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.
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