Summary
- Epona is an iconic and important companion in Zelda history, influencing future game companions' designs and functions.
- Marin from Link's Awakening is a beloved character with a heartbreaking story that resonates with players emotionally.
- Midna stands out as one of the best companion characters in the Zelda series, known for her charming, complex nature and emotional farewell.
For nearly forty years, The Legend of Zelda has been responsible for some of the industry's most influential video games, as the series has expertly combined strong world design with a rich, complex mythology. And one of the key parts of that mythology has been the spectacular cast of legendary, iconic figures that have become superstars in the video game industry and are one of the most diverse casts in gaming.
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From Link to Zelda, all the way to incredible support characters like Midna and Epona, this long-running series has seen some of the most popular and beloved characters of all time become legends in the industry. Spin-offs and appearances in Smash and Mario Kart have solidified their legacy, as they have become a permanent part of pop culture. These characters have been ranked based on their importance to the franchise and impact on the series, both in terms of story and gameplay systems.
6 Epona
Link's Faithful Steed Is One Of His Most Outstanding Companions
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
- Released
- June 19, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Grezzo, Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Super Mario 64
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- 3DS
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
Link has had numerous forms of transportation across the lands, but none are as iconic as Epona, the legendary horse that has assisted the Hero of Hyrule faithfully since 1998's Ocarina of Time. This mighty steed has been one of Link's most recognizable companions for over two decades, having played a large role in several major Zelda games.
Since first appearing in Ocarina of Time, Epona has gone on to appear in Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild and several other titles, showcasing just how important this iconic horse is in the Zelda franchise. As a mount, Epona would have a major influence on future Zelda companions, as characters like King of Red Lions and the Loftwings would make use of similar systems.
5 Marin
One Of Koholint Island's Most Charming Residents
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
- Released
- September 20, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Fantasy, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Grezzo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
Link's Awakening is one of the most remarkable, emotionally charged video games of all time, and when it came time for Nintendo to build a complete remake on the Switch, they knew that the key was making sure all the characters retained their charm. In what is still one of the best Zelda games of all time, the young Marin rescues Link after being shipwrecked on Koholint Island, where he embarks on a long, arduous journey to wake the Wind Fish and end the dream that has stranded him there.
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While she exists only as dreams in Link's mind, Marin is still one of the most delightful characters in the series, as her sweet personality shines through beautifully. This gut-wrenching story of heartbreak and friendship is made all the more tragic when players connect with Marin, as she isn't just a dream, but someone who feels devastatingly real. Marin is an integral part of Link's Awakening, and a major element of the types of stories the series would explore moving forward.
4 Midna
The Zelda Franchise's Best Companion Character
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Released
- November 19, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- How Long To Beat
- 38 Hours
The Zelda franchise has shied away from companion characters in recent entries, as Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom mostly focused on Link exploring the kingdom of Hyrule solo. But one of the best aspects of the classic games has consistently been the companion characters, and Link's best partner in his grand adventures was easily Midna, who accompanied the Hero of Hyrule during the events of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Midna is a delightful little imp that sometimes blurs the line between antagonist and protagonist, as she exudes a sort of devious charm throughout the game. Her mischievous nature, perfect design and complex relationship with Link lead to some of Twilight Princess' most memorable moments, and the emotional grand finale that sees her say goodbye in her true form is one of the most outstanding moments in the entire franchise.
3 Ganon
Link's Longtime Rival Is One Of The Most Iconic Video Game Villains Of All Time
In terms of long-running video game villains, there may not be one more iconic or integral to a series than Ganon, the Gerudo thief who has tortured Link and Zelda for almost forty years. With his legendary design, complex backstory and never-ending quest for power, Ganon is still one of the most recognizable and influential video game villains of all time.
Ganon has been Link's arch nemesis since 1986, as the Prince of Darkness has tortured the land of Hyrule through multiple incarnations and rebirths. This legendary video game villain has been portrayed in a multitude of different ways, from a power-hungry despot to a tragic figure doomed to hate everything in sight. And this ability to reinvent himself has been a key to making Ganon one of the industry's most iconic villains.
2 Princess Zelda
One Of The Most Iconic Video Game Princesses Of All Time
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Cross-Platform Play
- no
- Cross Save
- no
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U, Switch
- How Long To Beat
- 50 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- no
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
In terms of video game royalty, Princess Zelda may be the most iconic princess in the industry, as she has been a key figure in gaming ever since her debut in 1986. Giving her namesake to one of the most storied series in video games is remarkable, as the name holds a ton of weight, as Zelda herself has gone on to influence the very foundation of the franchise's mythology and ever-evolving legacy.
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As she is the literal legend of Zelda, the Princess of Hyrule has had a profound, tangible impact on the series, even if she doesn't appear in every single game in the franchise. She's been everything from a warrior to a pirate ship captain, all the way to a diplomat and the slayer of evil herself, having been reincarnated multiple times, yet still retains all the bravery, heroism and honesty that has defined her since 1986. Her theme is one of the most emotional pieces of music ever conceived, and she continues to be an integral part of the franchise almost forty years later.
1 Link
The Hero Of Hyrule
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- 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
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- n/a
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- How Long To Beat
- 59 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- n/a
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Having led the series since 1986, no character has appeared in more Zelda-related products than Link, as this brave young hero has destroyed evil and saved the land of Hyrule more times than anyone else. The green-clad Hero of Hyrule has been one of the industry's most recognizable beacons of hope for decades, as his fight against the encroaching hands of darkness has remained one of the most beloved on the market through multiple home and handheld console generations.
Link has led numerous spin-offs, appeared in Smash and Mario Kart, and is still one of the most legendary video game icons of all time, having played a huge part in every decade of gaming since the 1980s. His longevity, strong character and continued presence in all forms of media have helped elevate him into something more than just a video game character. Link is one of the key figures in video games, as he has become woven into the very fabric of the industry, solidifying him as the Legend of Zelda's most iconic character.
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