Every Legend Of Zelda Game With Other Heroes Besides Link

Key Takeaways

Princess Zelda is the main character in
Echoes of Wisdom
, a first in over thirty years.
Hyrule Warriors
features the largest character roster in
The Legend Of Zelda
franchise.
Other games like Tingle’s adventures and
Cadence Of Hyrule
also offer unique character experiences.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the current lineup of games featuring our beloved Zelda universe is nothing short of extraordinary! The rhythm-based adventure of Cadence Of Hyrule and the Dynasty Warriors-inspired Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition are two titles that have truly captured my heart.

While Link is undeniably a beloved figure in the gaming world, starring in almost every installment of the The Legend Of Zelda series, there has been a growing desire among players for diverse characters. The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom caters to this demand by offering Princess Zelda as the playable character, causing excitement among fans who relish the chance to explore the game from her perspective.

Yet, Echoes of Wisdom isn’t exclusive in its use of multiple playable characters, as Princess Zelda is just one among many. Since the early ’90s, Nintendo has been diversifying The Legend of Zelda series across various platforms like the Nintendo Switch, offering gamers distinct experiences within the realm of Hyrule.

8 Zelda: The Wand Of Gamelon

The Failed Experimental Title For The CD-I

Due to memes and online edits, the game Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon has become an unforgettable part of gaming lore, albeit not in a positive light. It marked the debut of Princess Zelda as the protagonist in her own quest, but unfortunately, it and its sibling title, Link: The Faces of Evil, are infamous for being poorly received games on the ill-fated Philips CD-I console, a system that soon faded into obscurity.

Instead of a bird’s eye perspective, “Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon” adopts the side-scrolling approach similar to “Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link”, complete with animated scenes and controls that may seem backward. Many fans view this CD-I game as one of the least favored entries in the cherished Zelda franchise, due to their ability to play as Zelda.

7 Zelda’s Adventure

It Doesn’t Offer Much Outside The FMV Gimmick

In a different phrasing: Instead of the usual animated cutscenes, the game titled “Zelda’s Adventure” on the CD-I system opted for live-action FMV reminiscent of the original “The Legend Of Zelda,” offering an unusual experience. However, when it comes to the quality of the live-action graphics for characters and settings in “Zelda’s Adventure,” it’s generally regarded as only slightly superior to other games on the CD-I platform.

In the game titled “Zelda’s Adventure“, Princess Zelda was the primary protagonist, striving to rescue Link from Ganon in the realm of Tolemac. This game is distinguished by its unique art style and vocal performances, but it presents a challenge for collectors as its copies are expensive and CD-I consoles are notoriously prone to malfunctioning.

6 Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland

The Strangeness Helps Tingle’s Spin-Off Stand Out

Developer: Vanpool
Release Date: September 2, 2006
Genre: Adventure
System: Nintendo DS

Among the characters featured in “The Legend Of Zelda” series, it came as a surprise to many fans that an unpopular character like Tingle would receive not just one, but two games in the franchise. In the initial game titled “Tingle’s Freshly-Picked Rosy Rupeeland“, players who enjoy gathering in-game money will be thrilled as the main aim of the game is to amass as many rupees as possible while playing as Tingle.

In a peculiar twist, the tale of Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland unfolds as our protagonist, Tingle, is directed by a sentient Rupee to gather numerous Rupees – similar to gems – throughout various tasks across the land. This game shares minimal connections with The Legend of Zelda, explaining why it was exclusively distributed in Europe and Japan.

5 Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love

A Quasi-Dating RPG In The Zelda Universe

Developer: Vanpool
Release Date: August 6, 2009
Genre: Adventure
System: Nintendo DS

As a devoted admirer, I’d say that my favorite title among Tingle’s series is “Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love”. In this captivating journey, I, Tingle, embark on an adventure reminiscent of “The Wizard of Oz”, where a scarecrow, a robot, and a lion become my unlikely companions. Together, we traverse a whimsical realm in search of love, unknowingly confronting a formidable villain along the way. This Zelda game stands out as one of the most peculiar yet enchanting adventures I’ve ever experienced!

Initially available only in Japan, the peculiar yet captivating characters and intricate world-building of the Tingle adventure inspired a dedicated fan translation for Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip Of Love. Over time, this title has become a hidden gem among Zelda enthusiasts, showcasing the advantages that emulators bring to the table.

4 Cadence Of Hyrule

Saving Hyrule To The Beat Of Songs As Multiple Heroes

Following the unexpected triumph of “Crypt of the NecroDancer”, the same developers successfully adapted their roguelike rhythm game format to “The Legend of Zelda” in the form of “Cadence of Hyrule”. This spin-off was highly acclaimed for its captivating soundtrack and engaging, difficult gameplay that required players to synchronize movements and attacks with the game’s rhythm.

In the game “Cadence of Hyrule”, while Link remains a central figure, players also have the option to choose Princess Zelda as their hero. Additional characters like Cadence from “Crypt of the NecroDancer”, Impa, Shadow Link, and others can be unlocked or bought within the game. Critics have lauded it for its quality, as the rhythm genre is not commonly found in today’s gaming landscape.

3 Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition

The Biggest Roster Of Zelda Characters In The Style Of Dynasty Warriors

Nintendo often likes to try new things with their spin-offs, such as partnering with other studios. One example of this is Hyrule Warriors, which was developed by Koei Tecmo. Essentially, Hyrule Warriors is like the game Dynasty Warriors but takes place in the world of The Legend of Zelda, offering a variety of characters to select, both well-known and newly created.

In simpler terms, “Hyrule Warriors” boasts a diverse roster of characters beyond Zelda, Impa, Ganon, Ruto, Darunia, Zant, Midna, Agitha, and Fi. With a total of twenty-nine playable characters, the game offers an expansive experience that spans various eras within the sprawling “Zelda” timeline. This means you can fight armies from multiple versions of Hyrule, with plenty of story content and additional modes providing hundreds of hours of entertainment.

2 Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity

The Prequel To Breath Of The Wild That Nobody Expected

A significant portion of “Breath of the Wild” revolves around Link recovering memories from a century prior to his revival in Hyrule, unveiling much about its history before the Calamity Ganon event. Consequently, fans were excited to delve into those times through “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity”.

Initially, “Hyrule Warriors” might have had a larger cast of characters, but “Age of Calamity” refined the gameplay mechanics and introduced new features such as additional mechanics and abilities. The maps in “Age of Calamity” are intricately designed, offering just as much challenge navigating them as there is in battling hordes of enemies. Furthermore, the narrative in “Age of Calamity” is character-focused, with voice acting and cutscenes deepening the lore from “Breath of the Wild”, by providing more context to its story.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom

A Classic Zelda Experience Starring The Princess Herself

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel exhilarated at the prospect of stepping into Princess Zelda’s shoes for the first time in three decades! Unlike most games where she’s a bonus character, The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom puts her front and center. This game is based on the remake of Link’s Awakening, but with a fresh twist – Zelda embarks on an open-world journey across Hyrule, complete with traditional dungeons to navigate and a classic top-down perspective that takes me back to my gaming roots. Can’t wait to explore this new adventure!

Echoes of Wisdom distinguishes itself from Link’s Awakening by offering a distinctive gameplay experience for Zelda. Instead of relying on traditional combat, she employs magic to battle through Hyrule and even create echo copies of items and adversaries to help with challenges or solve puzzles. This necessitates strategic thinking from players, making the game more engaging. Furthermore, it boasts a wealth of side missions and endearing characters that resonated strongly with long-term fans.

2024-11-04 19:45