Summary
- Tingle, a quirky character in the Legend of Zelda series, has become an iconic figure and a mainstay in spin-off games.
- Tingle's most iconic appearance is in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, where he acts as a map merchant and has a fleshed-out personality.
- Tingle's appearances in other Zelda games vary, but his presence, mischievous nature, and bizarre charm have made him a beloved character among Zelda fans.
The Legend of Zelda series is full of quirky characters that players will get to know as they set out for adventure in each entry. Although he is only referenced via a costume for Link in the more recent titles in The Legend of Zelda series, Tingle is one of the series' most iconic characters outside the trio of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf. Despite only appearing as a side character in a handful of games, Tingle has gone on to become a mainstay in the Zelda series' spin-off representation.
Tingle is a strange Zelda character, depicted as a 35-year-old man who believes himself to be the reincarnation of a fairy. In all of his appearances, Tingle can be recognized by his red shorts, green bodysuit, tendency to float using a red balloon, and catchphrase "kooloo-limpah." While this bizarre character's roles have varied throughout the series, his charm has earned him a place within the hearts of many Zelda fans.
S-Tier
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Tingle's first appearance in the series is also his most iconic and helped establish him as a standout side character even among the other quirky cast members of Majora's Mask. In his debut title, Tingle acts as a map merchant and can be found around Termina selling Link maps of each region. The character is the most fleshed out in this title, with other characters like his father, who runs the Swamp Tourist Center, aiding in developing his personality.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Aside from Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker is Tingle's other most memorable appearance, as he once again returns to aid Link in his mapping needs. Tingle is much more mischievous in this title, having been put in jail by the residents of Windfall Island for stealing a Pictobox. However, Tingle is integral to progression in this game as Link requires his services in translating the Triforce Charts necessary to find all the Triforce Shards.
A-Tier
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
In his second appearance since his introduction in Majora's Mask, Tingle provides Link with a few useful items necessary for completing Oracle of Ages. Players can find this wannabe fairy atop a stump in the Forest of Time where he gives Link the Island Chart needed to reach Crescent Island. If they return later, Tingle will also provide players with the upgraded Seed Satchel.
Four Swords Adventures
Four Swords Adventures for the GameCube may not be one of the more popular Zelda titles, but it does feature Tingle in a unique role. Players will have to compete with Tingle to collect Force Gems before he can get his hands on them by shooting his balloon with an arrow when he gets too close. Additionally, players can read about Tingle's experiences in different areas of the game via his Tingle Times signposts.
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
As Tingle grew in popularity within the Zelda series, he ended up getting his own spin-off game, titled Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland. This Nintendo DS game follows Tingle on a quest to collect Rupees at the behest of Uncle Rupee to reach Rupeeland. While this game was never released in North America, it is still a great way to see how truly bizarre of a character Tingle can be.
Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love
Following in the same style as Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love is equally bizarre but trades the goal of obtaining Rupees for the quest to find love. This Wizard of Oz homage sees Tingle joined by Kakashi the scarecrow, Buriki the Tin Woman, and Lion the lion on an adventure to find the princess of the world he finds himself trapped in. The game's oddly mature tone kept it from being released outside of Japan but aided in developing the weird imagery associated with Tingle.
B-Tier
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Tingle's presence in The Minish Cap is characterized by his desire to fuse Kinstone Pieces with Link so that he might become a real fairy. If the player fuses Kinstone Pieces with Tingle and all his cohorts, Link will gain access to the Magical Boomerang item. However, the character doesn't serve much purpose outside of this side quest, making this one of his less memorable appearances.
Hyrule Warriors
Originally added in the Majora's Mask DLC, Tingle became a playable character among the all-star roster in this Dynasty Warriors spin-off title. While this is a non-canon appearance, his move set in this game draws inspiration from iconic elements of his character from throughout the franchise, giving Tingle the ability to fight using his balloon, wallet, maps, and bombs.
Super Smash Bros. Series
While Tingle is not playable as a fighter in the Super Smash Bros. Series, he has a longstanding history with the franchise. He appears on the Great Bay stage in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. For Wii U/3DS, Tingle is an Assist Trophy that can cause a variety of wacky effects, such as making the stage's gravity lighter or giving every player the Curry status.
C-Tier
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
These games all share the commonality that, while he is not directly present in them, Tingle's likeness can be found in various forms throughout these titles. In Phantom Hourglass, Tingle appears on a wanted poster in Mercay Tavern, further adding to the lore surrounding his mischievous nature. In Spirit Tracks, a Tingle figurine can be found in a few different locations along with a Tingle poster, and in Skyward Sword Zelda has a Tingle Plush on her desk at Skyloft's Knight Academy.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- May 12, 2023
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Cross-Platform Play
- N/A
- Cross Save
- N/A
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
- How Long To Beat
- 59 Hours
- Metascore
- 96
