The Legend of Zeldahas been one of Nintendo’s longest and most consistent franchises. Most entries in the series find players controlling Link, the destined hero of the fantastical world of Hyrule. However, each game varies not only in its place on the well-documentedZeldatimeline, but in Link’s abilities and powers that vary game to game.
While some of these abilities are consistent throughout many mainlineZeldatitles, some of them are only featured in one or two games. Some powers Link that has possessed span a wide variety ofZeldagames, though they have a unique appearance in each one. Nevertheless, these particular powers Link’s acquired throughout theZeldafranchise are certainly his strangest.
6Pocket Size
As is the case with most RPGs and action-adventure games, Link has an incredible ability to carry many items at once. This is usually the result of suspended disbelief between the developers and players, who need to accommodate for characters to switch between weapons and items with ease. Even by those standards, Link has quite the load with him.
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As Link gathers items and collectibles throughoutZeldagames, one can’t help but wonder how he’s able to do it all. InMajora’s Mask, Link collects up to 24 masks throughout the story, which may even rivalthe Happy Mask Salesman’s tremendous knapsack. Other games likeBreath of the Wildrestrict Link’s inventory until he buys upgrades from Hestu.
5Teleporting
MostLegend of Zeldagames take place in the vast land of Hyrule, with many different locations. As is the case with most games featuring an expansive area, players are able to fast-travel between key destinations with ease. This canonically gives Link the ability to teleport across Hyrule in an instant, though not often via the same methods.
InBreath of the Wild, Link is able to achieve fast-travel withthe use of mysterious Sheikah Slate technology. Some titles enable warping through songs Link plays on the ocarina, or perhaps a flute.Twilight Princesseven allows Link to jump back to the start of a temple by utilizing an Oocoo, a type of humanoid bird that appears in the title.
4Spell Casting
In the world of Hyrule, Link hardly gets opportunities to use magic abilities,leaving that mostly to characters like Princess Zeldaor Ganondorf. In certain titles, however, Link is able to use key magic spells that he gains from particular characters.Ocarina of Time, for instance, bestows Link with spells based on the three Golden Goddesses.
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Breath of the Wildalso reinterprets this idea by giving Link powersinherited from the four fallen Guardians: Mipha, Daruk, Revali, and Urbosa. Some of them inflict damage on enemies, while others will protect and heal Link in the heat of battle. Acquiring these skills is a useful way for Link to grow stronger as the game progresses.
3Time Travel
Time travel is a consistent theme inThe Legend of Zelda, as is hopping between alternate realities. The time-travel mechanic was first introduced inOcarina of Time, which features a key story moment where Link is sealed in the Temple of Time for seven years. After emerging as an adult, Link is able to return to the past and influence events in Hyrule’s future.
Skyward Swordalso revisits this mechanic through the use of Timeshift Stones, which rewind time in particular areas. Another form of time manipulation that appears in the series is freezing time, which plays a particular role inBreath of the Wild. Through the use of his Sheikah Slate, Link can freeze objects in place to solve Shrine puzzles.
2Shape-Shifting
Another recurring mechanic inThe Legend of Zeldais Link’s ability to change forms. InMajora’s Mask, this is achieved through wearing masks that turn Link into other Hylian species. Other games, likeTwilight Princess, feature long stretches of the story where Link must remain in the body of a wolf, guided through the Twilight Realm by the imp Midna.
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Another unique example of shape-shifting in theZeldafranchise comes in the 3DS titleA Link Between Worlds. In this game,Link is cursed by the wizard Yugainto becoming a painting, and must navigate the walls of Hyrule to solve puzzles. Some games have even featured Easter eggs where Link can briefly transform into a Cucco.
1Musicianship
Often, Link’s powers arethe result of his incredible musical ability. Several games in theZeldafranchise feature musical instruments that Link collects on his journey for various purposes. One significant example is the Ocarina of Time in the game of the same title, which enables Link to summon his horse, alter the weather, and communicate with characters.
Music returns to theZeldafranchise inThe Wind Waker, which allows Link to use a composer’s baton to change the direction of wind while sailing across the Great Sea.Skyward Swordalso features the Goddess’s Harp, which belongs to Zelda, but is used in the game by Link to reveal key locations in Link’s journey.
