Summary
Shigeru Miyamoto, besides being one of theminds behind the creation ofMario, was also responsible for conceivingThe Legend of Zelda, one of the best franchises ever produced by Nintendo. In this epic Action-Adventure, players generally control Link on a journey to save the Kingdom of Hyrule from the forces of evil, with many gameplay elements influencing the development of other games.
Additionally, throughout all these games, several details have been marked by their presence in most releases, becoming thebiggest traditions ofThe Legend of Zeldatitles, whether through core gameplay mechanics or even some narrative references. Thus, whenever a new game is announced, fans can expect most of these elements to be present in Link’s journey.
10Broken Pots
Link Can Cause Havoc By Entering A House And Smashing Its Pots
A lighter tradition ofThe Legend of Zelda, yet still present in most games, is that Link often has to smash pots wherever possible, whether to gather a few rupees for buying a new item or to look for hearts to replenish health. In several titles, it is even possible to barge into an NPC’s house in search of pots to break.
This tradition is so significant in the series that certain games, such asOcarina of Time, include lines from NPCs commenting on Link’s habit of breaking pots or even encouraging the character to do so. Thus, it remains a minor gameplay element but appears in the great majority of the franchise’s titles.
9Dungeons
This Gameplay Segment Is One Of The Biggest Traditions Of The Legend Of Zelda
Ever since it was conceived on the NES, one of the greatest traditions always present inThe Legend of Zeldahas been the dungeons, challenges placed in Link’s path to prove his power and worth as a hero. Even if a game features many of them, each one is built with a distinct and unique theme.
Although the more recent Nintendo Switch titles have somewhat set this aspect aside, choosing simpler and not-so-complex challenges, there are still several dungeons inThe Legend of Zeldathat are iconic to the franchise. Hence, with each new installment in the series, fans look forward to seeing how the developer will use creativity to challenge the hero on his journey.
8Master Sword And The Hylian Shield
They Are The Two Most Iconic Pieces Of Equipment For Link In The Games
While the character can wield different weapons during the adventure, bows, boomerangs, and bombs, the most recognizable gear for Link are the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield. In most official artwork, the character is shown with these two items, which have become part of his look, even though the shield does not appear in every game.
However, theMaster Sword is nearly a trademark of the franchise, and the moment Link first discovers this blade is one of the most iconic scenes in each title, besides being one of the biggest traditions ofThe Legend of Zelda. The epic tone of these moments, combined with each title’s context - such as inBreath of the Wild- makes everything more striking.
7A Silent Hero
Link Is Not Someone Of Many Words
Silent protagonists are a tradition in many games, and Link, inThe Legend of Zelda, is another character who fits this pattern. Throughout his appearances in mainline games, spinoffs, or even special cameos in other titles, he was never particularly vocal. Nonetheless, in games likeBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, it is possible to select some dialogue options that shed light on the character’s personality.
However, even if these dialogue choices exist, Link does not have any actual lines, only groans and shouts when fighting enemies. On the other hand, Nintendo compensated for his silence by making him very expressive, which reveals more about his nature without requiring him to speak.
6Music
Whether As A Mechanic Or A Soundtrack, It Is A Strong Element In The Zelda Games
One of the biggest traditions inThe Legend of Zeldahas always been the attention given toeach game’s soundtrack, resulting in many iconic songs throughout the franchise. The main theme, for instance, is only one among several standout melodies in the series, showcasing the epic tone of every adventure.
Yet this tradition is not tied solely to soundtrack quality, because in many of Link’s reincarnations, the character also demonstrated skill with various musical instruments. In several games, such asOcarina of TimeorWind Waker, music served as a core mechanic, enabling the character to perform different melodies and progress in the game.
5Strong Focus On Exploration
The Legend Of Zelda Games Has Always Provided A Lot Of Freedom To Players
Although some games in the franchise feature a more linear progression, one of the greatest traditions inThe Legend of Zeldahas always involved thefreedom players have in exploring. The environments usually encourage this with their design, especially dungeons, concealing secrets and other items in various locations to discover during gameplay.
However,Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomelevated the concept of exploration to a whole new level in the franchise, creating vast open worlds for players to explore at will. Both games implemented a successful non-linear approach to the map, with a design that sparks curiosity about different areas of the world.
4Heart Containers
They Represent The Character’s Progression
The Legend of Zeldanever used a level-based progression system or a skill tree to convey how Link evolves, so a way to represent that, apart from the new equipment he obtains, hasalways been through Heart Containers. These items are found in dungeons or during map exploration and, over time, expand the protagonist’s health points.
This has also been one of the biggest traditions of the franchise, present in practically every mainline entry. AlthoughBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomslightly changed this formula, the logic for boosting both HP and Stamina remains similar, requiring the character to collect Spirit Orbs and later exchange them at Goddess Statues dotted around the map.
3Epic Boss Battles
Many Of These Encounters Are Memorable In The Legend Of Zelda
In addition to the other challenges Link faces in his journey, the adventure would not exist without battles against varied bosses. Many of these fights are remembered by players as some of the best inThe Legend of Zelda, whether for the enemy’s difficulty or the unique mechanics and design.
Moreover, Nintendo has consistently presented these clashes in an epic manner, whether through the soundtrack or the buildup to these bosses, creating a clear difference between them and regular enemies. This approach is why clashes against Ghirahim, Koloktos, or even Colgera inTears of the Kingdomresonate so strongly with players.
2The Triforce
It Is Part Of The Mythology Of Hyrule And A Franchise Tradition
Just as Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf are fated to meet, another aspect of the series’ mythology that appears in nearlyeveryThe Legend of Zeldainstallment is the Triforce. This artifact symbolizes balance in the world and frequently drives the conflicts in the games, as villains strive to claim it for total control.
The Triforce has a simple yet iconic design and is used as one ofThe Legend of Zelda’s main logos, appearing on many covers. Furthermore, the fact that it can only be fully obtained by Link in some games adds to the mystique surrounding this item.
1The Characters Are Reincarnations
Link, Zelda, And Ganondorf Are Variations Of The Same Character
Even though Link, Zelda, and, most of the time, Ganondorf are recurring characters and one of the biggest traditions ofThe Legend of Zelda, they almost never are the same individuals from previous games. That is because inSkyward Sword, the title that begins the entire series timeline,it is explained that Demise, the villain, casts a curse so his hatred would remain with them forever.
So each game is a new chapter in this endless cycle, where descendants of the princess Zelda and those who carry Link’s heroic spirit remain haunted by Demise’s curse, which manifests as Ganondorf. Even if in one game or another certain facts are altered, players generally follow the story of these destinies clashing in the game.
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda is a Nintendo-exclusive adventure series starring Link. Spread across multiple consoles and generations in both 2D and 3D, The Legend of Zelda games feature action, exploration, puzzles, and unique items.
