Link must hunt down in Hyrule Town to collect an overdue library book. While retrieving the book, you’ll cross paths with Scratcher, who happens to be one of the only NPCs in The Minish Cap, and maybe the Zelda series as a whole, who can simultaneously be your friend and your potential killer. In the same breath that Scratcher will gladly fuse Kinstone Pieces with you, it will also relentlessly attack you. Ezlo actually vocalizes his fear of the cat when Link’s in Minish form, warning him to steer clear of it.
I have revisited The Minish Cap several times, but I can’t recall ever fusing Kinstone Pieces with Scratcher. I must have just avoided it in the past, heeding Ezlo’s instructions and not tempting fate. That might be the reason why Scratcher is on the random Kinstone fusers list in the first place: as a way of rewarding players brave (or stupid) enough to approach the cat and speak to it. So for my next playthrough, I’ll be sure to let this special kitty take a swipe at me so that we can match Kinstone pieces and bring us both some good luck.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Scratcher first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Today marks six years since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild! We are highlighting some of our past features to mark the occasion. However, our friend Zeltik has shared a new comparison video highlighting how the world of Breath of the Wild changed between the initial reveals and the final release that I think everyone should see.
Did you know there is a visible shrine in the early gameplay footage? Did you know that the Game Awards footage lines up very closely with the world of the final release years later? I watched these trailers hundreds of times and still learned new details from the new video analysis.
Check out Zeltik’s new video, and then stick around and check out his recent Tears of the Kingdom videos as well!
The post Zeltik compares Breath of the Wild’s beta world to the final release first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’ve never bought into the concept of a god for humans. Do we deserve absolvement from all our sins, to go to a glorious heaven in the clouds? I’m not so sure. But a god for horses – for those beautiful creatures whose only desire is to run around freely, munch on some crunchy carrots, and love their humans unconditionally? Now that’s a religion I’ll go to church for.
Breath of the Wild got it right: the Horse God Malanya’s sole purpose is to low-key condemn terrible humans who get their horse killed – accidentally or not – and revive the victim if the condemned is sorry. Every horse that’s ever been forced to run in front of a Guardian beam or a rogue bomb makes their way to loving Malanya up in horsie heaven.
In OutsetEmporium’s artwork of this wonderful deity, we’re graced with a peek at his heavenly realm, where all horses are greeted with beaming blue skies, shimmering clouds, and the god’s open arms (well, hands).
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
It’s a tried and true depiction of heaven – there’s not a cloud in the sky, but instead they cushion horses’ weary hooves. And it’s perfect. It’s drawn with bright colors and meticulous brushwork, creating an aura of untarnishable perfection yet cozy softness – just like you would imagine heaven to be. It’s a place where no more harm can reach the pure souls of horses. It’s a place where Malanya himself greets his horsie children.
“Deity” by OutsetEmporiumThis may be my imagination, but I’m sure OutsetEmporium has filled Malanya’s otherwise hollow eyes with a look of compassion and warmth. His eyes normally appear narrow and his face contorts with judgement. But here, as a gorgeous auburn horse (who looks suspiciously like Epona) stands before the god, there is only love. The usual intense gaze seems only reserved for careless Hylians like Link, who is unfortunately far from inculpable despite being Hyrule’s hero. Malanya’s love for all horses is undeniable, and I’m glad to see it. He’s a deity I’ll willingly support with endless Endura Carrots.
My favourite aspect of this piece actually transcends the artwork itself. It reminded me of something both hilarious and wonderful that I had to share, and which I hope will now be permanently connected to the piece in your mind, too.
If you’ve ever watched the TV show Parks and Recreation, you’ll remember the town’s celebrity horse called Li’l Sebastian. Upon the tragic passing of the beloved horse, a tribute song is performed – entitled “5000 Candles in the Wind”. It’s an adaptation of “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John, written to instead be “a song that’s 5,000 times better than Candle in the Wind”. This artwork immediately made me think of it.
“Up in horsie heaven, here’s the thing
You trade your legs for angels wings
And once we’ve all said goodbye
You take a running leap and you learn to fly
Bye bye Li’l Sebastian…”
Here’s a clip with the song for you to enjoy, and now you’ll always think of the Horse God Malanya (as well as the treasure that is Li’l Sebastian) as depicted here in horsie heaven when you hear it.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Up in horsie heaven first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The official TUNIC plush, designed by Saber Murphy, is about 10 inches tall and can be purchased for $32. It comes equipped with a removable sword and shield that attaches to it hands by magnets. You’ll be able to order the plush with other products beginning March 3. Until then, this product can only be ordered by itself. As someone who’s an avid lover of stuffed animals and foxes, I was immediately sold when I saw this!
Too cute for words.If you’re looking for some more TUNIC merch, Fangamer also has a shirt available for $32.
TUNIC is an isometric action game about a small fox on a big adventure that takes many cues from The Legend of Zelda. The game originally released back in March 2022 and has made its way onto the Xbox, PC, PlayStation, and even the Nintendo Switch. It’s a must-play for any Zelda fan, but if you’re on the fence about it, consider reading Zelda Universe’s official review of the game here.
The post TUNIC ‘Huggable Fox Plush’ now available through Fangamer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On February 28, First 4 Figures hosted a launch stream on their YouTube where they unveiled details about the latest addition to their Breath of the Wild statue lineup, this time for the Goron Champion, Daruk.
Daruk stands tall at 12 inches high (1 inch higher than the Urbosa statue!) on a Sheikah eye base, bearing a wide-grin while proudly wielding his signature weapon, the Boulder Breaker. Similar to the other Champions, he is modeled after his official Breath of the Wild artwork pose.
Preorders for the Exclusive Edition of the statue are currently up on First 4 Figures’ website. Like the Revali, Mipha, and Urbosa Exclusive Edition statues, Daruk comes neatly packaged in a premium deluxe box with an authentication card and limited-edition numbering. Orders placed on or before April 3, 2023, 16:00 HKT, are eligible for an early bird discount valued at $159.99 (excluding tax and shipping). While there is no concrete release date as of yet, shipping is estimated to begin in Q4 2023.
Aside from the Exclusive Edition, a Standard and Collector’s Edition of the statue have also been announced. The Standard Edition of the statue will cost $134.99 (excluding tax and shipping) and will be available for pre-order at your local retailer. This edition will include the collector’s box and leaflet. It is also important to note that this version of the statue does not come with a light-up base.
The Collector’s Edition of the statue will cost $154.99 (excluding tax and shipping) and will also be available for pre-order at your local retailer. This has the same features as the Exclusive Edition, minus the premium deluxe box, numbered base, authentication card, USB-C cable, and rechargeable battery. The Collector’s Edition will be available on First 4 Figures’ website at a later date once the Exclusive Edition has sold out.
If you missed out on the launch stream, you can still watch the recap on First 4 Figures’ YouTube channel for more details and information.
The post First 4 Figures’ Breath of the Wild Daruk PVC statue now available for pre-order first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I ended the last part of my journey through The Wind Waker on a cliffhanger, with me and the King of Red Lions descending towards the bottom of the ocean. Needless to say, I was surprised to learn that a castle had been hiding beneath the waves this entire time! The castle was completely grey, and as we descended, I could hear the familiar theme song from The Legend of Zelda, but slower and more beautiful. Surely this had to be Hyrule Castle, completely drowned just like the rest of the old kingdom. What would I find in this time capsule seemingly preserved by ocean water?
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
In the middle of the colorless corridor was a towering statue depicting a triumphant Link. Strangely, our Link did not seem to recognize himself, nor did he seem interested in investigating why he had been immortalized in this secret castle. Not that he really had time to ponder this, since the King of Red Lions was nagging him to complete a block puzzle in the middle of the room. Once the puzzle was completed, a door opened up at the base of the statue with stairs leading down below. I found myself in a chamber full of knight statues and stained glass windows, and at the center of the room was none other than the Master Sword! I wasn’t really surprised, since every Zelda game I have played thus far has had some kind of grand sword you need to grab. Surely this sword, like all the others, will give me true power for the difficult trials I am about to endure.
Even in greyscale, the game looks gorgeous!When I first entered the castle, I noticed that there were a bunch of enemies frozen in place. My spider senses told me that these enemies would awaken soon enough, and I was going to have to use my newly-acquired Master Sword to defeat them all. After pulling the sword from the pedestal, the color returned back to the castle! It was a neat visual that tied in well with the music that was playing. And would you look at that, the enemies also sprung back to life! Luckily, the power of the Master Sword had now transformed me into an incredible beast, so the Darknuts and Moblins posed little threat. I quickly dispatched them and returned to the King of the Red Lions, so we could head back up to the surface.
My trusty vessel informed me that I was now ready to rescue my sister Aryll. Oh, that’s right: the whole reason I got into this mess was because I wanted to save my sister! With everything that I had done thus far — sailing across the sea, helping Medli and Makar, tracking down the pirates, and overcoming trials — I had actually forgotten about her. Fortunately, thanks to modern technology and guides, I knew a secret that would help me along the way. Sailing across the ocean is fun and relaxing, but of course this Zelda game had to have some kind of fast travel mechanic, right? Sure enough, I was able to track down the wind god Cyclos, and as a reward for nailing him with arrows while swirling around in a cyclone, he taught me how to play the Ballad of the Gales. Now I can warp across the ocean using the power of whirlwinds, which is sure to save me a lot of time as I complete the rest of the game.
Before heading towards the Forsaken Fortress, I decided to use this new warp ability to complete some sidequests. Earlier on in my playthrough, a merchant named Zunari gave me the Town Flower, explaining that he wanted to expand his business and needed me to recruit other merchants to trade wares with. This reminded me of how, in Pokémon Gold and Silver, you are given a bicycle to ride in order to drum up business for the cycle shop. So, once again relying on guides to point me in the right direction, I warped across the Great Sea and tracked down the three Goron merchants who would help Zunari’s dream of being a successful businessman come true. Unlike the trading sequence in Link’s Awakening, where trades were completed throughout the course of the game and actually advanced the storyline, the point of this fetch quest is simply to get a prize: the Magic Armor. It’s a pretty amazing reward, though, since it makes me immune to all attacks in battle as long as I can keep my Magic Meter from emptying. I still prefer to use combat skills instead of magic to dodge attacks, so I doubt this will ever be a problem.
This was one of many, many trades.In part two of the sidequest bonanza, I was tasked with reviving all the withered Deku trees scattered throughout the Great Sea. This task was both tedious and stressful, as it required me to quickly warp to eight different locations and pour a bottle of Forest Water on all the trees before the water expired. I can understand the gameplay mechanic of quickly navigating the map in order to beat a time limit, but having to save eight withered trees seemed a bit much to me. If you ask me, four or five would have been perfect for this task. And what did I get for all my hard work? A single Piece of Heart. Given how much of a slog this sidequest was, I feel like I should have at least received a second reward, like a Treasure Chart or something. I usually dislike fetch quests in the games I play, whether they involve locating a Machamp to trade for an Arbok in a Pokémon game or gathering three mushrooms in Monster Hunter. But at least those games only ask you to gather a small number of items or objects most times, and they can often be completed while working on the main campaigns. These excessive Wind Waker fetch quests, on the other hand, left me drained and completely fetched out, so I decided to finally move on to the sibling rescue mission.
When I landed back at the Forsaken Fortress, I was greeted by the shadowy figure of Phantom Ganon. It wasn’t too difficult of a miniboss battle, but I did have some trouble lining up the camera angle perfectly to swat the energy balls back at him. My reward for defeating him was the Skull Hammer, a.k.a. my new favorite weapon in the game. Not only does it look cool, but I feel like I am playing Whack-a-Mole everytime I use it.
Then, when I reached the top of the fortress where Aryll was being held, I got treated to a rather long cutscene. Link and Aryll weren’t given much time for a reunion before Tetra and her pirates burst into the scene and cut the moment short. After Tetra ordered her underlings to unlock the cell holding Aryll and two other girls hostage, she noticed the new sword and immediately started questioning why Link had it in his possession. I wondered what this could mean and ultimately decided that she must be connected to Zelda somehow. I mean, she already looks like a small pirate version of the princess, so even before this plot point unfolded, it had crossed my mind that the two might be connected. It was really nice to see Aryll again, too. I finally got to rescue her, but before we could even celebrate, the pirates whisked her away to safety. I hope that I can truly trust Tetra here, because it took a long time to rescue Aryll and I don’t want to have to do it all over again. Link just kind of stands there, weakly waving as his sister calls out to him, which doesn’t give me a lot of confidence that she’ll be okay.
Big Brother! You just got here, and we’re being separated already!After putting the hammer down on the nasty Helmaroc King who kicked off this entire journey, I finally got to meet Ganondorf (through yet another long cutscene) and see what his evil form looks like. I found his outfit to be rather dapper, and his large stature was quite impressive. It intrigued me that he seemed to know Link already, as he said “It’s been a while, boy.” What could that mean? I know that some Zelda games often have a cycle or history of a previous battle between Link and Ganondorf, so maybe this is foreshadowing a revelation to come later on? It’s funny how Ganondorf is just so large and powerful that he isn’t the least bit afraid of this tiny little guy carrying a sword and shield. In fact, he calls our sword useless and says it no longer contains the power to defeat him. Well, I guess I now know what my next big mission will be…
At that moment, Tetra bolts into the room and tries to attack Ganondorf, but he quickly overpowers her. Then he notices the necklace she is wearing and deduces that she must be Princess Zelda! So my suspicions about her were right all along. I wonder why she picked the name Tetra? Is her spirit possessing the pirate girl’s body? All of this is making my head spin! The length of these cutscenes seemed a little excessive, but they proved extremely integral to the plot and heightened the tension of the story considerably. I ended this play session feeling like I had accomplished quite a bit, and that I had gotten to the “meaty” part of the game. I assume that my next task will involve strengthening the Master Sword enough to repel Ganondorf’s evil. I am looking forward to that leg of the journey now, especially with Princess Zelda by my side.
Catch up on the previous chapters in this series with the links below!
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
- Part 4
- Part 5
- Part 6
The post Realm of Memories: My journey through The Wind Waker (Part 7) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breath of the Wild is full of memorable locations, each with a unique history and purpose. Of the many Shrines scattered across this forlorn version of Hyrule, three of the most memorable have to be the mystical Springs of Courage, Power, and Wisdom. As you may have guessed, each one represents a different piece of the Triforce, and my personal favorite of the three is definitely the Spring of Wisdom, located atop the frigid Mount Lanayru.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
Satellite image of the Spring of Wisdom.If the player hasn’t ventured to Mount Lanayru of their own accord by the time they reach Hateno Village, one of the locals will point them in that direction. Should Link choose to speak to him, a villager named Medda will comment on how little there is to do in the town. If pressed further, he will point out the local dye shop as a place of interest and then begin to talk about Mount Lanayru to the north. He shares a rumor that the Spring of Wisdom, a sacred spring that Princess Zelda used for purification rituals, is located atop the mountain, and he goes on to speculate that there might be treasure hidden near the spring. Now the Hero of the Wild has a new sidequest (or a Shrine Quest, to be more accurate). After equipping some winter clothes and eating some spicy peppers, it is time to go search for this mysterious, sacred Spring.
After traversing the treacherous mountain terrain — which would be a perilous proposition even if you took away all the wolves, Ice Keese, and Lizalfos — Link arrives to the holy spring. Surrounded by the crumbled remains of stone pillars, the only structure to remain intact after all these years of solitude is a statue of the Goddess Hylia. She stands tall in the shallow pool of water, which is still in a liquid state despite the frosty climate. Behind her, a swathe of giant ice spikes jut out from the frozen ground, collectively acting as a throne for the mighty serpent, Naydra. She lays coiled among the jagged monoliths, infected by Ganon’s Malice. This discovery is both breathtaking and sorrowful. A once magnificent beast, now corrupted and doomed to ruin, has returned to rest in this spring blessed by the gods, which has also succumbed to decay. This just goes to show that no place in Hyrule is safe. Not even the most secluded and sacred places can escape Ganon’s clutches.
Naydra corrupted by Malice.But all is not lost. The Goddess Statue will task Link with saving the beast by cleansing it of the Malice. Naydra then takes flight, and the brave knight springs into action. Using his glider, Link follows the updrafts that the dragon is able to produce with its enormous body. Link and Naydra fly high above the Spring of Wisdom, with Mount Lanayru and its surrounding landmarks now in plain view, and Link fires arrows at the glowing eyeballs that have grown out of the Malice. Once Naydra’s soul is purified, both return to the Spring below. The Goddess Statue then congratulates Link for purifying Naydra and instructs him to fire one final arrow at the dragon. This causes one of Naydra’s scales to drop to the ground, and then the beast flies away, free once again. Link can now collect the scale and offer it to the spring, which unlocks the hidden Jitan Sa’mi Shrine.
The Spring of Wisdom, even in its decrepit state, continues to be a holy ground for prayer and purification. This small, seemingly insignificant Shrine Quest deftly communicates the deeper message of Breath of the Wild: the land may lie in ruins and all hope may seem lost, but the Goddess Hylia can still depend on the chosen hero to cleanse those who have been corrupted and purify the land once again.
Link prepares to offer Naydra’s Scale to the Spring.The post Tingle’s Maps: Spring of Wisdom (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Spirit Temple of Ocarina of Time stands out as one of the more mysterious and elusive dungeons in the game. Even though the temple is found deep within the desert, there is very little within the temple itself that reflects the outside environment. Whereas the Fire and Water Temples are designed with their respective elements in mind, the Spirit Temple seems to focus more on spirtuality. Sheik even refers to the Desert Colossus, the enormous statue that serves as the entrance to the temple, as a “goddess of the sand”. Not much is known about the goddess depicted in this statue, but she serves as a recurring motif in Gerudo culture, leading many to believe she — and the Spirit Temple — are products of an ancient Gerudo religion that borrows divine symbols from ancient cultures in the real world.
Zelda’s Study is a series where we examine the history of The Legend of Zelda to bring you some fascinating (or just plain weird) trivia. In our studies, we’ll explore each game’s development, curiosities within the rich lore of the franchise, and the impact it has had on our culture. From time to time, we’ll also look at Nintendo’s past to unearth some facts about our favorite company.
One such symbol is the “Winged Sun”, a symbol very common to ancient religions of the Near East. The sun, which we know now is a burning ball of gas in space, was worshipped as a godlike figure by many people at the time and was depicted as such in their iconography. Though it’s impossible to know exactly what people from long ago were thinking, it makes sense that they would assume the sun has wings, considering the sun is constantly “flying” above our heads. While the symbol present in the Spirit Temple is similar to icons from Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it is especially reminiscent of the Faravahar from Zoroastrianism, especially when you consider another familiar symbol found within the Spirit Temple.
Top: The symbol seen in the Spirit Temple. Bottom: The Winged Sun Of Thebes from Egyptian Mythology.The figure depicted in the center of the Faravahar bears resemblance to the Goddess of Sand herself. No one depiction of the Faravahar is a precise match; the general idea is a figure holding their hands out with their palms facing up. Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions in the world, so the exact meaning behind the symbol is difficult to pin down, but it’s generally believed to represent the concept of fravashi, or personal spirit. Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic faith, believing in one god represented by flame and light. Perhaps the Gerudo had a similar belief system, choosing to believe in one Goddess of Sand who is represented by the desert, with the one-eyed winged sun serving as a symbol for the individual spirit.
The Desert Colossus and the Faravahar.Judging by the nature of the Spirit Temple and its surroundings, it’s very likely that, when designing the temple, much inspiration was taken from the ancient religions of the Near East. The heavy emphasis on light puzzles in the dungeon seem to reflect the divine status of the winged sun, and the Desert Colossus’ resemblance to the Faravahar suggests to me that the Spirit Temple was heavily inspired by Zoroastrianism in particular. I’m embarrassed to admit that when I first looked at the winged sun symbol in the Spirit Temple, my initial reaction was that it looked extremely similar to Zero Two, the final boss of Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, so I find this connection to the history and cultures of our own world to be far more satisfying.
The post Zelda’s Study: Spirit Temple motifs closely resemble divine symbols from ancient cultures first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about Nintendo going to PAX East but not E3, a brand new Zelink fanzine project called By Your Side, and we read your comments from the last Weekly’s episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Breath of the Wild Fanzine & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Regisbox, a company specializing in unique gaming merchandise, recently released stunning new Tears of the Kingdom themed switch skin covers for the Switch, Switch OLED, Switch Lite, and charging dock.
The Switch and Switch OLED covers are priced at $29.99 (USD), the Switch Lite cover is $22.99 (USD), and there is a cover for the charging dock priced at $19.99 (USD).
As shown in the photos, these products not only look great but are easy to install and don’t interfere with the functionality of either the Switch or the charging dock. Those interested can purchase all three items here. They’re available just in time to get yourself ready for Tears of the Kingdom!
The post New Tears of the Kingdom Switch covers from Regisbox now available first appeared on Zelda Universe.
North of Hyrule, the kingdom of Hytopia thrives on its passion for fashion. From the fabulous designs found in Madame Couture’s shop to a prophecy that states the strict requirements of a hero, this city lives and breathes the life of fashion. Their doting Princess is no exception. Loved by all, Princess Styla is said to have the most beautiful designs in the kingdom, inspiring all her subjects and bringing life to Hytopia. But just because she has a way of knowing what dresses best suit her pale skin and golden hair, doesn’t mean she has the best common sense.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Princess Styla is introduced in the opening sequence of Tri Force Heroes. She’s depicted as a beautiful princess adorned in a pink and purple ball gown, white gloves and flower headpiece. While many loved her, one witch despised her “unbearably cute” fashion sense. Said witch sent her an anonymous gift. It was beautifully wrapped, complete with a nice bow, but also shaking (and not because it contained a puppy). Princess Styla saw this strange gift and didn’t suspect there was anything wrong with it. Not a single thing. So she opened it, and purple magic streamed out, heading straight for the Princess’s fashion sense. Gone was her gorgeous ball gown and perfectly brushed golden hair. In its place, an ugly, shapeless, irremovable brown tights. “A perfect outfit for a perfect princess,” the witch teases.
The curse of ugliness fills Princess Styla with shame, humiliation and sadness. She hides, locking herself away in her tower. Hytopia weeps for their princess and grows a fear of fashion, scared they’ll be cursed next. Just next door, Hyrule is dealing with another rise of Ganon, but here in this little kingdom, the most upsetting and fearful circumstance is losing the ability to wear utterly fabulous clothes. Does Princess Styla do anything to ease her people? No. She puts all her faith into the prophecy of a hero, a knight who can get away with wearing anything and prays that she’ll be rescued soon.
Cursed to wear brown tights every hour of the day is nowhere near the horror of being kidnapped, but it doesn’t exclude Princess Styla from falling into that classic damsel-in-distress trope. Over the years we’ve seen Princess Zelda take a more prominent role in her stories, leading armies, fighting with Link and refusing to stand around and do nothing. Not Princess Styla. While the hero Link fights through the Drablands, finding a way to break Princess Styla’s curse, the young princess watches from a distance, crying, sniffling, and just wishing she could wear pretty dresses again. For the most part she is nowhere to be seen but occasionally Link can find her watching from the castle. The townspeople mistake her for a black ghost, always vanishing as quickly as she is spotted.
All is not lost, for what game would this be if Link didn’t get to save the princess. Once Link conquers the Drablands and defeats the wicked witch, Lady Maud, he is rewarded with the Lady’s Ensemble: a replica of Lady Maud’s outfit with the power to break curses. That’s right, Princess Styla is saved by the power of fashion. With the magic of walking in a circle, Link frees Princess Styla from the cursed brown tights and she can once again wear the cute, adorable, colorful dresses that she loves.
Her story doesn’t quite end therefore neither does the game. After the credits roll, Link can return to Hytopia now in fashion paradise and talk to Princess Styla once more. As a reward for saving the princess and all of Hytopia, Link receives the… Kinda Cursed Tights. I guess they didn’t have the budget to give him something fitting of Hytopian fashion. Strangely enough, Princess Styla expresses that she misses how perfectly the tights fit her. Ballgowns and corsets aren’t, after all, the most comfortable items of clothing to wear. But there are some sacrifices a princess has to make to be gorgeous and fashionable.
Princess Styla might not be leading any armies soon, but she lives up to her name, embracing a life of style in pretty dresses. Let’s just hope that Link isn’t busy with more important life-saving issues the next time a jealous witch comes prowling around.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Princess Styla first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Is that E3 or a Pikmin? It’s hard to tell, as Nintendo has now officially confirmed they will not be attending E3 in any capacity this year, making it one of the smallest E3’s in a long time.
Last month, IGN reported that Nintendo, alongside Microsoft and Sony, would not be attending E3. At the time, only Xbox made a public comment about the matter, but now Nintendo has chimed in to give their reason for not attending the event as well.
According to CNET, a spokesman for Nintendo stated, “We approach our involvement in any event on a case-by-case basis and are always considering various ways to engage with our fans. Since this year’s E3 show didn’t fit into our plans, we have made the decision to not participate. However, we have been and continue to be a strong supporter of the ESA and E3.”
Nintendo has yet to announce any plans for the summer, but it was recently confirmed they would be attending PAX East, which runs from March 23 to 26. Zelda Universe is attending PAX East as well.
E3 2023 is looking to be a much smaller event than in years past, and Nintendo officially not showing up further confirms as much.
The post Nintendo confirms it will not attend E3 2023 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
At long last, First 4 Figures teased the full reveal of it’s next statue in the Breath of the Wild lineup, and it’s none other than the Goron Champion, Daruk! To further promote the statue’s release, the company is hosting a giveaway over on their website, where details and information on how to enter can be found.
On February 28, First 4 Figures will reveal the additions, features, pricing, availability, and more during their YouTube launch stream at 8:00 PST | 12:00 EDT | 17:00 BST | 18:00 CEST. For those looking to complete their collection of Champions, it’s one you won’t want to miss!
The post First 4 Figures promotes Daruk PVC statue giveaway amidst upcoming launch stream first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It can never be said that Princess Zelda doesn’t lead an interesting life. Across all her incarnations, she has been captured and imprisoned countless times, orchestrated rebellions, haunted a hero, conducted intensive research into ancient ruins, and single-handedly held back the apocalypse. With so many adventurous experiences, the girl needs a day off!
One of my favorite versions of the character is the one that we see in Skyward Sword. This Zelda is not a princess, just the daughter of the headmaster of the Skyloft Knight Academy, but she is just as fierce as her royal descendents. She fights against bullies, avoids capture by a demon lord, and learns that she literally has the blood of the oddess Hylia running through her veins. With a busy schedule like that, artist Yagaminoue’s work entitled “Skyloft” provides a moment of rest before the goddess reborn must fulfill her destiny.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
“Skyloft” by YagaminoueWhen looking at the art, the left side of the piece is filled with the familiar sights of Skyloft. Shrouded in the mist, viewers can see the windmill with its rotating blades. To the left of that, we see the water cascading from the floating island above. Even further left is the bustling bazaar, and behind, hidden in the mists, is the island’s giant Goddess Statue. The way that the statue is the monument most hidden by the clouds ties into Zelda herself. Just as its outline is kind of hazy, Zelda has yet to realize her connection to the goddess.
Sitting on the edge of Skyloft is Zelda. She is playing the Goddess Harp which likely means she has yet to fall to the surface below. Her eyes are straight ahead, and she doesn’t appear to be smiling. At this moment, what exactly is she thinking about? She could be singing a familiar ballad as she imagines what’s below the cloud barrier. Perhaps she can feel a power within and is wrestling with those feelings as her feet dangle in the air.
Following Zelda’s gaze leads us to the right half of the painting which is dominated by clouds and the land below. Much of the lighter colors in this piece of art come from the clouds in the lower right which is interesting. Oftentimes, we associate brighter colors with happier, more joyful things. It seems odd then that the surface would be covered by the brighter clouds while the peaceful Skyloft is a little darker in hue. It could be that the light white color foreshadows the events of the game. Despite the hardships both Link and Zelda will face, their adventure below the clouds does eventually lead to the sealing of Demise. Yet, something about the clouds hints at something sinister.
Looking closely, we can see the brownish-red colors of the land beneath the clouds. That particular shade calls to mind the fires of Eldin, but it also potentially hints at Demise’s demonic presence beneath the clouds. Even though Link and Zelda do defeat Demise in the end, there is a price. Demise leaves a curse upon their blood. Blood that is somewhat similar to the color of the land below the clouds in this painting. The reddish-brown color of the land hints at the cost of victory.
Yagaminoue’s art weaves a complex tale through its use of light, color, and the familiar sights of Skyloft. It tells the tale of a girl who yearned for adventure and found it beneath the clouds. She became a legend but learned that sometimes there is a price that comes with that. Despite the cost, it’s hard to imagine Zelda regretting what happens. While Link is most closely associated with courage, Zelda undeniably has it as well. Perhaps that is what the viewer of this art sees in her unflinching gaze: the resolve born from courage.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: A princess’s gaze first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tell me if this sounds familiar: You’re streaming a song you absolutely love (or, if you’re old like me, listening to it on the radio), and you find yourself cranking up the volume and singing like there’s no tomorrow. And from that point on, that song just travels with you. You might not hear it every day, but it has left such an impact that it will flit through your mind every once in a while, and you’ll find yourself returning to it frequently. It may captivate you so much that you can’t focus on studying, watching TV, or playing video games. This happened to me one time, when a song prevented me from even starting a particular video game.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
Ocarina of Time is considered one of the greatest video games ever made, and I’ve finally gotten around to it for the first time on the Switch. I could talk about how I now understand why it’s such a big deal even to this day, or how the Water Temple isn’t really as difficult as everyone says (it really isn’t). But today, I want to talk about the one thing I enjoyed more than anything else in the game: the title screen.
Yes. The title screen.
Hearing the gentle piano notes and watching Link ride Epona across Hyrule Field is a mesmerizing experience that sets the tone for the entire game. As I listen to the music, I am transported back to the time when I was just an 11-year-old kid, watching my friend play Ocarina of Time at his house and becoming enraptured by the piano and ocarina playing through the speakers of his TV.
Greatest title screen ever. While he was showing off how he could defeat Ganondorf without getting hit a single time, my mind kept drifting back to the game’s intro. I just wanted to listen to it again so badly. So once my friend completed the game and the credits finished rolling, I pressed the reset button on his Nintendo 64 so I could go back to the beginning and watch the title screen again. He may have thought I was acting more strangely than usual, but that music just captivated me. It was peaceful and relaxing, but also mysterious. I would find out much later on that it perfectly sets you up for what to expect in the game, but even knowing that, I wasn’t in a hurry to start the game. The music made me want to keep pressing reset and listening over and over again.
People talk about Ocarina of Time being the greatest game of all time, but I think its title theme deserves to be acknowledged as the greatest in video game history. It takes me back to when I first heard it over 20 years ago. Even as a kid, I knew I was listening to a timeless theme — a theme that will always be a welcome presence in my mind while I’m driving to work, studying, or playing a video game.
Or, in this case, not playing.
The post Realm of Memories: Okay with not starting first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Calling all Sheikah and Yiga enthusiasts alike!
Preorders have opened for the Eyes of Hyrule, a fanzine dedicated to the secretive folk who helped shape Hyrule’s history. The project aims to explore the lives, history, and creations of the Sheikah people, and their splinter groups based on the lore provided throughout the Zelda series. The zine roughly spans over eighty pages of content with works by artists, writers, and musicians. All proceeds from this project will go towards Cultural Survival, a charity organization that advocates for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures and political resilience.
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As seen above, the following bundles are available for preorder until March 4:
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Training Grounds – $15 (Digital bundle)
- Graveyard – $25 (Physical zine)
- Kakariko – $40 (Physical zine and flat merch)
- Temple – $60 (Full bundle)
- Workshop – $50 (Merch only)
Other physical items will be unlocked as stretch goals, but only if certain order numbers are met. So far, the twenty-five dollar order goal has been reached, so all eligible physical orders will include an Impa and Purah acrylic standee. The physical CD, tote bag, and enamel pin remain to be unlocked.
STRETCH GOAL 1 UNLOCKED
Boing-oing! In honor of reaching 25 orders, all eligible physical orders will now include this adorable acrylic standee of Impa and Purah created by @liiaashii!https://t.co/7HxXpKsUBP
Preorders end March 4th, 12:00AM PST pic.twitter.com/Ilw1pyMeMC
— Eyes Of Hyrule | Preorders until March 4th (@SheikahZine) February 7, 2023
The Eyes of Hyrule is also hosting a giveaway for Age of Calamity Impa prints signed by her voice actor Andi Gibson on their social media accounts until March 4. More details on how to enter can be found on their Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram pages!
SIGNED PRINT GIVEAWAY
Three winners will receive an Impa print from Age of Calamity (signed by Impa herself, Andi Gibson!)
Rules:
→Must be following us
→Like and retweet this post
→Must have purchased one of our physical bundlesEnds March 4th, 11:59PM PST pic.twitter.com/weZnD7yXnn
— Eyes Of Hyrule | Preorders until March 4th (@SheikahZine) February 13, 2023
According to their Big Cartel, preorders are expected to ship in Summer 2023, but we will keep you apprised of any updates in the time frame.
The post ‘The Eyes of Hyrule,’ a Sheikah fanzine, now available for preorder first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In this special episode of Hades’ Misguidance, the cast gathers around to talk about Link, Zelda, Sheik and Ganondorf from The Legend of Zelda series. Link is from both Breath of the Wild and the upcoming Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom. Zelda is from A Link to the Past while also representing A Link Between Worlds, Sheik comes from Ocarina of Time but with new gear from Breath of the Wild. Ganondorf returns in all his glory from Ocarina of Time.
You can watch it all unfold in the video below!
The post Hades’ Misguidance: Season 3, Episode 12 – Link, Zelda, Sheik & Ganondorf first appeared on Zelda Universe.
PAX East, one of the largest gaming conventions in North America, is returning to Boston, Massachusetts next month, and Nintendo will be in attendance as an exhibitor. The confirmation comes from the official PAX East website, which lists Nintendo as having their own booth at the event.
While there is currently no information as to what Nintendo will be showcasing, or if they will be doing any special presentations, it’s hard for Legend of Zelda fans not to get excited at their mere presence. We’re only a couple of weeks removed from the latest look at Tears of the Kingdom, and by the time PAX East rolls around, we’ll be less than two months from the release date for the upcoming game. With Nintendo reportedly opting out of E3 2023, and no other gaming convention of comparable prestige happening before Tears of the Kingdom’s May 12th release date, PAX East may just be Nintendo’s chosen event to demo the game and finally pull back the curtain on its gameplay and story.
Zelda Universe will also be in attendance at PAX East! Our staff is excited to be hosting the panel “Understanding the Zelda Timeline”, where we’ll dive into the chronology of the games and how their stories all tie together. The panel will be held on Friday, March 24th from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM EST inside the Albatross Theatre. It will be hosted by our very own Amanda VanHiel, Andrew Fick, Elias Thompson, Peyton Garrett, and Alex Trevino.
PAX East will run from March 23rd to the 26th and will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Further information for the event can be found on the PAX East website.
The post Nintendo is attending PAX East 2023 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Here at Zelda Universe, we’re all about sharing our love of the Zelda series with fans all over the world. Excitement for the Zelda series and games is especially high right now. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Tears of the Kingdom, discussing all of the games, and sharing their hopes for and memories of the series. This passion for connecting with fellow fans is why now is the perfect time to join Zelda Universe’s Guides team!
As a Guides Writer, you would have the chance to write the walkthroughs and tutorials that will help Zelda fans as they play through the best video games ever made. And with Tears of the Kingdom‘s launch only months away, you’ll be part of the fun and excitement of creating one of the first walkthroughs for the game. Plus, we’re always adding to and updating our older guides for previous games, so there are opportunities to write about multiple Zelda titles.
If you’re interested, please read the information below.
Guides Writer FAQQ: What is involved in writing a guide and being a Guides Writer?A Guides Writer’s goal is to create walkthroughs and step-by-step instructions that help players with specific quests or objectives. When writing a guide, there are a number of questions you want to keep in mind:
- What might the reader need the most help with?
- Does my guide focus on the specific action the reader will need to perform?
- Are my guide’s instructions clear and easy to understand?
- Does my guide answer the questions the reader had when they first began reading it?
Essentially, you want the guides to give the reader the information they came to it for. This means that each guide must include all essential information, and none of the guides should distract or confuse the reader with information that isn’t necessary. Guide Writers serve as Zelda game experts who teach players the must-know information.
If you join the team, one of the first things you’ll do is read our procedures for how to create walkthroughs. These will teach you Zelda Universe’s important publication rules. This includes details such as format, styling, and tone.
Q: Will there be deadlines for the guides?Yes. The Guides team adheres to a schedule, with each person submitting their walkthroughs within predetermined time ranges. Guides can take a while to complete though, so the due dates aren’t as frequent as they are for our other publications teams. Some walkthroughs have higher priorities than others, so we plan their creation accordingly to ensure they are published at the desired times. On average, you can expect to complete at least one project per month.
We need to follow the schedules, but we understand that situations can arise that will cause you to miss the deadlines. We know and appreciate that everyone working for Zelda Universe is volunteering their personal time to help the site. So if you need to move the due date of an article, please speak with one of the Guides editors to make the adjustment.
How to applyIf you are interested in this position, please send us your application to jobs@zeldauniverse.net with the subject header “Guides Writer Application.”
Please include:
- Your name
- Your age
- Your resume (or an overview of your qualifications and work experience)
- Any social media accounts you’d like to share (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Please also provide at least one of the following:
- Writing samples (instructions, articles, blogs, essays, fictional works, etc.)
- Mock drafts of Zelda-related opinion pieces
It may take us a little while for us to select the most suitable applicants, so please don’t feel discouraged if we don’t respond straight away. It may take up to a week or longer before we select you.
We’re very professional about what we do here, but we also have a ton of fun while doing it! We have a highly talented and very friendly team ready to welcome you.
Thank you for reading, and best of luck to all of our applicants!
General FAQQ: How do the writing teams at Zelda Universe operate?All of the content you see on the Zelda Universe home page is published using WordPress. If you’ve never used WordPress before, it is very easy to learn and we can run you through the whole process. You do not need to set up your own WordPress account; we’ll be setting you up with your own WordPress account specifically for Zelda Universe.
We use the instant messaging application Slack for the majority of our team’s communication. If you’ve never used Slack before, it works similarly to Discord or Skype, with various channels for each team.
We also use Trello to coordinate all of our drafts, projects, and ideas. Each team has its own Trello board. Again, we’ll set this up for you and you will receive an invite to our own Trello boards.
Q: What equipment will I need for this position?A working computer and an internet connection — that’s it!
Q: I love to write but I don’t have much past experience. Will I still be considered?Yes! While we’re interested in seeing any previously published works or articles applicants may have, there are still many ways you can demonstrate your writing abilities. You can send us any blogs, essays, fictional works, or any pieces you are proud of.
If you’re still short on samples, we are also very interested in seeing any mock articles you can produce for the site. Just take a look at our previously published articles on the home page to get a feel for our format, and give it a shot!
Q: What are the perks of writing for Zelda Universe?There are two common reasons why people join our team: fun and experience.
For fun: Writing is always fun, and so is sharing what you wrote. If you’re a Zelda fan who loves to share your thoughts in a creative way, writing for Zelda Universe is the perfect way to do that. There is an endless variety of different topics to let your imagination run wild writing about.
For experience: Zelda Universe has thousands of regular readers and social media followers. For those of you looking to gain some experience, this is an opportunity to learn how to write content for a large audience.
Building a resume and portfolio of work is essential for those seeking work in all writing-centered and creative fields, and our staff is more than happy to help you improve your writing as you go.
Q: I’m interested in applying but I’m just too busy at the moment. Can I apply at another time?Of course! We accept new volunteers all year round. If you want to volunteer at a later time, you can look for open positions on our volunteer page.
Q: I have another question that hasn’t been addressed here.If there is anything else you would like us to clarify regarding the position(s) described here, please send us an email to jobs@zeldauniverse.net with the subject line “Application question.”
The post Zelda Universe is looking for new volunteers to join our Guides team first appeared on Zelda Universe.
With the recent Tears of the Kingdom trailer revealing a new vehicle system, many fans are divided on whether it will be a refreshing way to re-experience Breath of the Wild’s version of Hyrule or if it’ll just be a shoehorned-in gimmick. However, this is far from Link’s first time piloting vehicles. From the King of Red Lions to the Master Cycle Zero, there are often more efficient (and stylish) ways to travel Hyrule than endlessly rolling forward with a “HYAH.” One thing most of these vehicles have in common is the incredible music that comes along with them. Spirit Tracks took this concept to its most extreme degree yet, and introducing trains of all things brought the series one of its most magnificent overworld themes, to say the least.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
This track (haha, get it?) opens confidently with a particularly adventurous chord progression, and the string bass, plucky banjo and acoustic guitar keep the beat chugging along all the way through. The arrangement makes excellent use of Spirit Tracks’ titular instrument — the sacred pan flute known as the Spirit Flute — by alternating its time in the spotlight with various other textures, such as the banjo countermelody and the violins later on. The panflute’s airy tone almost makes it feel as if the Spirit Train itself is singing, smoke flowing melodically from its engine.
The melodies themselves are bright and heroic, but the section at 2:19 gives us a much more somber aesthetic. The beat has lost its drive, only kept going by the banjo and guitar, each panned all the way to one side. This brief intermission reminds us that, despite the game’s cheerful appearance, there have been quite a few dark moments early on in the story. Chancellor Cole is out there preparing to resurrect an ancient demon, Alfonzo has been gravely injured, and Princess Zelda has been killed and reduced to a spirit. It’s easy to forget how high this game’s stakes are when you can spend so much time catching bunnies instead of progressing the plot (I hope that wasn’t just me).
Spirit Tracks is undoubtedly polarizing, but its soundtrack has quite a few pieces that shouldn’t be forgotten. I strongly believe that this game and its predecessor, Phantom Hourglass, are worth playing, especially for those who are already fans of the series. With the Wii U eshop closing in March 2023, there’s no better time than now to pick up these games on virtual console. They will likely be officially unavailable until they’re remade, and there’s no way to know how long that’ll take. There’s still time to fill that Zelda void in your heart before Tears of the Kingdom releases, and going on a Nintendo DS nostalgia trip just might be the best way to do it.
The post Medli’s Melodies: Chugging along through New Hyrule first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Ghirahim is everyone’s favorite diva with perfectly framing hair, fabulous sleek armor (complete with a blood-red flowing cape), and a way with words that fills your heart with rainbows. However, his colorful disposition can turn as quickly as a lightning strike. Ruin his performance or tarnish his plans to bring Demise to the world and you’ll meet a rage that burns without mercy. Stardust Cindy captured this rage, pain, and frustration and immortalized it as a digital portrait. It may not be the exquisite, pure, and stunning form Ghirahim wishes to show off, but it certainly would unsettle his enemies.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
The flowing cape of red is nowhere to be seen. The gloves are off and the skin of his arms is black, showcasing his purest form. It’s a skin so tough that no blade can pierce it. It would be better worded as armor. The darkness cracks across his form like scars of his failures, marked as if to reflect the slashes of Link’s sword. This is no charismatic villain. This is pure rage born from Link’s persistence to defeat him over and over again.
Stardust Cindy’s portrait of Ghirahim’s rage draws you into his expression. Lavender eyes look down, brows crooked with focus yet chaos reigns in the glaze of eyes. His mouth is captured mid-growl. Those charming words and persuasive tongue have become useless to him. But this is not stagnant anger. His earrings swing in emotion, as if Ghirahim will fall out of the screen and strangle the first soul he finds. The green swirls of energy aid the motion, tracking the most recent movement of his hands. Within a blink, you could swear the piece is moving. It’s time to brush up on those motion-control skills and brace yourself for a merciless fight.
Ghirahim by Stardust Cindy.While rather simple in nature, the background represents the shapes of Ghirahim’s magic. In Skyward Sword, Ghirahim disappears and appears through the use of red and gold diamonds. However, Stardust Cindy chose to represent these diamonds in a simple transparent white. They appear both in the foreground and the background but do not overpower the piece in any way. They work quietly, blurring out of focus so the viewer’s attention can remain on the important part of this piece: Ghirahim’s rage.
Overall, the portrait of Ghirahim by Stardust Cindy emits a dichotomic expression of softness and harshness. Whether intentional or not, the style fits Ghirahim’s personality. How many times did Ghirahim come to Link with harsh words and a blade for formidable damage only to let him go? Perhaps if he just fought Link a little harder, he wouldn’t have failed so many times.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Ghirahim’s Rage first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This is going to be a unique Realm of Memories article for me, because this one is about something that happened to me fairly recently — sometime last week, as a matter of fact. With the Tears of the Kingdom release date nearing, I decided to go for 100% completion in Breath of the Wild before the sequel comes out so I could refamiliarize myself with the controls and current lore.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
I’ll be honest, when I pulled up the interactive map that shows the locations of all the Korok Seeds and other various collectibles, my heart sunk a little from how overwhelming it seemed. But honestly, when I decided to just keep to my own pace and collect things as I moved along, I started having a good time revisiting the game. A lot of things have happened throughout my adventure, but this moment stuck out the most to me.
Oh lord.So, I was exploring near the Eldin Mountains, gathering seeds and chests and other random objects, and in the middle of a raid on an enemy camp, I noticed a shooting star falling from the sky. I knew from experience how incredibly rare and valuable Star Fragments are, so I dropped everything and started pursuing it. Thankfully, with it being nighttime, I was able to slip on my Sheikah Armor to get the night-time speed bonus; I ate a speed-boosting meal for good measure and then immediately sprinted after it. I wasn’t sure how long it would stay there, nor did I know if it would disappear when the sun came up, so I rushed over there as fast as I could.
Unfortunately, there were a few snags along the way. On the flight over there, I accidentally drifted too close to the Great Hyrule Forest, which boots you back to the last solid ground you were standing on. That was panic-inducing on its own, but then a Blood Moon appeared, and I really became scared. I was worried that a Blood Moon spawning was going to deactivate the Star Fragment, but thankfully that doesn’t happen with a Blood Moon, so I was still on track for getting the fragment.
At last, I reached the mountainside where the Star Fragment crashed. I felt confident, thinking that I just had to go over there and grab it. I approached it, the mass of light formed the actual fragment, …and it begins to roll away. At this point, I was so engrossed in getting the Star Fragment that I’m pretty sure I started to have a mental breakdown. I ran as fast as the game would allow me to go, screaming at the top of my lungs and mashing the pickup button, but I just couldn’t make it in time. The stupid thing fell into the water, lost for good. All of that effort, all of that rushing and panicking, for absolutely no payoff.
Immense frustration doesn’t even begin to describe how that felt. I sat there for about 10 minutes, trying to contemplate what had just happened to me. It didn’t even make sense: The thing didn’t roll away when it hit the side of the mountain, so why did it decide to do so when I approached it?! I don’t know if some divine force is manipulating things from far away, but if that’s the case, it has a pretty twisted sense of humor.
(By the way, if you want to see all of this for yourself, check it out here: https://twitter.com/a1judgej/status/1623518666246737921)
The post Realm of Memories: A falling star becomes a star falling first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s been a week since we had the Nintendo Direct, so we wanted to round up everything, in case you missed a crucial piece in the tidal wave of information. As a quick reminder, Breath of the Wild and its DLC are currently on sale until the 19th.
First off, we have a brand-new trailer to the long-awaited Tears of the Kingdom! With that, we have a bounty of new information. We’ve taken a few looks at the new trailer, and so has just about every other Zelda content creator out there. Hardcore fans will want to also see the Collector’s Edition of the game, as well as GameStop’s exclusive pre-order merch. We’ve also learned more about how Amiibo will play into the new game, including the new Link amiibo.
Nintendo also announced that Game Boy and Game Boy Advanced games are coming to the Nintendo Switch Online service. Almost all of the Zelda games are already there, but the Oracle games aren’t far behind. If you’re stuck on these classics, check out our guides for Link’s Awakening DX and Minish Cap!
Finally, we have a breakdown of everything else announced in the Direct. Check it out and see what other games will help fill the time in between the Zelda games you play! (May I recommend the Etrian Odyssey HD remakes?)
The post All the Zelda news from the Direct is here first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As easy as it is to be insanely excited by a new Zelda trailer, and a bunch of incredible classics coming to Switch, there were a few other things talked about during the recent Nintendo Direct. So put down the magnifying glass and stereo headphones from your Tears of the Kingdom trailer diving and enjoy some other video game news!
- Metroid Prime Remastered: It may not have been the biggest surprise to exist if you follow a lot of reputable game news, but there’s still no way to prepare for how exciting it is to finally see this in person. And it was made available immediately! It’s never a bad day when one of the best video games ever made is updated and released for a modern system. The physical edition comes out later this month.
- Pikmin 4: I’m always ready for a new Pikmin, and this one looks exceptionally plucky. Between the multiplayer, the return of mini-dungeons from Pikmin 2, and an adorable new dog-like friend, there’s a LOT to be excited for when this comes out on July 21.
- Disney Illusion Island: Based off the animation of a recent Mickey series, this game is dripping with gorgeous animations. It’s easy to look at this and say “Oh, it’s just Rayman Legends with Micky Mouse.” But there hasn’t been a new Legends since the Switch debuted, and those games are awesome. July 28 will see this charming, family friendly platformer spring to life.
- OCTOPATH TRAVELER II: The gorgeous HD 2D art style, killer combat, and fantastic soundtrack are all back in full swing in this sequel to a modern classic. A demo is available now, allowing for 3 hours of uninterrupted play that can be carried over to the main game when it launches on February 24.
- Samba de Amigo: Party Central: A new Samba de Amigo title sounds good, though I’d love to have seen more about the soundtrack.
- Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Games: The games below are available now, but don’t forget that the Oracle duology, Golden Sun, and more are coming soon.
All the bangers are back. For the base Nintendo Switch Online, you’ll have access to the following Game Boy games: Tetris, Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, Gargoyle’s Quest, Game & Watch Gallery 3, Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, Metroid II – Return of Samus, Wario Land 3, and Kirby’s Dream Land. * For the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass, you’ll have access to the following Game Boy games: Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$, Kuru Kuru Kururin, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. * Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp: In another timeline, this was the game that took off instead of Fire Emblem, and we’d be having teatime with a Howlitzer. This is our chance to correct the timeline! It launches April 21. * Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon: This game looks great! The art is very impressive, and it’ll be interesting to expand the Bayonetta universe with different gameplay. March 17 isn’t far now. * Omega Strikers: 3v3 soccer with a very cool cast of characters sounds like a great time, and free-to-play is never a bad price to try. It comes out April 27. * Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection: A collection of the first three Etrian Odyssey games originally for the DS have been remastered in HD. The bundle is $80 and comes out on June 1. Each game in the collection will also be available separately in Nintendo eShop for $40 each. * Sea of Stars: A very cool looking SNES style JRPG is coming soon. You can check out the full game on Aug. 29, but a free demo will be available now in the eShop! * Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe: Kirby returns to Dream Land… Again! This port of the excellent Wii game features more mini-games, a new campaign chapter centered on Magalor, and spine-meltingly cute animations. There’s a demo now to tease you until it releases Feb. 24. * Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass: New content, featuring a sort of rogue-like mode, is coming to Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Chapter 3 of the Expansion Pass launches on Feb. 15. Volume 4 launches later this year with new story content that appears to feature an older Rex and Shulk. * Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass – Inkopolis & Side Order: A DLC pass is coming with two waves of content. The first is a simple re-skin of the lobby to be the original Inkopolis from Splatoon 1. The second appears to be another trippy stack of single-player story content, similar to the Octo Expansion for Splatoon 2. They’ll becoming later this year. * Fire Emblem Engage* Expansion Pass: Wave 2 of the DLC is out today, and more is coming soon. Tons of more characters will be available as Emblems for use in-game. My favorite is in Wave 3, Veronica from Fire Emblem Heroes. I was a big fan of that game, and her power seems to be using the gacha-style summoning stone to summon other characters, which I think is really great.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass: They teased the next pack of the Mario Kart 8 DLC, featuring a new Yoshi’s Island themed stage and the return of Birdo. They’ve since said that more characters will be coming, so it sounds like the last few waves will be a lot of fun!
- Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania: If we’re never getting a proper 2D Castlevania, you might as well put it in really good games. This will be available on March 6.
- We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie: There’s some new content where you play as a young King of all Cosmos, but all that matters is the best Katamari game ever is coming to Switch on June 2.
- Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective: Another classic DS title is coming back in HD. This one looks great!
- Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster: Metroid Prime getting a remaster may not have been the biggest surprise, but this Gamecube remaster certainly was! I didn’t think anyone even remembered these games. Look forward to this classic pair of card battling JRPGs later this summer.
- Fashion Dreamer: This ain’t the Nintendo one so I don’t know how excited I am, but hey! Fashion!
- DECAPOLICE: Cyberpunk Anime detective games are (apparently) all the rage these days. Decapolice looks like it will be a great one! It features a rain-slick presentation and RPG trimmings, and it comes out later this year.
- FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time: I hear this one’s a banger, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s a cute farming/RPG game, and I’m about ready for a new one of those.
- PROFESSOR LAYTON and The New World of steam: Not much to say, but a new Layton is coming eventually.
- TRON: Identity: I wasn’t expecting a visual novel set in the TRON universe, but sure, why not! It comes out this April.
- Minecraft Legends: Taking a more action approach to a strategy game, this game looks like it has a lot of promise. We’ll see on April 18!
- Have a Nice Death: We can comment how it looks a lot like Hollow Knight meets Cuphead, but I can think of worse games to try and ape from. If they pull it off, this will be a must-have on March 22.
- Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE: More Cyberpunk detective work that throws in a spot of Persona 5 / Psychonauts. You can travel into the mind of enemies to do abstract battle and get them to admit their wrong doings! We’ll see this one on June 30.
- Harmony: The Fall of Reverie: Don’t Nod is bringing a story-heavy visual-novel game with branching story paths, along with a soundtrack by Celeste composer Lena Raine. Get ready to date some abstract beings in June.
The Nintendo Direct presentation also featured a montage of upcoming Nintendo Switch games, including Blanc on Feb. 14, Disney Dreamlight Valley, which is available now in Early Access, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection launches April 14, Tales of Symphonia Remastered returns on Feb. 17, and WBSC eBASEBALL: POWER PROS takes a swing for only ninety-nine cents and is available now.
The post Direct recap: Everything else that was announced in the Nintendo Direct first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I spend a lot of time thinking about Princess Zelda, along with The Legend of Zelda as a whole. If you visit our website and read our articles, maybe you do too.
In most of the games, we view the barest glimpses of her personality. We know her general story and what drives her, but we usually only learn information that pertains to her roles as Princess of Hyrule and the reincarnation of the goddess Hylia. As a young woman, we hardly know what she’s like behind closed doors.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
More recent games, however, have allowed us to see her a little more clearly, and the first time we see her as a fully developed character is in Skyward Sword. She begins as Link’s best friend, and she continues to hold on to who she truly is as the game progresses, even though powers on both sides are trying to change her. She’s “still your Zelda”, no matter what.
But this unfolds gradually throughout the game. What is established is that she’s Link’s best friend, the object of Groose’s desires, and the daughter of the headmaster. She’s established in connection to the men around her, but we don’t start out knowing who she is as a person. Symbolically, this is represented by Zelda’s Room, which was previously explored by one of our other writers. We come to her room unable to access it, totally locked out and wondering what lies within.
In other games, we’ve seen Zelda’s daily life through glimpses in cutscenes, almost peeking through a window into her life. But in Skyward Sword, we have a unique opportunity to know Zelda as a friend. And we can get to know her better as a character by observing her personal space.
It took me a long time to figure out the secret to opening Zelda’s bedroom door. It’s an exciting sidequest, because we know that there must be a way to get in there, to learn about a character that’s been so elusive for so many years. And it’s even more intriguing considering that this is the earliest incarnation of Princess Zelda that we currently know of. She is the legend, a tale told and passed down through stone tablets and songs. One we can finally know.
Well, only if we can open the door.
It’s just another door in a hallway, made from ordinary wood and sealed with an ordinary lock. What sets it apart is the possibility. Do you remember how it felt to stand outside it, wondering what lies beyond? Would it just be a chest with a Red Rupee or a Piece of Heart? Would there be a diary? Would she have trinkets and plants?
For me, Zelda’s bedroom door represents the first time the series has truly humanized the princess. It’s funny that that’s such a revelation after so many games, but it actually was for me. As much as I enjoyed what I found beyond the door, the potential is what I remember the most. My Zelda can be anything she wants to be, so the sky’s the limit to what could be waiting behind that door.
The post Tingle’s Maps: Zelda’s bedroom door (Skyward Sword) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Legend of Zelda fans who purchase Tears of the Kingdom at GameStop will get a nifty little collectible alongside the game. GameStop is offering a free wooden plaque as a bonus for both the standard edition of Tears of the Kingdom, and the much sought after Collector’s Edition. The plaque must be picked up at a physical GameStop location and is available while the limited supply lasts, so anyone who preorders the game online will be required to bring in a printed confirmation of their purchase. Additional details can be found on GameStop’s website.
Pre-order The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom at GameStop and receive an EXCLUSIVE wooden plaque with purchase!
Order now: https://t.co/1z7YghNLor pic.twitter.com/NVBLlYJf2q
— GameStop (@GameStop) February 14, 2023
The plaque features a strange emblem with some familiar imagery from Tears of the Kingdom’s trailers thus far. Front and center is the mysterious, ghostly hand that Link and Zelda discover deep below the earth, and seemingly grants Link a number of new powers. There is also an eye symbol which resembles the same design as seen on one of Link’s new shields in the game. Whatever purpose these symbols all have, we’ll find out more about them when the game releases in just under three months on May 12th.
The post GameStop is giving away a free wooden plaque alongside Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Today is Valentine’s Day, the most romantic date on the calendar and the day where couples have an excuse to celebrate their relationship and show a little extra affection towards each other. Some visit a nice restaurant or a favorite spot, while others prefer to stay exactly where they are, like everyone’s favorite super couple Honey and Darling. There are tons of things to do and places to go regardless of whether you’re in a relationship, and today, I want to take you on a tour of the most romantic spots you can find across the Zelda universe.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
Toronbo ShoresTake a walk along Toronbo Shores and relive the moment Link first met sweet Marin. The spot looks as if it was taken straight out of a fairy tale with its coconut palm trees, crystal-clear waters, and pristine sand that shifts with every step you take. This stretch of Koholint Island will always remind me of the cute moments Link had with Marin. Perhaps we could learn from her and take a minute to sit down and dream of the impossible. Maybe we can even share those dreams with someone?
Link’s Private OasisIf a simple, public beach where anyone can disturb your peace isn’t what you’re looking for, perhaps a private island is more to your tastes. In the world of the Great Sea, Link happens to be the lucky owner of a private oasis, and it truly looks like it belongs in a catalogue for holiday resorts. With palm trees, a waterfall, and sunbeds next to a pool, one could spend all day lazing around in the warm sun. Although Link owns the small island, I’m sure he’d be willing to lend it to you. After all, you’ve been with him through every step of his journey and deserve a rest. And if you happen to get tired of the sun, there’s always the cabana to offer you some shade. Just… don’t try to go inside the fireplace.
The SkySpeaking of islands, Skyloft may be the biggest island floating in the sky, but it’s far from the only one. Travel all the way up to cloud nine, and you’ll be swept off of your feet by the cool, exhilarating winds. You might see a lovebird or two, or maybe just the magnificent Loftwings soaring around. With so many islands of varying sizes that offer tons of different activities, I think the chances of finding the perfect one for you are excellent. And once you’ve arrived here, why not stop by the Lumpy Pumpkin for some hot soup to warm your belly while you’re visiting your floating island? Oh, and don’t forget to bring a Heart Flower too!
The Twilight RealmIf you prefer something less conventional than the more traditional romantic getaways listed above, perhaps Princess Midna’s world is worth a revisit. With dark, dramatic clouds and a beautiful gold-colored sky that never fades away, it’s almost like a neverending, burning sunset. In the Twilight Realm, ever hour is the golden hour! How lucky Midna is to be in the most flattering light all day long.
Lover’s PondThe Twilight Realm’s dramatic scenery might become a bit overwhelming after a while, which is understandable considering how different it looks from the world we live in. The latest version of Hyrule bears the closest resemblance to our real world, and it offers tons of spots that make me want to stop for a moment and admire my surroundings. With so many breathtaking locations, it feels like almost any place in this post-apocalyptic Hyrule could work as a romantic getaway. However, I think I and many others would agree that the Lover’s Pond is the ultimate spot for anyone with a romantic heart. This heart-shaped pool atop a majestic Necluda mountain even has its own tale: it’s said that whoever manages to find it is guaranteed to meet their true love. Whether it’s true or not, I can’t think of a more romantic legend tied to a specific location.
These five spots I’ve shared with you today are on my list of sweet, romantic places in the Zelda universe, but if you disagree with me, I at least hope that I’ve helped you see them in a different light. After all, beauty is all around us, and sometimes we just need to put our rose-colored glasses on and enjoy the view. And with that said, I wish you all a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
The post Tingle’s Maps: Five locations for the romantic at heart first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about the recent Nintendo Direct, Breath of the Wild and its DLC going on sale, Elements reaching it’s Kickstarter campaign goal in a short space of time, multiple Zelda theory videos, and we read your comments from last weekly’s episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | Nintendo Direct Breakdown & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many people complain that the hero’s journey is an overused storytelling trope as stale as week-old bread and as wrung of creative potential as an old dishrag is wrung of water, but it has endured for so many years for one simple reason: These kinds of stories emotionally resonate with the common man. The idea that someone of humble origin can undergo trials and tribulations and emerge a hero capable of bringing salvation to a ravaged land is quite inspiring, giving people hope that they, too, can overcome the obstacles in their lives and make the world a better place. I think this is exactly why Link remains one of the most popular figures in the fantasy genre of video games. Whether he’s bounding through the woods with his fellow Kokiri, herding goats atop his beloved horse, or literally emerging from a cave with no clothes, no supplies, and no sense of self (how much more humble could you possibly get?), Link always establishes himself as an everyman who must start from the ground up and work incredibly hard to earn his status as a hero, which immediately endears him to most players.
Still, this hasn’t stopped some Zelda fans from wondering how the story would change if Link started out at the opposite end of the social spectrum as a member of the Royal Family. Would his heroic journey be just as compelling if he swapped out his woven green tunic for colorful silk robes, his carved wooden shield for a polished suit of armor, and his rustic treehouse abode for a castle of white marble and stained glass?
Zelda’s Study is a series where we examine the history of The Legend of Zelda to bring you some fascinating (or just plain weird) trivia. In our studies, we’ll explore each game’s development, curiosities within the rich lore of the franchise, and the impact it has had on our culture. From time to time, we’ll also look at Nintendo’s past to unearth some facts about our favorite company.
The SNES version of A Link to the Past is where the debate most likely originated, due to Uncle’s cryptic last words that seemed to imply a familial connection between Link and Princess Zelda. This has since been dismissed as a simple translation error, but as I recently discovered, Link does indeed have a traceable connection to real-world royalty within the game. In fact, if the Hylian Royal Family adhered to the same traditions as the Imperial House of Japan, then not only would Link qualify as a member, but he would actually have a right to the throne as the first Emperor of Hyrule.
Of all the monarchies that have ruled throughout the course of human history, the House of Yamato has the longest unbroken line of hereditary succession. The first emperor whose existence can be verified by historical records is Emperor Kinmei from the 6th century, and each subsequent ruler has been a blood relative. Hereditary government is essential to Japanese culture because, according to Shinto belief, the emperor (referred to in Japanese as the Tennō, which means “Heavenly Sovereign”) is always a direct descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, thus making him a spiritual leader as well as a political one. The legend goes that Amaterasu entrusted her grandson, Ninigi-no-Mikoto, with bringing stability and order to the troubled land of Nippon; he succeeded at this task and went on to sire children with the goddess Princess Sakuya, and his great-grandson, the mythical Emperor Jimmu, would go on to found the Imperial Family.
Anyway, it is said that when Ninigi first descended to earth, he carried three celestial gifts meant to aid him in his mission to pacify the land. Since then, these Three Sacred Treasures have been passed down from emperor to emperor, with the rite of succession ensuring that they only pass into the hands of a legitimate heir to the throne. And this is what ultimately connects Link from A Link to the Past to the House of Yamato: the three key items that enable him to venture through the Dark World — the Master Sword, the Magic Mirror, and the Moon Pearl — directly parallel the heavenly artifacts that inspire such reverence and awe in the Japanese people.
The Master SwordA Link to the Past marks the first appearance of the Master Sword in the Zelda series. As a sacred blade imbued with the power to repel evil, it can only be wielded by an individual of pure heart and tremendous courage. Before he can pull the sword from its resting place deep within the Lost Woods, Link must prove his worthiness by obtaining the Pendants of Virtue from the Eastern Palace, the Desert Palace, and the Tower of Hera. Most people credit the Arthurian legend as the original source of inspiration for the Master Sword (the French version of A Link to the Past even refers to it as “Excalibur”), but evidence suggests that the venerated Kusanagi Sword, the first of the Three Sacred Treasures, also played a prominent role in its conception.
The story of Kusanagi begins with the storm god Susanoo being exiled from the heavens and sent down to Nippon, where he comes across a family of lesser earth gods who are being tormented by Orochi, an eight-headed reptilian monster. They have been forced to sacrifice seven of their daughters to this ruthless beast, and now it wishes to consume their eighth and final child, Princess Kushinada. In exchange for the girl’s hand in marriage, Susanoo agrees to slay Orochi and end its reign of terror once and for all. After successfully luring the giant serpent out of its lair by tempting it with vats of rice wine, he slices off all eight of its heads and dismembers its body, discovering that a sword had been slumbering inside one of its tails. Susanoo christens this weapon “Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds” and presents it to his sister Amaterasu as an apology for his past actions, thus cementing its status as a holy sword.
Left: Susanoo slays the eight-headed monster Yamata no Orochi, from whose body he will obtain the Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds (Toyohara Chikanobu, circa 1870). Right: Prince Takeru uses Kusanagi to control the wind and redirect a wildfire (Ogata Gekkō, circa 1887).But the Master Sword’s role as a weapon blessed by the gods isn’t the only thing it has in common with Kusanagi, as the actual plot of A Link to the Past contains a couple of allusions to the Tale of Orochi. In order to liberate the Sacred Realm, Link must rescue seven descendants of the Sages, who were sacrificed by Agahnim in an effort to release Ganon from the seal that the Sages placed on him so long ago. These Seven Maidens could be seen as the Hyrulean counterparts to the seven daughters devoured by Orochi, and if you wanted to push the metaphor even further, you could say that defeating the bosses who guard them is like cutting off seven of Ganon’s “heads”, with Agahnim serving as the eighth.
Another legend worthy of a brief mention is that of Prince Yamato Takeru, a warrior to whom Kusanagi was gifted by the High Priestess of Ise Shrine. One day, the prince was cornered in a large grassy field by a barbaric warlord, who set the grass ablaze in an attempt to murder the young man. Yamato Takeru began cutting back the grass in order to slow the fire’s progress, and in doing so, he made a startling discovery: every time he swung Kusanagi, a powerful gust of wind would be flung in the direction of the swing. This magical ability is what ultimately saved his life, as he used it to redirect the fire and turn the tables on the warlord. Why do I bring this up? Well, I’m not trying to claim that the Master Sword allows Link to control the wind, but it is rather interesting that the Sword Beams in A Link to the Past look a bit like bursts of swirling air, rather than the standard blade-shaped beams we see in other Zelda games. It’s probably just a coincidence, but I like to think that the design was intentional.
You’d better stay back! Don’t make me knock you over with my Gentle Breeze Attack!The Magic MirrorBefore Link acquires the Flute, the only way he can scale Death Mountain is to rely on the meager glow of his Lantern to navigate a pitch-black cave labyrinth. Colonies of carnivorous blue bats hang from the ceiling, hoping that a delicious Hylian will wander by for them to nibble on, and if said Hylian doesn’t watch his step, he’ll find himself plunging headfirst into an endless abyss. Along the way, Link stumbles across a disoriented old gentleman who has lost his own light source, and by working together, the two manage to exit the cave and emerge at the top of the mountain. To thank him for being his escort, the elderly man gives Link the Magic Mirror, an extremely valuable tool that will allow the young hero to return to the Light World after Agahnim attempts to strand him in the Dark World. But one has to wonder: Why is this random fellow the one in possession of such a priceless relic? Shouldn’t an artifact like that be locked up in a temple and closely guarded by Ganon’s minions? Well, the answer to this query lies in the Magic Mirror’s connection to the legendary Yata no Kagami, the “Eight Ata Mirror.”
Amaterasu emerges from the Heavenly Rock Cave (Shunsai Toshimasa, 1887). Note the presence of Yata no Kagami on the left.Remember me mentioning earlier that Susanoo was banished from the celestial plain prior to his battle with Orochi? This came about because of an intense feud between Susanoo and Amaterasu, which came to a head when the former, whipped into a frenzy, cut a swathe through the latter’s palace and wantonly murdered one of her weaving maidens. Deeply affronted by this, Amaterasu secluded herself inside a cave, taking with her the power of the sun and thus bathing the world in darkness. In response, the gods constructed an extraordinarily beautiful mirror and positioned it outside the entrance to the cave, along with a lovely jade magatama (which we’ll talk about shortly). They then threw a party, and Uzume, the goddess of mirth, began to dance in a way that elicited uproarious laughter. Intrigued by the commotion, Amaterasu peeked out and caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. She froze, utterly transfixed by her own heavenly visage, and the other gods used this opportunity to yank her out and seal the cave shut, allowing the heavens and the earth to once again bask in golden rays of sunshine.
With this story in mind, I now have a better appreciation for how Link comes to possess the Magic Mirror in the game. The Lost Old Man may not be a deity like Amaterasu, but by guiding him out of a cave where the darkness seems almost supernatural, Link is granted the ability to “restore light to the world” by opening a portal back to Hyrule and escaping the Evil Realm. It’s a subtle, clever homage to the Shinto legend, and Link’s pure heart makes him the ideal person to wield the Mirror, just as Amaterasu intended when she gave Yata no Kagami to her grandson: “Serve this mirror as my soul, just as you’d serve me, with clean mind and body.”
The Moon PearlBefore Link continues on his journey, the old man from the cave offers him one last piece of sage advice: locate the Moon Pearl that sleeps within the Tower of Hera. The function of this enigmatic stone isn’t really made clear until Link steps into a transporter and is whisked away to the Dark World for the first time. Anyone who enters the corrupted Sacred Realm without an amulet of protection is transformed into a shape that reflects their true nature, and Link, being a softhearted pacifist deep down, becomes a little pink bunny. While adorable, this bunny persona is utterly defenseless, unable to use any items, and thus unable to cope with the unrelenting horrors of the Dark World. The Moon Pearl enables Link to retain his human form by “protecting its bearer from the power of the Triforce”, mirroring the function of the lustrous Yasakani no Magatama, the final Sacred Treasure.
Magatama are ancient “jewels” shaped like the dotted teardrops that constitute a yin-yang symbol. They date all the way back to the Final Jōmon Period of Japanese history (around 1000 BCE) and were originally carved from rocks such as slate, but by the time the Kofun Period rolled around (300-538 AD), it was common practice to use the mineral jade. These stones have been recovered from countless archaeological sites across the country, and research indicates that they gradually evolved from a purely decorative object to a relic of great religious and cultural importance.
Left: Jade magatama recovered from a Kofun-era burial mound. Right: An artist’s rendering of Yasakani no Magatama.In Shinto, Amaterasu is known to have an affinity for magatama, as she is often depicted with beads woven around her wrists and through her hair. That’s why, when she was stewing away in the Heavenly Rock Cave, one of these stones — the one that would become known as Yasakani no Magatama — was hung next to the mirror in order to lure her out. For its role in bringing the sun back to the world, the jewel became a holy talisman blessed by the gods, said to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck to its wearer. So while the Moon Pearl is round (like a pearl, funnily enough) and not comma-shaped like a magatama, it essentially serves the same purpose: shielding the one chosen to bring peace and prosperity to the land of mortals.
So, to answer the question that I posed at the beginning of this article, yes, I wholeheartedly believe that Link’s adventures would be just as epic if he started out as a refined prince rather than an ignoble pauper. After all, the Master Sword has never dictated that the one reincarnated with the spirit of the hero must be born a farmer or a nomad to be worthy of its power; it only demands that the Chosen One be courageous of soul and compassionate at heart, which is something that anyone, rich or poor, lowly or divine, is capable of. So I look forward to the day when I get to see Emperor Link rise up from his gilded throne, grip the bejeweled hilt of his sword, and lock eyes with the terrible beast laying waste to his kingdom, ready to continue the proud legacy of his humble predecessors.
The post Zelda’s Study: The Emperor’s new sword first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Now that the Nintendo Direct is over, the gravity of what’s coming from Tears of the Kingdom has only begun to sink in. Plenty of mystery still surrounds The Hero of the Wild’s latest adventure, but the new trailer is crammed with clues and callbacks from Breath of the Wild. Fans in the Zelda community are finding all sorts of goodies at the time of this writing. You can check out our own Tears of the Kingdom trailer analysis at Zelda Universe here.
All that green ethereal stuff happening in the first sneak-peek in 2019 lead some fans to believe Breath of the Wild’s ancient Sheikah technology theme wouldn’t return, but this may not be the case. In the new trailer we see a brief screenshot of a surprised Link being ambushed by mechanical arms, and the platform he is standing on is clearly Sheikah. What’s more curious is the translation of the Sheikah letters encircling the platform, which, according to Zelda theorist Zeltik, means “transport.” Could this be a new warp point for Link to navigate Hyrule’s ravaged landscape?
Speaking of warp points, fans are spotting more mysterious green swirls in Hyrule and are speculating that these may be warp points, too. They don’t look Sheikah like the platform Link stands on, but perhaps they are somehow connected. One dramatic shot shows Link riding a horse across Hyrule Field against a threatening stormy sky. The field looks different this time, however. Mysterious markings glow from the grass!
Are these the same lines that make drawings seen from the sky?Next, the trailer’s gritty mood shifts into wonder as we see Link control and build a variety of objects with the help of his arm’s new ability. He slings bombs, rides in a hot air balloon, pilots aircraft, and even drives a tractor across the field. It’s not clear how these devices are powered, but it’s possible Sheikah technology is involved. Perhaps they are fruits of another ancient civilization cooperating with the Sheikah, or even the Zonai. In any case, the potential for creativity (and internet memes) is ripe for exploration. If nothing else, it’s a blast to think about.
Forget mowing the lawn with a sword. This is the future of Hyrulean lawn care.Finally, Nintendo released more official art for Tears of the Kingdom via Twitter after the Direct. One piece shows the lovely short-haired Princess Zelda, but it’s what she’s holding in her left hand that commands our attention. This definitely looks like a Sheikah Slate!
The curious and courageous princess of Hyrule, Zelda. What's that she's holding in her left hand…? pic.twitter.com/dmdPswPOXj
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) February 10, 2023
Is this the same Sheikah Slate as Link’s from Breath of the Wild? Does it have any modifications? Does Zelda still have it after she falls in peril? Will it help her escape? So many questions race through our minds. But for now, we will have to wait and see what’s lurking around the next corner.
The post Tears of the Kingdom trailer packed with clues, Sheikah tech spotted first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Just when you thought the hype with Tears of the Kingdom at the Nintendo Direct was over, The Big N decided to pull one more surprise from their sleeve before the live presentation ended. Nintendo announced that customers can buy Breath of the Wild and all of its DLC content on sale through the Nintendo eShop until February 19th 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
The updated Nintendo Store website now says, “Save on the highly acclaimed game and DLC through 2/19 at 11:59 p.m. PT and get ready for the upcoming sequel! You can also use a Nintendo Switch Game Voucher when you pre-order the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game.”
Save now on the Legend of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Discover Hyrule and see how the story began before the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game launches on May 12!
Offer ends 2/19 at 11:59 p.m. PT
https://t.co/Kf1VpT17XF pic.twitter.com/IxoS69bgBD— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 9, 2023
With discounts more than thirty percent off, these savings are phenomenal for a Nintendo game, let alone a console Zelda title to boot. Nintendo’s copy from their website suggests that customers can purchase a Nintendo Switch Game Voucher for $100 USD first, and then use that to purchase both Breath of the Wild and a preorder of Tears of the Kingdom for even more savings! If you somehow haven’t played Breath of the Wild yet, now is the perfect time to take advantage and get ready for whatever Tears of the Kingdom throws at us.
The post Breath of the Wild, DLC on sale now until Feb. 19 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Link has accumulated an impressive number of female admirers over the years. While Zelda seems to be the fan favorite and Link’s most steadfast sweetheart, this hasn’t prevented other girls from pining after the green-clad hero. Many of these women simply get the wrong impression and interpret Link’s helpfulness as evidence of romantic interest. Even some fathers have eyed Link as a potential suitor for their daughters. Though he remains a man of few words, Link has somehow managed to imprint on the hearts of all these young ladies.
Unlike previous titles, though, Skyward Sword offers the opportunity to become a lot more involved in one of these love triangles: the Item Check side quest, which tests both heart and conscience.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Peatrice is the proprietor of Skyloft Bazaar’s Item Check. She hates her job and spends most of her dreary days dreaming about the perfect man, a habit which occasionally interferes with her work. Peatrice does not trust easily, and she certainly will not forget an unkind gesture. Her initial demeanor is bored and disinterested, with just a touch of sarcasm. This behavior changes, however, if the player takes the time to speak to her repeatedly. Her body language and demeanor transform once she realizes that Link is returning to the item check each day for her specifically; it’s a flattering move that leaves the once moody girl breathless and giggly. Pretty soon she will refer to you as “hon”, “sweetie”, and “darling”, and will turn red when she sees Link approaching.
Fun fact: Peatrice always holds her hands in the shape of a heart. Although Link and Zelda have a somewhat ambiguous relationship in most titles, I believe it’s safe to assume they are an item in Skyward Sword, because all evidence seems to point to this conclusion. After all, Link’s primary goal in this game is to rescue his childhood friend and bring her back to Skyloft, hopefully eradicating Demise in the process. Even Fi, whose disposition is largely impassive, takes the opportunity to weigh in on Link’s newfound admirer, advising him not to mention Peatrice to Zelda in the future. The implication is clear — you are entering dangerous territory for attempting to maintain two girlfriends at once.
To complicate things further, Peatrice’s father, Peater, unknowingly interferes by secretly enlisting Link to spy on his daughter and prevent male admirers from pestering her. Peater seems set on ensuring his daughter remains single forever, which is extremely ironic as he’s densely unaware of the fact that Link is the one Peatrice has fallen for. Despite this, one is inclined to feel sorry for Peater, who proudly regales anyone who will listen about the formidable years of his youth and his so-called reputation as “Mr. Skyloft”. The years have not been kind to Peater; a large belly has replaced his once chiseled core, and he insists on wearing his old knight uniform which no longer fits.
Peater exhibits some questionable parenting tactics. This constitutes a rather odd father-daughter relationship, as neither one communicates their true emotions to the other. Instead, they prefer to operate behind each other’s backs, with Peatrice insistent on keeping her crush on Link a guarded secret. Denial and delusion seem to be the driving forces in this family unit.
Peatrice’s side quest presents a tough ethical dilemma to us — should we tell her she got the wrong end of the stick and turn her down easy, or play along and make the poor girl happy by reciprocating her love confession (and acquire two girlfriends in the process?) It seems the game doesn’t care either way, because you will be awarded with the same number of Gratitude Crystals regardless of your choice. The only truly important question to ask yourself is: which decision are you able to live with?
I know too well the bitter feeling of unrequited love, but I’ve always maintained that the truth is better than a lie. Despite this fact, I just didn’t have the strength to disappoint Peatrice. I see so much of myself in her; I too am a hopeless romantic who is sick and tired of the revolving doors of mediocre men, patiently waiting for that one guy who will take you seriously for once. Many of Link’s other admirers were problematic in some way (heck, some even belonged to different species altogether). But Peatrice is as pure and sweet as the day is long, and she will always have a special place in my heart. So yes, you might call me a hypocrite for reciprocating her love confession, but I sleep well at night knowing that I helped a kindred spirit feel just a wee bit better about herself.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Peatrice (Skyward Sword) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s been a busy week for Zelda fans! After the latest trailer for Tears of the Kingdom was revealed in Wednesday’s Nintendo Direct, the Zelda community pounced on the opportunity to do what we do best: theorizing about the rich lore of the franchise.
The new trailer is cryptic but crammed with details, and fans in the Zelda community are already pouring over them in search of more understanding about the Tears of the Kingdom plot. Like Sherlock Holmes on the hunt for a clue, Zelda theorists are racing to put the pieces together to solve this mystery. Zeltik has an excellent analysis of the trailer on YouTube that breaks down all the details we saw – and missed – in a clear and concise format.
Are wild and crazy Zelda theories more exciting for you than the latest Netflix show? Here are a few more videos of what Zelda theorists like HMK and Hyrule Gamer are cooking up in the community, including a deep dive into possible Zonai involvement, Blood Moon lore, and much more. They’re sure to make your hair stand on end. Check them out below!
The post Theories fly as fans analyze new Tears of the Kingdom trailer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
One thing I really enjoy about new Zelda games is the first time we get a good look at Link. Every iteration of our hero has something that sets them apart from the others. More often than not, it’s the outfit at the beginning of each game. Link usually rolls out of bed, still groggy from lack of sleep, to listen to some expository dialogue. In The Wind Waker, Link’s wearing his iconic blue and orange pajamas. The goat herder from Twilight Princess has his Ordonian “outfit”, something that looks like a ton of scrap cloth was draped over a mannequin and then sewn together by someone who has never seen a line before. Of course, my favorite is from Spirit Tracks because he’s dressed like a train engineer and, as we all know, trains rule.
The outfits are one thing, but even Link’s standard green tunic is so detailed and unique to each game. The hats may have different stitching (or talk). The tunic may have chainmail or a different undershirt. One thing that consistently changes, though, is Link’s gauntlets. It would be easy to just put a plain brown glove on Link and call it a day, but luckily, the Zelda designers really care about what our golden boy looks like. Artist EvilRobotCat beautifully highlights the gauntlet differences in their piece “Sword in Hands”.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
Hands, from the top going clockwise: Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, and LinkThis beautiful piece has six different Links placing their hand on the Master Sword, which is hovering over the Triforce. Each of the hands have details that reveal which Link they belong to, and the piece has a magical quality to it. The sparkles from the Triforce evoke feelings of mystery and joy, indicating the hero’s battle is at an end.
The coloring in the piece is quite muted, full of browns and dark greens. This reflects Link’s usual attire that consists of those colors. It’s as if the hero is supposed to blend into the background, allowing the Master Sword to really pop in color.
On that topic, the sword looks great. You see a lot of Master Swords in Zelda fan art, and this one really stands out for me. A lot of times, the purples that artists use are brighter, closer to a lilac or lavender, whereas the Master Sword is a rich violet. Of course, that’s me just being pedantic about colors, but it really strikes me as a game-accurate color scheme here. Along with that, the blade is white, not necessarily glowing, but still shining with the power to banish evil. It’s a great callback to the White Sword from The Legend of Zelda on NES. Even that version of Link isn’t grabbing for the hilt in the picture, he’s pointing at the blade.
The Links in this piece are so well thought out. Starting from the top, you’ve got Skyward Sword Link, the first one to pull the Master Sword in the official timeline. Naturally, he’s the one grabbing the hilt. Next is Ocarina of Time Link with a slight embellishment on the gauntlet. I like to think that, instead of having the glowing Triforce on his hand, EvilRobotCat decided to add the patch to still make the distinction as to which version of Link this was. After that is Link from The Wind Waker. This is honestly my favorite part of the piece because his hand is so tiny and cute compared to all of these burly hands. And then I love the subtlety of Breath of the Wild Link. He’s the most customizable version of the hero we have had, yet he just has these plain brown gauntlets. Link from The Legend of Zelda has his iconic brown undershirt. Finally, we have Twilight Princess Link, with his beautiful gauntlets that more than make up for his terrible outfit at the beginning of the game.
EvilRobotCat’s “Sword in Hands” is a great work to show how even the smallest part of Link’s design can create a totally different version of a hero we’ve seen so many times. If you want to check out more of their work, you can visit their DeviantArt or support their Patreon.
Want to potentially be featured on Yuga’s Art Gallery? Submit your work to the Zelda Universe DeviantArt group just like EvilRobotCat did!
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Hand of the hero first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This past week, Nintendo released its financial reports from the last fiscal year, which made it clear that 2022 was yet another successful year for the Nintendo Switch despite sales beginning to slow.
During this period, the Nintendo Switch sold a total of 14.91 million units, with 7.69 million of those coming from the OLED model, 5.22 million from the standard model, and two million from the Switch Lite. This makes the Switch’s lifetime sales a staggering total of 122.55 million units sold, officially making it the third best-selling console of all time behind the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2.
The Nintendo Switch OLEDOn top of this, the Nintendo Switch has reached a software sales total of 994.30 million. Leading the pack is, of course, still Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which has sold 52 million copies. Likewise, Breath of the Wild has continued to sell well and reached over 30 million copies. New titles during the year also sold considerably well with Kirby and the Forgotten Land selling 6.12 million copies sold and Splatoon 3 reaching a total of 10.13 million copies. However, these are all small compared to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which exploded onto the market with a total of 20.61 million copies sold since its launch last November.
Pokémon Scarlet and VioletWhile these numbers still are incredibly strong, the number of Switches sold last year decreased by 21.3% due to a shortage of semiconductors and other supplies that hindered production according to Nintendo. Total software sales were also down 4% from the previous year.
Sales were slightly down, but it was still a powerful year for the Nintendo Switch and its software. There is a lot of steam left in the hybrid console from 2017, the lifetime sales surpassing the Game Boy and even the PlayStation 4. The runaway success of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet certainly prove this.
The post Financial report says Nintendo Switch now third best-selling console of all time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The latest trailer for Tears of the Kingdom at the Nintendo Direct did not disappoint us by any means. More chopped-up footage was revealed, but this time we have even more amazing surprises to unpack. In one fell swoop, it confirmed Eiji Aounuma’s remarks on the game being darker. New enemies and familiar foes were revealed in a chaotic Hyrule engulfed in all-out war against evil under the light of the Blood Moon.
Is that a ReDead I see?ReDeads, Hinoxes with new accessories, and a three-headed dragon that appeared to be a Gleeok now join Ganon’s forces, along with passenger-carrying flying creatures that could be some sort of new Helmaroc species. New varieties of Boss Bokoblins also showed up among the ranks of new monsters. Finally, a never-before-seen giant golem-like enemy appeared in the sky islands squaring off with Link.
Link faces off against new and familiar foes in Tears of the KingdomIt seems as if Link is surrounded by foes at every turn in Hyrule’s fight for survival. But that’s not all. One of the trailer’s biggest surprises was not what we saw. It was what we heard. Take a listen below!
Yes, that’s right, Ganondorf now has a speaking voice for the first time in Zelda history! He even has multiple languages, including French, Spanish, and more. Who is the mysterious English voice actor? Speculations are already flying in the fan community, but no official reveal has been made by Nintendo at the time of this writing.
Stay tuned as we keep you posted on all the latest unwrapped Tears of the Kingdom news goodies here on Zelda Universe!
The post Big surprises with new voice actor, enemies revealed in Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“This is so boring, who made this thing a boss?”
As is the case with most quotes, this one has a story behind it. It involves possibly the easiest boss in the history of the Zelda franchise, one that, if you play it the safe and boring way, cannot possibly defeat you, or really even hurt you. And, as the funniest memories often do, it involves my younger self having no clue what he is doing.
When my friends and I first entered the Snowhead Temple in Majora’s Mask, we did so without a guide of any sort. With all our bumbling around, it may seem impossible to believe that we made it all the way through the temple without running out the clock once or twice, but somehow, we actually managed to reach the boss’s chamber with nearly 24 hours still left in the cycle. We were excited, we were feeling good, and we had no idea what we were about to endure.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
So, when we melted the ice with our Fire Arrows and Goht broke free from his icy prison, our immediate reaction (being kids high on sugar at a late-night sleepover) was to panic. How could we beat something so big and constantly in motion? The first suggestion, funnily enough, was actually the intended way to beat the Masked Mechanical Monster: go Goron and ram into it at a million miles an hour.
Once you’ve gone Goron, you never want to stop. Rolling is fun!This idea unfortunately backfired, mostly because we did not build up enough speed to get the spikes out and actually hurt Goht. With that plan immediately scrapped without further consideration (did I mention the sugar?), we started panicking even more. There seemed to be nowhere safe to turn, especially when the monster started shooting bolts of lightning for reasons I still don’t completely understand.
Then, when all hope seemed lost, we stumbled upon salvation: the entrance to the boss’s room, a small alcove that Goht never entered and his lightning couldn’t seem to penetrate. We spent the next minute or so patiently waiting, making sure as Goht ran by that Link was, indeed, as safe as he appeared.
This led to my idea: why not shoot Goht with the bow as he ran past? We had not yet managed to inflict damage, but this seemed a sure way to hit him back. After all, a Fire Arrow had freed this menace — why wouldn’t it be able to vanquish it as well? It only took one attempt to confirm, with a flash of red onscreen and an excited cry from all of us sitting there, that Fire Arrows could fell this foe. And it made sense to us, considering all the pots scattered around the arena were filled with magic, and the pots sitting right in our safe zone were filled with arrows.
What followed was a long, tedious battle that involved a lot of standing around, waiting for Goht to pass by so we could fire arrows at him one by one. Going back to the original quote, we couldn’t help but wonder what kind of fool had designed this boss who was so easy to beat, yet so boring. I’m not sure how long it actually took to win the fight, but I do know that we had too little time left in the Final Day to participate in the Goron Race.
I don’t remember how we eventually figured out the correct way to defeat this boss, nor do I recall what we did when we finally realized our mistake. But I do remember being infuriated by what I discovered many years after that night. See, as it turns out, our “stand in the safe zone and shoot arrows” method isn’t always the slowest route to defeating Goht. In fact, when used correctly, it could end the fight quickly and painlessly.
This is a speedrunning strategy. It is also a video that encapsulates my pain.I’m not sure if the speedrunning community still shoots Goht to this day, or if they’ve found yet another strategy, but I would like to send all of those players a message: we thought of it first! We just did so really, really badly.
So the lesson here, if there is one, is simple. If you’re facing a boss, and it is boring and strange, then you’re probably doing it wrong. But you might also be doing it in the best way possible, and you just won’t know it until a couple of decades later.
Goats in real life should also be able to shoot lightning, but that’s a discussion for another day.
The post Realm of Memories: Goht and the bow first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breaking Zelda News! Tears of the Kingdom receives a new trailer in the latest Nintendo Direct, which features familiar faces and some new voices. Plus, a new Link Amiibo was shown along with additional Amiibo support, and a Tears of the Kingdom Collector’s Edition.
You can watch the video right here, below!
The post Breaking Zelda News | New Tears of the Kingdom Trailer & Link Amiibo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Alongside that exciting new trailer from the Nintendo Direct, the game’s Amiibo functionality and a brand-new Link Amiibo were revealed!
According to Nintendo, scanning specific Zelda series amiibo will net you some weapons and materials, as well as special fabric for Link’s paraglider. Presuming that these work the same as before, you’ll have an Amiibo rune that you activate to scan the amiibo. Then, items and a chest will rain from the sky. There’s no word on if the previous amiibo unlock special items like the Sword of the Sages from Twilight Princess or various Heroes outfits. Hopefully Wolf Link will still summon in your faithful Hero of Twilight companion.
Scanning amiibo from The Legend of Zelda series will also give you helpful materials and weapons. You can receive helpful materials, weapons or a paraglider fabric based on the amiibo you scanned. pic.twitter.com/DrWcOEPLkE
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 8, 2023
The post Amiibo Functionality and new figure revealed for Tears of the Kingdom first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Today’s Nintendo Direct concluded with a brand new trailer for Tears of the Kingdom as well as the announcement of a Collector’s Edition, which is set to release alongside the base game on May 12, 2023.
The Collector’s Edition will include the following:
- Physical copy of Tears of the Kingdom
- SteelBook case
- Four pin badges
- ICONART Steel Poster
- Artbook
As of this writing, no other information has been provided as of yet, but Nintendo has suggested visiting your local retailer for more details on preorders and availability.
While the Collector’s Edition is set to release on launch date, the standard digital copy of the game is available to preorder today from the Nintendo Store for a price of $69.99.
The post Tears of the Kingdom Collectors Edition revealed during Nintendo Direct first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s great to see the Nintendo Switch Online services being expanded upon, this time with Game Boy games for the standard tier and Game Boy Advance games for the Expansion Pass. Both services and a stock of games will be available later today.
The highlighted Zelda games coming out later today with this service include Link’s Awakening DX and The Minish Cap. Both Oracle titles are slated to come later this year. The service will allow you to play all games in local and online multiplayer. Game Boy specific games can be played in their famous green tint, the monochrome Game Boy Pocket tint, and the Game Boy Color tint. Check out our Link’s Awakening guide page here! We also keep a Minish Cap guide handy just for you.
Other Game Boy Games included are:
- Tetris
- Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins
- Gargoyle’s Quest
- Game and Watch Gallery 3
- Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (WHAT)
- Metroid II: Return of Samus
- Wario Land 3
- Kirby’s Dream Land
In the future, we can also look forward to Pokemon The Card Game and Kirby’s Tilt ‘n’ Tumble.
Too small to fail.Other GBA faves available today are:
- Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (includes e-reader levels!)
- WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$
- Kuru Kuru Kururin
- Mario Kart: Super Circuit
- Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
In the future we’ll see Metroid Fusion, Kirby and The Amazing Mirror, Fire Emblem GBA, F-Zero Maximum Velocity, and Golden Sun. There are some weird omissions of prequels in there, but it’s easy to assume that they wanted to hit higher marks first. Super Mario Land 1 is great, but 2 is incredible.
The post Game Boy and Game Boy Advance coming to Nintendo Switch Online services with classic Zelda titles first appeared on Zelda Universe.
At today’s Nintendo Direct, we were treated to a new trailer for the upcoming Tears of the Kingdom. The game is still slated to come out on May 12, 2023.
In the trailer we finally see a lot of stuff with little context. This will be perfect for folks to pour over for the next few months. See for yourself above!
We’re somehow even more excited than ever for this game’s long-awaited arrival. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage and content here on ZeldaUniverse.net.
The post New Tears of the Kingdom Trailer shown at Nintendo Direct first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Where have all the first-party game publishers gone? Not to E3, apparently. In a surprising turn of events, reputed news outlets are reporting that the big three gaming platforms have each decided not to come to E3 2023 after all. This includes PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. None of the companies made a public statement about whether or not they are attending E3 at this time. However, the odds of any of them making a traditional return with a booth at E3 seem to be dwindling with each passing month.
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer, who is also a Board Member of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), confirmed that Xbox plans to time its showcase in parallel to the E3 2023 event to make it “convenient for press and even consumers.” He stressed the company’s support of E3 and the ESA despite not having a booth at the event. Nintendo and Sony have made no public comments about streaming similar showcases at at the time of this writing.
“E3 is just, to me, one of the seminal moments of gaming,” said Spencer. “I love the history of going down to LA, thousands of people there, getting to see great new things…getting to see people in the industry, the fan events that we’ve had. I definitely want that to continue.”
But is that history a thing of the past? As more companies are leaning toward streamed direct game announcements, the future of E3 remains uncertain. In 2022, E3 decided to postpone the event. In 2023, ReedPop announced it is producing E3 moving forward. ReedPop, the producer behind PAX and the New York Comic Con, is reputed with its own laurels. But if these major gaming platforms are indeed opting out, ReedPop has a tough act to follow. We’ll keep you posted as changes continue to shake up and evolve the gaming industry.
The post Nintendo, Playstation, Xbox opt out of E3 2023 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A federal judge in California has dismissed the Joy-Con class action lawsuit against Nintendo. The lawsuit was brought against Nintendo by two Nintendo Switch owners who experienced drifting issues with their Joy-Cons. Ultimately, the judge ruled against the pair, citing the End User License Agreement “which disallows lawsuits and forces aggrieved parties to go into arbitration.” Arbitration is a method that removes the court from the proceedings until a third party can verify whether the plaintiffs have a valid claim to damages.
The lawsuit, first filed in November of 2020, asserted that the Joy-Con drift issue became so severe that it rendered the console unplayable. The plaintiffs, who were minors at the time of filing, believed that Nintendo was in violation of different California based advertising and consumer laws and “sought declaratory judgment that minor plaintiffs may disaffirm the EULA on behalf of all minors.” In December 2020, the parents of the plaintiffs were told to proceed in arbitration and that they minors were not parties to the EULA. This led to the parents abandoning the claim.
In September of 2022, an order denied the defendant’s (Nintendo’s) motion to dismiss the claims as moot. However, the same order allowed Nintendo to dismiss the claims for “lack of standing” because the suit “failed to state an injury-in-fact”. The case was dismissed without prejudice meaning that the plaintiffs could file again.
Which they chose to do in November, resulting in the legal win for Nintendo.
Basically, the case can be boiled down to the minors asserting that they were not beholden to the EULA as they received the consoles as gifts and were the de facto owners. As they were not the actual owners of the console, there is no agreement between Nintendo and the minors. That argument was stopped by the arbitration panel and are not allowed to be relitigated. Along with that, their claims that they violated certain false advertising and consumer laws could not apply to the minors as they were not the ones who legally own the consoles. The parents would be the ones who “suffered that injury, if any injury there be.”
Through all that legal gobbledygook, consumers can see that Nintendo has a very solid EULA, preventing users from putting together a worthwhile class action suit. Of course, we are not lawyers here at ZU, but that much is made clear.
This is just one of several lawsuits Nintendo is involved in concerning Joy-Con drift. However, it all comes back to the EULA. The EULA essentially forces plaintiffs to go into arbitration before any suit can be brought before a judge. At this point, the current claims are in arbitration and will most likely lead to dismissal.
If you are experiencing Joy-Con drift, Nintendo issued an apology in 2020 and offers to repair them for free through their website.
The post Federal judge dismisses Joy-Con class action suit first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Our YouTube production team has been busy this past week, pumping out some fun content to keep your playlist exciting! Here’s what’s come out this past week.
When it comes to The Legend of Zelda, few topics are as controversial to fans as the Zelda Timeline. Why are there so many Links and Zeldas, and what’s with all the timeline splits? Join the Zelda Universe team for a lighthearted look at the Zelda Timeline and learn how all the games… link… together. Panel footage from PAX AUS.
Hades and the cast of Kid Icarus: Uprising are stuck on a spaceship in space playing a round of Among Us… and the impostor MUST be found! But who are the fake crewmates? Meanwhile, everyone shines and takes a chance to talk about the Koopalings from the Super Mario Bros. series while Pit goes at them in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate.
Hades, Pit, Palutena, Viridi and the rest of the cast of characters from Kid Icarus: Uprising play a round of Among Us. Hades and Pyrrhon are the impostors, and craft a way to get away with taking out Dark Pit. Let’s see who the most sus of the crewmates really are!
The post Zelda Universe video round-up: PAX, Hades, and Among Us, oh my! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On the surface, Kakariko Village from Ocarina of Time resembles a small, sleepy town with Cuccos on the loose and carpenters running back and forth. Even the famous windmill spins slowly. One could assume that the village would attract more visitors than it does, being located so close to Castle Town. Mountain views, lots of space to let your kids run around, and not too far away if you have any business to take care of in Castle Town. It almost sounds too good to be true… and perhaps it is.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
I loved to explore Hyrule when I was about six years old, as Kakariko Village has several buildings to step into. It was the perfect place for me to shamelessly strut into peoples’ homes and check if any old pottery was conveniently on display for me to break. There was only one place I recall avoiding because it was a bit too spooky for little me to handle, and that was, of course, the Graveyard. I thought I was safe from anything remotely frightening as long as I stayed in the town. That is, until I decided to check out a gray building in the southeastern part of the village.
On the outside, it looks like any other home in Kakariko Village, just a little less polished without the stucco wall texture that the many other homes scattered around the village have. A poor Cucco seems to be stuck near the entrance but behind the wrong side of a lattice fence, making it difficult if anyone needed to fetch it. It seems that no one cares to look after this house, or perhaps is incapable of giving it the love it deserves. These visual clues remind me of a few houses in my own neighborhood that looked fine when I was a kid, but now have tall grass and unattended gardens. I know that whoever lives there doesn’t have the energy to look after their gardens, but this home in Kakariko doesn’t leave any sign of who lives there until you step inside.
It might shock you a bit once you do. The house is nearly empty, aside from wooden planks leaning against the walls, a few wooden boxes, and spider webs hanging from the ceiling and covering every corner. It’s also very dark with no light passing through the windows. Based on these first impressions, you might think it’s better to walk out again and never come back, because it truly feels like a haunted house. In a way, I suppose it is, but let Link lend you a bit of his courage and see what else might be hiding in the shadows.
What you can’t see at first is the lurking Skulltulas, safely hiding in the ceiling, until you get close enough for them to drop down and surprise you. If you are just like me, a bit of a coward, and try to hit it in the back with Link’s sword to make it go away, it won’t work. Instead, you’ll hear a terrifying scream coming from it. The reason why is because these Skulltulas aren’t like the other ones you find in the game. These are cursed Hylians.
This is where this shabby Kakariko home gets its name from. The House of Skulltula has six human-spider monster hybrids, and if you speak with the one in the center of the home, you’ll gain some insight about what happened to them. While it won’t tell you exactly how this tragedy happened, it promises Link to make him “very rich” if he can help them lift the curse that was put on their family. All Link needs to do is defeat all 100 Gold Skulltulas scattered across Hyrule and bring back the tokens they leave behind as proof. And since Link is a good person, he will agree and return every now and then to show how many Gold Skulltulas he has taken care of. If you’re a better person than I was when I last played the game, you will make sure all six members of this family return to their human bodies.
In the 3DS version of Ocarina of Time, the house is slightly more furnished with a couch at the entrance, a fireplace, and a number of other things scattered about; you can even find a book with the Sheikah symbol on the cover. The couch might be in terrible shape, but it doesn’t look like it was cheap. If we take these hints and listen to some gossip, it becomes quite clear that this Skulltula family once was very rich. So rich, it became their downfall. Similarly to Jovani in Twilight Princess, this Cursed Rich Man and his family were so greedy, the curse was put on them as punishment. What was once surely a beautiful home is now dark and creepy.
I suppose it’s up to the player to interpret if the story of the House of Skulltula and its owners is meant to be a moral lesson. But whatever the case may be, I think we can all agree that it adds a really great spooky element to the game. Kakariko Village might be a peaceful place in Hyrule, but if you explore it a little closer, you discover that the village has its own dark corners too. So, I suppose I can understand why not too many people are looking to live there at the beginning of the game. I’m not sure how I’d react to a human-monster neighbor, either.
The post Tingle’s Maps: House of Skulltula first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This week on Zelda Weekly, we talk about a “leaked” LEGO Zelda set, ZREO Second Quest’s new single, we’re going to PAX East next month, and we read your comments from the last Weekly episode!
The post Zelda Weekly | “Leaked” LEGO Zelda Set & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has announced a new Nintendo Direct that will focus on news for upcoming releases, mostly focused on the first half of 2023. The presentation starts at 2 p.m. PST and last for roughly 40 minutes. It can be viewed on Nintendo’s various social media platforms, as well as nintendo.com.
Tune in at 2 p.m. PST tomorrow, Feb. 8, for a #NintendoDirect livestream featuring roughly 40 minutes of information mostly focused on #NintendoSwitch games launching in the first half of 2023.
Watch it live here: https://t.co/8ce3reaEig pic.twitter.com/Pmf41dQWIw
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 7, 2023
What can we expect? The most obvious bullet point is going to be something for the upcoming Tears of the Kingdom. With just over three months left until release, we know shockingly little about this next title. It’s by design, certainly. But does that mean this is going to feature a huge blow-out of information, or is one more trailer going to be all we get between now and then?
Aside from that, we can probably look forward to some other upcoming titles, like Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Octopath Traveller 2, Pikmin 4, and Bayonetta Origins. There’s also a few projects known and rumored to be in production, like Advanced Wars Reboot Camp, Wind Waker HD, Twilight Princess HD, and a rumored Metroid Prime remaster. I wouldn’t hold my breath for those HD Zelda games, given immediacy of Tears of the Kingdom, but they’re still possible.
On the slightly more speculative side, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 likely has some DLC to share. Fire Emblem Engage is probably also on that boat. It feels like we haven’t had a Wii U port in a while. Perhaps Xenoblade Chronicles X or Yoshi’s Wooly World could pop up. And then, we likely have plenty of time to dedicate to new announcements, indie games, and a sizzling hot third-party reel.
The post Nintendo Direct announced for February 8, 2023 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
From the moment they saw sky islands in the Tears of the Kingdom trailer, the call went out from fans of Skyward Sword: Will we be able to ride Loftwings again? While the answer remains shrouded like the land beneath Hyrule’s cloud barrier, Tim de Man provides a speculative track that combines the musical styles of both games to imagine what it might be like. In his composition “Soaring on High”, we’re invited to chart a clear path for a possible future full of soaring skies and aerial danger.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
The track begins with the blare of a horn, reminiscent of a medieval hunt. With that, we’re off like a Loftwing pawing at the starting line of the Wing Ceremony. A repeating melody builds suspense as we climb higher and higher, gaining greater altitude and intensity before breaking into an extremely chill tune. The use of an accordion, flute, and other instruments in this section create a very mellow feeling. For some reason, the accordion in particular reminds me strongly of Skyloft, though I would also connect that instrument closely to Kass — it connects the two games together in my mind. Aboard our aerial Loftwing, the skies feel clear, leaving us to explore each nook and cranny of the various floating islands.
About halfway through the song, the tone changes. The calm skies turn dark and thunder rolls as the sound of drums rises. Alongside this change, Tim de Man begins incorporating more of the melodies we’ve heard from Tears of the Kingdom so far. It’s easy to imagine Link’s exploration ruined by strong winds that threaten to throw him from his mount. As a descending melody plays, our imaginations conjure the return of various aerial enemies like Kargaroks that Link might need to combat as he plummets back towards Hyrule’s surface. With a flurry of rising notes, the hero defeats the enemy and returns to sunny skies — and the track comes to an end.
Tim de Man’s music is like a Loftwing. It’s a tried, true, and reliable friend that will be there to catch us fans when our emotions plummet during the long, long wait between titles. Like a tailwind from the Goddess Hylia, his music allows our imaginations to take flight and fill in the blanks of what might be next for Link and his companions.
The post Medli’s Melodies: Flights toward the future first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fortune tellers are often used as a way to point the Link in the right direction, such as in A Link to the Past, where the fortune teller will give Link a hint for his next objective — for a price, of course. But while the fortune teller in Phantom Hourglass points Link in the right direction when needed, just as her predecessors did, she also plays a significant role in the story. Astrid, sole human resident of the Isle of Ember, is one of the initial guiding hands that leads Link and his fairy towards finding Tetra and the Ghost Ship. Though she is mostly relevant while Link is on the Isle of Ember, she has a surprising connection to other characters in the world of Phantom Hourglass.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
When Link first arrives on the Isle of Ember, Astrid is trapped within the basement of her home by monsters. She asks for Link to find her assistant, who unfortunately has already bitten the dust from the monster attack. After being saved, she points the heroes towards the spirits of power, wisdom, and courage as the key to completing their quest. For many, this is the last they’ll ever see of Astrid, but she holds one other secret.
King Mutoh’s ghost, one of Astrid’s ancestors.If Link returns to the Isle of Ember much further along his journey, Astrid will reveal that she is a descendant of the Cobble race, the residents of the Mutoh Kingdom which Link explores the ruins of in the later parts of Phantom Hourglass. The blacksmith Zauz, who helps Link by crafting the Phantom Sword, is also a descendant of the Cobble. It’s worth mentioning that Kayo, Astrid’s assistant who passed on earlier in the game, is also a Cobble descendent. Kayo, along with several other Cobble related characters, are only interacted with as ghosts. Interestingly, Astrid specifically mentions that the Cobble race is known for having powers of premonition which increase in power after death. Given the amount of Cobble characters that appear as ghosts, perhaps returning after death is just one of the powers that the Cobble people possess.
While the world of Phantom Hourglass is not as developed as Hyrule itself, it has its own history which stretches its influence to every corner of the ocean. When I first played Phantom Hourglass, I never revisited Astrid, so her relationship with Mutoh and the Cobble people was completely unknown to me. It makes me wonder if we’ll ever hear of the Cobble race again in the future. Even though they did not make an appearance in Spirit Tracks, the sequel to Phantom Hourglass, I would personally love to see a return of this tech-savvy and clairvoyant ghost race.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Astrid first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The masks of Majora’s Mask provided our hero Link with some truly outlandish powers that had never been seen before in the Zelda series — and with those powers came some equally outlandish designs. Chief among them is, in my opinion, the Fierce Deity Mask. Granting Link immense strength and speed, eyes brimming with ethereal white light, and a long double-helix sword that fires magical beams, the Fierce Deity Mask is among the most powerful and mysterious items in all of Zelda lore. The story behind its origin continues to elude us to this very day, and its ability to vanquish reality-bending entities like Majora is downright chilling. There’s no telling what terrible fate would befall the world if such a mask were to be misused.
The mask’s design is quite striking and contributes to the awe one feels when Link uses its near-limitless power. But I can’t help but wonder: what would happen if other characters donned the mask? What painted-face, helix-wielding monstrosities would be created? That’s a question that artist Stoic Seraphim dared to answer with their series “If the Fierce Deity Mask was an Item in Smash”, which places various members of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster in the enigmatic being’s fearsome boots.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
First up is Samus, with an intimidating new arm cannon and sleek gold trim around the cerulean plating of her Power Suit. The Fierce Deity’s distinct face paint is represented well with the blue-and-red frame around her visor.
Sheik would likely do some serious damage with those helix-shaped needles. Her grace and agility are captured perfectly through her pose and the elegant motion of her scarf.
King Dedede comes out swinging with his mammoth Jet Hammer, a weapon that looks like it could crack open the falling moon like a walnut. And he looks angry enough to try it, too.
The Fierce Deity enters the Flat Zone with this rendition of Mr. Game & Watch, who poses a new threat entirely with his Megaton Hammer. His Judge ability is no longer limited to numbers one through nine. What kind of devastating effect would the infinity symbol have on opponents?
This is one of Stoic Seraphim’s most decadent designs yet. Bayonetta brandishes incredibly ornate pistols and lets her steely hair flow freely. Without a doubt, she’s the best-dressed witch in all of Termina.
There’s not much I have to say about Dr. Mario’s design. I just enjoy how serious yet absurd he looks.
This was just a small selection of Stoic Seraphim’s work on the project. There are plenty more “Fierce-Deified” characters where these came from (there are over 80 fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, after all!), so go check out their Twitter page for the full cast.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Fierce Deities ready to battle in Smash first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Rumors are circulating about a possible The Legend of Zelda LEGO set slated for 2024. According to the website Promobricks, the LEGO Group recently conducted a marketing survey to learn what consumers thought of the price points of certain proposed sets. One of the sets shown in the survey was a Great Deku Tree design. According to the leak, this set would feature a minifigure-scale Great Deku Tree. Additionally, the set would include the necessary parts and instructions to modify the tree, allowing builders to construct one of two versions seen in the Zelda series. These versions are the ones from Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild.
Additional Set details:
- Minifigures: Young Link from Ocarina of Time and Link and Zelda from Breath of the Wild.
- Size: 1920 pieces.
- Expected price: Anywhere from $200 to $350 USD.
Though the set is proposed for 2024, there is no guarantee that the LEGO Group will actually release it. LEGO sets go through a rigorous development process, and some sets, even ones that are far along in the development process, can be canceled for any number of reasons. In regard to this set and the survey, if LEGO believes consumers wouldn’t value the set at the price the company would be comfortable listing it as, they might opt to halt its production indefinitely. We will continue to report on the set as any and all news develops.
The post Great Deku Tree LEGO set rumored for 2024 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The last time I set sail across the Great Sea, I found myself trying to outbid NPCs and win prizes at an auction house. When I first started playing this game that I inherited from my best friend, participating in auctions was way down on the list of things I thought I would be doing on my adventure. The Wind Waker really is full of surprises, and that’s what makes it truly special and unique. So now let’s see where the journey takes me today.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
One thing I love about the Zelda series is the fact that, most of the time, you find yourself in a vast expanse of land that’s just waiting to be explored. In this game, the world of Flooded Hyrule is seemingly endless, packed with so many Treasure Charts, Big Octos, and islands that any player could spend countless hours searching for goodies or getting lost. I have no intention of covering every single Rupee and Treasure Chart that I find throughout my journey, or else we would all be here for hours. I recently took a much-needed break from the main quest and spent some time just exploring the ocean, but now I will be getting back on track.
The pedestal is awaiting its pearl.My first stops were the three Triangle Islands, where some statues were waiting for me to give them the Pearls I acquired from Valoo, the Great Deku Tree, and the Great Jabun. I sailed to each location, and just as I finished positioning the third Pearl, some very intense music began to play, and the statue began to shine. I literally laughed out loud as the frightened Link instinctively dove away from the statue, sensing some kind of impending doom. When nothing happened, he crawled back onto the island and stood near the statue, only to be met with a huge explosion! The poor kid shot through the air, and as the dust settled, I noticed that the statue had completely changed. It now resembled Princess Zelda (at least to me), and a beam of light shot straight out of the Pearl. The cutscene showed the other two statues doing the same, and at last, all three beams connected to form a triangle. This part reminded me of when the four Divine Beasts all focus their lasers on Hyrule Castle in Breath of the Wild.
Inside the triangle, a castle with a large tower rose up from the depths of the ocean, and then I got to witness the best part of the entire cutscene: Link falling helplessly and splatting against the exterior wall of the structure. This game continues to surprise me with these goofy little details. It’s clear that The Wind Waker doesn’t take itself seriously at times, which is something I absolutely love. Not to mention that the cartoony art style is just so perfect for silly moments such as these.
- Watch out, Link!
- SPLAT! Once all the excitement died down, the King of Red Lions informed me that I had just erected the Tower of the Gods and would now have to face a trial to test my courage. The music you hear while in this dungeon is so spooky, with a choir ominously chanting the entire way through. It was bad enough that, for most of this trial, I was all alone in this creepy tower solving puzzles, but with this eerie music playing in the background, the whole thing was downright scary. But perhaps the worst part for me was the water constantly rising and falling as I attempted to traverse the dungeon.
Let me explain. When I was around 13 years old, I went to Alberta Beach with Nate, the same best friend that I inherited this game from, and visited a lake called Lac Ste. Anne. I’ve never been a very good swimmer, so when we decided to swim to a dock floating in the middle of the lake, I had to doggy paddle the entire way — and even then, I almost didn’t make it. At the dock, another teenager we didn’t know was making a game out of kicking and throwing the other children into the water, which completely terrified me. I was certain that if he did that to me, I would drown. He playfully knocked my friend into the lake, and since Nate was actually a good swimmer, he thought it was a blast! I, on the other hand, didn’t want to take the risk, so I eased myself back into the water before the kid could target me next. I started swimming back to shore, taking the shortest route possible, but I quickly exhausted all my energy and found that I couldn’t swim any further. I actually started sinking! Luckily, I was still able to jump up and gasp for air every time I went under, and all the while, I kept inching closer and closer to shore. Eventually, the water was shallow enough that I could just walk the rest of the way. This incident caused me to develop a crippling fear of water, and while I have since taken swimming lessons and now feel confident enough to get in the water with a snorkel vest and fins, the memory will haunt me for the rest of my life.
An example of a swim dock you might see in Lac Ste. Anne.So now that you know all this, you can probably understand why the changing water level in the Tower of the Gods frightened me so much. Even though I knew this was just a video game and I was not in any immediate danger, this part of the game prompted me to relive that horrific day at the lake. And when I stopped to think about it, I realized that I had been actively trying to keep Link on land and away from open water. I prefer to stay on the King of Red Lions as much as possible because I don’t want Link’s swimming stamina to deplete, the way mine did back in Alberta Beach.
Anyway, back to the dungeon. The Tower of the Gods doesn’t skimp on the number of fun and unique challenges it throws the player’s way. I particularly enjoyed the part where I had to guide three hopping statues across obstacles in order to reach their respective pedestals. The way that Link waved to the statues whenever he called them made me smile — and he had to call them a lot, because I constantly missed the mark when tossing the statues across chasms and had to keep starting over (I did eventually learn that I could just jump over the gaps while holding on to the statues). Puzzles such as these are just so creative and charming, I can’t help but love them. And I even got to use the Wind Waker to mind control the statues for a bit, which was pretty cool!
The music fit the theme of this boss fight so well!The final part of the trial involved an extremely fun battle against Gohdan, a literal floating head with two hands. The music that played during this boss fight was so epic, like something I might hear in a Castlevania game. After knocking out the hands with arrows and bombing the head a few times, a voice told me to proceed with caution along the path that was chosen for me. Another beam shot up, and given what had happened on the Triangle Islands, I was expecting Link to get blased by another explosion. But instead, he started to dance with glee.
Link didn’t blow up this time! It’s a dance party to celebrate!Afterwards, Link proceeded to swing on a rope to ring a giant bell atop the tower, and a portal opened up outside the entrance. The King of Red Lions told me that jumping into the colorful ring of light would send me to my next trial, so I let him know that I was ready, and together we descended down into the ocean. What surprises await me on the next leg of my journey? We’ll just have to wait and see!
Heading down to accept the next part of the trial.
Catch up on the previous chapters in this series with the links below!
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
- Part 4
- Part 5
The post Realm of Memories: My journey through The Wind Waker (Part 6) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Majora’s Mask had much to capitalize on after the wild success of Ocarina of Time. As many know, the development team had little time to work on this sequel, which is why, instead of having seven or eight main dungeons like in most Zelda games, we only got four. However, Majora’s Mask is “quality over quantity” incarnate. While it may only have four dungeons, all of them are bangers, and I would even argue that they are some of the best in the entire franchise. One of my favorites that has always stuck with me is Snowhead Temple.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
For some weird reason, Biggoron is blocking the path.After completing the Woodfall Temple, and probably completing some interpersonal sidequests in town, it is time to head north towards Snowhead and complete the Mountain portion of the “Four who are there, bring them here!” main quest. The Hero of Time will overcome the obstacles of the frigid lands of Snowhead. Learning to play the Goron Lulluby on hand drums, meeting the spirit of Darmani, and encasing his soul into a cute mask are all required before we can reach the summit where Snowhead Temple is located. And even then, not just anyone is allowed to walk right into the temple. First you will have to deal with the giant, invisible Goron, Biggoron, who guards the temple. Fortunately, he is not violent — he just blows strong gusts of wind to prevent you from going forward. The Goron Lulluby will put him to sleep, and he will fall into the abyss below, opening up the entrance to the dungeon (do not fret, I am sure Biggoron is OK).
Go-Go Goron Link!I would argue that, while most 3D Zelda dungeons are mostly known for their aesthetic and theme, the dungeons in Majora’s Mask are most distinguished by their puzzle gimmicks. Stone Tower Temple has its dungeon flipping mechanic, Great Bay Temple has you changing the direction of the water’s flow, and Snowhead Temple’s main gimmick involves a giant pillar in the center. Players move up and down the cylindrical dungeon to change the level of the pillar, opening access to various levels and blocked off pathways throughout the dungeon.
The dungeons in this title also make great use of the masks Link collects through his adventure. Snowhead Temple makes use of the recently-received Goron Mask, which is able to turn Link into a Goron (fortunately, he keeps his iconic green hat so he stays recognizable). Being a Goron brings new abilities. Now Link does not need a sword, as Gorons are powerful enough to just use their fists. Link will use this not only to throw hands with the many ice-themed enemies, but his strong punches is what he will use to knock out the levels of the central pillar. Goron Link also gets a ground pound, which he will use to solve some puzzles. Lastly, Goron Link will get a Sonic the Hedgehog-esque spin dash ability, commonly coined as the Goron Roll, where he can roll around at high speeds (at the cost of depleting his Magic Meter). This ability is used for traversing the various curved walls and clearing gaps that Child Link is unable to jump. The Goron body also comes in handy when having to walk the lava filled floors at the bottom of the dungeon, as Gorons are immune to such hot temperatures.
A real-life Real Bombchu.I know it may seem hard to believe, but Snowhead Temple is covered in ice and snow. Many of the doors and pathways are obstructed by ice, and many ice and snow-themed monsters roam the dungeon. Fortunately, Link finds another key item here which, coincidentally, solves all these problems: Fire Arrows. Now Link can not only shoot his enemies down, but he can burn them from the inside as well! These Fire Arrows are useful for melting away all the ice blockades found throughout the dungeon, as well as taking out some large icicles for various puzzles. You will also find that cold-based enemies like Eenos or Freezards are taken down quite easily with these nifty arrows.
Funnily enough, this dungeon also features some fiery foes as well that might not find Fire Arrows so intimidating. The lava at the base of the dungeon keeps the temple warm enough to house some Red Bubbles, a recurring monster in the Zelda series. Even some fire-breathing Dinolfos are able to live here. But the scariest monster by far has to be the Real Bombchu, which makes its first appearance in Snowhead Temple. It turns out Bombchu Bowling was based on true events, but these are not fun and silly like the beloved minigame. This rat wears a huge, gross smile below its lifeless eyes, and worst of all, it has an explosive attached to its tail. They do not even try to fight, they just charge at you and detonate themselves in the name of taking three hearts from your health pool. It is pretty pathetic when you realize all you have to do is hold up your shield to protect yourself from the blast, but these poor guys do not live long enough to correct their mistakes and try a new strategy.
Goron Link vs. the GOHT. This dungeon contains one main boss, but two miniboss rooms. The two minibosses are the same: Wizzrobes. These recurring minibosses are in every dungeon in this title, and luckily, they are fairly easy. Teleporting pads are laid out across the room, and the Wizzrobes will teleport across the room until they’re ready to attack. Sadly, they take too much time to ready their attacks, leaving themselves open for Link to shoot them with his new Fire Arrows. The Wizzrobes that appear in Majora’s Mask’s are probably my favorite versions. Not because I find them cool, but because these versions hardly look like monsters — just really unhealthy, old men. And I find the idea of old men running around these dungeons pretty funny. But after those Wizzrobes are defeated, and the rest of the dungeon has been cleared, it is time to fight the main boss.
After opening the boss door, you will find Goht, the bull-shaped, mechanical demon trapped in a block of ice. Link’s only option is to free it with a Fire Arrow. After thawing, the monster breaks out of the rocks and begins rampaging around the doughnut-shaped boss room. The common tactic is to turn in to Goron Link and use your Goron Roll ability to chase Goht down and ram into him while he rampages; however, if that tactic seems a bit too hands-on, using well-placed Bombs and Fire Arrows are valid methods of taking him down as well. Other than having to keep an eye on your Magic Meter, this fight is pretty easy, but it is really fun ramming into Goht as Goron Link. Once Goht is defeated, Link will take his well-deserved Heart Container and the Goht Mask. Now one more Guardian is freed, and Link is halfway through his quest to save Termina.
The post Tingle’s Maps: Snowhead Temple (Majora’s Mask) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Despite humble beginnings as a Picori apprentice, Vaati has made a name for himself as one of the more well-known villains of Hyrule. Though he never takes up the title in The Minish Cap, Vaati is referred to as “The Wind Mage” in the Four Swords titles. Interestingly, it’s noted in Hyrule Historia that Vaati loses all his memories of his life as a Picori and the events of The Minish Cap before Four Swords takes place. This means that, canonically, the epithet of “Wind Mage” emerged after Vaati lost his memories. But since Four Swords was released prior to The Minish Cap, “Wind Mage” was the title that the developers originally intended for Vaati to possess, so much so that the character’s name was heavily inspired by his association with the wind.
Zelda’s Study is a series where we examine the history of The Legend of Zelda to bring you some fascinating (or just plain weird) trivia. In our studies, we’ll explore each game’s development, curiosities within the rich lore of the franchise, and the impact it has had on our culture. From time to time, we’ll also look at Nintendo’s past to unearth some facts about our favorite company.
As it happens, Vaati shares a name with the Wind Dukes Of Aaqa from the world of Dungeons & Dragons. The Wind Dukes are known as the Vaati and, as their name suggests, they are closely connected to the element of wind. Unlike our demonic friend Vaati, the Wind Dukes are known for their peaceful nature and prefer negotiation over combat; however, they are masters of wind magic just like Vaati the Wind Mage is. They were first introduced in Gary Gygax’s Dungeon Master’s Guide in 1979, so it’s quite possible that Vaati’s English name is a deliberate reference to them.
Vaati from Dungeons & Dragons.Vaati might also be a reference to the word vāta, the Sanskrit word for “wind” or “air”. The Italian word for wind, venti, is also a potential origin point for the name, which wouldn’t be the first time a wind-based character’s name draws inspiration from the word. Stretching a bit further, the word Vaati also happens to have a meaning in the Finnish language, being a verb which means “to demand” or “to claim”. Vaati was indeed quite demanding when he stole his master’s magic hat, so it’s rather fitting.
While the English name Vaati could have origins from many places, his original Japanese name makes for a very simple reference. There, the great Wind Mage is known simply as “Gufū”, which means “tornado” in Japanese. While straightforward names like this are not at all uncommon for Japan, I personally prefer the name Vaati to the overly accurate translated name of Tornado.
So although it hasn’t been directly confirmed, Vaati’s name definitely hearkens back to his original epithet of “Wind Mage”. It’s not clear why the writers of The Minish Cap didn’t continue to give Vaati this title, but there is no doubt that he is quite adept at wind magic. After all, he wouldn’t be called Vaati if he wasn’t!
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This week on Zelda Weekly; we talk about ZREO Second Quest’s new shop, our time at Ichibancon, AGDQ raising over two million dollars for charity, and we read your comments from last weekly’s episode!
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The world of Skyward Sword is home to many colorful and unique creatures, and the first ones that Link gets to interact with when he descends to the Surface are the adorable forest dwellers known as the Kikwi. Part flora and part fauna, they are some of the most intriguing critters in the entire game. If only they spent less time cowering in fear and more time letting us get to know them.
Link is able to meet each of the Kikwi, learn their names, and rescue them from the Bokoblins (or “red monsters”, as the Kikwi like to refer to them) that are roaming Faron Woods. They are all quite fearful of these nasty beasts, but young Oolo is particularly sensitive, even by their standards.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Oolo is a little male Kikwi with a cute leaf mohawk atop his head. Every member of the Kikwi tribe is named after a different type of tea, with Oolo’s name being derived from oolong. While he may seem like an insignificant NPC, his anxious personality and the role he plays in an optional sidequest make him one of the more memorable Kikwi (aside from Bucha, the Kikwi Elder).
Oolo is first introduced when Bucha tasks Link with locating and rescuing four Kikwi that have gone missing. The little guy is found pretending to be a bush in an isolated corner of Faron Woods. According to Fi, Oolo is the most easily flustered of all the Kikwi, and his fears and anxieties are evident in every encounter. Upon discovery, Oolo is relieved that Link is not a monster that wants to eat him, but he still trembles with fear and jumps in alarm when Fi suddenly appears. It may seem like Oolo is just scared of the darkness overtaking the surface, but in reality, he is terrified of pretty much everything in the forest (and perhaps everything outside of the forest as well).
Later in the game, Oolo becomes an important part of a sidequest in Skyloft. Instructor Owlan is intrigued by all sorts of plant specimens, but he has documented every species native to the skies and is searching for something new. He asks Link to bring him something from the surface to study, and that something turns out to be a Kikwi. Fi only estimates a 40% chance that Oolo will be suitable for Owlan’s needs, but Link still decides that it will be safer for the timid creature to live in the sky.
Unfortunately, Oolo’s constant state of anxiety means he never gets to leave Owlan’s room. Owlan does this to protect the little creature and keep him from being overwhelmed. After all, if one green Link is all it takes for him to start shaking, imagine what a swarm of curious Skyloftians enraptured by his cuteness would do to him.
While Oolo is now an object of intense scrutiny far away from all that is familiar, at least he won’t have to worry about being eaten by Bokoblins anymore. But I wonder what happens to him once the Hylians return to the Surface? It’s possible that he and all the other Kikwi vanish forever more, but I like to think that they were just the beginning of the long line of forest creatures who protect the woods they call home.
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The desert is full of magical mysteries that enrapture its visitors and transport them to a world of spiritual wonder. Its winds lift the sands and obscure the path from the front, the back, and the sides, making you question just how many times you’ve come across that same flag post. There’s also music carried…
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On the Christmas of 2021, I got one of the best presents I had ever received from my wife: a wallet featuring Link and other images from The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. As soon as I unwrapped the gift, I saw the incredible details of the Japanese writing and the picture of Link, and…
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Brothers Lyndon and Matt Willoughby are back to continue their retrospective on the NES Classic, The Legend of Zelda. This time they’re joined by guest, El Detective, to explore the topic of dungeon bosses. Tune in on our YouTube Channel:
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You can now check out the first episode of the Sacred Realms podcast season 6, where our hosts Lyndon and Matt Willoughby discuss the NES classic, The Legend of Zelda. They provide a detailed retrospective of the game that started it all! Listen in via our YouTube Channel:
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After slashing his way through the three tutorial dungeons, young Link opens the doors to the Sacred Realm and is thrust into a far more dangerous adventure, with all of Hyrule relying on his success. The weight of the world is forced on the boy’s shoulders all at once. However, within the Sacred Realm, he also…
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The various races encountered throughout Hyrule often have distinct personalities and cultures that become significant to the player as they journey across the land, usually by visiting local shops or embarking on side quests. But the Twili, a new race featured in Twilight Princess, stand out in this respect, as they aren’t presented in the…
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Of all the mysteries to be discovered throughout the land of Termina, few are as personal as the tale of the Deku Butler’s son. The Deku Butler is known to keep to himself, choosing to maintain an air of professionalism during the majority of his screentime in Majora’s Mask. However, if Link goes out of…
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I have decided to start a fight with this article. I’m sure that the comments section will be civil, and that there will be nuanced discourse about what I’m going to say. I lay myself at the feet of the Zelda community with this humble (and absolutely correct) opinion. Vaati is a much more interesting…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: The true king of evil first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There are two words etched into the brain of any long-time gamer that elicit fear and loathing on a near-primal level. No, not Game Over, as that is merely a fate one wishes to avoid. These two words are far worse, even worse than Navi’s “Hey! Listen!” mantra that plays even when you are on…
The post Realm of Memories: The one good escort mission first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Look, I understand I’ve been pretty harsh on some of the dungeons and areas in the Oracle games. I really love these games, I swear I do! There are tons of fun areas to explore. In order to traverse a lot of these places, you’ll need to recruit one of three animal assistants: Moosh, the…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Blaino’s Gym (Oracle of Seasons) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Figurine manufacturers First 4 Figures opened their pre-order for their latest Legend of Zelda statue. The ‘Link on Horseback’ statue depicts Breath of the Wild Link on the back of a rearing horse. Link wears the Champion’s Tunic and Hylian Trousers, carries the Master Sword and has the Sheikah Slate attached to his side. The…
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The complete soundtrack is out now for “The Wind Waker English Dub: Second Quest!” Directed by Alex Trevino, this cover music is specially composed by the ZU Cast for this awesome fanmade production. Honoring the upcoming 20th anniversary of The Wind Waker, many of the tunes are kept in the same spirit as the original…
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The timeline of the Zelda series has proven to be both a source of countless theories and boundless interest but is also the culprit behind multitudes of migraines. While some people find the never-ending tale of reincarnated heroes and princesses to be bothersome, I think it’s fascinating. The idea that every Link and Zelda is…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Musical treasure first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Gold and black illuminate the world, and the sky is awash in hues that belong to neither day nor night. They say that the twilight hour is one of magic and wonder, and yet darkness and danger are all that seem to fill this world. Shadows rise from the ground, shifting the world from one…
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If you visit our YouTube channel regularly, you may have noticed a new series showing up in your subscription feed in the last couple of weeks. We have partnered with Sacred Realms: A Zelda Retrospective Podcast to begin publishing their weekly show on our YouTube channel. Sacred Realms is an audio-only weekly podcast that explores…
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A great way to capture a Zelda game’s essence is to depict one of its more memorable moments or themes in a work of art. What do you think of when you see A Link Between Worlds? For me, I think of the unique art style and Link walking on walls. And The Minish Cap?…
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One day, while out exploring the Lanayru region in Breath of the Wild, I decided to open up my map and search around to see if there were any cool places to check out. I noticed a spot called “Peak of Awakening,” and my thoughts instantly went to Link’s Awakening; I wondered if this location…
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In my previous entry for Tetra’s Treasures, I briefly mentioned how the early-2000s was a special, nostalgic time for me. As a child, it was a thrill to home from a long day of school to play video games. I was completely enamored by them. There were times when I would mooch off my older…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Majora’s Mask Game Music Soundtrack CD Set (Nintendo Power 2000) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“He’s so cute and fluffy!” That is the reaction that at least 75% of players likely have upon first seeing Moosh, the best of the undeniably adorable animal companions Link can find in Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages. While Ricky may appeal to pugilists and Dimitri can make dinosaur lovers swoon, the lovable…
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Preorders are open for the Zelda-based charity zine “Homemade in Hyrule,” a digital and physical cookbook centered around home cooking in the Zelda universe. Whether its drinking from a potion, savoring Grandma’s Elixir Soup, or reluctantly eating Dubious Food, “Homemade in Hyrule” has you covered! The zine is composed of fifty-five contributors who have created…
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Have you ever seen something that simply took your breath away? I’m sure many of you have experienced that in a variety of different ways, whether it was seeing the love of your life for the first time, nature in all of its splendor, or a piece of artwork that made you just stop, stare,…
The post Realm of Memories: The beauty of the Breath of the Wild trailer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breath of the Wild’s opening is iconic. It follows the classic format of having Link waking from a dream, but this time, our hero has been asleep for 100 years. The Hyrule he knew is gone, he doesn’t know where he is, and anything he did know has been forgotten. The Shrine of Resurrection itself…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Shrine of Resurrection first appeared on Zelda Universe.
PowerA is back once again with another Zelda-themed controller for the Nintendo Switch set to release in the next week. Throughout the lifespan of the Switch, PowerA has released numerous controllers for the console. This includes a slew of Zelda-themed ones like the Triforce and Hylian Shield controller from last year or one from 2019…
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Ocarina of Time is one of the most influential games ever made, and it still receives love from the gaming community to this day. So much love, in fact, that people have modded its version of Hyrule into a wide variety of other games. My personal favorite of these crossover mods is Banjo-Kazooie: The Jiggies…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Gerudo Valley in the style of Banjo-Kazooie first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Majora’s Mask is possibly the most satisfying Zelda game when it comes to tying up loose ends. Each character we meet over the course of the game has their own unique predicament and troubles that go along with it. By the time the credits roll, we have the satisfaction of seeing a nice resolution for…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Link the Goron (Majora’s Mask) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hades and the gang are back at it again for another episode of heckling and bad-mouthing the rooster of Super Smash Brothers Ultimate. In this episode, the Lord of the Underworld targets Piranha Plant, Alph, Young Link, and Snake. Once again proving that nobody is safe from the wrath of Hades, even if they are…
The post Hades’ Misguidance: Season 3, Episode 6 – Piranha Plant, Alph, Young Link & Snake first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Amanda VanHeil takes to the beaches of Eventide Island for this week’s episode of Zelda Weekly. Amanda discusses the upcoming ZUThon 2022 which will take place from August 11 through 15 and will raise money for Direct Relief. There is a new Zelda Universe enamel available to purchase thanks to a partnership with JobJobLLC. And…
The post Zelda Weekly: Our Own Enamel Pin & More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Is it that time already? It is indeed, fellow Zelda fans. The ZUthon: Zelda for Eternity charity speed run for 2022 is approaching faster than the Running Man can deliver your mail. This very special event begins on August 11, 12:00 pm Pacific Time, and will continue its nonstop march into August 15. It’s jam-packed…
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At first it was just a rumble, a crack through time and space as the kingdom endured the destruction of something great and powerful. The loss would cause a great toll on the kingdom, but it was better this way. That’s what she had been told. With that power gone, her kingdom would be safe…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: A portrait of a different princess first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Majora’s Mask has a lot of layers to it. (The game, that is, not the actual mask. That also has several layers, but that’s a story for another time.) Many, myself included, have had their own unique experiences and interactions with the game. The frustration of trekking through Great Bay Temple, the sadness of watching…
The post Realm of Memories: My first Final Hours first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In my first playthrough of Breath of the Wild, the first legitimately intriguing location I encountered after leaving the Great Plateau was Hickaly Woods. I was still getting used to the open world around me, grappling with how big Hyrule truly was, and Hickaly Woods felt like an exciting example of how much detailed lore…
The post Tingle’s Maps: How Hickaly Woods encapsulates the challenges of Breath of the Wild first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Who among us hasn’t indulged in a good, cheesy soap opera at least once in our lifetimes? Sure, we may not religiously follow the daily hijinks of those who populate the universes of Days of Our Lives and General Hospital (and if you do, you have far more patience than I ever will), but I…
The post Zelda’s Study: O Cousin, where art thou? first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Calling all artists, writers, and creatives alike! In addition to our annual Linktober contest, this year the Zelda Universe DeviantArt group is hosting a new contest for creatives of all kinds! Our staff on the columns team have picked three words. Your job is to create a Zelda-themed piece of any media you’d like, be…
The post Zelda Universe is Hosting a Creative “Word Prompt” Contest! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breath of the Wild is indisputably one of the biggest open-world games in history, boasting 23.7 square miles of explorable terrain. Even with over 400 hours of playtime, I still discover new things while exploring the kingdom of Hyrule. Whenever I roam around fighting monsters and shield-surfing down hills, I often stop and think to myself:…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Stamm the Traveling Chef first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Skyward Sword is such an underrated game. I know, it’s not a hot take, but it’s true. I think it got a lot of hate because of the motion controls which, in my opinion, is a weak excuse (except from an accessibility standpoint of course). It’s a really great game that deserved the remaster it…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Alone in a dusty sea first appeared on Zelda Universe.
America’s Got Talent has seen many astonishing performances over the years, but a real-life fairy named Freckled Zelda most certainly stands out. Dressed in royal robes adorned with the Triforce, Freckled Zelda proudly proclaimed that she was a fairy to the panel of judges. Most of whom, especially the ever-skeptical Simon Cowell, seemed very confused.…
The post Social media star and real-life fairy Freckled Zelda performs for America’s Got Talent first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s dangerous to go alone! Thanks to the dedication of many fans, you won’t have to be. We have an exciting announcement to make: we now have our very own enamel Zelda Universe pin! Donned in the iconic blue and silver shield, you can show off your love for the largest Zelda fan community around…
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Approaching a final boss battle in any game is nerve-wracking. You’ve worked so hard to get here, putting in any number of hours to approach this final door/entryway/random patch of grass. And if said boss is an icon, a titan of video game lore, then your excitement is through the roof. This is it. This…
The post Realm of Memories: A teenager’s first Ganon battle first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A common complaint about Breath of the Wild that I often hear is that the open world is awesome until you play for more a couple hours and realize just how empty it is. A lack of people and towns to visit make the huge world too boring. Well, to all those haters, I say…I…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Rito Village (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This is very important and topical news. Nintendo of Japan recently released a statement warning players to stop using the Nintendo USB Wi-Fi Connector and Nintendo Wi-Fi Network Adapter, if they were released between 2005 and 2008, due to security concerns. These were primarily used for the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection network service for the Wii…
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Zelda Weekly, formerly Zelda News, is back with some great new events and fan content to highlight! This week, Amanda dives into Zelda Dungeon‘s annual charity marathon which ran from Saturday, July 16 to Saturday, July 23. ZD was raising funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Although the marathon is over, you can still donate…
The post Zelda Weekly covers a Zelda charity event, ZeLink art, and more first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Stone Cold Steve Austin, noted professional wrestler and beer drinker, was recently doing what we all love to do when bored at work: play video games. Specifically, Breath of the Wild. WWE tweeted some great behind the scenes photos from the WWE Network show The Broken Skull Sessions, one of which included Stone Cold playing…
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Before you even get to Zora’s Domain in Breath of the Wild, its people have already made an impression on you. Sidon has likely won you over with his brilliant smile, and, if you’re like me, you have devoured every stone tablet of lore lining the path. These two elements lead you to believe that…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Instrumental rivers first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Don’t panic. Just avoid eye contact, and eventually they’ll get bored and walk away. … … Oh! Hello, traveler. Sorry for not acknowledging you sooner, I didn’t see you standing there until just now. No, really – it’s true. Anyway, I hope you’ll forgive me for remaining silent; I am currently engaged in quiet meditation,…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Average Middle-Aged Man (A Link to the Past) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many Zelda games begin with Link waking up in a cozy, quaint home, ready to embark on his noble quest, despite usually looking a little groggy (I’m not a morning person, so I can totally relate). It establishes the beginning of his hero’s journey as secure and comfortable, which is a direct contrast with the…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: A diorama of nostalgia – Link’s Kokiri home first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s the beginning of the end of an era. Nintendo announced last Tuesday that its eShop service for the 3DS and WiiU consoles will soon come to a close for good. On August 29, 2022, “it will no longer be possible to add funds,” stated Nintendo’s public Twitter post. And by March 27, 2023, all…
The post The Nintendo 3DS and WiiU eShop will soon begin the closing process first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Welcome to the second installment of my new article series: “Areas That Annoy Me in the Oracle Games”. Look, I love these games. I think that the secret system is so great and so well-thought-out that it hurts me that more games don’t do it. (Come on, Pokémon; you insist on selling me two versions…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Rolling Ridge first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When Link seeks the help of an animal companion, he usually ends up riding the horse Epona. While Epona is a dearly beloved ally to the hero, she is not the only animal companion that has stood by Link’s side. In Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Link ventures outside of Hyrule and meets…
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"For those who wanted to see this Reese’s-esque pairing of Link and Demon Slayer, DasGnomo has provided the perfect piece of art with her work titled 'Kimetsu No Yaiba Link.'”
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It’s here! The opening Prologue for The Wind Waker: English Dub Second Quest is now live on YouTube. Brought to you by the ZU Cast and directed by Alexander Trevino, this special fan dub is a production tribute to The Wind Waker HD. Experience the thrills of The Wind Waker adventure all over again with…
The post ZU Video: Prologue for The Wind Waker: English Dub – Second Quest is now available first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We may never know what Nintendo will pull out of their sleeve next. The Big N is acquiring the Tokyo-based Dynamo Pictures and will rename it Nintendo Pictures Co Ltd. This subdivision is to “focus on development of visual content utilizing Nintendo IP” and on the “planning and production of visual content including CG animation.”…
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- No, that is not the number of times I’ve beaten A Link to the Past, nor is it the number of times it took me to beat Dark Link in Ocarina of Time. 27 is how old I was when I beat my first Zelda game. Yes, that is correct. Aside from the Super Nintendo, I have always…
The post Realm of Memories: Better late than never first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The point of the Tingle’s Maps column is to write about fun and interesting places present throughout the Zelda series, and this article is no exception, as I intend to discuss some cool locations present in the very first Zelda game. Now, the graphics in The Legend of Zelda are clearly reflective of the time,…
The post Tingle’s Maps: The original Hyrule as depicted in official artwork first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s official: E3 is still alive and it’s planning to make a grand comeback next year. There is a notable difference this time, however. ReedPop, the organization responsible for running PAX, EGX, New York ComicCon, and other renowned pop culture trade shows, is now co-handling E3 with the ESA going forward. As reported by other…
The post E3 returns for 2023, to be produced by ReedPop first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The latest installment in the Hyrule Warriors series may be a controversial one, but its soundtrack has received near universal praise. It took themes and leitmotifs from Breath of the Wild and transformed them into the intense, bombastic, heroic music that many people were expecting from the iconic 2017 game in the first place. While…
The post Medli’s Melodies: How Age of Calamity’s map music enhances its story first appeared on Zelda Universe.
No one really likes thieves. They’re a nuisance to store owners, they make people check their pockets one more time in crowded places, and they generally makes one’s day worse. But even though thieves are unpopular, they make pretty good characters in video games, and we’ve come across them in the Zelda series several times.…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: The Great Bandit Misko first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes…” Twili Midna, the Twilight Princess, captures a mystic beauty of shadow-like magic and the glow of the evening hour that is neither day nor night. Descended from a tribe of Hylians embracing dark magic and wicked ways, comparing her kind to the likes of…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Midna the Twilight Witch first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I always appreciated the darker elements of Twilight Princess. The story took on a more mature direction, and at several points showed the true extent of what could happen if I failed. The raid on Ordon Village, Kakariko’s invasion, the Zoras being frozen and their queen being publicly executed — these are just a taste…
The post Realm of Memories: Midna’s tragedy first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Here I am, once again wishing that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity had a freeplay mode. Or a photo mode. Or both! Hyrule Castle Town draws me back again and again, and it’s frustrating to have to replay timed battles in order to explore it in more depth. So much of it is out of…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Hyrule Castle Town Barracks (Age of Calamity) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Though it may be one of the lesser-known members of the Zelda family, Four Swords Adventures is a unique one that has always been a personal favorite of mine. Released after The Wind Waker and before Twilight Princess, this game was the product of an era where Link from The Wind Waker was the most…
The post Zelda’s Study: Early in development, Four Swords Adventures more closely resembled A Link to the Past first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Update: Watch the full showcase in the video down below! This past week, Games Done Quick featured a beta showcase of Ocarina of Time titled “Triforce%,” and this amazing tribute to Zelda fans is nothing short of a technological marvel. Triforce% uses an original copy of Ocarina of Time on an original Nintendo 64 with…
The post Games Done Quick features astonishing Ocarina of Time beta demonstration first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Over on Twitter, concept artist Andres Rios posted some gruesome reimaginings of Ocarina of Time’s scariest enemies, which include Bongo Bongo, ReDeads, Big Skulltula, and last but certainly not least, the Dead Hand. These iconic enemies can all be found in the Shadow Temple behind Kakariko Village’s Graveyard, one of the most horrifying locations in…
The post Artist creates horrifyingly realistic depictions of Ocarina of Time’s scariest monsters first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Exploring all of the strange and wonderful islands of Phantom Hourglass is one of the best parts of the game. (And there are many great parts. Deal with it, haters.) The game follows a reliable pattern: Link finds a sea chart, sets a course for one of the islands on said chart, and explores to…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Uncharted Island (Phantom Hourglass) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Look, Phantom Hourglass gets a lot of hate for literally no reason. I will argue until the day I die that Phantom Hourglass is an incredible, completely flawless game. Seriously, it’s flawless. Except for the Ocean King segments, and the controls, and — well, a few other things. Look, I understand the criticisms, I just…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: One wacky hourglass first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Link has had many fairy partners throughout the Zelda series, with people usually pointing out Navi and Tatl as prime examples. Oft-overlooked, however, is Ciela from Phantom Hourglass. It’s not uncommon for her to be forgotten amid the large cast of memorable Zelda companions, but out of all the fairies who have accompanied Link, I’ve…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Ciela first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Earlier this spring, I completed my first playthrough of Phantom Hourglass. While I have several fond memories of the game, there is a single character whose story has stuck with me longer than any of the others, though not for the reasons the game’s developers may have had in mind. I’m talking about the Old…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Old Wayfarer first appeared on Zelda Universe.
2007 was a nostalgic year for me. I was only in sixth grade, and I didn’t have to deal with stressful adult responsibilities. More importantly, it was also the year when Phantom Hourglass was officially released in North America. I remember how elated I was when I heard about a sequel to The Wind Waker,…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Phantom Hourglass Nintendo DS Lite Starter Kit Tin (BD&A 2007) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Bargain hunters, now’s your chance! The Nintendo website has begun a huge blowout sale on select Switch games that include Super Mario Odyssey, Cadence of Hyrule, Link’s Awakening, and many more. Depending on the title, shoppers can save as much as fifty percent off, a rare boon for a commodity that does not see discounts…
The post Nintendo unleashes Big ol’ Super Sale for Switch games now through July 6 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Our weekly Zelda News videos hosted by our reporter, Amanda VanHiel are undergoing some changes! The name will be changed to Zelda Weekly. This new show will run similarly to Zelda News, however, other Zelda themed elements will be included. Stay tuned. We look forward to sharing our new show with you!
The post Zelda News is becoming Zelda Weekly! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I don’t hear people talk about Phantom Hourglass very often, and even when they do, nobody ever seems to bring up the prologue. When I booted up the game for the first time, I had a huge grin on my face throughout the entire intro. It provides a brief synopsis of the events that took…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The storyteller’s memories first appeared on Zelda Universe.
According to an article from Nintendo Life, Zelda archivist History of Hyrule revealed the supposed final installment of the Zelda Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book series. Another “CYOA” book from 1986 was previously discovered that was based on the NES classic, The Legend of Zelda. This book allowed you to play from Zelda’s perspective and uncovered much more…
The post New Zelda Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book is revealed first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As the successor to The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks has a lot of characters that are either reminiscent of or legitimately descended from previously known characters. Descendants in the Zelda series can provide possible explanations for the fates of older beloved characters, and Alfonzo is no exception. Alfonzo is introduced to the…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Alfonzo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hello, it’s me – the resident Gerudo nerd again. I love any and all Gerudo fan art, portraying any version of the Gerudo, and I’m particularly drawn to pieces that celebrate their characteristics of strength, fierceness, and beauty. Every now and then, though, I see a refreshing representation of their race and fall in love…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: A Gerudo archaeologist first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Ahh, childhood. That wonderful time when you look at the world with bright, hopeful, trusting eyes. New experiences, good or bad, come along seemingly every day. And video games can often be played after school with friends, who will tell you secrets and tips that they (or, often, their eternally wise older siblings, who only…
The post Realm of Memories: That first Cucco first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Few would argue the fact that Breath of the Wild excels at its use of the environment and locations to provide subtle worldbuilding and add a sense of mystery to our exploration of the quiet, desolate Hyrule. For this reason, one—or should I say three—of my favorite places that I found during my travels were…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Lomei Labyrinths (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Before the official release of Ocarina of Time, fans who attended E3 at the Georgia Dome in 1997 were able to catch their first look at Zelda 64 gameplay footage. To further promote the game, attendees had the opportunity to purchase a special, limited-edition statue at the event. Only three hundred of these statues were…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Ocarina of Time promotional statue (E3 1997) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hey, Zelda fans! We’re at the start of a new week, which means it’s time for another episode of our Zelda News series. This week’s installment has gone live on YouTube, where Amanda talks about some highlights from the past seven days, including the debut of Breath of the Wild icons on Switch Online. You…
The post Zelda News: Breath of the Wild Switch Icons & More first appeared on Zelda Universe.
BlackMilk, the Australian company known for their unique, licensed clothing, has won the Licensing International Excellence Award for “Best Licensed Product: Apparel/Accessory for an Entertainment Property.” Below is a list of the shortlisted finalists: BlackMilk – The Legend of Zelda Collection Eastpak – Peanuts Backpacks OnePlus – Harry Potter Smartwatch Pair Eyewear – Sesame Street…
The post BlackMilk’s Legend of Zelda apparel collab wins a licensing award first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Humans go through their whole lives looking for something that ignites their hearts. When someone is passionate about something, it can consume every fiber of their being. This can often be a good thing, creating an opportunity for some amazing work. Diving head first into one’s interest can prove to be extremely beneficial for one’s…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Jovani first appeared on Zelda Universe.
"Artistically-DE creates a work of similar intricacy in their piece of art titled “What’s Gonna Happen...” by marrying together multiple types of paper and fabric in a way that creates an illustration that invites and rewards close inspection."
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Lost in paper thought first appeared on Zelda Universe.
After months of not touching my save file in Breath of the Wild, I decided to spend an hour or so playing the game before turning off the lights and going to sleep. I didn’t have a plan or goal really since I finished the game years ago, I simply wandered across Hyrule to enjoy…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Deya Village Ruins first appeared on Zelda Universe.
"Through their orchestral cover of the track “Final Hours,” ClefferNotes weaves a haunting tune that captures the journey through grief of both the residents of Termina and the player."
The post Medli’s Melodies: Notes of grief and acceptance first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Forest Haven, a place that stands out among the many islands of the Great Sea, is home to the Koroks as well as all manner of forest creatures. Most of the Koroks in Forest Haven don’t do much at their home, aside from looking cute, getting kidnapped, and occasionally playing music. Among these forest children,…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Hollo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Drip… Drop… Drip, drip… drop. The rain patters on the small land of the Minish. The grass grows damp, the dirt softens to mud, and the mushrooms shield all underneath their cap from the heavy droplets from above. A single glimmer of sunlight glistens over the forest. Loose droplets catch the light and sparkle like…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: ‘Minish’ first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hey there, Zelda fans! Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? If so, you’re in luck, because Linktober’s Zelda Creator Con is officially back for a third year! And the best part is, you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. Linktober’s Zelda Creator Con is an online convention…
The post Linktober to host virtual Zelda Creator Con this weekend first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s a wonderful feeling figuring out how to beat a boss, particularly those in the Zelda series, as they often integrate puzzle elements. You study their behavior and attack patterns, use a sequence of dodges or stun attacks, and unleash a flurry of sword swipes to emerge victorious. Sometimes, though, when you’re young, you can’t…
The post Realm of Memories: How 10-year-old me beat Bongo Bongo and felt like a genius first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hades is back at it again, giving his comically misguided advice for Super Smash Brothers Ultimate players in the latest episode of “Hades’ Misguidance” by Zelda Universe. Following an intense fight with the legendary Mario, Hades comments on Dark Samus, Chrom, and Simon. Interestingly, there seems to be some tension between the God of the…
The post Hades’ Misguidance season 3 episode 5 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Tomorrow, June 9, 2022, is the release date for a new Legend of Zelda arrangement album, Trio of the Goddesses. This is the debut album by the Laurence Manning Trio, a musical team formed and led by pianist and longtime Zelda fan Laurence Manning. Laurence performs on the piano and is accompanied by Daphnée Sincennes Richard…
The post Trio of the Goddesses, a new album by the Laurence Manning Trio, releases June 9 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has officially announced that it will not be attending Gamescom this year. This was confirmed through German website, Games Wirtschaft (translated by VGC), where a representative of Nintendo revealed that the company had decided not to participate in Gamescom 2022. Here is Nintendo’s full statement: “Gamescom is a central event in the event calendar…
The post Nintendo won’t be attending Gamescom this year first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Theme Parks, Road Trips, and Creator Con!
The post Zelda News: Super Nintendo Hollywood Opening & More first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The concept art made public within the Hyrule Historia revealed many hidden secrets of The Wind Waker that never came to light, such as cut islands. It’s known that the original development of The Wind Waker was, unfortunately, subject to content cuts due to time constraints, which means that some islands and dungeons were not…
The post Zelda’s Study: Older Link concepts for The Wind Waker first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has confirmed that more missions and rewards are being added to Nintendo Switch Online. This month, they’ve added custom profile icons for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and new ones for Animal Crossing in the Switch Online point shop. This initiative was introduced in February, which allows subscribers to complete specific…
The post Nintendo adds Breath of the Wild custom icons to Switch Online first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We're back, with our probably-highly-anticipated Breath of the Wild anniversary episode!
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
Real life tried to stop us, but much like Link when he was drawing the Master Sword, we pushed through the bad times to get this episode to your ears! (Yeah, I got Zelda simile game.) We pulled longtime ZUBCer Peyton, a.k.a. EmperorP, out of the Shrine of Resurrection and gave him a microphone, headphones, and a computer so that he could co-host this episode with everyone's favorite Amanda, Amanda VanHiel. We've also got two glowing appraisals of different aspects of BotW, plus a more critical discussion with the hosts and special guest Cody Davies, our Consulting Producer, ZU Webmaster, and perennial shoveler! To top it all off, a few members of our forum community shared their favorite memories of the game with us, which we are excited to share with you!
So! Grab your Sheikah Slate and prepare to immerse yourself in the following Memories of Breath of the Wild:(Timestamps to come…)
- Why BotW is the Best Open-World Game EverPresented by Randy[timestamp coming soon]
- Piece of Heart: The Trial of the SwordPresented by Connor[timestamp coming soon]
- BotW roundtable discussionPresented by your hosts (Amanda and Peyton) and Cody[timestamp coming soon]
- スタッフロール (Staff credits)Presented by Eden[timestamp coming soon]
- "Fortnite memories?" (Bloopers)[timestamp coming soon]
You can find Zelda Universe on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). We also have a website, zeldauniverse.net, where you'll find game guides, news, feature articles, and more. You can leave feedback about the ZUCast on ZU's social media, or by email at podcast@zeldauniverse.net or on the Zelda Universe Forums, which you should join so you can be a part of our ongoing complaining session regarding the BotW sequel delay. 😎
Look for another episode from us soon! Hopefully sooner than four months from now…
What would Nintendo do if there is a year without E3? Apparently, the answer is to take the Switch on a summer road trip. That’s exactly what Nintendo of America plans to do beginning June 10th through September 5th in key towns across the United States. Why not, after all? It’s a great way for…
The post Nintendo Switch goes on a road trip across the United States of America first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s a tantalizing opportunity when we get to peek under the hood of our favorite games, especially when it comes to stories behind huge blockbusters like Ocarina of Time. This time around, former Nintendo of America Graphic Designer Jim Wornell gets his chance to open up about working on the original Ocarina of Time project…
The post Former Nintendo of America graphic designer talks about Ocarina of Time in podcast first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Mama Mia! Construction for the Super Nintendo World theme parks continues to march forward in quiet procession, but not for long. It seems the Big N and the Big U are slowly turning up the hype volume as they get close to completion. In 2021, Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan opened its doors…
The post Super Nintendo World to open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023, with a Mario Kart ride first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Beams of light glisten in the water and shine over the golden schools of fish deep in Lake Floria. Peace ripples the blue substance, unlike the monster that has overtaken the lands and tunnels that Link passed to get here. Parella swim and plants thrive. This is a sanctuary, a home, and yet there’s darkness…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Faron (Skyward Sword) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Fear of the unknown is something that we all have. Whether it is moving to a new city or even just walking into a building you haven’t been in before. If you’re like me, you scout for the closest fire exits, see which windows are closest to the ground, what objects around you can be…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: In the clutches of Malice first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hi there, Zelda fans! Amanda VanHiel is back (this time in Sakura Kinomoto cosplay) for a special episode of Zelda News at MomoCon in Atlanta, GA. In this week’s video, Amanda discusses the release of Hyrule Highlands II, a new Zelda Re-Orchestrated album featuring Celtic elements by Dutch musician Tim de Man. The album includes…
The post ZU Video: New Zelda fan album and more first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Many are familiar with a ‘3 Heart Run’ in a Zelda game. For those that are not, you go through an entire game in the Legend of Zelda franchise without picking up 4 Heart Pieces (5 in the case of Twilight Princess) or any Heart Containers dropped from defeating bosses. This had always seemed to…
The post Realm of Memories: The hardest 3 Heart Run I’ve ever done first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Last time I contributed to our Tingle’s Maps column, I explored the garden around Link’s house in Breath of the Wild. Today, I take a look inside this little home and see if I can glean anything more about our beloved hero. I can’t promise to find any concrete answers, but I’ll certainly provide you…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Link’s Hateno house (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The first canonical game in the Zelda timeline, Skyward Sword, underwent a significant development process for the Nintendo Switch HD remaster in July 2021. According to Nintendo Everything, an interview took place with Tantalus CEO, Tom Crago, on an episode of the Fragments of Silicon podcast. This gave us a closer insight on revitalizing this…
The post Tantalus CEO discusses Skyward Sword HD’s motion controls and more first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’ve loved Rozen’s wonderful reimagining of Zelda music since the very first time I heard “May We Meet Again,” a wonderfully touching medley from Skyward Sword greatly inspired by “Fi’s Farewell”. In his latest album, Ballads of Hyrule II, many wonderful tunes from The Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, and Breath of the Wild have been…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Harmonious Outset first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The most recent Zelda Re-Orchestrated album, titled Hyrule Highlands II, has released from Dutch musician Tim de Man. Ten classic tracks are given a Celtic flavor for this new album, available on Bandcamp. Curious fans can listen to the Ballad of the Goddess track from Skyward Sword below. Be sure to check out the full…
The post The Celtic themed album Hyrule Highlands II has launched as part of the Zelda Re-Orchestrated: Second Quest first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I don’t tend to write about emotional topics. My preferred style is usually on the funny side, with silly jokes mixed in with what I always hope are interesting ideas or concepts, or just goofy stories about things I’ve done to entertain myself. So my typical articles here have certainly followed that pattern, and have…
The post Realm of Memories: The Video Game Connection first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Heavily inspired by the art style and gameplay of Link’s Awakening, Mysplaced captured the hearts of gamers in order to win $50,000 at IGN and Rogue Game’s indie competition “Rogue Jam”. Throughout the past month, the Zelda-inspired adventure went against numerous games worldwide to bid for prizes ranging from cash to publishing deals with Rogue…
The post Link’s Awakening-inspired indie game wins the $50,000 Audience Choice award at IGN’s Rogue Jam first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Link’s Awakening received a manga adaptation a year after the original release. Ataru Cagiva gives us a much more personal take on the events of the Link’s Awakening game. For the most part, the events are the same, but with more dialogue: even our silent hero is given a voice! One of my favorite dramatized…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Face Shrine (Link’s Awakening Manga) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Collecting rare Zelda items is my favorite past-time! I love scoring a rare find on Ebay and it’s always exciting when loved ones support your collection during Christmas and birthdays. My ultimate goal is to have the largest Zelda collection in the world, however, that title is already obtained by Norwegian resident, Anne Martha Harnes.…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Zelda Jordans first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Skyward Sword is full of character development for side characters and protagonists alike. Sometimes this character development is quite dramatic, but other times it simply focuses on self-improvement. Fledge is perhaps one of the more inspiring characters when it comes to self-care. When we first meet Fledge, he is trying rather unsuccessfully to carry barrels…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Fledge first appeared on Zelda Universe.
One of the most fascinating characters introduced in A Link Between Worlds is Ravio. This bunny-hooded hero spends the majority of the game renting items to Link in order to help the Hero of Hyrule complete his quest. It’s only at the end of the game that players learn that Ravio is actually Link’s Lorulean…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Secretly brave first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Have you ever wondered what a female version of Link would look like? In 2014, we were introduced to Linkle with the release of Hyrule Warriors. Before the game’s release, fans speculated if Linkle was a female Link. This would turn out to be false, as Link and Linkle bear no connections to one another…
The post Missing female Link art from 1986 resurfaces first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Pre-orders for the latest First 4 Figures PVC collectible, the Zora Champion Mipha, are now available on their website. The exclusive statue of Mipha is inspired after her official Breath of the Wild artwork and features the signature Lightscale Trident. The gorgeous statue stands at 9 inches tall on a Sheikah eye base with bright…
The post First 4 Figures’ Breath of the Wild Mipha (Exclusive Edition) PVC statue is now available for preorder first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In the wake of a year with no E3 event, there’s a new dark horse on the horizon. An announcement trailer for Geoff Keighly’s Summer Game Fest has dropped on YouTube, and it could be the show’s biggest year yet. Spearheaded by Mr. Keighly, the man behind The Game Awards show, Summer Game Fest is…
The post Summer Game Fest scheduled for June 9, may feature big-name game announcements first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As we approach the summer, we are closer than ever to next year’s release of the Breath of the Wild sequel. We need talented News Reporters and Columnists to come help make this place the best fan site in the world! We’re going to need news reporters to help spread the word and share some…
The post Zelda Universe is looking for volunteers to help create awesome content! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Remember Oracle of Ages? It was so cool! You could travel back and forth through time with a harp, which is cooler than an ocarina and you know it. You got cool animal companions which includes a kangaroo with boxing gloves, because this is a bonkers universe where anything can happen. You could link up…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Crescent Island (Oracle of Ages) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When you’ve spent untold hours obsessing over something, you start to see it everywhere you look. For fans of The Legend of Zelda, every triangle can start to look like a Triforce, every ruddy canoe the majestic King of Red Lions. Most of the time, this is just your brain on Zelda overdrive; simply a…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Zelda references in He Poos Clouds, by Final Fantasy (Owen Pallett) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
ZUthon returns again for a sixth time out raising money for charity. This year’s event will take place August 11-15, and will once again raise money for Direct Relief. We’ll be streaming a divine beast-load of Zelda games via our Twitch channel. Specific times, guests, and a full list of games will be unveiled closer to the…
The post ZUthon returns August to raise money for charity first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The company behind numerous other statues from the Zelda franchise is back with a new Champion from Breath of the Wild. Now, it’s Mipha’s turn. They’re set to do a livestream on May 17 to fully unveil this new product, which is sure to demand premium shelf space in your home. As you can see,…
The post First 4 Figures teases new Mipha statue reveal for upcoming livestream and pre-order first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hyrule’s wilderness is filled with a plethora of unique creatures, many of which make their home among the trees. We’ve seen various forest dwellers, from the adorable Koroks of Breath of the Wild and The Wind Waker to the Kikiwi of Skyward Sword, but none of these forest tribes are as special to me as…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Deku King first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Age of Calamity brought to life the past of many characters from Breath of the Wild, and gave players the opportunity to explore the war that ravaged Hyrule one hundred years ago. One of those characters Wwas a younger version of Impa, wielding the magical abilities of the Sheikah, and proving once again that Impa…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Calamity Impa first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The first time I played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was with my grandmother. Both of my parents had to work during my early years so I was often left to my grandparents’ care. They lived in the country, approximately two hours away from the busy city by train. A big part of…
The post Realm of Memories: I’m telling you about my nana and Zelda first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Every so often, Nintendo pulls out one of their Showcase events to highlight some upcoming games by independent developers, and this last one has some real intriguing titles on the way. We’ll put the video here and then give a quick breakdown afterward. Here’s a list of the games we saw: Ooblets – A cute…
The post Nintendo Indie World Showcase brings another slew of interesting games to look forward to first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Up the hill from Hateno Village’s main road is one of my favorite Breath of the Wild locations. You pass the Shrine nestled in the trees, take the worn path between Bolson Construction’s show homes, and find yourself at a wooden bridge spanning a gorge. Across this bridge is a house much like the ones…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Link’s Hateno garden (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Heads up, Zelda Universe peeps! Another ZU video has dropped, and this time Amanda gives us the skinny (quite literally) on the mechanics behind the new clothing patent discovered that may or may not be involved in the upcoming Breath of the Wild sequel. Speaking of clothing, Amanda also talks about some cool-looking merch inspired…
The post ZU Video: New Zelda patent discovery and more first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Set your alarm clocks, everyone. Nintendo announced today that the next Indie World Showcase this year will be airing bright and early tomorrow morning on May 11, 2022. The live viewing time will be 7:00am PT and 10:00am ET, giving you just enough opportunity to spring out of bed and brew yourself a cup of…
The post Nintendo announces 2022 Indie World Showcase will air this Wednesday first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Easily one of the most beloved companion characters in the entire series, Midna is a devilish little imp who stole the hearts of many while exploring the Hyrule of Twilight Princess. Though she introduces herself as a mischievous troll, only agreeing to help Link if he becomes her servant, Midna turns out to be a…
The post Zelda’s Study: The mysterious origin of Midna’s design first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Upon first meeting him in Ocarina of Time, Sheik is a very mysterious character. As players progress further in the game, the mystery remains as little else is added. Sheik seems like a pretty simple character. It’s only near the end of the game, with the revelation that Sheik is actually Princess Zelda in disguise,…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Filling a hole with hope first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Mia is one of the many Remlits scampering across the greens of Skyloft in Skyward Sword. However, unlike the others, she has an owner. The headmaster of the Knight Academy, Gaepora, claims ownership of the adorable little creature. Although she is found in the company of Horwell more often than not, bringing up the question…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Mia first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A Link to the Past has one of the most moody and atmospheric openings in all of Zelda, save for Majora’s Mask. It’s raining and you’re all alone in an empty house after waking from troubled dreams. You follow your uncle, only to find him stuck at the bottom of a hole, seemingly dying. It’s…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Escape! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has earned another honor to add to its already prestigious resume. The Nintendo 64 classic has been selected to enter the Strong National Museum of Play’s World Video Game Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2022. This was Ocarina of Time’s first appearance on the…
The post Ocarina of Time chosen for the World Video Game Hall of Fame first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Zelda series has a good track record with great side quests. In some games, like Majora’s Mask, even more of the game is more side quest oriented than the main plot. Side quests didn’t always interest me as a kid. Sometimes even starting them was a puzzle in itself, so I often stuck with…
The post Realm of Memories: One-Second Fresh Eyedrops first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Outside of videogames, the Legend of Zelda series has branched out into other fiction mediums, including that of manga. Probably some of the best known, at least where I am in the United States, are the volumes written by Akira Himekawa. They have written a manga volume for almost every Zelda game entry. I love…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Mysterious Realm (Majora’s Mask manga) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Are you looking for something video game related to relax with? Something specifically from The Legend of Zelda to relive some memories, since the series offers some of the most iconic music in gaming? Then, look no further. JackSquare‘s banjo cover of the Lost Woods from Ocarina of Time can scratch those itches all at…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Lost Woods banjo cover first appeared on Zelda Universe.
No, it’s not a patent for a new Tingle clothing line coming at your department store. The patent is for a new programmed process that helps virtual clothes fit better on Nintendo characters, and it was invented by two dedicated supervisors of Nintendo’s Zelda Team. Believe it or not, this patent has been around longer…
The post Fans discover a in-game new clothing patent filed by two Legend of Zelda supervisors first appeared on Zelda Universe.
After years of dormancy during the pandemic, our favorite PAX East Show in Boston is finally back! See how the trip went with Amanda and the Zelda Universe crew in this fun-filled video. Amanda and Mary show off new Zelda-themed dresses from Black Milk, talk about their excitement for the return of the convention, and…
The post New ZU Video: Adventures in PAX East! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Life through the lens of a child can be so magnificent, and experiencing the world for the first time can be an amazing journey. Describing childhood as an adventure is an understatement. That childhood curiosity is the foundation of what The Legend of Zelda is all about, after all. Capturing that innocent need to explore…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Kukiel first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’m just going to come right out and say it: The Hookshot is the best item in the Zelda franchise. Sure, the Master Sword is iconic (rightly so), and Link wouldn’t quite be complete without his trusty bow, which remains my favorite weapon to this day, but nothing compares to the item which is both…
The post Realm of Memories: Claws are better than hooks first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Link’s Awakening DX was the first Zelda game that I actually played. I had maybe dabbled with a few before, notably The Legend of Zelda even though I didn’t know what was going on, but Link’s Awakening DX was my first Zelda. I have so many fond memories of this game from when I was…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Goponga Swamp (Link’s Awakening) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
There are two types of figure collectors: those who like to unbox them for display purposes, and those who prefer to keep them sealed in the original box. I would consider myself to be part of the latter category. While I don’t consider myself much of a figure collector, I do own a few, and…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: Link & Epona figure (Epoch 2001) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Gaming has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and it’s all thanks to growing up with an older brother. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be the avid Zelda fan I am today. He formally introduced me to the series beginning with Ocarina of Time, and…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Young Link (Majora’s Mask) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Despite the early American education system labeling it a critical skill, I have never been the best at cutting paper. Well, at least when it comes to cutting something with precision. If something needs to be cut into an intricate shape, or if Hylia forbid I have to cut a shape out of a piece…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Cutting through the shadows first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Birds are very cute animals. They are small and pretty, but they are loud. Like, really loud. Surprising that such volume could come from an animal that’s only a few inches loud. I’ve had a few birds, and my current bird, Baby, is a very good bird. But even good birds scream. Yes, they scream. …
The post Realm of Memories: Scream if you like Zelda music first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The final battle in Skyward Sword takes place in the most tranquil location; a space between the sky and water. Link is in the sky, yet walking on water. Although he is used to being in the clouds near the sun, this dreamy location is different. Before and after the final battle, this location is…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Demise’s battle arena first appeared on Zelda Universe.
You’ve heard of Christmas in July, but what about Christmas in October? In a surprising announcement, Hallmark has revealed a remarkable addition to their Keepsake Collection, which is a Breath of the Wild inspired Link ornament! The new addition is available starting October 8th, 2022. The ornament features Link as he is seen in Breath…
The post Breath of the Wild Link ornament available October 8th first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Four Swords Adventures is the second foray into the Zelda series’ various experiments with multiplayer. Instead of a connected world or gripping story, players (which can be up to four if you have the right equipment) are given a gauntlet of linear levels to fight their way through, while collecting as many Force Gems as…
The post Medli’s Melodies: The Simple Joys of Adventure (with friends) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Her boots sink into the ground, snow reaching halfway up her boot. She holds onto the warmth of her white fur clothing, glad for the extra layer. Snow hammers down in a constant stream, blurring all vision of the mountain ahead unlike anything she has seen before. Blizzards aren’t unusual for these parts, but she…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Ashei first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The fairies of The Legend of Zelda series have been depicted in a few different ways. From the glowing winged balls of light appearing in the majority of Zelda games to those sad little humanoids dressed in white seen in The Wind Waker. We also can’t forget the Great Fairies bathing in their various fountains.…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Navi first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Ahh, isn’t there something magical about waking up to sunlight streaming through the bedroom curtains? It’s an instant dose of dopamine when you step outside and the sunshine lights up everything around you, and a gentle breeze carries that nostalgic aroma of warmth in the air. It’s the very essence of summer. Do you know…
The post Realm of Memories: Before it’s too late first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If it seems like I’m fixated on the ruins scattered throughout Breath of the Wild, it’s because I am. Since I’ve started writing for the Tingle’s Maps column, I find myself reading and interpreting all games totally differently. And let me tell you, it is so frustrating that Breath of the Wild is littered with…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Ancient Columns (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Last year we reported a new album of Zelda cover songs by Aaron Grubb, and now a second one is out today! The aptly named “Legend of Zelda Collection vol. 2” is available to stream on all your favorite music sites. You can check it out on Spotify. Earlier this year we also talked about…
The post Aaron Grubb’s second Zelda cover album available today first appeared on Zelda Universe.
One of the neatest features of Breath of the Wild is the Champion abilities. Upon freeing a Divine Beast, that beast’s champion grants you a power that improves Link’s combat, traversal, or survival abilities. It might surprise you that the concept of Link gaining abilities connected to important characters wasn’t new. Turns out, about 20…
The post Zelda’s Study: The unused utility of the Sage Medallions first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Here at Zelda Universe, we’re all about sharing our love of the Zelda series with other fans all over the world. Excitement for the Zelda series and games is at an all-time high. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the yet-unnamed sequel to Breath of the Wild, discussing all of the games, and sharing…
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For a generation of gamers, Ocarina of Time resounds as the pinnacle of 3D adventures. While the industry had been experimenting and refining the types of games it could make in three dimensions, it was those first few steps out into Hyrule Field that caused gamer’s minds to explode with the sheer promise of what…
The post Medli’s Melodies: Musical mentee to master first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Whether you like to write, draw Zelda doodles, or can whip up an amazing cosplay, there’s still time to apply for Linktober’s Zelda Creator Con this year. Formed by artist Joel D. Siegel and the Linktober team, this event began in 2020 and has since then become a remarkable success. It showcases the hard work…
The post It’s not too late to apply for Linktober’s Zelda Creator Con 2022 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’ve only played Twilight Princess once. I played it on my old GameCube in my freshman year of college. Basically, I had to rush through it because I set a goal to finish it before the end of the school year…and I started in April. So, I don’t really remember a whole lot from the…
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Ferocious beast first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Mark was a boy in my second-grade class who invited me over to his house to play Zelda games. He was at the top of our class, and I came second to him no matter how hard I tried. But I didn’t hold that against him. Despite our scores being decimals apart, we were best…
The post Realm of Memories: Love amongst the Rupees first appeared on Zelda Universe.
After navigating four dungeons, wearing various masks, and living the same three days over and over again to help the citizens of Termina solve their personal issues before the Moon crashes into the city and wipes their problems out of existence…Link FINALLY finds himself face to face with the villain to end the vicious cycle.…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Inside the Moon first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Something that I always look forward to when starting a new Zelda adventure is where the game starts and the first impression it gives — whether it’s Link walking out of his house to a friend greeting him in Kokiri Forest, with woodwinds creating a happy, fun atmosphere, or Link leading Epona back to Ordon…
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In a swift swirl of events, the ESA announced on Thursday that the E3 2022 event is officially canceled both in-person and online. The organization mentioned earlier this year they had ruled out plans for resuming the event in person. At the time, the possibility of a digital event was still up in the air.…
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Six years on from the moment when Terry Garrett beat Ocarina of Time, he has now finally reached another incredible milestone by conquering its direct sequel, Majora’s Mask. For the uninitiated, this may not sound like such a big deal — until you discover that Terry has been blind since the age of 10. Upon…
The post Exclusive: Blind gamer Terry Garrett on finally beating Majora’s Mask, his most memorable moments, and what’s next first appeared on Zelda Universe.
While most of the sidequests in the Zelda series have Link help the people of Hyrule, sometimes helping a person can end up hurting another. On the bright and cheery island of Skyloft, the community is small enough that often your decisions and actions with one character will end up affecting multiple across the entire…
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Mallara first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Faster than you can ask “what happened to the Master Sword,” Legend’s Cookbook has readied a preorder for a brand new pin based on the aforementioned busted weapon. As a bonus, fans of Zelda Universe can save $1 by using the affiliate code “ZU” at checkout. Speaking of checking out, you can check the design…
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Breath of the Wild, Skyward Sword, Hyrule Warriors… These were all but mere preludes to the true endgame of our dubbing projects. It has now arrived upon us, like horsemen numbered four, to deliver it’s swift and terrible gifts. Behold! Please go watch our actual videos.
The post We Dubbed the CDi Zelda games first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“You know that girl, don’t you? It’s a real shame… she can’t even remember her own name right now.” — Telma. … ……… ………….. …………………… ……………………….. …………………………………… …Nope. Still nothing…
The post Realm of Memories: Ilia’s memories first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This morning, Nintendo published a video to announce new content is coming for Breath of the Wild. In the video, Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma stated that due to the need to delay the Breath of the Wild sequel, the company would release new content for the first game. Though, as Mr. Aonuma stated…
The post April Fools: New Breath of the Wild DLC coming soon to serve as story tie-in for upcoming sequel first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that I was a Legend of Zelda fanatic as a child. I still love the series to this day and I eagerly await the release of Breath of the Wild 2. But as a kid, it was a part of my whole world. The games resonated with…
The post Realm of Memories: The awful(?) DIC Zelda cartoons first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I think it’s pretty obvious at this point that I love The Minish Cap. In the year that I have been with Zelda Universe, I’ve written three articles about this amazing game and, today, I’m going to make it four. In my last two installments, I talked about The Minish Cap’s Hyrule Town Square and…
The post Tingle’s Maps: Minish Hyrule Town (The Minish Cap) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
One of the rarest Zelda items in existence belongs only to the most aggressive and passionate collectors. This extremely rare item was a Nintendo Power reward back in 2001 and there is only a single known collector who has one. The golden item is as rare as they come and I only own it in…
The post Tetra’s Treasures: The rare Zoraxe guitar first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Almost everyone has likely heard about the new Zelda-esque adventure game titled Tunic. While the similarities between games are evident, the storyline of Tunic very much develops into its own game entirely. However, it’s no coincidence that the two games share resemblance; the developer of Tunic, Andrew Shouldice, has made it no secret that he…
The post How the Zelda II instruction manual inspired Tunic first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We’ll have to wait just a little bit longer to play the sequel to Breath of the Wild. The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma announced this morning in a video posted to Nintendo of America’s Twitter that the game’s release window has been shifted to Spring of 2023. The video, which included a brief look at brand new footage of Link, can be seen below in Nintendo’s tweet.
The Legend of Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma, has an update to share about the launch timing of the sequel to The Legend of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Please take a look. pic.twitter.com/7OhayhiuM9
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 29, 2022
We’ve already known since last summer’s trailer that Link’s arm was going to be out of the ordinary in this upcoming adventure, but now we’re seeing that the Master Sword is in pretty rough shape itself. There is sure to be plenty of debate and theorizing about what happened to the legendary weapon, and how Link is supposed to restore its original form.
The delay frees up a bit of space for the Switch’s release schedule in 2022, which has quickly become jam packed in the back half of the year between titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Bayonetta 3, and Pokemon Scarlet/Violet. Although Nintendo did not give any indication when a next update on the sequel to Breath of the Wild will come, hopefully they have something in store for us later this year.
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“Swamp. Mountain. Ocean. Canyon. Hurry…the four who are there…bring them here!”
Tael’s cryptic message, once little more than an enigmatic riddle plaguing the minds of our puzzled heroes, now echoes with stark clarity as Link sends out the clarion call to the four regions of Termina. Magenta clouds swirl anxiously in the pale azure sky, heralding the dawn of the apocalypse, as the Moon — with a menacing glower permanently carved into its craggy visage — prepares to annihilate this prosperous land with one incredible, fiery shock wave. But this time, we won’t be turning back the clock to more peaceful days filled with oblivious optimism. The time has come to summon those who can halt the calamity in its tracks.
From each of the cardinal directions they appear: the towering primordial spirits, whose gentle eyes have observed the passage of time since the very beginning. Unencumbered by the thunderous rumbling of the earth, they begin their trek towards the ill-fated Clock Town, calmly eyeing the demonic, astronomical body that threatens all they hold dear. Now that all four of them have been freed from their respective prisons, only 100 steps separate them from their ultimate destiny.
Only 100 steps to salvation.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
This awe-inspiring moment that sets the stage for the final chapter of Majora’s Mask is, by far, my favorite cinematic cutscene in the entire Zelda series. The chilling imagery and hauntingly sparse soundscape convey the utter horror and desolation of witnessing the destruction of an innocent world. It juxtaposes with the sense of wonder one feels when the Giants stop the Moon through sheer strength and willpower, preventing the deaths of hundreds. And I think that the real icing on the cake here is the “Calling the Four Giants” theme. It’s a stunning choral rendition of the “Oath to Order”, perfectly capturing the dignified beauty of these mysterious guardian entities who carry the weight of the whole world on their shoulders.
This is one of those flawless compositions that strikes a powerful chord no matter how many times I hear it, and I’ve never been able to find a cover or remix that manages to improve upon it.
Until just recently, that is.
Earth Kid, an extraordinarily versatile instrumentalist, presents us with an otherworldly ambient arrangement that not only elevates the Giants to grander heights than ever before, but also explores the turbulent emotions that they may be concealing behind masks of stoicism. Harp, ocarina, and soprano recorder take turns carrying the melody, lending elegance and airiness to the piece. Meanwhile, electric guitar and bass (performed by musician Bullicann) provide a surreal sense of gravity, with strong percussive beats occasionally punctuating the melody to symbolize the Giants’ footsteps.
Listening to this composition that so beautifully simulates Termina’s spacious landscape, one suddenly becomes uncomfortably aware of how tiny they are compared to these benevolent pillars of creation. And when they begin to sing, it’s like the heavens themselves have split open to allow them to fully bear their souls.
Earth Kid’s vocals are, without a doubt, the star of this arrangement, allowing a rare glimpse into the darkness that surely lurks within the minds of the Giants. We shouldn’t forget that the tragedies of the present in Majora’s Mask are due in part to the frayed relationship between the Giants and the Skull Kid, as the former’s perceived abandonment of the latter was what prompted the initial wave of pain and suffering that swept through Termina. While the game doesn’t really explore the lasting impact these events have on the Giants, guilt and sorrow permeate every note they sing in this remix. From quiet, mournful chants to bellows of anguish, their grief is so palpable that I can’t help but tear up whenever I listen to it. In the end, they never wanted to hurt their friend, and having to forsake him in order to stop the madness must have left an indelible mark on their hearts.
But what really drives the message home for me is how, at the end, the melody switches from the “Oath to Order” to the “Song of Time.” I’m probably overthinking this as usual, but my interpretation of this shift in motif is that, in their own subtle way, the Giants are acknowledging that they’re afraid of confronting the past. A part of them wishes to turn back time once more, to delay this inevitable mission just a little while longer. But they also know that if they don’t proceed, the people they swore to protect will never again know peace, and they themselves will forever lose their chance to make amends with their wayward friend.
So, the four Giants resolutely march forward, taking the first of 100 steps towards a brighter future for Termina and, hopefully, a long-awaited rest for their own weary souls.
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To truly comprehend the nature of the Wind Fish, one most likely needs to undertake a thorough analysis of all the machinations of its imagination, for the island of Koholint and all its inhabitants, good and evil, are products of the deity’s dreaming mind. Alas, such an exploration exceeds the bounds of this exposition. Rather, let us turn to the Wind Fish itself and leave the people and places created in its mind for another time.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
We learn much of the Wind Fish through interactions with the residents of Koholint (who are, again, apparitions of the Wind Fish’s mind). Clues of the true nature of the Wind Fish are scattered for the intrepid explorer to discover. We learn that the Wind Fish is a powerful deity who can control the wind, but has succumbed to an indefinite slumber inside the enormous egg atop Mt. Tamaranch looming over the island and its denizens. Only by gathering the eight Instruments of the Sirens can Link awaken the Wind Fish and bring an end to the Nightmares that plague the deity’s dreams. We further learn through a mysterious beaming owl statue that the Wind Fish’s name is misleading, as it is neither wind nor fish.
The first glimpse of the Wind Fish can be found as a child’s drawing. The Wind Fish even has its own ballad, which may come off with a narcissistic flair seeing as the tune is essentially a dedication to oneself. However, when one accounts for the lyrics accompanying the haunting melody, the ballad further conveys a sense of longing and preparation for drastic change.
Whales aren’t fish? Eventually, our hero, Link, discovers ancient inscriptions detailing the true nature of the Wind Fish. The corporeal form of the Wind Fish is revealed to be that of a whale, decorated in a fashion befitting of a supreme being. The writings further divulge the fate of Koholint should the hero succeed in his quest. With the salvation of the Wind Fish comes an end to the island and its inhabitants, for all of it is a dream inside the mind of the Wind Fish itself. This harsh truth is reiterated by the Nightmares faced, who fear not only for their own destruction but for that of all of Koholint.
Whoever wrote this showed real dedication carving all that text into stone. Despite dire warnings, our hero perseveres, defeating the Nightmares and gathering the Instruments of the Sirens. With all the necessities in hand, Link heads to Mt. Tamaranch, uses the instruments to perform the “Ballad of the Wind Fish,” and enters the egg to complete his quest. Emerging victorious from the epic final Nightmare encounter, the stage is set for the spectacular reveal of the sleeping divinity.
I think Link’s Awakening may have been the inception that led to the concept of Inception. The Wind Fish does not disappoint. Taking the form of a bejeweled, bright, multi-colored whale, donning minuscule wings whose flight mechanics are even more incomprehensible than bumblebees, the levitating leviathan is a sight to behold, rivaling the most spectacular fever dreams or psychedelic voyages. Speaking with a proper olde English flair, the Wind Fish confirms the truth of Koholint. The awakening will spur the annihilation of Koholint and its peoples, but such is its doom. Wisely proclaiming “But, verily, it be the nature of dreams to end!“, the Wind Fish calls on Link to awaken, bring an end to Koholint and the dream, and return to the real world. Upon so doing, Link comes to consciousness on the remains of his vessel floating in the sea and witnesses the Wind Fish fly off with a flock of seagulls, left alone to contemplate the meaning of the events.
There is much more to say of the Wind Fish, but, verily, as with dreams, it be the nature of articles to end. Though the deity flies on, we are left to ponder the grand ideals that the experience has raised. Among these are the blurring lines of reality, impermanence of life, consistency of change, and the necessity to progress forward despite the potentially painful consequences, lest we become trapped in place and susceptible to the negativity of our internal demons. From hence and unto where the Wind Fish flies remain unknown, the impact of his awakening unmistakable and everlasting.
Seriously, how can those tiny wings carry him?The post Bombers’ Notebook: The Wind Fish first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As I began yet another playthrough of Ocarina of Time recently, I was surprised how often Ganondorf was referred to as the “man from the desert” in the opening hour or so of the game. Each time, it seemed like the game was almost trying to tie the arid desert land with the death and destruction that Ganondorf spread. It all seemed a little too simple. Perhaps it was simply that the speaker of these lines is the Great Deku Tree who is rightfully upset at having the lush foliage of his life destroyed by the Gerudo King. To those whose life IS the forest, perhaps the desert seems only to be a place of death.
It got me thinking about what Link or Zelda might be like if they were to live in the harsh Gerudo region. Would the desert heat and dangerous creatures cause our heroes’ civility and kindness to evaporate, or would their courage and wisdom still bloom? Sapphirelullaby’s piece of art titled “Desert Raider – Zelda”, gives us one possible glimpse through the swirling sands to see a princess of the sands.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
“Desert Raider – Zelda” by Sapphirelullaby This piece gives us a very different interpretation of Zelda. She wears a deep red cloak and keeps a ready hand on her sword. That’s in keeping with her titled profession of raider, but does it hint towards a turn away from the wisdom she’s normally associated with? It’s hard to say. Her clothing is dyed a dark, bloody red which is a color we normally associate with the Triforce of Power in the Zelda series. We also see plenty of characters who are on the side of the Goddesses sporting red though, such as Urbosa and Darunia. Zelda is also carrying a sword, but who wouldn’t in such a dangerous land? Surely nothing could be wiser than being ready for a potential attack by a Molduga or an ambush by the Yuga Clan. An item just to the left of Zelda’s head looks either like a decoration for her mount or a potential gourd or flask for holding water. Surely, she’d give some to a passing traveler? Or would she just hoard it for herself as she wanders the deserted sands and let the desert claim the unprepared fool?
Perhaps the title can shed some light on Zelda’s alignment. The act of raiding doesn’t exactly glisten with morality, but at the same time, it might depend on what you’re raiding. If a group of Lizalfos have hoarded all the food or water in the Gerudo highlands, you might be justified in raiding their camp to save the reclusive women you’ve left back home. On the flip side, that places greater value on the lives of the Gerudo while denigrating the lives of the Lizalfos. On initial inspection, there are no easy answers to the kind of person this Zelda is, at least until we take a closer look.
If we look at Zelda’s right hand, we see two interesting details. First, the way that she is resting her hand upon its side implies a kind of relationship we never see between Ganondorf and his mounts. There is a kindness there. There’s a feeling that Zelda and this creature have seen a lot together. They’ve bonded in a way that reminds me a bit of the connection between a bantha and the Tusken Raiders of Star Wars who shared a close, spiritual bond as they tried to eke out a living among the sands.
The other interesting detail that hints that this sunburnt Zelda might still side with the light is a familiar symbol that appears on both the back of her glove and the bridle of her mount. The Triforce. While Ganondorf’s hand often glows with the light of the Triforce, it is not a symbol he usually emblazons on his clothing. He will not celebrate the Goddesses who have left him and his people to endlessly toil in the desert just to survive. This Zelda’s gear does feature the Triforce multiple times, though. Perhaps despite all the pressures of desert life, Zelda hasn’t let it twist her towards evil. Perhaps it has only strengthened her as it did Urbosa. It has taught her to be resourceful, tough, and shrewd, but through it all, she seems to still see the hands of the Goddesses at play in her life. This respect for the beings that she holds so dear when born in Hyrule may be the biggest clue. That underneath the cloak, sand, and grime, this is still the same Zelda at her core.
I love pieces of art that invite interesting analysis. Sapphirelullaby’s piece does just that. It invites the audience to imagine a Zelda just a bit askew from the one we know. To sift through the details to discover for ourselves if she is a desert bloom or a desert blight.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Desert bloom or desert blight? first appeared on Zelda Universe.
You know that kid who, regardless of what game they are playing, will always and without fail attempt to fall as far as possible without dying? Or just as far as possible, never mind with the risk of leaving a pixelated pile of bones on the ground. Well, when I was younger, and until today years old (i.e. this hasn’t stopped being the case), I was that kid. I find great pleasure in having the ability to fall from great heights with little consequence — climbing high to find the best spot for my high dives has been a pastime of many a fun afternoon.
In the Zelda series, the highest of falls can often be found in entertaining places. Tops of windmills, towers, inside trees — the possibilities are many, and as long as you don’t fall into an infinite abyss, the price is often not too steep, just a heart or two. There are even options for what you can do while falling and landing, like rolling at the last minute or catching yourself with the Hookshot at juuuuuuust the right time.
Go on, tell me you’ve never tried it. I might believe you. Might. But in Skyward Sword, everything about falling in Zelda changed. Instead of Link’s body falling in a vertical, upright position — just waiting for the ground to come up and meet him — locked in a pose of eternal “I’m going to land any second now,” in Skyward Sword, Link, and therefore the player, can, in fact, skydive.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
Pictured: A man who is aware he is falling from a great height. Now obviously, the free falling is meant to lead mostly to flying on your Loftwing, which is a great part of the game. Flying is, in fact checks notes considered generally cool. And I love the flying, I really do. But what stood out to me when first diving through the air was the fact that I could control Link in an actual, meaningful way as he fell through the sky. Heck, you can even make him face plant on the ground, limbs spread out like a starfish! Unintentionally, of course. Never on purpose.
Not even on this part, before you knew about the sailcloth. No one has ever face planted here. And to make things even better, falling had an ENTIRE MINI-GAME dedicated to it! Not flying, just falling! It is a sidequest I always look forward to with glee when playing Skyward Sword, despite the definitely-not-terrifying man who gets obvious joy out of blasting his customers from a cannon with absolutely no safety precautions.
Stare into the face of happiness, and nothing else! Let him celebrate your survival in his game of funny balloons! So, while I will always be fond of Link’s default pose as he plummets the height of several stories, the level of control and grace of his dives from whatever tall, scalable object I can find in Skyward Sword makes it, at least for me, one of my favorite entries in the series. And that first fall, which took me ten tries to land, is certainly a memory I will always cherish.
The post Realm of Memories: Falling, with style! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Zelda series has entertained our imaginations with creative locations for the past 36 years. Many of these locations are as charming as they are dangerous, but that’s the fun of it all! And as it turns out, many of them are based on real life places, so I thought it would be fun to explore some of these locations. The possibilities are quite endless, so I’m going to choose three areas that I think are worth exploring.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
The first real life location I’m thinking of reminds me greatly of the Rist Peninsula located in East Akkala from Breath of the Wild. If you’ve ever taken an art history course in college, you might already know what I’m going to say. Rist Peninsula is similar to the real life earthwork sculpture called Spiral Jetty, created by Robert Smithson in the 70s. The materials used to create Spiral Jetty are all from the Earth (rocks, mud, etc.), and it’s located in Utah. It’s a fantastic destination for those exploring the possibilities of wanderlust. I’m glad that Hyrule has its own version of this magnificent sculpture!
The second real life location is also from the Akkala area in Breath of the Wild. Whenever I’m in the Akkala region, I can’t help but notice the beautiful autumn trees and foliage. It reminds me so much of autumn on the East Coast, USA. During the fall months, the trees of the Eastern USA/North Eastern USA become brilliant shades of oranges, yellows, reds, purples, and browns. The states of Vermont, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts especially exhibit some of the most camera-worthy scenery, and some areas in Akkala represent that exceptionally. One real life area in particular named the Garden of the Gods, located in Illinois and shown in the image below, captures these brilliant colors and is incredibly reminiscent of the Akkala landscape.
This next location is from The Wind Waker. In The Wind Waker, you might have noticed that there are four giant head statues scattered throughout the Great Sea. These giant heads, called Stone Watchers, could only be moved with Power Bracelets; bombs do not work. They remind me greatly of the ancient Olmec giant heads found in Mexico. These ancient head statues, created by ancient people, are thought to have been sculpted to honor the rulers of the time. So far, seventeen heads have been discovered. Perhaps the four Stone Watchers in The Wind Waker each represent one of Hyrule’s many kings? If that’s the case, then Link probably shouldn’t have destroyed them.
These real life locations are certainly pretty magical, and it’s neat to see homages in some Zelda games. I only listed three areas in this article, but I’ll probably write a part two in the future. Have you ever been to any of these real life locations and, if so, do you agree or disagree with my comparisons? We would love to read your opinions! Happy traveling!
The post Tingle’s Maps: Zelda places in real life first appeared on Zelda Universe.
ZREO: Second Quest announced the launch of ZREO Legacy and the new album Ocarina of Time Selections. The massive album includes 73 tracks remastered by Sam Ferrara, CEO of ZREO, and features arrangements from artist Wayne Strange. You can check out the album on all the major streaming platforms. I’m a big fan of the Gerudo Valley and Fire Temple tracks myself!
To stay up to date on the latest from ZREO Legacy, be sure to signup for the newsletter on their website. You can also support them on Patreon so they can continue bringing us more Zelda music!
The post ZREO Legacy’s Ocarina of Time Selections album launches today first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo recently announced via Twitter that a new update is now live for the Switch console. The newest update also has some additional features that were introduced, including the ability to create groups for software on the console!
If you’re confused on how to fully utilize the new feature, a detailed tutorial is available on Nintendo Support. Be sure to check it out!
The post New Nintendo Switch update is now live first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Last November was a rough month for me. I was drowning in assignments and group projects, I stayed up late and woke up early, and the daylight was increasingly getting shorter. I couldn’t wait for my spring semester to start, when I wouldn’t need to study extra on the side anymore and I would swap my winter jacket for something thinner. But in that dark month, Rozen released another album with Zelda music, called Ballads of Hyrule II, and one track in particular spread sunlight in my mind, namely “Romance in the Air”.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
Rozen’s cover of Skyward Sword‘s “Romance in the Air” has something magical that doesn’t necessarily make me think of Zelda and everyone’s favorite hero dressed in green, but rather it makes me think of spring. Green grass, blinding sunlight, lighter clothing, and happy smiles are a couple of things I associate with spring, and all those images pop up in my head when I listen to the song. But, to be honest, I find it difficult not to imagine Link and Zelda having fun in Skyloft, with the song being called “Romance in the Air” and all. After everything they’ve been through, I just want them to be happy and not have to worry about a thing.
There’s another song which really makes me think of carefree days and sunshine, and that’s “Summer” by the Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, which can be heard in the movie Kikujiro. Both Hisaishi’s “Summer” and Rozen’s take on “Romance in the Air” have a cheerful tune which makes me want to skip along a street with lightweight sneakers on my feet instead of heavy winter boots.
The day I’ve been longing for since November last year has finally arrived. Yesterday officially marked the first day of spring on calendars in many people’s homes, and I think I can confidently say that I won’t see snow on the ground again until it’s October or November, earliest. The next time the sun is out, I’ll make sure to bring my earbuds with me, so I can stream Rozen’s song as I skip my way down to the harbor and take a scenic path to a more forested area.
The post Medli’s Melodies: Spring feelings first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breath of the Wild is home to a wide array of older characters, who remember the days of Hyrule before the Calamity. These elders bring out some of the more interesting themes of a post-apocalyptic Hyrule that the younger characters aren’t able to, and those from the Zora race in particular have pre-Calamity memories that serve this purpose. Because the Zora have such a long life-span, the grief caused by the Calamity is still quite fresh for a lot of their members.
While characters like Sidon and Dorephan obviously grieve the loss of Mipha, there is an overlooked character we can examine when thinking about the Zora’s grief: Muzu.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Muzu admittedly plays a small role in the grand scheme of the game, as he is mainly there to be a stepping stone during the quest to quell Vah Ruta — he is the only one with knowledge of Shock Arrows. However, he does have a really cool design, with a head that resembles a manta ray. He is an interesting twist on the other Zora designs, especially with the manta ray mustache, making him one of the most distinct Zoras.
However, his design alone is not what makes Muzu interesting. Muzu’s journey as a character really highlights a lot of interesting themes in the game like grief, forgiveness, and the ability to change.
Muzu blames Link for Mipha’s death and has harbored a distrust of outsiders long before the Calamity. This treatment is of course unfair since Ganon is the only one responsible, but Muzu has held onto this hatred for 100 years after losing Mipha. He was Mipha’s teacher, so likely watched her grow up and grew to love her like his own child. And because Link and Mipha were childhood friends, it is likely that he knew of Link as well.
It was Link and Zelda who convinced Mipha to become a champion, so Muzu blames Mipha’s death on that simple choice. If Mipha had just stayed in Zora’s Domain, maybe they would not have lost her. If Link had never met Mipha, maybe she would have refused to become a champion. All these questions undoubtedly cycled in Muzu’s head for an entire century. His grief is complicated, and, in his hopelessness, he directs his anger at Mipha’s passing to Link.
But he does not stay in his hatred forever. When Muzu sees that Link is a perfect fit for the armor Mipha crafted, he realizes that Mipha loved Link. He realizes that he was wrong to hate Link and asks Link for forgiveness. Muzu finally finds some closure and also realizes how wrong he was in his resentment.
Muzu’s journey of grief is perhaps one of the most realistic in all of Breath of the Wild, which is telling for a game that has grief as a core part of its story. He shows development, moving through the stages of grief from anger and bargaining to acceptance and repentance. It is this development and willingness to change that makes Muzu one of the more interesting older characters.
Muzu demonstrates that grief is a long and hard journey. He shows that it can sometimes make us bitter and hateful. But he also shows us the power of healing and forgiveness. And as one of the oldest characters, it shows us that change can happen at any age. It is a strong message to come from a rather minor NPC, but that is what makes Muzu feel all the more real.
No matter how long you grieve, there is always an opportunity to heal. Mipha may have had healing magic, but Muzu demonstrates that some wounds can only be healed through your own self-reflection.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Muzu first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Have you heard the news? Super Nintendo World opens in Hollywood for the first time, a hilarious Breath of the Wild moment is caught on Twitch and more in the latest Zelda Universe video with Amanda and the rest of the crew. In the video, Amanda also talks about what we’re did for the 5th Anniversary of Breath of the Wild – a special Q & A with some of the voice cast and crew from Breath of the Wild and Age of Calamity!
But that’s not all. Thanks to the lowering numbers and gradual lifting of pandemic restrictions, Amanda also announced that a special event will be returning in person once more: PAX East. Watch the video and stay tuned for more info about Zelda Universe’s panel for PAX East in the coming weeks.
The post New ZU Video announces Super Nintendo World, return of PAX East, and more first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Rain patters down, doing little to extinguish the flames of the guardian’s fire. Embers float in the wind coating the air with the stench of destruction. Guardians search, with their once peaceful blue turned to red, embracing the calamity. Link, her knight, her hero, struggles to stand. The once mighty Master Sword pierces into the ground, its light dissipated. Many guardians lay defeated but too many still walk. The princess knows that there’s no hope. The champions are gone. The Divine Beasts are conquered. She can’t lose Link too. She begs him to save himself, to let her go. Link holds up the Master Sword once more and faces yet another guardian despite his wavering strength and the injuries sapping his spirit. The guardian takes aim, the laser a strong red marking the hero’s death. “No!” Zelda steps in front of him, a golden light erupting from her form. The goddess’s power awakens within her, ready to protect all… only too late to save her kingdom.
Zelda’s awakening in the memories of Breath of the Wild is by far one of the most emotional scenes in the game. The first time I witnessed Zelda’s desperate cry was enough to bring me to tears. Here was the princess who was trying everything to fulfill her destiny and by the time the goddess’s power finally ignited, Princess Zelda had already lost everything. Her friends, her family, her kingdom… and Link. The knight that refused to leave her side right until the very end. The lovely artist, Mimimaru, recaptures this moment of Zelda’s awakening in her piece “Must Protect Them All,” and in one shot she brings forth all the emotions once again.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
Mimimaru’s scene redraw holds a similar stance to Princess Zelda’s pose on the cover art of Age of Calamity. Unlike the princess shown in the original artwork, Mimimaru added stains to Zelda’s dress and skin and brought tears to her eyes, more akin to the iconic memory in Breath of the Wild. Zelda’s awakening does hold similarities in Age of Calamity, with Link surrounded by guardians and Princess Zelda rushing to his side, feeling like she must do something to help. She can’t leave Link behind to potentially die while she lives on. However, due to the success in Age of Calamity’s timeline, the new version of events doesn’t hold nearly as much emotion as the fall of Hyrule in Breath of the Wild.
Comparisons between games and timelines aside, Mimimaru’s artwork is a stunning piece of simple elements brought together to make a powerful impact upon all who see it. While the golden light is sure to draw attention, Zelda’s eyes are fierce and broken, capturing my gaze first. The eyes show the princess’s anguish but also her determination to not give up. The tear that escapes, falling down her cheeks holds the sadness of loss of everyone falling around her. But that spark. That single spark in her eyes shows that she won’t be a damsel-in-distress. She will fight, as Mimimaru perfectly captures in the title of her work. Princess Zelda must protect them all.
I could talk about Zelda’s eyes and the emotions painted on the canvas forever, but there are more elements working hard in this piece. The color scheme touches on neutral, washed-out colors, complementing Zelda’s goddess design and not overshadowing the golden power. While most of the piece is in shades of gold and white, Zelda’s belt bears the iconic blue of the champions and works in this piece as a matching tone to the shades of the princess’s dress. While blue would normally be a strong contrast to the almost orange hues, the edge of gold and dulled hues blend into the design, ensuring that the main focus is still Zelda’s eyes and the power erupting from her hand.
The background choice in Mimimaru’s piece doesn’t match the trees and guardians drenched in rain from Breath of the Wild, nor the kingdom and sky of Age of Calamity’s artwork. Mimimaru created her own background that I think was the best choice to hero Princess Zelda. In the same hues of gold with both dark and light tones blending about, a whirlwind erupts behind Princess Zelda. Similar to the colors of the sky found in dusk, the swirling background acts like clouds running away as the sun shines through. Only here, Zelda is the sun and the clouds are the calamity. Little embers float around her like in the scene from Breath of the Wild ,or perhaps in Mimimaru’s piece, they’re more like golden droplets of power spreading out across the lands.
Memory seventeen from Breath of the Wild is a heart-wrenching moment that has the power to bring tears five years later. Mimimaru not only recaptures the cutscene, but also showcases the many emotions running through Princess Zelda as her kingdom falls around her. The sadness, the anguish but most importantly, the hope. The Goddess’s power is a beacon of light that will shine when we need it most. Upon a dark day, call upon the princess’s hope and remember that if she can take control when all seems lost, so can you.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Must protect them all first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo has released the 2.0 update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe a little bit early, however the new tracks won’t be playable until March 18th.
In addition, the update shows us the names of all the new cups to be added in each new wave.
- Golden Dash Cup
- Lucky Cat Cup
- Turnip Cup
- Propeller Cup
- Rock Cup
- Moon Cup
- Fruit Cup
- Boomerang Cup
- Feather Cup
- Cherry Cup
- Acorn Cup
- Spiny Cup
While each cup name is revealed, only the tracks for the Golden Dash and Lucky Cat cup are shown, which makes sense as they’ll be released and playable on March 18th.
You can update to the new version on your Switch right now as of this time of writing. The update is relatively large, so be sure you update early so you can try out the new courses as soon as possible when they release!
The post Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Version 2.0.0 released and all cup names revealed first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We hope you’ve been saving those My Nintendo Platinum Points! A couple of Nintendo 64-themed keychain sets are now available as physical rewards through My Nintendo in the U.S. Both sets include two keychains based on the box art of classic N64 games.
Set A contains Star Fox 64 and Mario Kart 64 keychains, while Set B holds Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64. Each set costs 500 Platinum Points plus shipping, and all the games featured are playable through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
The post New N64 box art keychains available through My Nintendo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The heavily Zelda-inspired game about a cute fox named Tunic has released on Steam and on Xbox Game Pass.
TUNIC is an isometric action-adventure indie title with plenty of puzzles to whet the appetite of even the most hardcore Zelda fan. The game also takes some inspirations from games such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne. It was originally announced at E3 2017, and it’s awesome to see it finally released and playable.
You can purchase TUNIC for yourself via PC on Steam, or for the Xbox family of systems, and if you have Xbox Game Pass you can download it for free. Below is also a release trailer for those who want to see this very pretty game in action!
The post Zelda inspired Tunic launches on Steam and Xbox Game Pass first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We say something is “stranger than fiction” when real-world happenings careen into the seemingly fantastic, into the bizarre. Sometimes, they stray so far as to be unthinkable, and it’s these events we might find ourselves wishing were merely a literary trifle instead of a literal tragedy. For many of us, the games of The Legend of Zelda franchise can be a much-needed escape from a sometimes much harsher reality. In Hyrule, the edges are softer, the path is clearer. There’s typically not a lot of moral gray area to navigate. You are Link, and Link is going to do the hard thing to save everyone.
In Majora’s Mask, the people of Termina find themselves staring down the apocalypse, through no fault of their own. They largely conduct themselves with dignity and put on a brave face in one of the series’ most intimate adventures, much of which addresses dealing with grief and loss. As an escape, it still works, because Link intervenes and sets everything right — but what happens when life begins to imitate this art?
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
After being introduced to Zelda as a middle school kid by Ocarina of Time, I was eagerly awaiting the forthcoming sequel. Despite the relatively quick turnaround, two years feels like a long time at that age. I was excited one day to find a print ad in a news magazine for Majora’s Mask. It was (and remains) a little strange to bump into your beloved personal childhood obsession in a mass-marketed item intended largely for adults, so promptly I tore it out to save as a memento.
Some months later, after playing and thoroughly enjoying Majora’s Mask, I posted a scan of the advertisement to my Zelda fan site, looking to pad it out with some extra content besides merely screenshots and promotional art I’d ripped from the net. I thought other fans might enjoy seeing some of the game’s official advertising material, and it felt very intrepid as a young person to have produced some “original content” (to use the term liberally). In the process of writing this column, I wanted to check the file meta-data to see exactly when I uploaded it: September 1, 2001.
Apologies for the literally 20-year-old consumer-grade scanner image quality. I suppose I hardly need to say what happened shortly thereafter. In the interest of completion: ten days following, four commercial aircraft were hijacked by terrorists after departing from airports in the eastern United States. One never reached its target, downed in a field in Somerset County, PA during an attempt by the passengers to retake the plane. Another crashed into the side of the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. The remaining two crashed, one each, into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Within a few hours, both structures collapsed, leading to a catastrophic loss of life totaling more than 2,600 people.
Days like this are singularly strange, but I’d argue especially so as a child. When you’re young, it’s hard to gauge how important things are when they get adults agitated or otherwise excited. The ’96 Atlanta Olympics were a big deal. Y2K was (suggested to be) a big deal. The 2000 presidential election was a big deal. You are told these things are important, and you just take people at their word because as a kid you lack the context to fully comprehend why. As an adult, you develop something of an intuition about when you’re living through an important moment — big or small. Moments where everything turns, true inflection points of your personal history, or that of an entire country, tend to stick with you.
When you’re young, though, you don’t know to expect this. Instead, you’re left with a sampling of nearly random, albeit nearly eidetic, memories of this very strange, very sad day. The one that stands out most to me was watching the news on a big 35-ish-inch CRT television strapped to its perch, high atop one of those welded steel carts, so kids could all see. I’ll never forget literally watching the world burn, drinking a carton of chocolate milk, and eating a Baby Ruth candy bar. Everyone in my class was doing the exact same thing because they were birthday treats brought for the entire grade. Not one, but two girls in our grade both had a birthday that day. I still remember their names, despite not having seen or spoken to them in roughly two decades.
That fact always stuck in my head- how improbable it was that they shared a birthday. Turns out this isn’t that surprising at all. If you work the math, for a class of about 50, there’s something like a 97% chance that two people would share a birthday. Still, I don’t know that the analysis is much good for relating the odds of those two people sharing that same day with a human-made disaster that would forever alter the geopolitical landscape of the world. I felt bad for them that day — it was supposed to be fun turning 14. I still feel bad for them: to have their birthday overnight become a convenient shorthand for a monumental tragedy is its own, much smaller, loss.
To come back to the Majora’s Mask print ad I’d described earlier: As a kid who grew up in the midwest, before that day I hadn’t the faintest clue what a World Trade Center was. I now knew those buildings exclusively in the context of what had transpired that day. In the weeks that followed, I stumbled back across the ad, and with the increased understanding of the gravity of what had transpired, it sent a chill down my spine. With the benefit of hindsight, this isn’t as spooky as it felt. New York City is iconic, and so the Towers show up in many places across media.
I didn’t know that, though. At the time, it seemed a grim portent had found me specifically through The Legend of Zelda, something that was deeply important to me at the time. It was disturbing to look at the image and be forced to juxtapose the two sets of events. Link saves Termina, using the Ocarina to twist and loop time to get not just a second or third chance, but as many as he needs to gather his strength and set things right. In the real world, of course, everyone gets just the one chance. For thousands of people that day, their time ran out too soon.
I actually haven’t played Majora’s Mask since it was first released in 2000. My memories of the game are fond, if fuzzy from the intervening 20 years of life. Sometime in the next year, it’s on my list to revisit though, and I’m really looking forward to the experience. It will be nice to make some new memories in Termina, even if I’ll never quite shake the mental association with the old ones. Those are destined to remain permanent, stoic, if not especially welcome, residents in my head. Though perhaps it would be stranger still to lose them.
The post Realm of Memories: Worse than the weight of the world first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I know what you’re thinking based on the title, but that’s not where I’m going with this! Maybe I’m showing that I’ve missed a whole chunk of the game here, but I really don’t think I am.
Have you ever looked to the eastern sea, from say the peak of Mount Lanayru, or even Tingel Island? Breath of the Wild has many small islands dotted around, but I’m thinking of those in the distance, far beyond the Necluda Sea.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
These little islands are easiest to see from the summit of Eventide Island, and that’s the closest I’ve managed to get without swimming or trying to get a raft out there (which I’ve had little success at doing). I’ve tried many times but never made landfall.
So what’s on those islands? I have no idea. Is it an homage to some islands from The Wind Waker? Was there going to be content like Eventide Island, or possibly DLC content? Not that I’ve ever heard of. Is it just a silhouette to give the world of Hyrule greater depth? Possibly.
But, sticking with in-game solutions, I don’t think Link has the time to be sailing to islands on the horizon. Nor has he the time to cross the canyons to the North and West of Hyrule. The lands beyond are not his to save… yet. Whether he’ll explore them in the future with Princess Zelda all depends on whether he can save her now or not.
Still, I think it was an interesting choice to include these inaccessible islands. When you reach the edge of the world, you’ll always wonder what’s beyond. So why not include a little of that on the horizon? Why not add a little bit more wonder?
The post Tingle’s Maps: Islands at the edge of the world (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Though the Great Sea of The Wind Waker boasts many unique islands for Link to explore, there were actually even more islands initially planned for the game. The Hyrule Historia reveals some unused island concepts, opening up a world of speculation about what place they might have taken within the world of The Wind Waker. We have already covered one of the unused island concepts, GC Island. Stovepipe Island, the other unused island concept, could be the answer to some questions regarding the two missing dungeons from the latter half of The Wind Waker.
Zelda’s Study is a series where we examine the history of The Legend of Zelda to bring you some fascinating (or just plain weird) trivia. In our studies, we’ll explore each game’s development, curiosities within the rich lore of the franchise, and the impact it has had on our culture. From time to time, we’ll also look at Nintendo’s past to unearth some facts about our favorite company.
As many fans have observed already, Stovepipe Island bears a striking resemblance to Fire Mountain, which exists in the final version of The Wind Waker and is entered through the peak of its volcano, much like the concept art for Stovepipe specifies. It’s also worth mentioning that Fire Mountain bears the unique trait of containing an item, sharing this trait with Ice Ring Isle. Both Ice Ring Isle and Fire Mountain contain items necessary for progression toward the second half of The Wind Waker, which is known for having cut dungeons due to time constraints. Given all of these observations, it certainly seems like Stovepipe Island is a dead ringer for the home of one of the missing dungeons from the latter half of The Wind Waker, with an item originally planned for one of the cut dungeons instead put into a smaller version of Stovepipe.
Not exactly steam coming out of the top, but it’s close enough. Of course, this brings up the inevitable question: What happened to the dungeon, and will we ever see it? The mini-dungeon found within Fire Mountain is hardly worthy of being called its own dungeon, and there’s no sign of all the pipes and steam that are in the concept art. Eiji Aonuma, when questioned about the cut dungeons potentially making an appearance in The Wind Waker HD, states that the Zelda team has “already used those two dungeons for other titles.” While unfortunate for those wishing for a fully realized The Wind Waker, this information means Stovepipe, technically, already exists, though its concepts are fractured among the Zelda series.
Aside from the previously mentioned similarities to Fire Mountain, it’s possible that the hybrid interior/exterior style of Dragon Roost Cavern was actually an adapted concept from Stovepipe, given the specified entrance cave and path to the back of the volcano seen in the concept art. The concept of pipes and steam from Stovepipe might have been repurposed as the overall design found in the Goron Mines of Twilight Princess, which lines up nicely with the creature in the concept art that bears a resemblance to the Gorons.
Maybe the Iron Boots of the Goron Mines were also intended for Stovepipe’s dungeon? We’ll likely never know exactly what ideas or concepts came from Stovepipe, but it makes for a very fun speculation journey. Speaking of speculation, it can’t possibly be a coincidence that there are two missing dungeons from The Wind Waker as well as two islands in The Wind Waker containing progression items. If Fire Mountain is the adapted Stovepipe, I certainly wonder what secrets lie in the origins of Ice Ring Isle. Maybe one day we’ll get to see a concept for what Ice Ring Island used to be and speculate about what became of those ideas.
The post Zelda’s Study: What became of Stovepipe Island first appeared on Zelda Universe.
During the last few years, many of us have struggled to maintain our mental health. Some turn to therapy, friends and family, exercise, and resting to help them recuperate physically and emotionally. My favorite recent instance of self care that I saw by a friend was when they parodied a famous line from Star Wars: A New Hope after a particularly heinous day. They said, “Help me Breath of the Wild. You’re my only hope.”
While some would see this just as a joke, the laid back ability that the game provides to just stroll through such a fully-realized natural world without a real purpose can make it a great game for relieving stress. Because the player is in full control, they can just take a walk and forage for hearty radishes or, if the mood strikes, they can veer off and explore some ruins. With her piece titled “Foraging Melodies”, renowned Zelda composer and remixer Rebecca E. Tripp captures the rejuvenating spirit we seek from Breath of the Wild’s iteration of Hyrule when a new calamity at work, school, or just the world in general has disrupted our peace of mind.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
“Foraging Melodies” by Rebecca E. Tripp Rebecca E. Tripp combines multiple familiar melodies from the game together to create the soundtrack for a peaceful walk through the wilds of Hyrule. Flourishes of familiar light piano notes play, inviting us to stroll through the fields. Wind instruments also join in and repeat brief, slightly comical sounding melodies from the game, almost as if a rambunctious squirrel has decided to add some laughs to our walk by scrambling up a tree or through an acorn at a faraway Bokoblin.
Every once and a while, lower notes join the melody from another wind instrument, but the calm way that they do so implies mystery rather than danger. What is that growing beneath the tree? Is that the orange glow of a Sheikah Shrine through the branches? Either way, we know that we hold the choice to investigate or ignore. The path for our journey is our own.
In remixing the various relaxing melodies that are the soundtrack of Link foraging for supplies, it invites us to do some foraging of our own. As we listen, we can sort through the various thoughts and feelings of the day, selecting some to pick and cherish in our pack while leaving others behind. This song is an absolute necessity in my adventurer’s pouch when I need to rest and leave the rough spots of my daily journey behind.
The post Medli’s Melodies: Foraging for peace first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We have all been there before. We have all had a story about something that is so interesting and amazing, but no one believes us. We are mocked for what we saw or heard and we have no real way of proving it to be true. Something like this can cloud up our minds and make us feel like outcasts. When what we know to be true in our hearts is dismissed by society, it can bring us to our most lonely and low places.
This wasn’t the case for Gondo.
When everyone mocked him for what he believed, he worked harder on trying to prove it.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Gondo doing what he does best! Gondo is a gentleman smithy in Skyward Sword who sets up shop in the Skyloft Bazaar. He is located right next to the item check girl, Peatrice. Gondo’s bombastic charm and excitement to improve Link’s gear immediately sets him apart from the other shopkeepers you come across. He can repair Link’s shield and raise some of the items you find to their next level. All he asks for is the materials to do so and a little bit of cheddar.
When you think about it, Gondo could have just been the game’s way of upgrading gear and nothing more, but he holds a much more interesting story beneath his oil-slicked fingers. Day by day, he tinkers away at Link’s tools trying to learn more and hone his craft because he has an ultimate goal in mind. It isn’t until midway through Skyward Sword that you finally get to understand why he works so diligently.
Gondo has been telling the citizens of Skyloft a family legend: his grandfather supposedly had a talking robot, which would venture to the surface to retrieve materials. To someone living on an island in the sky with an impossibly thick layer of clouds beneath them, this story probably sounded crazy. This is why Gondo was mocked.
It was not until the hero’s boots touched the surface once again that we realized, okay, maybe the story wasn’t all wrong. After all, there is a surface below the clouds. As the story progresses, we start to come across quirky little robots in the Lanayru Desert and even more in the mining facility. The robots are real! So now, the story of Gondo’s grandfather doesn’t sound so far out.
It’s at this point that the player may think to themselves: “We must let him know! He will be so happy to find out that someone believes his crazy family tale!”
Validation. When we go to ask him about it, he immediately throws up walls. He is scared that we are going to mock him again. It is a hurtful exchange because this is the first time you see Gondo react without the wind in his sails. With a little convincing that you actually believe him, he is overjoyed that someone finally believes his story. At the end of the day, that is all Gondo needed.
He knew what the missing ingredient to his project was all along — he needed a certain type of oil. He needs oil from a flower that Link (most likely) has. Now all he needs is a hammer and a clink and Bob’s your uncle. He gets the ancient robot to chirp and beep once again!
This new robot is an immense help to Link during his journey. Not that the robot is in it to make Link happy, but it lifts the heavy items that Link cannot bring to the sky anyway. Thanks to Gondo’s unending drive, the day is saved and the hero can continue his journey.
Moral of the story?
Just because someone is a “Crazy Junk Man” doesn’t mean they aren’t big hearted and willing to help you, as well.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Gondo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
On March 3, Zelda fans celebrated five years of the widely beloved game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. To commemorate the occasion, Zelda Universe hosted a live panel for voice actors Patricia Summersett (Zelda), Andi Gibson (Impa), Bill Rogers (King Rhoam), Joe Hernandez (Daruk and Yunobo), Jamie Mortellaro (Sidon), and Jacob Craner (Robbie).
Fan questions were answered and insights on bringing these characters to life were discussed. You can watch the full panel below and see what our delightful guests shared with us!
The post Breath of the Wild’s 5th anniversary voice actor reunion panel with Zelda Universe! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It has been over 10 years since players first took to the sky above ancient Hyrule, and now Zelda Universe’s full tenth-anniversary tribute soundtrack has been released to celebrate the classic game.
Throughout last year, Zelda Universe has slowly released bits and pieces of the tribute album. From the Skyloft theme to the Mogma’s mischievous treasure hunting song, the Skyward Sword‘s soundtrack was well represented. The best part of all was that they were all brand new arrangements by dedicated fans of the series and the Wii title.
After a long year of celebration, the album is now complete for all Hylians, Mogma, Kikwi, Goron, and beyond to enjoy. Totaling in with almost four hours of music, this soundtrack truly is the perfect way to remember everyone’s favorite sky-fairing adventure. Now enjoy the sounds of the sky and surface, beautifully reimagined by a team of the biggest Zelda fans.
The post Skyward Sword: 10th Anniversary Tribute Sound first appeared on Zelda Universe.
My original draft of this article was literally just “HOW CUTE IS THIS?” over and over again, but my editors said that, while accurate, I actually need to write something about the piece. So, here’s my second draft.
We are all fans of cute things. Whether they be Koroks or kittens, adorable animals and creatures make the world go round. It’s the reason people have kids, they want some adorable little creature running around and saying cute things. It’s also one of the reasons we are Zelda fans. These games are chock full of animals and monsters that are just so stinkin’ cute. Heck, look at the Bokoblins! They squeak!
So, while browsing the Zelda Universe DeviantArt group, I came across something that literally made me squeak with delight.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
DeviantArt user Kikis-Art-Journey brought together two of the cutest characters from The Legend of Zelda and, get this, they are napping on each other. I mean, come on. Anyway, here’s “Machi and Makar Napping“.
Do you remember that video from about a decade ago where the woman starts crying on a webcam saying that she wants to hug every cat? That’s kind of how I feel when I see this. It’s just so darn cute!
Editor’s Note: Zach, please, you need to actually talk about the artwork.
Okay, fine. The piece is very simple, it’s just Makar from The Wind Waker and Machi from Skyward Sword sitting by a log and napping. It’s a tranquil moment for these characters. I like to think that Makar is taking a bit of a break from his duties and Machi is resting after having to swim for so long. It’s one of those moments that the games can’t really focus on, so fans get to show a little bit of respite for them.
There is so much little detail in the work that you can tell there was a story leading up to this. The lighting of the piece makes it seem like they are deep in the forest, the sun peeking through the canopy, gently warming them as they take a little cat nap. Makar has his signature instrument and maybe has helped Machi fall asleep by playing them a lullaby. He’s also sitting on some rocks to give Machi a little more support while leaning against the log. Overall, it’s a really sweet piece of art that brings together two fun characters.
Do you have adorable Zelda artwork that you want me to cry over? Come join our DeviantArt group! It’s a great way to share your art with fans from around the world and you have a chance to be featured in a future Yuga’s Art Gallery column!
A huge thank you to Kikis-Art-Journey for posting in the aforementioned DeviantArt group and sharing this work with us. You can check out her other work here and watch some of her process videos on her YouTube channel.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Too cute for words first appeared on Zelda Universe.
My brother-in-law and I are both long-time gamers, having each put in our time on the hobby, playing many of the classics and quite a few, not so classic titles, as well.
We have very different gaming backgrounds, however. Although we’re about the same age, I started a bit earlier than he did, with a Super Nintendo Entertainment System. This was a time when Japanese game design dominated the console market and I was inundated in it, particularly Nintendo’s own design ethos on games like Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
My brother-in-law, Mark, however, didn’t really get into console gaming until the first Xbox came out. He was surrounded by games from western developers, games that shared DNA with the PC market, so he was playing games like Halo and Morrowind in his spare time.
This meant we could talk about a lot of the same games without always particularly having any affection for the titles one of us is playing compared to the other. Even when the games seem like they should reach the same audience.
The open-world simulator, for instance, has become an increasingly popular style of game. I’d dabbled with some attempts on consoles, like Assassin’s Creed, without really latching on to any title.
But when Breath of the Wild came out, I knew I’d have to try it and, lo and behold, something about Nintendo’s approach to the genre clicked with me, beyond just the visual trappings of a Zelda title. I was entranced with this wide-open expanse of Hyrule and spent countless hours exploring the nooks and crannies of this colorful fantasy realm.
When I finished, I recommended it to Mark. It is a Japanese game, of course, but it borrowed from games he played compulsively like Assassin’s Creed and the Elder Scrolls titles. I thought, if anything might connect with him, this might.
Meanwhile, I was curious about whether Breath of the Wild had opened me up to other open-world experiences and decided to try with the biggest exemplar of the field, the ever-popular Skyrim.
It was not a success on either front.
Mark played a few hours into Breath of the Wild, getting off the Great Plateau and reaching Hyrule below, but soon lost interest as he wandered the land. He never finished a single Divine Beast and eventually returned my game sheepishly.
I had little room to criticize. I started Skyrim eagerly enough, designed my character and was soon trekking across the region, raiding a couple of dungeons, slaying giant spiders, fighting a dragon, climbing a mountain to talk to some monks who teach elocution. But I missed the colors of Hyrule, the climbable terrain of Breath of the Wild and, most of all, the sense of magic potential everywhere I went. The region of Skyrim seemed dull and bland in comparison and I eventually fell off the title without ever advancing the thin storyline past learning a few dragon-killing words.
Since then, Mark and I tend to stay in our prescribed lanes. He continues to play his western RPGs, eagerly awaiting games like Elder Scrolls 6; I await the sequel to Breath of the Wild with bated breath. But there are no more swap meets between us when it comes to our preferred gaming experiences.
The post Realm of Memories: Open-world swap meet first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breath of the Wild takes place in a barren version of Hyrule, a world left mostly in ruin from a war 100 years ago. This title does an amazing job of worldbuilding by leaving these remnants of a forgotten world, leaving the player to ponder as to what the old, thriving world used to be like. In this piece I want to look at one location that, while laid waste with nearly nothing left, still holds a lot of significance. That location being the small Ranch Ruins.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
The Ranch Ruins can be found in Central Hyrule, just south east of Castle Town. It can be easy to miss, as there is not much left here among the ruins aside from some old buildings and worn fences. The most central piece to the Ranch Ruins, though, is a beaten track that goes around what is left of the fence. Indiscernible broken wood structures in the center act as some good makeshift hurdles for someone who may be horse riding. With so little remnants left, it’s difficult to tell exactly what all was here. As with many of the ruined sights in Breath of the Wild, we are left only to wonder what these locations, like the Ranch Ruins, might have been like before the destruction of war took them.
Lon Lon Ruins? Being left only to ponder, one theory has been talked about quite often about what these Ranch Ruins may have been (You probably know where this is going). A common theory is that the Ranch Ruins are actually the remnants of none other than iconic Lon Lon Ranch, an important location in Ocarina of Time. A ranch famous for it’s Lon Lon Milk, but for Link, this serves as the first time he meets Epona, a recurring horse who aids the reincarnating hero throughout multiple adventures. Comparing the two locations, even with what little is left of the Ranch Ruins, there are definitely some similarities to draw between the two. The most obvious comparison we can find is the horse track, which looks nearly one-to-one to the track from Ocarina of Time. Lon Lon Ranch also had a tall, rectangular building (what I assume is some sort of medieval-esque silo) that sits diagonal from the entrance to the ramp. Sure enough, we find a broken-down brick building in a similar location in the Ranch Ruins. The last significant similarity these two share, that I think solidifies this theory, is the over-hanging signs at the entrance of the ranch with another at the entrance to the field. There are two worn signs in Ranch Ruins that line up perfectly with where the two signs were in Ocarina of Time.
Horse Hurdles at the Ruins Assuming the Ranch Ruins are indeed the remains of Lon Lon Ranch, this is a place that holds so much significance not only for the player, but for Link himself. This is where the reincarnating hero, and players, first met and aided Epona. Now with this place laid to waste, all that remains to us is a memory. Unfortunately for Link, he does not even have the luxury of memory. The Hero of the Wild is only left to wonder what possibly could have been here. The calamitous war took these places and left nothing. Only empty husks, with no one left to remember what it used to be. Link, with no memories and no one left to remember, it’s almost as if these places do not exist at all. The emblematic Lon Lon Ranch now means nothing, not even to the reincarnated hero.
Laps in MemoryThe post Tingle’s Maps: Ranch Ruins first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Those who know me know that I can play the same song on repeat for a very long time when I’m in the mood for it. Sometimes it’s “Bubblegum K.K.” from the Animal Crossing series. Other times, it’s the theme for Beedle’s Shop Ship. Today, I’d like to highlight a track from Skyward Sword which I have also had on repeat for longer than what might be considered to be healthy.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
“Gate of Time” is one of the most beautiful songs I know in the Zelda games because of its simplicity, silent determination, and undertones of sadness. Despite its repetitive and simple melody, there is something about this song which captures my interest so well that it makes it difficult for me to not listen to it once I’ve pressed the play button.
Not having played Skyward Sword for almost ten years now, I had forgotten when “Gate of Time” is played in the game (although the name of the track should’ve been a hint, but I’m not always that bright). So when I started to miss playing the game, I looked up its soundtrack and listened to “Gate of Time”. I eventually began imagining the song being played just after Zelda willingly goes to sleep and the sadness on Link’s face. There’s a somber tone in the strings which just fit into that scene so well and made sense in my mind, together with the way the drums were played. Combined, they told me to stay strong. Things are sad now but I can’t give up. I’ll make sure Link and I will see Zelda sometime again soon. In a similar sense, “Gate of Time” is a track I sometimes go back to when things are tough in reality too, as a reminder that the best I can do is to keep trying my best.
Despite how off I was imagining which scene the song is actually being played, the track still has a few key elements that are important in Skyward Sword. It has sweeping strings which remind me of the Loftwings soaring above Skyloft, the plucking of a harp just like the one Zelda held at the beginning of the game, and determined percussion to keep Link and I trying our best to save Zelda despite many setbacks. The melody played by the harp is simple, but it’s really the strings that make it easy for me to keep listening to the song no matter how long it’s been playing. I alternate from listening to the plucking of the harp strings to the grand, almost cinematic, strings. I never tire of either of them.
The post Medli’s Melodies: Gate of Time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It’s no secret that Breath of the Wild features some of the most gorgeous, breathtaking locations in a Zelda game. From tranquil lakes to ancient ruins, there are a ton of different areas to admire and explore to your heart’s content. However, when playing through Breath of the Wild for the first time, there was one area that particularly captured my interest. That place was Satori Mountain.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
Satori Mountain is named after the Lord of the Mountain, Satori, where the mystical creature resides. The name of the mountain is also a homage to former Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata, who was involved in the production of Breath of the Wild and also the head developer of the Nintendo Switch at the time. In 2015, he tragically passed away due to complications from a bile duct tumor, but his spirit lives on through the Lord of the Mountain as a tribute.
The mountain is located on the west side of Central Hyrule, sitting between the Gerudo Highlands and Tabantha region. There are a few different paths you can take that will lead you to this destination, but no matter the route, you are bound to come across Satori Mountain at one point or another.
Upon inspection near the base of the mountain, there is a quaint camping area with a tent, Rusty Shield, and Rusty Broadsword. There is also a cooking area near the eastern edge of the mountain. It’s clear that someone was previously here, but who? Legend says the Lord of the Mountain is the reincarnation of an ancient sage who died protecting the animals and surrounding land, so it can be inferred the various tools and items seen here once belonged to the sage.
On the south side of the mountain, you will find the Mogg Latan Shrine, which features the Synced Swing trial. There are also several Korok puzzles sprinkled throughout the mountain to find and solve. Oh, joy. Also along the southern base of the mountain, you can find some Hearty Durian trees to farm.
If you ever find yourself low on items or supplies, Satori Mountain is the place to be, as it is the perfect harvesting spot. Various herbs and plants from all across Hyrule can be found here for your convenience. At the far southern end of the mountain, you will find an abundance of Sunshrooms, Razorshrooms, Hearty Truffles, and even Ores. On the far eastern side, there are flowers to collect such as Blue Nightshade, Mighty Thistle, Armoranth, and Warm Safflina. There is also a giant apple orchard and some pitchfork tools.
At the very top of the mountain sits a lone cherry blossom tree by a serene pond and quiet meadow. If you acquired the Champions’ Ballad DLC pack, you can find the chest containing part of the Sheikah horse gear, the Ancient Bridle, next to the cherry blossom tree. This is the perfect spot to unwind and watch the sunset after a long adventure.
Occasionally, the top of the mountain will emit a mysterious cyan aura, signifying the Lord of the Mountain’s presence. However, the ethereal creature is not alone, and tends to be accompanied by a hoard of Blupees. It is unknown why the Blupees flock in numbers, but it’s almost like they are paying their respects to the Lord of the Mountain.
If you are stealthy enough, the Lord of the Mountain can be mounted and tamed, but unfortunately it disappears shortly after dismounting. It also cannot be registered at a stable (it’s a bad omen according to Embry), but it’s still fun to ride around Hyrule nonetheless. After all, who wouldn’t want to ride a mythical beast?
Though the mountain is peaceful and clear of enemies during the day, a single Stalnox appears at night alongside one of the eastern slopes. A few minor enemies, like Stalkoblins, Stalmoblins, and Stalizalfos, will spawn as well. Defeating the Stalnox rewards you with Hinox Teeth and some rare weapons. It’s also interesting to note that enemies will temporarily disappear as long as the Lord of the Mountain is present.
After stocking up on items and relaxing under the cherry blossom tree, it is time to continue on with the adventure. Yet, not before taking the time to admire the magnificent view of nearly every major Hyrule landmark from the top of Satori Mountain.
The post Tingle’s Maps: Satori Mountain (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“What’s in a name?”
Shakespeare presented us with this philosophical quandary over 400 years ago in Romeo and Juliet, with the play’s tragic heroine asserting that names are just meaningless monikers that don’t reflect people’s truest selves, and only serve to construct artificial barriers between one another. But I think this is a bit of an oversimplification, since names do play a significant part in shaping our sense of identity and helping us figure out where we fit in with the rest of the world. Some people carry their names with pride because they represent something valuable within their family and/or culture, while others make a point of changing their names to better align with their faith, gender, morals, etc. And when it comes to fiction, authors frequently choose symbolic names for their characters to help the audience connect with them on a deeper level, as well as better understand the fantastical worlds they call home.
This point definitely holds true for countless characters in the Zelda series, as their names help paint a more vivid picture of who they are within the vast land of Hyrule and how they connect to parts of our own world. We’ve come to associate names that begin with “Dar” with a proud lineage of heroic Goron warriors, and we know that the law decreeing that all future Hylian princesses be named “Zelda” is meant to honor the courageous sacrifice of Princess Zelda I. Epona is appropriately named for the Celtic patron saint of equines, while Impa’s name is derived from the word “impart,” symbolizing her role as a crucial source of knowledge and wisdom for both the hero and the princess. These clever little details breathe so much life into the characters we adore, and unearthing them always fills me with childlike elation.
But every once in a while, I guess the writers like to mess with our heads (or maybe just my head) a little bit and throw an Easter Egg into a character’s name that seems completely irrelevant to their personality, heritage, or any other part of their identity. This is the case for two prominent figures in Breath of the Wild, and I sit here scratching my head, wondering if these are just random references for specific Zelda fans to get a chuckle out of, or if there really is a deeper connection to be found. To figure that out, we need to start at the very beginning (a very good place to start) with a lesson on basic music theory.
Zelda’s Study is a series where we examine the history of The Legend of Zelda to bring you some fascinating (or just plain weird) trivia. In our studies, we’ll explore each game’s development, curiosities within the rich lore of the franchise, and the impact it has had on our culture. From time to time, we’ll also look at Nintendo’s past to unearth some facts about our favorite company.
If you’ve ever seen the Broadway sensation The Sound of Music on stage or on the big screen, or even if you’ve just stumbled across a few of the more iconic numbers from the soundtrack, then chances are good that you have at least a passing familiarity with the song “Do-Re-Mi.” This joyous, lively piece was brilliantly conceived as a fun way to learn about solfège, a Western musical education technique designed to help people develop a sense of pitch and practice sight-reading sheet music. Specific syllables are assigned to each of the seven notes in a major or minor scale, always in the same order: do, re, mi, fa, so(l), la, and ti. Since these syllables are most commonly applied to the C major scale (C-D-E-F-G-A-B), that would mean that C is do, D is re, E is mi, and so on.
So what does any of this have to do with Breath of the Wild? Well, as it turns out, the lovely Zora Champion Mipha and her eternally-optimistic brother Sidon were both christened with names derived from solfège syllables. They aren’t the first characters in the Zelda series to receive this treatment, since Mido and Fado from Ocarina of Time also pay subtle tribute to this solmization system. But Mipha and Sidon actually take it one step further, with their names directly tying to their respective theme songs. The syllables mi and fa correspond to the notes E and F on the C major scale, and as is demonstrated in the sheet music below, “Mipha’s Theme” begins by alternating between those two notes.
Meanwhile, ti and do correspond to B and C, the first two notes of “Sidon’s Theme.” This may seem like a contradiction, since the beloved prince’s name obviously isn’t “Tidon”, but since the Japanese solfège system tends to replace ti with si, we do ultimately end up with si-do.
But that’s not all! It would be one thing if Mipha and Sidon were the only ones who possessed names with musical connotations, but after digging a little deeper, I discovered that quite a few of their aquatic fellows share this trait. Others include: King Dorephan, where the syllables do-re-fa correspond to the notes C-D-F; Bazz and Cleff, whose combined names reference the bass clef, a symbol used in sheet music to denote low notes; Kodah, where the final passage that concludes a piece of music is known as a coda;and Kayden, or cadence, a sequence of notes or chords that “resolves” a musical phrase (much like the ending punctuation in a sentence).
So, now I feel compelled to ask: why make such a point of injecting musical terminology into the names of Zora tribe members? Mido and Fado’s names at least make sense considering the Kokiri’s strong connection to music, but as far as I can tell, music doesn’t really play a role in everyday life at Zora’s Domain. In fact, the only individual I know of that sings and dances is Laruta, the little girl who initiates the “Ceremonial Song” Shrine Quest. If music isn’t an intrinsic part of the Zoras’ identity, then what was the purpose?
After agonizing over this question for hours (no, I’m not exaggerating), I’ve come to a rather unexpected conclusion: I don’t think the Breath of the Wild development team had a reason beyond simply wanting to have some fun with the naming scheme. The Zoras have been subject to playful musical references in the past, with the tadpole musical notes and Zora Hall Easter Eggs in Majora’s Mask, so it could be that the creators of this game just threw in a neat little throwback for long-time fans of the series. In my relentless pursuit of hidden secrets and lore that will enrich the Zelda narrative, I often fail to appreciate the Easter Eggs that are scattered across the Hyrulian landscape just to make the audience smile, laugh, reminisce about the past, or learn something brand new. Music may have very little to do with the Zoras themselves, but I’ll bet a lot of music-loving Zelda fans out there took great delight in all these hidden references, and that’s all that counts at the end of the day.
Besides, Juliet was right about one thing: ultimately, a name is not what determines the essence of a person’s soul. That which we call a Zora by any other name would be as graceful, dignified, and compassionate as ever before, and nothing can ever take that away from them.
The post Zelda’s Study: The gills are alive with the sound of music first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Microsoft buys out Activision. Sony acquires Bungie. And now, Nintendo announced on February 23 that it’s acquiring SRD Co. Ltd. Big company mergers have buzzed major headlines since the start of 2022, and they’re shaking up the video game industry for good reason. But as the bigger fish swallow up the smaller fish, theoretically speaking, one question looms over everyone’s minds. How will this recent acquisition affect Nintendo in the buyout tidal wave?
Over the years the Big N has developed a reputation for staunch independence. They’ve been in business for over 100 years, after all. Microsoft got laughed out of the meeting room when they tried to buy Nintendo out in January 2000 for the development of their first Xbox console. As they say, the rest is history.
But then, Nintendo announced it is acquiring the game studio SRD Co. Ltd. What’s this? Is Nintendo finally caving into the buyout race to keep up with the Joneses? Nope. Not a chance.
As it turns out, SRD Co. Ltd. has been a longtime programming partner with Nintendo since 1983. Hailing from Tokyo, SRD doesn’t develop its own games but rather assists game companies with the programming of other titles. They’ve helped Nintendo with behind-the-scenes development for Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, and other first-party brands for almost 40 years. In other words, Nintendo buying out SRD boasts little change for either side. It’s more like adopting a close friend of the family as a legal family member when they’ve been living in the same house with you anyway.
SRD has assisted Nintendo with programming nearly every Zelda title, including Ocarina of Time. If anything, Nintendo’s acquisition of SRD will increase the operational efficiency of game development. The change is so small, no figure was disclosed for the buyout, as it would “only have a minor effect on Nintendo’s results.” Nervous fans can put to rest any worries about Nintendo swallowing or being swallowed up by the big fish. President Shuntaro Furukawa previously stated that such an undertaking would have to preserve ‘Nintendo DNA’ before it is even considered. In this case, SRD would certainly qualify.
After operating its business since 1889, it appears that the preservation of said DNA is working out well for Nintendo. There are certainly no signs of stopping that strategy in the near future.
The post Nintendo purchases longtime partner SRD to bring development assistance in house first appeared on Zelda Universe.
First of all, there’s nothing wrong with crying. On the contrary, crying is beautiful. It’s one of the most sincere and spontaneous demonstrations of human emotion.
But I don’t cry much. I don’t know why. I just don’t.
I’ll give you an example: I’m thirty-three years old, and, until this day, only one movie has made me cry: “Central do Brasil” (“Central Station”, Brazil’s contender to the 1999’s Academy Awards).
Again: there’s nothing wrong with crying. I wish I had cried more in my life. It would certainly have helped to get through some hard times and would have made the good times even better. That’s why I think The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has played such an important role in my life. After all, this game has made me cry for the first time while playing a video game.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
After completing Divine Beast Vah Ruta, I decided to take the trip to the Tabantha Frontier and visit Rito Village. I started from the tower. Following the trail, I crossed Kolami Bridge, admiring the beauty of Tanagar Canyon to my right. After arriving at the Rito Stable, I witnessed that colossal structure and saw Divine Beast Vah Medo flying around it. I was there at last.
But I was not prepared for what came next, not even a bit.
As soon as I stepped on the first small bridge crossing Lake Totori, a beautiful melody started playing.
And that was the moment I froze.
“Wait a minute… Is that the song from Wind Waker’s Dragon Roost Island?”.
My heart started pounding.
Suddenly, I was transported to 2003. I saw my fourteen-year-old self playing The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on my purple GameCube after arriving from school, siting on my old bed in my parent’s house. You know, the good old days — back when life was just fun and games, with no bills to pay or things to be concerned about. I saw myself navigating the Great Sea and arriving at Dragon Roost Island for the first time. That song, that beautiful song.
And then I started crying. A lot! I remember even having to put the joystick away to wipe the tears.
Some days later, a friend of mine who is a psychologist explained to me what happened: it’s a thing that most people will experience at some point in their lives, called emotional catharsis.
Hearing Breath of the Wild’s “Rito Village Theme” made me “travel” back to my adolescence and experience a burst of repressed emotions. They came out in the form of tears. Mostly tears of joy, representing memories of some of the happiest times in my life. But also some tears of sadness, from remembering how much simpler were the days before growing up and having to face “adult life”.
Many things can lead to a situation of catharsis. Experts say that creating or viewing art, writing, exercising, or simply talking to a loved one can trigger powerful emotional bursts. In my case, it was music. The first notes from Rito Village’s theme made me travel almost fifteen years in time and reconnect with my younger self, and that became something I’ll always remember fondly.
It’s been almost five years since I’ve finished Breath of the Wild. I never made a second complete playthrough. Like many Zelda fans, I’m eagerly waiting for the sequel, but from time to time I power up my Switch and wander through Hyrule to visit some special places — Rito Village is one of them, obviously.
The emotions felt were not the same from the first time I played the game, but I guess that’s how life works, right? I’ll never be that boy playing the purple GameCubeagain. And I’m not that guy who cried a lot while playing Breath of the Wild in 2017 either. I’m not even the same person I was yesterday.
Life goes on, and we live new adventures every day. Like Link, we must face our daily challenges with courage and determination, becoming better persons and creating memories worth remembering.
I hope that, in fifteen years from now, when I’m much older and maybe wiser, I can power up my Switch and take a quick trip to Rito Village. Maybe I’ll cry a little, but that’s alright. There’s nothing wrong with crying.
The post Realm of Memories: How (and why) BOTW’s Rito Village made me cry first appeared on Zelda Universe.
After four months of celebrating Skyward Sword‘s 10th anniversary, the Zelda Universe staff says goodbye to Skyward Sword HD with the illustrious English Dub finale. The new dub video was published on Youtube on February 25, complete with full-scale voice acting, singing, and orchestrations performed by talented fans. Come see the ZU cast’s latest performance as they go all out with the ending of Skyward Sword HD! The Skyward Sword 10th Anniversary English Dub project is directed by ZU staff member Alex Trevino. Fans can look forward to the Wind Waker HD English Dub later this year.
The post Zelda Universe Skyward Sword 10th Anniversary tribute English Dub finale is released first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hidden well within Faron, the Malanya Springs ripples softly, humming with undying power. Deep inside, a god waits, watching over the creatures of its name. Whether galloping fiercely or resting at an inn, Malanya watched every horse. He knows when they’re loved. He knows when they’re killed. And he will harm any who dare to lay a finger on the four-legged creatures. Fear not, Malanya would never truly strike harm. Instead, he will give you a second chance to be reunited with your friend. But beware, strike your horse again and you will incur his wrath.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
I jest, of course. Malanya’s heart for horses is great and his anger is justified when he sees them in harm’s way. Luckily for you, the God of Horses is quite happy to revive any horses lost in battle, no matter who struck the killing blow. It will, however, cost you a small price. Fortunately, you no longer have to pay 1,000 rupees to witness the appearance of Malanya, the God of Horses. Australian cosplayer, Sparkdoscosplay, has gathered odds and ends to bring Malanya to our world, capturing the spirit of the horse and giving old things a new purpose in the process.
Photo by Steamkittens Created for the Reverse Garbage Queensland Upcycle Cosplay Competition, Sparkdoscosplay salvaged old pieces of upholstery, scrap fabrics, cork, and leather to create the magnificent outfit seen in Malanya’s design. Each component is well crafted, showing off Sparkdoscosplay’s wide range of sewing and crafting skills. The skirt, in particular, fits the theme of upcycling well with patches of fabrics sewn together to make a patchwork pattern. Sparkdoscosplay claims that the skirt was no easy feat, confident that, in the process of making the skirt, she broke two sewing machine needles.
Photo by Shutter Light Photography No Malanya cosplay would be complete without a mask. Safe from her sewing machine, Sparkdoscosplay’s mask was made via papier-mâché, painted with the details found in the character’s design. Simple pieces of elastic attached the mask to the wig, ensuring it wouldn’t fall off nor interfere with the integrity of the design. The wig itself was a wig from an old cosplay, repurposed with old wefts and other accessories to give the desired look of a horse’s mane. Altogether, Sparkdoscosplay manages to embody the God of the Horses, ready to protect horses all across Hyrule.
Photo by photosWithaG Some of the magic today would not have been possible if it weren’t for the work of Sparkdoscosplay’s fantastic photographers, from their portraits that show off every piece of work that went into this cosplay to the magical shoot shimmering in pink water. Born from a spring, it makes sense to bring Malanya to the element of water and embrace the ethereal side of the god. While we don’t get to see Sparkdoscosplay towering over Link, she needs no aid showing off the power within.
Photo by Shutter Light Photography Not only did Sparkdoscosplay create a fabulous cosplay, but she also repurposed old pieces of fabric and leather to re-create the underrated design of Malanya. Her various sewing and craft skills came together to embrace the nature of horses and will have us all thinking twice before taking our horses into danger. Next time your horse ends up in peril, watch where you strike. If there’s one thing for sure, Malanya will defend all horses and look stylish while doing so.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Malanya Cosplay first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In every story we listen to, there are characters that stick with us. Whether it’s the hero who inspires hope, the villain who ignites our dark side, or the character on the sidelines helping them along. Breath of the Wild in particular has brought many characters to life that the community has fallen in love with, and even five years on are still capturing our hearts. On my journey through Breath of the Wild, the character that stuck with me to this day is Riju, Chief of the Gerudo. She is more than a favorite character. To me, she is an inspiration who gives me the strength to fight the battles of life.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Riju is the youngest ruler in Hyrule. She became Chief of the Gerudo at the age of twelve, following the passing of her mother. To lose her mother at a young age was sure to have an impact, but while most children would be given the chance to grieve, Riju had to adjust to sitting on the throne that was rightfully hers and learning to rule over her people. She stood strong, learning fast and listening to the wisdom of those around her. While she still worries that she’ll never be as good as her mother, her people have faith in the young girl descended from a great Gerudo Champion.
Gerudo mature faster than Hylians. Riju may only be a child, but she speaks with eloquence and wisdom. Her strength is admirable even when admitting that she is not ready to be a ruler. She knows she still has much to learn and she strives every day to be a better ruler for her people. In my times of need, I draw from Riju’s strength. After all she has been through, if she can still hold her head up high, so can I.
That’s not to say that Riju is not without doubt. While she has the strength to lead, she lacks confidence in herself. When the Thunder Helm is stolen under her rule, she blames herself, believing it to be a message from her ancestors telling her she is not ready. The Gerudo Captain attempts to shoulder the blame, but Riju refuses to let her guards take hold of the burden. She admits to her faults and works to improve them. Without realizing it, she’s giving herself the foundation to become a great leader one day.
When Link visits her for the first time, it’s hard to see the youth in her behavior, but her childhood innocence is not lost. In Riju’s room, her childish side shows. Multiple sand seal plushies lie around her room and, depending on the time of day, Riju can be found talking to them and having a playful imagination. She’ll be embarrassed about being caught and deny such actions, trying to have that mature front around others, but deep down she is still a child and in her own private time, she deserves to let herself loose and relax a little. Too many of us hide our passions and interests, putting on a mask when we leave our rooms. If Riju can rule her people and still have a room full of plush seals, so can we.
The young chief’s love for seals goes beyond her plush toys. Many of the Gerudo have their own sand seal either for racing through the sands or exploring the desert. Riju is no exception. She was gifted with Patricia, a beautiful sand seal, by her mother and she puts a lot of care and time into looking after her. As a part of her morning routine, Riju walks Patricia in the lower levels of the palace, but dealing with the troubles of Vah Naboris and ruling over her people has made her free time short. However, Patricia is never left forgotten. When Riju goes with Link to calm Vah Naboris, Patricia is by her side, ready to take her through the desert. A ribbon sits tied into her fur, gifted to her by Riju, and acts as a sign of their friendship.
Urbosa, the Gerudo Champion, would look down on her descendant with pride. Despite her doubt, her age, and grief buried in her heart, Riju is full of courage. She doesn’t step down from a challenge. Instead, she learns what she can to be better, and she doesn’t let her new journey get in the way of who she is. She embraces her culture, her love, and her people, and works towards following in the footsteps of her mother. Her strength is an inspiration to us all. Remember that even when the world feels like it’s falling apart around you, it only takes one spark of courage to keep fighting. With one small step at a time, we can survive whatever life throws at us.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Riju first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hey, Zelda fans! Amanda is back once again with another episode of our Zelda News series on YouTube. In this week’s instalment, Amanda discusses one of our recent videos where Zelda Universe staff members, Kelly and Mary, make a Kooloolimpah Cake from The Legends Cookbook.
Amanda also talks about other exciting Zelda-related topics, such as The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask being released on Nintendo 64 Switch Online. The update went live on Friday, bringing the application to version 2.0, with improvements to other N64 games available on the service.
Other highlights include Aaron Grubb’s Last Day orchestral cover and Ben Emberley’s Bolero of Fire orchestral cover, and you can listen to both of them on YouTube. To wrap things up, Amanda then mentions The Runaway Guys Colosseum 2022, a charity event featuring a bunch of content creators benefitting Direct Relief.
Today is the last day of the event, and at the time of writing, they have raised $267,542 USD. Shirts commemorating the event are currently available on ProtonJon’s website, with all proceeds going directly to the charity.
The post Zelda News: Cake making shenanigans and more first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hyrule Warriors isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. As a spin-off game far from the regular format of The Legend of Zelda series, it’s understandable that it isn’t widely adored. Even for those who do enjoy bashing thousands of enemies per battle, the number of levels, collectibles, and other content can be endless. With over 300 hours of play time, I’m still nowhere near complete.
Nevertheless, it’s a game that I love. The story and characters brought to the screen are full of personality and capture nostalgia from various games in the series. However, it wasn’t one of the new incarnations of the main three that I was drawn to the most. Nor was it one of the many characters from other installments in the series. The character that inspired me the most was an original character, the White Sorceress Lana.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Link and his party first encounter Lana leading a group of soldiers in Faron Woods. She’s introduced as a healing sorceress from the same clan as the villain, Cia. As the story goes on, it is revealed that Lana and Cia are the same person as Lana was the light driven out of Cia when Ganondorf corrupted her soul.
Everything about Lana, from her personality to her appearance, captures the light of Hyrule. Unlike her counterpart, Lana is kind, bubbly, and selfless. She sacrifices her feelings and desires in order to protect Hyrule and all she loves. That’s not to say she doesn’t have a little bit of charm and sass every now and then.
From the moment Lana lay eyes on Link in person, a little crush started to develop. In many of the cutscenes, she can be seen admiring Link and his courageous heart. When confronted by Cia, Lana only tells Link to run. Even after seeing Link’s eyes always look to Zelda, Lana never lets her emotions get to her as she fights for what is right.
In her final moments, Cia questions Lana’s ability to live knowing she’ll never have him, to which Lana replies, “You don’t always get the person you think you deserve…and I can live with that.” Above all else, Lana cares for her friends and she can live on as long as they are safe and happy. Her optimistic outlook on life is an inspiring one. Lana shows that even if you don’t get everything you want or desire out of life, you can still be happy. The friendships you make are worth more than buried desire.
Cosmetically, Lana’s design is a perfect complement to her personality. White, gold, and various hues of blue come together to dress her in a layered skirt and crop top. Along with detached sleeves, white tights, fantastic boots, a myriad of jewels, and other flaring components, Lana is the vision of a dancer. While fighting across the battlefield or dancing to The Legend of Zelda theme song, her outfit twirls and moves with her. No matter the weapon in her hand, she looks like she is having fun and enjoying herself as she tries hard to never be without a smile.
With hardcore combat and defeating large groups of enemies being the focus of Hyrule Warriors, no playable character would be complete without their weapons. Lana can equip three different weapons throughout the game: the Book of Sorcery, the Spear, and the Summoning Gate.
The Book of Sorcery is Lana’s first weapon. With a lightning element, Lana creates various spells of magical orbs and electrifying walls to throw at her enemies. Pages of the tome scatter around as her movements boost her magic, while she strikes the occasional playful pose. The Book of Sorcery lays the base for who Lana is, the White Sorceress. The same book is found in all of her story cutscenes as her magic aids the heroes throughout their journey.
Lana’s second weapon, the Spear, is unlocked during The Sorceress of the Valley chapter. While the weapon’s element is water, the aesthetic matches the forest where the player first encounters Lana. Deku Nuts and Deku Leaves make Lana’s attacks inspired by nature. Deku Tree Sprouts will pop out of the ground to aid her, and even the Great Deku Tree himself makes an appearance during her Special Attack sequence. I always like to think of this weapon as the forest saying thank you to Lana for protecting it during her first chapter.
Lana is definitely not without a little bit of fun. Her bubbly personality and love for dancing shines through with her last available weapon, the Summoning Gate. Unlocked in Adventure Mode, the Summoning Gate lives up to its name and summons various bosses found in story mode, from the classic Dodongo to the fire-breathing Argorok. The best creature in her arsenal is found in her special move when she summons a Giant Cucco to trample her enemies. As absurd as it may seem, the Summoning Gate is a fun weapon. With the dancing energy Lana holds, the weapon is perfect for the little sorceress.
For some, Hyrule Warriors can become quite ridiculous with all of the various weapons and mechanics available to the player. Yet, they come together to bring out the various aspects of each character’s personality. For Lana, she is a sorceress and protector, making friends with those who are kind and brave. Lana’s love for the world around her and her friends makes her one of the strongest characters in the game. Lana is willing to sacrifice her all for the sake of Hyrule and everything she holds dear.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Lana first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Calling all nerdy foodies! Do you like to bake? Are you over the moon with Majora’s Mask? Then keep reading for more delicious info. (And if you don’t like to cook, check it out anyway.) Zelda Universe has teamed up with the folks behind the Kickstarter campaign for the latest Legends Cookbook: The Imp’s Masquerade. While the fundraiser has met its base goal with flying colors to get it to the printing press, there is still time to raise funds to unlock even more options for the popular cookbook, which include added recipes, a shiny foil cover, and more. Now, a new adventure has emerged in the campaign: an exclusive Masquerade Cookoff Competition.
Zelda Universe Staff’s Mary and Kelly attempt to make the Kooloolimpah Cake from the Legends Cookbook: The Imp’s Masquerade. Will it turn into a Tingle-terrible disaster? Watch and find out. Here’s how it works: participants have a chance to win $50 USD of Nintendo eShop credit, a free Royal Chef apron, a free digital copy of the Legends Cookbook: The Imp’s Masquerade, and the opportunity to have their masterpiece featured in the final production of the cookbook when they enter the Masquerade Cookoff. There are three ways to enter the contest itself:
- The Masquerade Cookoff – Entrants create a delicious recipe inspired by Majora’s Mask and share it with the hashtag #MasqueradeCookoff. Winning recipes get published.
- Arts & Crafts Festival – Entrants create a piece of Majora’s Mask fanart and share it with the hashtag #MasqueradeCookoff. Winning artwork gets published.
- Last Minute Raffle Giveaway – Entrants still have the opportunity to submit extra entries for a chance to win the $50 eShop credit and apron by completing specific tasks on the cookbook’s Gleam.io giveaway.
Watch the (very entertaining) video above with Zelda Universe’s Mary and Kelly for more details and rules about the contest. Thanks to the generosity of our Legends Cookbook friends, fans can now use the Zelda Universe exclusive code COOKINGCLASS to get three extra entries in the Cookoff. Do keep in mind that the time window for entering the Masquerade Cookoff closes in a few short days from now on February the 28th. Fans can still contribute to the project’s Kickstarter fundraiser until it closes on March 13th. Bon appetit!
Can the talented artists of food and art satisfy the moon’s hunger before it consumes everything? We’ll find out in 72 hours. Speaking of Majora’s Mask, fans can be ready to save Termina when the original version of Majora’s Mask comes to Nintendo Switch Online with our Zelda Universe Game Guide.
The post Zelda Universe whips up a fateful deal for the Legends Cookbook Cookoff Competition first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The final day is upon us, as Majora’s Mask has released into the Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo 64 app. This comes with an update to the app itself boasting new enhancements to the emulation process.
According to Twitter user OatmealDome, the updated 2.0 app has several improvements to the emulation of Nintendo 64 games. These include the return of the fog effect and a vastly improved Mirror Room in the Water Temple of Ocarina of Time.
[Nintendo Switch Online – N64]
Version 2.0.0 is now available. There appear to be a bunch of game configuration updates which I will cover in another tweet.
Notably, however: the infamous Water Temple room is completely fixed, as the fog has been restored. pic.twitter.com/LdYX7t4lHS
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) February 25, 2022
Majora’s Mask is one of the most interesting releases in our beloved series. It doesn’t involve Hyrule, Ganon, The Master Sword, or Triforce. Instead, it’s a much more intimate story set in a world besieged by sorrow caused by the titular evil mask. Death itself awaits everyone in three days, but fortunately Link has the ability to throw himself back in time to try and fix everything again. It’s a gloomy, mysterious new world to explore, and we really haven’t had anything like it since.
It tends to be one of the more divisive Zelda games. Some people found it to be a let down after the monumental Ocarina of Time. It has fewer dungeons, a smaller world, and many people just don’t like the three day time-travel mechanics. Conversely, many are drawn in by the glum atmosphere and more twisted stories. It seems to be the benchmark for “will the next Zelda be DARK?!” every time we get a new game announcement.
If you’re about to dive into Majora’s Mask, remember that it can be quite perilous. Take one of these guides we’ve lovingly crafted for you!
The post Majora’s Mask releases alongside Nintendo Switch Online N64 app 2.0 version first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Drawing the Master Sword is one of, if not the most crucial point of any Zelda game. It truly marks how far you’ve come, how your efforts have made you stronger, and how you’ve become worthy to wield the Blade of Evil’s Bane.
Every moment of this in every game, even in some of the games in the franchise that I’m not the biggest fan of, always feels so powerful and leaves such an impact on me. One of them that has always stuck in my mind is when you pull the Master Sword in Twilight Princess.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
Many who know me know that Ocarina of Time is my personal favorite game in the series. Drawing the Master Sword in that game is also extremely impactful for me — especially in my case, given one of my previous stories of it taking three years to get to that point. Honestly, I had trouble picking between the two at first.
However, the circumstances that lead you to drawing the blade in Twilight Princess personally made the feeling and power of the scene much more impactful for me. It was such a roller coaster — getting basically brushed aside by Zant and cursed into a Wolf, Midna nearly dying, Zelda sacrificing herself, that ACCURSED statue puzzle…
In terms of gameplay, this was the most I’d ever had to do to even gain access to the sword, let alone pull it from its pedestal. But when I finally made it and all I could hear were the sounds of nature around me, it truly felt like I’d stumbled upon something so much bigger than me. As I approached and the sword began to shimmer along with Link growling at the blade, I felt adrenaline run through me — like I’d finally made it to the homestretch of the first half.
As Link pulled out the blade and held it aloft, alongside the most incredible Master Sword theme in the franchise (in my opinion, anyway), my excitement was immense. After being thrown around between dimensions, fighting obscenely strong creatures and facing off with Zant, I finally felt like I was in control and that I really did have a chance at saving Hyrule.
Hearing Midna saying that the blade had accepted me as its master was the cherry on top: at this point, I knew Midna did not give compliments lightly. I felt truly ready — ready for whatever else was ahead for me.
The post Realm of Memories: My most memorable Master Sword moment first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is getting all the attention as of late. Independent musician Aaron Grubb has just released a cover of “Last Day” (aka the Final Hours), as well as a soon-to-come album titled Legend of Zelda Collection Vol 2. Grubb’s cover of the infamous Majora’s Mask title is truly a work of art and one that any Zelda fan or music lover would enjoy.
In light of Majora’s Mask making its debut to Nintendo Switch Online on Feb 25th, if you’re someone who is planning on visiting (or revisiting!) Termina be sure to check out our guide for the upcoming game!
The post Enjoy this Majora’s Mask “Last Day” cover song by Aaron Grub first appeared on Zelda Universe.
We are delighted to bring you our most recent episode of Hades’ Misguidance where an unexpected guest gatecrashes the group’s party! In this episode, there’s new gossip on the characters Inkling, Daisy and Ridley from the flamboyant Hades himself.
We are excited for the future of our Season 3 renewal!
The post Hades’ Misguidance: Season 3, Episode 2 – Inkling, Daisy & Ridley first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo landed another Direct on February 9 2022. Although we didn’t receive Zelda headlines outside of Taiko no Tatsujin‘s addition of The Legend of Zelda theme, there were still announcements that our staff got pumped for!
We had some very heartfelt reactions for titles like Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Nintendo Switch Sports and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Check out the video below to see how they felt about this Direct!
The post Zelda Universe staff reacts to Nintendo Direct (February 9 2022) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hey, Zelda fans! We have uploaded another song from our Skyward Sword: 10th Anniversary Tribute soundtrack to YouTube. This time around, “Song of the Hero” has been released, an iconic track that Link learns towards the end of his journey in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. This version of the song was covered by Ben Emberly and Eric Walt, and you can listen to it below.
If you have yet to watch the Skyward Sword: 10th Anniversary tribute, here is a link to the full playlist. So far, we have released four episodes, with the most recent episode focusing on the Sandship and the lead-up to the climax of the game’s story. The finale will be uploaded soon, so you can look forward to witnessing the conclusion to Link’s journey through Skyloft and the surface world.
The post Listen to “Song of the Hero” from our Skyward Sword: 10th Anniversary Tribute soundtrack first appeared on Zelda Universe.
My computer did not want me to release this episode to you, but I gave it what for!
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
It's 2022, and we're ringing in the year with a fantastic episode of the ZUCast! Fan-favorite duo Alex and Amanda have returned to host, Shona wraps up her year-long franchise retrospective, and we've even got someone new behind the mic! (Well, I say, "new," but he's actually been around behind the scenes for the podcast's entire current run. And we've heard from him before.) And that's not all, so take a look below to get the full rundown:
- Zelda History, Part 7 (Finale): 2016-2020Presented by Shona0:02:21-0:10:39
- The Best Zelda(like) Games of 2021!Presented by Randy0:14:23-0:23:56
- Piece of Heart: Ocarina of Time RandomizerPresented by Connor0:32:26-0:40:01
- The Waterfall of Wishing: Trading SequencesPresented by Joshua0:42:29-0:50:03
- ZUBC Credits ClubPresented by Eden0:54:28-0:58:10
- Amanda and Alex discuss the Cats movie again (Bloopers)0:58:11-1:00:22
You can find Zelda Universe on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). We also have a website, zeldauniverse.net, where you'll find game guides, news, feature articles, and more. You can leave feedback about the ZUCast on ZU's social media, or by email at podcast@zeldauniverse.net or on the Zelda Universe Forums, which you should join because I said so.
The BotW sequel is prooooooooobably going to hit the Switch later this year, and Nintendo's probably got some other surprises in store for us. So whether you're a first-time listener or you've been listening to our podcast since 2008, we hope you'll stick with us for the ride that will be 2022!
In my previous Bombers’ Notebook entry, I wrote about one of my favorite Zelda characters, Vio Link, from the Four Swords manga. Because I hold the manga and the characters very dear to my heart, I proceed onward in exploring each of the Links, continuing with the short-tempered hero in blue.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Contrary to official Four Swords artwork, Blue and Red Link have their personalities swapped in the manga. Vio describes Blue as the hotheaded and aggressive part of the original Link when deciding their respective nicknames. Even Green questions why Blue isn’t more laid-back and mellow compared to Red, which is a color more associated with anger or passion.
Believing that he is the original Link out of the four, Blue initially refuses to be called anything except Link. Green immediately shuts him down by arguing that the main Link wears Green, therefore he must be the original. Despite the blatant truth, Blue still denies this fact and attacks Green. It doesn’t take much to anger Blue or set him off, which makes him an easy target for Vio’s sarcastic remarks – usually eliciting an amusing response each time. It’s actually quite entertaining to watch the banter unfold between Blue and the other three.
In chapter two, “Erune and Rosie,” it appears that Blue’s aggressive nature stems from his lack of patience, resulting in quite a few issues later on in the manga. He is also shown to be quite competitive with Green, whether it’s sword dueling or fighting for Erune’s affection in the Village of the Blue Maiden. When the Links enter the Dark World to save Erune and the other missing children from the village, they each find a weapon to help fight against the Stone Arrghus. Blue chooses the Hammer, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, because it suits his belligerent nature.
In chapter four, “Links Torn Apart,” Blue’s impatience would land the four into trouble. Unsurprisingly, he loses his temper with Green on a boat when the four discover they are paddling the wrong way to Death Mountain. He immediately blames Green for the mess they are in, even hitting poor Red in the process. An argument occurs, and the four lose control of the boat, becoming separated from one another. Oh, Blue, what are we going to do with you?
Blue regains consciousness and finds himself on a snowy mountain. He is ecstatic to find the others nowhere nearby and thinks that they fused back into one body – leading him to believe that he was the main Link all along. His arrogance soon lands him into more trouble, as he is tricked into entering an icy cave where he becomes frozen solid by an Ice Wizzrobe. Blue’s hasty, preemptive attitude ultimately led to his downfall and left him trapped alone in a cave. He needed help from the others, but his stubbornness would never admit to that.
Lucky for him, Red comes to Blue’s aid with the help of a Fairy sent by the Yellow and Blue Maidens. Red uses his Fire Rod to melt Blue from his frozen state. Red cries tears of joy and hugs Blue, thankful to see him again – despite enduring Blue’s abuse all the time. The sweet moment is cut short when Blue notices that Red is missing his sword and shield and beats him with his Hammer. The Fairy gently scolds Blue, and asks him not to be so hard on Red, since Red was the one to save him after all. Blue reluctantly accepts that he was helped and graciously saved by a fellow Link. It is around here that I think Blue slowly starts to become more self-aware of his actions and behavior.
The Fairy, sensing the presence of another Link nearby, transports Red and Blue to the Temple of Darkness. Unfortunately, they walk right into a trap set by Shadow (disguised as Vio) who tricks Red and Blue into thinking that Green and Vio are dead. Shadow sends out Moldorms to attack Blue and Red while they try to process the fact that Green and Vio might be dead. Red, who is now a sobbing mess, falls into a state of despair, believing that Green and Vio are truly gone – even though it is clearly a trap. Meanwhile, Blue is the opposite and doesn’t seem to be upset with the possible loss of Green and Vio.
While Red is immobilized, Blue takes it upon himself to destroy the Moldorms. Afterward, Red questions if Blue is worried about the others. Blue states that he doesn’t care, but we can infer by his demeanor that Blue is lying. While venturing through the temple, a ghostly monster appears and tries to absorb Blue’s soul, noticing his fear. Blue fights back against the ghoul and admits that even if he fell for the monster’s tricks, Green and Vio would never fall for them. For once, he doesn’t bad-mouth his teammates and gives them credit where it’s due. Blue and Red successfully defeat the monster with ease, and the two make their way up Death Mountain to find Green and Vio.
In chapter seven, “Climb Death Mountain,” Blue’s personality begins to soften, and his gallant nature shines through. After Blue and Red rescue Green from a Hinox, Blue playfully remarks, “You know you’re not the only hero, right?” Blue starts to show respect and admiration for his fellow teammates. When Green collapses to the ground after his battle with Vio, Blue rushes over to him immediately. Believing that Green is dead at first, he sheds tears over his fallen comrade. Deep down, he really does care about the others, but is terrible at conveying his emotions properly.
After the four Links save Vio from the clutches of Shadow, they are finally reunited. And for once, they are happy and relieved to see each other again – no fighting or bickering. During his time away from the others, not only did he learn the importance of teamwork, he learned a valuable lesson in patience. It’s not worth getting angry over the small things. It’s also good to see that Blue’s heart wasn’t turned to ice back while he was frozen. In reality, there is a big heart under that rough exterior of his. It’s okay to let your guard down sometimes, Blue.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Blue Link (Four Swords manga) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When first playing Ocarina of Time, every appearance of Sheik leaves both Link and the player with a common question: who was that masked man? While that question is answered by the end of the game, early attempts to puzzle out its solution elude us as Sheik is always quick to disappear with the snap of Deku Nut or simple silence. Renuski’s piece of art, “Remake: Zelda Transforms”, breaks this secretive streak by providing us an interpretation of what it might look like if Sheik were to transform before our very eyes.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
“Remake: Zelda Transforms” by Renuski The use of the golden light in the top left corner of the piece allows Renuski to direct the audience’s eyes to the first thing they want us to view: Zelda’s face. There are many interesting details to notice here. Zelda’s eyes are not the traditional blue color that they are in the official art from the game, they still retain Sheik’s haunting bloody hue. Along with the color, it’s also important to examine the princess-turned-ninja’s expression. There is a calm determination to her eyes and downturned brows. It’s the mouth that’s most interesting to me though. The way that it’s open almost makes me imagine that she’s exhaling. It offers us a glimpse of that moment after she warps away from Link. She’s been holding her breath, holding in the secret of her identity, but now she can let it and the costume that is Sheik dissolve away.
Renuski creates a tremendous amount of movement in this piece through two particular aspects of Zelda’s dual identity: her golden hair and Sheik’s bandages. Sheik’s short-cropped hair retains a very bright hue and is sharp and in focus while Zelda’s longer hair is out of focus and wispy. It floats in the air as both a blazing gold on the left and a ghostly white on the right. In a similar way, Sheik’s bandages which are normally wrapped tight to conceal the secret of her identity are shown unwrapping. This sense of flight by both her hair and the bandages implies a freedom that Zelda can only feel in moments like this when the secret she must keep a tight lid on can be set aside and she can just be Zelda.
While the majority of the piece is dominated by Sheik’s garb, it’s equally interesting to notice that the skirt of Zelda’s royal dress appears as a torn and feathered garment. The look of it reminds me of a molting bird, especially on the right where the white shards of the dress are shown floating through the air knitting back together out of the ether.
Renuski’s art pauses the frame on an iconic Zelda mystery: what does it look like when Zelda transforms into Sheik and vice versa? In doing so, they lay bare the burden of the secret. Just as Sheik’s bandages are wrapped tight, so is the secret of Zelda’s identity lest Ganondorf hunt down the missing princess. The transformation Renuski shows is both the rebinding of the secret and the freedom of loosening the bandages, and Zelda resuming her true identity.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: The secret revealed first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hello there Zelda fans! Amanda VanHiel is back once again with another week of Zelda News.
This week on Zelda News, Amanda discusses the most recent Nintendo Direct from February 9. To start things off, she talks about how the Breath of the Wild sequel is likely still slated for this year but was not present in the Direct because it will release in the latter half of the year. Next, she covers the Zelda theme appearing in Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival and the announcement of Fire Emblem Three Hopes. Finally, Amanda discusses how the hosts of Nintendo Minute, Kit and Krysta, are starting their own podcast and Twitter page to continue to interact with fans. Be sure to check out the full video below!
The post Zelda News: Nintendo Direct announcements! first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo announced via Twitter that Majora’s Mask is making its way to the Nintendo Switch Online for Expansion Pack members on February 25.
The Expansion Pack is an enhanced version of the Nintendo Switch Online membership priced at $49.99 for a year, which includes access to Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games on top of the NES and SNES catalogs that come with the standard $19.99 yearly service.
Majora’s Mask originally launched on the Nintendo 64 in 2000, and later in 3D on the Nintendo 3DS in 2015.
The post Majora’s Mask for Nintendo Switch Online release date announced first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The second game you play in a series is an important one. Arguably the most important one, really. It is the difference between “I love that game” and “I love that series!” You open the packaging excitedly, hopes high because of how much you loved the first one you played, but with caution in case it does not live up to those standards. Later games you might just hope are good, but if they aren’t it isn’t a big deal, because at least you have a few from that series to play and enjoy forever. But that second game, those are some real stakes. You probably aren’t buying #3 if #2 was a dud.
So you load up the new game, as I did with Majora’s Mask when I was a kid who’d never played a Zelda title before Ocarina of Time. You watch the opening credits positively buzzing with anticipation, marvel at the similar-yet-slightly-different file selection/name selection screens, and finally begin to play. This is when it really starts – when you can really see just how much time you’re going to want to put into this series. This is the moment, basically.
And in my case, for this particular game, after a tantalizing cutscene, Link decided to front, side, and backflip his way into my everlasting love for the Zelda franchise.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
This little guy’s got the moves, apparently. I’m not entirely sure I can fully explain why, but this blew my young mind. Sure, Link has always been capable of backflips when he’s standing still, and he has for many generations been the Tumbling Champion of Hyrule and all surrounding lands, but jumping from ledge to ledge while performing intense acrobatics was not something I had ever associated with him. I’d played as this Link before, and had fallen down ~~thousands~~ one or two giant chasms, definitely not more than that, as he gamely leapt directly into danger, and never had he ever done more than reach his hands out to hopefully grab some sort of thing within reach.
See, this is the jumping form I was expecting. Yet here he was, back in his Child form, auditioning for the Olympics, right at the start of his next adventure. And even though it was confusing, it was also AMAZING, and I was hooked. Yes – soon after, super-acrobatic-flipping-Link transformed into a Deku Scrub, and the game started showing all of the other fantastic qualities that it is known for. But it didn’t even need all of that. I would have been perfectly happy just running around Termina as this newly skilled Young Link, and in fact I was pumped to complete the first three day cycle and earn back my new abilities, even as I explored the wonders of being a Deku.
Spinning>Rolling. Yeah, I said it. So sometimes, it is the little details that game creators include that can create an instant connection for a player. Sure, the rest of Majora’s Mask is a truly great game, probably still in my personal top three for the Zelda series, and it would have earned that status regardless of Link’s style of jumping from platform to platform. But by including that, the fun and rather reckless way the Hero of Time decides to leap, the game leapt right along with him into my favorites within ten minutes of popping in the cartridge. And it is a video game memory that will stay with me for far longer.
The post Realm of Memories: Backflipping into Termina first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The celebration of love is upon us and while some choose to give the holiday a pass, there are those seeking out romance on the eve of Saint Valentine’s. Now, if you’re still on the search for that one true love in your life, look no further! Set down that Lens of Truth and take a look through some of Hyrule’s finest suitors!
With our latest “Fi” technology, we can seek you out a potential mate from Hyrule to Termina and beyond! See some of our latest signups down below in our free trial!
Beedle is a proven self-starter, running his own independent business (literally), but sometimes tending to his shop gets lonely. He’s seeking a hard worker who will happily be waiting for him when he gets home. What, did you think he would let you in the shop? Do you know how hard he has to pedal when there’s just one extra person in there?
Ruto is the heir to the Zora’s Domain, seeking a long term relationship after her “fiancé” left her to “save the world”. She’s a truly refined Zora who enjoys refreshing swims in the domain and taking long strolls into the innards of her people’s guardian.
Cia is a knockout girl who’s looking for her one true love. She’s got magical prowess, a top tier career as the Guardian of Time, and a fabulous sense of fashion. Even though she’s its guardian, she’s not looking to waste any time. She’s only interested in blonde-haired, pointy-earred men who favor green and go by the name of Link.
Want a date with a mysterious fellow from another realm? Well, Ravio’s your guy! He’s a newcomer to town after leaving his home due to an uprising evil sorcerer, just looking to meet that special someone to settle down with and set up shop in their home– rent free, of course. Want to know what dashing secrets lie beyond that mask of his? That costs extra.
Tingle is single and ready to mingle! Tingle’s thirty-five years young and is searching for a soul mate, one like him who is the very reincarnation of a fairy. He’s got a passion for map making and hoping that his path intertwines with a very lucky fairy gal. He’s really a stickler for the fairy thing.
A genuine country gal, Malon knows all the ropes of her father’s ranch and keeps the place in ship shape! She loves the horses she cares for and certainly knows how to carry a tune, but Malon longs for more. She dreams of the day that her prince will come and her fairy tale dreams can become a reality.
You’ll be certain to have a monster crush on Kilton the minute you meet! This lovable cretin is an ultra passionate monster enthusiast, collector, and shopkeeper — the total package! He’s a crafty little fellow who creates his own monster wares and even his own currency system! Who needs rupees and a structured lifestyle? Not this guy!
Everyone needs a little crazy in their life, and Crazy Tracy is here to provide! She’ll make sure to tend your weary heart when you come home from work with some of her special, secret healing lotions. She’s looking for the right, cute guy to give her heart to and restore his health back to full!
He’s a bit of a fixer upper, sure, but he is Error and has embraced who he is. He longs for someone who will also accept him for who he is –that being, Error. He is Error.
The Groose is loose and on the hunt for love! He’s decided to call things off between him and Zelda (which I’m told was not because she made him cry when he was telling off Link), so ladies, this is your lucky day. He’s got the muscle, the hair, and that winning Groose grin! What more could you ask for?
Your dream girl is here! Meet Marin, a lovely island songstress from Koholint Island who is looking to meet a kind young fellow. Pickings are slim in her small village, so much so that even she would date the first man to wash up on Toronbo Shores!
Leading an evil organization can get lonely, and thus, Master Kohga, who yes, you must refer to by his title, is seeking a companion to make the cold desert nights just a little bit warmer. And yes: dating a member of the Yiga Clan is just as every bit rewarding as they say — free bananas all day, every day.
She’s sweet, smart, and savvy; Hena is a real catch! With her siblings running their own business across Hyrule, Hena has been getting awfully lonely. She’s got a canoe built for two and she’s waiting for Mr. Right to claim that seat!
This classy Gerudo witch is one hot mama who knows how to play it cool. Twinrova’s been on the dating scene for 400+ years and is tired of playing around. She just wants to meet a nice guy to settle down with and will love her for her true self…selves…
See a hottie you like? Check out the link in our bio for a free trial of Linkr! Monthly subscribers only pay one purple rupee per month (standard tax rates may apply).
The post Find love on Linkr: Singles in Hyrule first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Zora’s Domain has always had a beautiful tune associated with the underwater paradise the Zoras inhabit. But it’s rather interesting to think on this Valentine’s day that in the four games in which it appears, there is also a tragic love story that underscores these lush tones.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
In Ocarina of Time, the origin of the theme, Princess Ruto gives Link the Zora Sapphire as a reward for rescuing her, but not before revealing that it is traditionally used as a symbol of betrothal, and perhaps jokingly (perhaps not) asks Link to honor that promise once they both become old enough, whether he likes it or not. Sadly, Link’s duties as the Hero of Time and Ruto’s duties as the Sage of Water mean that the promise will never be fulfilled.
In Majora’s Mask, after receiving the Zora Mask, Link is able to travel to Zora Hall, where this tune plays next. There, he learns about the sad tale of the source of the Zora Mask: Mikau, the guitarist for the Indigo-Go’s, and his love Lulu, the lead singer. Lulu had recently laid some eggs, but after they were stolen by pirates, Mikau went off to rescue them and hadn’t been seen since. Lulu has lost her voice due to all this, and their upcoming show had been canceled as a result.
For Twilight Princess, this time the story is of the love between mother and child instead of that of romance. When Zora’s Domain is invaded by Twilight Shadow Beasts, their Queen, Rutela, is tragically killed. When Link and Midna arrive to help heal the damage, they are surprised to find that her spirit lingers on, and in exchange for the Zora Armor she bids them to also save her son, Ralis, and to look after him until he is ready to move on.
Finally, Breath of the Wild returns Zora’s Domain to its roots with a story of unrequited love. The Zora champion Mipha harbored an infatuation for Link, and after her untimely demise during the Great Calamity, many of the Zora resent Link for his perceived wrongdoing. It is only after he retrieves the Zora Armor she made for him that the truth comes to light. This is also the version of the song I have highlighted for today.
At first, listen, the Zora’s Domain theme might sound cheerful or carefree. But upon remembering the loves that were cut short too soon, or would never come to pass, the song turns bittersweet. Perhaps this juxtaposition may be a comfort to you during our annual cultural celebration of love in its many forms, and to those struggling to find it, may comfort and companionship soon come your way.
The post Medli’s Melodies: Tragic Love and Underwater Bliss first appeared on Zelda Universe.
For most of the first arc of Phantom Hourglass, Link enjoys relatively smooth sailing through the Ocean King’s realm. There is the occasional monster that threatens Link, but with his expert use of a cannon and Linebeck’s sailing skills, these creatures are no match for our heroes. There is one threat, however, that plagues the sea that truly is a challenge for Link: The Pirate Jolene.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Jolene is probably one of the cooler characters in Phantom Hourglass. Her design makes her both elegant yet threatening, almost reminiscent of the Gerudo warriors from other installments in the Zelda series. Even her fighting style with her dual scimitars is similar to the Gerudo as well. Perhaps she is a descendent of the Gerudo, or at least admired their fighting style enough to learn it.
Her fighting style is not the only dangerous thing about her, either. Jolene appears to be a skilled navigator and sailor, using her skills on the sea to hunt down Linebeck and his ship. Her ship is capable of firing torpedoes and sails much faster than Linebeck’s steamboat. She is a fearsome foe as she prowls the ocean, ready to sink Linebeck’s ship or drain Link’s heart containers.
But Jolene’s threat as an enemy is not what makes her interesting. Rather, it’s her backstory and why she became so fearsome in the first place.
When Jolene first attacks Link, she ambushes the ship and chases Link and Linebeck below deck. Linebeck, as courageous as ever, hides in a crate while Link must cover for him. Jolene rushes into the ship and threatens Link, desperately trying to get revenge on Linebeck. Link is able to fend her off, but she is not someone who goes down once.
Throughout the rest of the game, Jolene relentlessly chases the SS Linebeck. I often had to use the warp mechanic just to get away from her when she blindsided me. She was especially annoying whenever I would try to catch fish for the Old Seafarer’s side quest. However, she truly did keep me on my toes, and she ended up surprising me outside of battle as well.
At one point in the game, the postman delivers a letter to Link from Jolene by accident, and we learn that Joanne, the girl pretending to be a mermaid on Bannan Island, is Jolene’s sister. Jolene seems supportive of her sister and desires to catch up with her sometime, showing that she has a softer side. After Link delivers the letter to Joanne, we also learn that Jolene may not have started out as an actual pirate, since Joanne says that Jolene loves dressing up as a pirate. These sisters really put the “play” in cosplay.
Toward the end of the game, Jolene requests one more duel. After that, Link can finally learn why she hates Linebeck so furiously. Linebeck and Jolene once sailed together after Linebeck accidentally killed a monster that had captured her. However, Linebeck and Jolene had different adventuring styles and eventually parted ways when Linebeck made off with a treasure of hers. It is also implied that Jolene had unrequited feelings for Linebeck, making his thievery all the more painful.
Overall, Jolene is an exciting encounter in Phantom Hourglass. She provides a fun challenge and rewards the player with some interesting backstory throughout the game. Jolene is truly one of the more memorable characters of the game, and it certainly helps that she shares a name with an incredibly catchy song as well.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Jolene first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Zora Champion, Mipha, is a character that has inspired many Breath of the Wild players. Her sweet and gentle nature brings smiles to all, and the loss of such a soul is heart-breaking. When it comes to which champion touches the most hearts, it has to be the innocent little Mipha, who was taken away from the world too soon. The memory she left is one that will never be erased. From the statue made in her honor to those still alive who once knew the Zora Princess, she will be with us always. For the players, she is a character that has put a mark on our soul, watching over us and ready to heal us when we need her most. Many of us have created art of all forms in her honor. The one that has always stood out to me is Cat Whelan’s (Bambi Lashes Design) Mipha cosplay.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
Unlike standard cosplay where creators adopt an exact replica of a character’s design, Cat reimagined Mipha into a beautiful ballgown fit for the princess of the sea. The motivation to create such an extravagant design came to Cat with plans to go to the Cosplay Met Gala at Katsucon 2020. The theme of the event was royalty, and Cat’s love for our Zora Princess and her canon design inspired her to challenge herself and create a ballgown fit for the princess of the Zoras. The results of her hard work and talent are breathtaking and would make Mipha proud.
Photo by Felix Dandy Cat designed Mipha’s gown to be in mermaid style with a slim-fitting dress that fans out past the waist into flowing ruffles of red, cream, and blue: the signature colors of Mipha. The three colors are used throughout the design capturing Mipha’s spirit. Even the blue champion sash has been sewn into the design of the dress, flowing over Cat’s shoulder like a waterfall straight from the Zora Kingdom. Crystalized beads glimmer like droplets glistening in the sunlight. Together, Cat’s design not only gives Mipha a princess ballgown makeover but also brings forth the various aspects of her race and personality. I applaud Cat for putting so much effort into all the little details of her gown, and she didn’t just stop at the dress and accessories.
Photo by Felix Dandy No cosplay would be complete without a well-tamed wig and some gorgeous makeup. While Zora’s don’t have hair, being creatures of the sea, Cat’s red wig is styled in a way that mirrors the red scales and tail of Mipha’s design. The bangs come to a central point just like Mipha’s, framed by two longer sets of strands, tying the look together. Accessories weave into the side of the hair, glittering the princess in jewels fit for royalty who lives underwater.
The makeup, too, adopts features from Mipha’s design with a mostly white foundation and gradients of red bringing forth Mipha’s Zora nature. More sparkling droplets, dressed in red, scatter over her shoulders and arms like little scales calling to the sea. Combined with the dress and multitude of accessories, Cat has turned herself into a Princess of the Zora Kingdom, watching over her people with grace and poise.
Photo by Sara Lynn The level of detail in Cat’s design is, as I said before, breathtaking. One princess-inspired Cat transformed into a princess herself, paying tribute to the girl who fought for her kingdom 100 years ago. There are so many components working together to personify Mipha and her heritage. Cat’s photographers, Felix Dandy and Sara Lynn, captured the design in brilliant light, allowing all of us to lay eyes upon Cat’s masterful creation and remember just how far Mipha’s Grace can go.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Mipha cosplay by Bambi Lashes Design first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When I was in the seventh grade, my family moved.
It wasn’t terribly far, as far as these things go; we were close enough to our old stomping grounds to drive back for the holidays and the like, but it did mean I had to make new friends in a new school in a new city.
Well, I did so, finding a bunch of similar prepubescent males with cracking voices, little fashion sense, and an enjoyment of things involving monsters and magic in large portions — you know, nerds.
We liked computer war games and Dungeons and Dragons and Star Wars and, yes, The Legend of Zelda.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
There weren’t many games in the Zelda series at the time: just the four over three systems, meaning the mythos of Hyrule was pretty simple at the time. There was no timeline to worry about yet. The order of the games was simple enough. Still, we found plenty to talk about whenever it came up, integrating elements of the game into our other interests, which meant we found ways to include a Hookshot in any D&D campaign we might run.
A year later, circumstances saw my family move back to our old home, as if nothing had ever happened. I was able to reconnect with old friends.
But it was hard uprooting all over again and leaving my new group of friends.
So, in those days of AOL start-up discs and internet over the phone lines, when very few 13-year-olds had their own computers, let alone email addresses or messenger nicknames, I tried to stay in touch the old-fashioned way: via letters, hand-written and sent via the Post Office.
Being teenagers, our correspondence didn’t last long: maybe a letter or two on each side before we got busy with our lives at home.
But I still remember the first letter I wrote to one of my brief pen pals, because, as in the past, it was about Zelda.
After all, we were young lads. We had no idea how to talk about feelings or personal matters. And we were nerds. So we talked about things, particularly those things, we were most likely to obsess over.
Soon after returning to my old hometown, I’d acquired The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening as sort of a consolation gift for another long-distance moving trip. I pored over the game’s instruction manual when I started writing my first letter, intent on sharing all my thoughts on this new-to-me Zelda journey: items, dungeons, new concepts of Zelda lore I was discovering for the first time. Combined with the wonder of actually playing it, I probably filled more of the letter with series arcana than any actual personal information about myself and the move.
I doubt the letter survived for long. I certainly don’t have any of the handful of letters I got in return so many years later. But every time I think of Link’s Awakening, I recall my brief time of having a Zelda pen pal and smile.
The post Realm of Memories: Zelda Pen Pals first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo kicked off the latest Nintendo Direct today by debuting Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, a new Musou title by Koei Tecmo that takes us back to the world of Fire Emblem: Three Houses. It’s the second hack and slash Warriors title in the Fire Emblem franchise, following the 2017 original for the Nintendo Switch and 3DS, and the first console Fire Emblem release since Three Houses launched in the summer of 2019.
Fan favorite characters like Dimitri, Claude, Edelgard, Byleth, and others were featured prominently in the trailer, alongside some new faces as well. Although specific story details were withheld, Three Hopes appears to be an alternate retelling of Three Houses’ grandiose narrative, similar to how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity presented a “what if?” account of the conflict that played out prior to Breath of the Wild. Whatever the tale that unfolds, Three Hopes promises a new look into the land of Fodlan complete with a familiar cast, kingdom-wide warfare, and sweeping battles against both hordes of enemy soldiers and gigantic Demonic Beasts like those we battled in Three Houses.
Fire Emblem fans won’t have to wait long to play the game, either. Three Hopes was announced as releasing on June 24th, just a few short months away. A limited edition has already been confirmed for Europe, which includes an art book, a map, among other collectibles.
You can watch the debut trailer below.
The post Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes announced during latest Nintendo Direct first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The first Nintendo Direct of 2022 just finished airing, and wow it was absolutely amazing. Although the biggest Zelda news was The Legend of Zelda theme appearing in Taiko no Tatsujin, the Direct certainly had something special for every player. Every moment bounced between a shocking new game announcement, to an exciting follow-up on a previously announced title. It started witha new Fire Emblem Warriors game but wasted no time in showing off Mario Strikers, Earthbound on Switch Online, DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo Switch Sports, and then finally Xenoblade Chronicles 3. That list feels long, but it is just a fraction of the announcements shown off in the fast-paced direct. It is hard to tell what to be most excited about, though racing as Link on Coconut Mall is certainly up there. Anyways, without further ado, here is a full list of all of the Nintendo Direct’s announcements:
- Fire Emblem: Three Hopes (June 24, 2022)
- Advanced Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (April 8, 2022)
- No Man’s Sky (Summer 2022)
- Mario Strikers Battle League (June 10, 2022)
- Splatoon 3: Salmon Run Next Wave (Summer 2022)
- Front Mission 1st: Remake (Summer 2022)
- Front Mission 2 (Future)
- Disney Speedstorm (Summer 2022)
- Star Wars: The Forced Unleashed (April 20, 2022)
- Assassins Creed: The Ezio Colletion (February 17, 2022)
- SD Gundam Battle Alliance (2022)
- Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition (April 7, 2022)
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land (March 25, 2022)
- MLB The Show 22 (April 5, 2022)
- Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece for Cloud (February 10, 2022)
- Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series (July 8, 2022)
- Portal: Companion Collection (2022)
- Live a Live (July 22, 2022)
- Nintendo Switch Sports (April 29, 2022 / Play test on Februaury 18-20)
- Taiko no tatsujin: Rhythm Festival (2022)
- Triangle Strategy (March 3, 2022 / Demo available Febraury 9)
- Cuphead – The Last Delicious Course (June 30, 2022)
- Metroid Dread Updates (Febraury 9 / April 2022)
- EarthBound and EarthBound Beginnings (Febraury 9, 2022)
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass (Wave 1 on March 18, 2022)
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (September 2022)
The post February 9 Nintendo Direct Round-Up first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Breath of the Wild has some impressive ruins. There’s Hyrule Castle, the Temple of Time, the Coliseum, and a handful more throughout Hyrule. Not a huge amount survives from the time just before the Calamity. More, however, survives from the ancient times of (presumably) the Sheikah.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
One of these ancient structures is the Spring of Courage.
It’s a strange area, even for a Zelda game that frequently breaks the mold. While, like the other springs, it is set into the landscape, this one is far less natural and rustic than the others. The Springs of Wisdom and Power are far more humble than this, featuring a large Goddess Statue sitting in a natural spring, with few adornments or carvings in the surrounding area. The Spring of Courage is the complete opposite of these.
Sitting just north of the mouth (or jaws) of the Dracozu Lake, the outer area of the spring is huge. The walls of the valley are hewn pillars and arches carved out of the cliff faces. Then there’s the building surrounding the spring, a temple in the shape of a serpent, its entrance a gaping maw of stone, pillars for teeth, and great claws both sides.
Look at it a little closer, and you’ll see that, actually, it’s like a twisted version of the Forgotten Temple, as if the building had been cursed into life, the roof ripping open like a mouth and breaking the columns into fangs. These two temples were clearly made by the same hands, but the purpose of the temple at the Spring of Courage is unclear.
Sure, it’s dedicated to the spirit Farosh, who takes the form of a dragon, so it is built in their likeness. But what is it for? Purely for prayer and worship, or something else lost to time? Was the structure even larger, less open to the elements, or was it a mostly uncovered temple?
It reminds me not only of the Forgotten Temple, but of the Sealed Grounds in Skyward Sword. There is a similarity there, while the walls of the valley here are stepped, the Sealed Grounds spirals much deeper, but both have distinctive carvings on the walls. They aren’t an exact match, but I do think there’s a kinship there.
The scale of the outer area of the shrine is huge, which makes it quite the contrast when you enter to find the Goddess Statue. The chamber is small, and the ceiling is low and definitely not vaulting like other temples. The spring wells up through it, but apart from the moss, that’s really all there is of any natural power.
The environment around is pretty unusual too — part swampy bayou, part palm forest. There is a Mayan feel to the design of this area, but the dragon’s head and claws look to take inspiration from Chinese tradition.
The Spring of Courage is loaded with contradictions, but then so are its builders. And who builds a sacred temple with the expectation you’ll blow a hole in the back wall anyway?
The post Tingle’s Maps: Spring of Courage (Breath of the Wild) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Our own news reporter Amanda VanHiel is out in the proverbial field with some more updates on all things Legend of Zelda.
In this news video she covers a new scrumptious looking cookbook and a steamy Twilight Princess manga update. There’s also a Kickstarter for a brand new game by Yacht Club, Mina the Hollower, which looks to take big inspiration from Link’s Awakening and the Oracle games. Check it out in the video!
The post Zelda News: New Legends Cookbook and Zelda-esque Game first appeared on Zelda Universe.
This is not a drill folks, it is time to rejoice in the streets, throw hats in the air, and dance to Saria’s Song as the first Nintendo Direct of 2022 is on its way.
The direct will air on February 9 at 2pm PT and feature up to 40 minutes of content focusing mainly on the first half of 2022. So titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land are all but shoe-ins for the direct, while others like the Breath of the Wild Sequel may or may not show up. Here’s hoping that we at least get an official title for the game tomorrow. A release date would be nice, especially in the unlikely case that it qualifies for the “first-half of 2022” description of the direct, but it’s always hard to tell with these things.
Be sure to get those predictions in, and manifest your most wanted game, cause the time for announcements is here. There’s less than 24 hours away and the excitement for the Direct can be felt in the air.
Tune in 2/9 at 2 p.m. PT for a #NintendoDirect livestream featuring roughly 40 minutes of information mainly focused on #NintendoSwitch games launching in the first half of 2022.
https://t.co/v0A3I7j0EE pic.twitter.com/jifj1aFIBQ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 8, 2022
The post Nintendo Direct announced for February 9 at 2pm PT first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Reward Points on MyNintendo may not be as cool as Hyrule’s rupees, but earning double Gold Points for the purchase of select titles this February might just give rupees a run for their money. The deal only includes six games this month, but they certainly are impressive first-party picks.
The full list includes:
- Metroid Dread
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
- Game Builder Garage
- New Pokémon Snap
- Mario Golf: Super Rush
As if people needed more reasons to buy Skyward Sword HD, Metroid Dread, or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which are three of the best games of all time. Joking aside, this is a great opportunity to add any of these great games to your collection (if you haven’t already) while collecting some Gold Points along the way.
Oh, and also, you really should buy Metroid Dread.
Earn DOUBLE #MyNintendo Gold Points when you purchase select digital games for #NintendoSwitch!
Offer ends 2/28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
: https://t.co/OTIV43N76K pic.twitter.com/rLyIJYE2RP
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 2, 2022
The post Earn double Gold Points for purchasing Skyward Sword HD as well as other Switch classics first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Yacht Club Games has announced a new Kickstarter for their next big game: Mina The Hollower. Described as a “bone-chilling love letter to handheld gaming,” the new game follows the titular character, Mina, on a quest to discover who sabotaged the machines that provide energy to the island of Tenebrous. This gothic-horror-themed game is looking to be of a tone similar to Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment.
As you would expect from the developers of Shovel Knight, this game has all the look of retro favorites with the sensibilities of modern gaming. Two games that come to mind when first viewing this trailer are Oracle of Seasons/Ages and Castlevania Adventures. It appears to play like a Game Boy-era Zelda title, but with a whip as the primary weapon and being set in a Victorian-style world. The trailer’s music, from composer Jake Kaufman, is also amazing and a perfect match for the game’s theme.
The Kickstarter for this game is live now. At the time of this writing, just a week into the Kickstarter, the game has already more than doubled its asking funds. We will be keeping an eye on this game as it develops.
The post Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games reveals new game: Mina The Hollower first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Pixelated graphics remain a common art style in the video game industry and continue to elicit strong feelings of nostalgia. Upon seeing a two-dimensional rendering of a favorite character, gamers can instantly be whisked away to fond childhood memories, such as midnight gaming sessions on a CRT television or long car rides playing Game Boy by the light of street lamps.
The Zelda franchise is no stranger to this art style. With its roots securely fastened to the 8-bit and 16-bit eras of gaming, the Zelda series helped push the boundaries of graphical fidelity for pixelated sprites, and many believe the pinnacle of this advancement is The Minish Cap on the Game Boy Advance. While the art style is undoubtedly some of the best in the series, perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the game is the soundtrack, which is equally whimsical. The “Minish Village Theme” is perhaps the most iconic track, and a talented group of musicians honored the game by composing a unique arrangement that remains faithful to the original.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
Meet the Super Marcato Bros. This group features brothers Karl and Will Brueggemann, and each artist shares a passion for composing and playing video game music. While the group’s YouTube channel is filled with a wide variety of video game covers, my favorite video of theirs is still the “Minish Village Theme” from The Minish Cap.
Armed with a bass guitar, two keyboards, and a drum set, the Super Marcato Bros. perform a rendition of “Minish Village Theme” that is faithful to the original while simultaneously leaving enough room for improvisation. The song opens with a strong drum riff that communicates to the listener that this version of the song will have more depth than the original. The two keyboards and bass guitar immediately follow and blend in perfect harmony.
The two minutes that follow the intro are like listening to a jazz band improvise on one of my favorite Zelda songs. Each musician adds his own creative flair to the piece, yet all four instruments remained unified throughout the cover. Each musician effortlessly passes the baton of the spotlight to one another, which makes the improvisations feel natural.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the cover is that the group recorded the song in just one take. This feat speaks volumes to their talent as both artists and friends. If you enjoyed the Super Marcato Bros’ version of the “Minish Village Theme,” be sure to check out their YouTube channel and website. Karl and Will also host a weekly podcast about video game music, which will help you gain an even further appreciation for Zelda music. Enjoy!
The post Medli’s Melodies: ‘The Minish Cap – Minish Village’ by Super Marcato Bros. first appeared on Zelda Universe.
It was clear from early in the Switch’s life that the system would be a runaway success, but few would predict that it would pass the Wii’s hardware sales as quickly as it did.
Last Thursday Nintendo announced in their yearly earnings report that the Nintendo Switch is now their best-selling home console, reaching a total of 103.54 million units in lifetime sales. When it comes to all Nintendo consoles, however, the Switch still lags behind the Gameboy and DS with 118.69 million and 154.02 million units respectively. Regardless, passing the 100 million sales mark is a big deal, and Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser took to Twitter to thank fans for making it possible.
A picture is worth over 103 million smiles! Thank you for your support!! #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/I4RwVCBgRm
— Doug Bowser (@thetruebowser) February 3, 2022
In addition to the massive sales numbers for the Switch system, many of its games continued to sell extremely well in 2021. This of course includes Breath of the Wild, which now has sold 25.8 million units. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have now joined Breath of the Wild on the top 10 best-selling games with a total of 13.97 million copies sold. This sadly means that Splatoon 2 has lost its place on the list, but it is interesting to see that the Switch is by no means slowing down even on the software front.
Throughout its five-year lifespan, the Nintendo Switch has allowed players to play a home console on the go, which is probably a good thing so the gamers can keep up with those runaway sales figures. And it is highly doubtful that the Switch will slow down soon with Kirby and the Forgotten Land,the Breath of the Wild sequel,Splatoon 3, and much more in the pipeline.
The post The Nintendo Switch reaches a total of 103.54 million units sold, surpassing the Wii first appeared on Zelda Universe.
What lies beneath the clouds? What mysteries does the surface hold? What landscapes and alien creatures live below the Hylians in the sky? These are the questions that the inhabitants of Skyloft often ask. Unfortunately, there was no way for anyone living in Skyloft to acquire answers to these questions.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Before the events of Skyward Sword, the land beneath the clouds was a children’s story: a fairy tale that was told to the kids of The Isle of the Goddess. It was not until our hero Link journeyed to the surface in an attempt to rescue Zelda that we found out there even was truly a world beneath Skyloft. With a new world we had the privilege of discovering, so where do we start? Well, we can start with Gorko, the Goron archaeologist that is ironically trying to discover the world our heroes came from.
The Man Himself Aren’t archaeologists the unsung heroes of the world? How else would we know about ancient civilizations? Who else would discover the secrets that lie beneath the rocks that we walk on every day? Archaeologist are scholars tasked with researching to figure out the mysteries of the world. In Skyward Sword’s case, there is Gorko. He is a Goron archaeologist who loves rocks for more than just uncovering what’s beneath them! He travels the land below the clouds to study the ancient civilization that once lived there.
We first meet him when Link initially descends from Skyloft. Gorko is seen being tormented by a couple of nasty Bokoblins. This is a funny sight to see considering how big and stubborn Gorons can be. After saving him, Gorko acknowledges that strange things have been happening and tells Link about an advanced civilization in the sky.
Did I mention he was an unsung hero? In terms of gameplay, he serves as a tutorial in many places teaching you how the old Hero of the Goddess would use the bird statues to “save” and take to the sky, or how the Goddess Cubes served as an aid to the hero. This prompts you to interact with these objects and discover the game’s mechanics. You meet him at various points throughout the game and he provides a sort of reprieve from the epic that you are partaking in. He is a quirky Goron who constantly validates you as the player because he is often asking the same questions in your head. If Link is lucky, he will sometimes even have some answers. “Where am I?” Gorko has a map. “What is this?” Gorko knows. He is a philosophical and lovable Goron and he is one of the highlights of the land below the clouds.
Skyward Sword is a game filled with interesting and mysterious races. You have the Kikwi, Ancient Robots, and Mogma who provide us with a variety of different characters and personalities. Gorko is a Goron which is one of the recurring races in the Zelda series. In Skyward Sword, he is the only one you come across. This is unusual for a Zelda game that contains Gorons. Generally, they inhabit a city and you can find a cluster of them living on the tallest mountains. If Gorko is the only one we find beneath the surface, where are the rest of them? What is so special about him? Ironically, Gorko is exactly the man that could answer these questions. In fact, he is likely scratching his head coming up with the answers right now!
The only great Goron here is you, Gorko! Gorko is a name derived from Goron and Marko, as in Marco Polo. Gorko certainly lives up to his name because Marco Polo is one of the greatest explorers of the world. Their shared curiosity makes Gorko’s namesake perfect for the type of character he is. Gorko is someone who won’t leave stones unturned. He will often ponder ancient markings for hours until something happens. Often, these occurrences happen when Link comes into the picture, but even then, Gorko remains vigilant.
Skyward Sword is a game that exemplifies the amazing characters that the Zelda series has created. Gorko is most certainly one of the quirkier characters you stumble across on the surface. He brings a charm to the game that enhances the mystery behind it. He is a step away from the norm we see from other Gorons in the series and this makes him one of the best characters in the game. While there are some other heavy hitters in Skyward Sword, Gorko remains one of the most memorable. I hope you play the game to experience the man behind the map himself!
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Gorko first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A Link to the Past has seen a bit of a resurgence lately thanks to the advent of randomizers. It’s a really great game, so I’m glad that it is getting a bit of a renaissance. I played a lot of A Link to the Past in middle school, so it’s a game that is very near to my heart. What I loved most about it were the bosses. There was a huge range of characters, from a bipedal pig monster to several iterations of wiggly worms. However, there was one that has stuck with me since I first fought against it.
The Helmasaur King.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
This boss straight up terrified me as a kid. It’s a massive creature, filling a whole room with its giant body, flinging its tail and shooting fireballs at every chance. Now, as an adult, it’s one of the easiest bosses in the game. I stumbled on a recent work on our Zelda Universe DeviantArt group from user N2Y88 that reawakened that rush of anxiety and fear I used to feel for it. This piece, Helmasaur King, was part of N2Y88’s Linktober Shadow series and is one of their many incredibly creepy works.
This was exactly what I saw when I fought the King for the first time. The minimal use of color in the piece drives home the stark outcome Link faced. He either defeated this behemoth or it was game over for him. The artist portrays Helamsaur on the attack, blasting one fireball out while preparing a second one shortly behind it. The color mixing gives each blast a sense of depth and really makes them pop.
One thing that drew me to the work were the eyes. The bright red eyes amidst the sea of grey and black stood out to me more than the fireball in the foreground. They’re menacing, ready to give Link the fight of his life.
I feel like the Helmasaur King is left out of the conversation when people talk about scary bosses in the Zelda series, and that’s a shame. N2Y88 does an incredible job of showing just how terrifying this monster can be. Next time you watch a randomizer or play through it yourself, think of this portrayal. I’m sure you’ll see this monster in a different light.
You can check out the rest of N2Y88‘s work on their DeviantArt page and give the rest of their Linktober art a perusal. If this piece was a bit too scary for you, check out their Twitter or Instagram to see more of their lighter work. You can also get in on the action by joining Zelda Universe’s own DeviantArt page and you, too, could have a piece featured on the site!
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: The forgotten king first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Okay, the title is bit misleading. It wasn’t truly the happiest moment of my life, as those days would come later with my marriage and birth of my two kids. Oh, and when I bought my Switch, that was pretty cool. No, this is what I said to my best friend after I beat A Link to the Past for the first time.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
In 2002, Nintendo released A Link to the Past for the Game Boy Advance. As a young Zelda fan, this was my first experience with the game. I was so hyped for it. For Christmas 2003, my brother bought me the Prima strategy guide for it while my mom got me the actual game. I was always a year or so behind on new releases, something that I have finally been able to break out of as an adult. Yeah, no brag, but I bought the collector’s edition of Metroid: Dread on a whim and only suffered minor financial setback.
I spent hours just sitting and playing A Link to the Past. And, yes, I did 100% the game and, yes, I am not ashamed about using my Prima guide. That thing was my lifeline playing that game. I can pretty much point to it as the reason I can’t play any game without getting everything.
I was in middle school at the time, sixth grade, and my best friend was Matt. He was awesome. We were both huge gamers. Many, many weekends were spent in his basement playing Halo 2 and watching Aqua Teen Hunger Force until the early hours. For one of our classes, we had to write a letter to a celebrity to ask questions about their job or something. The ultimate goal was to try get an autograph or something like that. I wrote to Tiger Woods (Why? I have no clue as I don’t like golf) and Matt wrote to Shigeru Miyamoto. One day after school he called me, and was so excited that he actually got a response from the Zelda man himself! He got a really nice letter that actually answered his questions, and a signed print of Link fighting Volvagia in Ocarina of Time.
It was this radical image that graced his wall for years to come. After a few months of playing ALttP, I was finally at the Ganon fight. The game recommended full hearts, a fairy, and three bottles of blue potion for this epic confrontation. I was ready. I was playing on my silver GBA, leaning in close to the floor lamp we had in the living room, slightly standing on the edge of the couch when I delivered the final blow. It was a huge moment for me. Ecstatic, I called Matt to tell him the great news.
“I beat it! I beat A Link to the Past!” I shouted into the phone. “This is the happiest moment of my life! Nothing can bring me down!” A bit hyperbolic, but, please remember that I was 11. I will never, ever forget his reply.
“Really? Even if your grandpa died?”
I was shocked. Like, straight-up stupefied by that comment. I mean, he was right. If papa died, I probably wouldn’t be too thrilled anymore. But, like, come on, man. My grandpa suffered from several strokes over my time in middle school and Matt, my best friend, knew how touchy of a subject it was. It really broke my heart that he went in that direction.
He quickly apologized, realizing that he went too far. He was excited for me and we talked about the final battle. He had already beaten it, so it was fun to swap stories about our fights. His comment forgotten, we made plans for our next Halo and Warcraft night.
Honestly, looking back on the story now, it’s pretty funny how savage he went right from the get-go. Matt and I continued to be friends through all of middle and some of high school. I have so many Zelda-related memories with him that he’s most likely going to be a recurring character in my articles. I’ll occasionally run into him at my hometown Gamestop. We’ll chat about old times, life, and, of course, the next Zelda game on the horizon.
The post Realm of Memories: The happiest moment of my life first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The iconic Kakariko Village is a recurring location in The Legend of Zelda series. While there are many versions of Kakariko Village to cover, I want to focus on the version we find in Ocarina of Time. Admittedly, this is my favorite Kakariko Village. Not only because Ocarina of Time is one of my favorite Zelda games, but because I love how well this Kakariko fits the contrasting tonal atmosphere that we find all throughout the title.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
First, a brief history on what we know of Kakariko Village. The town was originally founded by the Shiekah tribe, a mysterious and secretive group, whose job is to protect the Royal Family from the shadows. For much of its history, it was a town that was exclusively Shiekah. However, Impa, Zelda’s designated guardian, decided to open up Kakariko Village to all the people of Hyrule. Impa became known as a great leader, not only for opening up the gates of the village, but because she had a vision to grow Kakariko beyond a simple village and into a thriving town.
Upon arriving in Kakariko Village we find a fairly standard town. It’s got a Potion Shop, a Bazaar, and eventually, a Shooting Gallery. Probably the first building you may notice when entering the village is the windmill. A vital structure for the village, the Kakariko Windmill draws water from beneath the town and up into the well. Most notably, the windmill is where an iconic paradox takes place. Here, Adult Link learns how to play the “Song of Storms” from the Phonogram Man, and then goes seven years to the past and teaches him the song.
Dive into the Paradox The well sits in the center of town, readied with water for the townsfolk to collect. The well, of course, is not just an ordinary well, either. Draining the well reveals a hidden labyrinth of monsters, and it is discovered to be the holding place of the Phantom Shadow Beast, Bongo Bongo, who had been sealed there by Impa. On the outskirts of the village we find the graveyard where the Hyruleans and Sheikah are laid to rest, as well as the Royal Family’s Tomb. Lastly there is the Shadow Temple, one of the major dungeons in the game. The entrance to this dungeon is found deep in the graveyard. The entrance itself is further guarded by a door that only opens to Link by using Din’s Fire.
So many secrets are hidden beneath Kakariko Village. So many things locked away and forgotten, such as the Royal Family’s Tomb. This mysterious tomb is only accessible when Link plays “Zelda’s Lullaby” in order to get inside. Other than hiding a few Keese and ReDeads, we also find the notes to play the “Sun’s Song.” Another mystical melody that allows you to change night to day or day to night, along with numerous other uses. This always puzzled me. Why would some powerful spell be locked away in the Royal Family Tomb? A secret among many in Kakariko.
Link fighting a Dead Hand beneath the well. “Keep Kakariko Weird.” On a much scarier note, lurking just beneath the well is Bongo Bongo, simply sealed away and forgotten. A secret that proved costly and ended up nearly destroying the entire town after the spirit broke free. It probably would have burned down all of Kakariko had the Hero of Time not shown up. Hylia bless those persevering villagers who happened to put out the fire while Link was busy fighting Bongo Bongo.
Of course, you cannot talk about the secrets of the Shiekah without talking about the Shadow Temple. One of the only dungeons in the Zelda series that is an actual dungeon. The Shadow Temple used to be a place where the Shiekah would take enemies of the Royal Family to “be interrogated or worse” as it reads in The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia. This apparently was so embarrassing that the Royal Family and the Shiekah chose to magically lock it away and never speak of it again. In case anyone did manage to get inside the Shadow Temple it was designed to not allow simple egress, to ensure no one can come out and reveal this dark stain on Hyrule’s history.
Welcome to Kakariko? One of my favorite aspects of Ocarina of Time is the contrasting tones throughout the game. A constant theme we see throughout the title is that the world is much darker than what is seen on the surface. Kakariko Village is a great example of that. This place appears to be nothing more than a peaceful little town with calming music. A nice rest stop before heading up to Goron Village. Yet the more you search, the more you tear away the veneer to reveal a village of shadows and secrecy.
The post Tingle’s Maps: Kakariko Village (Ocarina of Time) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Legend’s Cookbook is at it again, kicking off funding for The Imp’s Masquerade – A Mask-Themed Cookware & Cookbook Set on Kickstarter earlier today. With nearly $16,000 of their $25,000 goal already pledged by just 2pm EST today, it is clear this campaign is already a big hitter among fans.
Announced just a few days ago on the official Twitter account, today we discovered that the campaign boasts the team will be “producing a 15-recipe perfect bound mini-cookbook, a beautiful 8-inch, laser-engraved chef knife, a sturdy double-sided, engraved acacia cutting board, a sandstone four-pack of coasters, a fiercely powerful full-print apron, and maybe a few more items to help celebrate the New Years!”
The promotional pictures for these items? Stunning.
To support Legend’s Cookbook directly, use our Zelda Universe referral link for more information on each of the pledge levels and the associated rewards available.
The post Legend’s Cookbook: The Imp’s Masquerade now on Kickstarter first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Ever since Super Mario Bros. back on the NES, players have “warped” around game worlds in order to ease their journey. Whether avoiding Lakitu and his pesky spinies or just avoiding a grueling hour-long walk across Hyrule, warping or fast travel has become a common tool to lower players’ stress and make their travels across increasingly larger game worlds easier. In the same way, Amy Turk’s medley of the “Warp Songs” from Ocarina of Time makes things like the most difficult journey or all, life, easier. For many of us, it summons a nostalgic spirit to remind us of our childhood spent exploring the polygonal woods of the Kokiri. For others, the mixtures of the soothing notes of the ocarina combined with the ethereal strumming of the harp simply allow us a moment to feel a transportive moment of rest during a busy day.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
“Warp Songs” by Amy Turk Amy Turk’s medley follows a three part pattern. Every melody begins with a change of scenery and a costume change to match the mood of the song’s in-game environment. The background’s icy blue hue as the “Serenade of Water” plays is particularly beautiful as is the transition soon after to darker colors as the medley descends into the shrouded realm of the “Nocturne of Shadow.” The use of color and costume is the icing on the musical cake, but of course, it’s the musical mastery that is the delicious cake.
There are two parts to each warp song performance. To begin, Amy Turk, clad in a green hero hoodie, acts out the part of Link as she replicates the in-game songs with an ocarina; afterwards, she responds back to the ocarina by playing the same song on the harp. In these moments, she abandons the green hoodie for a variety of looks in a rainbow of colors that call to mind Princess Zelda’s multi-colored garb from Super Smash Bros. The call and response nature of each medley serves two purposes. It brings to mind the duets performed by the Hero of Time and the secretive Sheik, and it also eases the listener into a more relaxed state. The notes of the ocarina lull you into a calm state before the harp waltzes in and warps away the stress that clings to you like so much mental mud.
Amy Turk’s “Warp Songs” medley is the Red Potion we all need to rejuvenate us after a long day. Its notes act as a balm for our weariness and even if for four minutes, warps us to a moment of peace.
The post Medli’s Melodies: Warping away the stress first appeared on Zelda Universe.
DLC, the abbreviation for post-release “downloadable content” for games, is fairly commonplace these days. But it turns out the DLC packs Pulse of the Ancients and Guardian of Remembrance for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity weren’t actually planned for release at first
In a recent interview with the Japanese publication Nintendo Dream, several members of the Age of Calamity development team revealed that plans for DLC were not in the works until after the game launched in November 2020. But soon afterward, many fans expressed interest in downloadable content. “Once the development cycle wrapped and the retail version was on sale, the development team disbanded,” admitted Producer Yosuke Hayashi.
“About a month after release, we received a lot of feedback on the game’s official website from fans wondering if there were any DLC plans for the game,” says Producer Masaki Furusawa. An English translation of the interview is available can be found here courtesy of Nintendo Everything.
For Hayashi, the request felt natural. Breath of the Wild, after all, had received its own DLC. According to Hayashi, the Zelda team had also expressed interest in making DLC. After ruminating on the idea, the Age of Calamity team decided to re-band together for the final curtain call, a process that artist Yu Oboshi joked was “absolute chaos.”
Players are treated to many perks in Age of Calamity, which includes controlling the gargantuan Divine Beast machines. “With the team back together, we thought about the best way for fans to enjoy Hyrule Warriors even more,” explained Hayashi. “Our main focus was ideas that we couldn’t put in the main game. We decided on those ideas and used them as the focal point for development. It took about a year before things finally wrapped up.”
But how did the team fare? Was the impromptu decision worthwhile?
“In a word, I was ecstatic — they let us develop for the game again!” said director Ryouta Matsushita. “There was a sense of relief once development on the main game had finished, but to think that it was all over… I was a bit sad. With this DLC, I was thankful to be able to work with the team for one more year.”
“We always knew people wanted DLC for the game, and it was a relief when we finally got the go-ahead,” said Furusawa. “I was glad that we were able to deliver content that fans wanted.”
The post Age of Calamity devs reveal how the DLC came to be first appeared on Zelda Universe.
As promised by the Big N, more Nintendo 64 games are heading over to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription service. Nintendo recently announced that the hit classic The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask will soon join the roster this February. With the addition of Majora’s Mask, playable 64 titles now include the likes of Paper Mario, Star Fox 64, Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, Yoshi’s Story, and more.
Save Termina before it’s met with a terrible fate!
The Legend of #Zelda: Majora's Mask comes to #NintendoSwitch for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members in February! #Nintendo64 pic.twitter.com/WN2Q0Wqc8Q
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 21, 2022
Nintendo announces that Majora’s Mask is coming to the NSO Expansion Pack in February. Meanwhile, it appears that enhancements are being made to Ocarina of Time’s controversial graphic displays, along with visual and audio lag issues. The enhancements were noticed by players about the same time Banjo-Kazooie was released into the Nintendo Switch Online collection. Most notably, the infamous Dark Link room in the Water Temple seems to have some of its textures and fog effects restored (we won’t talk about what happened back there.) While official word on the improvements is mum from the Big N, it would not be a surprise if they are working on emulation hiccups from behind the scenes as we speak. Perhaps Nintendo Switch Online won’t meet such a terrible fate, after all.
Bungles aside, it appears that Nintendo is making good on their promise for the latest Switch Online package. While nothing more is said yet, the odds are high that 64 titles will continue to be added to the subscription service later this year. It’s a great way for new players to get their feet wet on some of the best classics to have graced the history of video games.
The post Nintendo Switch Online sees enhancements, Majora’s Mask to be released in February first appeared on Zelda Universe.
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary”is a line that comes to mind when I think about the ghosts wandering Hyrule Field in Ocarina of Time. Maybe it’s just because of their name, or perhaps it’s how the eerie atmosphere they bring is just like one of Edgar Allen Poe’s poems.
Whatever the reason, when it comes upon the midnight hour, clutch your loved ones, for the Poes wander restlessly and full of hate, and if you stumble in their path, they’ll take their hate out on you. After the devastation caused by Ganondorf’s hands, many souls are left to wander, haunted by their last moments alive. However, there is one soul upon Hyrule Castle that didn’t turn into a Poe — instead, he sought to collect them all.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Perched inside the long-abandoned Guard’s House in Hyrule, a single soul waits with only the dead for company. Considering the state of Hyrule after Link’s seven-year nap, the souls of the deceased aren’t the worst company to have around and make for a fitting setting for this NPC known as the Poe Collector. Only seen when Link is an adult, the Poe Collector is the only non-hostile NPC in Hyrule Castle Town. While his praise for Ganondorf’s rule would normally see him as a villain, his wish for devastation only comes from his desire to succeed as a business. Inside the Guard’s House beside the drawbridge, he sits on a white bed with a cage of Poes above him as he runs a ghost shop.
The Poe Collector doesn’t sell ghosts to Link, however. He gives a quest to Link instead, asking him to collect Big Poes, and in return, he will give Link something that will make him a happy man. With the promise of something good, anyone would immediately go hunt down the ten Big Poes, only to be disappointed to learn that the tenth Big Poe rewards Link with an Empty Bottle. On one hand, “happy” is not a word to describe how one feels after fighting and bottling up Poe spirits for fifteen minutes only to receive an Empty Bottle as a reward. On the other hand, it was a very Poe Collector move. With the constant laughter mixed within his text, a little bit of trickery and mischief comes as no surprise. In reality, the Poe Collector was tasking Link to do all the manual labor for him and stock up his store. The big question is, who does he sell the ghosts to?
There are many theories on the identity of The Poe Collector. From the guard with an obsession for ghosts to the Happy Mask Salesman who is nowhere to be seen, nothing has ever been confirmed, but his identity is a mystery that only makes the Poe Collector more intriguing. And when you collect the souls of the dead, a mysterious aesthetic sells well. While I’m not one to collect ten Big Poes in every playthrough, I stop by the old Guard’s House often to indulge in the eerie atmosphere and ponder, “Will we ever find out who dares to collect and cage the dead?” The answer: nevermore.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: The Poe Collector first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’ve always had a fondness for when games reference other games, whether they be within the same series or not. I’ve seen it especially within the Legend of Zelda franchise, whether it be those Mario paintings in the courtyard of Ocarina of Time, or the numerous locations in Breath of the Wild named after iconic locations from the entire series. In the case of Twilight Princess, I enjoy it even more when those references also happen to be canon to the series.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
Throughout the game, there are Howling Stonesthat Wolf Link can access. These allow him to howl a song alongside his wolfen Ocarina of Time counterpart to gain access to a new sword technique. All of these songs sound incredible and resonate feelings of nostalgia in me. By far my favorite among them is the first one you come across, the “Song of Healing.”
I get chills every time I hear this rendition of the song. It takes me right back to when I used to play Majora’s Mask as a child and how imperative this song was for solving so many of the game’s crises. I remember getting to this moment the first time I ever played Twilight Princess. It took me a minute before I realized what the song was and how amazing it was that they would reference it here.
I also really enjoyed the implications that this moment has, why this song was specifically chosen, and why it’s important for this Link and his previous incarnation. The “Song of Healing”was one of the most impactful songs that the Hero’s Shadehad learned during his time in Termina since it had the power to remove curses. In this case, it would make sense here that he would try to teach it to his future incarnation to break the ‘curse’ that turned him into his beast form.
While we later find out that it technically isn’t a curse and more a form that Link takes within the Twilight Realm (as opposed to becoming a spirit), it’s still heartwarming to see past and future intertwine like this. To see a sort of caring bond between the Hero’s Shadeand Link. Figuring this out makes this moment even more memorable for me, and I always look forward to revisiting this cutscene every time I replay Twilight Princess.
The post Realm of Memories: The same song and dance first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In my previous Tingle’s Maps column, I extolled the virtues of Hyrule Town Square from The Minish Cap. It got such a great atmosphere, and the square is always bustling with people. I have always really loved the Town Square, but there is so much more to Hyrule Town than a four sided object. Today, we are going to talk about the wonderful residential area of Minish Cap‘s Hyrule Town and the denizens therein. In my previous article, I talked about how fleshed out Hyrule Town was. There are tons of places outside of businesses that really round out the town. I’ll start in the top-left of the map and work my way around clockwise.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
First up is the Post Office. We’ve seen the post office in a lot of other Zelda games, but this is my favorite iteration of it. Although the Postman just runs around town, we get to meet the backbone of the operation: Stamp. He’s always in the back, stamping letters for all of the people of Hyrule. After a Kinstone fusion, the post office gets another employee: Marcy. She’s in charge of my absolute favorite little bit in this game, The Swordsman Newsletter. Each time you get a Tiger Scroll, a new copy is added to your collection at the Post Office. This was one of my favorite things to go back to when I first played this game. It was the reason I HAD to get all the Tiger Scrolls. These little books always fascinated me, and I got joy every time I read them.
Directly to the east is the Royal Hyrule Library, which has been covered at length on this site before. I’ve always liked this place, being a librarian myself and all. I related heavily to the librarians who would lament books not being returned to their proper place. I also related to the creepy old man who would scurry about the shelves, but I won’t talk about that.
Also, I may have had a crush on this librarian. That explains so much. On the eastern edge of town is the Funday School, led by two strict teachers named Tina and Dina. Throughout the adventure, the school day progresses. Each kid has a different story to tell. The teachers, hard-looking as they may be, are softies are heart who care deeply for their charges. The school has even a little playground for the kids to play on which is a little detail you don’t see in a lot of 2D games. Also, thanks to Ninten’s figurine, we find out that Zelda and Link both attended this school as they were growing up.
Heading south is the Happy Hearth Inn. This was always really cool to me. At the Inn, you can help Din, Farore, and Nayru find homes in Hyrule Town. Throughout the adventure, you can fuse Kinstones and our good friend Gorman will build homes for these lovely ladies. Personally, I always found a house for Din first since I played a lot of Oracle of Seasons. The Inn is also a great place to rest up and, depending on how much you pay, you can get a different colored Kinstone piece each time you stay.
Also, may have had a crush on Din. What can I say? Anju’s Henhouse, located at the bottom right corner of the town, has the worst minigame and no one can convince me otherwise. Her chickens are loose (again), and it’s up to us to help her (again). You also can help a ghost move on to the other realm through a Kinstone fusion here. So, yay? I guess?
After crossing the bridge the the west of the Henhouse, you get to one of the raddest additions to any Zelda game: Swiftblade’s Dojo. Throughout the game, Swiftblade will teach you different sword techniques based on what items you have acquired. Each time you get a new technique, you also get a Tiger Scroll (and Swordsman Newsletter, of course). This game featured the return of the downward thrust from Zelda II, notably absent from other iterations of the game. Now, is it annoying that I have to learn a technique to hold my sword out while I run or learn to smash a pot with my sword? Yes. But, I think is a great mechanic and makes you feel some sort of progression throughout the game. You’re getting stronger thanks to your adventures.
Swiftblade, AKA the swordsman who goes HAAAAAA when you talk to him. The final big location I want to talk about is Ninten’s Shop, located in a tree in the bottom left corner of the town. What a pain. It’s the worst. This is the place where you can exchange your seashells for useless figurines. Cool. Is it pointless? Yes. Do I want all of them? YES. PLEASE.
Scattered throughout town are a bunch of different houses and almost all of them have plot significance. Whether it is the quest for the flippers or to access hidden locations to aid your adventure, each house has personality. The Mayor decorates his house with masks. Din (in my case) has a clothesline outside her house. The two houses near the town square are connected by a plank of wood. It’s a town full of really cool details.
So, that’s it, right? We covered all the houses and businesses. All done! Well, there is still one other part of Hyrule Town that needs addressing. There are some tiny friends who would like the spotlight for a little bit. In my next article, I’ll cover the Minish areas of Hyrule Town.
The post Tingle’s Maps: Hyrule Town’s Residential Area (The Minish Cap) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A group of developers named Harbour Masters is creating a native PC port of the classic Nintendo 64 title Ocarina of Time, and they expect to have it out as early as next month.
According to an interview with VGC, the project began work as soon as last December, right after the reversed engineered code of Ocarina of Time was finished. Since then, the team has been working away at making sure that the game runs as smoothly as possible. This includes out-of-the-box widescreen support and many other potential things to make the game feel more modern. The developers currently have a road map for the game to reach 60 fps as well, though do not know when this setting will be available. Altogether, the developers believe that the game is about 90% complete.
The other big takeaway from the interview with VGC was the amount of customization that the PC port will allow, as PC players will be able to add texture packs and mod the game to their liking. With such a classic game, there is sure to be any number of hilarious mods that will come out of this project. Knowing what Zelda fans did to Breath of the Wild, these mods will range from comically dumb like Mario fighting Bowser in Hyrule to large story expansions like Second Wind.
The best part about it all is how the project is perfectly legal as the team has not used any of Nintendo’s copyrighted codes or assets. Hopefully, this fact will make the project “Nintendo Ninja” proof and everyone gets to enjoy the hard work of all the devs.
Make sure to check out the full interview for more information on the game and the team’s process.
The post Fanmade PC port of Ocarina of Time is about 90% finished first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The music of Snowhead Temple, the second dungeon of Majora’s Mask, has always stuck with me. However, while it enters my head often, it isn’t really a piece I find myself humming along to. In fact, that would be rather difficult to do. What is it about this song that makes it so unique?
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
If you know a thing or two about music, your first instinct might be to ask, “What key is this in?” only to find that answering the question doesn’t really help to understand the piece that much. The bass line’s lowest note is C, and it’s repeating that C over and over, but it’s always accompanied by the D right next to it to make an unsettling dissonance. Furthermore, there are several black-key notes in the melody, often similarly clustered, which is a solid refutation for it being in C. However, with all these different notes, which key would be the best choice to represent what the song is going for?
Perhaps a better way to describe the Snowhead Temple theme would be that it’s atonal, which is a fancy music theory term for a piece of music which doesn’t have a key at all. The closest thing to a key this piece uses is what’s called a whole-tone scale, which consists of six notes that are each a whole step apart. As each note is equally apart, it doesn’t really make a difference which note you start the scale with. Even then, the song doesn’t shy away from using notes outside of this scale, as seen with the vocal pad near the end of the loop.
All of this is to say, if the Snowhead Temple theme tells a story, it is definitely not a harmonic or melodic one. Instead, think back to those note clusters and the driving rhythm they make that really gives a sense of urgency that is unique to music styles like this. Perhaps this is why it’s so hard to hum along to. Link is in a cold, hostile environment, and this piece does well to back that up, key or no key.
Since this is a Zelda game though, there are still several keys to be found in Snowhead Temple. Just of the small and boss kind.
The post Medli’s Melodies: A frozen door with no small key first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Recently, while looking through the manga section of a Barnes & Noble book store, I stumbled upon the Legendary Edition of the Four Swords manga. The manga, officially released in 2009 in America, was separated into two volumes. However, the Legendary Edition released in 2017 includes both volumes in one book, some pages in color, and new character artwork and sketches by Akira Himekawa. Of course, I bought the book and ended up binge-reading the entire thing that evening with no regrets.
Memories came flooding back to me. It was 2007: I originally came across the Four Swords manga online and read through a fan translation of the Japanese version at the time. Needless to say, sixth grade me was obsessed. I was simply captivated by the characters and story this manga had to offer. My love was rekindled for the manga, and also for a certain purple-clad hero, who serves as the basis of inspiration for my username on Zelda Universe.
Bombers’ Notebook is a series where we take a special look at the various and unique characters found in The Legend of Zelda series. From the central figures to the supporting cast, every character has a story to tell and an important part to play. So, take a moment to become acquainted with the wonderful people and creatures that give life and energy to the world of Zelda and learn how they help make each game legendary.
Vio Link is one of the main characters from the Four Swords manga. When Link pulls the Four Sword from its pedestal, he is split into three other versions of himself wearing different color tunics, Red, Blue, and Violet, totaling four Links altogether. Even though they are all fragments of the original Link, it would be all too confusing for them to all be named Link. So, to keep it simple, nicknames were given to match the color of each Link’s tunic.
Vio disapproves of his initial nickname, Violet, since he thought Violet sounded too much like a girl’s name; therefore, it was shortened to Vio. Apart from wearing different color tunics, the four Links have their own distinct personalities. Out of the band of heroes, Vio considers himself to be the calm and collected one. He is also the designated brain of the group, and is rarely seen without a book at his side. Though the Four Sword is his primary weapon of choice, Vio is also skilled at using the Bow in certain situations, befitting for the intelligent hero.
In the beginning, the four Links do not enjoy working alongside each other and tend to butt heads pretty often, due to the original (Green) Link’s stubborn nature. Vio has somewhat of a superiority complex due to his high intelligence, which causes him to look down on the other Links. He is witty and sarcastic at times, even referring to the others as “brainless idiots” at one point which upsets Blue the most. Vio enjoys provoking the pugnacious hero in blue, since it usually elicits an amusing reaction.
In chapter four, “Links Torn Apart,” the four become separated from one another on the way to Death Mountain. This results in each Link getting their own little character arc. While they each get the spotlight for some time, Vio has become a fan favorite for his part in the manga. Shortly after becoming separated from the others, he finds himself alone in a forest inhabited by fearsome monsters and Deku Scrubs pledging their allegiance to Ganon. Unbeknownst to Vio, there was someone else lurking in the shadows, watching him from a distance.
Shadow Link appears and corners Vio, but he has no interest in killing him. Shadow is more interested in recruiting Vio to the dark side with him. He tries to persuade and convince Vio in joining his side by flattering his intelligence, stressing that Vio is far superior to the other three Links. Vio’s fate is left on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader to wonder if he will betray his fellow Links to join Shadow. Surely, our hero wouldn’t fall into the clutches of darkness now would he?
When Green, Blue, and Red arrive at the top of Death Mountain, they see Vio with Shadow close by his side. It appears that our hero has betrayed us and has fallen into the hands of darkness! In Japanese culture and other media, the color purple is sometimes associated with villains who are explicitly evil, so readers with this knowledge may have predicted Vio’s betrayal ahead of time.
The other three Links (and I) were appalled and upset to see Vio’s betrayal, especially since he is my favorite Link of the bunch. Green challenges Vio to a duel, stating that he will not allow the Four Sword to be used to service the evil sorcerer, Vaati. With a snap of his fingers, Shadow summons a platform surrounded by a lake of lava for the two to battle it out. Things were really starting to heat up in the manga, no pun intended.
Green and Vio put on an epic performance of a battle, which, at first glance, ends in Green’s supposed death. Blue and Red rush over to their fallen comrade. Our main Link, Green, couldn’t possibly be dead now could he? Luckily, Green regains consciousness, and his fellow Links are relieved. Green realizes that Vio did not intend on killing him, and is merely putting on a show to befriend Shadow in order to gain his trust. Meanwhile, Shadow, believing that Green is dead, invites Vio inside the Fire Temple to have a drink of “evil root beer” in celebration.
Inside the tower, Shadow proposes the idea of overthrowing Vaati together with Vio. Shadow believes the two make a great pair and could be unstoppable together. Meanwhile, Vio has no intention of joining the dark forces; he is merely using Shadow as a source of intel for the other Links. Shadow, fully trusting Vio, reveals that the Dark Mirror is a limitless supply of dark power. Everything is going according to Vio’s plan, as Shadow just told him the key to defeating Vaati, as well as the evil power behind him: Ganon.
Vio knows the Dark Mirror must be destroyed as soon as possible, and believes that he can carry out this entire plan by himself. He is the intelligent hero, after all! Vio tries to destroy the Dark Mirror with a hammer but is interrupted by Tingle, who wandered into the castle looking for Force Gems. Shadow becomes incredibly suspicious that someone is attempting to destroy the mirror. Vio tries to pin the incident on Tingle, but Shadow uses the mirror to reveal the true suspect. Shadow is shocked and crestfallen that Vio, someone he saw as a close friend, betrayed his trust.
Shadow orders his Hinox henchmen to execute Vio immediately for being a traitor. Luckily, Green, Blue, and Red come to the rescue and save Vio from his demise. Vio ultimately reveals to Shadow that he never intended on joining the forces of darkness. Unlike Shadow, he is a hero that never strayed from his hopes and goals. The four Links use their Light Force from the Four Sword to cast Shadow away.
Now that Shadow is gone (for now at least), the four are finally reunited and, for the first time, are relieved to see each other again. Even the hot-headed Blue is happy to see Vio! Though Vio tries to be present in the joyous moment, he cannot help but feel some remorse for Shadow. After all, he was the only one to understand Shadow on a more personal level. He can’t help but wonder that Shadow might not be as bad as the others think.
After being apart for what felt like an eternity, the four Links are now closer than ever. They have each come to realize in their own way that working alone is not always the best solution. Sometimes, it is better to ask for help and support from others. Vio comes to admit that his intelligence does not justify his actions of working alone. Vio firmly believed he could take on Shadow without the help of the others. In Vio’s mind, the others would just hinder his plan and bring him down. His high level of intelligence made him believe that he was strong enough to outsmart Shadow by himself.
By joining the forces of evil, even if only to trick the enemy, Vio put himself and the other Links in danger. He didn’t expect his own plan to backfire on him so easily. Surely, Vio must have been embarrassed, seeing as how he, the intelligent hero of the group, was unsuccessful in the end. He takes a moment to push away his superiority complex and reflect on his actions. I’m proud of Vio, as it takes maturity to admit when you were wrong.
The post Bombers’ Notebook: Vio Link (Four Swords manga) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Perhaps the most iconic moment in the whole Legend of Zelda series is the moment where a kind, elderly hermit passes over a simple, wooden sword and gives Link a simple warning: “It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.” This single screen has been made into countless memes and a horde of merchandise ranging from shirts and socks to journals. It’s this memorable moment that artist ToasterKiwi gives a new perspective in their art piece titled “It’s Dangerous to Go Alone!”
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
“IT’S DANGEROUS TO GO ALONE!” by ToasterKiwi Upon examining the two central figures of the piece, Link and the Old Man, one of the first things the audience will notice is that they both look very much like they could have stepped out of an old-fashioned anime. Link’s eyes and mouth are opened wide at the sight of the simple wooden blade. He’s still a young lad at the start of his journey, not the warrior he’ll be forged into through countless battles. His golden hair flows around and frames his face which draws our attention again toward his eyes. The thick black line on his upper lid and distinct eyelashes bring this incarnation of Link a more effeminate look. It could be that the black line at the top of his eye is merely there to separate the white part of his eye from his pale skin, but it could also be there to hint that this Link is very young and hasn’t developed the more masculine look that he might gain later in life.
The Old Man’s most interesting feature is his roundness. Almost every part of him is soft and rounded. His head, nose, sleeves, and even his toes are all sphere shaped. This is important because traditionally objects and characters that feature more rounded features are seen as cuter and more welcoming. Given that this is the first person the player meets in the original Legend of Zelda, this art immediately makes the elderly mentor appear approachable. Link’s not in danger despite the sword the Old Man is holding. He’s there to help Link, not hurt him.
There are some interesting elements to notice beyond these two iconic characters as well. In the area surrounding the Old Man, there are multiple bottles as well as mounds of what appear to be glass or crystalline spheres. At first, I wasn’t sure why these items would appear in this piece, but as I thought about it, it made perfect sense as a clever call back to the Old Man’s character in that first game.
As the player progressed through the game, various old men would appear offering everything from money to cryptic hints about the game’s puzzles. The most useful thing these hidden elders offered was the easy choice between a bottle filled with a potion or a heart container. Looking back at the art, the bottles can easily be seen as potentially being ready to hold a life giving elixir. What about the spheres though? The answer to this mystery lies not in the 8-bit era but in the modern one. In Breath of the Wild, when Link conquers a shrine or otherwise proves his heroic worth, he is awarded a Spirit Orb. Collecting four of these allows the adventurer to expand his health just like the Heart Container gifted by the old men in the original game. ToasterKiwi has cleverly combined the roles of multiple versions of the Old Man in a way that brings the oldest and newest games together.
We can’t stop analyzing this piece without mentioning the item that the old man offers Link: the Wooden Sword. Its appearance both reinvents and homages its appearance in the old game. The blade looks more like a traditional illustration, but it’s the hilt that’s the most interesting. Rather than taking artistic license to make the hilt look more fanciful. ToasterKiwi has kept the blocky style of the game. It’s very thin and more akin to something a player would see in Mincraft rather than in a piece of art. By drawing it this way, this simple sword looks like an amalgamated version of a sword we might see in the later games combined with the hilt of the original 8-bit weapon.
Through this art, ToasterKiwi has taken an image burned into the memory of millions of players and blurred the lines. It modernizes this moment, making both the Old Man and Link more like a beloved cartoon. It brings in elements from later games while merging them with details from the past. By doing so, the audience is left with an image that transcends that one 8-bit screen and expands to encompass the whole of the Zelda series.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: An old warning made new first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In a recent tweet, Nintendo of Europe revealed a set of three posters which are now available as a My Nintendo reward, featuring classic artwork from three popular Nintendo 64 titles. The games featured are The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, and Starfox 64.
Ocarina of Time’s selected artwork is a classic piece that showcases multiple characters featured in the game. It was originally drawn by Yusuke Nakano, an illustrator who has produced numerous works for The Legend of Zelda series. The set of all three makes for quite a stunning assemblage which would be an amazing part of any fan’s collection. All three are available for 500 Platinum points plus the costs of shipping.
The post Nintendo 64 poster set, featuring Ocarina of Time, available through European My Nintendo first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Every Legend of Zelda fan remembers their first Zelda title. It was the game that first got them involved in the series, and for many, will always hold a special place in their hearts. They know the opening cutscene of the game better than any other, and the starting location will always feel, at least a little bit, like Link’s true home.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
For me, luckily enough, my first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time, and therefore in my mind, Link will always belong in his treehouse being woken up by an impatient Navi. As much as he might not actually be a Kokiri, the forest will forever be his home. It might not have been a central location, but it was certainly one which, as a new player, I returned to often. I would stop by just to explore with any new items acquired along the way, to see if there was something new that could be done with, say, bombs.
When Link aged seven years and returned to a world changed entirely by Ganondorf and his forces, I was desperate to find somewhere less dark. With Hyrule Castle Town overrun by one of the game’s scariest foes and now lacking the hilariously ill-guarded room of pots, I ran as quickly as I could back to what had been the game’s safest location in the Child Era.
Running home always seems like the safest thing to do when the world turns dark and twisted and everyone in town has been replaced by ReDeads. Walking back in, it was immediately clear that something was amiss. Then I saw them: Deku Babas, Skulltulas, even Octoroks. Enemies, right in the Kokiri Forest.
As a kid brand new to playing a fully explorable, combat-based video game, I almost lost my mind right there. Luckily, Link was prepared. Using the newly earned Master Sword for the first time to defend the forest to clear it of the infestation brought joy to my little raging heart. It has been many years since then, but I still remember the feeling of running around, making sure that every last one of the villains was gone, before finally climbing into my treehouse to see how it had changed.
This is definitely not a Kokiri. If only I had already earned the cow, this might have been the funniest turn of events in my young video gaming life. As it was, I looked around, left the tree, and immediately noticed that since the screen had reloaded, so had the enemies.
After that, well, there was nothing to do but take them all down again — to let the Hero of Time defend his childhood home no matter what.
Picture this, only cutting down infinite Deku Babas.The post Realm of Memories: Reclaiming the Kokiri Forest first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Upon taking a tour through Link’s Room in Skyward Sword, now we travel to another part of the Skyloft Knights Academy and give another notable resident’s room a visit! Now is the time to explore none other than Zelda’s room!
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
Zelda’s room in Skyward Sword was a place that I thought was impossible to access. The locked door deterred me from even trying, and I assumed the area wasn’t meant to be explored. That is until I was finding all the Gratitude Crystals and discovered the dowsing ability going crazy at Zelda’s room! I knew the room was possible to access, but how? A quick walkthrough online showed me a secret path that allows the room to be explored. This secret path requires the Clawshots and it’s located not too far from the Knight’s Academy. The post where you Clawshot yourself is a chimney, and dropping down into it leads you into a small attic space in the Knight Academy. In that small attic space is a crawl through which leads you right into Zelda’s room!
Zelda’s room is full of fun surprises. There is one Gratitude Crystal in plain sight and opening her dresser reveals a piece of heart! To the right of her dresser is a cute desk full of cute knick-knacks. She has a Tingle plush that sits in the middle along with books, a carving of her blue Loftwing, and a basket full of different colored yarn. There is also a mysterious letter with a heart. In my previous article about Link’s room, I detailed his wood carving station and assumed that Link enjoys wood sculpting based on the wooden Loftwing figures. Seeing that Zelda has two blue Loftwing statues, I’m going to assume that Link made them for her using his wood sculpting skills!
There is evidence that suggests that Zelda enjoys knitting. The basket of yarn on her desk is definitely not just for show! Zelda has these adorable blue pillows with a flower design along with a tapestry hanging off the wall she shares with Karane. Did Zelda knit the Tingle plush on her desk? It’s possible! Zelda’s room has so many adorable pink items in it and it’s safe to say it’s her favorite color. Her pink bed, flowers, light above her desk, and circle rug make for a very lovely rosy room fit for both the daughter of the headmaster and the reincarnation of the Goddess Hylia!
My favorite part about Zelda’s room is the painting of her and her dad. She placed it to the left of her door and it’s something she’ll see when she opens her eyes in the morning. Zelda and her father are very close in this game and it’s heartwarming to see that expressed through the painting of them in her room. We know that Link is good at making wood sculptures, so who’s to say that Link didn’t paint the painting of Zelda and her father? We know that he has access to paint, so anything is possible! I love the idea of Zelda having knitting as her hobby and Link having wood sculpturing as his hobby; they’re two very artful people and it’s all very wholesome.
Zelda’s room is an adorable representation of her as a character. We know that she wears a pink dress, but exploring her very pink room tells us so much more about her. Her knitting station, her books, her cute pillows, all tell us that she’s a very fun and creative person who cares a lot about her hobbies and school life. I was so happy when I discovered that I was able to access Zelda’s room, and I look forward to continuing my second run of Skyward Sword!
The post Tingle’s Maps: Zelda’s Room (Skyward Sword) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In an effort to capitalize on the success of Ocarina of Time, series legend Shigeru Miyamoto championed the prospect of developing an alternate version of the game with reimagined dungeons. Eiji Aonuma, who was the system director and dungeon designer at the time, wanted to create an original new game. Not wanting to discourage his young protege, Miyamoto agreed to Aonuma’s request, but his approval came with a caveat: the game must be completed in a year.
Given the compressed timeline, it is no surprise that the development team relied heavily upon reused assets from Ocarina of Time. Many of the character sprites are carbon copies from the prior game, and the weapons and items list closely mirrors Link’s previous arsenal. Although similarities abound, Majora’s Mask is able to reuse assets in a clever way that feels fresh and unique. One particular example of the game’s ingenuity is the musical Easter eggs from Zora Hall.
Zelda’s Study is a series where we examine the history of The Legend of Zelda to bring you some fascinating (or just plain weird) trivia. In our studies, we’ll explore each game’s development, curiosities within the rich lore of the franchise, and the impact it has had on our culture. From time to time, we’ll also look at Nintendo’s past to unearth some facts about our favorite company.
Upon first arriving at the seaside oasis, Zora Hall feels eerily similar to its doppelganger location from Ocarina of Time. While the layout differs dramatically from the original, Zora Hall unashamedly appears to reuse the exact same theme from Ocarina of Time.
Comparing the first 30 seconds of the Majora’s Mask playthrough video to the “Zora’s Domain Theme” from Ocarina of Time demonstrates that the soundtracks are nearly identical. The theme is iconic and perfectly captures the whimsical spirit of the Zora tribe; therefore, it is understandable that the development staff would not want to deviate from a proven commodity.
Despite the nearly identical arrangement, the composition team used this backdrop of familiarity to hide three musical Easter eggs, and the delivery method for these secrets is none other than the Zora Band members.
Fast-forward the Majora’s Mask walkthrough video to timestamp 3:35 and listen closely. The Zora drummer Tijo appears to be playing an ordinary percussion riff; however, he eventually starts to play a few notes of the “Cave Theme” from A Link to the Past.
Tijo is not the only member of The Indigo-Go’s with an appetite for nostalgic Zelda music. Fast-forward the walkthrough video to timestamp 8:15 and listen closely to Japas’ bassist guitar riff. Japas appears to be playing a melancholy version of the “Dungeon Theme” from the original Legend of Zelda.
The final musical Easter egg in Zora Hall is perhaps the most obvious. Upon visiting the pianist Evan at the 9:10 timestamp of the walkthrough video, the musician is clearly playing a recognizable theme from a prior game. Fans of the original Nintendo Entertainment System likely heard this song on many occasions when playing The Legend of Zelda: the “Game Over Theme.”
The musical Easter eggs found in Zora Hall are a small example of how Eiji Aonuma and the development team added creative flair and nostalgia to reused assets. The result is a game that is beloved by many in the Zelda community and to this day remains one of my favorite installments in the franchise.
The post Zelda’s Study: The Zora Hall of Nostalgic Easter Egg Music (Majora’s Mask) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The holidays are a magical time of the year. From the bright and cheery displays to the whimsical music and decadent cuisine, the season is an annual promise of hope. The buildup to these merry occasions is always thrilling; however, the joyous celebrations quickly become fainting memories as the calendar year turns over its new leaf.
As the winter rolls along and we patiently wait for glimpses of the next season, we can still enjoy a lighthearted, wintery rendition of our favorite Zelda music. The “Mabe Village” song from Link’s Awakening remains one of my favorites in the series, and a talented artist by the name of thepsynergist created an alternate version of the melody with a wintery twist.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
Psypher begins the arrangement with an instrument choice that is commonplace for alternative themes with a wintery twist: chimes. Although an ordinary selection, the chimes immediately create tones of carefree lightheartedness that are distinct from the original piece.
The transition of the first verse to the chorus is where Psypher’s creativity begins to shine. Deeper notes from stringed instruments are introduced and accompany the chimes with an alt version of the chorus. This selection adds depth to the composition before a surprising reveal.
The second verse is perhaps my favorite interpretation of a Zelda song. As the verse begins, a distinct yet familiar voice enters the fray. With an incredible sense of imagination, Psypher is able to utilize a wind instrument to produce a sound that mimics Marin’s voice but with a feeling of faraway distance. The result is a series of progressions that feels as though Marin is singing along with the alternative piece.
The ending begins with a return to a short windchime solo before concluding with an improvised rendition from each of the instruments. In a similar fashion to the holiday’s abrupt conclusion, the final notes of the piece leave the listener with a desire for more.
If you enjoyed this holiday cover from thepsynergist, be sure to check out the YouTube channel for more video game covers. Psypher covers a host of video game franchises, which include Zelda, Super Mario, and Pokemon. There is definitely something for everyone in this talented composure’s repetiteur of video game covers. Enjoy!
The post Medli’s Melodies: Mabe Village Holiday Cover by thepsynergist (Link’s Awakening) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Whether exploring the great sea or hiking the mountains of Hyrule, Koroks are one of the cutest elements of The Legend of Zelda series. More than once I have found myself mimicking their “Ya-ha-ha” voice clips while smiling in awe. The musical spirits of the forest have been around since we first set sail in 2002’s The Wind Waker and despite the hunt for over 900 of them across Breath of the Wild’s vast world, their cuteness overrides any negative energy that may be harbored. Something about their wholesome nature and small size draws you into the mystical tribe of the Lost Woods, calling you to explore just how cute the Koroks can be. I didn’t think they could possibly get any cuter until I saw Outset Emporium’s Champion Koroks.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
Linktober brings out artists of many kinds, all creating various fan art inspired by The Legend of Zelda series. On the twenty-third day of Linktober, Outset Emporium gave life to a band of Koroks cosplaying as the champions from Breath of the Wild, inspired by the very fitting prompt “Champions.” When I first saw them, I couldn’t help but squeal at the sheer adorableness of the artist’s designs. Each Korok has been gifted a blue sash complete with the Divine Beast symbols and worn in a way that matches how their champion counterparts adorn their sensational status: Just like a real cosplayer would! Of course, the design wouldn’t be complete without the champion’s signature weapons. These Koroks all wield their own miniature weapons, grasped in their hand and ready to fight.
Champion Koroks by Outset Emporium Not only was time put into how the Koroks wore their cosplay, but Outset Emporium’s choice of Koroks underneath the costume matches the essence of the Champions they embody. Each Korok design from their leaf to their body shape captures the personalities of each champion. From the friendliness of Daruk’s Protection, the gentle nature of Mipha’s Grace, the fierceness of Urbosa’s Fury, and to the confidence of Revali’s Gale, this artist turned the lovable and adorable Koroks into little Champions ready to fight. Outset Emporium has put detailed thought into every component for these Koroks, shaping them into little guardians of the forest.
Outset Emporium didn’t stop at the drawings. Known for their Korok ornaments and pot plant decorations, the artist has taken their designs one step further and has created little figurines of each Champion Korok. With the sculptures, they added a few more details that bring the Champion Koroks alive. I will warn you, that once you see them, you’ll be dying to own a little Korok Champion of your own.
Deep in the Lost Woods, little Divine Beasts stand at the edge of the forest. One in the South, North, East, and West. They stand ready to defend their home from the malice of Calamity Ganon. Fog crawls around them, the magic of the forest at their side. Don’t worry Deku Tree. Your champions are ready to lay down their life for all creatures great and small.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Champion Koroks first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When it comes to speedrunning for a good cause, Games Done Quick has been at it for 10 years now. While their speedruns encompass a variety of games and genres, the sole purpose is to raise money for various charities. This year’s goal is to raise funds for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
The schedule includes a variety of games, with several Zelda titles on the schedule including A Link to the Past on January 15 at 6pm EST. Meanwhile, Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora’s Mask 3D are subjects of an ongoing bidding war; the game that receives the most donations will be a featured speedrun Wednesday (January 14) night / Thursday (January 13) morning.
There was also a speedrun of Oracle of Seasons earlier in the week, which you can catch in its entirety below.
AGDQ will continue until January 15. GDQ speedruns are fun and contain useful, in-depth strategies for the techniques that the players employ, and in combination with the good cause, it is definitely worth a look so be sure to check it out.
The post Awesome Games Done Quick 2022 features a number of Zelda titles first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hello there, Zelda fans! Three brand new pieces from Zelda Universe’s Skyward Sword 10th Anniversary Tribute album are now available to listen to on our YouTube page!
Enjoy a balmy day on top of the infamous Eldin Volcano, get rich while treasure hunting with some good Mogma friends, or relax alongside the Kikwi while listening to these classic tunes. All the covers were excellently made by Adel “Skull” Almas and originally composed by Takeshi Hama. Almas was able to beautifully pay tribute to the classic songs while adding his own flair to each one. So let’s all continue to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Skyward Sword by enjoying these rearrangements of the Kikwi, Eldin Volcano, and Mogma themes!
First up is the cute theme of the best little plant-animal hybrids on the Surface. Kikwis may cower and disguise themselves as bushes, but this song will not hide from getting stuck in your head. Oh and side note, despite what Fi’s dowsing mechanic says, this song is not related to Zelda herself.
Secondly, be prepared for a grand adventure with the roaring brass of Eldin Volcano. It may be dangerous to go alone, but this cover will make any adventurer feel invincible. Even if they are climbing a terrifying mountain completely covered with lava.
Last but not least, get into some mischievous treasure-hunting trouble with the Mogma’s theme. Who knows, you may get some Digging Mitts or a Bomb Bag while listening to this iconic song ’cause it’s always hard to tell what will happen next with creatures like the Mogma.
The post Zelda Universe’s Skyward Sword Tribute album gets three new songs first appeared on Zelda Universe.
I’ve noticed, over the years, I have a thing for symmetry.
It actively bothers me when I come across something — a building, a design, anything really — that isn’t essentially symmetrical, that actively goes out of its way to build up one side of itself differently than the other side. It’s a silly quirk that, nonetheless, can leave me bothered when I encounter yet another intentionally lopsided object.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
This quirk could rear its ugly head in video games, especially the video games of the 1990s. Many action-adventure games and role-playing games alike used camera angles that hung above the action, meaning you could see an entire building at a glance. It specifically lost me gobs of precious playing time in one particular game which, unintentionally at least, weaponized my assumption of symmetry against me, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
It was, in fact, the second dungeon of the Light World, the Desert Palace, which bothered me so. I had reached the dungeon entrance, used the Book of Mudora (later to be renamed the Hyrule Historia in a bit of sort of icky product placement I’d prefer my Zelda games eschew), entered the dungeon, worked my way through the large open courtyard and found the map.
But the Book of Mudora can teach any novice how to read the writings of the past! It confirmed my assumption that the lower level of the dungeon was essentially symmetrical. There were variations in the east and west wings of the game, but the left-right divide was roughly there, enough to fulfill my expectations of binary matching. From the outside, seemingly confirmed by the in-game overworld map, the dungeon was also apparently symmetrical. It had a large central entrance in the middle, guarded by magic barriers covered in Hylian script, and two towers on either side.
It was the towers that got me.
To my long-lasting regret, I explored the eastern side of the dungeon first. This was essential, of course, as it was on this side of the dungeon I would find the Big Key, needed to access both the central treasure of the dungeon and the final boss’ chamber, but it also led me astray. The door to the eastern turret was there and I entered it at my first opportunity, only to find it led to, well, nothing, and I dropped to the desert sands below and had to work my way back to the dungeon entrance from the outside.
Once back in the dungeon, I explored the rest of the rooms, only to find no way to progress to the upper level of the dungeon, seen on the map I’d acquired. I’d gone everywhere, opened all the chests, bombed all the walls, caught all the fairies, killed absolutely everything I could, and gotten nowhere.
The one thing I hadn’t done? Gone through the door of the western turret, under the assumption it would be identical to the eastern exit, and simply dump me outside with no easy way back in.
The Desert Palace is a dungeon of two halves. You’ll need to use the left exit to continue. I don’t know how long I wandered the dungeon aimlessly, hoping beyond hope to find some secret path forward before I finally went through the long-avoided door of the western tower. When I finally did, of course, I found it exited onto a plateau that allowed me to reach the upper door to the final wing of the dungeon, not into open space.
I was not a happy camper. I mean, I was glad to finally push on to the next level of the dungeon, but to see my assumption of the dungeon’s symmetry used against me was not a pleasant experience. I would not have left a good review on the palace’s Yelp page, for sure.
I tried to use that experience going forward and not make assumptions about future Zelda architecture without confirming it myself. But it still rankles in my mind sometimes when I think of the time I lost wandering around the Desert Palace, trapped in its chambers by an unknown lack of symmetry.
The post Realm of Memories: Fearful (lack of) symmetry first appeared on Zelda Universe.
If I could add one feature to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, it would be a freeplay mode where I could explore Hyrule as the balance tips from peace to war. I’d like to explore these environs at my own pace, rather than under battle conditions, but I understand that this game is not Breath of the Wild and that I can’t have it all.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
If you haven’t played much of Age of Calamity, then you might not realize how constrained you are in a battle area. Objects, walls, and fences stop you from fully exploring off the path, and you’re funnelled through stages fairly quickly. So I’ve taken to replaying missions much later on in order to look beyond the main path and over the fence.
I wanted to have another look around Hyrule Castle, so I replayed a mid-stage level titled ‘Calamity Strikes’. I wanted another look at the interiors of the Castle, the drapes and carpets, the furniture and paintings, but something else captured my attention instead.
Thought you’d like to see some carpet anyway Through the main gates of the Castle and away from Castle Town, there are smaller gatehouses that you may be familiar with from Breath of the Wild. The long Castle drive winds up the hill between these gatehouses, sometimes with sheer cliffs beyond the walls, and sometimes with small parkland areas.
What caught my attention this time was how, well, normal it looked. The Castle’s waterfalls fill pools with clear blue water surrounded by grass and trees. The result is that there are pockets of serene parkland dotted alongside the winding drive. The cobbles are worn away in places, dirt showing through and grass growing right up alongside the road. Past another gatehouse is a larger park area, complete with wooden benches underneath the trees.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there would have been little space at the summit of the hill for gardens, like we’ve seen in previous Zelda games. There couldn’t be the large walled gardens of games gone by, but there was enough space for these little pockets of nature, dotted along the road to the front gate.
And why shouldn’t the royal family be able to enjoy this space? Why did it need to be directly adjacent to the main structure of the Castle? They’re already behind multiple layers of fortification and prior to the Calamity they lived at peace.
These little park areas are full of trees, large and old, and bushes that look a little wild. This isn’t topiary, there’s nothing manicured about these little areas. However, some have little stone pagodas, which suggests that these areas were intended for royal use. Though I highly doubt Princess Zelda paid any attention to etiquette.
Ignore the fire, I’ve dealt with the Moblins I imagine that Zelda spent many hours reading by the water during long summer months. That this was far enough from the Castle to feel like an adventure until she was old enough to look beyond the walls for even more.
In the hazy sunset as the Calamity strikes, I feel like I’ve seen a snippet of Castle life that I’d missed before. The greatest thing to me about Breath of the Wild and Age of Calamity is how they’ve captured my Princess Zelda, and through these small environments, I can see her life in snippets. Maybe you see something different when you look at these places, but that’s the beauty of it.
The post Tingle’s Maps: Hyrule Castle entrance (Age of Calamity) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
According to a report by VentureBeat, this year’s E3 showcase will be held solely online once again following concerns of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The large-scale gaming event, held every June and renowned for its groundbreaking video game announcements, has been tucked away behind our screens since 2020 when COVID-19 became a worldwide setback.
Despite this, the Electronic Software Association is keeping a positive momentum going for the upcoming event. It states that it’s “excited about the possibilities of an online event.” After E3 2021’s Breath of the Wild sequel showcase detailing a target release for 2022, Zelda fans can look forward to more potential news and updates on this heavily anticipated title!
While there are still months ahead for global circumstances to change, industry attendees use this time to prepare for the event. Recently, CES 2022 continued as an in-person event and the Game Developers Conference will go ahead in-person in March.
The post The ESA confirms an online-only E3 2022 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
In spite of hardware part shortages affecting the production of Nintendo Switch consoles, the system is nonetheless thriving. Data provided by Famitsu (and shared with GamesIndustry.biz) shows that Nintendo has sold over 5.3 million Switch consoles in 2021 at Japanese retail locations.
The data accounts for Switch sales between December 28, 2020, and December 19th, 2021, and includes the sales of both the standard and Lite as well as the newer OLED models. The Nintendo Switch sold nearly five times as many consoles as other popular units combined, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, and the Nintendo 3DS.
The Switch’s stellar performance is likely driven by the addition of the OLED console, as well as the variety of great titles available on the unit. Highly anticipated upcoming titles, such as the Breath of the Wild sequel and others set for release in 2022, will likely keep the momentum going.
The post Japanese Switch sales reach over 5 million in 2021 first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Four million copies sold is an impressive milestone for any game, so congratulations are in order to Koei Tecmo’s teams for Age of Calamity hitting that benchmark.
That number is 300,000 up from the last time we reported on the figures back in April. As I mentioned in that article, Age of Calamity is already the bestselling Musou game made by the Japanese company. It continues to be a massive success for the franchise and both companies.
“it prints money!” It must be a testament to the strength of Breath of the Wild as its own sort of spin-off franchise. Obviously, it’s a Zelda game, but selling so much better than its predecessor tells me that this new direction for the series is working for a lot of people.
I never thought we would get a second Hyrule Warriors, and now it seems to only be picking up more steam. Perhaps we’ll see a third title in the not-too-distant future.
The post Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity passes 4 million sales first appeared on Zelda Universe.
One word that could easily be used to describe Breath of the Wildwould be epic. The world you explore dwarfs any other version of Hyrule in size as does the possibilities afforded the player. Link’s arsenal is also incredibly expansive, and his wardrobe is so diverse that he’d need a shrine-sized closet just to fit all his looks. RebeccaETripp’s “Breath of the Wild Epic Orchestral Medley” lives up its use of the adjective in many ways from its whopping twenty-five minute long runtime to its ability to weave twenty-four different tracks together in a way that not only transitions in an incredibly harmonious way but is also often beautifully moving.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
“Breath of the Wild Epic Orchestral Medley” by RebeccaETripp Rather than breaking down the entire medley, which could make reading this article a time commitment of epic proportions, I will share a few of my favorite moments instead.
The cluster of themes related to the Gerudo was particularly enjoyable for their ability to tell a story. The use of small bells and cymbals as the “Gerudo Town” theme played added to the exotic feels of the iconic desert town, but the use of a series of ascending and descending notes during the theme adds an unconventional touch to the background. It almost creates a sense of viewing the fortress town through time lapse as both the day and night versions of the “Gerudo Town” theme are merged and mixed together. It’s like we’re just another one of the warrior women who live there, spending day after night after day finding a way to thrive under the harsh desert sun.
The deep notes that end this theme and lead into the “Molduga” theme flow so smoothly together yet conjures up violent images of an attack on the Gerudo. You can imagine how the calm of a normal desert day is suddenly smashed into as many bits as there are grains of sand in the dunes as the ferocious predator bursts from the middle of the marketplace.
From one biome to the next, the introduction to “Kakariko Village” nearly caused me to crow with laughter as it begins with the sounds of cock-a-doodle-doos and clucking. The sounds continue in the background as the theme continues to play and adds a sense of life to this part of the medley that is juxtaposed with the feeling of death and decay that comes with the introduction of the “Hyrule Castle” theme that follows. Tripp’s transition between these two tracks perfectly captures the conflicting feeling of abundant nature and life and encroaching ruin and death that is at the heart of Breath of the Wild.
This same deft hand, or perhaps ear would be the better phrase, is found when Tripp emphasizes the “Zelda Main Theme” that’s normally found in “Hyrule Castle” before transitioning into “Zelda’s Theme/Lullaby.” The triumphant sound of this music contrasts with the haunting feeling of the melody prior to it and reminds the listener of the heroism and commitment that the Princess has displayed in holding back the Calamity that has ravaged not only the castle but the entire land for one hundred years.
Listening to RebeccaETripp’s Breath of the Wild medley lives up to the term epic in a multitude of ways. It lets us relive countless memories of each of our treks through this version of Hyrule, it calls a mixture of emotions to well up, and it also invites each individual to pull out their own favorite moments and proclaim them as masterful. All of those are enough reasons to give this medley multiple listens and to name RebeccaETripp “Musician of the Wild.”
The post Medli’s Melodies: A medley both epic and masterful first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Winter is officially upon us. The temperatures are below freezing and scarves and mittens are taken from their hidey holes to keep us warm. It’s the only time of year where it becomes an ice level outside your door. I love it. The snow, the cold, the smell of a subzero wind, it’s all amazing. I’ve always really appreciated the colder places in The Legend of Zelda series. Hebra was one of my favorite parts of Breath of the Wild— definitely not for Revali, but for the atmosphere. They are always so peaceful and fun to be in.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
DeviantArt user and member for the Zelda Universe DA group TinyRedSquirrel created a really beautiful piece called “The Beauty of a Hyrule Winter” which I think really encapsulates the season well.
The piece takes a very refined, straightforward approach. It’s simply Zelda from Breath of the Wild standing off center, gazing out in wonder at the snow falling all around her. That’s it. It’s such a minimal piece, but it shows so much. Zelda’s expression is perfect for what is going on around her. She is having one of those moments we all have when the first snow of winter starts falling. No matter what your age is, you always tend to get a little misty eyed at snowfall.
I also want to call attention to her outfit. Her coat is so accurate to what you would see in-game, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was an actual outfit for snowy regions when BotW 2 comes out. I love all the little details on the coat and gloves. The artist really put in a lot of detail work on this piece.
Color is always an important part of any piece of art. Sometimes, a lack of colors can help establish a mood better than the actual subject. In this case, the piece is almost entirely shades of blue. Blue is really the perfect color for the winter season as even pure white snow has a tinge of blue to it. It works to make this a moment frozen in time, a memory of the season. The blue-gray of the background serves as a subtler contrast to the white of the snow falling instead of using a harsher or more prominent color such as black or even solid gray.
Everything about this piece just screams “Winter”, at least all the fun parts of the season. Strolling outside during a light snow with the wind blowing your hair is, in my opinion, the best way to experience winter. Thank you to TinyRedSquirrel for submitting this piece to our DeviantArt group! You can check out their other works on their DA page here.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: Hylian Winter first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Video games are cool, am I right? Growing up, like so many others, I used video games as my escape from the real world. My parents went through a pretty rough divorce when I was about seven. I spent most of my second-grade year just playing games. That escape was critical for me as a young boy. My Game Boy was almost my lifeline.
Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in The Legend of Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!
I got my first Game Boy when I was around five years old. I believe it was for Christmas and, with it, I got the game that every kid wanted that year: Pokémon Red Version. Here’s the issue with giving a kid that age a video game system: Chances are, they don’t know how to read well. A majority of video games require a basic level of comprehension to fully enjoy or even understand the game. Thankfully, I just liked the monster designs and couldn’t care less about the story. And, it always helps when you have an older brother to get through it for you.
Fast forward a few years. I was looking for something to play on my brand new Pikachu-yellow Game Boy Color. I genuinely have no clue how we obtained this game, but I found my all-time favorite Zelda game that day. I popped The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX into my Game Boy and started playing.
If anyone asks you what the late ’90s/early 2000s were like, just show them this picture of my sister and me. Link’s Awakening played a large role in my life growing up. I wasn’t good at it in any way. Usually, I’d get to the fifth dungeon and start over. But, those first few dungeons were like balm for the soul. This and Red are the two games that I really owe my love of video games to. My parents would be screaming at each other, but I always had that rockin’ Tal Tal Heights music to keep me company.
My Game Boy has always helped me through tough times. It upgraded as I grew. I got my first Game Boy Advance (without the backlit screen) when I got the chickenpox. Having to stay home is a lot easier when you have the Oracle games to keep you company.
My brother went off to college when I was twelve. He was the first of my siblings to leave home, so I was really bent out of shape about it. I had gotten the red Game Boy Advance SP for my birthday the year before. My brother was coming home for Christmas and I was so excited. I opened my gift from him and it was the Prima guide to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for the GBA. That was great, but I didn’t have the game. Well, he handed me a smaller box. There it was. I had desperately wanted it and he got it for me. The next year was a bit easier thanks to Link.
But, I grew up. Eventually, I grew out of handhelds because they seemed like kid’s toys (OK, sure, Zach). Then I got to college and it all changed. Apparently, it’s cool to play Pokémon games? Sounds great to me! I could finally get back to that root that made my childhood so great. Thanks to low impulse control and being depressed, I picked up a 3DS, Pokémon Platinum, and Phantom Hourglass. To say this caused issues when it comes to doing my homework would not be a complete lie. However, being able to play these games again really helped me come out of my shell and make friends on my floor.
So, I never stopped playing. I’m married with kids now. At the tail-end of last year, I got COVID. It sucked, and I would not recommend it. I couldn’t come out of my room, I couldn’t play with my kids, and it was Christmas! I could hear my kids playing with their mom on the other side of the door. It was the saddest I had been in years. In my lowest hours, I picked up my 2DS and started up an old friend, Link’s Awakening DX. After I beat that, I moved on to The Minish Cap. I played and played and slept and played until I could finally come out. I can honestly say that I would have been even worse off if I didn’t have that game to keep me company.
My current profile picture on Facebook is of me with my two daughters. My older daughter is sitting on my lap and I’m holding the baby in my arm. I’m playing Pokémon White Version 2 on my 2DS. This is the life I had pictured for myself growing up. Passing my love of gaming on to my kids, setting them on my lap while I teach them how to play. It’s all thanks to that first Game Boy.
The post Realm of Memories: Me and my Game Boy first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Dark World is introduced in A Link to the Past as an alternate realm similar to Termina, the Twilight Realm, or Lorule. In this title, the Dark World acts as a parallel dimension to the overworld, a darker reflection of Hyrule and a corrupted form of the Sacred Realm. After Link’s call to adventure and receiving the Master Sword, he ventures through the Dark World in order to save the six maidens and Zelda from the clutches of Agahnim. It’s a neat, twisted version of the overworld that the player journeys through for most of the game. However, this reflection of Hyrule (sometimes referred to as the Light World) offers a bit more of a thematic presence than just being another repeat overworld.
Tingle’s Maps is a series in which we explore the endless lands of Hyrule in search of our favorite places in The Legend of Zelda. We’ll explore everywhere: the beautiful landscapes that make us put down the controller in awe; the deadly terrain that threatens Link with the harshest of elements; the bustling towns that bring the game to life; and the abandoned grounds that evoke peace and sadness. As well as the grand locales, we’ll also discover all the secret caves and hidden crevices that lie between. Let’s adventure!
Map of the Dark World First, a brief history on the Dark World. The Dark World is explained to have originally been the Sacred Realm, also called the Golden Land. The Triforce had been sealed away by the goddesses, safe from anyone who may try to use it. The Sacred Realm was a mysterious place that would eventually reflect the heart of whoever entered and claimed the Triforce. When Ganondorf entered and obtained the pieces of the Triforce, The Sacred Realm was corrupted and became the Dark World by reflecting the greed and evil in his heart. Many people driven by greed entered the former Golden Land seeking out the legends they were told of the powerful Triforce and became members of Ganondorf’s army. Now the Dark World, these people found themselves transformed into monsters, animals, and other random objects. War broke out to contain this corrupted realm and would come to be called the Imprisoning War. When Link is summoned by Zelda to help stop Agahnim, the war and Ganon are a distant memory.
Link unaware of a pickpocket in the Village of Outcasts What I like most about the Dark World is the consistent theme of greed that plays throughout. Looking at a map of the Dark World, we see that it is filled with different shades of green, brown, puke-green, darker green, and slightly darker green. Rather than make the Dark World seem scary or mysterious, this color scheme instead makes the Dark World seem gross, ugly, and drab. Perhaps it was a limited color pallet of old technology on the SNES, but I like to think this palette was chosen to compliment the theme. We can also find how the corrupted Dark World has affected the people. In the Village of Outcasts, once law-abiding citizenry turned to a town of thieves, while others had more extreme cases by even transforming into monsters. Rather than use a frightening environment to reflect the greediness and evil of Ganon, it uses a bleak, more disgusting one. I think this is an accurate portrayal of the evil we find in people’s hearts. It’s not necessarily dark, it’s just ugly.
Bunny Link observes some monsters who were once people Greed is contagious, and we can see how this works in the Dark World. Ganon’s reflected desires not only transforms the land of the Sacred Realm, but also influences the people in it. I find it interesting how such greed and yearning for the power of the Triforce came over the people of Hyrule. This would seem to be the only game where something like this has ever happened. Where people other than the antagonist are fighting over the ultimate power that is the Triforce. Was it the opportunity to get the Triforce themselves, or Ganon’s contagious greed that caused people to act in such a way? With all this evil amongst the people, it is surprising, yet more heroic, that the Hero of Legend would not be influenced by such greed and temptation. Even his reflected form in the Dark World was not a monster, but an innocent bunny.
I think it’s cool how the Dark World is utlized in this title. Rather than just being another area to explore, it utilizes the environment to add more depth to the overall story. A Link to the Past is one of my favorite games. Not only does it have great dungeons, but it is subtle thematic nuances like this that makes this game, and other Zelda games, just that much more interesting.
The post Tingle’s Maps: The Dark World (A Link to the Past) first appeared on Zelda Universe.
The Zelda developers often use a theme when naming non-playable characters from a shared place of residence or demographic background (see here for an example from Skyward Sword). It comes as little surprise, then, that the Wind Tribe from The Minish Cap derive their names from meteorological phenomena, particularly terminology referring to wind. While the inspiration for some of the tribe members’ names are fairly obvious, I caught wind of terms I never knew when researching the other names. Let’s ride like the wind to discover the wind beneath each names’ wings: in other words, the inspiration for each name.
Zelda’s Study is a series where we examine the history of The Legend of Zelda to bring you some fascinating (or just plain weird) trivia. In our studies, we’ll explore each game’s development, curiosities within the rich lore of the franchise, and the impact it has had on our culture. From time to time, we’ll also look at Nintendo’s past to unearth some facts about our favorite company.
Caprice Caprice’s name is not directly from a weather term, but from a term (caprice) often used to describe sudden, unpredictable changes in the weather. I’m glad Caprice’s demeanor towards Link is not capricious.
Flurris Flurris draws her name from “flurry,” a small swirling mass of something, especially snow or leaves, moved by sudden gusts of wind. I assumed her name was pronounced with a hard “s” sound, but upon reflection perhaps it is meant to be a soft “s” so that it reads like “flurries,” or maybe a silent “s” as it would be pronounced in French (à la Paris).
Gale Here’s an easy one. Gale’s name comes from “gale,” a term for a strong wind often used in nautical contexts. I really like the name Gale and tried (unsuccessfully) to convince my wife to give one of our children that name.
Gregal Poor haunted Gregal’s name most likely comes from “Gregale,” a strong and cold Mediterranean wind that blows mainly in winter. An ominous wind for a character in a dire predicament. In the French and German versions of the game, Gregal’s name is “Gust” and “Tornado,” respectively.
Hailey Like her sister, Gale, Hailey’s name is a common name in English-speaking countries. In this context, Hailey also refers to hail: hard, frozen rain pellets. Interestingly, her name in the German version of the game is Cirrus, a type of cloud.
Siroc Siroc, the leader of the Wind Tribe, likely draws his name from “sirroco” (sometimes called siroc), a hot, furious Mediterranean summer wind which is often dusty, rainy, or both. Who knew the Mediterranean had so many unique winds?
Strato & Strata It’s not clear if Strato and Strata are related (it wouldn’t be surprising since their sprites are the same), but both of their names are likely derived from either stratus clouds or the stratosphere (or both). In non-English versions of the game, Strato’s name is not weather-related, but refers to his status as a traveler.
Zeffa Link’s fast-travel companion, Zeffa, likely takes its name from “zephyr,” a warm and gentle westerly breeze occurring in the summer in the western United States. An apt name for a comfy cruise across Hyrule.
That wraps our whirlwind tour of the Wind Tribe and their member names’ origins. Should you visit their home in the clouds, see if you can find any other weather-related Easter eggs.
The post Zelda’s Study: Catching wind of the origins of the Wind Tribe’s names first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Back in late October, just a week shy of Halloween, the West Coast of the United States was alerted to the presence of an ominous meteorological phenomenon gradually approaching from the north. The term “bomb cyclone” splashed all across the news as the swirling storm loomed large on the horizon, and to complicate matters further, a rare Category 5 “atmospheric river” was set to slice right through the parched Northern California region. All the scary labels aside, what this essentially translated to was that we should expect buckets of rain to be dumped on us in the coming days. As a resident of the Golden State, a land severely weakened by drought and ravaged by horrific wildfires, this was music to my ears. I already love rain as it is, but if this storm could nourish the soil and help heal the wounds inflicted by years of punishing dry heat, then I was prepared to whip out the red carpet with a flourish and excitedly usher it into my backyard.
What I wasn’t expecting, however, was a steady torrential downpour of heavy water globules whose raw power would topple several old trees and threaten low-lying neighborhoods with flooding. I watched in sheer disbelief as the creek outside my house filled to capacity, breaching the thick mud barrier that kept the water contained within the channel (not nearly enough to flood us, but still); for the first time in the nearly 10 years I’ve inhabited this area, the wetlands that lay beyond the creek actually lived up to their namesake. Don’t get me wrong, this weather event was definitely tame in comparison to a tropical cyclone, but for me, it was a sobering reminder of nature’s awe-inspiring strength and tenacity.
But at the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder: what if nature wasn’t the puppet master behind such a deluge? Imagine how chilling it would be to gaze through the curtain of droplets that pelt the earth like bullets, only to spot multiple orbs in the distance whose eerie pink glow bleeds into the mist. I think it’s safe to say that you’d need a bigger boat to navigate the floodwaters – or, in the case of a certain Hylian Champion, a bigger Zora.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
The Zelda series has always been lauded for its intense and unique boss battles, but I believe that the assault against Divine Beast Vah Ruta belongs in a class all its own. It’s a dizzying whirlwind of adrenaline and euphoria, fueled by an elegant yet turbulent melody that represents the sorrow, fear, and hope of the Zoras as they contend with this horrific blight. Indeed, the Vah Ruta battle theme is a complex, emotionally charged composition that would require incredible skill and ingenuity for a musician to even imitate, let alone improve upon.
Well, the Melody Geeks are here to say, “Challenge accepted.”
The remix begins with a exquisite piano melody accompanied by shimmering chimes and strings, as a glorious flute soon joins in to welcome Breath of the Wild‘s paragon of kindness and bravery, Prince Sidon. Not only is Sidon himself the epitome of everything we have come to value in a Zora, but his theme song embodies the soul of the Zora Tribe as a whole; their quiet dignity and grace have helped them to weather terrible tragedies over the years, strengthening their spirits so they may act as pillars of support to others in need. Like a gentle rain shower smooths away the scars left by the sun’s rays, their presence acts as a soothing salve for our psyche, assuring us that all will remain harmonious within the environment as long as they continue to act as its stewards.
But that soft drizzle won’t last for very long. After only a minute of indulgence in this relaxing tune, the haunting notes of the violin sound the alarm about an incoming tempest. A new, deadly contender has entered the arena, and in the calm before the storm, only the ominously beautiful music and the whistle of icy wind gusts echo through the air. All at once, the pianist cranks the dial up to 11 and unleashes a jaw-dropping torrent of notes, making me envision Vah Ruta raising its trunk skyward and slashing a hole right through the clouds. Cascades of water pour down from the heavens as the flute and string instruments plaintively recount the tale of the corrupted Divine Beast, while the discordant piano music calls to mind that heart-stopping flurry that signals an imminent Guardian attack. All one can do is gaze up in terror and awe, unable to process this catastrophic turn of events.
The piano melody soon stabilizes; however, and a militaristic drumbeat establishes a steady rhythm to reign in the chaos; now Link and Sidon have leapt into battle, ready to tame this wild creature and bring an end to the ceaseless downpour. The music keeps intensifying as electric guitar bursts onto the scene like a jolt of lightning, with the massive mechanical pachyderm hurling ice blocks at our heroes as they attempt to catapult up a waterfall and pacify the beast via electrocution. At the song’s climax, the chaos reasserts its dominance as the pianist once again sets fire to the keys, suggesting that Vah Ruta may be gaining the upper hand in this harrowing fight. Before the tumultuous waters can consume him like a deep-sea leviathan, our Champion fires off one more lightning arrow and paralyzes the calamitous entity, granting him entry inside the machine to eradicate the blight once and for all. Thus Sidon’s theme returns to close out the song, handing the victory over to the Zoras who, despite being battered by countless losses, continue to aid the spirit of the hero in his effort to liberate the land of Hyrule. With their unwavering support, even the most intense storms will eventually be nothing more than a distant memory.
The folks over at Melody Geeks are truly phenomenal musicians, so I suggest you drop whatever you’re doing and go binge as many of their videos as possible. My personal recommendation is this insanely creative remix of “Jump Up, Super Star!” in the style of iconic battle themes from Undertale!
The post Medli’s Melodies: A deluge of elephantine proportions first appeared on Zelda Universe.
What’s a great endnote for a turbulent, remarkable year? Another heralded ranking for Breath of the Wild. What’s an even better way to cap off 2021 for Zelda fans? Mr. Miyamoto himself taking over Nintendo’s Twitter account to talk about it.
On December 27, 2021, the Japanese television network TV Ashai ran a special three-hour show that revealed Japan’s top 100 video games of all time, showing them off one by one. The results came in from the votes of over 50,000 people in Japan, an impressive feat to say the least. Some beloved games fell off the list, while other forgotten titles made the climb in the epic competition. But through it all, only one climbed to the very top, and that game was none other than Breath of the Wild.
Amazing as it was, an even better surprise came the next day when Shigeru Miyamoto shared a special Tweet on Nintendo’s Japan account thanking everyone for the prestigious victory. Here’s an English translation of the tweet, courtesy of @Cheesemeister3k.
“This is Miyamoto. Thank you for voting for so many Nintendo titles in the ‘Video Game General Election’ that aired last night. It was a chance to think back to all the scenes of game development over nearly 40 years. I will keep on making games to bring new experiences to all.” https://t.co/CnEoHyEZA8
— Cheesemeister (@Cheesemeister3k) December 28, 2021
After so many years, it’s nice to know that the father of the Legend of Zelda and Super Mario franchises is still very much involved with Nintendo. It seems he isn’t stopping anytime soon! The complete list of TV Ashai’s Top 100 can be seen here via Kotaku. Game titles that made it in the top ten are as follows:
10. Super Mario Bros. 3
9. Final Fantasy X
8. Chrono Trigger
7. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
6. Dragon Quest III
5. Splatoon 2
4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
3. Final Fantasy VII
2. Dragon Quest V
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild
Interestingly, Ocarina of Time stood its ground placing number 17 in the group. Skyward Sword, Majora’s Mask, and the first Legend of Zelda also made it in the pack. Not long after TV Ashai’s rankings were aired, IGN revised its own Top 100 games list on December 30, 2021. What did they place as number one? You guessed it, Breath of the Wild.
The post Shigeru Miyamoto thanks players for rating Breath of the Wild as Japan’s best game of all time first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hey, Zelda fans! 2021 has been a rough year for many of you—this has been, like, the longest year for me—and the general lack of Zelda stuff has not made it any easier. Hopefully, the five episodes we put out before this one this year have made it just a little bit more tolerable!
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
This is actually our twentieth episode since we returned from the dead in 2018! While I had wanted to do a little more for it than what we ended up doing, I did get to co-host this episode with my friend and yours, Elias Thompson, and had a great time doing it. Plus, we have a slate of thought-provoking content, including the return of a segment that we haven't had in a while, as well as a guest segment from former Zelda Universe and Zelda Wiki "tech guy" Justin! So, without further ado, here's the rundown for this episode:
- Zelda History, Part 6: 2011-2015Presented by Shona0:05:49-0:15:46
- Hey Listen!: Reflecting on the 35th AnniversaryPresented by Brian0:21:36-0:29:53
- An Introduction to Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy RupeelandPresented by Justin Folvarcik, former ZU DevOps head0:33:25-0:43:50
- What If Zelda Was…an Unpacking Game?Presented by Randy0:48:56-0:56:13
- Episode creditsPresented by Eden1:03:10-1:06:56
- Oops! I Crapped My Pants (Bloopers)1:06:58-1:11:09
Zelda Universe also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). We also have a website, zeldauniverse.net, which is older than any of those social media sites. You can leave feedback about the ZUCast on said social media sites, in our email inbox at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on the Zelda Universe Forums, which again, has been around longer than those social media sites. We're old, is what I think I'm getting at.
With the Breath of the Wild sequel (probably) out next year, you can look forward to some particularly awesome episodes from us coming in the near future! As to what else awaits all of us, only time will tell. In the meantime, thanks to all of you for sticking with us for all this time, whether you started with our first episode in 2018 or this one! Happy new year!
Special thanks to Joshua Lindquist for putting together the static graphics for this episode!
Recently, a limited edition copy of The Legend of Zelda was sold for around $4,000 on Yahoo! Auctions because it contained a special edition sticker on the cartridge. This special edition of the game could only be acquired through a sweepstake that an instant noodle company was running near its release.
The company Charumera collaborated with Nintendo to award 1,500 winners this special edition copy of the game in 1986. This edition of the game included a Charumera sticker on its cartridge. It is not uncommon for old video games to gain value based on their rarity especially when it is a limited version of the video game. The fact that this version of The Legend of Zelda sold for so much because of a giveaway that an instant noodle company did so long ago is a little bizarre.
The game was sold at an auction in Japan for 453,000 yen which is comparable to $3,966 USD. However, this is not the first time this edition of the game has been sold before. This version of The Legend Of Zelda has been sold a couple of times over its 35-year history and has sold over the $1,000 mark multiple times, though never before has the price reached this high.
This is the special version of the game
In many cases, special editions of games will contain different levels or more customization options, though this is not the case for The Legend of Zelda. According to Gaming Alexandria, there is no difference between this special release and the original besides the label. Unfortunately, our dreams of Link collecting cups of noodles to restore health are squashed!
The post A limited-edition version of The Legend Of Zelda sold for $4,000 due to ramen branding first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Hello there, Zelda fans! Zelda Universe’s Amanda VanHiel is back once again with this week’s Zelda News.
In this week’s episode, Amanda covers the return of ZREO studios with their new Ocarina of Time cover album, along with information on the creative minds behind the project. After that, she covers how Metroid Dread won “Best Action-Adventure Game” and how the Breath of the Wild sequel was robbed from the “Most Anticipated Game” category at the Game Awards 2021. Finally, Amanda talks about the brand new Hylian Shield statue by First Four Figures, as well as Nintendo Minute airing its final episode.
Be sure to check out the video below, and stay tuned for next week’s Zelda News round-up!
The post Zelda News: The return of ZREO and First 4 Figures’ Hylian Shield statue first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is considered to be one of the hardest games of all time, yet this has not stopped Twitch streamer HanDcappable from proving that anyone can excel at even the toughest games.
HanDcappable is a disabled player who has become known on Twitch for playing extremely difficult NES games such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Dragon Slayer purely with his chin. But he does not only play these games with his chin; he manages to make the game look easy while doing so. He always plays with a swagger and confidence that is truly admirable. Where most players would be panicking and screaming, HanDcappable stays calm and keeps moving forward.
This is no different in his current attempt at a deathless run of Zelda II. In the first part of the playthrough uploaded recently, HanDcappable successfully tackles the vast majority of Parapa Temple. Watching him play through the game is nothing short of inspiring and impressive. If one just watched the gameplay footage, they would never be able to tell that he was playing with his chin instead of his hands.
It is always wonderful to see people like HanDcappable and blind gamer Terry Garrett beat classic games despite the challenges in front of them. As someone who was born with slight birth defects, it is extremely inspiring to see people succeed in spite of any challenges they face.
The post Twitch streamer plays classic games like Zelda II with his chin first appeared on Zelda Universe.
At this point in time, I believe that most of us are quite familiar with the opening sequence of Breath of the Wild. When our mute hero drowsily emerges from the Shrine of Resurrection into the piercing light of day, clad in humble peasant garb with a memory bank robbed of all its most precious artifacts, the camera pans out to reveal the magnificent breadth of lush, verdant land that we will be free to explore to our hearts’ content. The sight of rich green foliage greets us as far as the eye can see, from the steep slopes of the Great Plateau to Death Mountain on the distant horizon. We come to quickly recognize this emerald kingdom as the primary setting for our adventures. Sure, combing the peaks and valleys of Hyrule will gradually introduce us to a variety of microclimates, such as the blisteringly hot Gerudo Desert and the bitingly frigid Hebra Peak, but most of our quests will see us romping through grassy fields bursting with life. Aside from weathering the occasional thunderstorm, we more or less get to enjoy an endless springtime with plenty of sunshine and inexhaustible resources.
Now, with all that in mind, let us consider for a moment how vastly different our experiences with this game would be if seasonal shifts were included as a core mechanic. What if the perpetually orange leaves in the Akkala Highlands only appeared for a relatively short period of time, accompanied by crisp mornings and a bountiful (but equally brief) pumpkin harvest? What if certain butterflies could only be collected during the Vernal Equinox, when the delicate winged creatures first emerge from their cocoons? And what if, instead of gazing out upon a world overflowing with vegetation, we caught our first glimpse of Hyrule as a land blanketed in white, with tiny snow flurries peppering Link’s hair as his breath crystallizes before his very eyes?
Well, as those of us in the northern hemisphere retreat to our caves to ride out the darkest day of the year, I thought I would share a familiar melody in which its light, breezy notes have been weighted down by icy frost, drawing us into a Hyrule gripped by the jaws of a wild winter.
Medli’s Melodies is a series in which we choose our favorite songs from The Legend of Zelda franchise, or highlight a special piece of music from the perpetually creative fan community. Music has always been such an integral component of Zelda games, and we’re here to celebrate that every week!
An established genre hopper, Australian musician Durrdiss is a true diamond in the rough with an eclectic, thoroughly original collection of musical arrangements that sway to the beat of a deeply poetic heart. He most recently released a magnificent album known as “Idol,” but the piece that first drew my attention to this delightful chap’s channel was a remix of a Zelda tune that captured the hearts and imaginations of people across the world over five years ago, now dusted with a layer of fine powder snow to help usher in this cold yet strangely enchanting season.
As I mentioned before, the original Breath of the Wild theme is buoyant and vivacious, perfectly setting the stage for a lively journey where the player is encouraged to take their time and comb the gorgeous wilderness at a leisurely pace. But in this Joe-Hisaishi-meets-Danny-Elfman remix, an extensive strings section takes the spotlight to infuse the song with new energy and emotion, dampening the spirited mood just as the first cold rainstorm would the sun-baked earth following a long, carefree summer. The atmosphere is thick with tension, the deep, solemn notes signaling the beginning of a dramatic transformation that will render Hyrule virtually unrecognizable. The stakes are now far higher than they were before, as our brave Hylian Champion must act quickly to procure the supplies, sustenance, and shelter he will rely upon when ferocious blizzards tear across the land and make normal travel virtually impossible. With most of his regular food sources dried up and the bone-chilling cold creeping ever closer, basic survival will be a challenge in and of itself for Link.
But don’t lose faith just yet! The gentle tones of piano and flute in this remix, as well as the joyful jingling of sleigh bells, remind us that while winter may seem daunting, Hyrule still radiates warmth and vitality as the landscape adjusts to the changing season. The smooth, flawless surface of a frozen lake shimmers with a reflection of the endless gray sky, and the bare skeletons of trees glisten with beautiful icicles. As the song reaches its climax, I can imagine Link triumphantly cresting a hill, the blades of a sturdy toboggan cutting through the snow as tamed wolves dutifully pull him along. Clad in the finest Snowquill Armor, our hero barely feels the stinging snow flurries that whip across his cheeks; through resourcefulness and grit, he can ride out the season without batting an eye. After all, this is a man on a mission to reignite the flame of hope in his beloved kingdom, and nothing – not the Calamity, not amnesia, not even the iciest of winters – will slow him down.
Stay warm, everyone.
The post Medli’s Melodies: The winter of Hyrule’s discontent first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Nintendo, following the lead of many others, released a dedicated “Year in Review” website for Nintendo Switch owners to reminisce their year with the beloved console.
Once logged in with a My Nintendo account, users will see a flashy summary of games played throughout the year as well as a comparison to results from 2020. This summary includes most played games, a breakdown of time spent throughout the year, how often the Switch was played docked or handheld, and even suggestions for new games to try out.
The post You can now get your 2021 Nintendo Switch ‘Year in Review’ stats first appeared on Zelda Universe.
New content from the sequel to Breath of the Wild might not have appeared at the 2021 Game Awards (big bummer, we know), but it may have been “accidentally” discovered through several of Nintendo’s new patents. This week, Zelda fans in Europe bumped into patents with Breath of the Wild 2 gameplay concept drafts featuring player movement mirroring those featured in the latest teaser trailer. The discovery was reported by GameReactor shortly afterward.
A visual diagram in one of Nintendo’s newest patents. According to the description, it demonstrates a “state in a virtual space including a player character, the designated object, and other objects is [sic] updated based on the virtual physical calculation.” In the patents, there is plenty of technical jargon explaining how the gameplay functions work. Much of it is similar to Link’s ability to warp vertically from one platform to the other thanks to the power in his “new” arm. More visuals also demonstrate an ability to move objects in reverse, much like that shown in the trailer. The descriptions further explain the conditions that need to be met in the program in order to perform the gameplay actions.
More concepts from one of the Nintendo patents. Gee, this looks familiar.
Patents being filed, of course, are not a big deal. Thousands of patents are filed every day. It’s a routine legal process utilized by anyone preparing to sell their work, whether it be a physical invention, an idea as a service, or in this case, a video game. Looking closer into the patent files, it appears that Nintendo has been uploading the documents since February 2021. That’s well before the last teaser trailer presented in June at the E3 show. Thus, the content may not be as new as we thought.
But wow, it sure is exciting to look at.
You want spikes with that? Much of the visuals also seem to demonstrate puzzle solving. Could Breath of the Wild 2 finally scratch the dungeon-crawling itch that was lacking in its predecessor? The answer may come sooner than we think. Or perhaps, we have to wait longer still. However the timing goes, what is visible clearly shows this will certainly be worth the wait!
The post Breath of the Wild 2 concepts discovered in newly uncovered Nintendo patents first appeared on Zelda Universe.
When you’re a kid, everything seems bigger. Adults tower over you when giving you directions or scolding you, pillow forts turn into cavernous castles, and even a video game as simple and small as the original Legend of Zelda can seem to hold an adventure that continues beyond the farthest horizon. Through her Spirit Tracks art, Nijicx presents us with a version of Link still in this time of his life when the adventures inside his mind and his imagination seem endless.
Yuga’s Art Gallery is a series in which we highlight our favorite artwork from The Legend of Zelda community, as well as some official artwork from the franchise from time to time. Zelda is a series that is constantly changing its style, and after over 30 years of evolving and shifting its visuals, it continues to inspire endless ways for artists to interpret their favorite characters and moments.
Nijicx’s Spirit Tracks art. In the piece of art, a young Link sits right in the center of a circular track containing both the Spirit Train and the evil Demon Train. Going from the outside inward, there are multiple interesting things to note about the trains themselves. The Demon Train has tremendous detail, capturing both the repulsive fury of Malladus as well as the fiery inferno spouting from its smokestack. The large gout of blue flames calls to mind the hair of the infernal Hades from Disney’s Hercules and invites comparisons between the angry outbursts of that character and the speedy pursuit of the demonic train.
As it should, the heroic Spirit Train that Link is playing with has even more details than its evil counterpart. While the Demon Train seems to be mostly just a very detailed plastic or metal toy, the Spirit Train has the added benefit of being able to emit steam or smoke from its smokestack. This tiny addition adds not only another element of play similar to a karate chop or chip-activated voice clip in an action figure, but it also makes the toy seem more real. It almost seems like if Link were to move his little hand, the train would continue onward to its own adventures. A few other small details make the Spirit Train model even more special. On the side of the cannon is a tiny triangle reminiscent of a Triforce, and the train’s caboose holds a teeny Princess Zelda ready to remind Link that she has her own opinions about how he could be driving the train better.
Continuing our journey to the center of the art, we see our tiny Toon Link. He’s wearing the Engineers Clothes from early on in the game though the gloves look a little big on him, reminding us that he’s still a kid. Looking at his face, it’s clear he’s having an absolute ball. He’s got a tremendous sense of joy beaming from both his eyes and his smile hints to us that while we can only see the adventure unfolding on the tiny track in the art, through his imagination, he is seeing a titanic battle between two powerful locomotives. The other interesting thing is that the only train Link is interacting with and actually controlling is the Spirit Train. Where kids will sometimes have two toys in each hand in order to make them battle or kiss, Link is only controlling the Spirit Train. This creates a connection between this tiny hero and us, the player. Just as he is only driving the Spirit Train, the player also only controls this singular engine. Both Link and us can only conduct the one train to get through the adventure. Our enemies, like the Demon Train, remain an ever-advancing threat beyond our control. It’s OK though because, under our control, the Spirit Train will never be defeated!
Through her art, Nijicx puts us back on track to remember the joys of childhood when our responsibilities were much smaller and the world of adventure that lay before us was much, much larger.
The post Yuga’s Art Gallery: On a wondrous track first appeared on Zelda Universe.
A new collectible Zelda figure is now available from First 4 Figures, a company that specializes in creating figures and props from video games and anime. Alongside a handful of other Zelda figures available in its catalog, such as Link and Princess Zelda from Breath of the Wild, First 4 Figures has revealed a Hylian Shield statue which is now available to preorder.
This specific version of the Hylian Shield is inspired by its appearance in Breath of the Wild, although the design is recognizable from many other Zelda titles as well.
This Exclusive Edition of the PVC-painted statue stands 12 inches and comes with several other special goodies such as a magnetic display stand with LEDs, a premium box, a limited edition numbering, and an authentication card. The shield is also detachable from the stand, just in case you’re feeling like holding the shield itself in your hand and channeling your inner Breath of the Wild hero. Once the statue officially releases, both a Standard Edition (which features a normal base without LED lights) and a Collector’s Edition will be made available.
Anyone interested in getting the preorder discount on this statue has until December 31, 2021, to place their order and add this Hylian Shield to their own Zelda collection.
The post Hylian Shield collectible statue from First 4 Figures is now available for preorder first appeared on Zelda Universe.
Good news, everyone! The ZUBC is still alive! We've been away for a bit on account of I started my career back in August like an adult, but we're back in the nick of time or something or whatever. Anyway, cue the shenanigans!
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
You waited with bated breath for the next installment of ZUCast, and we're here to deliver. We've got Amanda and Cody back in the studio-we-definitely-have to host this shindig, plus the fifth part of Shona's Zelda History retrospective, a Piece of Heart-warming ode to the online Zelda community, a nostalgic look back at Cody's shovel% run at Oracle of Ages during this year's ZUthon charity event, a Dreadful picture of what a Zelda Metroidvania could look like, and of course, your absolute favorite part of every episode, the credits!
It's a short but fun-dense episode, and in case you don't like reading paragraphs, here's the rundown in list form:
- Zelda History, Part 5: 2006-2010Presented by Shona02:46-12:30
- Piece of Heart: ZUthon and CommunityPresented by Connor14:35-22:09
- What If Zelda Was…a Metroidvania?Presented by Randy25:09-34:04
- Episode creditsPresented by Eden39:05
- Bloopers…
In addition to the podcast world, you'll also find Zelda Universe elsewhere on teh interwebs: on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). We also have a website, zeldauniverse.net, where this all began. You can leave feedback about the ZUCast on our social media, in our email inbox at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on the Zelda Universe Forums. "Please do not swear."
We're already putting together our 20th episode! So far, I can promise some new and long-lost voices! As for anything else, you'll just have to wait. You're very good at waiting. Because you're a Zelda fan. And you listen to us. 😎 TTFN!
We're back with our first episode since this year's E3, and we've dedicated a significant portion of it to dissecting Nintendo's E3 Direct and all the juicy stuff we saw! I know it's been a hot minute since then, but some of us are still riding high from that hour or so, so please suck it up!d===(￣▽￣*)b
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
As mentioned, this month, we've got a lot of stuff related to E3: Randy's finally returned to us to break down and offer his personal opinions on everything we saw during the E3 Direct, Realm and Ann tell us their predictions for the Breath of the Wild sequel based on the E3 teaser trailer, and episode hosts Peyton and Andrew have their own E3 opinions, as well. (So many opinions…) Plus, Shona presents the fourth part of her ongoing franchise history segment, covering the years in which people got excited for a GameCube Zelda, became enraged at what they were actually getting, and then realized that they had overreacted. (Basically, the best time to be a Zelda fan!) And to top it all off, Connor details, rather convincingly, why he believes that no game has yet treated the Master Sword as well as A Link to the Past did. This episode is sure to make your day Zeldarific, which, incidentally, should be a dictionary word.
Here's the full rundown for the episode:
- Zelda History, Part 4: 2001-2005Presented by Shona0:02:36-0:13:07
- Hosty discussion: The early oughts in ZeldaPresented by your hosts, Andrew and Peyton0:13:08-0:25:19
- A Review of Nintendo's E3 DirectPresented by Randy0:25:23-0:39:42
- Hosty discussion: Nintendo's Zelda 35th anniversary "celebrations"Presented by your hosts0:39:45-0:46:46
- TheZeldaRealm: Deconstructing the 2021 BotW Sequel TrailerPresented by Realm and TheZeldaAnn0:46:47-1:06:15
- Hosty discussion: Possibilities for the BotW sequelPresented by your hosts1:06:16-1:15:37
- Piece of Heart: The Master Sword of A Link to the PastPresented by Connor1:15:39-1:24:00
- Hosty discussion: Peyton isn't an ALttP fanPresented by your hosts1:24:02-1:32:58
- Episode creditsPresented by Eden1:35:00-1:38:27
- Shenaninanigans (Bloopers)1:38:29-1:43:05
If you like what you hear today, you're welcome to check out our other media, both social and otherwise: on Facebook and Twitter (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). And it was bound to happen eventually, but we're also officially on TikTok now (@zeldauniverse). LOL! Please also send us feedback. You can do so on our social media, in our email inbox at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on the Zelda Universe Forums. Please feed our delicate yet ravenous egos!
We also post these things on YouTube, but up until now, the visual component has basically amounted to an hour-long view of our logo, with the occasional visual gag courtesy of our very own Kelly the Editor. I am happy to announce that we are in the process, starting with this episode, of spicing up our YouTube releases a bit! On that note, please join me in giving a warm welcome to the ZUBC's new "graphics peeps," Cayden and Alexandria, who are already working with Kelly to make our YouTube releases easier on the eyes!
Finally, it has come to my attention that our presence on Stitcher has been kind of wonky for several months, with new episodes not making it to that service for some unknown reason. We'll try our best to fix this ASAP, but in the meantime, please subscribe elsewhere so you don't miss out!
Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)
This year's virtual E3 conference is just around the corner, and we're all really excited for whatever Nintendo has in store for us on Tuesday! (If you're listening to this after the Direct, feel free to laugh at our ignorance.) We even brought in a couple of very special guests to talk E3 hype and other stuff, so you'll definitely want to check out this episode of the ZUCast!
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
Cody and Elias are back to host our pre-E3 ("prE3"?) episode, and because Cody is involved, you can safely expect some shenanigans! Besides shenanigans, Shona continues her ongoing Zelda History segment, looking at what are probably the five most legendary years in the franchise's 35-year history, 1996-2000; Elias trolls all of the timeline theorists with his latest Fake Zelda History factoid; Ann and Realm return to talk about what they want to see in the sequel to Breath of the Wild, particularly with regard to dungeons; and as I alluded to before, the hosts chat with a couple of their kindred spirits about Zelda podcasting, E3, and more!
Was all of that in order? No, it was not, but you can see the proper rundown below:
- Zelda History, Part 3: 1996-2000Presented by Shona0:05:48-0:13:38
- Interview/Roundtable: Andy and Alasyn from Zelda Dungeon's Champions' CastPresented by the hosts0:16:51-0:41:36
- TheZeldaRealm: Dungeons in the Breath of the Wild SequelPresented by TheZeldaAnn and Realm0:45:42-1:05:51
- Fake Zelda History: Where the Zelda Timeline Really BeginsPresented by Elias1:09:58-1:11:26
- Episode creditsPresented by Eden1:16:01-1:20:22
- Everyone Makes Mistakes (Bloopers)1:20:23-1:21:32
Don't forget to follow Zelda Universe on social media for all of the breaking E3 news! You'll find us on Facebook and Twitter (@ZeldaUniverse), as well as Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). And while you're at it, please leave us feedback; without your feedback, we can't tell if we're bringing you good vibes or if we're making your ears bleed! If social media doesn't appeal to you, you can also send us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net or in our thread on the ZU Forums. In the words of a greedy raccoon right after you give him your precious gold, "thanks much!"
Listen to the episode on YouTube!
A Wild ZUCast appeared! Ready for more of everything you loved from our last episode? We've got that! Ready to meet a new addition to our roster of talent? We've got that, too! Welcome to the sixteenth episode of the modern ZUCast!
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
You can find the detailed lineup below, but here's a taster of what you have to look forward to in this episode. First off, Shona continues her look back at the history of the Zelda franchise, focusing this time on a five-year period in which Link and Zelda blasted out of the NES and onto other consoles and even beyond gaming. Realm and TheZeldaAnn sit down to discuss their predictions and desires for the hotly anticipated Breath of the Wild sequel, in their newly titled "TheZeldaRealm" segment. Finally, Connor returns with a passionate piece about Skyward Sword's immersive story. And it's all tied together and supplemented by this episode's hosts, veteran host Alex and ZUCast newcomer Andrew Fick (a.k.a. LaughingboyLP)!
Here's the detailed skedge:
- Zelda History, Part 2: 1991-1995Presented by Shona0:02:35-0:12:57
- Hosty discussion: Reflecting on early-90s ZeldaPresented by the hosts0:12:59-0:35:48
- TheZeldaRealm: Predictions for the Breath of the Wild SequelPresented by Realm and TheZeldaAnn0:35:49-0:55:21
- Hosty discussion: Talking sequelsPresented by the hosts0:55:26-1:06:57
- Piece of Heart: Skyward Sword's Immersive StoryPresented by Connor1:07:01-1:16:28
- Hosty discussion: Remembering (and remaking) Skyward SwordPresented by the hosts1:16:30-1:37:02
- Episode creditsPresented by Eden1:40:55-1:45:11
- Uh… (Bloopers)1:45:23-1:52:41
If you feel like it, please let us know what you think of this episode or the podcast in general! Leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, all of which are @ZeldaUniverseTV.
Don't forget to subscribe to ZUCast so you don't miss out on our next episode!
Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)
The ZUCast is back for 2021, kicking off a year of anniversary celebrations both for the Legend of Zelda series we all love and for Zelda Universe itself! In case you were unaware, the original Famicom game launched on February 21, 1986, and just shy of fifteen years later, on February 20, 2001, a Norwegian named Lars launched Zelda Universe. So all year long, we're going to be interspersing our regular juicy podcast content with some super-special retrospective content!
If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!
We actually have three new faces—er, voices—on our humble podcast team, and you'll hear one of them this episode: Connor Schultz, a Features Writer here on Zelda Universe and a born podcaster! Welcome to the ZUBC, Connor! Oh, and Shona, TheZeldaAnn, and Realm are back, as well as Peyton (who co-hosts the episode with Amanda), so if you've been wondering what happened to any of them, wonder no more!
Anyway, here's what you have to look forward in this, the 15th episode of NuZUCast™:
- Zelda History, Part 1: 1986-1990Presented by Shona0:01:46-0:12:31
- Piece of Heart: The Music of Zelda I and IIPresented by Connor0:16:45-0:25:28
- Opinion Corner: The Zelda TimelinePresented by TheZeldaAnn and Realm0:27:39-1:08:17
- Episode creditsPresented by Eden1:16:56-1:21:10
- "Nope!" (Bloopers)1:21:14-1:23:00
If you're feeling generous, please let us know what you think of this episode or the podcast in general! Leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, all of which are @ZeldaUniverseTV.
Don't miss another episode of the ZUCast! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcatcher!
Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)
Surprise! The ZUBC is bringing a little light to the end of a dark, dark year with our second episode release in a single month! And it's a super special episode, to boot!If you found us through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!Yes, as promised, this is our special Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity episode! We know that many of you have only just gotten your hands on the game, so we stuck by a strict code of only covering content available before Chapter 5 (roughly the first half of the game). That means that Chapter 5 and onward was off-limits to us, and Lynels were standing by to dole out punishment to anyone who mentioned anything from the latter half of the game.This episode is a little different from past episodes: the hosts have more air time than usual, and we only have two regular segments. Do not fret, however; your hosts, Media Man Alex and yours truly (Eden) have a lot to discuss! (I kid you not: I think I've put more hours into the original Hyrule Warriors game among all three releases than I have into any other video game ever throughout time. I was destined to play it. And yes, I've already pumped almost 100 hours into Age of Calamity. Because it's awesome. Must. Contain. Excitement!)Our other content this episode includes another edition of "What If Zelda Was…?" by Randy, in which he breaks down what sets each Hyrule Warriors game apart from the other; a bitingly timey-wimey installment of "Fake Zelda History" from Elias; and a special roundtable discussion featuring Kelly (the Editor)!A lot of love went into this episode—at the very least, from me lol—and we're pretty sure you'll feel it, too. Thanks for sticking with us this year, and we'll see you again in 2021! (We have some super special things planned for some super special anniversaries….)Here's what you can expect to hear this episode: IntroPresented by the hosts0:00:00-0:07:29 * What If Zelda Was…a Dynasty Warriors Game…That's a Zelda Game?Presented by Randy0:07:33-0:15:38 * Hosty discussion: Different experiences of Age of CalamityPresented by the hosts0:15:43-0:26:47 * Roundtable Discussion: What the First Hyrule Warriors* Did Wrong (and Right)Presented by the hosts + Kelly0:26:48-0:54:02 * Fake Zelda History: TimelinesPresented by Elias0:54:34-0:56:14 * OutroPresented by the hosts0:56:18-1:03:50 * Episode creditsPresented by Eden1:03:53-1:07:14 * Kelly's dog, Texas, makes her ZUCast debut (Bloopers)1:07:19-1:10:44
You can let us know what you think of this episode or the podcast in general! Leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, all of which are @ZeldaUniverseTV.Don't miss another episode of the ZUCast! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcatcher!Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)
Hey, did you notice that a prequel to Breath of the Wild came out a couple weeks ago? It's pretty neat!If you found us through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!This episode of the ZUCast has been in the works for a couple months, so just consider this our pre-AoC episode. Hey, don't be disappointed! We've still got some great, fascinating content for you this time!Brian T. starts us off by hyping you up for Age of Calamity so that you cross your fingers that you get it for the holidays. Shona continues her "Zelda Enemies" series with a look at the fascinating evolution of the Zola race. Er, Zora. (Did you know they were evil at first‽) Randy is back with an idea for a different kind of Zelda spinoff game, and Elias presents another well-researched, extremely peaceful, bite-sized behind-the-scenes look at our beloved series' origins. Plus, Ann and Realm do the Community News!But best of all, your hosts this episode are both female! Amanda's the one with the thick Southern accent, while Kelly is the one with the thick Minnesotan accent. Huh? They don't have thick accents? Well, I'm sure you'll be able to tell them apart! (Disclaimer: I'm just riffing on a joke they themselves make in the first minute of the episode; I swear I'm not a raging misogynist lol.)Enjoy another hour with your favorite Zelda nerds, won't you?Here's the schedge for this episode: Hey Listen!: Age of Calamity Hype!Presented by Brian T.2:15-7:57 * Zelda Enemies: ZorasPresented by Shona12:51-19:56 * What If Zelda Were a Mobile Game?Presented by Randy23:41-29:07 * ZU Community NewsPresented by Realm and TheZeldaAnn30:49-40:27 * Fake Zelda History: Time TravelPresented by Elias43:01-44:07 * Eden adlibs while playing Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition* (Staff credits)Presented by Eden51:23-56:19 * The credits took way too many takes to get right (Bloopers)56:21-59:18
Special thanks to Realm, who started helping me out as my Assistant Producer with this episode! I accidentally left him out of the credits as such, which was a bad thing for me to do. It won't happen again.If you ever find yourself fancying the idea of doing so, you can send us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, all of which are @ZeldaUniverseTV.If you like what you hear here—hehe—you should subscribe to the podcast! In the coming weeks, we'll be releasing our full, half-spoilery, AoC-related episode, and you won't miss out on it if you subscribe! Oh, and you can now listen to us through Amazon Music; just ask Alexa to play the podcast "ZUCast"!Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)
The fine people of the ZUBC are back to celebrate two decades of one of the most unique and divisive games in the Zelda franchise: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask! Join us, won't you?If you found us through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!Yes, it's been twenty long years since Majora's Mask graced our N64s, pulling us into a world more alive than any in gaming before it. I mean, the world was about to be very much not alive, but that's what Link is for!Anyway, this episode, we're celebrating this spoopy game with lots of MM content! Brian T. has a special edition of "Hey Listen!" about his hate-love journey with the game over the years, Shona examines a few of the many odd things in and about the game, Kelly the Editor makes her segment debut with a mind-blowing theory about the Happy Mask Salesman, and ZU's Twitch Director, Mr. Elias Thompson, pops in to reveal some little-known "facts" about how the game came to be! Plus, Realm and Ann are finally back to cover some of the Zelda Universe Forum news from the past few months! And it's all tied together by your hosts, Cody and Peyton, who were born before and after the release of Majora's Mask, respectively!So what are you waiting for? Press play! (Oh, and if you play the Inverted Song of Time on an Ocarina, this episode will playback at half-speed, while playing the Song of Double Time will make it playback at double speed. I've tried both, and they definitely, totally work.)Here's the Bombers' Notebook for this episode: Hey Listen!: Brian's Relationship with Majora's MaskPresented by Brian T.0:02:22-0:09:34 * Five Oddities in Majora's MaskPresented by Shona0:15:48-0:26:35 * ZU Community NewsPresented by TheZeldaAnn and Realm0:31:59-0:49:54 * An Eerie Happy Mask Salesman TheoryPresented by Kelly0:52:58-0:58:32 * Fake Zelda History: Majora's Mask*Presented by Elias Thompson1:00:28-1:01:34 * Staff credits, a.k.a. The Segment That Always Has the MM Credits MusicPresented by Eden1:03:53-1:08:52 * …In Which ZUBCers Meet with Terrible Fates (bloopers)1:08:52-1:15:15
We've given up hope on receiving feedback, but you can restore that hope to us by sending us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you'll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.Oh, yeah! Remember how a new Zelda game was announced recently? Subscribe to Zelda Universe, wherever you like to subscribe to things, to keep up with the latest Age of Calamity deets! As for us, we'll have our first Age of Calamity-related content in our next episode, so look out for that, too!Listen to the episode on YouTube!
The Master Sword didn't believe we were ready to wield it yet, so we've been sleeping for a few months. Did you miss us?If you found us through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!We're back with your favorite Legend of Zelda-related content! Brian Thomas's "Hey Listen!" is back with a look at the history of that Evil's Bane-iest of blades. Shona's "Creature Features" is back to profile three of the toughest monsters in the series. And Randy's "Hyrule Away from Hyrule" is back for one last hurrah. Plus, we're proud to present our newest recurring segment, "Inventory Inquisition," in which our newest ZUBCer, Brian Pope, takes a look at some drool-worthy LoZ merch!Here's what you've been waiting for:* Hey Listen!: Evolution of the Master SwordPresented by Brian T.01:56-13:45 * Creature Features: Lynels and Wizzrobes and Darknuts, Oh My!Presented by Shona15:31-23:03 * Inventory Inquisition: Introductory ItemsPresented by Brian P.27:32-35:36 * Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Back to HyrulePresented by Randy39:08-44:15 * Staff credits, a.k.a. The Best Segment™Presented by Eden47:19-50:47 * "Did I dooo thaaaaat?" (bloopers)50:48-56:46
We haven't gotten any feedback to read on air in a year or so, and that makes us sad. You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you'll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.Our next episode is already in post-production, so you'll hear us again soon! Until then, prepare for moonfall…!Listen to the episode on YouTube!
It's the episode you may or may not have been waiting for: we finally "settle" the Ilia debate!If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!It's been a hot minute, but we're back with the ear candy you crave! Kicking off the new year is beloved/tortured Host Kelly the Editor, with very special guest Host Elias Thompson; we've been crediting the latter on here for months for doing nothing, but now he's finally back to do something! Plus, your favorite contributors like Shona, Randy, RealmWings, and TheZeldaAnn have cooked up some great stuff for this episode! And it all leads up to the long-awaited deathmatch debate between Elias and Amanda: is Ilia a good character or a bad one?Here's all of the stuff in this episode:* Creature Features: ReDeadsPresented by Shona0:02:56-0:10:40 * Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Zelda-like(Like)sPresented by Randy0:13:17-0:26:17 * Community NewsPresented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings0:28:58-0:44:47 * The Great Ilia Deathmatch!Moderated by Alex, featuring Amanda and Elias0:48:17-1:06:07 * Staff credits, a.k.a. Your Favorite SegmentPresented by Eden1:11:52-1:16:10 * Examples of How Not to Record a Podcast (bloopers)1:16:11-1:19:04
We still haven't gotten any feedback to read on air in months! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you'll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.Don't let the Like Likes glomp! (…or do; it's fun!)Listen to the episode on YouTube! [coming soon]
Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!This episode has been a couple of months in the making, so we're celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the Legend of Zelda animated series a little late, but you know what? It's always a good time to pay homage to the trainwreck and/or masterpiece that is this extremely important part of the LoZ legacy! To guide us on this journey, the terrifying pair of Alex and Peyton has stepped into the recording booth we totally have. Spooky! In addition to animated-series stuff, we have some Link's Awakening stuff and an exclusive discussion on Breath of the Wild and its upcoming sequel, featuring YouTuber HMK!Here's all of the stuff in this episode: An Introduction to the Animated Series w/ ShonaPresented by your hosts (Alex and Peyton) and Shona0:03:04-0:14:21 * A Case for the Animated SeriesPresented by Shona0:14:29-0:22:04 * Hey Listen!: A Review of the Animated SeriesPresented by Brian0:22:29-0:28:58 * Community NewsPresented by RealmWings and TheZeldaAnn0:29:17-0:40:43 * Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Videos Without the GamesPresented by Randy0:42:45-0:48:52 * Tingle's Jingles: Classic Link's AwakeningPresented by Gibran0:49:56-0:59:15 * Roundtable Discussion: The Breath of the Wild* SequelPresented by Peyton, featuring special guest HMK1:00:03-1:39:31 * Staff credits, a.k.a. Cody's Favorite SegmentPresented by Eden1:42:43-1:46:58 * Seven Minutes of Screw-ups (bloopers)1:47:01-1:54:18
You may have noticed that there's no feedback segment in this episode; please let us know what you thought of this episode so we can have some feedback to read on air next time! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you'll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.Thanks for your patience, everyone, and we'll be back soon!Listen to the episode on YouTube!
In case you're a Korok who's been hiding under a rock, Nintendo announced a sequel to Breath of the Wild during this years E3 Nintendo Direct, and the nerds of the ZUBC are finally here to give you their angles on the über-anticipated game! This…is the ZUCast!
If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!In addition to our first BotW2 content, we have some exciting stuff in store for you this episode, including a look at the franchise's presence in the Super Smash Bros. series, a relaxing tour of the game's water themes, news from the ZU Forums, and even an impromptu rant about Ilia, for some reason! Plus, a look back at ZUthon 2019, during which a certain podcast host—guess who—spent hours digging virtual holes in an effort to extort donations from viewers (lol).
Here's the episode breakdown:
- What Shona Wants to See in the BotW SequelPresented by Shona0:01:42-0:08:19
- Hey! Listen!: What Brian Doesn't Want to See in the BotW SequelPresented by Brian0:09:28-0:16:46
- Community NewsPresented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings0:17:55-0:30:47
- Tingle's Jingles: Water ThemesPresented by Gibran0:34:53-0:40:48
- Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Zelda in Super Smash Bros.Presented by Randy0:42:00-0:57:01
- Your FeedbackPresented by your Hosts, Amanda and Cody1:01:47-1:05:02
- Staff creditsPresented by Eden1:07:10-1:12:01
- "Did I do that?" (bloopers)1:12:03-1:13:55
Feedback fuels this Master Cycle Zero and it's running on empty, so please let us know what you thought of this episode! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you'll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.
Check out the credits for a hint about the next episode! (Hey, I gotta get you listen to them somehow!)
Listen to the episode on YouTube [coming soon!]
Sorry for the wait, folks, but we figured we should wait until E3 was over so we could include at least mentions of the epic announcements. It was probably worth it!If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!This episode exists in two different timelines: one in which E3 didn't happen (yet) and another in which it did. Most of the segments were recorded before E3, but everything else was recorded afterward. So if your favorite Segment Host doesn't mention Chamber Dungeons or a certain teaser trailer that had you and everyone else screaming, then you know which timeline that segment is from. See? Isn't podcast timeline theorizing fun? (Also, back by popular demand: Kelly the Editor/Host! #SaveKelly)Here's what you have to look forward to this month: Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Tabletop AdventuresPresented by Randy0:08:37-0:16:14 * Community NewsPresented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings0:18:54-0:32:33 * Why Zelda II Deserves a RemakePresented by Shona, ZU's Special Projects Director and* our newest Segment Host!0:35:14-0:44:50 * Realm's Realm: Give Us Other Genre Crossovers!Presented by RealmWings0:46:14-0:59:23 * Staff creditsPresented by Eden, probably1:05:56-1:10:06 * Whoopsies-daisy (bloopers)1:10:08-1:19:20
Feedback fuels us and we're running on empty, so please let us know what you thought of this episode! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you'll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.We should be back on track, so we'll see you in August, when we'll have more content related to the new Zelda stuff on the horizon! And also look out for an extra goody or two from us in the near future…!Listen to the episode on YouTube [coming soon!]
We're only two weeks late, so the joke's on you! (What?)If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!It's finally time for another episode of the ZUCast! This one's got mainstays like Randy's Hyrule Away from Hyrule and Realm's Realm's Realm('s Realm's), plus some extra special content in the way of exclusive interviews with pianist Laurence Manning and ZU's own forum admins, Pietro and Ty! It's chock full of greatness! So great, in fact, that the extra two-week wait was totally worth it!Here's the breakdown: Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Hyrule Warriors*Presented by Randy0:04:48-0:14:11 * Tingle's Jingles: Interview with Laurence ManningPresented by Gibran, featuring special guest Laurence Manning0:19:15-0:32:51 * Community NewsPresented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings0:34:30-0:43:58 * An Interview with the ZU Forums' AdministratorsPresented by Eden, featuring special guests Ty. and Pietro(?)0:46:48-1:08:38 * Realm's Realm: Overworlds and Hubs, Pt. 2Presented by RealmWings1:13:29-1:23:17 * Your FeedbackPresented by your hosts, Amanda and Eden1:25:10-1:28:23 * Staff creditsPresented by Eden, again—I get around1:30:36-1:35:06 * Extreme derp-herping (bloopers)1:35:07-1:40:04
Help us bring Feedback Back™! Let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you'll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.Catch you in June!Listen to the episode on YouTube [coming soon!]
You'd better prepare yourselves because it's about to get groovy in here!If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!Hot on the heels of the surprise announcement of Cadence of Hyrule, a Zelda spinoff and crossover with my personal favorite rhythm game, Crypt of the NecroDancer, we've got a new episode of the ZUCast for you, less than a month after the last one! This episode has it all: jokes, music, news, travel audio-brochures (for Hyrule), and yes, one Cody Davies!Hold onto your breeches, folks, because this one's a doozy! Here's what's in store for you:* Tingle's Jingles: Musical Easter EggsPresented by Gibran0:08:16-0:15:58 * Hey! Listen!: Most Wanted Returning ItemsPresented by Brian0:17:47-0:24:05 * Community NewsPresented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings0:26:14-0:37:21 * Hyrule away from Hyrule: Hyrule away from ZeldaPresented by Randy0:39:50-0:53:14 * Realm's Realm: Overworlds and Hubs, Pt. 1Presented by RealmWings0:55:29-1:10:17 * The Cody Zone: Interview with ProtonJonPresented by Cody, featuring special guest ProtonJon1:13:06-1:31:30 * Your FeedbackPresented by your hosts, Alex and Cody1:32:52-1:39:49 * Staff credits, a fan-favoritePresented by yours truly1:44:17-1:48:16 * Gooper Bloopers1:48:20-1:51:15
Once you're all tired out from all that dancing, take a breather and let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse.See you in a couple weeks for our next roundtable discussion! Well, not see you, but…Listen to the episode on YouTube [coming soon!]* Spotify
It's like we never left! No, we haven't streamlined our production process so much that we can release new podcast episodes every two weeks (yet). Instead, our Roundtable Moderator, Peyton, has crowded into a tiny studio with three very special panelists for a feature-length discussion on a central aspect of the Zelda franchise: combat!
If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!That's right: the ZUCast Roundtable is now a separate release on the same channels as the main podcast. We figured that Peyton and his guests could use more of a free-range environment in which to…graze…or, you know, discuss things, and it's tough to do that in a main ZUCast episode without stretching the whole thing to several hours in length. Was this a good decision? I don't know! Let us know in the comments! Or one of our many other feedback avenues!
Anyway, as I mentioned, this month's roundtable is all about combat in the Zelda series: controls, style, balance, etc. If it's combat-related, you'll probably hear about it in this discussion!
Special thanks to this month's panelists (of whom you might lose track occasionally because they apparently like trolling listeners):
- Cody Davies, Zelda Universe's Community Manager and Most Enigmatic Human™
- Elias Thompson, ZU Twitch Director and award-winner of Most Mentioned on the ZUCast
- Jesse McCarty, a.k.a. GameOverJesse, YouTuber and former ZU writer
As usual, Peyton Garrett (a.k.a. EmperorP) serves as discussion moderator.
Enjoy the roundtable, and look out for our next standard-format episode at the beginning of April!
Please give us feedback! You can do so directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse.
Listen to the roundtable on YouTube
Gasp! A new Zelda game was announced! ZUBC, mobilize!If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!That's right: in a recent Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced a remake of Link's Awakening for Switch. Unfortunately, they haven't given us many details yet, so we're going to leave the deep analysis and opinions for later in the year. That doesn't mean that Brian can't talk about what he hopes for the remake, and that's just what he does in this episode of the ZUCast! We also got Randy back into the recording booth for another "Hyrule away from Hyrule," and Community News reporter RealmWings tries his hand—his voice?— at a Zelda-related segment, singing the praises of the controversial DS outing Spirit Tracks! Speaking of controversy, controversial ZUCast Host Cody Davies recently sat down with Let's Player Chuggaaconroy to discuss his relationship with the Zelda franchise, and you can hear the whole interview in this episode!Thanks for checking out this episode of The Resistance, much more officially known as the ZUCast! #SaveKellyHere's this month's lineup: Brian's Hopes for Link's Awakening SwitchPresented by Brian0:05:39-0:13:56 * ZU UpdatesPresented by TheZeldaAnn0:15:59-0:17:31 * Hyrule away from Hyrule: Zelda Haute CouturePresented by Randy0:21:02-0:33:51 * Community NewsPresented by RealmWings0:36:36-0:43:23 * Interview with ChuggaaconroyPresented by Cody, featuring special guest Chuggaaconroy0:44:03-1:03:07 * Riding the Rails of Spirit Tracks*Presented by RealmWings1:05:38-1:21:38 * Staff creditsPresented by yours truly1:25:03-1:29:01 * Bleeps and bloopers1:29:05-1:38:16
Wake up, and let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. Audio feedback is also welcome!Look out for a full-length, combat-related roundtable discussion right here in a couple of weeks! Until then!Listen to the episode on YouTube
For our most recent podcast episode, we dedicated over an hour and a half to celebrating one of the greatest video games ever, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. As part of that celebration, our Roundtable Moderator, Peyton, gathered four panelists for an epic discussion the likes of which the ZUBC had never before produced! Unfortunately, it was too epic to fit into our regular episode without being cut down drastically; almost forty minutes is missing from that cut.
Have no fear, though, for this is your opportunity to hear the full, hour-long discussion, with all of the yelling and shenanigans that you missed out on in the main podcast episode!
Thanks to the panelists:
- Amanda VanHiel, host of the ZUCast and Zelda News on ZU
- Alex Rosenberg, host of the ZUCast and ZU's Media Director
- Joshua Lindquist, ZU's Content & Technology Director and actual fan of Zelda II
- MasaeAnela, Let's Player and Twitch streamer
Peyton Garrett (a.k.a. EmperorP) serves as moderator for this roundtable discussion.
(NOTE: If you already listened to the preview in the podcast episode, the new stuff starts at 15:41.)
This is an official side-release of the ZUCast, the audio podcast of Zelda Universe, and was produced by the ZUBC. If you don't know what the ZUCast is, you can find subscription links below, or you can find us on zeldauniverse.net.
Feel free to us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse.
Listen to the roundtable on YouTube
Ohai! Here's that Ocarina of Time episode we promised!If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!November was Ocarina of Time's 20th birthday! Unfortunately, we were still getting our act together at that time, so this is the earliest we could pump out something to honor what many nerd-folk consider one of the finest video games of all time.Aside from our usual Community News segment, which is still worth listening to if you have any interest in the Zelda Universe community, everything in this episode is related to Ocarina of Time! Two returning segments cover highs and lows from the classic game, plus we've got two special guest segments: one from longtime ZU writer and professional game designer Max Nichols, who takes a look at a few of the challenges the developers faced transitioning the franchise into 3D; and a short and very sweet tribute to the game from none other than the legendary Chuggaaconroy! Finally, we got a group of nerds together to yell at each other about Ocarina of Time for almost an hour in a roundtable discussion, and you can hear the first quarter or so of that in this episode! (You can listen to the complete roundtable as a separate release on our podcast feed, website, or YouTube channel.)So grab your dopey, green sock-hat and your Kokiri Sword, and get ready to celebrate two decades of a timeless classic…two months late!And for the discerning among you, here's the complete lineup: Community NewsPresented by RealmWings0:03:19-0:11:18 * Mitchie's Corner: The Best and Worst Dungeons of OoTPresented by Mitch0:11:33-0:24:22 * The Fundamental Challenges of 3DPresented by guest Max Nichols0:29:09-0:39:13 * Ranking the Most Useless Items in OoTPresented by Brian0:46:31-0:51:30 * Ocarina of Love: A Tribute to Ocarina of TimePresented by guest Chuggaaconroy0:55:49-0:57:57 * Roundtable Discussion: 20 Years of Ocarina of Time* [ABRIDGED]Presented by Peyton, featuring Amanda, Alex, ZU Content & Technology Director Joshua, and special guest MasaeAnela1:02:24-1:18:37 * Your FeedbackPresented by your hosts, Amanda and Alex1:19:04-1:26:36 * Staff creditsPresented by yours truly1:30:26-1:35:30 * lulz1:35:31-1:42:20
Hey! Listen! Let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. Audio feedback is also welcome!We'll see you again soon…using our Lens of Truth!Listen to the episode on YouTube
It took a little bit longer than we expected, but we managed to finish a new episode of the ZUCast, just for you!
If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!We got a little carried away this time around, so this is our longest episode ever! Unfortunately, because there was so much to edit, post-production took extra time, so some of the time-sensitive stuff, particularly within the Community News, may be a tad out of date. Our sincerest apologies! bows
Now that the "bad" news is out of the way, let's talk about what amazing stuff you can expect to hear in this feature-length episode! The highlight for me, as the Original Raving ZUCast Fanperson™, is a special, ~20-minute segment on the current state of Zelda Theorizing by ZUBC alumni and veteran Theorists Hombre de Mundo and Humulos! There are also two segments relating to the music of the Legend of Zelda series, which I can totally get behind; a new segment highlighting some of the latest content on Zelda Universe and its various media outlets; an epic roundtable discussion/debate about one of my favorite Zelda games, Twilight Princess; and of course, some ZU Community News…from, er, the first half of November…!
So we hope you'll sit down and enjoy another fabulous episode of the ZUCast while you Super Smash it up! Happy listening!
Here's a breakdown of the episode, in case you lose your place among the 2 hours of audio:
- Zelda Theorizing: Where We Are NowPresented by guests Hombre de Mundo and Humulos0:03:36-0:24:27
- ZU Updates (news about new content on ZU and beyond)Presented by TheZeldaAnn0:26:57-0:30:13
- Celebrating the Clock Town themePresented by Amanda0:33:18-0:37:09
- Ranking Zelda boss battle themesPresented by Gibran0:41:40-0:48:53
- ZU Forums Community NewsPresented by RealmWings0:53:18-0:58:32
- "Zelda Universe by the Numbers" survey resultsPresented by your hosts, Alex and myself0:59:34-1:07:41
- Roundtable Discussion: Is Twilight Princess a good game?Presented by Peyton, featuring Randy and ZU Twitch Director Elias1:08:39-1:29:59
- FeedbackPresented by your hosts, Alex and myself1:36:23-1:40:10
- Staff creditsPresented by TheZeldaAnn1:43:55-1:47:56
- ???1:47:57-1:52:42
Okay, so I know you're busy beating up gaming's finest in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but we'd really appreciate it if you were to put down your JoyCon for a few minutes to let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. Audio feedback is also welcome!
We're celebrating Ocarina of Time's 20th anniversary in the next episode! Sure, it's a little late, but…it's Ocarina of Time, so can you really complain?
Listen to the episode on YouTube
"Open your eyes…"
We've been asleep for a hundred years—give or take 95 years—but the Zelda Universe Podcast, better known simply as the ZUCast, is finally back!If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!ZU's homegrown audio podcast originally ran from 2008 through 2011, with an attempted reboot in early 2013, and a total of almost 40 episodes was produced in that time. Unfortunately, we had to go away for a while, but given the unprecedented popularity that the podcast medium is currently experiencing, it was high time to turn our microphones back on for some Zelda-related discussion and shenanigans!Whether you are a veteran listener who has been wishing really hard for this day to come, or you have never heard of the ZUCast before today, we here at the ZUBC (Zelda Universe Broadcasting Corporation) are confident that you are in for a treat! We've worked hard over the past couple of months to put this show together, so we sincerely hope that you enjoy it!Here is what's in store for you in this episode, including times for the discerning among you: Ranking the champions of Breath of the WildPresented by Brian0:09:18-0:16:46 * The first "ZU by the Numbers" survey resultsPresented by our hosts, Cody and Amanda0:18:46-0:23:53 * Hyrule Away from Hyrule: World of WarcraftPresented by Mitch0:23:58-0:30:47 * ZU Forums community newsPresented by TheZeldaAnn0:42:50-0:50:20 * Celebrating 30 years of The Adventure of Link* and its musicPresented by Gibran0:52:36-1:03:51 * Staff creditsPresented by Me, EzloSp...I mean, Eden1:07:26-1:10:17
We're back, baby! Once you've come down from your nostalgia high, why not take some time to let us know what you thought of this episode? You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse.Before you ask, yes, we've already started working on the next episode of the ZUCast! I cannot promise anything, but we hope to have the next one available within a month or so.Listen to the episode on YouTube Special thanks to Joshua Lindquist for all his help getting this release to work technologically!
During today's Nintendo's E3 Direct, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was announced and impressively boasts every fighter from previous entries in the franchise as playable characters. Following the announcement, Nintendo displayed a gorgeous piece of artwork that sprawled across the screen, featuring their largest roster yet.As you can see from the clip below, Link will be rocking his Champion's Tunic from Breath of the Wild, while Zelda sports her A Link Between Worlds outfit. Sheik seems to have some sort of shoulder and shin guards with Sheikah designs. Toon Link and Young Link look to be dressed in their traditional Wind Waker garment and Kokiri Tunic respectively. Finally, Ganondorf will jump into the fray with his classic Ocarina of Time costume.You can also view the full-sized image over on GoNintendo's Flickr page.Source FlickrVia GoNintendo
Less than three days remain until the Kickstarter campaign for Materia Collective's Hero of Time comes to a close, and the moon comes crashing down. Okay so maybe not that last part. But you are running out of time to make a pledge toward funding the Hero of Time album. The guys from Materia Collective have been gracious enough to give us an exclusive preview of what we can look forward to, so have a listen, and please be sure to share the campaign and donate if you can. We want to see this project fully funded!
In this month's issue of EDGE magazine, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma spoke of the challenges he and his team have come across in implementing a day/night cycle in Breath of the Wild. Such temporal changes aren't a new element in Zelda games, but it can be said that the last few home console installments have left something to be desired. From the waiting game for dusk in Twilight Princess to the limited freedom Skyward Sword allowed, day and night cycles haven't wowed us of late.Fortunately, the sheer size of Breath of the Wild appears to promise more for night owls to enjoy, and the ease of shifting from day to night (a stop at any campfire will do it) is sure to be a relief. But these improvements haven't been without a few stumbles, with Aonuma going as far as to say it's been "extremely hard."One of the concerns that arose was emulating darkness without making it... well, dark and scary. It was easy enough to get lost in just the small area that made up the E3 demo. Throw in the deep of night and it could be disorienting. Aonuma described his experience with nighttime to EDGE, and explained how he hoped to make it work in Breath of the Wild.“...I’ve been up a tall mountain at night and seen the stars; it was completely dark, but the starlight made it brighter. I wanted our nighttime environment to be something like that. And when it’s dark, there are elements in the environment that glow, so the player can use those to find their way.”Shrines of Trials, Blue Nightshade, and even moonlit clouds provide light for players without sacrificing ambiance.
Lighting effects aren't the only challenge for Aonuma and his team. The new game mechanics, such as temperature and sound gauges, must also be taken into account. Many enemies slumber at night, but running up to them with bombs blasting may not be the best plan; sneaking is much easier under the cover of darkness. The setting of the sun also brings with it colder temperatures, which could spell game over for players who aren't properly equipped.Of course, the night can offer some bright spots as well. Watching the full day/night cycle over on NCL's site shows some beautiful changes, such as the calls of owls and even the fall of a meteorite that sends up a beacon of light, encouraging players to seek it out. Without a doubt, the changes between the two extremes will leave plenty for Breath of the Wild players to discover. What are you hoping will make it into the game?
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Video Games Live: Level 5, the fifth album from Tommy Tallarico's hugely popular video game music concert tour Video Games Live, is complete, and backers are reaping their rewards. Level 5 features "A Celtic Link", an epic new Zelda arrangement by the insanely talented Eimear Noone (conductor of The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD).Right now, the album is only available to backers of the Kickstarter campaign, but it will be coming to iTunes, Amazon and Spotify later this month. Album producer Tommy Tallarico was awesome enough to allow us to give you guys a chance to listen to "A Celtic Link" in its entirety before it goes public.Now if you didn't take part in the initial campaign, don't worry, you can still download Level 5 before it hits iTunes, Amazon and Spotify by contributing to the post-campaign, which will not only save you money, but get you exclusive backer rewards such as the Majora's Mask piano album. This also allows the proceeds to go directly to the project itself. If you love what you hear (which of course you will), be sure to check out the tour dates on the Video Games Live website to find out when you can catch a performance near you! I've been lucky enough to attend a couple of Video Games Live concerts, and it is a show you don't want to miss.
New footage of the day/night cycle in Breath of the Wild from the Nintendo of Japan website unveils some more interesting information about the world in which Link will find himself.Huge bosses in the wildTen seconds into the footage you can clearly see a huge object moving up the left hand side of Death Mountain. It's impossible to make out exactly what it is, but if it's some sort of enemy, Link better watch out! We've already seen how Link can come across pretty formidable boss battles whilst out exploring Hyrule and this could well be another mighty foe which our hero could have to face. The prospect of taking on huge bosses out in the open rather than cooped up in a dungeon is one of the many conventions Breath of the Wild breaks, and we can't wait to take part in epic battles with this games glorious vista as the backdrop.Mana from heavenWatching the footage once it passes into night time also throws up another surprise. At the 16:30 mark we clearly see a meteorite fall from the sky and crash into the surface of Hyrule. The impact zone then has a beacon shining up into the night sky, luring Link to come and inspect the crash site. We can only speculate as to what might be there, more crafting materials perhaps, though none we've seen so far merit their own beacon. It could be some rather rare item then. Who knows, perhaps even a moon's tear!Regardless, it's clear that the footage we saw yesterday at E3 barely scratches the surface of what this game has to offer, with Aonuma-san stating that what was on show doesn't even amount to 2% of the final game. You can view the footage for yourself at Nintendo of Japan's site
Have you ever wanted to play the ocarina in the elegant and dignified way Link and Zelda do in Ocarina of Time, not only by playing Zelda songs on it, but more complex ones, too? Perhaps your wishes have been granted, for a complete and detailed "how to" book is finally in the works!David Ramos, the creator of this fantastic book, explains that he fell in love with the ocarina so hard, that it inspired him to learn the ocarina, playing his favorite Zelda songs, until he ultimately decided to pursue studying music in college. He now makes a living playing and teaching people how to play ocarina, but has found that several instructional books only teach you up to a certain level, leaving this sense of unaccomplishment in his mind. Therefore, he decided he would create his own book, one that truly went in-depth and gave detailed, yet clear and concise instructions for the best and easiest learning experience. David explains in the video below the things he wishes to accomplish with his book in more detail.https://ksr-video.imgix.net/projects/2348736/video-649687-h264_high.mp4David's book, How to Play Ocarina, will contain a 44-page physical and digital book, along with 16 instructional videos designed specifically for teaching you how to play the 10- and 12-hole ocarina. Furthermore, the book also aims to teach you how to read music sheets, so that you can easily read and learn any other music you may encounter outside of his book.Going back to the 16 instructional videos, one impressive thing about them is that, in the book, at the beginning of every lesson, there will be a QR code for you to scan with your phone or tablet, which will take you directly to the video on YouTube corresponding to that lesson. This provides comfort and accessibility for all your learning needs.In order to fund this project, David started a Kickstarter, hoping to reach his goal of $5,000 to be able to make his project a reality. However, as of today, his Kickstarter has garnered more that $7,500 already. Because his goal has already been reached and surpassed, David now plans to use the extra money and any other donations he receives until the Kickstarter ends, to buy and donate ocarinas to public schools around the United States. You can view all the details about the Kickstarter and his project at his Kickstarter page.This is definitely a wonderful thing David is doing, and we should all try to help him if possible. Let's look over David warmly as he teaches the world the ways of the ocarina!
Earlier in the week, we looked into the Hyrule Warriors trailer in our trailer analysis video, so as a follow-up, we've recorded a podcast which will cover the game in a bit more depth. This week, Hombre and Shona are joined by none other than Josh Jepson to discuss what we can expect to see from the Zelda spin-off title.Hit the break to see the video version of our podcast, or you can subscribe on iTunes if you prefer the audio version.
Have you finished A Link Between Worlds? If so, we have a big ol' podcast for you with Hombre and humulos. Beware of spoilers though; no stone is left unturned and we discuss the gameplay, story, characters, dungeons and whether the green blob enemies are Buzz Blobs even though they don't buzz.We'd also like to take this opportunity to apologize for the absence of the audio versions of the podcast. We've ran into some issues with file management and haven't been able to upload anything onto the site itself where the audio casts are stored. So for now, enjoy the video casts as we work on getting the audio casts back on track.
Zelda Universe was back to attend E3 again this year, and we have a lot of Nintendo E3 news to cover! Playable demos of A Link Between Worlds and The Wind Waker HD were available, and we had the chance to interview Zelda series director Eiji Aonuma while at E3.Hit the jump for the YouTube version of the podcast, or you can find the audio version on iTunes here.
It's time for another ZU Podcast this week! This podcast, Humulos and Erimgard are here to discuss what Nintendo has in store for us at the upcoming E3 convention.While Nintendo will not be doing a traditional keynote presentation this year, they will likely be making announcements through their Nintendo Direct presentations instead. They will also have their usual booth on the show floor.Hit the jump for the YouTube version of the podcast, or you can find the audio version on iTunes here.
The ZU Podcast is back, and this time we've moved to video format and will be uploading all of our podcasts on our YouTube channel! We'll also continue to upload audio versions, but you may miss some video aspects of episodes, such as gameplay footage or Hombre's cool sunglasses.Hit the jump for the YouTube version of the podcast, or you can find the audio version on iTunes here.
Zelda Universe is ringing in the new year in exciting ways! Just last week we released our official t-shirts and today we’re proud to present a totally new installation of the Zelda Universe Podcast. With a new, albeit not too unfamiliar format, we’re bringing you a full hour of audio goodness.
In this episode, we talk about the the Wii U, Nintendo’s brand new console. Our hosts Hombre and humulos, with guest hosts Cody and Lysia, discuss Nintendo Land, The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, the future of Zelda and multi-platform games. In-between discussions, we have forum-goer and podcast segment creator EzloSpirit (who has even more content in his own segment thread), who muses on the music in Skyward Sword with guests Emma and Mitch. Afterwards, new podcast team inductee Raptor Buddha provides a reading of his own Zelda fanfiction, Another Day At the Office.We’re also experimenting with a new format for the ZU Podcast that will let us continue releasing podcasts regularly in the future, so please give us your feedback in the comments or on the forums!Happy listening!* Host Discussion 1 (0:00:00) * ZU t-shirt ad (0:12:30) * EzloSpirit’s Hyrulean Symphonies (0:13:01) * Host Discussion 2 (0:32:28) * Another Day at the Office fan fiction reading by Raptor Buddha (0:44:18) * Host Discussion 3 (0:54:23) * Bloopers (1:04:03)
You may remember over the past week we've reported on the single orchestrated track being included and recently found on Ocarina of Time 3DS. We can now proudly say that we have found a high quality version for your listening pleasure.As mentioned in previous posts, the track is a beautiful medley that combines the Hyrule Field and overworld themes. Enjoy!(Once again, this is not a podcast, just an mp3 file.)
That's right, fans! We got our hands on a high quality recording of the amazing orchestrated arrangement from this mornings press conference. Firegs from ZREO, one of our dear friends, was kind enough to remaster the recording from earlier today. Hit play below and listen in all its glory. Enjoy!(Although it says podcast at the bottom, it's just an mp3, not a podcast.)