10 Best ‘Legend of Zelda’ Characters of All Time According to Fans
Nintendo has created hundreds of The Legend of Zelda characters since the series debuted in 1986 on NES. And fans ranked the top 10 best Zelda villains and heroes from across the video game series on Ranker.com. Did your favorite make the list?
Honorable Mention for best ‘Zelda’ characters: Malon from Lon Lon Ranch (‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’)
Just missing the top 10 best Zelda characters, Malon from Ocarina of Time quickly captured fans’ hearts. Some also believe ranchhand Malon and Link canonically end up together romantically in the game.
10. Skull Kid (‘The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask’)
One of the creepiest villains of the Nintendo series comes from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. Skull Kid robs the Happy Mask Salesman. However, the mask casts a mysterious power over the forest-dwelling Skull Kid, forcing him to bring the moon down on Clock Town and Termina.
9. The Great Deku Tree (‘Ocarina of Time,’ ‘The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,’ ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’)
The Great Deku Tree might exist for exposition or housing Zelda dungeons, but he left an impact on players when telling the grim tale of Hyrule to Navi in Ocarina of Time. Another Great Deku Tree guarded the Master Sword in Breath of the Wild.
8. Dark Link (‘Zelda II: The Adventure of Link’)
Dark Link is the final boss in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. He stands as a dark reflection of the hero, and fans love the darker take on Link. Fans voted him number 8 in the top 10 best Zelda characters despite spotty appearances in the series.
7. Impa (1986 ‘The Legend of Zelda,’ ’Ocarina of Time,’ ‘The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword’)
The mysterious Shiekah woman Impa sometimes acts as Princess Zelda’s attendant and also sometimes protector, like in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. The fierce warrior impacted the series with her calm but intimidating presence.
6. Majora (‘Majora’s Mask’)
The other antagonist in MaMajora’sask, fans voted the evil entity as one of the best Zelda characters. Their role is closely tied to that of Skull Kid at number 10. However, Majora stands as the main villain of the game.
5. Epona (‘Ocarina of Time,’ ‘The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess,’ ‘Breath of the Wild’) brings up the 5 best ‘Zelda’ characters
Link’s horse, Epona, first appeared in Ocarina of Time. With Hyrule growing immensely, Nintendo then gave players a quicker way to traverse the kingdom. In Twilight Princess, Epona is also an integral part of the game, joining the final fight against Ganondorf. However, in Breath of the Wild, an amiibo allows players to summon the legendary steed.
4. Ganon was voted the best ‘Zelda’ villain character
The main villain of The Legend of Zelda series, Ganon, or Ganondorf, has appeared in nearly every game. His hatred for Link and Zelda stems from a curse the demon Demise cast in Skyward Sword. And then it looks like hehe’lleturn again in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2.
3. Midna (‘The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess’)
Despite only appearing in one game, the Twili Midna in Twilight Princess was voted one of the best Zelda characters. The imp Midna still stands as one of the most unique partners in the Zelda series. With a lot of sass, fiery red hair, and a heartbreaking song, ‘M‘Midna’sament,’ she ranked above some of the series regulars.
2. Princess Zelda (‘The Legend of Zelda’ series)
The titular princess, Zelda, has appeared as a damsel in distress, making bold sacrifices to save Hyrule and sometimes also fighting alongside Link. BOTW brought another unique take on the princess, turning her into a researcher. And fans have scrambled for this version to also be playable in BOTW 2.
1. Fans voted Link as the best ‘Zelda’ character
The Hero of Time, the Hero of the Winds, or the Hero of the Wilds, Link has been known as many things. Link has saved Zelda and Hyrule time and time again since 1986. As a character players are meant to project onto, gamers see themselves in Link, pushing them to vote him the best Zelda character of all time.
