The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask on display at the new Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, Sept. 24, 2024. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask was published in 2000 for the Nintendo 64. — The New York Times
It’s finally The Legend of Zelda.
Nearly 40 years after Link, a brave hero, first embarked on a mission to save Princess Zelda, she finally gets her due. Echoes Of Wisdom, which was released for the Nintendo Switch on Sept 26, makes Zelda the playable protagonist. This time, she has to save Link and her beloved Hyrule from doom.
The new game marks a milestone for a series that has long inspired jokes aimed at casual observers who have confused Link with Zelda. It also furthers the evolution of a princess who began the Japanese series as a helpless character in 1986 but has since grown in wisdom, power and courage.
Walk through the Gate of Time to find out what that transformation looked like.
A Link to the Past (1991)
A Link to the Past cements the damsel-in-distress role that Zelda served in the franchise’s first two games by having her send a telepathic cry for help that reaches Link. This Zelda, like the ones before her, has little agency. She is kidnapped, rescued, kidnapped again, sent to the Dark World and rescued again – a far cry from the Zelda to come.
Ocarina of Time (1998)
The scene in which Zelda is whisked away as Ganondorf, the evil king who takes over her kingdom, gives chase has become a classic. Seven years into the future, she returns masquerading as the character Sheik, and we see the concealed princess as a striking and confident teenager.
While she alone cannot save her kingdom in Ocarina of Time, she guides Link by providing him with the tools, songs and assistance he needs to fight enemies and solve puzzles as both a child and a teenager.
The Wind Waker (2002)
Tetra, the mighty little leader of a gang of pirates, is no pushover. She’s a wily character who even manages to help rescue Link at one point. Tetra also has no idea she is Princess Zelda, with the discovery a surprise to both her and Link.
Afterward, she is told that the journey ahead is far too dangerous for her. Zelda is eventually kidnapped, and although she does help in the final battle, it is Link who emerges as the hero.
Twilight Princess (2006)
This Princess Zelda is Hyrule’s regent and at the height of her power (thus far), focused on saving her kingdom after it was invaded. We actually don’t see much of Zelda – Midna is the Twilight Princess whose realm has been usurped – but what we do observe indicates a strong, calculating and independent ruler.
Skyward Sword (2011)
In the franchise’s chronology, Skyward Sword is the earliest iteration of Princess Zelda. As the direct reincarnation of the goddess Hylia, she possibly holds the most powerful magic of all Zeldas – but she still needs saving.
After learning her true nature, Zelda is frozen inside a crystal meant to strengthen the seal that’s preventing the evil known as Demise from taking over the world. It is Link, as always, who must conquer with the Master Sword.
Breath of the Wild (2017) / Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom feature the same Zelda, a smart and fierce princess who struggles to awaken her divine powers. While she does eventually come into her own, becoming an incredibly skilled magical sage with light and time powers, we still see a Zelda who must rely on Link to defeat Ganondorf. (Perhaps because she finds herself stuck in an ... alternative physical form.)
Echoes of Wisdom (2024)
At long last, Princess Zelda gets to play hero. This Zelda wields a magical wand that creates echoes, imitations of objects and monsters that allow her to craft solutions to puzzles and defeat enemies. Don’t let her toon appearance in Echoes of Wisdom fool you. It’s dangerous to go alone, which means this is a formidable Zelda. She also can hold a sword that transforms her into a fighting character that resembles Link.
As Link would say, “HYAH!” – The New York Times
