Summary
Among the many important elements ofThe Legend Of Zelda, one that is crucial to player progression is items. Over the past 35-plus years of its existence,Zeldahas put together an almost unlimited catalog of items that have become staples in the series.
Whether they’re acquired in a dungeon or on the field map,items are a prominent partof this storied franchise. Some of them are intended to help players defeat a specific boss, while others may be designed to help them reach somewhere they couldn’t previously
7Small Keys
Multiple Keys Can Be Acquired At Once To Reach New Areas
First appearing all the way back in the original game, Small Keys are one of the most important items in the entire franchise. Spread throughout dungeons and hidden inside small chests, the Small Key is often one of the first methods ofprogression through a new dungeon.
The items also stack, meaning you can sometimes be sitting on two or three keys at one time. As each door opens to a new area and new Small Keys are obtained, they become ways to obtain bigger items such as the Boss Key. The Small Key was one of the first items in the series and still remains one of its most useful.
6Empty Bottle
A Crucial Vessel For Holding Important Items
The first time Link was able to collect an empty bottle was inA Link To The Past, where it became one of the series' most important items moving forward. They can either be found in the world, via dungeons and even fishing, or can also be found in dungeons.
What makes Empty Bottles so useful is that they can be used to store fairies, healing items, and even insects. If a fairy is inside, it will automatically be used and heal Link if his health is depleted. While theywere absent fromBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, they remain one of the most important items of previous entries.
5Bow And Arrow
Ranged Attack With Multiple Upgrades And Arrow Types
An absolute staple of the series, the bow has appearedin every mainlineZeldagameand is one of Link’s most valuable items in his quest to defeat evil. This ranged weapon is generally found fairly early in the games, becoming one of the go-to items throughout any playthrough.
As the bow has evolved over the course of the series, it added different types of arrows to be used. Over time, the franchise started to add elemental properties like fire and ice to specialty arrows. Meanwhile, Light Arrows became an important aspect in defeating Ganon, andLink’s Awakeningintroduced Bomb Arrows as a way to find new areas.
4Bombs
Explosive Item Perfect For Finding Secrets
Appearing in every mainlineZeldatitle and multiple spin-offs, bombs have become notable in the series due to their versatility. Bombs are initially found in early parts of the very first game, used to destroy suspicious-looking walls that hide secrets such as heart containers and rupees.
As time went on and the franchise started to become more complex, the applications of items and bombs were no different. the most unique ofwhich wasLink’s Awakening, which introduced the Bomb Arrow, which attached the explosive device to an arrow.
3Hookshot
Grappling Hook Used For Exploration And Boss Fights
Though its number of appearances in mainline games is somewhat limited, the Hookshot is still one of Link’s most nifty items. First appearing inA Link to the Past, the Hookshot started as a way for Link to be able to cross deep chasms or damage enemies.
Later games, such asOcarina of TimeandA Link Between Worlds, allowed for upgrades to the Hookshot. Iterating on this, Nintendo would create a souped-up version of it known as the Clawshot inTwilight PrincessandSkyward Sword. This two-handed version expanded the abilities of the item by allowing Link to shoot another hook while still being attached to a surface.
2Sailcloth
Important Traversal Item That Has Evolved Over The Years
Making its first appearance inSkyward Sword, the sailcloth is also tangentially related to both the Deku Leaf fromThe Wind Wakerand the ParagliderfromBreath of the Wild. The sailcloth also appeared in early versions ofBreath of the Wild,shown in gameplay footage, before being replaced with the Paraglider.
Given to him by Princess Zelda herself, Link can use this Hylian-stamped cloth to traverse the multiple land formations throughout the game. It also acts as a safety net, as Link can equip it before landing in order to prevent damage. Whether it goes by the name Sailcloth, Deku Leaf, or Paraglider, this item has become one of Link’s most trusty tools.
1The Wind Waker
Iconic Musical Instrument Used To Traverse The Great Sea
The Great Sea ofThe Wind Wakerwas Nintendo’s answer to how they wouldf do something different with Hyrule, which by that point had become rather familiar. They replaced the lush fields of green grass and caverns with an enormous body of water, giving players both a charming talking boat and one of the franchise’s most useful items - the Wind Waker itself.
This magical baton is used to play multiple songs which are crucial for progression and secret-hunting. Whether it’s the “Wind’s Requiem,” a tune that can change the direction of the wind, or songs like the “Command Melody” that can control statues in order to clear the Tower of the Gods, the Wind Waker itself is both fun to use and one of Link’s most useful items.
