Link has had a lot of companions over the years in The Legend of Zelda series. These range from more infamous personalities like Navi to the fan favorite, Midna, though not all of Link’s companions are talkative. Some simply serve as transportation or are along for the ride for only a small portion of the adventure. Whatever their role, these characters are always memorable in one way or another thanks to how they help Link on his journey.
It’s been a while since Link has had a proper companion, with the new Champions only fighting alongside Link for a short time in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, then their voiceless specters joining him for the rest of the adventure in the latter. Echoes of Wisdom would give Zelda her first starring role alongside her very own companion, Tri, whom fans adored, so it’s about time Nintendo brought back this staple of the Zelda franchise.
10
Linebeck’s Boat Proves Plenty Useful on Link’s Adventures
The Cowardly Captain of a Steamship
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom expands Hyrule with the Sky and Depths, with many interesting locales between them.
Appearing in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, the first DS title in the series, Linebeck’s main function is to provide Link with a means of traveling around the ocean. Link can set a course by drawing a path on the map, and Linebeck will faithfully pilot his steamship along that route. When Link first meets the captain, it’s on the first floor of the Temple of the Ocean King, where Linebeck is well in over his head but, of course, refuses to admit it.
The game doesn’t spend much time letting players get to know Linebeck, but that’s because his character is established perfectly right off the bat. He wants to get rich quick and have grandiose stories to tell but is too lazy and easily frightened to actually put in the work to accomplish those goals. He’s a jerk with a heart of gold, and learns something from Link and their adventure by the end of the game, though only Nintendo knows if those lessons stuck.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Phantom Hourglass wraps the standard Zelda formula in an innovative and fun control scheme that gives new life to several of the series’ age-old concepts. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker closed with Link and Tetra setting sail for waters unknown…but their story was just beginning, and it continues on the Nintendo DS. When a mysterious fog waylays their band of pirates and leaves Link alone on a strange island, an all-new adventure begins!
- Platform(s)
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Nintendo DS
, 3DS
, Nintendo Wii U - Released
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October 1, 2007
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
9
Makar is More Than an Escortee
A Little Guy With a Big Part to Play
Makar is a Koroki in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, who in this entry seems to be an evolution of the Kokiri from Ocarina of Time. Link rescues Makar early on in the game, but later discovers he is a sage, so the Hero of Winds must take Makar to the Wind Temple, so he can offer prayers to restore the Master Sword. Makar is more than just a character Link needs to escort, however, and is vital in solving many of the dungeon’s puzzles.
Using the Command Melody, Link can temporarily control Makar, allowing him to fly for a short time and plant seeds in soft soil. These seeds will quickly grow into trees that Link can then use the Hookshot on to reach new areas. Together, the pair can also play the Wind God’s Aria near a wind altar, which will cause it to break and reveal a way forward. He might not offer the breadth of ability of Link’s other companions in this game, but he’s still a charming little fellow.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The incredibly successful Zelda franchise executed one of the boldest moves in video game history back in 2002. Before the release of Wind Waker, Zelda games were enjoying time in the spotlight. Whether Nintendo released a Zelda game on the Super Nintendo, Gameboy Color, or the Nintendo 64, they immediately enjoyed commercial and critical acclaim.
- Platform(s)
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GameCube
- Released
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March 24, 2003
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
8
Medli Lets Link Take To the Air
The Rito Sage
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Medli is The Wind Waker‘s other sage and successor to Laruto. Link first meets her on Dragon Roost Island, where she is Valoo’s attendant. To save her charge, she entered Dragon Roost Cavern to find out what was wrong but ended up being captured by Ganon’s forces. Once Link rescues her, she provides him with the Grappling Hook to help him navigate the rest of the dungeon and defeat Ghoma, who was hiding in the chamber beneath Valoo.
Once again, later on in the game, Link needs to bring Medli to a place where she can pray to give the Master Sword power, this time the Earth Temple. Link can also use the Command Melody to control her. She can fly and reflect light off of her harp, so the player often needs to position her and link in the right places to solve puzzles, especially once Link finds the Mirror Shield. She’s both a fun character and an incredibly useful companion.
7
Navi Has More to Offer Than Hints
Link’s Closest Friend
More than just a meme, hating Navi the fairy from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is ingrained in the internet’s DNA. Players complain about her being useless and always stating the obvious, but she was integral in introducing how 3D Zelda works to players back in 1998. An abstract concept like Z-Targeting may have been difficult to convey to players used to 2D, so Navi contextualizes this while also providing useful information.
Navi also serves to remind Link of his current objective in the story, which may be needed after a lengthy period away from the game. She’s most helpful for beginners, and veterans can forget how handy Navi is after dozens of playthroughs. Story-wise, she also becomes Link’s closest friend. With her arrival, he’s no longer an outcast among the Kokiri and is also the only other person to experience the seven-year time gap.
The Zelda games were well-established before Ocarina of Time, but its the first 3D game that truly launched it into the lofty status the series holds today. It ditched the top-down perspective of previous games to give players a large world to explore, and its story was one of the most ambitious on Nintendo 64.
- Released
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November 21, 1998
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
6
Zelda is a Guide, a Friend, and an Equal
She May Be Dead, But She’s Still Very Lively
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In The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Zelda’s body is stolen early on by the title’s villains, Cole and Malladus, and she accompanies Link as a Spirit for the majority of the game. The pair embark on a journey to restore New Hyrule’s Spirit Tracks, recover Zelda’s body, and defeat Malladus. Outside of the Tower of Spirits, the game’s main dungeon, Zelda plays the role of Link’s guide, though she is capable of much more.
In certain locations, such as the Tower of Spirits, Zelda can possess the body of a Phantom, the hulking suits of armor that terrorized players in Phantom Hourglass. The pair can then work together to solve a variety of puzzles and defeat enemies. Link can direct Zelda to walk or stand somewhere, and even ride on her shield across gaps. This is one of the best iterations of the character, and she’s an incredibly useful companion.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is a fantastic release in the Zelda series. With it being the 2nd Zelda release on the Nintendo DS — coming after The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass — all of the pitfalls and downsides of the previous title have been completely upended and improved.
- Platform(s)
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Nintendo DS
- Released
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December 7, 2009
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
5
The King of Red Lions Offers Link Transportation and Advice
A Mentor in Boat Form
In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Link initially gets a ride to the Forsaken Fortress on Tetra’s pirate ship, but after he fails to rescue his sister and is flung far away by Ganondorf and the Helmaroc King, The King of Red Lions is the one to take him safely to land. Once Link acquires a sail, he and the King can sail across the Great Sea on their quest to save Link’s sister and defeat Ganondorf. However, the King is more than just a boat.
When spoken to, The King of Red Lions will offer Link advice on what to do next, much like Navi but less intrusive. Using the various items Link acquires throughout his adventure, such as bombs and the grappling hook, the King can transform into a crane for fishing treasure out of the ocean or a cannon to defeat enemies and destroy obstacles that stand or swim in the pair’s way. He’s a key part of Link’s adventure.
4
The Crimson Loftwing Takes Link to New Heights
Helping Hyrule’s Hero Traverse Treacherous Skies
In Skyloft, Link and Zelda’s home in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Loftwings are both a means of transportation across the vast skies and lifelong companions. The opening of the game is all about Link’s unique, crimson Loftwing. Groose and his gang of misfits kidnap the bird just before their final Knight Exam. Link and Zelda rescue the bird, but shortly after Zelda falls to the world below, so Link needs to explore both the surface and the sky to save her.
The Loftwing doesn’t do much aside from transportation, but it would be impossible to explore the sky without it. The Loftwing is always at Link’s beck and call, braving dangerous skies to see him to his destination. In particular, the boss fight against Levias requires Link and the Loftwing to work in perfect sync, with the latter dropping the former off on top of the boss to attack its weak point. It may not be around for most of the game, but it’s a faithful companion nonetheless.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Descend from the sky to the dangerous world below in this high-flying quest. Your adventure will lead you through perilous dungeons packed with puzzles. Each item you receive will open up even more adventure—uncover a hidden area with the flying Beetle or find a clever way to hinder enemies with a whip. Whether you are scouring for secrets, getting in some sword practice, or upgrading equipment, forge your own path in the Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword HD game.
- Platform(s)
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Wii
- Released
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November 20, 2011
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
3
Ezlo Takes Link to New Lows
The Secret World of Hyrule
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Ezlo was a minish and, thanks to Vaati’s curse, is the titular cap in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. Link pairs up with him early on in the adventure, as he allows the hero to shrink down to a miniature size at certain places in one of the series’ most fun gimmicks. Link can then explore the world of the Minish, which was always hiding just out of sight, to talk to NPCs, explore dungeons, discover new items, and solve puzzles.
Ezlo can also provide Link a summary of what to do next with a press of the button. He’s something of a cranky old man, which gives his dialogue a fun and unique bite to it, with him constantly complaining. What started as a begrudging partnership eventually ended in a bittersweet goodbye. He stands out among Link’s companions, and even if he can only do one or two things, Link wouldn’t be able to save Hyrule without him.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
If adventure and action are your cup of tea, you will love The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. This GBA game will keep you entertained every step of the way.The game is set on an overarching narrative that is compelling and engaging. Every step you take in the game will feel led by a greater purpose. However, there are tiny side quests in the game. These quests, which are optional, offer fresh insight into the overarching narra
- Platform(s)
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Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Released
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January 10, 2005
- Developer(s)
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Capcom
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
2
Midna is the Fan Favorite For a Reason
A Fantastic Character and Partner
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess‘s Midna begins the game in something of an adversarial relationship with Link. Link is transformed into a wolf, or holy beast, after Hyrule is covered in twilight, and like it or not he needs Midna’s help to transform back and save the kingdom. At first, she only serves as a guide, dispensing advice and commentary from Link’s shadow, but eventually, she can use Zant’s curse to transform Link whenever he asks.
Midna is also just an incredibly fun character, especially as she and Link grow closer over the course of the story. She’s funny and doesn’t take things too seriously, which makes for a great contrast in the times she does get serious. She has Link looking for the Fused Shadow pieces for the first half of the game, and eventually uses them to open up Hyrule Castle for the final dungeon in a terrifying display of power.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The 13th installment of the Zelda series is yet another masterpiece. Twilight Princess is highly regarded as one of the best games to come from the Zelda franchise. There are many reasons for its success. It managed to take the concepts introduced in Ocarina of Time, one of the most highly regarded games of all-time, and improves on them.
- Platform(s)
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GameCube
, Wii - Released
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November 19, 2006
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
1
Epona is Link’s Loyal Steed
A Boy and His Horse
Introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Epona is the only companion of Link’s to appear in multiple games. This white-maned mare will always stick by Link, and, despite not appearing in even most entries, is an iconic piece of the franchise. When people think of fantasy or medieval forms of transportation, they think of horses, and Epona is one of the best. Even being able to tame their own steeds in Breath of the Wild, fans still wanted Link’s trusty horse instead.
Epona has appeared in Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Hyrule Warriors, Link’s Crossbow Training, and even The Minish Cap as a background character. She may not assist in combat, nor offer Link guidance, but she’ll always come whenever he plays her song. She’s a fast and fun way to get around each game’s world, and unlocking her is always an event.
