History Franchise / TheLegendofZelda

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** ''Link: The Faces of Evil'' (1993)
** ''Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon'' (1993)
** ''Zelda's Adventure'' (1994)

* ''Platform/{{Satellaview}}'' games (''Platform/{{Satellaview}}'', 1995)

[[index]]

** ''Videogame/RipenedTinglesBalloonTripOfLove'' (Platform/NintendoDS, 2009)
* ''VideoGame/LinksCrossbowTraining'' (Platform/{{Wii}}, 2007)
* ''Hyrule Warriors'' series (crossover with ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors''):

* ''Machinima/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMisadventuresOfLink'', a series of 12 short {{Machinima}} videos for the Nintendo Video service for the Nintendo 3DS.

** ''The Legend of Zelda: Molblin's Magic Spear'' by Jack C. Harris
** ''The Legend of Zelda: The Count of Black Shadows'' by Akio Higuchi
** ''The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past'' by Katsuyuki Ozaki
** ''Link and the Portal of Doom'' by Tracey West

* AbnormalLimbRotationRange:
** Kaepora Gaebora and the other Owls.
** Link himself in ''Skyward Sword'', under some extreme Wiimote gestures.

* AccidentalProposal: Several times in the series.

* AlternateUniverse: The various {{Dark World}}s in ''A Link to the Past'', ''Twilight Princess'', ''Spirit Tracks'', and ''A Link Between Worlds''.

* AnimatedAdaptation: The games had a [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 cartoon series]] back in TheEighties, along with ''Super Mario Bros''' own adaptations.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'' has a scene where an ancient ruin is revealed. However, the way it is revealed involves putting a stone into a statue... The statue then shoots a single cannonball, which it hits a floating island. At first, nothing happens, but after a few seconds, the ruin reveals itself.

* {{BFS}}: Some examples include the Biggoron's Sword, the Great Fairy's Sword, and the blade used by the Fierce Deity.

** The 3DS remake of ''[[Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'' gave [[NonHumansLackAttributes Princess Ruto]] an extra layer of scales that ends in a small ridge just above her chest, in order to suggest clothing. This carried over to her later appearance in ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriors''.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': The title can mean either "link" as in "connection", or "Link" as in TheProtagonist. Same with the sequel, ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds''.

** [[https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/zelda_gamepedia_en/e/ef/PH_Bellum_Model.png?version=099b2d6ff944690b6f7ddc329dfb8bba Bellum]] from [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Phantom Hourglass]], a [[CombatTentacles tentacled]] monstrosity with [[EyesDoNotBelongThere eyes where they shouldn't be.]] It isn't really evil or malicious and probably doesn't even have agency in any human sense, it just ''is''.

* ExpositionFairy / FairyCompanion: In order of appearance:
** [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 The cartoon]]: Spryte, who set the stage for another American adaptation fairy...
** ''[[Manga/TheLegendOfZelda A Link to the Past]]'' adaptation: Epheremelda, the Fairy Companion in the Nintendo Power comic illustrated by Shotaro Ishinomori, which inspired back in Japan...
** ''[[Manga/TheLegendOfZelda Link's Awakening]]'' manga by Ataru Cagiva: Felicia, making the concept of the Fairy Companion popular enough along with the previous entries to become a CanonImmigrant at last with...
** ''[[Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'': Navi, the TropeCodifier.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'': Tatl.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]'': The King of Red Lions.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwordsAdventures Four Swords Adventures]]'': Whichever maiden you've just rescued, who takes the form of an actual fairy.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap The Minish Cap]]'': Ezlo.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess Twilight Princess]]'': Midna.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Phantom Hourglass]]'': Ciela, Leaf, Neri, and Linebeck.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks Spirit Tracks]]'': Zelda.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'': Fi.
** ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriors'': Proxi, also acting as the VoiceForTheVoiceless.

* FaerieCourt: There are numerous Great Fairies in the series, who contrast normal fairies, which are tiny [[WingedHumanoid Winged Humanoids]], by being gigantic, flirtatious humanoids, who may or may not have wings. Their relationship with and authority over normal fairies is not clear. Fairy "Queens" show up in a few games, most notably [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker Wind Waker]] where she initially appears as an alien figure with four arms, but this is actually a puppet controlled by a childlike figure with mystical coloration.
* FairyBattle: Used in ''Zelda II'' whenever you find a fairy in the overworld.

*** The Link of ''Wind Waker'' is not actually an incarnation of the legendary hero and is only a kid who proved his worth to the gods, simply gaining a MagicMeter powering his Deku Leaf and [[ElementalPowers elemental]] {{Trick Arrow}}s in the process.

* GenderIncompetence: It does this with the members of the Triforce. The bearer of wisdom is always female while the other two are male and while all three are portrayed as powerful in their own right the bearer of wisdom, no matter how strong and combat-ready she gets, will always be weak to sustained attack while the other two don't have the same weakness.

* GiantEyeOfDoom: Gohma, the first boss in ''Ocarina of Time''. Wart in ''Majora's Mask'' as well.

* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: Once again, the Hyrulean guards.
* HealingPotion: The red potion you can carry in bottles.
* HeartsAreHealth: One of the [[TropeCodifier most memorable examples]].

* HeelFaceTurn: Ingo, Mido, Skull Kid, Linebeck, [[spoiler:Byrne]], and [[spoiler:Groose]].
** Though in the case of Mido, Linebeck and [[spoiler:Groose]], they aren't evil. Just [[{{Jerkass}} jerks]]. For example, Linebeck starts out as [[spoiler:a greedy son of a gun, but he then does a mini heel-face and turns out to be pretty cool]].

* TheHero: Link is often "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Hero]]" in a literal sense -- of [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast Hyrule]], [[Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Time]], [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker Winds]], or [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess chosen by the Gods]]. He may start out as an unassuming FarmBoy, but heroism is inevitably [[BecauseDestinySaysSo his destiny]].

* TheHerosJourney: In almost every game, with the possible exception of ''Majora's Mask''.

* HijackedByGanon: TropeNamer and TropeCodifier. Eventually given an in-universe justification in Demise's curse.

** The Triforce was said to have disappeared into the Golden Realm shortly after Hyrule was created (''[=ALTTP=]''). Or that it was hidden away there (''[=OoT=]''). Or, even, that there were only two pieces (''Zelda 1''). [[spoiler:It was hidden in [[VideoGame/TheLegendofZeldaSkywardSword Skyloft]], a place shrouded in legend on the surface world. Among the myths is that the streets are paved in gold.]]

* NamedAfterFirstInstallment: The first game was simply titled ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaI''.[[note]]Except for Japan, where ''The Legend of Zelda'' was a subtitle and the full title was ''Hyrule Fantasy: The Legend of Zelda''[[/note]] The second game, ''Videogame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'', included ''Zelda'' in the title, but using ''The Legend of Zelda'' as the series title was firmly established beginning with ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast''.

*** The rest of the game downplays the trope significantly compared to the first few hours and the rest of the series; every item is available from the start (since it's a WideOpenSandbox), but side quests and main quests where they're needed [[SuspiciousVideogameGenerosity usually give them a ready source of the item in question]] (e.g. shock arrows in Zora's domain).
** Getting the Master Sword in ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' causes the time stop on Hyrule Castle to be undone, allowing the powerful enemies frozen within to roam free. This gives players a quick chance to use their new weapon.
** ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': Once you get the Spinner in the sixth dungeon, the door locks, and you need to use the spinner to navigate the grooves in the walls allowing you to reach the exit.

* {{Ninja}}: The Sheikah, the Yiga, and the Garo.

* NonLinearSequel: Half, maybe two-thirds of the time. Part of why the timeline is such a mess.

* OddballInTheSeries: ''Zelda II'', ''Link's Awakening'', ''Majora's Mask'', and ''Four Swords Adventures'', all to various degrees.
* OminousFog: ''Phantom Hourglass'' has it around the Ghost Ship.

** ''Videogame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'': The Great Palace (the final dungeon of the game) houses the Triforce of Courage--and true to the item's name, the Temple's barrier will not open unless the entrant has placed eight jewels in the other temples as proof of their courage. The final challenge, before the person can claim the Triforce itself, is to fight [[EnemyWithout the evil within them]].
** ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'': The entrance to the Sacred Realm (also known as the Golden Land) where the [[CosmicKeystone Triforce]] dwells is hidden and requires four sacred objects (the Kokiri Emerald, Goron Ruby, Zora Sapphire and Ocarina of Time) that are each protected by the various nations that populate Hyrule. Only possessing all four and then playing the Song of Time in the Temple of Time will reveal the hidden entrance, but this is technically possible if the items are stolen through nefarious means. The ''final'' test, however, [[OnlyTheChosenMayWield is pulling out the Master Sword]], which can't be touched by someone evil. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, there's nothing stopping someone evil from [[UnwittingPawn waiting for a good person to do all that]], and then step inside and enter the Sacred Realm themselves]].
** ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'': At the conclusion of ''Ocarina of Time'', the previous ChosenOne that wielded the Master Sword was sent back to his original time, thus breaking the cycle of reincarnation which spawns a new Chosen One. The Tower of the Gods was created to test anyone who wanted to wield the sword in the future, and it requires three pearls that embody the virtues of the goddesses themselves to unlock it.

* OurMonstersAreWeird: The four biggest examples are the Like Likes, Pols Voices, Octorocks, and Digdogger.

* PersonalSpaceInvader: [=ReDeads=] and Like-Likes, quite infamous among the fandom.

* PuzzlePan: Used occasionally for some bigger puzzles.

** Lampshaded towards the beginning of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]''.

* RedshirtArmy: The entire Hyrulean army. It's a wonder that they still bother.

** The Triforce went through an inversion, then reversion of this trope. In the first game, it's made known that there are two different Triforces that are basically equal in influence. The second game introduces the third Triforce and reveals that all three have a SetBonus, where the person who has all three and summons the Golden Power is functionally {{Omnipotent}}. Then, the TimeyWimeyBall gets thrown into the series, where it's revealed that there's multiple timelines -- each with its own Golden Power (although there's no overlap between the timelines, thus never more than one unified Triforce). And then at last, in ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'', it's revealed that there is at least one twin of Hyrule... complete with its ''own unified Triforce''.

* VariableMix: The series has been increasingly embracing this to an awesome degree.

* WarriorVersusSorcerer:

* {{Tsundere}}: In order of appearance and type:
** "Harsh" types: [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 Princess Zelda in the Animated Adaptation]], [[Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Princess Ruto]], [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Tatl]], [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker Tetra]], [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess Midna]], and [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Linebeck]].
** "Sweet" types: [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess Ilia]], [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Ciela]], and [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks Princess]] [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Zelda]].

--->'''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Lumpy Pumpkin]] Owner: Why would you do that?!'''
--->'''Link:''' ''(Picks up Heart Piece from chandelier wreckage)''
--->'''Player:''' TOTALLY [[WorthIt WORTH IT!]]

** ''A Link to the Past'': Ganon's Tower. %%% The Pyramid isn't a dungeon, it's simply a battlefield for the final battle.

** In ''The Wind Waker'', there a subquest about a Hylian girl falling in love with a Moblin.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'': [[spoiler:Zelda herself is the goddess Hylia in human form, [[BigBad Ghirahim]] is the EvilCounterpart to Fi, [[GreaterScopeVillain Demise]] creates Ganon as the manifestation of his own hatred, and the Old Woman at the Sealed Temple is actually Impa.]]

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' (Platform/Nintendo64, 2000; direct sequel to ''Ocarina of Time''): An encounter with an enigmatic kid under the influence of a mysterious mask ends up sending Link to the alternate world of Termina, where said masked kid has set the moon on a collision course with the planet. Now Link must traverse across three days before impact in order to find enough time to save Termina.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' (Platform/Nintendo64, 2000; direct sequel to ''Ocarina of Time''): An encounter with the enigmatic Skull Kid sees Link travel to Termina, a realm that is doomed to be crushed under a falling moon in three days time unless someone intervenes!

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'' itself is a Same Plot ''Prequel'' that follows many of the same beats as ''A Link to the Past'' and ''Ocarina of Time''. Three PlotCoupons, a reveal halfway through, Zelda going missing for an extended period, time travel shenanigans, and a BigBad that seeks to revive a Demon King, [[spoiler:the latter of whom is revealed to be the original incarnation of [[HijackedByGanon Ganon]] himself]]. Additionally, the "Sacred Flames" arc of the game closely follows the second half of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker]]'', as Link travels to new areas to power up his sword and learns more about his destiny.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom Tears of the Kingdom]]'' is a combination of the narratives from ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]''. Once again, we see the founding of Hyrule in the distant past by a race from the Sky [[spoiler:and a black, scaly Demon King that threatens the land]]. Ganondorf's initial scheme to overthrow King Rauru by swearing fealty to him is reminiscent of his plan in the child portion of ''Ocarina of Time'', complete with a scene of him bowing in front of Rauru, [[spoiler:followed by Zelda attempting to warn the king of Ganondorf's treachery, only to be ignored]]. Finally, Link's storyline sees him rushing to awaken each of the Sages in order to find Zelda, restore Hyrule, and defeat Ganondorf once and for all— a dead ringer for the adult portion of ''Ocarina of Time''.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom Tears of the Kingdom]]'' is a combination of the narratives from ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]''. Once again, we see the founding of Hyrule in the distant past by a race from the Sky [[spoiler:and a black, scaly Demon King that threatens the land]]. Ganondorf's initial scheme to overthrow King Rauru by swearing fealty to him is reminiscent of his plan in the child portion of''Ocarina of Time'', complete with a scene of him bowing in front of Rauru, [[spoiler:followed by Zelda attempting to warn the king of Ganondorf's treachery, only to be ignored]]. Finally, Link's storyline sees him rushing to awaken each of the Sages in order to find Zelda, restore Hyrule, and defeat Ganondorf once and for all— a dead ringer for the adult portion of ''Ocarina of Time''.