Before the Nintendo Switch and Wii U GamePad, there was the Game Boy Advance. It seems like only yesterday that I was playing on that tiny little screen, making the time go by much faster during long car rides — well, unless the screen was too dark to see at night.

Although it seems as if the times of the Game Boy Advance have come and gone, the Nintendo Switch Online subscription has kept it alive. So, if you want to get a blast from the past, here are the best GBA games you can play on the Nintendo Switch.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

To this day, Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 remains my favorite Mario game. The manifold of worlds and vigorous abilities were enough to keep me entertained at the age of eight, a time when I didn't exactly have the best attention span. It stuck with me for so long that I would eventually revisit it again in my adulthood, just to experience the nostalgia.

I know there are plenty of other great Mario titles out there, but you should make the time (if you haven't already) for Super Mario Bros. 3. It's a classic platformer that stands the test of time and is often considered the fan-favorite of the franchise.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

The Legend of Zelda series has carved its place in the Nintendo collection, with unforgettable titles like Ocarina of Time and Tears of the Kingdom. During the Game Boy Advance era, we were graced with The Minish Cap, a classic adventure that follows the valiant Link. What sets this entry apart is its unique perspective, allowing you to experience Hyrule in a whole new light by shrinking Link down in size. This change in scale makes everything around you appear grander, where even the leaves take on a colossal form.

Seeing the world through a smaller lens makes exploring all the more interesting, especially if you spent a lot of time in Hyrule in past games. Though, I will say the dungeons can be a bit grueling, whether with overwhelming hordes of enemies or puzzles that require a bit of backtracking. But if you're a fan of the series and don't mind a little challenge, you should definitely pick this one up. Even newcomers can try it out to experience its retro goodness.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team

Almost every Pokémon entry follows the traditional journey of a trainer as they catch and release critters in an epic battle. But with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, things take a different turn, assuming the role of a Pokémon rather than a human being. In fact, there's not even a human in sight, where the entire universe is only made up of legendary creatures.

The same Pokémon battles you know and love are still present, just with a twist of a much more direct approach. You'll also understand what Pokémon are actually saying, including many dialogue scenes during rescue missions. So, instead of Pikachu's usual "Pika Pika" dialogue, you'll have a rather intellectual conversation with the franchise's most notable character.

F-ZERO Climax

The Nintendo Switch Online system comes with plenty of F-Zero games to choose from, such as Climax, GP Legend, and 99. If I had to pick one, it would have to be F-Zero Climax, considered one of the best in the business with 2D racing games. There's a plethora of modes to go around, from the competitive Grand Pix to the fast-paced Time Attack.

You can also make the tracks much more personalized through Edit mode, where up to 30 original courses can be carefully crafted. That way, you can test out both your customization and racing skills.

Fire Emblem

Since the Fire Emblem series has been around for a long time, you'd have to be living under a rock to not know about it. Heck, even Super Smash Bros. fans are probably familiar with it, as it includes over eight FE fighters in its roster. If you were curious about this franchise or want a nostalgic comeback, you can play the original that started it all (at least internationally): Fire Emblem.

Fire Emblem, also known as Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, immerses you in a strategic adventure across the nation of Lycia. As corruption spreads, you're tasked with outsmarting the enemy on the battlefield. The complex challenge of each fight and the rewarding victories that follow make it a game that's hard to put down. It may just convince you to explore the rest of the series, like Fire Emblem Engage and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes.

Metroid Fusion

With the upcoming release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, it's the perfect time to jump into this action-adventure franchise. Metroid Fusion, in particular, is a beloved entry amongst the Game Boy Advance community thanks to its riveting story, challenging foes, and a mass amount of handy upgrades. We also can't forget about the mighty Samus, the series' long-running main protagonist who's made quite a name for herself in the gaming world.

You'll have to use Samus' strength to take down the X Parasite, known as "SA-X." The terrifying threat of this being almost makes Metroid feel like a horror game, especially with the ominous sounds of its approaching footsteps.

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3

Although I do love playing as Mario, there's something unique about the playstyle of his companions. Yoshi is undoubtedly one of my favorites, using the abilities of his eggs, tongue, and the flight of his Flutter Jump. You'll see these skills in action in Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3, the GBA remake of Super Mario 2: Yoshi's Island.

Instead of the typical Princess Peach rescue mission, Mario and his friends need Yoshi's help to defeat the great Kamek. Most of the cast takes on a new baby form, including Baby Mario and Baby Bowser. They are just plain adorable in this iteration, and the cuteness factor gets even better with the many color variations of Yoshis.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

If you love the platformer escapades of Mario, you'll certainly enjoy Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. You'll take on the role of not one, not two, not three, but four different variants of Kirby. Using the mobile phone, you and your friends can work together online or locally to restore Dream Land to its former glory.

I've always loved how OP Kirby feels in light of his copy ability, which inherits other beings' skills by inhaling them. It gives enemies a taste of their own medicine while also providing a diverse array of combat strategies.

Golden Sun

Like Fire Emblem, Golden Sun is another classic RPG from the Nintendo collection that first took shape on the Game Boy Advance. While the Lost Age is widely known as the best game in the franchise, it's crucial to start with the original GS to understand the story completely. Not only will you go deeper into its expansive lore, but you'll also feel powerful with the magic of Psynergy, wielding the elemental abilities.

The Djinn system, a unique feature of Golden Sun, is the true highlight of the game. These entities, which you collect throughout your journey, can be used to enhance your Psynergy. Each Djinn has its own elemental affinity, and experimenting with their different classes proves entertaining.

Densetsu no Starfy series

When it comes to the Densetsu no Starfy series (also known as The Legendary Starfy), there's not really a wrong choice since they all are exceptional in their own right. The Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online subscription offers three entries for you to play, including DNS 1 to 3. Initially, these platformer games were only available in Japan, but now everyone can finally experience it globally with the NSO.

If you want to play the games in order, you can begin with the first in the series, diving into the underwater tales of the main protagonist, Starfy. However, you're welcome to try out the second or third titles to explore more unique worlds.

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Some of the best swords in gaming are particularly iconic, such as the Keyblade and the Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda. They help give us a power fantasy in video games as they strengthen our heroes and strike fear into our foes.

So here are the ten most iconic swords in gaming—and naturally—this is my humble opinion. Let's go.

10. The Crucible (Doom Eternal)

The Crucible from Doom Eternal is the epitome of badass. This huge red sword with the flared blade tip is one of the main marketing images shown within the trailer of the game, as seen above, ramping up excitement for the 2020 sequel. It lets you slice and dice demons with its sheer power. It's filled with demon energy and has some epic text on the blade that makes the weapon look ancient and rare. It's so cool that the Demon Slayer had dreams about this mythical sword in the previous game.

9. The Monado (Xenoblade Chronicles)

The Monado is a legendary energy sword that is a major part of the story in Xenoblade Chronicles. It's a unique blade that has different modes that the protagonist Shulk can switch to. The Buster symbol helps you deal double the damage to the Machina, Shield creates a barrier, and Speed enhances dodging for your party. With each mode, the hilt changes the symbol, which is a neat detail. It's a long blade that feels powerful in Xenoblade Chronicles and Super Smash Bros. in which Shulk is a playable character.

8. Rebellion (Devil May Cry)

Dante might be the coolest action hero in gaming, so it makes sense that Rebellion is a badass sword. Passed down from his father, Dante's blood awakened the power of this sword. It's an extremely sharp weapon that can eliminate all manner of demons, including the Savior himself. The sword looks flashy during combat in the games, and the hilt having a skull is an extremely cool feature.

It's no surprise Rebellion is one of the best swords in gaming. Dante's combat is stellar, especially within Devil May Cry V. "One moment you might be twirling around shotguns to keep away a mob, then swap to swords to isolate a big threat, then in half a second throttle to Royal Guard to perfectly parry an attack, throw back the force of the blow, then use Trickster to dart away and flow back into combat with a teleport," said our review of the fifth mainline entry.

7. Soul Edge (Soul Calibur)

Soul Edge has been a major part of the Soul Calibur story since its inception. It's a massive two-handed sword that has a creepy eye within its hilt. If you manage to hold it, you'll wield great power, but it comes with a great cost. It can possess your soul until the end of your life. The weapon itself, while wielded by Nightmare in-game, is powerful. It's slow but when it manages to hit an opponent like Kilik or Siegfried, it can devastate their HP. If this is a list of the most deadly weapons in gaming, it would certainly be up there.

6. Energy Sword (Halo)

The Energy Sword is one of the few melee weapons you can use in the Halo series, and it certainly is powerful. It can one-shot enemies as you slash this sword across the map. It electrifies Master Chief and Arbiter's enemies in an instant. The sound design is just as satisfying as attacking foes with it. You can hear the heft of the sword as you swing it to and fro. The energizing sound of the slash is also "untouchable." There is a reason why this weapon returns in every game.

5. Blades of Chaos (God of War)

God of War, despite how old the series is, is still one of the most gripping action games you can play. That's partly thanks to the Blades of Chaos that Kratos wields in the original trilogy and into the modern era. They rip and tear through his enemies in ghastly ways. You'll see these mythical beasts torn apart by the strength of these blades as you perform the most satisfying quick-time events imaginable. The way these dual swords are thrown around like whips is awe-inspiring, and Kratos can perform some impressive combos with this weapon. The Blades of Chaos are indeed mighty, and one of the coolest weapons in games.

4. Diamond Sword (Minecraft)

One of the best items you can craft in Minecraft is the Diamond Sword. It's hard to find the resources, but once you have it in your hands, you'll have no fear. Famous YouTuber of the time when Minecraft was in its early years TobyTurner (Tobuscus) even made a song about it and it received millions of views. You can even purchase an officially licensed replica of this sword at stores like Amazon many years later, so it's easily iconic. The Diamond Sword is also featured in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with Steve being able to craft it during battles. The sword is so overpowered that it can take out a rival on the stage at 45% stamina as shown by Nintendo Unity on YouTube.

3. The Keyblade (Kingdom Hearts)

The Keyblade is an iconic weapon that Sora wields in the Kingdom Hearts series. Taking on many forms, this weapon can seal or open any lock and can strike foes with strong attacks and magic. Sora can even heal his allies like Donald and Goofy with a Cure spell. The original form of Sora's keyblade the Kingdom Key features a keychain that resembles the iconic Disney character Mickey Mouse as well. The crown that acts as the blade's edge is also a heavy symbol of the series overall.

Another neat fact about the Keyblade is that with every hit, a cool effect flies out of the blade. Each Keyblade, such as Jungle King, Monochrome, and Oathkeeper, has a different effect. You can get a replica Kingdom Key from many different conventions, and Bandai makes an official version with a keyhole light attached to it. I dream of having one of those someday.

2. Buster Sword (Final Fantasy VII)

You cannot make a most iconic video game swords list and not include the Buster Sword. This weapon is ridiculously gigantic for a slender man like Cloud Strife, and yet it's so wild that it works with the character. Each slash of the blade is heavy and feels impactful as you strike the likes of Sephiroth and Cactuars. It looks cool every time Cloud rests the Buster Sword and sheathes it on his back.

You can always see it clearly sitting on his back during cutscenes as well, making its presence known. Additionally, there's this glowing silver shine that looks so beautiful as you fight through Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Lastly, one of the coolest mechanics with the Buster Sword is that you can change the Materia equipped, adding the glow of the stones that are attached near the bottom of the blade.

1. Master Sword (The Legend of Zelda)

There was probably no doubt since you clicked this article that the Master Sword would take the top spot on this list. And for good reason. The Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda series is legendary. Nintendo makes it an event whenever Link picks up the majestic weapon for the first time. When Link is reunited with the Master Sword in Breath of the Wild, it's a magical moment, especially after the many, many hours of weapons breaking so quickly.

Additionally, in Ocarina of Time, the weapon lets Link shift between the child and adult timelines in what was an industry-changing moment. It even has its own theme song throughout the series like Zelda does. The hilt has a beautiful blue and yellow ornate design, and the blade itself glows in a stunning blue as it attempts to repel anything malevolent close by.

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Sometimes, you really can not have enough. Perhaps you are one of those fans of The Legend of Zelda who have already managed to consume, play and replay each and every game, from the classic A Link to the Past to the more obscure Link's Crossbow Training. Or perhaps you simply want to take your appreciation of the series to the next level. Well, here are a few books to read if you like the Legend of Zelda games, for every age and palate.

Books to read if you like The Legend of Zelda games

In this list, while we are going to explore the fantasy world in depth, that doesn't mean the themes recurring in the series of games might can't be found in other non-fantasy books as well.

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin

Being a young wizard is never easy, right? Just ask Ged. He will have to try not only to learn how to use magic, explore faraway lands, and battle evil, but also to deal with his personal problems. In the series of books centered on a young man's journey in discovering his own powers and limitations, and dealing with a world that is often evil, the author explores many of the same themes as The Legend of Zelda, with great character building and many emotional scenes.

The Wheel of Time (series) by Robert Jordan

Going strong since its original release in 1990, the Wheel of Time series follows the adventures of Moiraine Damodred as she tries to stand against the coming of the age of darkness and the threat of The Dark One. They are locked in a seemingly neverending loop of good and evil, much like Link with Ganon. With relatable characters, and strong world-building, especially in the later books in the series, the Wheel of Time will be sure to please Zelda fans looking for some dungeon exploring, themes of friendship, and epic quests.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

We knew this was coming, if you have not read the book yet then it might be time to do it. The echoes and inspiration in the Zelda series are quite clear, as Bilbo Baggins will have to grow and learn how to use weapons and wield world-changing powers to save the dwarves' country from the evil dragon Smaug. While there is no princess to save, personal growth and heroism are always central themes of the story, along with classic big war scenes. While it does help to have previous knowledge of The Lord of the Rings and its characters, this is still great as a stand-alone fantasy experience and highly recommended for Zelda fans of all ages.

The Belgariad (Series) by David Eddings

If you are a fan of the themes of coming-of-age in the Legend of Zelda and want something similar, The Belgariad will definitely please, as it follows the story of young farm boy Garion. As the chosen one to save the world against the evil god Torak, he will need the help of his friends to find out how to do it while also staying away from bad influences and temptations. This five-book series is a great read for kids and younger teenagers, but we believe it will also interest adults as well.

Arcane Ascension (series) by Andrew Rowe

Among the many recurring themes in the Legend of Zelda series, one that has been going strong ever since the first game is that of trials. Overcoming them to become stronger, to better wield your powers, and to take responsibility for the world you create while growing up. These themes are quite strong in Rowe's series of books, where Corin Cadence leaves his home to go look for his brother. He was supposed to overcome trials in the dangerous Serpent Spire tower but never returned. This journey starts an epic saga of quests, growing up, and meeting peculiar characters. A great read for whoever likes dungeon exploring and emotional action scenes.

The Runelords series by David Farland

If you want a series of books that seem to follow very closely the Legend of Zelda's overall ideas, then it might be difficult to find a closer one than Runelords. In the series, a young prince named Gaborn Val Orden wants to marry a princess but becomes entangled in a global war when the evil Lord Raj Ahten plans to invade Heredon. Before conquering the heart of the princess, Gaborn will have to find his way toward becoming a true noble and heroic prince. A great read for both young and old, the Runelords series weaves an epic tale of questing, defeating enemies, and finding new friends.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Young curious Elisabeth has grown up in a world of strange and magical things, that she has long recognized as being evil. In fact, she wants to one day become a warden, the ones who protect the world from the mystical and magical power of sorcerers. But then, she is trapped in a curious act of sabotage and forced to work with an actual sorcerer, Nathaniel Thorn, to bring back her reputation. A young adult fantasy novel that will please Legend of Zelda players for its themes of love and friendship between two young, but different, people, Sorcery of Thorns is well on its way to becoming a cult classic.

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Warbreaker will immerse the reader in a world where magic is fueled by breath, while gods are walking among mortals. The story follows two sisters, Vivenna and Siri, who find themselves embroiled in a political and magical conflict that could change their kingdom forever. With its intricate magic system, many political conflicts plus themes of sacrifice and redemption, the author weaves a story that mirrors many of the undercurrent themes of power, destiny, and choice found in the Zelda series. This is definitely recommended for both young teenagers and adults alike.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

While the movie is probably more well-known today, the book still weaves an enchanting tale of true love, sword fights, and adventure. Compared to other fantasy classics that we have recommended, Goldman sprinkles much more humor than usual, this style will please those looking for a bit of the whimsical atmosphere from The Legend of Zelda. Also, Westley starts as a poor farm boy and then goes all the way to rescuing a princess, it cannot get any more Zelda than that.

Shannara (Series) by Terry Brooks

The classic fantasy series by Brooks does take place in a post-apocalyptic world, while still following the classic tropes of the genre. We follow Shea Omsford in his quest to recover the sword of Shannara, while also following Prince Balinor while he tries to defend his homeland from both his crazed brother and the attack of the Dark One. While sticking close to classic fantasy, Shannara features modern themes of environmentalism and heroism, as opposed to the classic Lord of the Rings series which might make it more of a current read for teenagers and young adults, especially those who love themes of heroism and friendship from Zelda.

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As video games have been getting bigger and bigger, the overall cost of their development has also been increasing as well. This is something that has been affecting almost every big gaming company, and Nintendo is obviously no exception.

In a recent Investors Q&A, several key figures at the company discussed different topics regarding the current state of the gaming industry and the future of the company. The second question was all about the rising costs of game development, which Shigeru Miyamoto, one of the most important developers and designers in video game history, answered. "Our research and development expenses have been increasing each year. Since our scale of development has grown, a corresponding increase in costs is, in some respects, inevitable," he said.

Miyamoto quite obviously has a point because, as different as Nintendo is from its competition, the company still put out numerous expansive, high-budget video games in the last few years. When you take a look at recent titles, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey, they are obviously way more ambitious than their predecessors from previous console generations, like The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword or Super Mario 3D World.

Nintendo is confident in what it's creating

But Shigeru Miyamoto followed up this statement with, "Our belief is that what we create is more important than the amount spent on development. We continue refining our products until we are confident that we have created something that our consumers will be satisfied with. With that in mind, what is important is to find ideas that are worth honing, and this has not changed since the era of the NES.", meaning that the company is ultimately confident of what games it's currently creating.

This is a philosophy that Nintendo has been following since the 80s: the Big N tends to go in its own unique direction, ignoring current trends, giving creatives the freedom to create what they want, and focusing on making fun experiences instead of obsessing over graphics or huge open worlds. Of course, this philosophy can fail (and has failed) but the monumental success of the Nintendo Switch has definitely proven that Nintendo is doing things right by prioritizing innovative ideas. "In the entertainment business, it is possible to create appealing products based on intriguing ideas, without incurring significant costs", clarified Miyamoto.

Smaller video games are also very important for the company

On another important note, Miyamoto also said, "We believe that not all products require large costs. Even in the case of video games, with the current technology it is possible to create fun games with a small number of developers in a short period of time." He is 100% correct about this sentiment because Nintendo has excelled at making smaller games that still are a lot of fun and resonate with its player base. For every game like Zelda: Tears of Kingdom, there's another like Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. For every Super Mario Odyssey, there's a Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and so on and so forth.

Nintendo's Senior Managing Executive Officer and Corporate Director, Shinya Takahashi, agreed with Miyamoto and added "I believe unique titles that are small in scale, but worth polishing can be created by expanding on the ideas of a small number of developers, rather than spending large sums of money on every game." Lastly, Ko Shiota, Senior Executive Officer and Corporate Director at Nintendo, talked about the importance of providing developers with an environment that allows them to work efficiently.

"I believe that the most important thing for Nintendo is how we create new ideas. Bigger budgets do not necessarily equate to better ideas, so we hope to continue to focus on a process where teams of hardware and software developers share ideas to create interesting things" concluded Shiota, with a shocking statement that perfectly describes Nintendo's efficient design philosophy. If these higher-ups remain true to their word, the company is going to continue thriving after the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch's successor.

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The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is one of the most iconic video games in Nintendo’s library, and they’ve ported it to multiple consoles over the decades. This begs the question: is Ocarina of Time available on the Nintendo Switch, and is it still worth playing?

Can you play Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo Switch?

The simple, sweet answer is yes, Ocarina of Time is available on the Nintendo Switch. You can’t buy an Ocarina of Time Switch cartridge, but you can play the game on the Switch if you’ve got a subscription to the Expansion Pack tier of Nintendo Switch Online.

This improved version of Nintendo Switch Online allows you to play Nintendo 64 games on the Switch’s virtual console. Because it's the Nintendo 64’s most highly rated game, the Expansion Pack’s base catalog includes Ocarina of Time.

Nintendo Switch Online is pretty cheap for a gaming subscription service, and the Expansion Pack tier isn’t much more expensive than the base tier. The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack bundle will cost you $49.99 yearly, almost a hundred dollars less than one year of Xbox Game Pass.

Is Ocarina of Time worth playing on the Nintendo Switch

As much as I'd love to dismiss this question with some snarky variant of "Do I need to answer that?" this is a fair question. Luckily for us Zelda fans, playing Ocarina of Time on the Switch is worth it. Heck, it might be the best way to experience the game if you don't have a Nintendo 64 and an original cartridge.

The big thing to note is that the version of Ocarina of Time on the Switch is a port, not an enhanced remaster like the Wii U's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. This is a straight rip of the original Nintendo 64 build running on the Switch. Ocarina of Time got an enhanced remaster on the 3DS in 2011, but that version is exclusive to that console, at least for now.

Regardless, the version of Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch is still worth playing. It's every bit the epic coming-of-age adventure it was back in 1998, and playing it on the Switch adds some weight to the game's themes of accepting the inevitability of change. On top of that, the snappiness of the Nintendo Joy-Cons makes it easier to beat some of the game's more frustrating sections. It may not be the best Zelda game on the Switch, but it is one of the best ways to experience an all-time gaming classic.

The post How to play Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Switch – and is it worth it? appeared first on Destructoid.

Ever since The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom came out this past September, fans began wondering where exactly it fits on the franchise's infamously convoluted timeline. After months of theories and speculation, Nintendo finally gave us a definitive answer out of nowhere.

A few hours ago, Nintendo updated the official Legend of Zelda timeline on its website in order to add Echoes of Wisdom. The most recent installment in the franchise is part of the "Fallen Hero" Timeline, a branched subsection that takes place in a hypothetical scenario in which Ganondorf defeated Link at the end of Ocarina of Time.

To be more specific, Echoes of Wisdom takes place after the 3DS co-op game, Tri Force Heroes, and right before the events of the original The Legend of Zelda for NES. Although, like most other entries in this franchise, there doesn't seem to be any direct connections between all three games and the plot of each one takes place thousands of years apart from the others.

Does the placement of Echoes of Wisdom in the Zelda timeline make sense?

The Legend of Zelda's timeline is infamous for its complexity and branched paths, so it's important to point out whether the brand-new addition of Echoes of Wisdom makes sense or not, and fortunately, it does. For starters, the "Fallen Hero" Timeline has most of the 2D Legend of Zelda titles in it, from the original NES title to Link to the Past and even A Link Between Words. While Echoes of Wisdom does feature 3D graphics, Nintendo and Grezzo still built it as a 2D game with a top-view perspective, so it still fits perfectly.

On the other hand, this placement isn't much of a surprise because Link's Awakening is also on the "Fallen Hero" timeline. Satoshi Terada and Eiji Aonuma recently revealed in an interview that Grezzo's Nintendo Switch remake of Link's Awakening was a huge influence on the development of Echoes of Wisdom, so many fans theorized that both games belonged to the same part of the timeline. In case you were wondering about the placement of the other two recent mainline entries, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, you should know that Nintendo keeps them out of the main Legend of Zelda timeline, on their own separate timeline.

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Link is undoubtedly one of the most iconic silent protagonists in the video game industry. For many years, The Legend of Zelda fans have been asking Nintendo to make him speak with words in a game and, curiously enough, they almost got their wish in the most recent installment.

Per VGC, the director of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Satoshi Terada, and longtime producer of the franchise, Eiji Aonuma, recently did an interview with Famitsu in which they revealed several fascinating tidbits about the title's development. The one that immediately caught most people's attention was the unexpected revelation that they almost made Link speak since Zelda was the playable protagonist this time around.

After the interviewer asked him about it, Aonuma confirmed that Link was speaking at one point of development. Terada followed it up by saying, "I had Link talk a little bit. No matter what I made him say, it just didn’t feel right", to which Aonuma agreed and added, "Link would never speak like that, that’s only natural, because he’s never spoken before. So we had to come up with a setting where he couldn’t speak, and that’s how we came up with part of the story".

This is a fascinating revelation because The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was a groundbreaking new entry in the series just for having Princess Zelda as the playable protagonist instead of Link, so getting to see him speak for the first time in the franchise would have made this game even more exciting. Fans have been debating on whether Link should talk for several years, so I can't help but wonder how they would have reacted to him doing it for the first time in Echoes of Wisdom.

Everyone can beat The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

However, that's not the only interesting thing that Terada and Aonuma revealed in this interview. Something else that caught our attention is how the Link's Awakening remake influenced Echoes of Wisdom's development. Aonuma claimed that they built this new game as an extension of developer Grezzo's previous The Legend of Zelda project, which is what led to Echoes of Wisdom having a top-view perspective, similar to old 2D Zelda games.

Aonuma also clarified that this direction is what influenced the game's art style and mechanics, claiming that it would have been impossible to bring a similar game system into a world like the one in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and that they were able to do many things only because of Echoes of Wisdom's top-view perspective.

When compared to the aforementioned Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of Kingdom, it's immediately evident that Echoes of Wisdom is a much simpler and easier entry in The Legend of Zelda series, mostly thanks to stuff like the removal of fall damage or the addition of the versatile Echoes mechanic.

This was entirely intentional, as Aonuma revealed that he and Shigeru Miyamoto discussed making a Zelda game that "everyone can reach the goal of" for a long time; an accessible experience that every type of player could beat without giving up halfway through, reach the ending and be happy with it. He feels that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is the game they have been thinking about for so many years.

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If you’ve been into gaming for a few decades, you’ll have fond memories of Saturday mornings diving into the latest releases on Nintendo 64. While the likelihood of you having a Nintendo 64 still available to play is slim, the Switch offers a limited number of titles from the iconic console. 

It’s been 28 years since the Nintendo 64 first hit TV units across the world, and 22 years since the final game was released for the console in North America (Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, for those interested). That’s a long time to go without playing some of the classics that were available during the console’s six-year tenure. 

However, if you’ve got a Nintendo Switch Online+ Expansion Pack membership, there are a few of those classics available to play. While some of them are definitely more niche, here are 10 of the best titles available to play. Apologies in advance if this list reminds you that we're aging up a little too fast...

Super Mario 64

I can’t begin this list without mentioning Super Mario 64. It was one of two games that were released alongside the launch of the N64 in North America (alongside Pilotwings 64), so it’s one of the first games that springs to mind when I think back to queuing outside my local video game store to get the console on launch day in 1996. 

I don’t feel like I need to explain Super Mario 64 too much, but just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the last 39 years, let me give you the TLDR (which goes for most of the games): Mario is invited to visit Princess Peach, only to find Bowser has infiltrated and kidnapped her. Cue a mad dash across the realm to locate and rescue the Princess, and take down Bowser. 

Pokémon Snap

If you want an updated version of this classic 1999 Pokémon title, then you can get New Pokémon Snap, which was released specifically for the Switch back in 2021. However, nothing quite touches the original in terms of nostalgia and classic design. There’s something really special about curling up and snapping shots of Pokémon as remembered from childhood. 

What tips the original over the successor, personally, is the lack of pressure to complete tasks. Admittedly there isn’t much in the new one either, but if you face a lot of pressure on a daily basis, being able to simply focus on taking photos rather than needing a reason to is actually really nice. 

Paper Mario

First reaching North America in 2001, Paper Mario is the first in a series of six games (or seven, if you count Paper Jam) to feature Mario and associated characters in their “2.5D” forms. Again, the plot is familiar to all Mario fans - Bowser has Princess Peach, and Mario must battle through the Mushroom Kingdom to get her back and kick some overgrown turtle butt. 

What makes the Paper Mario series incredibly special, and especially the first, is not only the art style but the puzzles and cooperation with other characters as well. The RPG elements and turn-based combat moments are tense, but not overly so. 

GoldenEye 007

GoldenEye 007 is an absolutely guaranteed memory for anyone who grew up in the 90s, whether you actually played or simply knew other people who did and desperately wanted to but your parents thought it was too graphic. The idea of the latter is laughable now, considering the current gaming graphics we’ve become so used to, but the 90s were a different time. 

Regardless, the cover art of GoldenEye 007 is enough to trigger some childhood memories for most, featuring Pierce Brosnan as Bond and Izabella Scorupco as Natalya Simonova. It’s based on the story from 1995’s GoldenEye, and as Bond, it’s up to the player to take down a criminal syndicate and prevent them from using a satellite weapon. It also had multiplayer options, which would usually result in an argument or two. 

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Released in 1998, Ocarina of Time was the first of the Zelda game series to feature 3D graphics. It is, arguably, among the best and most iconic video games of all time, and at the time of release, it received far more pre-orders than any other game before it. 

As with most other Zelda titles, you take the role of Link and have all of his usual weapons in your arsenal, including the iconic sword and shield. The story is hard to explain if you’ve never played, but in short, Link must awaken the five Sages, defeat Ganondorf, and protect the kingdom of Hyrule. 

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards was released in 2000, and as with the previous Ocarina of Time, The Crystal Shards was the first Kirby title to have 3D graphics. For most people of a certain age, Kirby is one of those games that invokes a huge amount of nostalgia and has come to many platforms in the time since it was first released, including the Wii, Wii U, and now the Nintendo Switch. 

The story of The Crystal Shards involves Kirby having to reassemble a sacred crystal that has been shattered by Dark Matter. If you’ve ever played a Kirby game, you’ll know what to expect - explore 2.5D levels and devour your enemies to gain their powers. However, The Crystal Shards also introduced Power Combos, allowing you to mix and match powers to create new and much more powerful ones. 

Banjo-Kazooie

As far as platformers go, Banjo-Kazooie borders on being wildly underappreciated. The first in a line of five titles, Banjo-Kazooie was released back in 1998. Banjo, the honey bear in fetching yellow shorts and always in possession of his trusty backpack, was first introduced in 1997 as part of the cast of Diddy Kong Racing. Kazooie, the Breegull who can be found sheltering inside the aforementioned backpack, was introduced in this game and the pair became a beloved duo. 

Together, Banjo and Kazooie must track down Banjo’s kidnapped sister, Tooty, who has been kidnapped by the evil witch Gruntilda. Gameplay is a mix of delightful (although often frustrating) platform levels, puzzles, and boss fights. There’s something incredibly satisfying about collecting music notes and Jiggies that open doors to new worlds. 

Yoshi’s Story

Yoshi’s Story was released in North America in 1998, and is a fruit-eating joy to play regardless of age. While most of the other titles on this list are adventuring games with someone to rescue, Yoshi’s Story provides something different: the endless frustration of trying to be better than you were before. There is an element of adventure and storytelling, but it arguably takes a back seat to beating your own high score.

There are two modes in Yoshi’s Story: Story Mode and Trial Mode. To unlock new levels in Trial Mode, you must first complete the levels in Story Mode, and completing them requires the apparently simple task of eating 30 fruits. But of course, it’s not that simple. Each type of fruit is worth a different amount of points, with Melons giving the most, and there are also Lucky Fruits that offer a bonus. 

Perfect Dark

Perfect Dark is described as a “spiritual successor” to GoldenEye 007, runs on an upgraded version of the same game engine, and was developed and released three years later in 2000. Perfect Dark came not only with a solo campaign mode but also multiplayer options such as co-operative and deathmatch modes. It's making a comeback as well, but it remains to be seen whether a remake can touch the nostalgia of the original.

As Joanna Dark, you must complete objectives while avoiding or eliminating opponents to eventually stop an extraterrestrial conspiracy by a corporation known as dataDyne. As with GoldenEye, there are many weapons to choose from, but now these weapons all have additional useful features. The K7 Avenger, for instance, will detect threats such as nearby explosives. 

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Released two years after Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask hit shelves and TV screens in 2000 and features the same 3D graphics that premiered in the previous title. Majora’s Mask is… Confusing, to say the least. The gameplay involves a 3-day cycle that must be replayed, using knowledge learned from previous cycles to perform better during subsequent ones. 

One of the best features of Majora’s Mask is the transformations provided by the core masks that Link can use - a Deku Scrub, a Goron, and a Zora. Each transformation provides Link with different, incredibly useful abilities, and you’ll need to think carefully about which form you take to complete puzzles and quests throughout the story. And did I mention that Link can control time and the moon is enough to give any kid nightmares for weeks?

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Vocavor is one of the more unique bosses in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Instead of waiting until you've reached the end of Jabul Waters to confront you, this prehistoric-looking fish ambushes you immediately and forces you into a chase where your only options are "swim" or "die."

Your encounters with Vocavor will test your navigational, decision-making, and combat skills. If you follow my steps, sinking this deep-sea predator shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Zelda Echoes of Wisdom Vocavor Chase Guide

I recommend grabbing the Zora Flippers from the River Zora village shop before you set foot in Jabul Ruins. You'll be spending most of your time in this dungeon underwater, so the added mobility the flippers give you will never stop coming in handy while you're here. 400 Ruppes is a steep price, but the benefits outweigh the costs.

You'll run into Vocavor almost immediately after you fall through the floor at the start of Jabul Ruins. After you've passed the two Bindable boulders blocking your path, Vocavor will swim into the foreground and generate a massive whirlpool before swimming away. Rude.

To state the obvious right way, you want to avoid getting hit by Vocavor's whirlpool. It does a whole heart-and-a-half of damage, and if you aren't careful, you'll get tossed out of the vortex, bounce off a wall, and get pulled back into its current. Invincibility frames don't last long in EoW, so you can run out of health quickly here if you aren’t careful.

The route the whirlpool chases you down has two forks. The top path of both is clear but complicated, while the lower one puts enemies in your way. Personalty, I’d recommend taking the lower path both times. You can use the Bind ability underwater, so all you have to do is grab whatever's in your way and carry it until it's out of your way. Once you've cleared the two divergences, it's a straight shot to the end.

Zelda Echoes of Wisdom Vocavor Boss Guide

Once you've reached the end of Jabul Ruins, you'll get to fight Vocavor for real. Vocavor's attack pattern is anything but complex. He swims from one side of the room to another, summoning more whirlpools you'll need to swim under or over to avoid. Occasionally, he'll fire off some homing spikes from his back, but you can avoid them by hiding behind the two platforms in the room.

If you dodge Vocavor's attacks long enough, he'll stop to rest, exposing his big, glowing back. Swap into swordsman mode and hit it. One hit will stun him, allowing you to land even more hits until he inevitably recovers. Hit him enough times, and you'll transition into the second phase of the fight.

At the start of this phase, Vocavor creates two air bubbles on both sides of the arena and stays in them. Thi means you can't swim up to his back when he makes himself vulnerable. To hit his weak spot, you'll either need to swim as close to the roof as possible and jump out of the war in swordsman mode or summon an flying monster Echo like the Keese.

The fight will be over once you've dealt enough damage, and Tri will heal the Jabul Ruins rift. The battle against Vocavor can be challenging if you don't have the Zora flippers, but you'll be all right if you keep your cool and wait patiently for your opening to attack.

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If you plan to reach the boss at the end of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's Suthorn Ruins, you'll need to unlock the door to its room with a Big Key. Unfortunately, the key's hidden behind a puzzle that tests your skill with a tricky new ability.

How to get Suthorn Ruins' Boss Key in Zelda Echoes of Wisdom

You can find the Big Key on the first of Suthorn Ruins in a room you can’t get to immediately. To get to this room, you'll need to progress to the second floor of the dungeon and get past the big gate. Head down the ladder once you’ve opened the door and beaten the mid-boss.

You'll find yourself in an area of the first floor cut off from the others. The first room is simple enough to navigate; just jump on the single moving platform once it’s close enough and ride it to the other side of the room. The second room is a bit more complex since you enter underneath a moving platform instead of next to it. Wait until the platform’s directly above you, then use Bind to connect yourself to it and hit “R” to follow the platform to the other side. 

Rinse and repeat until you’ve reached the ladder to the next room. You’ll see a set of bars in front of you with a giant chest, a statue, and a button on the other side. Preceding rooms have taught you to push buttons like this by putting statues on them. Unfortunately, this button’s on a raised platform, so you can’t just pick up the statue and put it on it.

Luckily, you’ve probably picked up the fact that anything you grab with Bind will move with you as you gain altitude, so all you need to do is get higher. You learned to use Echos as platforms during your escape from Hyrule Castle, so you already have everything you need to solve this puzzle.

Pack whatever object Echos you want into a staircase you can use to get high enough to reach the button. I did this by stacking a Table Echo on top of a Bed Echo. Once you’ve got your staircase, grab the Statue with Bind and carry the statue to the button. The bars will open once you let the statue drop, so head over the chest and claim your prize.

Hyrule opens up after you’ve beaten Suthorn Ruins, and it’s waiting for you to set out and explore it. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, check out some of our guides on how to complete side quests, gather ingredients for Smoothies, and heal the rifts ripping into the land.

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It’s hard not to fixate on playing as Zelda in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Link has been the mainstay player character in the series since its inception, barring some smaller moments and the collective hallucinations that were the CDi titles. So, this has been a long time coming.

But it would take more than simply being able to wear a dress to get me excited. Zelda is about as blank-slate as Link. Her personality changes depending on the needs of the game, and most of the time, she still manages to be the most boring person in the room. Thankfully Echoes of Wisdom is more than just a dress-wearer. It instead mixes elements from the series to create something distinct with appropriately mixed results.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Switch [Reviewed])
Developer: Nintendo, Grezzo
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: September 26, 2024
MSRP: $59.99

You start off playing the familiar green-skirted hero, Link. You’re given a tutorial on exactly how to Link, which would be a clever misdirection if Echoes of Wisdom didn’t give away the plot on its cover. With your sword and shield, you fight Link to the Past-era Ganon, but on the edge of success, the ground opens up and swallows Link.

Zelda, who was inexplicably captured before the events of the game, then steps into the player character's shoes. It seems that Hyrule has been getting swallowed up by sinister-looking rifts, sucking in whoever was standing there at the time. As Zelda, you need to find a way to close them and rescue the people (including Link), along with your insanely generic assist partner, Tri.

The big twist on the Zelda formula is that you can conjure items into the environment, and typical gameplay has you figure out how to use them to bypass obstacles. In that way, it’s a lot like Tears of the Kingdom. Even despite its top-down perspective and less complicated physics engine, it also feels a lot like Tears of the Kingdom, which is fine. It invites a lot of comparison to a much larger game on the same system, but at least Echoes of Wisdom has classic dungeons.

You can also create any non-boss enemy in the game, and there’s something deeply satisfying about fighting alongside a Moblin. Zelda herself is mostly relegated to pulling something heavy from the ether and hurling it at her foes. Not far into the game, she obtains the ability to essentially transform into Link and fight more familiarly, but the transformation is on a rather short timer, meaning you can’t just choose to play as Link for the whole game.

On the other hand, you can fill that bar using a properly mixed smoothie, which Echoes of Wisdom is strangely obsessed with. Throughout your adventures, you’ll be tripping over apples and blocks of butter, which you can then take to a friendly Deku Scrub to mix into a usable item with a variety of properties. It’s a bit like the cooking system in Breath of the Wild, but far less deep.

The obsession with smoothies has another downside, which is that Echoes of Wisdom thinks that ingredients are a worthwhile reward. There’s not much more deflating than completing a sidequest or climbing to an out-of-reach treasure chest and finding that it contains five cacti. I’m not expecting a heart piece every time I find someone’s cat, but I was carrying an entire grocery store of unused food by the time I finished the game.

It’s going to sound like I’m really down on Echoes of Wisdom for a lot of this review, but I want to stress that this is because it doesn’t really hold up to the comparisons that it sets itself up for. It uses the world of Link to the Past with its borders extended and parts of it jumbled around a bit, but it never comes close to matching it. Its echo system has a way of making you feel clever, but it’s nowhere near the level that Tears of the Kingdom does. However, it’s a decent game in its own right.

I’m happy to see the return of the art style used for the Link’s Awakening remake. I think the toylike look of it is very charming, and it does a good job of evoking the 2D games of the series. However, like Link’s Awakening, the framerate is extremely inconsistent. That hasn’t been changed. Traveling the world means seeing the game start to chug frequently. It’s bad enough that a sudden drop in framerate threw me off during a mini-game and resulted in me failing it. Not the end of the world, but never something you like to see.

I was never married to the overworld/dungeon format of pre-Breath of the Wild games, but it’s nice to see Echoes of Wisdom return to it for variety’s sake. Usually, dungeons are also preceded by segments in the “Still World” where chunks of landscape float in empty space, sometimes at unusual angles. The challenges here are usually not as intricate as the dungeons themselves, but they’re decent appetizers.

For that matter, the dungeons are a bit of a letdown. Unfortunately, they chose Link to the Past’s world as the setting, because the monotonous delves really stand in stark contrast to the thematically-focused ones of the SNES title. Despite having completed the game just last night and having cleared the whole thing in a brief timeframe, I would struggle to tell you how each dungeon differentiated itself. I could tell you how the Zora one is unique, but nothing beyond that.

This may be a side-effect of the echo system; it’s hard to fine-tune puzzles when there are so many things to account for. When experimentation is encouraged, it’s hard to prevent shortcuts. There was one recurring puzzle where you needed to place a block on two tiles simultaneously. I was able to figure out a method that bypassed however the designer intended you to solve it that worked every time.

But in the absence of a solution to that self-inflicted pain, most of the puzzles are figuring out how to place an object on a switch or simply traversing difficult terrain. As a result, everything becomes monotonous, and that feeling continues to grow as you proceed. I became very proficient at traversal and switch operation, so everything became routine halfway through.

For a game that encourages the player to use their creative imagination, there’s a noticeable lack of imagination in the design of Echoes of Wisdom. It feels like the development team was pushing against limitations that weren’t there and came up short. As I said, in its own right, it’s a decent game, it’s just not a particularly memorable Zelda game, which is sort of ironic.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom puts a new spin on the series’ formula but never quite finds itself. I like coming up with creative ways to use as bed as much as the next person, but I’d prefer if the challenges were more consistently creative in return. Instead, things just bled together until I could have just played on autopilot. It takes more than a dress and a bed to keep things interesting.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game purchased by the reviewer.]}

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Since the 80s, the Zelda franchise has had a huge variety of enemies for the hero Link to hack and slash his way through while exploring Hyrule. As the years have gone by, the best foes have often appeared in multiple games, however, it’s been a while since we’ve seen some of them.

With the latest title Echoes of Wisdom ushering in a new era for the franchise, there are some enemies we wish would come back to the series. Here are the ten enemies we want back in Zelda — and luckily ReDeads don’t need to be on this list since they’re in Echoes of Wisdom.

10 enemies that Zelda should bring back 

1. Darknuts

An imposing suit of armor that gives me a chance to sword fight? Yes, please. Darknuts have been around in the series for a while now, but it’s no contest that their Twilight Princess appearance is the best. These black suits of armor with intricate detail are just so much fun to fight and provide a unique challenge that simple baddies like Bulbins and Lizalfos just couldn’t compete with. 

2. Deku Babas

Every good fantasy series needs an evil plant, and Deku Babas have long served that purpose for The Legend of Zelda. Sadly, they didn’t show up in Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, and there wasn’t anything similar. Were they particularly difficult? No, but there’s nothing quite like seeing Link suddenly tossed 10 feet away screaming because one of these guys popped up out of nowhere.

3. Wallmasters

Another classic that’s sadly missing, Wallmasters were Gloom Hands before Gloom Hands existed. These disembodied hands will slowly fall from the ceiling before snatching up Link and throwing him back to the beginning of the dungeon. Equally terrifying and annoying, the moment you first run into one in Ocarina of Time’s Forest Temple is just as memorable as your first Guardian fight.

4. Dodongos

Dodongos are the closest thing to dinosaurs we’ll probably ever have in Zelda, so it’s not hard to see why we want them back. While they weren’t ever too difficult, they provided a great unique enemy to volcanic regions like Death Mountain that weren’t just fire variations of common enemies. We hope to see these lizard-dinosaur-like creatures again.

5. Armos

Our favorite foes from the series are typically the most intimidating, and the Armos is certainly one you’ll be wise to tread carefully around. These huge statues shoot lasers and explode upon death, so taking them out is a special challenge. Their Majora’s Mask appearances, including the Death Armos, are by far our favorite, and we’d love to see them appear in the next 3D title.

6. Soldiers

While the soldiers of Hyrule are normally a good help (or at least not hostile) to Link, it’s been a while since we’ve seen them actively fight the hero. A Link to the Past is our favorite, providing tons of variations including soldiers with spears, bows, bombs, and even ball and chains. Human enemies are not common in Zelda, and it’d be awesome to be able to fight some brainwashed soldiers again.

7. Guardians

It hasn’t been that long since Guardians struck fear into our hearts for the first time in Breath of the Wild. Initially one of the most dangerous enemies in the game, once you learned how to beat them you never felt cooler. These mechanical tanks were one of the most iconic parts of the game, so it was sad to see them completely omitted from the sequel. How terrifying would it be to find these guys roaming around in the next title? We want to see it happen.

8. Geldman

We’ll forgive you for not recognizing this sand monster since it hasn’t been seen since A Link Between Worlds over a decade ago. This creature might not have been the hardest to beat in their previous appearances, but the original artwork featuring the Geldman that lives in the desert sands is just so imposing and cool, that we’re hoping to see it make a comeback. Just think of the possibilities a massive sand monster could have.

9. Poes

These ghosts have certainly had quite the switch-up in the most recent 3D Zelda, going from combative foes to whisps of light you can collect for rewards. While their Tears of the Kingdom appearance is nice, we would love to see these guys back in action like they were in their heyday, lanterns, and all. After all, there are never enough ghosts you can fight off.

10. Gohma

Technically Gohma is a recurring boss, however since this massive spider loves to send her children to fight for her as common enemies, we’ll count her on this list. Gohma is one of the quintessential Zelda enemies, instilling arachnophobia in all who pick up the game. Sadly, there were no enormous spiders in the most recent titles for Legend of Zelda, and it just feels wrong. We want Gohma back and with more of her babies than we’ve ever seen before. 

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The opening areas of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are full of great Echoes that will help you on your journey. However, one Echo quickly became my ace in the hole for most of my early-game combat encounters: the Peahat Echo. Want to know how to get it?

How to find the Peahat Echo in Zelda Echoes of Wisdom

The Peahat has been around since the very first The Legend of Zelda game, and it's back to take Princess Zelda for a spin in EoW. Similar in design and function to its Oracina of Time incarnation, the Peahat is quite the formidable foe. However, if you know where to look, you can find one and grab its Echo before stepping into Suthorn Ruins, EoW's first dungeon.

To find the Peahat Echo, you'll first need to hoof it through Suthorn Forest until you reach the Waypoint in the east. You’re guaranteed to pass by it if you follow the “Searching for Everyone” quest marker, so you shouldn't worry about getting lost. 

Once you’ve found the Waypoint, follow the head southwest from the Suthorn Forest Waypoint until you find a cliff overlooking a small pool of water. Jump in and swim for shore, then follow the path to the right. At the end, you’ll find a cave with two lit torches. Head inside.

How to defeat the Peahat in Zelda Echoes of Wisdom

Once inside the cave, head down the corridor until you reach the open room on the other side. There. You’ll find your first Peahat, and it’s ready for a fight. The Peahat attacks by hitting you with the whirling blades on its body, and it does a whole heart of damage if it hits you. Ouch.

Luckily, Suthorn Wood is full of great Echoes that you can use to help you win this battle. The Spear Moblin Echo is incredibly effective since the Moblins can hit the Peahat from a safe distance without getting too close to its blades. Just remember to keep the Peahat distracted. If you don’t, it’ll mow your Moblins down before they can do damage.

Alternatively, you can use the Ignizol Echo to exploit your terrain. The room you fight the Peahat in is full of flammable grass, and you can do a lot of damage to it if you toss the Ignizol at it when it’s hovering over a patch. Just don’t stand too close to the grass when doing this.

Once you’ve killed the Peahat, you can walk up to it and memorize its Echo with the “ZL” button. The Peahat Echo is one of the best monster Echoes in the game, and it gets even better after you get the Bind ability. Trust me; monster rooms will turn into empty rooms quickly once you let this living Beyblade rip.

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Princess Zelda can do many things in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, but one thing the princess of Hyrule doesn't get to do right off the bat is swing a sword. This can make dealing with the many monsters that skulk around the Overworld tricky.

Anything can be a weapon if you know how to use it.

After you've snuck out of the dungeons of Hyrule Castle, you'll find yourself on a monster-infested beach on Hyrule's southern fringe. If you're anything like me, you'll learn quickly that Zelda's pot-and-box-smashing spin move does nothing to enemies. Luckily, you've just picked up the ability to create Echoes, so you already have everything you need to slay most of the beasts you'll come across on your journey through Hyrule.

If you've played other The Legend of Zelda games, you know one of the best ways to dispatch weaker monsters is by throwing things at them. If you grabbed the Pot Echo back in Hyrule Castle, you already have a reliable projectable. However, you can also get the Rock Echo off the beach if you missed the Pot Echo or feel Neanderthal-like today.

After you've spawned in a Pot or Rock Echo, you can pick it up with a click of the "A" button. Zelda's got quite the throwing arm on her, so you can clock most enemies from a safe distance with projectiles. You won't miss most of the time if you use the ZL trigger to lock on to your target. Even better, Pots and Rocks will keep going after they hit an enemy and still do damage to anything behind them, so you can kill two monsters with one projectile if you light things up right.

Monster Echoes can help even the odds

Of course, chinaware and stones can only accomplish so much. Eventually, you’ll have to fight monsters with monsters. Fortunately, it shouldn’t take too long for you to build an impressive bestiary of Echoes to fight on your behalf.

Swinging by the first cave you see on your way to Suthorn Village will allow you to pick up the Ignizol Echo, one of my favorites. This little spitfire does good damage and can light enemies on fire, so you can use it to clear out enemies hiding in the grass. The Peahat Echo, hidden in the cave east of Suthorn, is an even better crowd-cleaner, and it can travel over water and hit flying enemies.

Once you’ve learned to use the Echoes for combat, you’ll be safe to explore Hyrule to your heart's content. Whether you’re delving into a dungeon or solving a side-quest, you’ll be able to handle anything as long as use your Echoes wisely.

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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's Overworld is far from the largest the series has seen, but it's still a sizable landmass that'll take some time to map out completely. Luckily, you can unlock a handy-dandy fast-travel system that will hasten your quest to seal the rifts to the Still World.

Echoes of Wisdom's Fast Travel is easy to unlock and even easier to use

You won't have to wait too long to uncover Echoes of Wisdom's fast-travel system. The game subtly points you down the path you need to go to unlock it, and it takes time to ensure you understand how useful it is. Of course, if you're rushing to get your first dungeon or scope out some fun side-quests, you might breeze by the fast-travel tutorial.

To unlock fast travel, head east along the base after you've escaped Hyrule Castle, spelunk your way through Beach Cave, and finally stop by Suthorn Town. Instead of heading north to the Suthorn Temple, keep going east until you find a green, glowing statue. This is the first of many Waypoints you'll find on your travels across Hyrule.

Once you're close enough to the statue, Tri will explain what it is and how to activate it. To activate the Waypoint, walk up to it and hit the "RZ" trigger, like when you learn a new Echo. Once you've lit the Waypoint, you can activate it anytime by opening the map with the "-" button.

Before you wander into the unknown, remember that the first waypoint you find is the only one the game highlights for you. From here on out, you’ll have to keep your eyes open and take the time to activate every Waypoint you stumble across. Trust me, you’ll need them once the side quests start piling up.

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Nintendo has released an interview with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom staff Eiji Aonuma, Tomomi Sano, Satoshi Terada that gives some behind-the-scenes background to the development of the game. Among the tidbits of information is the fact that the game once took a very different form.

Specifically, Echoes of Wisdom began with a “Game with dungeon creation in mind,” according to Aonuma. However, from there, it quickly changed to an “edit dungeon” format. In this concept, Link could change the perspective or move objects to “edit” the dungeon and solve puzzles. A lot of this still made it into the final version in the form of the eponymous echoes that Zelda can create. 

However, from the sound of things, Grezzo was aiming for something closer to the “Zelda Maker” concept, but it was dropped for the “edit dungeon” format, which was then scaled back to the game it is now. In particular, this quote from Sano really sums up the evolution:

“Of course, creating dungeons was fun, but being able to copy various objects and use them in different places was even more fun.”

Tomomi Sano

I could get behind a Zelda dungeon maker. In fact, it would probably be good for me; expanding the way I think about the series’ design in the same way that Mario Maker did. I think it’s possible that Nintendo will do it one day, even if the current attempt at this mutated into Echoes of Wisdom. There is certainly enough demand for the concept.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is out on September 26, 2024 for Switch. You can read the full interview over here on Nintendo’s site.

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The Legend of Zelda series is no stranger to featuring quirky characters, and it seems that the upcoming new title, Echoes of the Wisdom, will be no exception. Nintendo recently unveiled promotional artwork of two interesting characters that Zelda will interact with on her new adventure, alongside a detailed overview trailer.

Stamp Guy and the Great Fairy will appear in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Nintendo UK just published these new Echoes of Wisdom character renders on its official Twitter/X account. First, the company revealed a new version of the Great Fairy, a recurring character in the franchise that usually assists Link in some way. According to Nintendo, this time she will reside somewhere in Hyrule, and she will help Princess Zelda "on her path to true style".

The second character Nintendo UK revealed is Stamp Guy, and the post details that Zelda will meet him after he drops out of the sky. The company didn't disclose much more information about Stamp Guy's role in the new game, but he seems to be based off of Stamps, a character from The Minish Cap who, in turn, was inspired by the Postman from Majora's Mask. However, this new character's design is completely original.

Nintendo also released an overview trailer of Echoes of Wisdom

The reveal of the Great Fairy and Stamp Guy came alongside a brand-new overview trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom that Nintendo published on its YouTube channel. For the most part, this video contains information the company already revealed in the past, like the creepy new location of Still World and Zelda's new and unique Bind ability. Although this is a perfect summary for fans who may have missed any previous trailers.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom comes out in two weeks, on September 26 for Nintendo Switch.

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A recently released art book for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has revealed that it was planned to have a different title. And that original title might have spoiled one of the game's biggest twists.

Obviously, know that major spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will follow. If you haven't finished the game yet, read at your own peril.

Nintendo released the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom "Master Works" art book in Japan on August 30, 2024. Thanks to this, Legend of Zelda fans got a fascinating first look at a great amount of concept art for what was one of 2023's biggest and most critically acclaimed games. However, a very interesting piece of new information didn't come from the art itself, but from something the producer of the game, Eiji Aonuma, revealed in the book.

This new tidbit was translated from the book by Nintendo Everything and says that, according to Aonuma, the original title for the game was going to be The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Dragon. Those who have played the game in its entirety will immediately recognize that this would have been a big problem, since this subtitle contains a huge story spoiler.

Aonuma agrees. "Letting it slip that the Light Dragon is Zelda would have been a problem, and this had an effect on the title too," said Aonuma.

Aonuma and his team managed to prevent this spoiler with a clever change

The team struggled to figure out a way to incorporate the dragon imagery into the logo, without giving away the whole thing. Nothing good was coming to mind, until someone on the team suggested "Kingdom" and thus, they decided to change it to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

“It felt like the phrase could connect to the Light Dragon to us, and we could use dragons in the logo. With the title decided, the logo finally became what it is now”, said Aonuma.

It makes sense now, as Tears of the Kingdom went quite a while without an official subtitle. "As for why we’re holding back on the name, you’ll just have to stay tuned because, obviously, Zelda names are kind of important", said Nintendo's Bill Trinen back in June 2021.

Fortunately for Nintendo and for Legend of Zelda fans, the change from Tears of the Dragon to Tears of the Kingdom was a brilliant decision that let players experiment a perfectly crafted plot twist without suspecting anything.

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For fans who were concerned they wouldn't be taking part in some good old-fashioned swordfighting in Echoes of Wisdom, your worries are over.

The highly anticipated next entry in the Legend of Zelda franchise, Echoes of Wisdom, dropped a new trailer today with an in-depth look at some major gameplay features. Most notably, it gave us a look at the Still World, Echoes of Wisdom's equivalent to the Dark World from previous titles, and Zelda's Swordfighter Form, which allows her to do combat with a sword and shield.

The Still World is where Link and other inhabitants of Hyrule have been whisked away to, as the rifts open up around the kingdom. Inside, there will be floating islands (similar to those found in Tears of the Kingdom) that were taken from the land. Zelda can traverse these islands while saving the land, and it appears that at least a few dungeons will take place in the Still World.

Zelda can fight with a sword in Echoes of Wisdom

Zelda's Swordfighter ability allows her to temporarily fight with a sword and shield after picking up the Mysterious Sword. This sword looks similar to Link's from the trailer, so it's not unlikely that it's his sword she's found. Zelda will transform into her Swordfighter form, dress up like Link, and be able to do traditional combat.

This form does have a time limit though, and you'll need to pick up energy in the Still World to replenish the ability. Having a sword might be a huge relief for gamers who were worried traditional combat was removed from this entry in the Zelda franchise.

Finally, we got a look at some of the NPCs Zelda will encounter on her journey, including Dampe, an inventor who can provide gadgets for Zelda; Tri, the fairy-like creature that accompanies Zelda through her adventure; and a brief look at a Great Fairy. The Princess of Hyrule will meet with other interesting characters, such as the Gerudo, River and Sea Zora, and Deku Scrubs, all of which can be seen in the latest trailer.

Echoes of Wisdom will be released exclusively for the Switch on September 26, 2024. With Zelda as the main character and tons of unique features like Echoes and the Bind ability, it could shape up to be quite an interesting addition to the Zelda series.

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It looks like Zelda won't be alone when The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom launches this fall.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was a surprise drop during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct. A brand-new adventure reimagined in the style of 2019's Link's Awakening remake, fans were stoked to discover players would control the franchise's titular Princess Zelda rather than longtime hero Link.

But Link may not be completely out of the picture. The game's ESRB rating has been revealed, and while it is not a surprise rating (a fairly standard E 10+, for Fantasy Violence), the description does seem to reveal that Link will be playable after all.

"This is an adventure game in which players assume the role of Zelda as she attempts to dispel rifts throughout Hyrule and rescue Link." the ESRB summary reads. "From a ¾-overhead perspective, players explore various environments while fighting stylized enemies (e.g., humans, creatures). As Link, players use a sword and arrows to defeat enemies; Zelda can use a magic wand to summon creatures (e.g., wind-up knights, pig soldiers, slime) for battle. Some enemies can be defeated by being set on fire; other creatures dissolve into mist when defeated. Battle sequences are somewhat frenetic, with several enemies attacking/fighting at once."

It's a bit disappointing for fans who were looking for a Zelda-centric adventure. Despite being one of the most recognizable and popular characters in the history of gaming, Zelda herself has only starred in two games, both of which are part of the infamous Zelda CD-i trilogy.

There is some glimmer of hope for fans in that we don't know how much Link will be in Echoes of Wisdom, though. It may be closer to a cameo or even just controlling him for the intro before Zelda takes the lead. The trailer shows Zelda stepping up after Link's efforts to save her get him trapped in another dimension.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch on September 26. You can pre-order the game and its gorgeous Switch Lite tie-in now.

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While the princess has remained the titular character of the famed Legend of Zelda series since the start, she’s rarely ever been the protagonist. That spot has been reserved for the hero, Link. That’s all about to change.

With Echoes of Wisdom putting Zelda center stage as the playable protagonist, you might be curious as to where else you can play as Princess Zelda. While this is the first time she’s been playable in a mainline Zelda title (well, barring one strange exception), she’s been playable in plenty of games. Here is every single one of them.

Super Smash Bros

When you think of a playable Princess Zelda, this is likely where your mind goes. The Princess of Hyrule has been on the roster of Super Smash Bros since Melee was released for the Game Cube. Princess Zelda mainly uses magic as her move set, shooting fireballs and teleporting around the stage. 

You can even play as her alter ego from Ocarina of Time, Sheik, in the game. While originally Sheik was available only when transforming after choosing Zelda, the two are separate characters now.

Hyrule Warriors

A spinoff of the main series, Hyrule Warriors is a Dynasty Warriors-type hack and slash where you’ll play as a huge variety of Zelda characters fighting to save Hyrule from evil. One of these characters is, of course, Princess Zelda herself, who uses her rapier and powerful magic to help save her kingdom. 

Hyrule Warriors also lets you play as plenty of other beloved characters from the series, such as Impa, Tingle, and even Ganondorf himself. Since the game is outside the timeline, characters from various Zelda games are all here. The musou action game has even been updated so you can play it on the Nintendo Switch.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Unlike the original, Age of Calamity takes place in an alternate timeline during Breath of the Wild. This means that plenty of characters from the BOTW are playable, including Princess Zelda. She's alongside a massive cast that also includes the four Champions and the Korok Hestu.

While initially using functions from the Sheikah Slate to fight off mobs, (spoiler alert) she does eventually unlock her sealing power throughout the course of the story and is able to use her magic to fight. She's a major player in both Hyrule Warriors games, but this one lets her really shine.

Zelda: Wand of Gamelon

This is one Nintendo would love nothing more than to bury, but it simply won’t die. Wand of Gamelon is a Philips CD-i exclusive released in 1993 that stars Princess Zelda as she rescues the land of Gamelon from the evil forces of Ganon. If you’ve never played this, good. 

This game only exists in the public consciousness now as a gag, since it’s hilariously bad. The cutscenes look straight out of MS Paint, the voice acting is bad, and the gameplay is incredibly wonky. However, it was the very first time gamers could ever play as the titular Princess Zelda. Anyone playing this game now is likely doing it only to see the cutscenes that have been used as fodder for countless YouTube videos.

Zelda's Adventure

Surprisingly, a follow up to Wand of Gamelon was released where you once again played as Princess Zelda. However, this title is far more obscure and somehow even worse. This time, Link is the one captured and Zelda must save him from Ganon.

The game oddly features live-action cutscenes and incredibly bad top-down-style gameplay. While Wand of Gamelon and its counterpart Link: Faces of Evil are remembered fondly for being funny, Zelda’s Adventure doesn’t get this treatment. Most Zelda fans would prefer it’s lost to time, no matter how much we want to play as Princess Zelda.

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer

Cadence of Hyrule is a rhythm game from the Crypt of the NecroDancer series, this time featuring The Legend of Zelda. You can actually play as either Link or Zelda as you save Hyrule once again from the forces of evil, along with a few other characters such as Cadence herself.

In this game, Zelda is able to use all of Link’s typical weapons and gadgets, like bombs, arrows, and even his hookshot. You can even go a majority of the game without needing to play as Link at all.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

For the first time ever, Princess Zelda is the star of a mainline game in Echoes of Wisdom. It’s not a spinoff, it’s not a DLC, it’s the real deal. With Link gone missing after mysterious voids pop up in Hyrule, it’s up to Princess Zelda to rescue him and save her kingdom.

In this game, she uses the Tri Rod as her main weapon, which can create duplicates of every item she learns, from tables to monsters. You’ll presumably spend the entire game controlling the Princess of Hyrule as Link takes a backseat and waits for her heroic rescue.

I'm hopeful that Nintendo will continue in the direction they've been going, making the Princess of Hyrule a more prominent figure in the series and even becoming the main protagonist. Nothing against the hero, but it is called The Legend of Zelda, not The Legend of Link.

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It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this. Grab your wallet because soon you'll be able to build your own Great Deku Tree! LEGO revealed the build today, which is essentially a 2-in-1 set allowing you to choose between two Great Deku Tree builds from The Legend of Zelda.

Hey! Listen!

When did LEOG builds get so expensive? I will admit, looking at the build, I didn't expect it to have 2,500 pieces as the listing says it does, so that may just be the going price for that many bricks these days. I haven't had the opportunity to build out my LEGO dreams in way too long. *Pushes up non-existent bifocals* Back in my day a massive set of LEGO ran you $50 and featured a massive build.

Even though the LEGO Great Deku Tree set doesn't ship until September 2024, those interested can pre-order today if their willing to part with the price of a Nintendo Switch to get this set. It's a bit too steep for me, even though it would look pretty nifty as a piece on my shelf.

Those who pre-order by June 7 will also get a free Water Park gift, which absolutely does not fit with the theme of The Legend of Zelda or the Great Deku Tree, but hey, more LEGO I guess.

The Great Deku Tree confirms long-withstanding rumors that LEGO was indeed working on a Zelda set. While the Great Deku Treet is cool and is a great first choice, I'm excited to see what kind of sets LEGO cooks up based around some more memorable moments from the game series.

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When you buy the Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you get a slew of retro games through the platform's online library of older titles. Of course, there is a step above just the regular ole service with the higher tier, the Expansion Pack. However, you don't have to pony up for more just to play some treasured classics.

For those of you looking to sample some of Nintendo's retro library, I've got some suggestions on where to start with the now 100-tile collection of classics. These are the best games for the base Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

The 10 best games to play on Nintendo Switch Online

Since we're excluding Expansion Pack titles, the following games are from either the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Game Boy, or Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). If a game you like from these catalogs and they aren't on the list, fret not — these are just the best of the best in a massive library beloved by many of us.

10. Tecmo Bowl (NES)

Sports games and Nintendo don’t go hand-in-hand now unless Mario is involved, but Tecmo Bowl is an exception. Despite being a game from the late ‘80s, this one still holds up a lot better than most modern American football games. It’s simple enough to break into even for the folks not quite so sports savvy and there's no overly convoluted set of controls just to get your players moving.

9. Metroid (NES)

The Nintendo Switch was made for sidescrolling games, namely Metroidvanias. So, why not take a trip back to the late '80s and see the game that started it all? The original NES Metroid definitely shows how dated it is, but it doesn’t mean it’s a bad game. It’s loads of fun and will have you hooked from the moment you discover the out-of-the-way or less obvious path forward. The movement takes some time to get familiar with, but if you stick around, it’s well worth putting that effort in.

8. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)

After being the fellow who would hold Pauline captive in the 1980s, Donkey Kong would eventually get his own 2D sidescrolling adventure where he’s the good guy. He’s also accompanied by Diddy Kong, who you can swap to on the fly if the situation requires it. 

Its gameplay is akin to the Super Mario games in that you can jump on enemies’ heads to defeat them. You can also throw things or use a close attack to deal damage. Still, it provides its own kind of fun that shows the quality of the 16-bit era. What a glow-up, good guy story for the Kong.

7. EarthBound (SNES)

It’s wild to look back on this game and see the Mother series only started to take off in western regions after Ness and Lucas became a staple in the Smash Bros. franchise. Still, now that the '90s RPG has become popular and made available for NSO subscribers, EarthBound still holds up. So, to all of you hungry for more Mother releases, the oldest western release is at least far more available now than it was back then.

6. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)

Fans of top-down games, especially the Zelda games, have to have played this at some point. A Link to the Past is one of the better, if not the best of the games in this style. The first Legend of Zelda game was exceptional in so many ways, but A Link to the Past is just more memorable, more fluid, and overall more fun.

5. Tetris (Game Boy)

If you want to break away from the highly competitive nature of Tetris 99, you can always fire the OG Tetris up on the Game Boy app. It plays a lot differently than modern Tetris because pieces automatically snap the moment they make contact on the surface. 

You’ll also be unable to see an outline of where your pieces will drop, so there’s a challenge within itself right there. Tetris on the Game Boy is based on classic rules, but it’s still such a fun time regardless.

4. Super Metroid (SNES)

If you want even more Metroid that’s faster-paced and has more fluid gameplay, then the third game of the series will provide just that. It’s just an overall better time than the original game, with just the right amount of difficulty that won’t have you pulling your hair out.

3. Kirby Super Star (SNES)

There’s something about the older Kirby games that just have more charm and character to them. They’re simple enough and follow the whole “pink blob eats enemies and takes their powers” aspect of the game. Then there are the minigames on the side to take a break between the main story that just feels like a good kind of padding.

Even though Kirby games are doing just fine and are still prevalent in today’s market, it’s a fun trip down memory lane to see the early days of his adventures.

2. Killer Instinct (SNES)

Killer Instinct is an awesome fighting game that acted as healthy competition against Mortal Kombat in the '90s. While not as gory, it still had great, over-the-top action, sporting a roster of ten wildly different and memorable characters. For the time, it was impressive, and so fun to play, even for those who aren’t into fighting games. 

This is the game that introduced the “c-c-c-combo breaker!” and the echoed “ultra!” sound effects that we all still use from time to time. Novelties aside, it’s such a great addition to the lineup of current games on the Switch’s SNES library.

1. Super Mario World (SNES)

Super Mario World is touted as one of the best 2D Mario games of all time because of the mechanics, the music, and just how much exploration it has. This is the game that introduced the Cape Feather, which is iconic for all the wild verticality that you can perform. It also has the hilarious P Balloon that inflates Mario or Luigi and lets them fly in all eight directions for a short time. You can’t forget the different Yoshis with their own respective abilities, either.

Most people will play this game from start to finish, but there is more than meets the eye once you clear the Switch Palaces or revisit previous levels with proper power-ups. If you never played this game in any way, you have to.

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Have you ever wanted to listen to the music of The Legend of Zelda live? Well, consider your wish granted. Nintendo has dropped the VOD for The Legend of Zelda Orchestra Concert onto their YouTube after canceling the originally Tokyo-exclusive performance at Nintendo Live 2024 TOKYO.

Some of the tracks performed include Kakariko Village, The Ballad of the Goddess, and the main theme of Tears of the Kingdom. The orchestra beautifully showcases the series' rich musical history through powerful renditions of the beloved classics. At a runtime of almost a half hour, it'll make for a pretty nice trip down memory lane if you're up for that adventure.

Also posted were statues of the Tears of the Kingdom's versions of Zelda, Link, and our no.1 hottie (according to Zoey Handley), Ganondorf.

The concert was originally planned for Nintendo Live TOKYO in January. Nintendo canceled the event after receiving threats targeting the audience and workers.

In addition to the Zelda concert, Nintendo also held a Splatoon 3-themed concert the morning of February 10.

Musically Inclined

Whether you like The Legend of Zelda or not, you have to agree the music is amazing. Whether it's the classic Koji Kondo tracks or the newer Manaka Kataoka compositions, all Zelda music is downright memorable. So, to be able to have a whole concert dedicated to it and done live is pretty awesome.

Watching the concert made me realize something: I really want to see it live. The closest I got to that was Lindsey Stirling with her Zelda melody years ago. And, as someone who's watched the trailers for Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wind multiple times for the songs, I'd pay good money. I feel the same way about Final Fantasy and Sonic, as all of them have amazing orchestral tracks that'd be amazing to see live. So, Nintendo, maybe you could plan a national tour or something? Fine, I'll just play my ocarina in private.

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Exploring the Great Sky Island in Tear of the Kingdom makes for one of the coolest openings in a Zelda game, but that doesn’t stop some of us from wanting to escape it. 

Normally you have to play through the entirety of the Great Sky Island area to make your way to the mainland of Hyrule, but glitch hunters and Tears of the Kingdom speedrunners have been trying to find a way around that requirement since the game was released.

A YouTuber called Timber posted a lengthy video on January 23rd detailing their search for a way off the Great Sky Island. They began experimenting with different methods almost as soon as the game came out, but it took the help of the larger speedrunning community, and the better part of a year, to find a solution that works in the 1.0 and 1.1 versions of the game. The final process involves an elaborate series of glitches that let Link clip through the map, fly across the world, and land in the final boss arena. 

Hundreds of hours went into discovering all the glitches necessary to pull this stunt off. Even making a single run from the Great Sky Island to the boss arena takes upwards of two hours. But if you can line up all the pieces just right, and defeat Ganondorf with no upgrades and hardly any weapons, you can beat Tears of the Kingdom with under one percent of the game completed. 

How to skip the Great Sky Island tutorial in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The main idea behind getting off the Great Sky Island without playing through the tutorial is simple enough. You get Link to clip out of the map and fall down below the Depths where the game hides the arena for the final boss. When Link gets close enough to the room, he triggers the final boss cut scene and can make his way to the end of the game. In practice, it’s much more complicated than it sounds. 

You’ll need to start by using the Fuse entangle glitch to entangle a Zonai steering stick to your shield. Fuse entangle does a ton of funky things with different objects by tying their game state to the shield on Link’s back, and doing it is a pretty straightforward process: 

1. Use Fuse to connect an object to your shield
2. Swap shields before the fusion finishes

After this you'll still have a stick and a shield, but if you drop or unequip your shield, the stick will vanish. Next, unequip your shield just as you jump onto the stick. That should cause you to clip through the bottom of the map, but there’s another problem. When you drop too far below the Great Sky Island, the game will reset you. So you need to initiate a dialogue with a Steward Construct by firing an arrow and upsetting one at the same moment you start to fall. As long as you keep the dialogue window open, the game will let you keep falling. 

Clipping out like this slows down Link’s fall, so now you’ll have to wait about 45 minutes for him to sink down beneath the Depths. In the video, Timber had to set up an elaborate series of platforms to help him make it to the right spot to trigger the boss cut scene. After building the platforms, he’d clip them outside of the map and position them so they’d automatically guide Link into the boss arena. 

Of course, after you finally get away from the Great Sky Island, you’ll have to contend with Ganondorf and his army. That’s a big ask at the beginning of the game, but there’s another glitch that can save you here called zuggling. If you combine it with Fuse entangling, you can move objects between game saves. Here’s how it works:

1. Fuse entangle the object you want, like a weapon, to your shield
2. With the shield still equipped, put your back up against a wall
3. Drop your shield
4. Switch shields
5. Drop the new shield

You have to do steps three through five very quickly, but you’ll know it worked if the entangled shield and object are both still visible. From there, you should be able to load another save taken at that same location in the game and pick up the objects. Once you get the method down, you can take the items you need to the Great Sky Island and move them to the beginning of the game . From there you just have to hoping your steering stick aim is good. 

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Fans of Zelda music, take note, because Nintendo is bringing The Legend of Zelda Orchestra Concert online. The full pre-recorded performance will be available to stream for free via Nintendo's YouTube channel on February 9. 

According to the official website, viewers who tune into the concert can look forward to music selections ranging from the first Zelda to Tears of the Kingdom, all performed by a full orchestra. The video is listed as being around 30 minutes in length, and you'll be able to catch it starting at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time right here.

This particular concert was originally scheduled to be performed at the Nintendo Live 2024 TOKYO event, which was canceled due to unspecified threats. The event was planned for January 20 and 21 at Tokyo Big Sight before "aggressive" threats were made toward Nintendo staff and attendees. This also resulted in the postponement of national and world championships for Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Beyond the concerts, the Nintendo Live 2024 TOKYO event was also going to serve as a showcase for the latest games from Nintendo.  

The Legend of Zelda Orchestra Concert isn't the only event that just announced its rescheduled plans. The Splatoon 3 Deep Cut concert was also lined up for Nintendo Live 2024 TOKYO, and now it will stream via Nintendo's YouTube channel on February 10. Hey, that's two back-to-back days of Nintendo concerts on YouTube! February's already lookin' up. 

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It's not time to barrel roll; instead, you should be celebrating by eating a Swiss roll as Nintendo Switch Online has added a bunch of adorable Holiday profile icons. You can use your silver coins on the service's dedicated app to get them.

The Happy Holidays section of the Missions & Rewards tab has a bunch of festive Mario icons, as well as characters like Link, Isabelle, a Splatoon Inkling, and Pikmin for 10 Platinum Points each. Icons aren't the only gifts available on this tab. You can get some lovely holiday backgrounds with festive colors and patterns.

You'll want to be quick, however. These seasonal rewards will only last until December 25 at 4:59 p.m. Pacific. Make sure you get on the Nintendo Switch Online app and redeem them before it's too late.

Take advantage of the Switch eShop holiday sale, too

Beyond these holiday profile icons, there's also a winter sale going on in the Nintendo eShop. Until December 3, you can get a 33% discount on games like Luigi's Mansion 3 and Super Mario Odyssey. Bayonetta 3's 30% off too. One of my favorite Nintendo games of the year Fire Emblem Engage (yes, it did come out in 2023!) has a 30% discount as well.

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Nintendo has just announced a live-action Legend of Zelda film, in collaboration with Sony Pictures and Avi Arad. Let's see who might fit the many roles this 'legendary' series has to offer.

With the recent success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo is venturing into adapting The Legend of Zelda into live-action. First created in 1985, the series has become one of the most well-known in Nintendo's pantheon. With Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, The Maze Runner series) in the director's chair, it's only a matter of time before casting begins. No story details were given, but I figured with my love of entertainment that I'd try my hand at cast predictions. Will they come true? Maybe. Is it worth a try? Absolutely. Let's begin!

The characters I chose are fairly general, since we don't know which entry the movie will be based on, loosely or strictly. Still, I've picked actors who I believe can fit the role regardless, whether true live-action or CGI motion-capture.

Link - Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Owen Teague, Tom Holland

The silent swordsman is probably one of the toughest ones to cast. As Link doesn't talk (and shouldn't), you need someone who can command a room with their emotions rather than words.

A lot of people have brought up Emmy-nominated Thomas Brodie-Sangster, known for his roles in Game of Thrones and The Queen's Gambit. It's a pretty smart choice, as the actor has a history with Wes Ball, portraying Newt in the Maze Runner film series. He was also Ferb in Disney's Phineas and Ferb (I'm just as surprised as you), so he could play silent characters, even if they were animated. His cadence on screen and versatile range put Thomas high up on the list.

Owen Teague is a relatively new actor but one that shows promise. He also has a history with the director, as he voices Noa, the new protagonist of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. He rocks long hair and displays an impressive range, whether it's comedy, drama, or anything in between. It's not uncommon for directors to pick previously-directed actors in big roles (look at Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio). With that, Owen's chances of picking up the Master Sword may come to fruition.

Of course, Tom Holland, while many feel it may be too cliché, might be a big contender. While he hasn't worked with Wes Ball, the producer, Avi Arad, took part in all his Spider-Man projects. Plus, he also produced Tom's take on Nathan Drake in the movie adaptation of Uncharted, as okay as it was. If Nintendo is going for big faces, Tom is a natural choice to play Link for the Legend of Zelda adaptation.

Zelda - Florence Pugh, Sydney Sweeney, Rachel Zegler

With Zelda, you want someone who wears their heart on their sleeve and their confidence up front. As she is more vocal in games, with Patricia Summersett voicing the character in the newer entries, they need to find an actress who can match that tone, as well as make it their own.

One that comes to mind immediately for me is Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Little Women, Black Widow). With an Academy Award nomination to her name, it's certain that she can do a grand job as the princess. She can handle drama, comedy, and action, as several projects of hers showcase her dynamic balance. While she is older than other contenders, a great performance can silence that and I guarantee Florence can deliver on that.

Two fairly newcomers are Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria) and Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes). Syndey has the Emmy nominations to back her up (plus a potential Spider-Woman role in Madam Web) while Rachel's debut lead in Spielberg's West Side Story triumphed, almost grabbing her an Oscar nom. Each of them has the charm and charisma Zelda brings and would fit right into Hyrule.

Ganondorf - Idris Elba, Dave Bautista, Keith David

Ganondorf's actor demands a performance that sends chills down your spine. As the character is likely going to be CGI, I chose actors who can deliver the vocals with sophistication and eerieness.

When it comes to casting a brooding villain-type character, you can't go wrong with Idris Elba. His deep British voice has graced many projects such as Zootopia, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. He was even a top contender (and still is in my heart) to be the next James Bond. His presence as Ganon would be suiting for the Gerudo exile.

Vocally, I can definitely see Dave Bautista taking on the role, especially if motion-captured. I mean, the man's a WWE wrestler and a Guardian of the Galaxy. He's an avid gamer, too, as shown in his appearance in two Mortal Kombat 1 advertisements and his determination to be Marcus Fenix in the live-action Gears of War. The Legend of Zelda would be lucky to claim Dave as its dastardly antagonist

Speaking of vocals, Keith David could make an excellent lord of the Darkness. His career spans hundreds of projects, with a handful being video games. Most notably, he plays Arbiter in Halo, Anderson in Mass Effect, and Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog. His range would prove tremendously helpful if they plan to go for the Ocarina of Time route.

Impa - Zoe Saldana, Michelle Rodriguez, Ming-na Wen

The role may portray the older version from the original and Breath of the Wild, but I'm going for the Ocarina of Time and Hyrule Warriors version. As one of my favorite characters, Impa is a badass and deserves to be played by one in the Legend of Zelda film.

Instantly, the resume of Zoe Saldana comes to mind. She's been in the biggest franchises of all time in huge roles, like Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Neytiri in Avatar. Plus, she can kick some serious ass. Speaking of Avatar, the same goes for Fast & Furious star Michelle Rodriguez. The Resident Evil actress is a huge gamer, mostly first-person shooters, and even appeared in Halo 2. She'd make an intimidating Impa, for sure.

However, Ming-na Wen has the distinct pleasure of being in video games and their adaptations. In the 1994 Street Fighter movie, she played Chun-Li and also starred in Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Despite being 59, the actress still can dish some damage if her character in Star Wars is anything to go by.

The King - Sean Bean, Donald Sutherland, Andy Serkis

Of course, for the King of Hyrule, you need to have someone who's been around for a bit. Preferably an actor whose background lies in theater, as they fit that regal tone.

Sean Bean, over his large career, has played a few kings of his own. Most notably, he was Ned Stark in Game of Thrones. He also did the voice for King Regis in Final Fantasy XV: Kingsglaive. And yes, his performance in The Lord of the Rings may make him the ideal candidate for a high-fantasy set epic.

Still, natural alternatives do exist. For example, Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games) and Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes) both have been in huge franchises as demanding figures. Each of them has played authoritative roles that'd fit right into the reality of The King. No matter what version is portrayed, I don't think you could go wrong with either of them

Goron - Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa

I know, I know but hear me out. Gorons have played pretty big roles in various Zelda titles, so they'll make an appearance in some form. Regardless, you'll need someone tough to play a literal rock creature.

And yeah, perhaps having Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (Moana, Hobbs & Shaw) play one is on the nose. However, his personality and charisma would fit perfectly with a Goron. The same goes for Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman). Each of them would accentuate the headstrong nature of the Gorons. Their background in superhero films and wrestling already demonstrates that sense of strength. Plus, it helps that all of them are buff as all heck and could snap me in half.

Zora - Cate Blachett, Tilda Swinton, Charlize Theron

Water creatures need to have a sense of elegance to them. Maybe it's because of water being a symbol of life itself or maybe that's just me digging into my Creative Writing background like a rabid raccoon. Regardless, many iterations of the Zora in The Legend of Zelda are characters that are even-headed and calm. You typically want someone whose presence matches that.

Actresses like Cate Blanchett (The Lord of the Rings, Blue Jasmine) and Tilda Swinton (Doctor Strange, Michael Clayton) can do that pretty well, given their background in dramatics. While they can hold themselves in a fight if initiated, one actress who could do both with precision is Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster). Her mix of drama and action would suit a more silent warrior Zora but work either way.

Tingle - Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Danny Devito

It's hard to imagine Nintendo and Sony making Tingle a dramatic character in The Legend of Zelda film. I mean, he's an old man in a green jumpsuit who has a catchphrase. Hard to nab an Oscar nom for that. Therefore, it should be someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously. Comedians are natural choices since they embarrass themselves every day.

If Nintendo wanted to play it safe, the obvious choices are The Super Mario Bros. Movie stars Chris Pratt and Jack Black. Each of them nails that awkward comedy that would likely be used for the green 'fairy'. Still, it's been far too long since The Lorax himself Danny Devito has graced the silver screen. Perhaps it's time for his big return to be a small red-nosed human gremlin. Maybe.

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With a The Legend of Zelda movie announced, fans have already been speculating on who will be filling which roles. Amidst the lively conversation, Patricia Summersett, who voices Zelda in Tears of the Kingdom, has stated that she would love to return to her role in the upcoming movie.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Summersett reveals just how attached she has grown to her role since she voiced in Breath of the Wild. Though she's voiced the princess in three games already, including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, she claims she "could always take more of it." Of course, this doesn't mean that her return has been confirmed in the upcoming movie, as the cast list has yet to be revealed.

The Legend of Zelda movie

Earlier this year, there were rumors that a The Legend of Zelda movie is in the works courtesy of Illumination. The rumors were proven false, though they did correctly predict that Nintendo is working on adapting its highly successful franchise.

The movie is being directed by Maze Runner's Wes Ball, and it will be produced by Pikmin creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad who is chairman of Arad Productions Inc. Somewhat surprisingly, the film is receiving financing from Sony Pictures Entertainment, though more than 50% will be financed by Nintendo.

With no DLC planned for Tears of the Kingdom, the announced movie is something for fans to look forward to if they're searching for their next big dose of Zelda. No release date has been given yet.

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We've already had one legendary Legend of Zelda game released in 2023, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for more. Starting today, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons are now available for the Nintendo Switch Online service. Like with other classic Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, you only need the standard NSO subscription to access these two bizarre and wonderful games.

If you missed out on the Oracle titles, the games are the product of a developer known as Flagship, which released several high-profile titles and ports between 1998 and 2006. It developed four Zelda games for portable consoles during that time, including the original Four Swords and Minish Cap. The Oracle games marked the company's first shot at the franchise, and it did not disappoint.

Released less than a month before the arrival of the Game Boy Advance in North America, both titles take place far away from the well-known lands of Hyrule. Link is thrust into adventures that have him traveling through time or manipulating the seasons for his advantage. While each game comes with its own final boss (something I talked about earlier this year during Zelda week), players who purchased and beat both games could link their save data to unlock the true villain behind it all.

Spoiler alert: you already know who it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBbd_ttqlpA

As you can see from the trailer above, you will be able to access that extra bit of post-game content with Nintendo Switch Online. I can only imagine Nintendo is cooking up an SP version of these titles that'll launch players straight into that final battle. Meanwhile, I'm still here twiddling my thumbs for an SP cut of Earthbound Beginnings.

With this, there are only two more previously announced Game Boy games heading to NSO, including the likely Japan-only The Frog For Whom the Bell Tolls and the delightful Pokémon Trading Card Game. After that, it's anyone's guess, but I hope Nintendo and Capcom find a way to bring Mega Man V to the service.

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