Nintendohas been able to build dozens of amazing franchises since their debut in the video game industry, butThe Legend of Zeldahas grown into one of the company’s most integral properties. It’s one of the few series that can actually hold its own against theSuper Mariogames.
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The Legend of Zeldahas changed in some exciting ways over the years, arguably more than most of Nintendo’s properties.Link’sadventures are now much bigger, but there are still core elements that the games don’t abandon. The Master Sword is a symbol that’s practically synonymous with theZeldafranchise, but there’s a lot about the relic that’s questionable or doesn’t make sense.
10Its Creation
The Legend of Zeldaseries has been around for so long and grown in monumental ways that it’s understandable for their to be some discrepancies when it comes to events. The instruction manual forA Link to the Pastsays that the Master Sword was created by the people of Hyrule. However, the more dominant theory is that the Master Sword is created by the Ancient Sages. This idea is established inTwilight Princess, butSkyward Swordexplicitly explores it with Skyloft and that the involvement of the Goddess Hylia.
9If It’s Still Active
Link’s Master Sword is so magical that it’s the kind of tool that feels like it should disappear after its purpose is served. Curiously, this is more or less stated at the end ofA Link to the Pastwith how the Master Sword is said to “sleep again, forever” once Link returns it to its shrine. However,A Link Between Worlds, the direct sequel to the game, still features Link with the weapon. It’s been returned to many of times, so the weapon’s fate and purpose appear to be much more ambiguous.
8If It’s Alive Or Not
For all intents and purposes, theLegend of Zeldafranchise just treats the Master Sword like a powerful blade for Link.Skyward Swordexplores how the weapon was originally known as the Goddess Sword, but that it also contains a living spirit known as Fi.
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It’s a creative turn to makeLink’s partnerfor the game be his actual sword and help him slowly turn the Goddess Sword into the Master Sword by the end. But the idea that there’s always been a living spirit in the weapon raises more questions than it’s worth.
7Its Connection To Ganon’s Powers
The Master Sword’s purpose has varied over the course of the franchise, butA Link to the Pastplays with the idea that it’s actually Link’s removal of the Master Sword from its shrine that breaks the seal on Ganon’s powers and returns his strength to him. BothThe Wind WakerandHyrule Warriorsalso have stories that revolve around this idea. However, this is not always the case and sometimes the sword doesn’t bear a connection to Ganon at all.
6The Master Sword And The Magical Sword
The Master Sword is an integral element of theLegend of Zeldaseries that feels like it’s been there from the start, but it’s not introduced until the Super Nintendo’sA Link to the Past. TheoriginalLegend of the ZeldaandThe Adventure of Linkinstead contain a weapon called the Magical Sword. The sword shares similarities with the original Master Sword design and has never appeared alongside the Blade of Evil’s Bane– or since. They don’t contradict each other, but it’s possible the Magical Sword is supposed to be a reforged version of the Master Sword, givenA Link to the Past’s status as a prequel.
5Why Was The Master Sword Created?
The Master Sword is Link’s ultimate weapon, but there’s also a very important purpose that it serves.Skyward Swordlooks specifically at the creation of the Master Sword and explains that it’s meant to help protect the Triforce. This is reinforced with how Hylia, the guardian of the Triforce, wields the prototype version of the weapon.
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However,A Link to the Past’smanual infers that the Master Sword was created for the purpose of defeatingGanonspecifically. There are also inconsistencies on whether the sword was created before or after the events of Ganon’s Imprisoning War.
4The Master Sword’s Resting Place
It’s exciting when Link first pulls out the Master Sword from its shrine. That said, the location of that shrine seems to differ across titles.Skyward Swordplaces the sword’s resting place within Faron Woods, which is also the case in other titles, likeTwilight Princess. However, even more games place the Master Sword’s shrine within the Lost Woods. The most recentZelda, Breath of the Wild, adds in Korok Forest andOcarina of Timetakes the biggest departure with its theatrical placement in the Temple of Time.
3Who Can Wield It?
The Legend of Zeldapulls inspiration from theSword in the Stone.Anyone can find the Master Sword, but only a special individual is actually able to wield it.Skyward Swordgets explicit on the manner and states that the weapon is created specifically for the Chosen Hero. This reinforces Link’s connection to the weapon, but there are instances where otherZeldacharactersare able to wield the sword.Skyward Sworditself has Ghirahim capable of stealing the sword away from Link & using it himself, even if this is just a mini-game boss rush, and Zelda briefly holds it duringThe Wind Waker’s finale.
2It Exists Simultaneously With The Goddess Sword
More recentZeldaentries have become fascinated with playing with the series' timeline.Skyward Sword’sstory shows how Link is actually a vital figure in the creation of the Master Sword as he’s the one who forges it from the Goddess Sword into the Master Sword with the help of the Sacred Flames. However, the time travel component featured inSkyward Sword’sfinale means that the Goddess Sword is present in the Statue of the Goddess while the Master Sword is also housed in the Temple of Hylia at the same time.
1The Master Sword And The Pendants Of Virtue
The Legend of Zeldaestablishes that only the Chosen Hero is capable of wielding theMaster Sword,but some of Link’s adventures require him to jump through hoops to invoke his birthright. BothA Link to the Pastand 3DS sequel,A Link Between Worlds, utilize three powerful pendants that Link needs to acquire in order to unlock the sword. These pendants take their cues from the tenets of the Triforce, but their importance seems to be inconsistent in the larger scheme of the series.
