10 CLASSIC Zelda Items We Want to See Return

10 Classic Zelda Items We Want to See Return

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at some of our favorite weapons and equipment in “The Legend of Zelda” that we’d like to see make a return. Specifically, items that haven’t been seen in a mainline game since before 2017’s “Breath of the Wild.”

The Spinner

First, the poster child for untapped potential. The Spinner from “Twilight Princess” gets a lot of love, understandably so. Appearing midway through the Arbiter’s Grounds, this giant, rotating top came with some great playgrounds for traversal, and helped create what remains one of the best boss fights in the series. But, the one downside of the Spinner is that, outside of a few very brief uses in the overworld, it becomes almost useless once you leave the dungeon. An item that leaves you wanting more is a natural pick for those we’d like to see return. The open world direction of the 3D games makes this unlikely, though still doable, but there’s no reason the Spinner couldn’t appear in a 2D one.

The Whip

Both “Spirit Tracks” and “Skyward Sword” include a Whip, and both show off Nintendo’s creativity in using controls to navigate levels, and deal with enemies. By either swiping the touchscreen with your Stylus on the DS, or with a flick of the WiiMote in “Skyward Sword,” the Whip was a small but satisfying showcase of each platform's control scheme. Nintendo has become a bit more traditional when it comes to controls in recent games, but that doesn’t mean the Whip couldn’t still be used for clever puzzle solutions, or navigating an obstacle course of hazards and monsters. Plus, since it has appeared in both a 2D and 3D space, it could easily work in either.

Pegasus Boots

It would be interesting to see the return of boots with magical properties, beyond just being part of armor sets. And you can’t get more classic than the Pegasus Boots. A mainstay of 2D “Zelda” since the days of “A Link to the Past,” they give Link a big burst of speed across the screen. It helps save time while you head to wherever it is you’re going. And it’s just really fun to zip around. It made sense not to include them in “Echoes of Wisdom,” with Zelda’s different playstyle and items. But if Link ever returns to the hero role for a new 2D entry, we hope he gets the Pegasus Boots somewhere along the way.

Lens of Truth

Only appearing in the N64 entries, the Lens of Truth allows Link to see invisible enemies, traps, and treasure chests, as well as through fake walls. There’s a sense of mystery and thrill that comes from using it during a first playthrough, as anything could be hiding near you. It makes sense then that, during both appearances, the Lens of Truth is found and used in more unsettling locations; the iconic Well and Shadow Temple of Kakariko Village in “Ocarina of Time,” and a mountain cursed by an endless blizzard, tied to a dissatisfied spirit of a recently deceased Goron in “Majora’s Mask.” For both the sense of mystery it provides and with the hope it would be accompanied again with a darker tone, we hope the Lens of Truth isn’t gone for good.

The Ball and Chain

Sometimes, you just yearn for the simple pleasure of swinging a small wrecking ball into an enemy’s face. And that’s what the Ball and Chain could provide if it ever were to return. Found in “Twilight Princess,” it provided high damage at the cost of Link’s speed. If you could time it right and land a hit during a fight, and knew when to stow it so you didn’t get overwhelmed, you were a force to be reckoned with. It was also used to break through certain obstacles, which lends itself well to exploring future dungeons. One would hope that the loss of speed would be adjusted for a new game, like high stamina use instead. Or, it could always come back in a 2D game instead. Like a Ball and Chain Soldier, but Link.

Magic Cape

A bit of a deeper cut item, the Magic Cape is an optional item that appeared in “A Link to the Past.” By wearing it, Link would become invisible and intangible, making it great for sneaking past enemies or through traps. Since it was optional, though, it never got much of a chance to shine, with no enemies, puzzles, or hazards within the main story designed around its use. The concept is simple, but it could be really nice to see it return, with elements and sections of dungeons catered towards it. Given the focus on freedom in the 3D games, and the built-in limitations of a refillable magic meter, this would be another great item to see in a 2D installment, on top of being a cool callback.

The Beetle

Like the whip, the beetle was a great use of the Wii’s motion controls. With the continued inclusion of gyro in Nintendo’s controllers since its debut, it’s an item that could easily be brought back. Navigating the little bug contraption through the air is quite the joy, finding secrets, solving puzzles, hitting far-off switches to progress through an area. One could argue with the more open-ended nature of recent 3D games, there isn’t room for an item like the Beetle, with a Link who isn’t as limited in solutions or how he navigates an area. But the Beetle could still return with new features, built to interact with whatever type of environment or gameplay style Nintendo chooses, like burrowing underground instead of flying. Rather, it's the charm of controlling this smaller, bot-like item that we want to see again.

Tornado Rod

Somewhat a precursor to Revali’s Gale from “Breath of the Wild,” the Tornado Rod produces a huge gust that sends Link straight into the air, with the added benefit of stunning any enemies around him. Once again, this is an item highly unlikely to appear in a 3D entry, given the variety of flying machines people built in “Tears of the Kingdom.” It has great potential for a smaller scale, 2D entry; fitting, since it has only appeared in “A Link Between Worlds.” It would be nice to see it updated, able to shoot Link into the air, but also to glide to other areas. Either way, it, like the Pegasus Boots, makes navigating a 2D landscape a bit easier and faster.

Masks

Masks have appeared with different uses and functions across the series, even in newer entries like “Tears of the Kingdom.” However, when we say masks, we’re talking about a very specific mechanic tied to those in “Majora’s Mask;” the ability to transform into different races. The Deku, Goron, and Zora forms from that game each come with different traversal and combat mechanics, making for a lot of variety and helping each section stand out on their own. Having these types of masks return would not only reintroduce the same level of variety when it comes to gameplay and worldbuilding, but it would also hopefully come with new forms to turn into. After all, the Rito didn’t exist when “Majora’s Mask” was created.

Hookshot

The Hookshot is one of the more famous items from Link’s inventory. And like many fans, we feel it’s long past time it made a comeback. Essentially a spring-loaded grappling hook, its most fun use is yanking Link across gaps to reach new areas. It made sense not to include it in “Breath of the Wild;” the steady rhythm of taking your time to explore and soak in the world, climbing everywhere and struggling the elements, is kind of ruined if you can bypass big portions of it. And in “Tears of the Kingdom,” building a device or vehicle to get around may have also made it seem unnecessary. Still, if there was a greater focus on Link’s equipment over his abilities in the next game, the Hookshot, or Clawshot, would be more than welcome. Or, since it has also appeared in 2D games, you could just put it in the next one of those.

What’s a classic item that you would like to see return to the “Zelda” series? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!