Dawn of the 22nd Day: Top 10 Mini-Bosses in Zelda

This is one of the more sought after lists for these Top 10's since it contains something that tends to be memorable in a lot of Zelda fan's eyes: The Mini-Bosses.  Let's see how they measure up.

10.  Flare Dancer (Ocarina of Time)

The Fire Temple mini-boss isn't the most recognizable one for most fans, but having replayed Ocarina of Time recently, I was surprised how much fun I had during the fight.  It's incredibly easy, but still involves a few steps and a fun chase sequence.  You start by hitting the Flare Dancer with a bomb, as it spins around trying to hurl flames at you.  After the explosion, it'll be reduced to a small little ball with legs that will run away from Link, forcing you to run around the pillar in the opposite direction in order to cut him off.  You repeat this process a few times, but at the end, I had a good time with the fight, despite how easy it was.

9.  Dangoro (Twilight Princess)

It's an interesting spin to make a typically friendly member of the Goron race a mini boss.  Mistaking you for an intruder, he guards the Hero's Bow and is adamant on stopping you.  You fight Dangoro on a large magnetized platform, which bobs and shifts in the pool of lava.  Using your Iron Boots, you need to stick yourself to the surface and swing him around into the lava.  It's an incredibly fun fight, though doesn't quite offer enough challenge.

8.  Darknut (Twilight Princess)

The Darknut and Iron Knuckle have been in many Zelda games and have always provided a fun fight.  I'm especially fond of the Darknuts from Wind Waker, since the parrying makes the fights entertaining.  However, I'd say the strongest challenge and coolest model comes from the Darknut in Twilight Princess.  Using Link's sword moves such as the back spin and the shield bash make for a much more engaging fight.  It gets even more interesting when they lose the bulky armor revealing a slimmed down figure in chain male.  They throw their weapon at you at incredible speed and draw a broad sword.  In this form they are more vulnerable to your attacks but gain a lot of dexterity, shifting the battle from a fight with a slow moving tank, to an agile duel.

7.  Darkhammer (Twilight Princess)

This is an intense fight because it's difficult to immediately know what to do.  And the beauty of it, is that you have options.  The Darkhammer is an armored Lizalfos that swings a giant ball and chain over its head, slowly moving towards you, which pins you in the claustrophobic room.  Luckily, you can use the Claw Shot to zip onto the ceiling and over the swinging ball of iron, however cutting it too close can lead to getting intercepted mid air.  Or, you can time a perfect roll and duck under the ball and chain, getting behind him to his exposed tail.  The fight itself isn't long and is a bit repetitive, but the tight arena, method of dodging his attacks, and the design make it entertaining.  And the most memorable part is being able to keep the Ball and Chain as an item!

6.  Gerudo Warrior (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

Whether you're in the Pirate or Gerudo Fortress, you'll eventually be encountered by these dual sword wielding women.  Their two swords allow them to be efficient with both blocking and attacking, and they also have a nasty wind up spin move that can knock Link out instantly, sending him immediately back to a jail cell.  It's frustrating when it happens, but it's also quite easy to read and has a decent signal for you to keep your distance.

5.  Scervo (Skyward Sword)

Fighting a robot pirate captain on a plank while sailing across the desert on a giant sandship should be enough of an argument as to why this boss fight is ridiculously cool.

4.  Death Sword (Twilight Princess)

I wish this boss were as difficult as he is intimidating.  The design is so extravagant and downright dreadful.  Entering the room, you spot a giant black sword carved into the middle of the ground, chained to the ground with Spirit Wards hanging off of each chain.  If that doesn't paint the picture for what is to come, you should turn back now.   As the sword begins to float, you use Wolf Link's vision to can see the boss in his entirety.  It truly has the most demonic appearance of any Zelda enemy to date; long horns, flowing black cloak, skeletal hands.  Again, it's a shame the fight is so straight forward, it'll be over before you really get to let it sink in.

3.  King Igos du Ikana (Majora's Mask)

This mini-boss is a fan favorite and I'm completely on board.  Not only does it contain cool mechanics, but it feels like a mini-boss that actually fleshes out the atmosphere of Ikana Castle.  Using your Fire Arrows to burn the curtains and reveal the sunlight, then reflecting that light off of your mirror shield to dissolve the bones of Igos and his servants makes for an interesting fight, despite its relative ease.  As a kid, I had more trouble with this fight because I was never quick enough to burn their bodies in the sunlight after they were on the ground.  The King actually being a character and teaching you the Elegy of Emptiness gives him character and makes this more than just a typical fight.

2.  King Bulblin (Twilight Princess)

If you noted that Twilight Princess is represented a lot on this list, that should speak volumes to that game's quality of mini-bosses.  King Bulblin is at the top of that respective tier.  First off, he's recurring.  He starts out by kidnapping Ilia right in front of your eyes and knocking you unconscious. You finally get a semblance of revenge when you get to chase him on horseback to free Colin.  Then you need to face-off on the bridge in a jousting battle, finally knocking him into the river.  Soon, he makes his return on the Bridge of Eldin, but comes prepared with side shields to prevent your sword swipes (unfortunately for him, he wasn't prepared for your newly acquired bow).  Once you reach the Forbidden Desert, you get to the Bulblin fortress and get to take him on on-foot, sword vs giant axe.  After defeating him, he tried to burn you alive inside of the locked barn.  And during the final showdown, you fight him on the grounds of Hyrule Castle.  This time, once he is defeated, he simply tells you to stop.  He reaches behind him and gives you the key you need to get into the castle.  He simply says, "I followed the strongest side.  It is all I have ever known."  At that moment, he not only acknowledges that you have bested him, but also seems to be convinced that you can defeat Ganondorf and that you are the wisest choice of ally.  It's a satisfying conclusion to a recurring villain, and one that was definitely not suspected.

1.  Dark Link (Ocarina of Time)

The Water Temple is memorable for many things; mostly bad thing.  But the fight with Dark Link is still one of the most iconic fights in Zelda history.  The scenery of the battlefield is a clear lake with a small island in the middle.  Walking along the water, you pass the island and come to a locked door.  With no where else to go, you turn around and head back towards the island in the middle (perhaps noticing that Link's reflection is no longer cast on the water).  There, leaning up against a tree, is Dark Link.  The fight is intense and quite tough if you're not sure what to do.  You can abuse the spin-attack or Din's Fire to get some easy damage.  The Megaton Hammer can also be used to great effect, but this was removed in the 3DS version, as Dark Link will easily hop away if you try to use the hammer.  He also jumps on your sword if you do a stab attack, which I tend to do on accident all the time (since it's natural to hold forward to press towards your enemy while you attack).  After he's finally defeated the room clears, revealing the scene as a mirage the entire time.  What exactly transpired in that room is still up for debate and is exactly what makes the fight so incredible.

Dawn of the 23rd Day: Top 10 Annoying Enemies in Zelda

10.  Blue/Yellow Chus (lightning variants)

I can't stand lightning enemies that complete stop you in your tracks if you hit them at the wrong time.  This is definitely evident in the electric Chus across various Zelda games.  At least they're kind of cute in Wind Waker.

9.  Miniblins (Wind Waker)

DA DING!  DA DING!  DA DING!  DA DING!

8.  Hard Hat Beetle (A Link to the Past)

If you don't recognize the name, these are the guys that bump you along the stage, even if you hit them back.  And you can't damage them until you get the Magic Hammer, so it's usually just a race to see who can knock each other off of the edge first.  Very annoying gameplay mechanic that I'm happy isn't around anymore.

7.  Tektites (various)

I mostly cannot stand their Ocarina and Majora's Mask variant where they seem to be invincible for a short period after the first hit.  I'm sure it's to make them a little less easy to kill, but I always seem to jump-slash into them at the wrong time, which sends Link flying back.  These are also constantly respawning in the Water Temple, which does not make the trek any easier.

6.  Mini Freezards (various)

An enemy that can freeze you at an inopportune time just by looking at you.  It's always hard to tell if you're safe from their attack or not, so most of the time, you just need to swing away and hope you kill them quickly.

5.  Jellyfish (Ocarina of Time)

Again, being electrocuted for hitting an enemy is annoying.  But when you're in Jabu Jabu's belly, you don't have a way of getting rid of these enemies without the Boomerang.  So until that time comes, you find yourself running past them and trying to ignore them, which makes a lot of the dungeon rooms a lot more stress than they need to be. 

4.  ReDeads and Gibdos (various)

Being frozen in place is not a fun gameplay mechanic, especially when it happens based on proximity.   There are ways around this, such as using bombs from a distance.  But they can also absorb enough hits to almost guarantee you'll be stunned at least once during an encounter.

3.  Keese (Fire and Ice variants)

The Fire Keese burn your shields and the Ice Keese freeze you in place.  And I can never seem to anticipate their distance from me.  Mostly they are an arrow tax, since half of your arrows will miss if shot while Z-Targeting.  And no matter how fast you swing your sword, a couple of hits always seem to sneak through your barrage of swings.  For these reasons, I cannot stand the Keese.

2.  Wall Masters

I simultaneously love these enemies and hate them.  Their design is great and I appreciate the feeling of dread they impose on the player with the threat of sending them back to the beginning of the dungeon.  But at a certain point, they become less of a threat and more annoying.  Waiting for them to drop so you can destroy them and continue on with the room can be a real drag.

1.  Like-Likes

Having an enemy that will eat your shield is obnoxious, especially when half of your attacks bounce off of it like nothing.  They're boring in design and seem like more of an area denial enemy than a true force to be reckoned with.

Dawn of the 24th Day: Top 10 Ocarina Songs in Zelda

Since there isn't too much to say about these items on the list, I thought it best to just list them plainly.  We're also quickly approaching the Zelda release date, and I have a lot of lists to do before then!

10.  Serenade of Water (Ocarina of Time)

9.  Bolero of Fire (Ocarina of Time)

8.  Oath to Order (Majora's Mask)

7.  Epona's Song (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

6.  Minuet of Forest (Ocarina of Time)

5.  Requiem of Spirit (Ocarina of Time)

4.  Zelda's Lullaby (Ocarina of Time)

3.  Song of Healing (Majora's Mask)

2.  Song of Time (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

1.  Song of Storms (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

Dawn of the 25th Day: Top 10 Town Themes in Zelda

10.  Kakariko Village (Ocarina of Time)

Originating from A Link to the Past, this theme is always relaxing to hear.  It gives off that rural, village feel that comforts you into thinking you could stay a while and relax.  I always had fun zipping around the rooftops with my hookshot, with this calm track playing in the back ground.

9.  Windfall Island (Wind Waker)

Windfall Island is one of my favorite areas to explore.  Unlike your typical Zelda town, it feels extremely vertical, complete with hills and bluffs overlooking the ocean, and the main windmill in the center serves as a good spotting point for keeping your orientation.  The music is joyful and easy to get lost in as you spend hours running around the town, getting wrapped up in all of the villager's individual stories.

8.  Kakariko Village (Twilight Princess)

I love the flute in this newer Kakariko Village theme.  It makes the place feel much more deserted and desolate (which it very much is).  It's a beautiful locale wedged in a canyon, and the theme drives the western feeling home.

7.  Goron City (Ocarina of Time)

I think this song perfectly describes the Gorons.  It features heavy percussion and drums instead of delicate instruments, which is very suiting of the Goron's rougher appearance and nature.

6.  Ordon Village (Twilight Princess)

Ordon village may be the home of one of the most tedious tutorials in Zelda history, but at least the backtrack is calming.  Ordon Village gives you the sense that you could really spend time there, living a simple life.

5.  Zora Hall (Ocarina of Time)

A beautiful structure inside of a waterfall, the Zora Hall has music that perfectly fits its aquatic nature and beauty.

4.  Skyloft (Skyward Sword)

I loved Skyloft as a main hub for Skyward Sword, and the theme increases that feeling.  As an entire town floating in the sky, you get a close-knit feeling of community and really get to know the characters.  The island also opens up as you gain new tools and access more of the story, leading to more complex areas and even a dungeon that's been right under your nose the whole time.  The fact that this song is fully orchestrated just makes it sound extremely lively.

3.  Kokiri Forest (Ocarina of Time)

It's easy to spend most of your time in Ocarina of Time just exploring the first area of the game.  As a kid, it took me upwards of two hours just to find the sword, because I was having so much fun just navigating the town, talking to people, and of course, enjoying the wonderful song that permeated the forest.  Even after I had the Master Sword, I was eager to return as an adult and see what had changed in such a familiar locale.

2.  Outset Island (Wind Waker)

The theme of Outset Island is so innocent; the perfect peaceful place to spend your days lazily looking out at the open ocean.  It's an ideal setting for a kick-off to a grand adventure.  This song has a few callbacks to Kokiri Forest from Ocarina of Time; it's peaceful and charming and gives you the sense of a place you could call home.

1.  Clock Town (Majora's Mask)

As you go back in time to the Dawn of the First Day over and over again, you'll always be greeted with the same song.  You'll be spending a lot of time running around Clock Town, interacting with all of the townsfolk, helping them with their issues, and finding all of its secrets.  It's a godsend that the music for this place is so cheerful and addicting.

Dawn of the 26th Day: Top 10 (Regular) Enemies in Zelda

Now it's time to reflect on all the cool enemies in Zelda.  This list won't include Mini-Bosses or Bosses (we'll save those lists for another day).

10.  Beamos (various)

The Beamos always make for an interesting fight, and there are usually various ways to defeat them across Zelda games.  My favorite Beamos are definitely the ones in Skyward Sword, which require hacking their totem-pole structure down to your height so you can deliver a stab to its eye.  Once you get the Bow, however, you can make quick work of them with well-shot arrow.  My only wish is that in games where you have the Mirror Shield, you'd be able to reflect their lasers back at them.  That would make the shield feel much more useful outside of Boss Fights and reflecting light puzzles.

9.  Dodongos (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

Dodongos are big fire breathing lizards with typically vulnerable tails.  These are the first enemies that really teach you about positioning and using the Z-Targeting to your advantage.  They do a lot of damage though, so you need to be careful facing them early in the game (which is really the only time you face them).  Mosty, I just enjoy their design and as a kid, they always felt intimidating enough that I felt very satisfied whenever I killed them.

8.  Moblins (various)

These spear wielding foes have been a staple of the series for a long time, but my favorite iteration are probably the ones that appear in the Lost Woods in Ocarina of Time.  These were always the most terrifying to takedown because they'd constantly be stalking around the corners of the hedge maze, and if you weren't careful, they'd charge you right into the water.

7.  Octoroks (various)

Another staple to the Zelda series, taking on different forms; sometimes aquatic, sometimes on land.  There isn't too much to say, but I always appreciated their inclusion in each game.

6.  Bokoblins (Wind Waker)

Smaller than Moblins, but scrappier, I always loved their design in Wind Waker.  They're never threatening and mostly exist to make Link feel better about his skills.  Nothing is more enjoyable than cutting through a mob of these guys like they're made of paper.

5.  Wolfos (Majora's Mask, Ocarina of Time)

I'd love to see these guys make a return in more Zelda games.  I love their werewolf like appearance; they run like a wolf, but clearly have bigger hind legs meant to support bipedal attacks.  An updated version in a new Zelda game could be terrifying and wonderful.

4.  Stalchildren (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

These guys always terrified me; having them spawn while running around Hyrule field at night was a surprise I was not anticipating.  And their chuckling laugh whenever they strike is enough to make you want to keep your distance.  But Majora's Mask showed a new side of them.  Wearing the Captain's Hat allowed you to actually interact with them, and after that, I found them kind of cute.

3.  Floor Masters (various)

A satisfying enemy to beat.  This monstrous, clawed hand looks intimidating and splits into a bunch of baby Floor Masters upon death.  It's nothing too special, but I've always considered them satisfying to kill.  They were one of the enemies I could justify using Din's Fire on!

2.  Re Deads (various)

Zombies appearing in a Zelda game isn't as far-fetched as it would seem.  The undead is a common theme within the games.  But the Re Deads are dreadful from their appearance down to their mannerisms.  The way they hardly move, staring blankly at the ground until provoked.  The chilling scream that freeze's Link in place, and their terrifying latch attack that renders you helpless.

1. Stalfos (various)

Skeleton warriors are an enticing concept and I enjoy all of the different forms they've taken through the series.  Skyward Sword used them to help the player perfect their sword swings and their encounters in Wind Waker were tough.  They always seemed to serve as a nice benchmark to test the players skills and show you that you've made it to the later dungeons of the game.

Dawn of the 27th Day: Top 10 Mini-Dungeons in Zelda

Mini-Dungeons are great for breaking up the actual dungeons during your Zelda adventure; giving you your puzzle or combat fix until you're thrust into the next dive.  Here are the ones that I've enjoyed the most!

10.  Pirate Fortress (Majora's Mask)

I love the music to this area.  It's relatively straight forward, but has a few branching paths to work through.  The main mechanic is remaining stealthy while you run around the fortress, attempting to retrieve the stolen Zora Eggs.  If you don't have enough bottles, it can be annoying to make multiple trips, but once you get the Hookshot, it makes the return far easier.   The Stone Mask also makes this area incredibly easy, so it's convenient that it's available right in the main room.

9.  Island Cabana (Wind Waker)

Getting the Cabana deed makes you the owner of a private island.  If that's not cool enough, beneath the Cabana is a maze hiding a chart to a piece of the Triforce!  It's short and simple, but I have a soft spot for dungeons that don't seem like they should be dungeons.

8.  Deku Palace (Majora's Mask)

The first side area of Majora's Mask before Woodfall Temple, the Deku Palace contains stealth elements and a kickass soundtrack.  This is also where you get to put your Deku flower skills to the test!

7.  Forsaken Fortress (Wind Waker)

It's hard to call this one a mini-dungeon exactly, since you return multiple times and even defeat a boss for a Heart Container.  But it's hard to think of Forsaken Fortress as a full dungeon.  It's relatively short and serves as more of a circular maze, and ends up making one hell of an impression for an opening area.

6.  Lost Woods (Twilight Princess)

A beautiful rendition of the Lost Woods theme fills the air and the shadows cast from branches overhead give the area a gloomy and mysterious feel.  While some may have hated giving chase to the trumpeting Skull Kid, I loved how it allowed the entire exploration of the area and forced you to orientate yourself in order to track him down.

5.  Beneath the Well (Ocarina of Time)

This area comes up a lot in Ocarina of Time discussion, mostly because it was the source of many childhood nightmares for a lot of the players.  Stacks of bones, chilling music, and the ever so creepy Dead Hand fight.  And there's something about doing the whole thing as child Link that makes you feel even more vulnerable.  It's a wonderful section of the game, that many people dread, and for all the right reasons.

4.  Ghost Ship (Wind Waker)

The Ghost Ship has a multitude of steps; first you need to find the Ghost Ship Chart on Diamond Steppe island, which will show you exactly where the Ship will appear.  The thing is, the Ghost Ship only appears at night and it will change its location depending on which phase the moon is in.  Once you figure out where the Ghost Ship is set to appear, you need to track it down with your boat and ram into it head on.  Only then will you be able to go through the ship's jar warping puzzles to get to the end and find the Triforce piece.  It's a gratifying process, and it doesn't hurt that the concept of ghost ships is cool enough in the first place.

3.  Gerudo Fortress (Ocarina of Time)

Gerudo Fortress is most memorable for its music, but I always appreciated the maze-like layout, leading you to different layers of the fortress.  Combine that with subtle stealth mechanics and some one-on-one sword duels, and you're in for a fun experience.  This is also where you can go through the Gerudo trials to get the Ice Arrow as a special item.

2.  Ice Cavern (Ocarina of Time)

Beautiful music and sliding block puzzles; two of my favorite things!  I'm a sucker for some good block puzzles and the Ice Cavern makes the journey to the Iron Boots a fun one.  It's plenty challenging too, requiring a lot from Link and his arsenal of tools.  A great lead up to the Water Temple.

1.  Ikana Castle (Majora's Mask)

A wonderful mini-dungeon with one of the more memorable mini boss fights in the series.  Fighting the undead king and his lackeys requires some interesting battlefield manipulation by torching the drapes to let the sunlight pour into the room.  The dungeon itself is composed of a few rooms across two floors, as well as the rooftop where you need to use a Powder Keg to blow a hole in the ceiling, letting light shine down for your mirror shield.  The whole of Ikana canyon has a fantastic atmosphere and the long dead castle gives such an ancient presence, it's easily my favorite area in any Zelda game.

Dawn of the 28th Day: Top 10 Companions in Zelda

Today I wanted to look at all of the companions that you get throughout your adventures.  Not all of these are your companions through an entire game, but if they're with you for any length of time, I considered them to fall under this category.  Let's go!

10.  Fi (Skyward Sword)

Though Fi was obnoxious through much of Skyward Sword's quest, often giving you details and tutorials you didn't need (and sometimes giving you the answer to puzzles before you even attempted them), by the end of the story, she had grown on me.  The fact that her spirit becomes one with the Master Sword means that she's technically in every Zelda game that features the iconic blade, and before her farewell, she promises that she'll always be with Link, through out all of his lives.  Once the game had ended, Fi had become a solid character and though I won't miss her robot-speak, she has established herself on this list.

9.  Ricky (Oracle of Seasons)

What could be cooler than riding in the pouch of your Kangaroo pal?  How about you give that Kangaroo some boxing gloves that give him the ability to punch tornadoes at enemies?  Oracle of Seasons allowed Link to befriend Ricky by bringing him his lost boxing gloves.  Once you have his flute, you can call him from anywhere in the overworld and use him to cross gaps and send long-ranged punches at baddies.  Ricky isn't a central part of the story, but as a companion, he's one of the most fun.

8.  Tatl (Majora's Mask)

Tatl and Link definitely get off on the wrong foot and Tatl's anger towards Link is palpable while she uses him exclusively to find her brother Tael.  By the end of their adventure, however, they seem to grow on each other and Tatl's motives become a bit more altruistic.  Tatl was also quite toned down in the interruptions department after Navi went down in video game infamy.

7.  Makar (Wind Waker)

Koroks are pretty awesome in design.  I love the woodland sprite aspect set forth and something about the nature of it all really draws me in.  Makar isn't an exceptional companion gameplay wise; he can fly around which is pretty fun and plant seeds to give Link hookshot targets, but his real likability comes from his character concept and the fact that he plays a frickin' violin with a stick.

6. Ezlo (Minish Cap)

Ezlo is another companion with a bad habit of interrupting gameplay with puzzle solutions and tutorials, but I love that they turned Link's iconic green hat into a veritable character.  There isn't too much to say about him, but I just always liked the idea, and giving Link the ability to shrink to the size of a minish created some fun puzzles and perspective!

5.  Loftwing (Skyward Sword)

I do feel like the Loftwings in Skyward Sword were underused.  I'm sure Nintendo took the criticisms about the sailing in Wind Waker and didn't want fans spending too much time in the sky.  But whenever I was able to soar around, I was happy.  I really love the music while you're flying as well as the sound of wind rushing past you.  I just wish there were more islands to explore.

4.  Epona (various)

It's hard to top Link's trusty horse.  Epona has made herself a staple of the games and riding across Hyrule or Termina on horseback is always a blast that invokes a sense of haste and epic adventure.  There isn't too much to say about Epona, but any time a Zelda game takes place on large fields or plains, it's difficult not to picture Epona.

3.  Medley (Wind Waker)

Another one of Link's dungeon companions in Wind Waker, but unlike Makar, Medley finds herself being much less of a damsel in distress.  I enjoy how she becomes a memorable character from the beginning of the game as she helps you get into the Dragon Roost cavern, but continues to stay relevant.  And the Rito design was always appealing to me, so it's nice to see her become so memorable.

2.  Midna (Twilight Princess)

Midna is widely loved for her complexity throughout Twilight Princess.  Zelda characters rarely go through an actual story arch, so it was refreshing to see a character actually change little by little with every benchmark.  Throughout the game, motivations change as new information is brought to light and Link and Midna grow closer.  The true root of the evil isn't what either party thought and Midna ends up making some tough decisions between the safety and restoration of her world, and dooming another world from suffering the same fate.  Midna repeatedly saves Link's life and by the end of the adventure, we've learned a lot about her in-turn.

1.  The King of Red Lions (Wind Waker)

I loved the sailing in Wind Waker.  I understand that it wasn't perfect and that there were some stretches where it went on for too long without much to do or see in the meantime.  But I always loved the sense of discovery that came with the open ocean.  Link's boat, The King of Red Lions is a talking ship that is equipped with a sail, a cannon, and a crane for digging up treasure.  Towards the middle of the game, you find out that The King of Red Lions is actually possessed by Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, the King of Hyrule who plays a large role during the end of the game!  Over the course of the Wind Waker, you spend a lot of time on your boat, so it's important that it takes on the persona of one of the coolest characters in the Zelda series.

Dawn of the 29th Day: Top 10 Unsettling Moments in Zelda

For games that are largely rated E, The Legend of Zelda has certainly contained some creepy or unsettling moments that can affect the player even when rendered in 64 bit graphics.  While Zelda is largely about adventure, sometimes those adventures take Link to some very odd and dark places.  These are the moments or themes that stuck out.

10.  Arbiter's Grounds (Twilight Princess)

Out of this entire dungeon in Twilight Princess, there are several chill inducing aspects that I've wrapped all into one spot on this list.  First off, you have the invisible rats.  Link will be running around in Wolf mode, only to start taking random damage and find himself slowed way down.  The first time this happened to me, I remember not being able to figure out what was causing it, until I turned on my Wolf senses and found the cause; dozens of ghost rats clinging to my body!  Another unsettling part about this dungeon are the Poes, which unlike their toonish design from the 64 games, have elongated humanoid mouths, dead eyes, and long grasping arms.  And when you find them, they seem to whisper some nondescript words before coming at you.  Wrap up this entire dungeon with the fact that it's Hyrule's prison and torture chamber, along with the other terrifying enemies like Stalkins and Redeads, and you have level that won't easily leave the player's mind.

9.  Elegy of Emptiness (Majora's Mask)

This is the song used to create a statue replica of yourself in order to weigh down switches in Stone Tower Temple.  Sounds fine on paper.  Except for the replica of Link looks like something out of a child's nightmare.  I won't go into too much description; I'll let the picture below speak more fluently than I ever could.

8.  The Shadow Temple (Ocarina of Time)

The music.  The atmosphere.  The enemies.  And something about sailing across a boat to the land of the dead is quite thematic.  I always loved how much the Lens of Truth is used in this dungeon as well.  I already mentioned its one of my favorite items, and the Shadow temple is a large reason why.  I love the sense of mystery and knowing that there are always secrets, even if you can't see them.

7.  Shadow Link (Ocarina of Time)

This isn't really an inherently unsettling moment for a lot of Zelda fans, but the Water Temple in its entirety always gave me the creeps.  The most intriguing aspect of it would certainly be the moment you walk into a room that's unlike anything you've seen up to that point.  Suddenly, you're surrounded by a white clear lake and you seem to have no problem walking across it.  The only objects that stand out are the doorway out and an island with a single tree.  You pass the island and walk to the end of the room, not noting any way forward.  As you turn back, you notice your own reflection is no longer cast on the water, and a shadowy figure stands against the tree, waiting for your return.  Your own shadow has escaped to fight you.  This could be a horror film concept in its own right.

6.  The Moon (Majora's Mask)

Yup...

5.  Giant Eels (Majora's Mask)

I'll admit that I have a slight case of thalassophobia (the fear of open waters) and giant sea creatures are a reason why.  Being out of your element, helpless in the water, up against a threat much larger than you that you can't even see... the thought never fails to send chills down my spine.  The giant eels in Majora's Mask managed to tick all of those boxes, and staring into their glowing eyes as they lunge from their hideouts towards you always made this section of the game a nightmare.

4.  The Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask)

The man sells masks... that's all you need to know.

3.  Wallmasters (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

The Forest Temple itself is already quite a creepy area.  The ambiance of the music and the dark lighting makes the place feel ancient and haunted.  The first time you walk into a certain room, you hear the sound of the wind rushing louder and louder.  You see Link's shadow grow bigger and bigger until a monstrous severed hand drops to the ground to attack.  What's worse is that grabbing you will bring you back to the opening room.  These enemies aren't just terrifying to look at, but they also threaten all of the progress you've made up until that point.  A true sense of dread.

2.  ReDead Scream (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker)

A terrifying scream at an unexpected moment can be a good shock.  Ocarina's ReDeads in Castle Town always scared me as a kid, but nowadays, the scream they use sounds like a re-used soundbite from a 60's Horror Schlock film.  Wind Waker, however, brought back a bit of terror to the ReDead scream.

1.  Dead Hands (Ocarina of Time)

The Dead Hand was an obvious pick for this list, especially at the top spot.  The oddly shaped pale body and it's grotesque movement only set the stage for this abomination.  It's own severed hands reach up from the ground to hold you in place while it presses its attack.  Once it leans its head down, you see the clownish smile and the unhinged jaw; this is more alien than monster and no Zelda game has conjured up a creepier image.

Dawn of the 30th Day: Top 10 Items in Zelda

This countdown focuses on my favorite items throughout the Zelda games.  I'll admit that the 3D Zelda seem to have a bias on this list, but that's mostly because I feel the 3D perspective makes the use of these items far more dynamic and involved.  The items tend to be staples of a dungeon or area and have made many reappearances throughout the series.  Whether they're on this list for nostalgia, iconic value, or how fun they are to use, Zelda has some of the most crazy items across video games, giving Link an undeniable arsenal.

10.  The Empty Bottle (various)

No Zelda game ever makes the Empty Bottle feel like the throwaway item it should be.  A bottle is your container for potions and other healing drinks.  It is your extra life, as captured fairies will bring you back to life if you fall.  In Majora's Mask, a game which gives you 7 Bottles, you need them for transporting Zora Eggs or carrying Deku Princesses around.  In Ocarina of Time you can even swing a bottle to send projectiles back at Ganondorf during the boss fight.  It's a versatile tool that gets points for its simplicity and intuitiveness.

9.  The Deku Leaf (Wind Waker)

This item never outlives its usefulness in the Wind Waker.  Having a way to glide from platform to platform, especially so early in the game, is quite handy.  Plus, flying around is just plain fun.  As a preteen, I spent hours on Windfall Island, jumping off of cliffs and trying to find new interesting buildings to soar to.  I have a soft spot for items that allow such a sense of discovery.

8.  The Ball and Chain (Twilight Princess)

Wait.  You're telling me I actually get to keep this thing?  There isn't much to say about the ball and chain; it's exactly as advertised.  You get to swing around a giant spiky iron ball on a chain and send it flying towards enemies.  Once you get it, it can almost replace your bombs as you can use it to smash through huge boulders.  It's not overly useful outside of the Snowpeak Manor dungeon, but it certainly earns its place for being unique in the Zelda universe

7. The Ocarina (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

Making sweet, sweet music is always cool.  I don't really count the Ocarina from A Link to the Past, since you didn't have control over the songs you played.  And Majora's Mask earns some extra credit for having your instrument change depending on if you're a Goron, Zora, or Deku.  And having a magical instrument that can change the weather, warp you around the world, or even send you back in time makes for a unique game experience.

6.  Lens of Truth (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask)

Another item that enhances the player's feeling that there is always more to be discovered.  I just enjoy the prospect that there are hidden secrets throughout a world and that each area is much bigger than it lets on.

5.  Magnetic Gloves (Oracle of Seasons)

Flying around via magnetism has to be the coolest concept I've seen in a Zelda game.  I would love to see them bring back this item to a 3D Zelda.  Using the polarity of the gloves to push and pull objects or to push and pull yourself around a room creates for some fun puzzles and scenarios.

4.  The Beetle (Skyward Sword)

The Beetle earns its spot on this list for being purely useful, while also fun to use.  As much as I didn't care for the game's motion control, steering the beetle around while you collect different things, trigger switches, and even pick up bombs to rain death from above, was entertaining and added to the experience rather than detracted from it.  And the fact that you could upgrade it to be faster and more durable always felt like a worthwhile way to spend your cash.

3.  The Skull Hammer (Wind Waker)

If there was one weapon I could use instead of Link's sword, it would definitely be the Skull Hammer from Wind Waker.  The Magic Hammer and the Megaton Hammer from past Zelda games functioned very similarly to the Skull Hammer, but none of them really swung with the same satisfying crunch.  Either as an overhead slam or a home-run swing, the Skull Hammer is always a blast to use and send enemies flying or flatten them like pancakes.  And there isn't anything quite as brutal as freezing an enemy with an Ice Arrow and smashing their frozen body to bits.

2.  The Bow (various)

Feeling like a crack-shot with the bow is a gratifying feeling.  The Bow also has had many types of arrows to allow it to solve puzzles and interact with the world in different ways.  Fire Arrows and Ice arrows can always be used for cool effects, and Light Arrows usually make an appearance to take on the final boss.  I'd say the most welcome addition are the Bomb Arrows, which arc through the arrow thanks to their added weight, but give a much needed way to take out objects from a distance.

1.  The Hookshot and Clawshot (various)

As I mentioned when I brought up the Deku Leaf; flying is fun.  Even more fun, is zipping from wall to wall in a Spiderman like fashion.  Like the Deku Leaf, I love items that open up that sense of discovery and give you different methods to traverse the world.  In Ocarina of Time, I'd spend hours hooking from rooftops in Kakariko Village, and my jaw dropped when Twilight Princess gave you a second Clawshot to mess around with.  Skyward Sword followed this trend, but it felt far less useful than the City in the Sky made those items in Twilight Princess.  Overall, I can't help but get giddy whenever I get the hookshot as I drool at the possibilities of reaching new heights.

30 Days of Zelda

To celebrate the countdown to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I'll be posting 30 days worth of Zelda content.  This will mostly take the form of Top 10's; let's see if I can think of 30 Zelda topics worth listing!