Top 10 Legend Of Zelda Moments

Top 10 Legend of Zelda Moments

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These events help make this series legendary. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 moments from the Legend of Zelda games. For this list, we’ll be primarily concentrating on key story and event moments, as we already have a list for the greatest Legend of Zelda Boss Battles. We’re ranking these moments based on their impact on the series, memorability, and of course our own personal picks.

“A Link to the Past” begins, as Zelda games often do, with some backstory, followed by a small adventure leading into a larger one, namely following the perpetual protagonist of the series, Link, as he heads out into a storm to follow his uncle, armed with nothing but a lantern. The player soon catch up with him; finding him wounded in the basement of Zelda’s castle. Charging Link with protecting Zelda, the unnamed uncle then passes out, but not before uttering a confusing, and incomplete, final statement. It’s generally believed now that he was making a reference to their mutual destiny, yet this dark scene, and the uncle’s cryptic last words, remain iconic.

Zelda fans always enjoy seeing connections between the games, even if the specifics of the timelines can get rather confusing, and it doesn’t get much better than finding Hyrule frozen in time beneath the waves. Given how bright and colorful “Wind Waker” is, the contrast with the gray, color-drained world within the depths is a stark one, and the drab palette, along with the statuesque enemies, reinforces the feeling of entering a realm passed over by time. The discovery of Hyrule also acts as a turning point in the game, as Link, and the player, realize that they’ve only scratched the surface of the adventure.

Departing from home for the first time is difficult for everyone, which makes this event early in Ocarina of Time easy to relate to. The Game implies early on that the Kokiri will die if they leave the forest, yet when their guardian The Great Deku Tree tells Link to head to Hyrule castle, you get the sense that something’s not quite right. What really hits home though, is seeing Link best friend Saria, who he’ll be leaving behind, say goodbye; giving him her ocarina, though not the one from title, to remember her by. Sometimes it’s not the leaving that hits the hardest, but rather the ones we leave behind.

#7: The Castle Collapsing “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998)

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Upon, apparently, defeating Ganondorf in a duel, Link and Zelda must fight their way out of the villain’s castle as it collapses around them, enemies assault them, and a countdown ticks off the time remaining before it comes down on their heads. Racing against the clock to escape the building you’re in before it’s destroyed is something you would be more likely to see in a sci-fi/action game like Metroid, so the fact that it’s in a Zelda game is a very cool, if surprising, event indeed.

Ravio, the rabbit-hooded, cowardly shopkeep, remains an enigma throughout most of “A Link Between Worlds.” However, after defeating the final boss, just before Hilda makes a desperate move towardsZelda, the rupee-grubbing merchant reveals himself to be a servant of Princess Hilda, Princess Zelda’s Lorule counterpart, as well as Link’s own doppelganger from Lorule. Given his lack of bravery, Ravio did not feel up to confronting Hilda or Yuga, who was manipulating her, on his own, and so sought out Link instead. Ravio is an interesting take on Link’s character, as Link often has to save Zelda from Ganon, but Ravio tries to save Hilda from herself.

Saying goodbye to Midna, the titular “Twilight Princess,” can be very emotional for some players. Though Fi’s departure in “Skyward Sword” is also quite well done, Midna came first. While Link had had companions before, Midna distinguished herself from her predecessors with her cheeky personality and intriguing design. The fact that she wasn’t a boat, or constantly telling us to “listen(!)” to her, also helped quite a bit. What’s especially heart-wrenching about this mid-credits scene is the fact that Midna herself destroys the mirror that could allow her, or anyone, or anything, else, from returning from the Twilight realm; meaning that her goodbye is effectively forever.

Many games have opted for the “it was all just a dream” ending, but the aptly titled “Link’s Awakening” does it better than most of them. Upon defeating the game’s final boss, Nightmare, Link awakens the Wind Fish, whose dream of the island of Koholint, where the game takes place, is all a part of. By awakening the Wind Fish, Link is able to leave the island, but as a result, all of its inhabitant’s vanish into oblivion. Ohhh whoops. Not all is lost however, if you manage to beat the game without dying, Marin is able to furfil her wish of becoming a seagull and fly as far as she can.

#3: The Final Hours “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)

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The moon hanging over Clock Town, along with the three day time limit, are constant fixtures of “Majora’s Mask.” So when time starts to run out, the final hours begin. Along with the haunting music, the townspeople all begin contemplating their imminent deaths, with reactions ranging from cowering in a corner, to tragic acceptance by two lovers, provided one of the game’s more lengthy side quests has been completed. And while it is satisfying to see disaster averted with the help of giants, the moon crashing is one of the more memorable game-over sequences, as well as a terrifying depiction of the world’s end.

#2: The Death of Ganondorf “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” (2003)

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While some may point to Ganondorf’s arguably more brutal death in “Twilight Princess” at the hands of a fellow villain as the superior death scene for him, our pick has to go to the incarnation from “Wind Waker.” While the death itself is similar to other versions, namely getting stabbed in the head, the lead up to it, as well as the atmosphere, are unmatched. As an archetypal villain, Ganondorf can be a bit one-note in some Zelda titles. However, “Wind Waker” does perhaps the best job in fleshing out the antagonist’s character, and nowhere is that more evident than in his final scenes. Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Ghiraham Reveal “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” (2011) Link’s Vision “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” (2006) Link Reunites with his Fishy Fiancee “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998) ‘It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.’ “The Legend of Zelda” (1987) Darunia’s Dance “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998) Link Saves Colin “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” (2006)

Despite appearing in nearly every Zelda game since “A Link to the Past,” our pick for the most significant Master Sword moment, and the best Zelda moment in general, has to go to this one. Lifting the Master Sword marks the turning point from childhood to adulthood in the game’s story, transitioning Link, and the player, to the future, to a time when Ganondorf has already won; a victory only made possible by Link’s intrusion into the Temple of Time and drawing the sword. While the Ocarina of Time may be in the name, it’s the Master Sword this spectacular game hinges on. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite moment from the Legend of Zelda series? For more “Link’d” Top 10s posted daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.