The Legend of Zeldais one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises, even though every new entry features an entirely new story. However,many of the characters of theZeldafranchise returns, sometimes in every single installment. Others have simply remained recurrent due to Easter Eggs, fan popularity, or their re-purposed function in the world of Hyrule.
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WithThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomfinally out, many fans will have their eyes peeled to seewhich frequentZeldacharacters return to the new installment. While some are basically guaranteed to return, others may satisfy longtime fans of the franchise. These characters are among the most frequent to appear throughout the franchise’s history.
10Link
By far the most recurring character inThe Legend of Zeldais Link, who serves as the main protagonist in pretty much every installment of the series. Though his look changes over time,he often sports a green tunic, the Master Sword, and blonde hair. However, his aesthetic has varied from cartoonish to a darker, more realistic depiction in certain titles.
The onlyZeldagames that Link has not made an appearance in are spin-off titles, such asFreshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland. However, even lesser-known spin-off titles like theZeldagames for the CD-i and the rhythm gameCadence of Hyrulefeature Link in prominent roles. Suffice it to say, there’s noThe Legend of Zeldawithout Link.
9Zelda
The second most frequent character in theZeldafranchise is, surprisingly, Zelda herself. The character has appeared in all but three entries of the series:Link’s Awakening,Majora’s Mask, andTri Force Heroes. However, her role is often as a supporting character or damsel-in-distress for Link to rescue from evil forces that invade the land of Hyrule.
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There are only a few entries where Zelda is actually playable. Some of these include the twoHyrule Warriorsgames, as well asCadence of Hyruleand theSuper Smash Bros.franchise. Other titles, likeSpirit Tracks, incorporate a spirit of Zelda that inhabits the armor of a Phantom Guardian, allowing Link to utilize her to complete puzzles.
8Ganon
By farthe most well-known villain fromThe Legend of Zeldais Ganon, who on some occasions appears in his human form, Ganondorf. Unlike variations of Link and Zelda in many of the series' entries, it is implied that the Ganon who appears in the franchise is the same character in every title, who is forever destined to be reincarnated for eternity.
However, there are many entries in the series in which Ganon, as well as Ganondorf, do not appear. Some of these includeMajora’s Mask,Four Swords,Spirit Tracks, andSkyward Sword, albeit in the latter his original form, Demise, appears and is defeated by Link for the very first time, beginning the cycle that Ganon would later become trapped in.
7Impa
Out of all the recurring characters inZeldagames, Impa takes on the more diverse range of appearances. The character was first name-dropped as the Old Woman in the instruction manual of the first NES game, later making a more fully-fledged appearance in the Nintendo 64’sOcarina of Time. There,a younger Impa took on the role of Zelda’s protector.
Future appearances of Impa in the series have elaborated on the characters' elderly wisdom and young combat skills. Titles likeSkyward SwordandBreath of the Wildsignificantly feature the character in both forms. Impa also makes appearances inA Link Between WorldsandOracles of Ages and Seasons, both portable titles in the franchise.
6Tingle
Tingle originally appeared inMajora’s Maskas one of the stranger characters in the land of Termina, selling Link maps of the land in exchange for Rupees. The character’s cartography skills are later put to use inOracle of Ages, as well asThe Wind Waker, the latter of which players must free him from prison before utilizing his map-making skills.
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While also having supporting roles in otherZeldatitles, Tingle mainly gets his reputation from his own solo games. In spin-off titles likeFreshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy RupeelandandRipened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love, Tingle takes center-stage for his own adventures, making him the only non-Link character in the series to helm his own solo game.
5Dampe
One of the most surprisingZeldacharacters to appear frequently throughout the series is Dampe, the goofy gravedigger of Hyrule. The character first appeared inOcarina of Time,dying during the seven-year time skipand re-appearing as a ghost to race Link and reward him with the Hookshot. However, other appearances of Dampe are very much alive.
Dampe later appears returning to his role of gravedigger inMajora’s Mask,Four Swords Adventures,The Minish Cap, andA Link Between Worlds. The character was also added to the Nintendo Switch remake ofLink’s Awakening, where he helps Link create custom Chamber Dungeons in his shack that replaces the Photographer’s from the original game.
4Beedle
Beedle is a relatively new addition to theZeldacanon, first appearing as a seabound merchant inThe Wind Waker. He has continued to make frequent appearances inZeldatitles with similar aesthetics, such asSkyward SwordandBreath of the Wild, both of which find him operating as a salesman for various items throughout Hyrule.
Beedle has also made appearances inThe Minish Cap, with varying items to buy as players progress through the game, as well asPhantom HourglassandSpirit Tracksfor the Nintendo DS. He’s also one of the few non-Link or Navi characters in the franchise to utilize recurring voice acting, which means he’s been special for a long time in Nintendo’s eyes.
3Skull Kid
MostZeldafans remember Skull Kid as the main antagonist ofMajora’s Mask, as an abandoned forest boy who becomes possessed by the titular evil mask. However, Skull Kid’s debut appearance was the previous game,Ocarina of Time, who can be found playing a flute in the Lost Woods and will give Link pieces of Hearts if he plays a song with them.
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The Skull Kid remained absent from theZeldaseries from a long time untilTwilight Princess, appearing as a guide for Link through the Sacred Grove en route to the Master Sword. Skull Kid also appeared as a playable character inHyrule Warriors, featuring his design fromMajora’s Mask, and is also playable inCadence of Hyrule.
2King Of Hyrule
There have been many incarnations of the King of Hyrule, though not many of them have appeared on-screen or prominently in theZeldaseries. Oftentimes, Princess Zelda is the only member of the Hylian Royal Family that players get to meet, though on few occasions the King of Hyrule has taken over that role.
The most prominent Kings of Hyrule in the franchiseappear inThe Wind WakerandBreath of the Wild, both with similar designs featuring a big white beard. Hylian Kings also appear inThe Minish Capand the infamousZeldaspin-off games on the CD-i. The King of Hyrule also makes a cameo during the ending sequence ofA Link to the Past.
1Epona
Horse-riding wasn’t added toThe Legend of ZeldauntilOcarina of Timeas a means for Link to traverse the expansive world of Hyrule. Specifically, Epona appeared in that game as a horse Link has to tame as an adult. Though there’s no relation between any of the subsequent horses Link rides, Epona is often a re-purposed name for these specific horses.
After also appearing inMajora’s MaskandTwilight Princess, Epona can also be obtained inBreath of the Wild. While Link can tame pretty much any horse he finds in the wild, a horse that resembles Epona can only be found if players scan the right Amiibo figure. Nevertheless, nothing compares to riding Epona through the Switch game’s open world environment.
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