Author Topic: A Legacy of Personality: The Characters of the Legend of Zelda (Read 12544 times)

NWR_pap64 · « **on:** May 19, 2011, 04:32:46 PM »

Nintendo World Report celebrates Zelda's 25th anniversary by looking back at the characters that made it all possible.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/26239

2011 marks the Legend of Zelda's 25th anniversary. Many years ago, players experienced a legend for the first time ever that still continues to this day. The NES title was simplistic in looks and design, but would be the first in what many consider to be one of Nintendo's most prestigious game series ever.

The first character players met, besides Link, was an old man, hiding in a cave. When you meet him, he says "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this." and hands over Link's signature sword. He would be the first in a long line of characters that helped shape the legend into what it is today.

The staff at Nintendo World Report has decided to look back at the expansive list of characters that have graced all the Zelda game throughout the years, and pick the ones that left the biggest impression on them. Whether the character was dark and enigmatic or colorful and lively, these helped make the Zelda experience much more fulfilling, making use return to the world of Hyrule time and time again.

Over the course of this hectic pre-E3 time, we'll present a new character every day. Enjoy!

TurdFurgy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2011, 06:13:08 PM »

You got the quote wrong. It's "It's Dangerous to go alone! Take this.", not "It's Dangerous to go alone! Take this!" FOR SHAME!!

Anju and Kefei where great characters. It truly was a beautiful moment when they were reunited.

AV · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2011, 08:51:54 PM »

I loved that subquest in Majora's Mask. Majora's Mask is an incredible experience

RABicle · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2011, 10:59:16 PM »

Will this feature mention perhaps Zelda's most enduring recurring character; Kiki the monkey?

Ryan Cannon · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2011, 12:07:17 PM »

Heh, Zelda's had some pretty colorful characters...

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2011, 12:19:44 PM »

Quote from: Ryan Cannon on May 20, 2011, 12:07:17 PM

Heh, Zelda's had some pretty colorful characters...

And this is just starting! Just wait till you see who shows up :p

Stogi · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2011, 03:12:36 PM »

The Great Fairies?

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2011, 07:34:09 PM »

Here is today's character: The Happy Mask Salesman
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/26329

TurdFurgy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2011, 08:03:52 PM »

"It doesn't help that he had an uncanny resemblance to Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto..."
[font='trebuchet ms', helvetica, arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif][/size]Are you saying that all Japanese look the same? You sir, are a racist.

[/font]
[font='trebuchet ms', helvetica, arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif]But I have to agree. I was legitimately afraid of that character as a child. The dudes psycho... [/font][/color]

Mop it up · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2011, 09:12:32 PM »

I think the old man in the original Legend of Zelda is the real hero of the game. Not only does he provide you with three different swords from his personal collection, but he also follows you around and climbs into dangerous spots in dungeons just to give you hints. Sure, he'll charge you hefty fees if you burn his various trees around the world that somehow act as doors, but you should just consider that payment for the all-powerful Magical Sword.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2011, 02:26:20 AM »

Quote from: TurdFurgy on May 20, 2011, 08:03:52 PM

"It doesn't help that he had an uncanny resemblance to Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto..."

Are you saying that all Japanese look the same? You sir, are a racist.

But I have to agree. I was legitimately afraid of that character as a child. The dudes psycho...

I remember reading somewhere (either Nintendo Power or some other magazine) that the Mask Salesman was somewhat inspired by Miyamoto, hence why I made the comment. If you have learned about Miyamoto, then learn about the Mask Salesman you realize that maybe the development team was saying something about Miyamoto indirectly with this character. Miyamoto HAS been known for kidnapping random people, you know :p .

I also heard that the creepy Link statue from Majora's Mask (the one that appears when you play the Elegy of Emptiness, this statue:http://images.wikia.com/jadusable/images/a/a2/359px-Link_Statue.png) was also inspired by Miyamoto.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2011, 09:15:11 PM »

Today brings us our first character from Wind Waker, courtesy of Zach Miller:
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/26330

Killer_Man_Jaro · « **Reply #12 on:** May 22, 2011, 02:26:29 AM »

I must congratulate you on the articles so far. By the end of the feature, I think you might convince some of the naysayers who claim that Zelda never has interesting characters to reconsider their stance. Although there's one correction to be made: the abstract for the latest entry, 'Meet Makar, the Earth Sage', is wrong, as he's actually the Wind Sage -- the Earth Sage is Medli, the Rito girl.

Makar gets kudos from me simply because he was responsible for some of the best music in the game. The forest ceremony scene, and the scene where Link, Makar and the spirit of Fado all play the Wind God's Aria one last time to power up the Master Sword are both very memorable, largely because of the amazing little Celtic violin pieces that Makar plays during them.

As for the other characters, all I'll say is that the quest to reunite Kafei and Anju has to be the longest and most convoluted side-quest of any Zelda game, even trumping the various trading sequences. I don't think I ever managed it without an FAQ.

TalesOfFan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 22, 2011, 02:38:40 AM »

Kudos for including Makar, he's one of my favorites as well.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2011, 02:55:11 AM »

Thank you very much for the kind words! Though, Andrew Brown, Zach Miller and Josh Max helped out on this as well, so they too should receive some praise.

I checked the page and the correction has been made. Thanks for letting us know and sorry for the confusion.

Yeah, the Anju and Kafei sidequest is easily the biggest in Majora's Mask, perhaps just as big as the main quest itself. But it is also the one that uses all of the characters effectively and ties itself into the narrative better than the other side quests.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 22, 2011, 11:39:42 PM »

Here's today character: The Shop Keeper from Link's Awakening:
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/26331

Stogi · « **Reply #16 on:** May 23, 2011, 02:18:00 PM »

This feature kicks ass. Though it could go on for ages.

Ceric · « **Reply #17 on:** May 23, 2011, 02:26:35 PM »

We all know that Bow-Wow was the most interesting character in Link's Awakening.

TurdFurgy · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2011, 11:56:03 PM »

Purlo? That's an interesting choice. I agree with Unagi, this could go on for a while, of course I personally wouldn't mind if every single character was done.

AV · « **Reply #19 on:** May 24, 2011, 07:42:04 AM »

man i totally forgot about purlo. I loved that clawshot mini-game

Stogi · « **Reply #20 on:** May 24, 2011, 09:06:55 AM »

Hmmm...I would have picked Jovani from TP (the guy who sold his soul for wealth) simply because of his creepiness and the seriousness of his topic, but purlo's a good choice too.

The Yeti wouldn't be a bad choice either.

Ceric · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2011, 09:20:11 AM »

Agitha.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 25, 2011, 12:22:06 PM »

Sorry for not updating this, but here you go, today's character:
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/26333

Ceric · « **Reply #23 on:** May 25, 2011, 12:37:47 PM »

Link's Uncle is a good character. This is the first time Link has Family and I don't think he has any again till Wind Waker, I haven't played most the mobile games so someone can correct me.

TurdFurgy · « **Reply #24 on:** May 25, 2011, 02:21:23 PM »

Link's uncle didn't die. At least, I don't think he did. I'm pretty sure I seen him in the credits with link. But up until that point I think we all assumed that he died.

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Author Topic: A Legacy of Personality: The Characters of the Legend of Zelda (Read 12544 times)