The Zelda series is one built on tradition: Even Breath of the Wild features some classic ones in new wrappers. The inventive items that return in each entry are dear to many of us. And while we appreciate the classics like the bow and arrow, boomerang, and magical rods, we mostly wanted to focus on some really unique pickups here, many of which have only been seen in one Zelda title so far.
Spinner (Twilight Princess)
By Stephanie Sybydlo
The Spinner satisfies the curiosity about what a mechanical tool in the Zelda-verse would look like. I also remember being totally flummoxed by its design and purpose at first sight, but then immediately going from ‘whuh?’ to ‘wow!’ in no more than 5 seconds after using it. While most major items received in Zelda dungeons alleviate core dungeon problems, the Spinner transforms the Arbiter’s Grounds from ancient Egyptian tomb to a super cool undead skate park! Come back again anytime, Spinner; we miss you.
Magnetic Gloves (Oracle of Seasons)
By Stephanie Sybydlo
Found in Oracle of Seasons, I can only hope this item makes it to a modern 3D Zelda one day. The Magnetic Gloves are found in the fifth dungeon and let you do fun magnet things in a Zelda setting. They’re used to make quick work of Helmasaurs, let you cross gaps, and hurl a giant spiked ball across the dungeon’s Boss room. While Breath of the Wild made some great use out of its own magnet magic as well (and a catalyst used in tons of cool BoTW tricks and ‘stunts’), the Magnetic Gloves work just a little more efficiently and enable getting around just as effectively as the Hookshot!
Beetle (Skyward Sword)
By Stephanie Sybydlo
This Skyward Sword exclusive allows players to explore the field remotely, picking up items and scouting more dangerous areas. The Beetle really lets players work in a 3D plane and find that secret switch~ *cue Zelda Secret SFX* But really, being able to drop bombs on unsuspecting Bokoblins from a safe distance is what seals the deal.
Marin (Link’s Awakening)
By Mike Salbato
Link’s first Game Boy adventure has no shortage of memorable moments and charm, but there is one moment that is so hilariously cute that it still sticks with me 25 years later. There is a point where Marin tags along with Link to visit the Animal Village, and while the game could have simply stated that this village girl joined your one-boy party, Link adheres to tradition, lifting her up over his head as if she was the Triforce itself. I know I’m not alone in my amusement, because even a cursory Google search on “You got Marin! Is this your big chance?” reveals an adorable treasure trove of fan art.
Remote Bomb Runes (Breath of the Wild)
By Stephanie Sybydlo
The best thing about this interpretation of the traditional Zelda explosive is its dual designs; the Remote Bomb comes in either a sphere-shape or cube-shape that enables all sorts of creative problem solving based on simple physics. Roll a bomb into unsuspecting enemies or leave a trap behind. Solve puzzles or cause a distraction — even deploy them as backup when you’re short of weapons. The fact that Nintendo demonstrated the importance of having the right tool for the job (over, say, just a bigger or different type of explosion) is just good, practical game design.
Roc’s Cape (Oracle of Seasons, Four Swords, Minish Cap)
By Stephanie Sybydlo
Roc’s Feather allowed Link the amazing ability to jump (a surprisingly rare ability in the Zelda universe), but the Roc’s Cape lets Link soar! Well, it gives a substantial lift into the air… and in no game where I have the power to double jump, moon jump, or fly into the air have I neglected to do so almost all the time, even if the situation didn’t call for it. As Link, I will leap across bottomless pits in a dungeon, then I will barge into your house and jump-fly to each corner of it as I destroy your vases for profit! But the reason for liking the Roc’s Cape or a similar item/feature for any game: Jumping really high is just a lot of fun — and it’s no wonder the Zelda series sometimes can’t resist bringing this item back.
Fierce Deity’s Mask (Majora’s Mask)
By Gino Digioia
Majora’s Mask spans many themes: death, love, sacrifice, impending doom, inner darkness, friendship, betrayal, fear, power, abandonment, creepy Great Fairies, and family. All of these are embodied in the sequence with Majora where you obtain the Fierce Deity’s Mask. In the final dungeon, you are forced to give away all of the masks you have collected throughout your journey to some creepy frockling kids. If you managed to collect all 23 and give them all away, the final kid who is wearing Majora’s Mask will give you this final mask. Only by giving away the masks, your reward for helping those in Termina, do you get this mask that grants you ultimate power. This insanely powerful item takes in Link’s inner darkness and turns it into absolute power. While you can only use it against the game’s five main bosses, the mask gives Link a giant growth spurt and grants him a sword that can launch energy beams towards targeted enemies for massive damage. This mask symbolizes everything Majora craves: Power, darkness, but also a friend. In a way, you became just that.
Ball and Chain (Twilight Princess)
By Yeto and Yeta
Twilight Princess isn’t really seen as a difficult game, but one of its best items belongs to one of its most difficult minibosses. Darkhammer traps Link in a narrow passageway and immediately starts to spin the giant Ball and Chain weapon, hurling it at him to inflict some major damage. But the reward is totally worth it, as there’s really no nicer feeling than going through an old, run-down mansion with an actual wrecking ball.
Paraglider (Breath of the Wild)
By Michael Sollosi
One important conceit of Breath of the Wild‘s stunning open world is “if you can see it, then you can go there.” No gadget or magic spell exemplifies this idea more than Link’s Paraglider, granted to him after completing a few tasks in Breath of the Wild‘s starting area. With the Paraglider, Link gains a faster mode of travel through the air, improved vision for exploration, and a breathtaking (ha!) feeling of soaring that is unlike anything else in the Zelda series. OK, maybe it’s a little like the Deku Leaf in Wind Waker, but Breath of the Wild takes Link’s gliding ability up several notches, to the point of being a defining special item in a special game.
Kidnapped Child (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link)
By Patrick Gann
Before Marin in Link’s Awakening, there was the Kidnapped Child. Link comes across a distressed woman in the town of Darunia claiming her child has been kidnapped by a monster. The child is essentially a placeholder token, part of a fetch quest. After defeating (or avoiding) an enemy guarding the child, Link proudly lifts the child over his head as though it were an item… or baby Simba.
Upon returning to Darunia, Link is rewarded with the “Reflect” spell, whose primary purpose is to defeat the boss of the game’s fourth temple.
