S5 E17 | David and Celeste talk about some of their favorite shopping destinations in the Legend of Zelda series. HOSTS: David Geisler, Celeste Roberts WRITTEN, DIRECTED, AND PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

By M.J. Kuhn When we think of the creatures of The Legend of Zelda, often we think about the bad guys. The worlds of Hyrule, Termina, and the rest are filled with Moblins, Octoroks, Keese, and far worse, but there are plenty of other creatures in the world of The Legend of Zelda. Sure, we have all the other races—the Rito, the Gorons, the Zoras—but what about all the other beings that Link interacts with along his journeys? This post is dedicated to all the random creatures of The Legend of Zelda… specifically, the cute ones I want to welcome into my life and my home as my newest furry friend. LET'S GO. 10. Seagulls (The Wind Waker) (Photo Credit - Wikia) Who could forget the gulls from The Wind Waker? At first, they’re just kind of there in the background. Then, you meet Beedle, get yourself a Bait Bag, and purchase your first Hyoi Pear. That’s when everything changes. Okay, not everything. Mostly, you just fly around and see cool camera angles, snag a few extra Rupees, and knock a few essential switches into place. Still, having a little gull friend I could use to experience the joys of flight? I’d have to say that would be pretty cool. 9. Cremia’s Donkey (Majora’s Mask) (Photo Source - Wikia) Cremia’s Donkey is barely a footnote in Majora’s Mask, you say? I SAY SHE IS THE UNSUNG HERO OF THE STORY. Not really, but she is a loyal pack animal who stoically puts up with Cremia and Romani’s beef with the Gorman Brothers--and she’s strong enough to cart two full-grown people and a boatload of milk at a running pace. Need help moving house? Awesome, I’ve got you covered with my trusty cart and the help of Cremia’s Donkey. 8. Chain Chomp (Link’s Awakening) (Image Source - IGN Images) Is this one cheating? Maybe. Unpopular opinion, but I think Chain Chomps are adorable. I’ve been partial to them ever since the days of Mario Kart: Double Dash!! when snagging a Chain Chomp from one of the question boxes could carry you from seventh place to third in about thirty seconds. In Link’s Awakening, however, you get to hang out with a Chain Chomp for an extended period of time! I enjoyed the part of the game with my lil Chain Chomp buddy so much that I ran around the map a bit after I was supposed to return him to savor our time together for a bit longer. Would he be the softest, cuddliest pet? No. Don’t care. Still want him in my life. 7. Pigs (The Wind Waker) (Image Source - Zelda Universe) Did anyone else spend an inordinate amount of time on Outset Island the first time they played Wind Waker? I absolutely did. I found it delightful and wholesome, and I just wanted to move into a little beach house there and never look back at the real world again. Sneaking up on those cute little piggies and snagging them up was always one of my favorite little side quests in Wind Waker. Why? A few reasons. Firstly, because that lady at the top of the hill was paying STUPID cash for the return of her babies (I understand completely, for the record). Secondly, I enjoyed it just because the pigs were so darn cute! 6. Hidden Village Cats (Twilight Princess) (Image Source - Intermittent Mechanism) I love cats. That is true in the real world and in every video game where cats exist. Twilight Princess has many cats, and honestly, I’d be happy to welcome any of them into my happy home. However, the cats from the Hidden Village get a special mention because the Hidden Village is just amazing. Everything about the Hidden Village is amazing. The western music. The revelations you get talking to the old woman at the end. The fact that it, at first, appears to be a VILLAGE OF ONLY CATS. 10/10. Honestly, I’d brave the Moblin invasions; I might just move into the Hidden Village and have cats as neighbors. 5. Castle Town Dogs (Twilight Princess) (Image Source - Wikia) I’m not one of those cat lovers who is a dog hater. Absolutely not! I love dogs just as much, and the Castle Town dogs get a mention here, too! I specifically like the ones in Twilight Princess because I strongly remember picking them up and running around with them in my arms for no reason at all. If you can’t snuggle a puppy dog, why have you put it in the game in the first place? Cough. Lookin’ at you, Breath of the Wild. 4. Sand Seals (Breath of the Wild) (Image Source - Wikia) Breath of the Wild may have screwed up when it comes to the unpettable dogs at all the stables (unforgivable), but they are onto something with the Sand Seals. The Sand Seals are awesome for a few reasons. First of all, they’re just objectively cool animals. How do they see under the sand without scratching their eyeballs? We don’t know. We don’t care. They just can, ok? Secondly, the Sand Seals are great because they help alleviate an in-game annoyance: the desert is huge. Unless you want to fast travel, you are stuck hoofing it long distances across the sand. Sand Seals can make your journeys a lot quicker. And, of course, they’re central to getting to that big ol’ robot camel. The only challenge with owning a Sand Seal is that I do not own enough sandy land for an appropriate Sand Seal habitat. Ah, well. A girl can dream. 3. Loftwings (Skyward Sword) (Image Source - IGN) I talked about how cool it would be to experience the miracle of flight through the eyes of one of the gulls from Wind Waker. Want to know what would be even better than that? Experiencing flight myself on the back of my very own Loftwing buddy! In addition to allowing me to fly without dealing with Spirit Airlines or TSA, I’d love to hang out with a Loftwing because they’re loyal creatures that are objectively pretty majestic. I have to admit: I really hated trying to control Link’s Loftwing using the Wiimote, but who knows--maybe I’d have better luck flying one IRL. 2. Epona (Multiple Games) (Image Source - Twinfinite) I feel like I could leave this bullet point unexplained and everyone would understand. When it comes to animal friends from Zelda, Epona is the first one to come to mind. She’s your steadfast friend throughout games like Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, and more. Epona is adorable in all her pixellated glory. She also allows you to move quickly across the massive expanse of Hyrule Field, jump fences, and attack monsters like Obi-Wan Kenobi—from the high ground. No further context needed. I need Epona in my life. 1. Cuccos (Multiple Games) (Image Source - Wikia) Who could possibly unseat Epona from the number one spot of Zelda animals I’d like to keep as a pet? NONE OTHER THAN THE MAJESTIC CUCCO. The Cucco gets my top spot for a few reasons. Firstly, Cuccos are iconic. They appear in nearly every game. Often, they’re helpful—you can pick them up and jump from a rooftop to glide somewhere farther than you can jump or collect them and return them to their owner for some Rupees or another prize. But there’s another reason I want to keep Cuccos as pets. Imagine: I’m fast asleep. A person with nefarious intent approaches my home in the dead of night. They break into my house and step over the threshold… only to realize they’ve tread on something soft and feathery. They look down. A Cucco is there at their feet, glaring up at them. The Cucco then begins to squawk. Ten more Cuccos appear, seemingly from thin air. Before the invader knows what is happening, they have been swarmed. They are forced to flee my property with the fear of all three goddesses in their heart. Cuccos: Hyrule’s best guard dogs. What about you? What creatures from Zelda would you want as a pet?

S5 E15 | David meets with Dakota and Nathan from The Switch Clicks podcast in a crossover event to build a top ten list of some of the greatest Zelda trailers! HOST: David Geisler GUESTS: Dakota, Nathan Catch Part 2 of this episode over on The Switch Clicks podcast, or listen to it right here! WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DAVID GEISLER | PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

by Shane Kelley When Nintendo decided that it was going to add N64 titles to its Nintendo Online repertoire, I personally was excited to play games I haven’t played yet or have not played in a very long time. Seeing the first wave of games, I saw many favorites from my past and a lot I still own physically. What I was most excited to see was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It is my favorite game, and the thought of playing it once again on my television was so exciting. I had previously purchased the Zelda Game & Watch handheld, which has 4 games on it. As I sat and played it one day, my daughter came into the kitchen and asked what I was doing. I said that I was playing Zelda. Being already familiar with who Zelda, Link, and Ganondorf are, she asked if she could play. I immediately thought, "Sure, why not?" I had her try her first experience in the series with The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. This piqued her interest a bit more, and from there, more exposure was inevitable. My daughter is familiar with the trio from the series for a few reasons: she has a Zelda and Link plushie that we create stories with at bedtime, and she is aware of the plethora of Zelda amiibo I own. She constantly takes them off the shelf, and all the women, including multiple Princess Zeldas, Mipha, and Urbosa, unite to fight Ganondorf and a Guardian. Her Imagination is powerful, and because of that, her stories are strong and magical, much like my own. Next, I had her play The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake for the Nintendo Switch, and although she was enjoying it, I wanted her to experience a 3D Zelda like Ocarina of Time. So, the next step was letting her explore the vast land of Hyrule in Breath of the Wild. Having her jump off cliffs, get stuck, and fight enemies really gave her a bigger scope of what this game series had to offer. I showed her a place in the distance and asked her, "Can you get to that location?" She started heading towards it. She died many times, and I said, "Can I show you some things that may help you?" This is when her mind was blown. First, I showed her the paragliding feature, which was so exciting to her. Next, I summoned the motorcycle, which changed the whole experience for her and made the game even more fun. Lastly, when she was stuck, I told her that if you go to the map, you can fast travel to any of the points that are blue, which really opened the possibilities for her. We eventually played together and beat Calamity Ganon, and she witnessed her first Zelda ending. Now to the point of the title. As my life became a bit busier, I had pushed off buying the online expansion pass, but when things started to become a bit less chaotic, I once again thought about purchasing the pass. Because of my experience playing Breath of the Wild with my daughter, I finally purchased the online expansion pass and started a playthrough of Ocarina of Time. I had my daughter explore Kokiri Village, obtain the Kokiri Sword, and eventually meet the Great Deku Tree. She thought the tree was so cool and funny, and I was happy that she liked the character. I then said that we must go inside the tree and remove the bad guys. She asked me how they got there, and I proceeded to tell her the story of how Ganondorf wanted the Kokiri Emerald, but since the Great Deku Tree had refused to give it to him, Ganondorf placed a curse on him by plaguing him with a parasitic creature known as Gohma. My daughter got mad and said that Ganondorf is mean and not nice; she was sad for the Great Deku Tree. I told her, "Let’s get the bad guys!" So, we proceeded into the tree, but I, fully knowing what would happen, felt sad for her reaction. Letting her navigate the dungeon while I assisted was fun--and a bit of a task--but we managed to get to Gohma. Letting her experience fighting the creature firsthand made her scream as she attacked it, and after a few handoffs back and forth, we had slain the parasitic queen. My daughter was relieved that we had rid the tree of its problem, but, of course, that wasn’t the end of the story. As we exited the Great Deku Tree and talked to him, I read the words aloud for her to follow along. During the scene in which the Great Deku Tree’s color slowly fades from its wooden skin and the leaves wither, my daughter realized that he had died. She started to feel sad and asked if there was anything we could do, and I said, "This Great Deku Tree served its purpose and watched over its forest family to its best abilities." I recalled feeling sad myself the first time I played this game as well, so I knew it could be a tough thing to experience. Even though it is in a video game, it can still evoke emotions. My daughter asked if the tree went to heaven; I told her that tree as nice as this surely went to a place as wonderful as a heavenly forest. I then told her we needed to find Ganondorf, to which she replied, "He needs to go to jail for being so mean." The empathy my daughter feels for people, animals, and trees with mustaches is such a great gift, and I’m glad she has this. When the digital world makes you feel something, it can ultimately help you deal with potential situations in the real world. Though subjects like death are always hard for many people, you don’t have to go through these situations alone. Be kind, show empathy, and help all those who need it. Evil is always lingering, but light comes from those who harness these traits to diminish the dark malice that envelops our surroundings. Be one that lights the way for others to carry on the positive vibes the world so desperately needs. Thank you for following along my blog journey, and please follow me on Twitter @stillsaneshane. Cover and Source Images: The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts from Dark Horse Books (not an affiliate link)

S5 E12 | AZP Co-producer, Celeste Roberts, chats with AZP Blog Writer Carlos Gomez about some of their favorite unsolved mysteries in the Legend of Zelda games. HOST: Celeste Roberts CAST: Carlos Gomez WRITTEN BY CELESTE ROBERTS AND CARLOS GOMEZ | DIRECTED BY CELESTE ROBERTS | PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

S5 E14 | David travels to Louisiana to meet up with Another Zelda Podcast Co-Producer, Celeste Roberts, to talk about all the ways the afterlife is represented in Zelda games. HOSTS: David Geisler, Celeste Roberts WRITTEN BY CELESTE ROBERTS AND CARLOS GOMEZ | DIRECTED BY CELESTE ROBERTS | PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

S5 E13 | David travels to Mexico City and has a conversation with Fer Cano a fellow Zelda fan. HOST: David Geisler GUEST: Fer Cano WRITTEN BY CELESTE ROBERTS AND CARLOS GOMEZ | DIRECTED BY CELESTE ROBERTS | PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

by Andy Barney Perhaps the Sheikah took no chances and established a network of Gossip Stones, capable of covertly looking into the minds of everyone and everything that passes by and reporting back to the Shadow Folk. Do you remember the Gossip Stones from Ocarina of Time? While playing the game, most of us likely just saw them as a goofy gameplay mechanic for learning secrets without giving them much thought regarding their origin or actual purpose. As it turns out, the Gossip Stones could have a terrifying role in Hyrule’s dark and mysterious history. But before I go ahead and explain my theory, we need to understand that these stones are only part of a much larger story, so we’ll need to start by discussing their creators: the Sheikah. The Sheikah are a mysterious tribe dating back to the Era of Myth. Even in ancient history, the Sheikah demonstrated proficiency in martial arts and magical abilities. Due to this, the goddess Hylia selected the Sheikah to be guardians, defending her reincarnated mortal form at all costs. Since the reincarnated Hylia, otherwise known as Zelda in Skyward Sword, is said to have been an ancestor to the royal family of Hyrule, the Sheikah continued to guard and serve the royal family through the ages. According to the records, there was a long era of supposed peace known as “The Era of Prosperity” following the Interloper War up until the Hyrulean Civil War. Maybe it’s just me, but this just doesn’t seem like the complete truth. Sometime during this era, the Sheikah had taken enemies of the royal family to a structure known as the Shadow Temple to be interrogated, tortured, or horrifically executed. The Shadow Temple and other connected catacombs are remnants of a buried bloody history of greed and hatred within the Kingdom of Hyrule. Its chambers have blood and viscera spattered across its walls and floors, and are filled with devices of torture that clearly had been used on countless victims during its time of use. Since being decommissioned, the corridors are filled with many horrific, carnivorous creatures attempting to consume anyone daring or unfortunate enough to have entered. Dark magic is used to personify “Shadow,” something which should not have a will of its own, into an unyielding force that actively seeks to disorient its prisoners and lure them to a gruesome death. Even the so-called artwork is designed to induce terror. Many pieces portray a demonic face appearing amused as if entertained by someone entering its chambers and the dreadful fate awaiting them. At this point, you may be thinking, “You already told us that Hyrule has a recorded long era of peace and prosperity, so it doesn’t make any sense that the Shadow Temple would be used in this time.” Well, I agree that these two pieces of history don’t fit together, but we can be confident that the Shadow Temple was indeed used in this timeframe since page 44 of The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia states that its horrific purpose was given by Hyrule’s Royal Family and the Sheikah, meaning it must have been used sometime after the formation of the Royal Family and obviously been decommissioned and hidden before the events of Ocarina of Time. So, if we’re confident about this, why would records portray Hyrule as peaceful and prosperous during this time? Well, history is by its own nature a one-sided account, meaning that the leadership of Hyrule likely rewrote their own history in an attempt to conceal their inhumanity. It seems rather unsettling that the Royal Family and the Sheikah, whom we usually perceive as protagonists or “good guys” in the franchise, would be guilty of such violence. This naturally leads us to ask why Hyrule and the Sheikah created such a morbid place as the Shadow Temple instead of a more humane way to deal with enemies. If we again refer to page 44 of the Zelda Encyclopedia, we’ll find an unsettling block of text which reads, “The existence of the Sheikah is typically a secret to all but members of the Royal Family and those close to them. Their tribe best fulfills its duty when acting in secret, as shadows of Hyrule. In eras of war, they are essential agents of the Royal Family, handling all manner of duties, from combat to intelligence gathering. No matter how dark or perilous the task, they will do what is necessary to keep the kingdom from harm.” We already know that the Sheikah tend to act in secret, excel in combat, and loyally serve the Royal Family, but what’s concerning is this part about gathering intelligence, especially followed by the line “they will do whatever is necessary to keep the kingdom from harm.” If this only occurred in times of war, as this quote claims, there wouldn’t be much to worry about. But can you think of a time, either in fiction or the real world, when a government decided on its own to stop surveillance and gathering intelligence? After all, if the Sheikah had a way to eradicate any threats to Hyrule before they ever had the chance to do harm, who was to stop them from doing so? This is where the Gossip Stones come into play. These strange statues are scattered all across the corners of Hyrule. Marked with the eye of the Sheikah, they are confirmed to see everything that occurs within their vicinity and are proficient at gaining information from those they observe. They also have a clear connection with another mysterious Sheikah artifact, The Mask of Truth, which “enables the wearer to hear the true thoughts of others and listen to rumors from the Gossip Stones.” This means that the Sheikah had found a way to use their shadow magic and/or technology to read people’s minds and spy on their innermost thoughts and desires. Based on this knowledge, it’s possible that the so-called “Era of Prosperity” was actually a point in time where Hyrule’s leadership was analogous to the one depicted in George Orwell’s novel 1984. This story takes place in a dystopian society where there exists omnipresent surveillance which nobody can seem to escape. History is rewritten to match the narrative of “Big Brother’s” totalitarian regime, and all evidence of the truth is destroyed. And making matters somehow even worse, this entity employs a force known as “The Thought Police,” who use covert surveillance to persecute those found guilty of independent thinking. Even a single thought could have a person deemed “an enemy to society,” for which they would either be interrogated, tortured, or brainwashed to fit back into the regime or be executed, with all evidence of their existence wiped from the face of the earth. This unjust arrest and cruel treatment of prisoners is precisely what happened within the Shadow Temple. Based on the sheer amount of blood, bones, and other human remains found within, it’s clear that torture and carnage occurred frequently. It’s said that “enemies of the Royal Family” were taken there, but it’s never made clear what convictions were made for someone to be considered an enemy of the kingdom and be sentenced to such a bloody fate. Perhaps the Sheikah took no chances and established a network of Gossip Stones, capable of covertly looking into the minds of everyone and everything that passes by and reporting back to the Shadow Folk. If anyone had even a single thought about acting against Hyrule, the Sheikah would have been able to swiftly drag them down into the shadows, leaving the only evidence they ever existed as decoration within the most morbid location to exist in Hyrule. What I find most disturbing about this theory is how these intel-gathering devices exist in the real world. Our modern devices collect all sorts of personal information, which feed into algorithms made to determine how we think and behave. Can we really trust that this information is being gathered for the reasons we’re being told and that it’s not ever being sold to foreign entities who may have more devious intentions? Just food for thought. This is only one of two theories I came up with for this topic. If you’d like to listen to the full article with both theories, click here to watch a video I made on my YouTube channel, Zeldom. If you would like to connect with me, you can subscribe to me on YouTube or follow me on Instagram.

by David Lopez I didn't meet the seventh sage until the day my son was born. Holding Lawson in my arms for the first time was the moment I realized he was the last piece of the puzzle I had been waiting for to complete my journey. I grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, a suburb about an hour north of Los Angeles, where my parents sacrificed everything to give me the best childhood they possibly could. My father, an immigrant from Mexico City, and mother always provided what we needed but not always what we wanted. My dad worked seven days a week as an entrepreneur in the house-cleaning business, and he often wouldn’t get home until 8:30 p.m. My mom was in the sales industry for a local mailer business and did fairly well (that all changed in 1998 when the internet started to become a bigger player in the advertising world). When I was nine years old, they surprised my brother and me with a Nintendo 64 for Christmas. I can still remember jumping up and down and screaming in excitement with my brother. Alongside the game console were two rented games from Blockbuster: Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (my brother and I had to do chores for a month and a half before our allowance reached a point where we could buy our own copy of Ocarina of Time). That’s when my passion for the Zelda franchise-- and Ocarina of Time especially–really started. I now can beat The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time without even thinking about the process. Gone are the child-like wonder and the difficulties of a first-time play-through as a kid (curse you, Water Temple!), yet with those pleasures erased, I’ll still find myself dueling Ganondorf out of a sense of obligation to Link. I’m always hoping I’ll unlock some alternate ending where Link gets to be the hero in a timeline where he is present for the celebration in Hyrule and can enjoy the fruits of his labor. I’ve completed the game at least 20 times, and, as of yet, I’ve unlocked no such sequence. Link is still sent into a personal purgatory by Zelda where he is burdened with the knowledge of his journey, but no one around him understands the sacrifice he made for Hyrule. In this sense, Link is the ultimate hero. The magnitude of Link’s journey always hits me after completing the Forest Temple. Seeing Kokiri Forest infested with Ganondorf’s monsters always puts a rage inside me as the player, but that anger subsides after defeating Phantom Ganon and allowing the Deku Tree Sprout to be born. Traveling back to the Temple of Time, we see Sheik, who steps away from the Pedestal of Time to allow Link to travel between his childhood and adult timelines–this is when Link’s sacrifice becomes even more real to me. He has the ability to access an easier time, but instead he accepts his destiny to be the Hero of Time. He sacrifices himself, regardless of the cost, to rid the land he loves of evil. The first time I played this game, I was an impressionable nine-year-old boy who was beginning his own journey into adolescence. The truth is, as an adult, my world view was shaped by the hours I spent leading Link across Hyrule and through time to fulfill a promise to Zelda: defeat Ganondorf and save Hyrule. Ocarina of Time taught me that doing the right thing doesn’t always give you the best result. Link doesn’t do what he does because he believes there’s a prize at the end of the journey: he accepts his destiny as a hero and pursues that calling from the moment he sees the Great Deku Tree perish. I grew up playing sports, and I was the typical team player. I didn’t have to be told the sport was about elevating those around me and not elevating myself. Link’s approach has served me as a working adult as well. I work in the struggling print newspaper industry, and I’ll do anything within my power to help our company stand out. I work for a small media company in Ventura County called the Acorn Newspapers. We’re family owned and have fewer than 40 employees, and we do a lot more than our size might suggest we’re capable of. Journalism as a whole is under siege from big media companies coming and purchasing newsrooms and stripping them of their identities. Every time I sit down and design a feature, I look at a poster of Link I have hanging over my monitor and take the extra time to tell our subjects’ stories properly, not just the quickest and easiest way. Journalism as an industry is falling short because too many newsrooms are being instructed to do the quickest work and not the best work. That’s a battle for Hyrule that hasn’t been won yet, but every day I can sit at my desk and work on telling my community’s stories, I feel grateful. Where I’ll be eternally grateful for Link’s lessons is the real-world application of becoming a father. My household is now my Hyrule, and I’ll sacrifice anything to maintain its glory. When we found out we were having our child at the beginning of the pandemic, I walked away from the Deku Tree and accepted my destiny. I was scared, and I wasn’t prepared–but I headed for the castle anyway. As time has progressed, I’ve met my own sages and figured out how to use their powers as mine to become greater than I ever imagined I could be. My wife, Danica, was the first sage that was awakened in my life. Then it was my own father and mother, brother, and best friends, Richard and Andrew. These were people I could lean on and talk to about what I was about to encounter. Their support meant the world to me and let me know I didn’t have to do this all alone. I didn't meet the seventh sage until the day my son was born. Holding Lawson in my arms for the first time was the moment I realized he was the last piece of the puzzle I had been waiting for to complete my journey. I often think of this quote by Sheik: “The flow of time is always cruel; its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it. A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days.” My parents conquered their Hyrule when I was 11; my mom went back to school to become a school teacher. They had had to sacrifice for us, but they finally made it to a place where they could be more comfortable. What I remember about my childhood is what I hope my son remembers of his: the love of a family. My mom never enjoyed that I played video games, but I hope when she reads this she understands that the gift she gave us when I was nine shaped me in ways she probably never imagined. Ocarina of Time is a big part of the lens I use when I look back on my childhood and a bigger part of how to perceive Lawson’s future. That’s why I’m still hunting for the alternate ending for Link. Unlike him, I defeated Ganondorf in my own life and can enjoy the rewards of a saved Hyrule. My biggest regret is that I can’t give that to Link. Follow David on Twitter and let him know which Zelda game means the most to you!

by Kevin Goodwin A father reflects on the joy of adventure and playing video games with his young son. All photos were taken by and provided by the author. “And then you get to the end and there’s a Wind Fish, but it's a whale.” I once overheard my son explain the above quote to another parent at the local park. He had only just turned 4 years old, and I could already tell that The Legend of Zelda was making an impact on him–and maybe it had always been impacting him in ways I didn’t truly understand. Breath of the Wild came out right when he was born. So, as I started this incredible journey into fatherhood, I was also starting an amazing adventure in the Zelda series. That sense of not knowing what’s over the next hill in Breath of the Wild is a lot like trying to navigate the mysteries of parenthood: you never know what’s around the corner or what’s inside the next dirty diaper. I have some amazing memories of holding a napping baby in my arms while playing the latest Zelda at the same time, and as I reflect on those times, I realize that there is a connection between the journey of parenthood and the journey these games can take you on. The journey can be tough, and it can be beautiful at the same time. As my son got older, we started going on lots of adventures. My wife, he, and I find ourselves all over the city. Whether we are exploring local libraries, museums, parks, the zoo, or neighborhoods, there is always something to find and to explore. I often think of Zelda whenever I explore these spaces; there’s that idea of looking and searching and finding out something new. It's hard to replicate that in the real world, but when you have a small child leading the way, it makes it a little easier. Then I decided to take the leap with my son and have him actually experience his first Zelda game. We borrowed a copy of the remake of Link’s Awakening from my nephew. I felt that the cute aesthetic would be perfect for him. Not only was it his first time experiencing this game, but it was also mine. I had never really played Link’s Awakening, so this would be a shared game between us we would play together. Up until this point, he had mostly watched me play some games here and there. He knew who Mario was, he understood a bit of what Zelda was, and he saw some other games here and there on the Switch. So, we took the trip and explored that weird little island together. From the outset, we both loved the game. There was anticipation every time we sat down to play it together. It felt so good to realize that I was able to share something that I love (video games) with one of the most important people in my life. He had so many questions about the game, the characters, and the items. He would get excited about boss battles and dungeons, but, at the same time, he loved the idea of just cutting the grass with the sword (which is something that I think all kids love). I remember doing the same thing in older Zelda games when I was younger–just cutting all the grass, breaking all the rocks, and checking on every nook and cranny in the game. As adults, we sometimes don’t do that with games. I often feel like I need to rush through games or not take my time just tinkering and exploring, so it was nice to see a kid play a game with that infinite sense of time that they often have. We often think that the adult is leading the kid on these journeys, but those roles are reversed quite often with a game like Zelda. I will admit that I would try to control the game too often, and I remember my wife even telling me to let our son get a turn with the controller. I hope to get better with that as time goes on. Letting kids take control (of anything) can be hard for a parent, and maybe Link’s Awakening was a perfect teaching tool for me. We eventually made it through the game and beat the final boss, and we pondered the strange ending. Then my son asked, “Can we play it again?” Sadly, we had to return the game to our relatives, but I was already thinking about what could be our next adventure. We didn’t move onto another Zelda game right away, though; instead, I started to find other games for him to try out with me. I was no longer finding games for me to exclusively play while he watched. I wanted to find games that he would enjoy and could possibly play along with me. Mario Kart allowed for some nice accessibility options where he didn’t have to push any buttons on the controller and could just use tilt controls to move around the track. Games like Cat Quest, Paper Mario, Jump Rope Challenge, Ori and the Blind Forest and Will of the Wisps, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and Untitled Goose Game were quick favorites. These were games that he could connect with and would often try controlling as best he could. He could be found running around playgrounds pretending to be Ori and garnering more attention from parents about his knowledge of video games instead of his peers. This process is so different from how I was exposed to video games as a kid. My parents bought my sister and me an NES and then provided us with games, but they never really played with us. We played the games on our own and experienced them entirely with our friends in the neighborhood. I would guess that more and more it's the parents who are still buying the consoles and games, but I would also guess that more often the parents are also participating in the games (or, as in my case, are already playing the games and the kids actually join the parents). I feel good knowing that I get to introduce these games to my son, but I also see the benefit in letting kids discover things on their own. I cannot wait until he starts to choose his own games and experience things all on his own. As a parent in this era of time, it's a little hard to not show media too much to kids. I often fear that I speak too openly about certain games or plot points in Harry Potter or Star Wars when I should leave those things to be discovered by my son on his own. I do my best to not say too much whenever we play older games. And that leads to our second Zelda game that we played together: Skyward Sword. I actually never beat Skyward Sword when it was on the Wii. I owned it, but, like many people, I didn't really get into it. I loved the idea of getting the remaster and revisiting once again. My son was excited to have a “new” Zelda game to play. We played through the entire game together. He tried his best to play the game on his own. It was fun to see him start to understand the controller more and more. He loved the characters, he loved the art style, he loved the story, and he just loved everything about the game. Kids are fun to play games with because they don’t read reviews and nitpick on things; they enjoy the game for what it is. They enjoy the adventure, and that’s what Zelda is all about–the adventure. Being a dad is an adventure. The Legend of Zelda is also an adventure. And there is magic in sharing an adventure with someone you love. Kevin Goodwin is a guest writer for Another Zelda Podcast. Check out his first article, “Zelda in the Classroom.”

by Ryan Kuhn Welcome to the world of Pokémon… in Hyrule. That’s right–it’s Ryan with a crossover episode of fandoms! This time, we are going to talk about which Pokémon the main characters from Breath of the Wild would have as their starter. We are going to check out Daruk, Mipha, Revali, Urbosa, Zelda, Impa, and, of course, Link. So, everyone pull out your Pokédex and get ready to see what our heroes start with. Daruk With the big, strong guy afraid of dogs, I had to think a little. On one hand, I want something tough that even eats rocks, but on the other hand, I want something that is tough but also friendly and encouraging. My first thought led me to Lavitar, as it eats rocks to move to the next stage of evolution, but these tiny guys turn into Tyranitar, who is definitely not a Goron type and would give slight flashbacks to dragons that have tried to eat their ancestors. In the end, I decided to go with Shieldon. Though not a rock type, it has the right personality. It loves to chill and eat and will protect others whenever needed. When it evolves to Bastiodon, not only does its personality stay similar, but when threatened, its group joins together to protect the herd/family. I believe that Daruk is similar to this and has his own shield with Daruk’s Protection. Daruk was always there to keep Link safe and also all of the Gorons and everyone in Hyrule. Mipha Mipha’s grace, serenity, and association with water made it easy to pick her Pokémon. I went with Vaporeon, a graceful and friendly Pokémon that does well on both land and sea, just like any great Zora. Vaporeon is usually mellow compared to others in the Eeveelutions (like Jolteon) and will attack only as a last resort. Mipha has the same energy, but don’t let the poise trick you: she and Vaporeon are both strong and can take anyone in a fight. Revali Revali is swift, fast, and maybe too full of himself (actually, no, he’s definitely too full of himself). For me, that means his perfect Pokémon starter is Swellow. Swellow might not be big, but it is fast, graceful, and very agile. This bird would be one of the few able to keep up with Revali as it flies around Rito Village. I briefly considered Pidgeot, as it is just as graceful flying around, too, but Swellow is way faster than Pidgeot, which makes it a better match for Revali. Also, though this isn't confirmed in any Pokédex readings, I have a feeling that Swellow is just as confident as Revali. Urbosa My first thought for Urbosa was Ampharos; however, after some more research, I stumbled upon Heliolisk and knew I had a match. Why Heliolisk? If you open your Pokédex, you will learn that a “now-vanished desert culture treasured these Pokémon.” In my mind, this tidbit might just place Zelda and Pokémon in the same universe. Mind blown! Heliolisks are desert lizards that lie in the sun to generate electricity, and they can attack with this stored power, almost like with the snap of fingers. How perfect is that for our lightning-powered friend, Urbosa? I know some of you readers may have wanted Walrein as an homage to the sand walruses, but they are ice/water type. That just isn't right in the desert. Another great choice some may say would be Solrock, but I am not sure the psychic style would go with Urbosa’s strength. Zelda Our favorite princess is not your average sit-down-and-wear-the-puffy-dress princess. She likes to explore and learn about what is around her and wants to get to where she wants to go without a swordsman following her (at first, at least). These reasons led me to pair her with Dragonite. Dragonite is rare to find in the wild, but with Zelda’s training, she would have no issue moving little Dratini all the way up. Dragonites are also curious and intelligent creatures that learn and even match human intelligence. On top of all of that, Dragonite can take Zelda to any ruin on the map and keep her safe far better than a swordsman (sorry, Link). I am sure King Rhoam would be quite OK with Dragonite watching over his daughter. Impa Impa and the other Sheikah would all have the same Pokémon as their starter, a Pokémon that is quick and agile and has the ninja-like skills to fight with them: Greninja. Pokédex entries state over and over that this Pokémon has many skills similar to ninjas and seems to slip in and out of the shadows with ease. This is the way for the Sheikah as they train to be protectors of the royal family and particularly Zelda herself. I am sure Impa and her Greninja would race each other to see who is the quickest and able to stay out of sight the longest. Link All right, all right. I know almost everyone wants me to say Honedge, but I say, “Nay!” My main reason here is that Honedge is not safe to grab and use—if you were to grab the hilt, it latches onto you and drains your HP, which is not helpful at all. Instead, I wanted to choose a Pokémon that embodies the Triforce of Courage, as that is Link’s most important aspect. The best Pokémon to represent that is Braviary, a bird Pokémon whose Pokédex entry says “They fight for their friends without any thought about danger to themselves.” This screams “Link.” Also, Rufflet, the previous form, gives the same energy to Braviary as Toon Link does to Adult Link. If you have thoughts on other starters for these heroes or thoughts for other characters I didn’t mention, let me know in the comments below or reach out to me on Twitter @rambokuhn. If you have thoughts and wish to share them with a beer, you can check out @brewthersinlaw on Twitter, @wiseoldowlsbrew on Twitter or on TikTok, and the website www.brewthersinlaw.com. Cheers!

by Stephanie Klimov Sharing the experience of enjoying The Legend of Zelda games has instilled a (hopefully) lifelong love of the series and adventure in my little one. All photos were taken and provided by the author. Parenthood is a life-changing journey that many people travel through in life. No person or book can prepare you for this transformation, and it comes with seemingly impossible challenges and amazing rewards. If you ask any parent, I would say most–if not all–say they would not have it any other way. In addition to attending to a child’s basic needs, parents have an opportunity to share their hobbies and passions with them. Sharing your favorite music, games, and foods strengthens the parent-child bond and perhaps forges new traditions from old ones. One can even conclude that the path through parenthood is a lot like Link’s path to all his quests in The Legend of Zelda. Link is confronted with his destiny–where he must choose to answer this calling (or not) and overcome trials and tribulations while creating memories along the way. My parents discouraged me from playing video games when I was a child. They firmly believed it “turned your brain into mush” and was a complete waste of time. However, I could not let go of my earliest memories watching my cousin play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The impression it made on me lasted into adulthood, and when I had my son, Nikolai, I knew that I had to share my passion for Zelda with him. For my son’s first Halloween, he was only 1 month old, and I bought him a Link onesie while I dressed up as Zelda. A few years later when I felt he was old enough, I played Ocarina of Time while he watched. Nikolai immediately took to the boy without a fairy, and he particularly enjoyed watching Link navigate temples and fight bosses. I felt on top of the world every time he cheered when I collected another medallion (his favorite was the “blue one”). After playing that game, he asked for more, so we watched Let’s Plays on Youtube of various Zelda titles, like Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. Nikolai soon became a Zelda expert, and he enjoyed flipping through Hyrule Historia just as much as I did. In fact, when he was about five, he showed interest in The Legend of Zelda without my prompting. He loved drawing Link in dungeons of his own imagination. He was also Link for another two Halloweens, and now he plays Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as Link (and Link only). Even though it is just a video game franchise, there is a distinct sense of pride that swells in my heart whenever he and I bond over Zelda. Perhaps a little has to do with the fact my parents and I rarely shared fun hobbies together, but most of it has to do with creating memories together. In fact, I am very much looking forward to gifting him his very first Nintendo Switch for his seventh birthday (my day-one Switch passed down–let’s get real here). With it, he will have access to play all the Zelda games on Nintendo Switch Online as well as the Zelda games I own for that console: Breath of the Wild, Link’s Awakening, and Skyward Sword. Pretty soon, I will be the one watching him play Zelda games, not the other way around–and when that time comes, I’ll be the happiest momma in the world. Follow Stephanie on Twitter and share your experiences playing Zelda with loved ones!

by Carlos Gomez (aka The Lost Hylian) Rediscovering the wonder of Ocarina of Time through the eyes of my son. That first time you played through a Zelda game–do you remember it? Do you remember the excitement of your initial exploration and the exuberance of solving difficult puzzles for the very first time? Though I have always loved the replay value of titles in the series, I can say that you can only experience the game for the first time once… or can you? When I look back at when Ocarina of Time was released, I remember being a gangly fifteen year old trying to make sense of the world. It was a struggle at times, to be sure, but not so much when making sense of Hyrule. This was the era of the Nintendo 64 which offered a three-dimensional retelling of the Zelda story. This rich new world created a depth not previously seen in video games. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, as the title consistently places on the various “Best Game of All Time” lists. Not bad for a game nearing 25 years of age at the time of this article. It’s still one of my go-to games today, and I try to complete a play through at least once a year. I attempt to experience the magic that had captured my heart in what feels like ages ago. It’s always a treasure but never matches that first play through. Back then, everything was new, and I explored without any real direction (not so much now, as I essentially have temples and dialogue memorized). Needless to say, I haven't completed a play through this year but instead had a much more surreal experience that brought me back to the beginning. Like Link’s placing the Master Sword in the pedestal in the Temple of Time to flash back into childhood, so, too, did I place the game in my son's hands and transform. For the first time in many years, it was like playing the game anew through the eyes of my son Apollo. I went from the experienced and wise adult Link back to the wide-eyed child Link. I was able to relive the adventure with a sense of wonder not experienced for years. I watched him stumble around Kokiri Forest, not quite certain where to go, which was a strong change from my fluid but repetitive play throughs. I found his wonder at each new discovery infectious, his chaotic changes of direction refreshing and his assessment of Navi being annoying and strangely accurate (we still love you, Navi). While watching him, I began to remember how difficult some obstacles were during my very first play through. Whether it was simply gathering lost chickens or chasing down the Poes hidden throughout Hyrule Field, I had forgotten that feeling of figuring out ways to succeed. My play throughs, in contrast, had become simple clock work, the experience simply the reflections of a journey long ago completed. Yet with my son, each area explored offered new challenges as his skillset began to grow. I often found myself biting my tongue when he would unknowingly pass undiscovered treasures or hidden pathways and then cheer him on as he took down boss after boss. As he hit his stride defeating them, I reflected on my own boosts of confidence on how it felt to vanquish the likes of King Dodongo. Each victory further boosted his confidence like his growing line of heart containers. He didn’t know that a true test awaited him… one not for the faint of heart or the easily dissuaded… a test that, to this day, puts fear in the hearts of the timid. The Water Temple. Often lauded as one of the most difficult dungeons in Zelda history, I must admit that I get a little anxious anytime I think about it or do a run through. Like an illness, I avoid it, and yet, like a rash, it will not be ignored. My son, however, didn’t know any better. He charged straight in expecting the level to be cut down as easily as a jumping Tektite. We experienced gamers in the Zelda community know that he could not be more wrong. Now, we can all agree that the enemies in the temple were not said to be harder than any other, per say. No, it’s the relentless and repetitive nature of raising and lowering the water levels that inspires madness within us all. If you miss a key item after you’ve changed the water level, it could easily result in a backtracking nightmare. Several times I watched him put down the game and walk away to regain his sanity. It was at this point in his most dire straits that he reached out to me. “Dad, can you help me?” he asked, and so I did. Like the fairy poured from a bottle to bring Link back from the brink, I rushed in to give the much-needed assist. Now, before you game purists out there jump to the conclusion that I took over the game and denied my child the chance at achieving his own victory, I did not. I simply helped reset him to a previous mistake and gave him advice on a way forward. Remember, my dear reader, that the very first warning of the very first game in the franchise is this: “It’s dangerous to go alone!” Thus, all it took was that little nudge, and he quickly regained focus finding his way to the temple’s heart and dispatching the boss Morpha. The sense of accomplishment shone in his eyes mirrored my own. From then on, it was a race to the finish, and as of this submission, I can say he has finally reached Hyrule Castle. He is battle hardened and prepared. I don’t know if Link’s in-game pixels can move with swagger, but he definitely appears to with my child at the helm. I felt the same during my time climbing, swimming, and screaming “Hi-yah!” all over Hyrule. I knew way back then that Link would come out triumphant, just as I know the same will happen now. With my son at the controls, I can’t wait to see it and be a part of the moment with him. So many times in both the AZP podcast and the blog posts, we have spoken of Zelda representing family. No moment has rung more true for me than this one. Before my very eyes, Ocarina has merged the two real life timelines of father and son. Adult and Child Link are separated by seven years, while twenty five spans between my first play through and that of my son. The magic of the game remains strong and has fed our bond. When it’s all over, Link will place the Master Sword back in its pedestal, and I will place the game back in its case. However, I take great comfort in knowing that it is not truly the end. There are many more adventures featuring Link both young and old. I look forward to experiencing them through the eyes of my child, who, in making me young again, has become my Hero of Time. What about you? Is there a Zelda title that brought you closer to a child or parent? Please share your thoughts by reaching me @The_Lost_Hylian on Twitter, thelosthylian on Instagram, or check out my Facebook page, The Lost Hylian.

by Celeste Roberts What if the fiends in The Legend of Zelda joined Link in vanquishing evil? The Legend of Zelda fans love discussing which of Link’s companions are their favorites. Hyrule Gamer created a video listing his top 5, Another Zelda Podcast discusses Link’s sidekicks, and myriad websites and video essays share the creators’ opinions on which secondary characters enhance the adventure. While I could argue why Ezlo from The Minish Cap is the best partner for Link—he’s got style, sass, and intelligence—the idea of an enemy character accompanying Link in his quests made me wonder which foes would be ideal allies, especially if they could fight alongside the hero. While Tatl in Majora’s Mask is introduced as a mischievous cohort to the possessed Skull Kid, she functions like Navi in Ocarina of Time rather than an intimidating fighter. Imagine having an Octorok on your side as you travel across bodies of water; its rock projectiles could keep other enemies at bay. What if a Moblin joined you in the final battle with Ganon? Its javelin could injure the evil warlock as you plan Link’s next move. I researched various enemies featured in the Zelda series and settled on a few I would love by my side. Lynels I would wager Lynels would be most players’ top choice. In Breath of the Wild, the centaur-like beasts have an impressive description: "These fearsome monsters have lived in Hyrule since ancient times. They possess intense intelligence, resilience, and strength, making them amongst the most dangerous monsters in all the land. This is compounded by the fact that they have a natural resistance to all elements. You would be wise to challenge a Lynel only if you're very well prepared” (Zeldapedia). Sometimes I purposely seek Lynels if I am in the mood to test my battle prowess, but I am not above racing through the plains they patrol if I simply want to reach my destination without carnage along the way. With health ranging from 2,000 to 7,500 HP, these enemies require more time to defeat than most commonplace baddies, and they wield powerful weapons like swords, bows with arrows, and spears. I do love Epona and the other horses that allow me to live out my equestrian dreams, but I would swap these regular stallions and mares for a Lynel as my transportation and my fellow fighter. I don’t think even Ganondorf would stand much of a chance against this stubborn steed; depending on the type, a Lynel could fire off lightning arrows, rush into Ganondorf and swipe at him with an ax, or strike him with a club-like Crusher. Hm… now I want to play as a Lynel rather than with a Lynel! Wizzrobe Magic wielders and mages abound in RPGs, so why shouldn’t Link have the option of keeping one nearby? Wizzrobes have had many incarnations in the Zelda series, and their mastery of the elements makes them a little more difficult than other foes (and, to be honest, more annoying, especially whenever they become invisible). Stronger versions of these wizard-like enemies roam Hyrule in Breath of the Wild: Blizzrobes, who create devastating ice storms; Meteo Wizzrobes, who command fiery boulders to fall from the sky; and Thunder Wizzrobes, who unleash severe thunderstorms. One of my favorite of the Champions’ attacks to use is Urbosa’s Fury, which can inflict some serious pain on multiple enemies in a wide radius. With a Wizzrobe by Link’s side, he could concentrate on certain enemies while his magical partner could use the most fearsome natural occurrences to destroy obstacles (and use its irksome vanishing tactic to avoid damage). The ability to swap out Wizzrobes would be helpful, too, since Blizzrobes are subdued by fire and Meteo Wizzrobes by ice, meaning certain types would be better suited to certain terrains. Kargaroks “Bombs away!” If I had the option to pair Link with a Kargarok, I’d arm the winged powerhouse with explosives and shout this every time it drops a bomb onto an enemy. Such a tactic would also be useful for clearing boulders and walls obstructing paths. Having an aerial assistant would prove beneficial for exploration, too. Imagine a quest where Link has to find items far out of his reach due to mountains or trees. A Kargarok could effortlessly take to the skies and survey these areas, much like seagulls in The Wind Waker (but with the ability to thwart enemies). As a bit of dark comedic relief, players would be able to pick up enemies and drop them from dangerous heights, easily defeating them so Link could continue on his adventure. I also believe a side quest where a Kargarok must transport Princess Zelda or another non-playable character à la Kaepora Gaebora in Ocarina of Time could be both challenging and fun. Gyorg If Link needs to set sail or explore the deep blue sea, he’s going to need a formidable companion. Most of the water-based enemies are easy to defeat, minus some of the Bosses, so a terrifying shark would be the perfect aquatic sidekick. Gyorgs are prevalent in The Wind Waker and pack mighty punches against Link and the King of Red Lions, so imagine swimming in the depths of the ocean with one (or a school) of them in tow. How about a twist on “jumping the shark”? Link could use a Gyorg as a surfboard and ride high waves while taking down Octoroks and other water-based nuisances. I can picture some enjoyable mini games in which Link and his Gyorg must go through hoops while surfing or race against Hylians (who would be using measly wooden boards). Who is your favorite companion in the Zelda series? Would you like to take on evil with a befriended enemy? If so, which would you pick? Let me know on Twitter!

by Alex Orlando You wake up in an ancient tomb, with no idea of how much time has passed while you slept. After some quick tutorial advice, your path forward is blocked by a hefty stone door. As you open it, the door slowly rises, almost like a curtain rising on the adventure ahead. A gentle musical cue sets in right when you see it — a vast open world stretching before you, bathed in light and clouds, begging to be explored. This, of course, is what happens in the opening moments of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. But it’s also (roughly) the same sequence of events that kicks off your journey in The Lands Between, where From Software’s Elden Ring takes place. It’s no secret that Breath of the Wild set a new standard for open-world games almost immediately after its release in 2017. Elden Ring has already seized the crown, becoming a similarly-praised critical juggernaut almost overnight. During the months since its release, there has been no shortage of comparisons between the two franchises. In an interview with Xbox Wire Japan, Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki said that the game doesn’t take inspiration from any game in particular; he’s personally been influenced by other open worlds, including Breath of the Wild’s. It makes sense, right? For years, open world games (at least, the big budget ones) have had a particular structure and design philosophy: checkpoints, quest markers, and mini-maps littered with icons. If you’ve played anything from Assassin’s Creed to Spider Man to Ghosts of Tsushima, you know the drill. So when Breath of the Wild threw much of that template in the trash, it felt truly freeing. You don’t have to mindlessly tick through items on a quest log or follow a predetermined course across the map — thanks to its climbing system and sprawling overworld, it feels like you could really go anywhere. In that sense, Elden Ring is more than a worthy successor. There are no quest markers or mini-maps turning your gameplay into a series of mindless tasks. If you spot a point of interest on the horizon — say, the gothic spires of the magical academy of Raya Lucaria — it's up to you to figure out how to get there (well, for the most part; Elden Ring’s open world is stitched together by meticulously crafted environments that feel more narrow than Breath of the Wild’s). And much like how I felt I could never tame Hyrule’s vast, post apocalyptic wilderness, The Lands Between feels similarly sprawling and mysterious, with secrets tucked inside every cave and catacomb. But, to me, the similarities between these games are more than a matter of game mechanics or map size. It’s a feeling, a tingle of excitement in your stomach as you set off to explore. More than anything, it’s about capturing the spirit of adventure that made me fall in love with Zelda in the first place. A Playground of Possibility I’ll never forget the first time I saw a dragon in Breath of the Wild. The way its spindly body undulated across Eldin Canyon. The serene music. The awe I felt when it wound its way overhead, revealing just how big it was in the process. It was the first time I’d ever encountered something that truly unexpected in a Zelda game. Similarly, the first time I encountered one of Elden Ring’s walking mausoleums is seared into my brain. For a while, all I heard was the thunderous tolling of a bell in the distance. Next, the ground began to tremble. Then, when I peered over the edge of a cliff, I saw it stomping through the valley, like a giant turtle with stone legs and an entire temple where its shell should be. In both cases, the spontaneity of these encounters made perhaps the biggest impression—the feeling that I was stumbling upon something out in the world, just waiting to be discovered. These aren’t the only open world games to accomplish this, of course (if you played Read Dead Redemption 2, you might remember the first time you spotted one of the game’s legendary beasts, like a glimmering white bison in the middle of a frozen lake). But the sheer density of these types of set pieces in both Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild prime the player to expect them at any moment. Only ten minutes after I found the walking mausoleum in Elden Ring, I stumbled upon another set piece that took my breath away: an army of undead, slowly shambling across a beach and out to sea. There are plenty of other 1-1 connections that you can draw between the two games. Breath of the Wild’s shrines function much like the various caves, mines, and catacombs scattered throughout Elden Ring. These mini-dungeons provide a more structured, linear experience to break up your time roaming the open world. There are a variety of recurring “world bosses'' peppered throughout both games, from Hyrule’s centaur-like Lynels to the Tolkein-esque Knights Calvary patrolling The Lands Between. Even simple design flourishes, like the ability to place beacons on the map that appear as glowing pillars of light in the overworld, both empower the player to chart their own path in similar ways. But all those points of connection still don’t add up to more than that feeling. Much like the time I’ve happily spent in Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule, I’ve put more than 120 hours into Elden Ring. Even after all that time, I still can’t wait to explore what’s over the next horizon. Follow Alex on Twitter to stay up to date with his latest writing for Discover magazine.

by MJ Kuhn I love a good “bad guy” in fiction. Obviously, I’m always rooting for the hero, but oftentimes, villains who are objectively Not Good People are the most fascinating characters in a story. The Illusive Man is one of my favorites out of all the baddies in Mass Effect for this reason. Silco from the recent Netflix show Arcane is another great example. A pure evil villain à la Sauron from The Lord of the Rings can definitely be effective, but sometimes it’s so much more fun to see our heroes go toe-to-toe with someone a little more nuanced—someone who may have characteristics that resemble characteristics in people we’ve actually met in real life (maybe even characteristics we see--and despise--in ourselves). Ganon/Ganondorf might be the most famous villain of The Legend of Zelda, but the franchise has a whole host of other villains and secondary bad guys to choose from. I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about three of my personal favorites. What Makes a Villain Compelling? Before I dive into the list, let me lay out the basics of what I think makes a compelling villain. Let’s be clear: this is 100% my opinion. Some of the things I love in a villain might make you roll your eyes. Here are a few traits many of my favorite villains have in common: Morally Nuanced: The villain is obviously the bad guy, but a fascinating villain, to me, is a villain who isn’t always the bad guy. Maybe they have a soft spot for their young daughter, or maybe they had a good mission but went off track somewhere. A fascinating villain has the capacity for good… they’re just not using it, for some reason. Tragic Backstory: This isn’t a must, but I just find it’s there a lot of the time. There’s a reason why the Bad Guy With A Tragic Backstory is such a trope in fiction: it’s because it works. If you can show me why this guy is the way he is—what makes him do the things he does—I’m not going to agree with him any more than I did before… but I might just understand him a little better. That makes him fascinating. The Hero in Their Own Story: Everyone’s the hero in their own story. I’m sure you’ve heard that before. What makes a villain particularly compelling to me is when I can 100% see why they believe they’re the hero. Think of Erik Killmonger in Marvel’s Black Panther. Are we rooting for T’Challa to win the day? Absolutely. Does Killmonger also kinda have a point? Definitely. That’s what makes him fascinating. And now for my favorite villains in Zelda. Skull Kid: Majora’s Mask I love Majora’s Mask. I haven’t played through it as many times as I’d like just because starting it up is such a project every time, but I consistently list it in my Top 3 Zelda Games of All Time for several reasons. One of those reasons is because of Skull Kid. Skull Kid is ostensibly the villain of Majora’s Mask (until *SPOILER* you realize the titular mask itself is actually the villain). He steals the mask from the (terrifying) Happy Mask Salesman at the beginning of the game, proceeding to use the magical powers the mask grants to cause mayhem in Termina (ultimately, you know, trying to smash it to bits with the literal moon). I’m not in support of crashing the moon into Termina, but, honestly, I don’t think Skull Kid really is, either. Later in the game, you learn Skull Kid’s sad backstory. He was friends with the Four Giants. They left him alone and scared… and yeah, he acted like an obnoxious, mischievous fool in response. But then the giants betrayed him by kicking him out of Termina altogether at the villagers’ request. In the end, his mischievous behavior left him with only two friends—Tael and Tatl—and a bit of an ax to grind with the giants and the people of Termina. Does what happened to Skull Kid warrant dropping a literal moon on the people of Termina? Obviously not. That’s why he’s the villain! But does he also suffer from a little bit of classic I’m not really a bad guy, I’m just possessed-itis? Yes. Overall, I think Skull Kid’s story and learning the reasons for his deeds and his “pranks” are what push the entire story of Majora’s Mask forward, which in my mind, lands Skull Kid a place on this list. Zant: Twilight Princess Twilight Princess is one of the darkest Zelda games, so you might think it would have one of the most cartoonishly evil villains in the franchise… right? I’d argue "wrong." Let’s take a look at why. Again, let’s be clear: Zant isn’t a good guy. He turns his own people into Shadow Beasts, he usurps Midna’s throne, he ruthlessly tries to take over all of Hyrule… the list goes on. However, Zant isn’t just a mustache-twirling villain tying Link to the train tracks. He’s a complicated character who’s been brainwashed by a powerful being (*cough* Ganondorf *cough*) into believing he’s destined to rule the Twilight and the Realm of Light. When we look into his backstory, we see that this quest for power didn’t just spring up out of nowhere. Zant was promised the throne, only to have it pulled away at the last minute and given to Midna instead (I mean, for good reason from the sound of it, to be fair). Instead of taking this lying down, Zant looks for another power to align himself with to take back the throne he was promised and lead his people. Phrased this way, you can definitely see how Zant is the hero in his own story, right? I mean, it’s arguably kind of similar to Simba’s story in The Lion King when you boil it down: Youngster is promised the throne. Doesn’t get the throne. Comes back to usurp the “false” ruler and take their rightful place. Obviously, the details of the story are very different… but the same bones are there! Another thing I find fascinating about Zant is that he is smart (or at least he presents himself as such). Until the reveal near the end of the game, he kind of reminds me of Thrawn from the Star Wars franchise: Cold, emotionless, tactical, and dangerous. Then, of course, we learn he’s just been brainwashed and driven mad by Ganondorf… but hey, the early appearances of Zant are compelling enough to win him a spot on my list. The Yiga Clan: Breath of the Wild All right, this one is a bit of a cheat. This isn’t just a single villain: it’s a whole host of people. But, honestly, I think that is what makes the Yiga clan from Breath of the Wild so compelling to me. This isn’t just one rogue baddie on a journey to meet his own selfish goals… this is an entire movement. The Yiga are descendants of the Sheikah who were exiled. Instead of taking their exile and leaving town, the Yiga stuck around to fight back against the kingdom that tried to kick them out. That kingdom had another enemy with whom the Yiga decided to align themselves: Calamity Ganon. Of course, aligning yourself with Ganon is an easy way to put yourself in the “bad guys” column, and the Yiga definitely do a lot of other things that help to keep them in that camp. Their entire mission is to destroy anyone who wants to stop Ganon, which clearly sets them directly opposite Link in the game. There’s also that whole troubling storyline with Dorian the spy where the Yiga murder his wife and keep his children hostage in order to force him to keep spying for them. Yikes. Not a good look, Yiga. As much as we don’t like the Yiga in Breath of the Wild (I literally just stopped talking to travelers in my first play-through because I got so sick of them popping up everywhere), we can see how they are the hero in their own story. They believe they’re fighting for what’s right. Instead of forsaking their culture and assimilating into life in Hyrule like some of the other Sheikah did when they were cast out, the Yiga wanted to strike back against the old King’s assertion that all Sheikah must be evil because their tech was a threat to him. I don’t agree with the way the Yiga went about things, but I can understand their unwillingness to support a kingdom whose ancestors shunned their ancestors. Wars have been fought over less. What Compelling Villains Did I Miss? Obviously, we all know several incarnations of Ganon that are fascinating (Ganondorf from The Wind Waker comes to mind, in particular), but I wanted to shine the spotlight on some of the less-talked-about villains from the franchise for this post. What smaller villains did I miss? Who are your favorite baddies in The Legend of Zelda? Chat with me online @mjkuhnbooks on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! Additionally, if you like bad guys and morally grey characters as much as I do, you may want to check out my book, Among Thieves, a fantasy heist that centers around six thieves teaming up to steal a magical artifact… while each secretly plots their own betrayal.

S5 E10 | David meets up with Andy and Alasyn of The Zelda Cast at the Zelda Dungeon live stream marathon to talk about what it's like making a Zelda podcast. HOST: David Geisler GUESTS: Andy Spiteri, Alasyn Eletha WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DAVID GEISLER | PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

S5 E11 | Kate and David get together to build a top ten list of some of the most beautiful places in the Zelda universe. HOSTS: David Geisler, Kate May WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DAVID GEISLER | PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

S5 E9 | David and Shane get together to build a top ten list of some of the most monumental moments in the Zelda franchise. HOST: David Geisler CAST: Shane Kelley WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DAVID GEISLER | PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

S5 E8 | Kate and David listen to some of their favorite songs from Twilight Princess. HOSTS: David Geisler, Kate May WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY KATE MAY AND DAVID GEISLER | PRODUCED BY DAVID GEISLER AND CELESTE ROBERTS | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DAVID GEISLER | EDITOR: DAVID GEISLER | SOUND DESIGNER: DAVID GEISLER THIS EPISODE FEATURES MUSIC BY MIKEL & GAMECHOPS, TITLED "THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" AS WELL AS "KAKARIKO VILLAGE" FROM THE ALBUM "ZELDA & CHILL" AVAILABLE ON APPLE MUSIC AND YOUTUBE. COPYRIGHT 2022 SIXFIVE MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE VIEWS INFORMATION, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING ANOTHER ZELDA PODCAST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF SIXFIVE MEDIA AND ITS EMPLOYEES.