Summary
The Legend of Zeldahas always been one of Nintendo’s more plot-driven franchises. Hyrule’s many iterations over the years, for example, have allowed the series to portray a diverse array of thematically rich stories.Twilight Princessrepresents clashing identities, andOcarina of Time’sjump between Link as a child and adultrepresents the passage of time and maturity. There’s another overarching theme throughout multiple games that often gets overlooked, however.
Although series protagonist Link is usually portrayed as a different character with each entry, the soul the character embodies seems to remain consistent. Every incarnation of the character has a title that represents the game he appears in. InSkyward Sword,he is known as the Hero of the Skies. InBreath of the Wild,he is known as the Hero of the Wild. InWind WakerandPhantom Hourglass,Link is known as the Hero of the Winds. Incidentally, wind is an important recurring theme throughout the series that Link constantly encounters.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Wind is portrayed inThe Legend of Zeldametaphorically and as a gameplay mechanic. This is evident inThe Wind Waker,as wind is the primary function of the game and is the driving force of the plot. Link obtains the Wind Waker item from the King of Red Lions when the two make it to Dragon Roost Island. It can alter the direction of the wind by handling it like a conductor’s baton and helps Link maneuver The Great Sea like a seasoned sailor.
In the game’s final battle with Ganondorf, the Gerudo villain tells Link of ruinous winds that brought death to his people.
“My country lay within a vast desert. When the sun rose into the sky, a burning wind punished my lands, searing the world. And when the moon climbed into the dark of night, a frigid gale pierced our homes. No matter when it came, the wind carried the same thing… Death.”
When he is defeated, he murmurs his final words fromthe classic GameCube game.
“The wind… it is… blowing…”
In this game, the wind’s meaning depends on the character. For Link, it’s a beacon of support and a reincarnation of the King of Hyrule. For Ganondorf, it is symbolic of death and ruin.
Wind in Other Legend of Zelda Games
The Minish Cap
Wind also plays a huge role in otherZeldatitles. InThe Minish Capfor the Game Boy Advance, the main villain, Vaati, is referred to as the Sorcerer of the Winds. The collector’s bookHyrule Historiastates that Vaati “has the ability to manipulate the winds.” Furthermore, his Japanese name Gufu quite literally means “tornado.”
Majora’s Mask
Wind also presents itself as a hurdle that Link must overcome. InMajora’s Mask’sMountain Village, not even the Goron Mask can prevent him from being blown away by the powerful gales.
Phantom Hourglass
In thePhantom Hourglass,the Temple of Wind is located on the Isle of Gust, which is overwhelmed by gales that blow in multiple directions. Interestingly, to gain entrance into the dungeon, players must blow into the microphone of the Nintendo DS when encountering certain windmills.
Tears of the Kingdom
The Legendary Stormwind Ark, also known as the Wind Temple, isa dungeon inTears of the Kingdom.By using Tulin’s Power of Wind, an ability that produces a gust of wind that Link can take advantage of with his Paraglider, he can reach the Temple. Tulin and Link will also see an illusion of Princess Zelda upon reaching the dungeon, just as her image vanishes in the wind.
How Link’s Musical Instruments Relate to the Wind
Link is known for playing tons of musical devices throughout theLegend of Zeldaseries, most of which are wind instruments. Besides the Wind Waker, he also plays the Ocarina of Time, Spirit Flute, Horse Call, Recorder, and much more. Most of these instruments are crucial gameplay mechanics and are used for puzzle-solving or triggers for major game events.
WHERE TO PLAY
This epic Legend of Zelda adventure begins with our hero in the midst of a family crisis. Link’s peaceful life on a tiny island is shattered one fateful day when his beloved sister is snatched by a huge, menacing bird. Naturally, the sword and shield-wielding hero follows in hot pursuit. His search sets in motion an epic adventure across strange lands and high seas, as Link searches for clues to his sister’s whereabouts. Featuring a unique animation style, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker expands on the revolutionary gameplay seen in Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask for Nintendo 64, offering a distinctive Legend of Zelda experience. You’ll see characters' expressions change as they laugh, cry, or show anger and surprise, with a variety of lively actions bringing them to life. Plus, Link’s world has never seemed so atmospheric. Amazing effects like flickering fire, shadows and smoke make you feel even closer to the action. Naturally, the great Zelda gameplay is at The Wind Waker’s core. Link can slash with his sword (including a mighty spin attack), deflect blows with his shield, swing across gaps, and pick up weapons that his enemies have dropped. Additionally, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker features the incredibly intuitive control system that Zelda gamers have come to expect from the beloved series.
