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BACKGROUND
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The original game, The Legend of Zelda, was created by game designer Shigeru Miyamoto and developed and published by Nintendo. The video game was released in Japan on February 21, 1986 on the Famicon Disk System. On August 27, 1987, a cartridge version was released in the United States. The cartridge version of the game was also released in Europe on November 27, 1987 [#].
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The Legend of Zelda was commercially successful, selling a million copies within the year after its initial release. Overtime, the game culminated a total of 6.5 million copies worldwide, making it the fourth best-selling Nintendo Entertainment System game of all time [#]. Currently, the game holds an average user score of 9.1 at GameSpot[#], and a current average reader score of 9.1 at IGN[#].
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Since its initial release in 1986, Nintendo has issued a total of 19 official games of The Legend of Zelda saga for a multitude of Nintendo platforms.
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Below is a video of the evolution of The Legend of Zelda, depicting the video gameplay from 1986-2019 [#].
CHARACTERS
The Legend of Zelda series includes a multitude of recurring characters throughout the titles. Some major relevant characters of The Legend of Zelda series are:
LINK:
An iconic character in Nintendo's history; Link is the main protagonist of the video game series. Link appears in several incarnations over the timeline of the games, and is portrayed as both the soul of a legendary hero within the lore of the franchise, as well as the guardian of the Triforce of Courage. Throughout Hyrule history, Link reincarnates whenever the series main antagonist, Ganon, re-emerges as an evil threat. Link travels throughout Hyrule to defeat the spread of Ganon's evil, while working with and/or rescuing the Princess Zelda, and ultimately saving all of Hyrule from Ganon's wrath.
PRINCESS ZELDA:
Princess Zelda is a protagonist in the series and the guardian of the Triforce of Wisdom. Like Link, Zelda, too, incarnates in each title as a member of Hyrule's royal family. In the title The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, it is revealed that Zelda is the soul of the goddess Hylia. Having sworn to protect the people of Hyrule, she decided to give up her divine status and become mortal in order to incarnate in each life that Ganon returns to wreak havoc on the land. Although often portrayed as the damsel in distress, she and Link typically work together to protect and restore peace to Hyrule.
GANON:
Ganon is the main antagonist in the video game series. In most games, Ganon is portrayed as the holder of the Triforce of Power, and thus seeks out the other two pieces in order to carry out his evil scheme of destruction and supremacy over Hyrule. In Ganon's human form, he is depicted as the leader of the Gerudo race. Ganon is the physical personification of the hatred of the Demon King Demise, a primary antagonist in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, who is destined to reincarnate eternally.
THE GREAT DEKU TREE:
Often regarded as "Father of the Forest"[#], the Great Deku Tree is an ancient guardian deity of both the forest and the spirits who live there. Although considered a recurring character, The Great Deku Tree only appears in 3 of the 19 titles of The Legend of Zelda. Still, he plays a role of great importance in the franchise. His first appearance is in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, where he dies and is reborn as the Deku Tree Sprout. This Deku Tree Sprout occurs again in the title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, once again as the elderly Great Deku Tree.
GOLDEN GODDESSES:
The Golden Goddesses are the creators of Hyrule and are responsible for the ancient artifact, The Triforce, which plays an imperative role in the plot of the video game. Each of the three Goddesses has a name and is responsible for creating a particular aspect of the realm of Hyrule. Din is responsible for creating the world itself in the realm of Hyrule. She is also one with the Triforce of Power, which is the portion that Ganon holds in the series. Nayru is the goddess that is responsible for creating the water, laws and skies. She is one with the Triforce of Wisdom, the portion that Princess Zelda holds. The Goddess Farore is responsible for creating the land and is one with the Triforce of Courage, the portion that Link holds in the series. Ancient statues and artifacts of these three goddesses can be found throughout the series, as well as divine relics that are sometimes required for Link's progression in his quest.
FAIRIES:
Fairies are a recurring race in The Legend of Zelda series who share a strong connection with Link. Fairies are depicted in a number of different ways, from tiny winged companions who aid in healing, to gigantic fairies who offer power upgrades or items to the protagonist.
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Navi is an iconic character in The Legend of Zelda series who acts as a guide for Link in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Navi is not the only fairy companion of Link. In many titles, Link is accompanied by a fairy, who will aid him in battle by revealing the weakness of enemies, as well as aid in the overall quest by hinting to the next destination of the game.
KOROKS/KOKORI:
"Once upon a time, long ago, the Koroks took on human forms, but when they came to live on the sea, they took these shapes. Now they fear people... but to me, they will ever be my cherished little children."
Koroks are the Forest Spirits of The Legend of Zelda and reside in their home, a Forest Haven, with The Great Deku Tree. The Korok race evolved from the Kokoris that appear in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It is the Koroks' duty to assist The Great Deku Tree, such as guarding the Master Sword in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The Koroks also share a special relationship with fairies.
IMPA:
Impa is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series. As part of the Sheikah race, Impa often serves as a bodyguard to Princess Zelda. Impa appears in 8 of the 19 titles of The Legend of Zelda series, including the first game, The Legend of Zelda. Impa appears to have innate wisdom and knowledge of the ancient history of Hyrule, as well as both Link's and Zelda's destiny as the heroes of Hyrule.
DARK LINK:
Dark Link, sometimes referred to as Shadow Link, is a recurring antagonist in The Legend of Zelda series. Dark Link acts as a mirror image of the protagonist, Link, representing his shadow or alter-ego. Throughout the series, there is never any indication as to whether Dark Link is the same villain in each title. However, it is likely that, such as Link reincarnates under each title, so would his shadow counterpart. Dark Link appears in 7 of the 19 titles of The Legend of Zelda series, with his first being Zelda II: The Adventures of Link.
TIMELINE
Although The Legend of Zelda contains 19 separate titles within the series, each game is a component of a chronological timeline depicting the history of the world of Hyrule, from the creation of the realm preceeding The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, until The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes, or The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Aventures, depending on what route you follow. The timeline contains a number of divergences and convergences that depend on the events that occur within certain narratives, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Please reference the included Youtube video depicting The Legend of Zelda official timeline for specific details.
MAIN QUEST
Although each title in The Legend of Zelda series portrays a unique narrative and gameplay experience, the main quest of each game usually involves rescuing the Princess Zelda in some form or another. Mainly, the hero's quest is to aid Zelda in eliminating the evil threat of Ganon, sealing him away until his next incarnation, thus saving Hyrule time and time again.
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Throughout The Legend of Zelda series, the plot commonly involves recurring items, such as sacred weapons and artifacts, that are required to proceed throughout the quest. Some such items include:
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THE TRIFORCE:
The Triforce is the sacred relic left behind by the Three Golden Goddesses as they departed the realm with the conclusion of the creation of Hyrule. Each of the three components making up the Triforce connect with its Goddess counterpart; Din, the Trifoce of Power, Farore, the Trifoce of Courage, and Nayru, the Triforce of Wisdom.
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In most titles of The Legend of Zelda, the Trifoce is the most vital relic in the progression of the Hero's quest, as it is required to defeat Ganon. One exception is found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where the Triforce is not directly mentioned, nor does it play a role in the game's plot. However, the symbol of the Triforce is still depicted throughout the series, likely in relation to past endeavours throughout Hyrule's history.
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The function of the Triforce is that it has the power to grant the wish of whoever holds it, reflecting a physical manifestation of what lies within the holder's heart. Unfortunately for the protagonist's sake, the Triforce does not segregate between "good" and "evil", therefore, destruction is surely possible through its use.
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The Triforce is in some way essential to the stability of Hyrule, as it provides balance and order to the realm. If the Triforce were somehow destroyed, the realm of Hyrule would cease to exist.
THE MASTER SWORD:
Often referred to as the Blade of Evils Bane, the Sword of Legend, the Sword that Seals the Darkness, the Sacred Sword, the Legendary Sword, and the Master Sword of Resurrection, the Master Sword is a recurring legendary weapon in The Legend of Zelda series. The sword appears to be intertwined with Link's destiny of defeating Ganon within each incarnation, as it is said to be infused with the power to vanquish evil. In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, it is revealed that the Master Sword was created by the Goddess Hylia in order to aid the chosen hero in saving Hyrule. However, in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, its origins are described as having been forged by the people of Hyrule, upon the expectation that the Triforce had ended up in the hands of evil, thus contradicting the account in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Although never stated in the series, it is implied that those aligned with evil are not capable of wielding the sword.
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Link, Super Smash Bros.
Princess Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Ganon, The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time
The Great Deku Tree, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
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Din
Farore
Nayru
Great Fairy, The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker
Bottled fairy, The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker
Navi, The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of TIme
Kokori, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Korkos, The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker
Golden Goddesses, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Impa, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Warriors
Impa, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
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Dark Link, different appearances
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Official depiction of The Legend of Zelda timeline, Nintendo
Several appearances and designs of Link
Triforce symbol
Princess Zelda as Sheik, holding the Triforce of Wisdom; Ocarina of Time
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The Triforce depicted inside The Temple of Time, Ocarina of Time
The Master Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Master Sword, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
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