Summary
It’s always been a point of contention with fans that this series is calledThe Legend of Zeldaand notThe Legend of Link. Link is always the star and not Zelda. The character deserves a lot more recognition than she gets for having the series named after her.
Most of the time Zelda is a stereotypical damsel in distress but she has had some memorable playable roles too.The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis the first game that will star her completely, kicking Link to the curb. So, what will make Zelda a more compelling protagonist in this game than Link? What would make her a more compelling protagonist in future games in the franchise? Let’s speculate.
6Item Creation
Using The Power Of Tri
Link is quite handy in some of the modern Zelda games. He can craft food inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildand build everything from planes to boats inThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Zelda tops him inThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomthanks to her trusty new weapon, the Tri Rod.
Zelda can create matter from nothing using the Tri Rod as long as she has scanned the item once. If she scans a box, for example, she can make a copy, or Echo, of that box numerous times. There have been a lot of greatitems and weapons in theZeldaseriesover the years, but the Tri Rod really takes the cake. It truly gives Zelda an edge over Link.
5Can Recruit The Help Of Others
The Enemy Of My Enemy
TheZeldaseries has dabbled in other genres besides the action-adventure category. There has never been a game wherein Link controls minions like an RTS though. Zelda wins again because the Tri Rod can also copy monsters. With an Echoed monster, they will do Zelda’s bidding.
This power fits with Zelda as a character in the franchise. Link has kind of been like Zelda’s puppet in the series already. She may not be directly controlling him but she has sent him on quests as the stereotypicaldamsel in distress. She often has that power over him much like the specific Zelda inThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomhas the power to control monsters.
4Zelda Has Different Forms
Become A Ninja As Sheik
Moving away fromThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda is quite capable of taking care of herself in past entries. It’s just taken Nintendo decades to actually put her in a starring role. For example, Zelda usesher Sheik alter-egoto help Link inThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Sheik is like a fast and fluid ninja with her movements.
InThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Zelda takes on the alter-ego of Tetra who is a pirate captain. She commands quite a large unit of pirates too. Unlike Link, Zelda is quite capable of adapting herself into other roles. Link has some examples as well like the various costumes inthe multiplayer-focused game,The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes. Zelda’s roles, however, still come out on top.
3Zelda Can Talk
No “Ehs” Or “Hyas” From This Girl
“Well excuuuuse me, Princess!” That’s the most infamous line Link has ever said and that was put on repeat inThe Legend of Zeldacartoon adaptation. Otherwise, Link has always been a silent protagonist in the games save for his grunts which were introduced inThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
It makes sense that Link is silent though given that he is supposed to be the stand-in for the player. Zelda has been quite the Chatty Cathy in the games. Right now, it’s unknown how much Zelda will talk in her solo adventure,The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. On the whole, though, Zelda has the great ability of speech in her blood, unlike Link.
2Has The Ability To Turn Into A Dragon
A Powerful Demonstration Of Love, Magic, And Strategy
The Triforce plays a big role in this seriesand the three returning characters of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf usually have its powers sealed within them. Ganondorf has the Triforce of Power which makes sense given that he usually wants to rule or destroy the world. Link has the Triforce of Courage giving him the ability to venture forth into depths unknown to do what is right. Zelda has the Triforce of Wisdom which is why her solo game is calledThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
That and the Tri Rod can make copies of objects called Echoes as already established. Wisdom makes Zelda the smartest character in the series and seemingly gives her magic beyond control. Her wildest power surge happens inThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomas she turns into a dragon to keepthe Master Swordsafe for Link. Link has transformed into some stuff too like the wolf inThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. That pales in comparison to the dragon along with Zelda’s true strength: her brain.
1Zelda Is Potentially A More Versatile Protagonist
Getting Into New Genres
As a Princess of Hyrule, Zelda is potentially more versatile as a protagonist than Link. She can hop into other genres more easily thank Link thanks to her status. For example, the ability to control monsters inThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomcould be expanded into a full-blown spinoff. Nintendo could get Intelligent Systems, the makers ofFire Emblem, to make a tactical RPGor RTS wherein Zelda controls troops.
Some types of players may adapt to playing as Zelda better in a sim-like game as well akin toAnimal Crossing. With the Tri Rod’s ability to make beds and other objects appear,The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdommay already have a sim-like mini-game attached. Zelda could work in a Dr. Mario-like puzzle role too. The point is, Nintendo should get creative with Zelda as a character and Zelda as a franchise to branch out into other genres.
