-Randy Newman
Every Zelda game has a unique, awesome story. At the heart of the story is Link, courageously undertaking challenges, fights and puzzles to achieve his end goal. However, at his side, and subtly – or sometimes not so subtly – helping Link, is his companion.
These companions often keep up the momentum of the games, steering link down the right path in the forms of advice, or rude interruptions. Link’s partners come in many shapes and sizes, and their character often develops, revealing their own story, which usually makes them integral to the task at hand.
Link’s first accomplice was a fairy, called Navi, who helped Link in Ocarina of Time. Since that game, almost each Zelda entry has given Link a colourful, interesting and unique partner, and it’s become a key part of the Zelda formula!
This list is a celebration of those companions and, out of those who have helped Link complete his quests, which are my favourite.
Did You Know?
- Navi, Link’s 1st companion, was originally designed to hold items for Link. This feature never made it to the end-game however.
- Midna’s voice was created by jumbling English to create the recognised Twilight language.
- No companion has ever appeared in more than one Zelda title!
10) Ciela
Phantom Hourglass is a great game. It gets a lot of criticism for its control scheme, and for the repetition within The Temple of the Ocean King, however I really enjoy it. It takes the glory of Wind Waker and manages to compact it down, and deliver it in a nifty, handheld package. Phantom Hourglass is unique in that Link is given two companions on his adventure, and one of them is the fairy Ciela. Given to Link at the start by Oshus, Ciela has no memory, but gladly helps Link at the suggestion of Oshus. Ciela is keen to help Link in hopes that this jogs the ol’ noggin’, which it does! Upon retrieving her memory, you learn Ciela is the Spirit of Courage and goes on to use her power to help Link in the fight against Bellum. Ciela is pleasant enough, but rather “safe”, in terms of personality, and with little character development outside a relatively weak “twist”, she makes it no higher on my list.
9) Fi
Residing in the Goddess Sword, left by Hylia, is Fi. An intelligent being, often calculated and mathematic in approach, Fi is tasked with aiding Link to defeat Demise; a threat to Hyrule’s future. Throughout Skyward Sword, Fi gifts Link with abilities, such as ‘dowsing’ useful items and directing the Sacred Flames that help hone the Master Sword. I really enjoy the relationship between Scrapper, the Skyloft Ancient Robot, and Fi. Scrapper absolutely detests Link, and digs at him with pet names like “Master Shortpants”. However he has something of a soft spot for Fi, and will only carry out commands when they have come from her directly. I think Fi’s robotic-like approach, although intentional, distances me from placing her any higher on this list. Even though I do find her goodbye with Link to at least be somewhat emotional, I was never able to grow a connection with her as a character.
8) Ravio
I like to get an unexpected option on the list when I can and, for this one, it’s Ravio. I guess he’s not a companion in the traditional sense however, I love Ravio’s inclusion in A Link Between Worlds, and how he’s set up to help Link. After a quick, failed encounter with Yuga in Hyrule’s Sanctuary, Link is taken to his house by Ravio who is filled in on what happened. During the chat Ravio’s hilarious animation, and over-the-top character immediately hits home, painting Ravio as a colourful, quirky individual. Ravio gifts Link a bracelet, which gives Link the ability to merge into walls; the big, game-defining feature of ALBW. Further into the game you find Ravio has set up a shop in Link’s house, and lets Link rent/buy items for the adventure ahead. Fall in battle whilst the items are rented, and Ravio’s buddy Sheerow will fetch these up, meaning you’ll have to fork out for them again. Ravio turns out to be the Lorule version of Link and, in the game’s twist, ventured to Hyrule to find a suitable hero, something he couldn’t be for his own world. His touching confession at the end of the game really hammers home Link’s courage, and in a way, Ravio’s for seeking him out.
7) Navi
The first companion in a Zelda game, Navi sets the standard high. However, over time, Nintendo have taken the companion part of the Zelda series and refined it, to release more complex and in-depth characters. This process means these companions do appear higher on my list, and that Navi doesn’t make it past the 7th spot. However, you could attribute the success of all other companions, to Navi. Featuring in the Ocarina of Time, Navi is sent by the Great Deku Tree to Link, the only boy in Kokiri Forest without a fairy. After completing the Great Deku Tree dungeon, Navi continues with Link through Hyrule and time itself, staying with him during his 7 year wait in the Sacred Realm. As an adult, Navi guides Link to his final battle, and victory, against Ganon. Navi, famous for her “Hey, Listen!” can be disruptive, especially if you’re taking time from the main story to complete some of the longer side quests.
6) Ezlo
The only companion on the list that also doubles up as a stylish hat, is the wizard Ezlo. Link finds Ezlo in the Minish Woods, being picked on by two Octoroks. Link saves the harassed headwear, dons him atop his cranium, and couples up for the adventure ahead. Ezlo gives Link the ability to shrink down to Minish size which, much like Ravio and the bracelet gift, is the big dynamic of Minish Cap. Link and Ezlo’s bond strengthens over the game and Ezlo shares that Vaati, the antagonist of Minish Cap, was his pupil. Ezlo created the Minish Cap, which grants the wishes of its wearer, and it is this that Vaati steals to start his evil deeds. Ezlo’s determination to see Vaati stopped places him high up the list, couple this with his sass and angry animation sequences, and he really is a companion to remember.
5) Princess Zelda
Although her name is in the title of the series, traditionally, Princess Zelda has always played a small role in a lot of the games. The “damsel in distress”, which features in the two big Nintendo IP’s, used to be a big part of the series, but now feels stayed. Nintendo, realising this too, has given Zelda a stronger, more prominent role in some of the newer Zelda titles, including Breath of the Wild. This change, in my opinion, has been for the best, as the relationship between Link and Zelda has always felt a bit disjointed, where it now feels integral to the story. You could say that this decision first started in Spirit Tracks, where Zelda becomes Link’s companion, and lands on the number 5 spot of this list. Now there is still an element of “damsel in distress” in ST, as Zelda’s body is kidnapped by Malladus, and it’s her spirit that remains with Link as they traverse New Hyrule. However, Zelda’s spirit helps by possessing Guardians in the Tower of Spirits that you can then control to aid Link – unless she’s cowering in hear from a nearby rat! Throughout the journey the relationship between Link and Zelda is that of a playful nature, with Zelda taking the lead, and braving the way. There’s some great dialogue between the two, and Zelda’s pride of trying to maintain her ancestor’s traditions shows her strength.
4) King of Red Lions
The Wind Waker opening is my favourite in the Zelda franchise. Link, a suburban, small time islander, is forced into a situation where he’s sailing off with pirates to a dark fortress to save his sister. However, after this failed first attempt he’s flung out to sea by some giant-feather-bird-king…thing. Upon waking, he finds himself on a small sailboat which, horrifically, is alive. Enter, the King of Red Lions. The King of Red Lions sails Link across the Great Sea, helps hoist sunken treasure, and also acts as a cannon to take out enemy ships. Being a boat, the King of Red Lions can’t join Link inland, however speak to him through the Pirate Charm, guiding him towards dungeons and checkpoints. The King of Red Lions, it turns out, is being controlled by Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, the King of Hyrule. From the bottom of the sea, this King helps Link obtain their common goal, of stopping that pesky Gannondorf.
3) Tatl
Grabbing the bronze medal is Link’s companion from my favourite Zelda title, Majora’s Mask. Tatl, another fairy, sticks with Link after she is left behind by the Skull Kid. Although she’s not really happy about it, and initially blames Link for the events, Tatl soon learns about the Skull Kid’s plans to destroy Termina, and teams up with Link to stop him. When they reach the top of the clock tower, Tatl’s brother Tael shouts out a clue to help prevent the devastating act, before he’s smacked by Skull Kid, and Tatl is left distraught. Link and Tatl end up going back 3 days and lay out their plan to prevent the destruction of Termina. I love the development of Tatl, it completely took me by surprise when I first played MM. Coming off the back of OoT, where there was very little development of Navi’s persona, Tatl is shown to be complex, and have confused emotions. Tatl wants to stop the act of the Skull Kid, but continually reminisces throughout the game about their friendship, which shows the innocence between her, Tael and the Skull Kid. These touching moments make you feel for Tatl, you sympathise with her struggle, and you’re driven to bring back her old friend, reunite her with her brother, and save Termina. This complexity, and love for the character places on a podium spot.
2) Linebeck
As mentioned earlier, Phantom Hourglass is different as it gives Link two companions. So it’s fitting that the 2nd companion on the list sits at spot two. Of course, I’m talking about the swashbuckling, Linebeck. Captain of the SS Linebeck, Link is given access to this ship to traverse the World of the Ocean King. After saving Linebeck from the Temple of the Ocean King, it’s soon made apartment that Linebeck’s cocksure nature and blatant lies are all part of his unique character. Linebeck again receives a lot of development as the story progresses. He starts off only agreeing to help Link in exchange for a wish from the Ocean King, which will make him rich. However, Link’s courage starts to rub off on Linebeck where it culminates in the final battle against Bellum. Stranded on the Ghostship with the SS Linebeck destroyed, Link ends up being constricted by the watery beast. Linebeck, in an act of pure, unadulterated courage, picks up Link’s sword and stabs Bellum. This gives Link the chance to slip free and, although Bellum then possesses Linebeck for the final phase of the fight, Link is able to free him and defeat the foul creature. In victory, and faced with the Ocean King, Linebeck is given that wish he was promised and rather than ask for wealth, he asks for the SS Linebeck to be returned. This change of heart resonates so well, and secures Linebeck as one of my favoutire and memorable companions, of the series.
1) Midna
Taking the top spot, and my all-time favourite Super Mario 64 level is Tiny, Huge Island. I tell ya, this one does absolutely everything right for me – playing this level kicks up the dopamine, and floods my body with nostalgia. As the name suggests, this level is both Tiny and Huge and has Mario traversing between the two through the iconic green pipes which – shockingly – only appear on this map. The layout is the same across both worlds, however the Tiny version creates a gigantic Mario, that increases the difficulty of navigating ledges and platforms. Whilst in the Huge version, Mario is a mere ant, cowering in the shade of massive Goombas as they waddle towards you with earthquaking steps. My favourite star is “Wiggler’s Red Coins” that tortureously forces you between Tiny and Huge Island to access the canon, then forces you to make a pixel perfect shot towards a single tree, (unless you skip this with the Shell “cheat”), before testing your joystick skills as you guide Mario over a very narrow, sheer drops on both sides ledge, into a hillside cavern – and that’s just the start! Once inside, you’re then EXPECTED to platform around a dank, dangerous cavern for 8 red coins, all whilst dealing with some less than flattering camera angels. Tiny, Huge Island is everything I love about Super Mario 64, it’s Huge on fun, and reminds me of when I was Tiny, playing Super Mario 64 as a small, dumbfounded, and starstruck 8 year old boy.
Link’s companions do really help unfurl the story and twists of each Zelda title. Even though some are more memorable than others, each companion leaves their mark on the Zelda series, and they weave themselves into the fabric of what makes each game so great. It makes me wonder what companions of earlier games would have been like had Nintendo brought these into earlier games. But likely due to hardware limitations, we’ll never know. What I do know is those companions who have become part of Zelda history help bring me back to those titles and much loved stories, time and time again.