Summary
The Legend of Zeldaseries has developed a large cast of characters over the years, including both allies and foes of Link. However, the changes the franchise has undergone in the decades since its inception have left some characters abandoned in a certain game or era of games that have come and gone. With the successor toThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomconfirmed to be headed in a new direction for the series, it presents the perfect opportunity to bring some of these forgotten characters back into the spotlight.
Many of the side characters in theZeldafranchise have developed fan bases of their own, despite not being the main focus of the games they’ve appeared in. Others have played key roles in a certain game, but have failed to appear again outside ofspin-off games likeHyrule Warriors. to revive the popularity of some of these characters, and deepen the lore surrounding them, the nextZeldagame should reintroduce some of these abandoned characters back into the franchise.
Abandoned Zelda Characters that Deserve a Comeback in the Next Game
Tingle
Tingleis the poster child for bizarreZeldaside characters that developed their own dedicated fan base. First appearing inMajora’s Mask, Tingle is an odd fellow dressed as a fairy who sells Link maps for the different areas throughout the game. While Tingle has appeared in multiple titles, includingWind Waker,Oracle of Ages,The Minish Cap, and even his own spin-off games, he hasn’t made an appearance in a mainlineZeldagame sinceThe Wind Waker HDwas released a decade ago. His last original appearance inThe Minish Capcame nearly two decades ago.
Dampe
Dampeis another staple character of the classicZeldatitles who first appeared inOcarina of Timeas the graveyard keeper in Kakariko Village. Like Tingle, Dampe has appeared in severalZeldatitles, includingMajora’s Mask,Four Swords Adventures,The Minish Cap, andA Link Between Worlds. Although Dampe was recently given a new role in theLink’s Awakeningremake for Nintendo Switch, he deserves a wholly original appearance in a newZeldatitle.
Happy Mask Salesman
Although the Happy Mask Salesman is directly relevant to the plot ofMajora’s Mask, he does make a prior appearance inOcarina of Timeand returns inOracle of Ages. He lives up to his name in each of these instances as a purveyor of masks, though his presence inMajora’s Maskis much more unsettling than in these other titles. A futureZeldagame could bring the Happy Mask Salesman back and treat him similarly toBeedle or Kiltonin the recent games, giving him the role of a traveling salesman who sells masks to the player.
Dark Link
Dark Link is an iconic foe from the early days of theZeldaseries that represents a mirror version of the hero. He first appears as thefinal boss inZelda 2: The Adventure of Linklocated at the end of the Great Palace, but he also makes appearances as a mid-boss inOcarina of Time’s Water Temple and as a bonus boss in the Game Boy Advance version ofA Link to the Past.Although this shadowy figure has been referenced in other games, like viaBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom’s Dark Link armor, the foe should return as a foil for the hero in the nextZeldatitle.
Fi
One of the most important characters in theZeldaseries who has only appeared in one title is Fi, the spirit of the Master Sword.Fi was introduced inSkyward Swordand acts as Link’s guide throughout the game. While Fi is referenced inBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, she should appear as a central figure in the nextZeldagame to further flesh out the lore surrounding her presence within the Master Sword over the years.
