Few games are as epic as the Legend of Zelda. For over 35 years, this franchise has shocked and amazed gamers with unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a boss battle or a tranquil scene, I could easily list 100 Legend of Zelda moments that live rent free in my head. However, for now, let’s tick off my top ten.
10. The OG moment: “It’s dangerous to go alone! Take This.”
Game: The Legend of Zelda
The iconic old man in the original Legend of Zelda is one that ever fan knows. Even if you haven’t played a Zelda game, odds are you have heard or seen this quote on a t-shirt at Newbury Comics or other hobby store. This is one of the first things that happen in the game and foreshadows the perilous journey you are about to embark on as the hero, Link.
9. Enter the Dark World…as a Bunny?
Game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is a fan-favorite in the franchise, and although 2D Zelda games may not get the spotlight as their 3D brethren these days, we have a lot to be thankful for here. The “shock and awe” moment for me was the fact Link turned into a bunny when hurled into the Dark World for the first time. There was a sense of mild panic and definitely a sense of urgency to return to my more heroic form.
8. Failed Execution of Ganondorf
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
There are a few brutal moments on my list, and this is the first one. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was Nintendo’s answer to the fans’ call for a “dark, gritty” sequel to Ocarina of Time, and nothing was darker than the sages (who looked terrifying, mind you) executing Ganondorf with a sword to his stomach. Not only is that a slow, painful way to go, but Ganondorf didn’t go down quietly. With the power of the Triforce, he turned things around (literally), and fights you with the same sword and a scar to remind us of how strong he is.
7. The Final Blow, Part 1.
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
As the first Zelda game I’ve played, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is particularly special to me. The pacing and story built up to the final showdown with the King of Evil. Despite the epic back-and-forth in his castle, it was the clash with the beast form, Ganon, that was most memorable. More specifically, Link deals the final blow with the Master Sword to his face. His FACE. Sorry, not sorry, Ganon/Ganondorf.
6. The Final Blow, Part 2.
Game: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
This guy never catches a break. In similar fashion, Ganondorf meets an epic fate in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The setting of the final battle alone is memorable. The arena is deteriorating, water is cascading around you, and Zelda is fighting by your side. The stakes are incredibly high. Don’t let the cutesy cell-shaded child Link fool you. The final blow that makes #6 on my list digs right into Ganondorf’s skull.
5. Fi’s Farewell
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Fi was not my favorite companion in the Legend of Zelda series. In fact, I didn’t like her at all. She came off as cold and annoying, especially when the batteries on my Wii remote were low. However, when it was time to part ways in the end, I was not expecting to be as moved as I was. The music tugged at my heart strings, and hearing how she, in a way, began to understand emotion caused me to shed a few tears. After spending hours with Fi, going through all the obstacles in Skyward Sword, Nintendo tricked me into forming a bond with this spirit of the Master Sword.
4. Discovering the Source of Gloom
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Zelda fans got a sneak peak of “dehydrated Ganondorf” in the final trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and I was here for it. When booting up the game, I was pleased to see this near the beginning. The tone was set by eerie music and whisps of “gloom” growing thicker as Link and Zelda descend into the castle depths. I definitely felt that something sinister sat at the bottom, and the reveal was one that shook me to the core.
3. Saying Goodbye to Saria
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
This has to be one of the most heart-wrenching video game moments for me. The moment you say goodbye to your best friend, Saria, and leave Kokiri Forest, left a pit in the bottom of my stomach. No, it was not a flashy, fancy moment. It was the silence, the somber atmosphere that got to me. Saria gives Link her ocarina to remember her by, and he turns to leave without another word. Perhaps Link wasn’t ready to say goodbye…I know I wasn’t.
To add the cherry on top, when you save Saria as an adult, and she awakens as a sage, we are told, “Saria will always be… your friend…”.
2. Taking in a Breath of the Wild for the First Time
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo blew us away with a new format for The Legend of Zelda series. Until Breath of the Wild, the games were mostly linear (which I had no problem with). When Link awakens after 100 years of slumber, he runs outside and gets a breathtaking view of Hyrule in its current state. I know it took my breath away too. The land was so vast, and excitement bubbled within, knowing I could explore every inch of Hyrule. This is the original Legend of Zelda realized in a 3D, open world format. This is a memory I wish I could revisit over and over.
1. Legendary Dragons Do Battle/Catching Zelda
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Although The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild kicked off the massive, open world for the franchise, its sequel expanded on that. After a disappointing final boss battle in Breath of the Wild in the form of Dark Beast Gannon (for me), I squealed with delight at the battle between dragons in Tears of the Kingdom. You are in the sky, ascending and falling between the massive dragon forms of Ganondorf and Zelda. Nothing felt more epic than that.
I coupled that with the sequence that followed where Link is given another chance to “catch” Zelda, which was thematically satisfying after he failed at the start of the game. The music crescendos, and the rush of victory coursed through my veins. Both scenes are visually spectacular, the audio matches the gravitas, and it brought about a very memorable conclusion to the latest installment of The Legend of Zelda.
What are you top ten moments from the Legend of Zelda series, and what makes them memorable?Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
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