The 10 BEST Zelda Plot Twists
10 Best Zelda Plot Twists
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at the biggest plot twists within “The Legend of Zelda” series. You know what that means: Spoilers ahead.
The True Princess
“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998)
One of the plot twists Nintendo uses most often is the reveal of a character’s true identity. Even though it’s something everyone knows now, Sheik being a disguised Princess Zelda in “Ocarina of Time” was the first time Nintendo did this kind of twist. And for the time it came out, it worked fairly well. Sheik’s character model is naturally more masculine, other characters use male pronouns in conversation, and the eye color is red instead of blue. Again, it’s common knowledge. But in 1998, it was still a surprise, especially since Zelda had only been a princess in need of rescue up to this point.
The Fake Ganon
“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” (2024)
Ganon has returned through a variety of means, in multiple games. And even though he vanishes during the prologue of “Echoes of Wisdom,” he appears again later in Hyrule Castle. Except something’s still off. It isn’t until much later that the actual threat behind the rifts in the kingdom is revealed. And it comes in the form of a huge lore bomb that completely recontextualizes the creation story of the series. As it turns out, when Din, Farore, and Nayru created Hyrule, as we’ve been hearing since 1998, it was used as a means to seal away Null, a primordial being who devoured any life that tried to form around it. That’s a pretty important plot point to the series as a whole, and a little surprising that it’s here instead of in one of the 3D, more story-driven games.
Hilda’s Intentions
“The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” (2013)
Despite being a spiritual successor to “A Link to the Past,” there are several story beats that actually come as a surprise in “A Link Between Worlds.” When Link arrives in Lorule, the mirror dimension of Hyrule, he meets Princess Hilda, Zelda’s counterpart. She advises Link across the game and guides him where to go in his quest to rescue Zelda and the Sages. It seems, much like his own Princess, that she is good and just, and wants to help. Turns out, she was in cahoots with Yuga to begin with, and commanded him to invade Hyrule to steal the Triforce so she could replace the one her kingdom lost. And she only wanted you to rescue Zelda to bring all three pieces together.
The One True King
“The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” (2003)
Not every character reveal in the series comes as a surprise. In this very game, it’s pretty obvious that Tetra is this era’s version of Zelda. But the other reveal actually does catch you off guard. Although it’s clear that Link’s companion, the King of Red Lions, is very knowledgeable about the history of this world, it’s unlikely many would have guessed his identity. But he’s the spirit of the former King of Hyrule, helping Link in order to atone for the fate that befell his kingdom. Given that, in most previous games, Hyrule’s kings didn’t play important roles, this is a character reveal that works well.
Crystalized
“The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” (2011)
“Skyward Sword” establishes an incredibly strong bond between Link and Zelda, building a desire for players to search for her throughout the game’s opening sections. After a few close reunions, the two finally come together again at the Sealed Temple, in the era of the past. And it’s here where Zelda provides some of the most significant lore, as well as delivering a somber twist. First, she reveals that she is the goddess Hylia reincarnate, reborn in mortal form to help stop the demon king Demise once and for all. Then, in a twist that broke the hearts of Zelink shippers everywhere, she encases herself in amber. So many times Link walked by this very spot in the present day, with us not knowing she was just behind those doors.
The Light Dragon
“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” (2023)
To be fair, the way this twist is revealed might not work for everyone. Instead of going with a singular moment to reveal that the Light Dragon is Princess Zelda, Nintendo chose to take a slower, more gradual approach across the game before finally confirming it. Whether you realized by first finding the proper dragon tear memories, or picked up on it after pulling the Master Sword from the Light Dragon’s head, it became crystal clear at one point or another. But that doesn’t take away from the actual moment. The flashback of Zelda’s transformation, as a final step in her grand plan to prepare Link and Hyrule for Ganondorf’s second coming, is still a powerful scene.
The Deku Butler’s Son
“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)
During the tutorial of “Majora’s Mask,” you come across a twisted, old tree, which Tatl notes you now look like. A fair bit later in the game, after Link has completed the first dungeon, he can earn a new mask from the Deku Butler by keeping up with him through a series of obstacle courses. He apologizes for being so swift, stating Link reminds him of his son who he used to race with, but who left home long ago. This small exchange is far enough past the tutorial that you may think nothing of it. And it isn’t until the end credits, when the Butler is shown grieving at the base of the tree, that we realize the reason his son never came home. It’s implied he was one of the Mask’s victims, whose soul was used to transform Link at the beginning of the game and which was turned into the Deku Mask.
Lorule’s Missing Hero
“The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” (2013)
As you explore the land of Lorule, you meet all the various counterparts of the citizens in Hyrule. That is, except for one: Link. All the while, you might think Link special, as he so very often is. But you later find out his counterpart has simply been hiding in plain sight. At the beginning of the game, long before Link knows about Lorule, he meets Ravio. The merchant takes up residence in Link’s home, renting out items needed to progress through the game. He appears at the end to calm Princess Hilda’s rage, removing his hood to reveal a face that looks exactly like Link. He fled Lorule, out of fear of what the Princess was becoming. Because of Ravio’s much more outgoing, silly personality, and because he only appears in Hyrule until this point, this is one of the series’ character reveals that works best.
Waking From a Dream
“The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening” (1993)
One of the defining details of “Link’s Awakening” came as a pretty big surprise when it was originally released. While exploring Koholint Island, you’ll eventually come across some ruins. Inside a small building, past a mini-boss, Link discovers a mural that explains the island, and everyone on it, is only an illusion born from the mind of the Wind Fish. If Link wakes it, as he plans to do so he can get home, everything will vanish. It was an interesting way to deliver a twist, given the natural confines of the original GameBoy. And it led to one of the franchise’s most memorable moments, the waking of the Wind Fish at the end of the game and the disappearance of Koholint Island.
The Fall of Hyrule
“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998)
When it’s your first playthrough of “Ocarina of Time,” you assume that Link and Zelda’s plan, to gather the spiritual stones and get to the Triforce before Ganondorf can, is a good one. After all, Ganondorf caused different disasters all over the kingdom trying to get them. And hey, who isn’t excited about the prospect of an upgrade with the Master Sword. Unfortunately, Ganondorf was just biding his time. The sword was the key into the Sacred Realm, which allowed him to steal the Triforce of Power. Returning to Hyrule seven years in the future, to see the once charming market destroyed and filled with ReDeads, was a standout moment of the game. It arrived in stark contrast to the otherwise, mostly whimsical nature of the rest of the game, while tying in with the loss of innocence, a key theme of the game.
What plot twist in the series caught you by surprise? And which ones did you see coming a mile away? Share your thoughts in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!
