The Legend of Zelda is a long-standing and beloved video game franchise that has captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the globe for over three decades. Throughout the series’ storied history, many fascinating trivia and little-known facts have emerged, from development secrets to hidden easter eggs. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most intriguing and lesser-known tidbits from The Legend of Zelda’s rich legacy.
Zelda Trivia and Little-Known Facts
- The Origin of the Name “Zelda”
The name “Zelda” was inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the Zelda series, chose the name because he found it to be both beautiful and mysterious, perfectly encapsulating the essence of the game’s princess.
- The Influence of Peter Pan
The design of Link, the series’ protagonist, was inspired by Peter Pan. Both characters share similar traits, such as their green attire, elf-like ears, and youthful appearance. The connection is further strengthened by the presence of a fairy companion, much like Tinker Bell, in several Zelda games.
- The Unreleased Zelda Title for the Nintendo 64DD
There was an unreleased Zelda title planned for the Nintendo 64DD, a disk drive peripheral for the Nintendo 64. The game, known as Ura Zelda, was intended to be an expansion to Ocarina of Time, with new dungeons and updated graphics. However, due to the 64DD’s commercial failure, the project was canceled. Some of the content planned for Ura Zelda eventually made its way into The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest.
- The Legend of Zelda’s Connection to Christianity
Early Zelda games featured subtle Christian symbols and references, such as crosses on Link’s shield and in the game world. These elements were later removed or altered in subsequent releases to maintain a more universally appealing fantasy setting.
- Ocarina of Time’s Original First-Person Perspective
During the early stages of development, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was intended to be a first-person game. This design choice was made to increase immersion and showcase the 3D capabilities of the Nintendo 64. However, the developers ultimately decided to include a third-person perspective to ensure that players could see and connect with the protagonist, Link.
- The Timeline Conundrum
The Legend of Zelda series has a complex and often debated timeline. It wasn’t until the release of the book “Hyrule Historia” in 2011 that an official timeline was confirmed by Nintendo. The timeline splits into three branches following the events of Ocarina of Time, creating parallel universes with their own unique stories and games.
- The Lost Woods’ Musical Secret
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the Lost Woods’ theme music hides a secret: it’s a sped-up version of the song “Saria’s Song.” This connection is fitting, as Saria is a character closely associated with the Lost Woods.
Conclusion
The Legend of Zelda franchise is a treasure trove of trivia, little-known facts, and hidden secrets that showcase the rich history and creativity behind its development. From the inspiration for the characters to the complex timeline and unreleased titles.