The concept of canon should be a familiar term to any lover of pop culture, be it films, TV series, or even video games. A canon event, however, is a significant plot point which sets off all the later events into action, an idea which was at the core of theplot inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. In the world of video games, especially long-running franchises, canon events can be especially commonplace. For Nintendo’s iconic adventure seriesThe Legend of Zelda, this concept has been especially prevalent within each entry since the series began in the mid 80s.
Just as Peter Parker’s uncle always dies in every Spider-Man timeline, there are key narrative beats that each installment inThe Legend of Zeldaseries tends to hit. Specifically speaking, the series protagonist Link undergoes very familiar experiences in most of the games, which can give players a sense of déjà vu if they have played enough entries. Below are some of the most recurring sequences in almost every game fromThe Legend of Zeldaseries.
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Link Is Forced Out of Bed
Kicking things off, the most amusing recurring element inThe Legend of Zeldagames is how in almost every entry, Link is awoken from a deep slumber at the beginning of the game. FromOcarina of TimetoBreath of the Wild, Link just can’t seem to catch a decent cycle of sleep before someone rushes into his room to force him to get up. The sequence plays out differently from game to game, with some featuring Link eager to jump into action and others see him a bit more disgruntled to have been disturbed. Considering the epic adventures that tend to follow this opening scene, there is something incredibly funny about the main character being a guy who was just trying to get some shut-eye before being tasked to save the world.
Link Finds the Master Sword
Every popular character has an iconic weapon or piece of gear to call their own. Kratos has the Blades of Chaos, Cloud has the Buster Sword, and Link has the Master Sword. A mainstay throughout the franchise from the beginning, theMaster Sword is an evil-vanquishing bladewith the power to destroy all creatures of darkness. Link often receives this sword in the latter half of the game, usually after overcoming a significant obstacle or a major narrative event. Additionally, the Master Sword is often found in the middle of a deep forested area, such as within the Lost Woods inBreath of the Wild,though this can vary, with an example being how it was found in the Temple of Time duringOcarina of Time.
Link Loses a Loved One
Speaking of Spider-Man earlier, mostsuperheroes feature a tragic origin story, with a loved one being killed to encourage the hero to pursue justice. In a way, Link shares this motif with superhero stories, as he often loses a family member or dear friend in most major installments as a means of motivation to complete his quest. InOcarina of Time, the Great Deku Tree passes away, and inA Link to the Pasthis uncle is killed in combat. This moment, of course, doesn’t always feature a character dying, but can still be traumatic all the same. In the opening ofMajora’s Mask, Link’s trusty horse Epona is stolen by the Skull Kid.
Link Is The Symbol of Courage
Lastly, Link is the symbol of Courage throughout the entirety ofThe Legend of Zeldafranchise. Magically connected to theancient power of the Triforce, Link’s essence of pure good and determination always make him shine through as the example of bravery in the series. Following the classic narrative concept of being “the chosen one”, each incarnation of Link discovers they represent the Triforce of Courage, and are the force that will drive back the dark creatures plaguing Hyrule.
