Link can transform in many different ways throughout the Legend of Zelda series, with the details of some changes being stranger than others.
SUMMARY
- Transformations in The Legend of Zelda are varied and unique, ranging from magical items to curses and more.
- These transformations grant Link access to new abilities and can be advantageous in his quests.
- Regardless of how they occur, Link always uses his transformations to his advantage, even turning curses against his enemies.
Link has gone through many strange transformations in The Legend of Zelda, taking advantage of various types of magic to advance in his quests. However, although all of these changes have been necessary for him to succeed, not all of them have been entirely voluntary; instead, the hero of Hyrule has been cursed to take on different forms on more than one occasion. Moreover, regardless of their (sometimes ironic) utility, it cannot be denied that these transformations and their respective triggers can be very strange.
Transformations are a popular recurring feature in The Legend of Zelda, although it is worth noting that no two applications are exactly the same. Many employ specific items in order to be possible, but others are a more direct application of magic. The results can also vary wildly, but in most cases, the normally Hylian Link clearly becomes something very different, in body if not in mind. In addition, transformations usually grant access to unique abilities for Link, making them a definite asset to him, but they may also have their downsides and weaknesses to balance this out.
Zelda 2: The Adventure Of Link
Although Fairies serve as companions and sources of healing in many Zelda titles, Link can actually become one himself in The Adventure of Link. The Fairy spell is one of eight in the game, and allows Link to fly over obstacles and through small holes, and even bypass locked doors. The method of gaining the spell is also very thematic, as Link must bring the healing Water of Life to an ill child. However, this maneuverability does come at the cost of Link being unable to attack enemies, and the form’s execution as a whole is very simplistic.
Painting Link
A Link Between Worlds introduced Lorule to the Zelda canon, a parallel world that Link can access through the unusual act of transforming himself into a painting. Wall Merging is activated with Ravio’s Bracelet, which saves him from an initial curse from Yuga, and allows Link to traverse various obstacles. However, its functionality is arguably also fairly limited given that it drains Link’s energy to use, and the Painting form mainly sees use in puzzles rather than battle. Nevertheless, the strange 2D form stands out well in ALBW’s 3D world, especially given the stylistic art used to portray Link.
Mini Link
With the help of the Minish blacksmith who turned into the talking hat Ezlo, Link is able to shrink himself to a minuscule size in The Minish Cap. This is achieved through the use of a Minish Portal, and much like the Fairy spell, allows Link to pass through small gaps into new areas. As an added bonus, Mini Link can also speak to animals and Minish when he is this size. The size-based puzzles created by this mechanic in The Minish Cap are far more complex than those for Link’s earlier Fairy form, although more advanced systems undoubtedly contribute to this.
Bunny Link
When A Link to the Past’s pink-haired Link reaches the Dark World, he is transformed by the intense magic of the dimension into a similarly pink, defenseless rabbit. The same fate can befall anyone, with the transformation’s specific result being a reflection of that person’s inner self (becoming a rabbit is believed to imply that Link is a gentle person at heart). Although an item is linked to the transformation, in Bunny Link’s case it is a means of prevention; the Moon Pearl protects Link from these effects, allowing him to retain his Hylian body and fight in the Dark World.
Ring Transformations
In the Oracle of Seasons and Ages games, Magic Rings can be worn for various effects, and among these are a set that change Link’s appearance. Although this is mostly cosmetic, these rings do create the illusion of Link being one of several monsters, an Octorok, Moblin or Like Like, as well as a Subrosian and even his own original appearance from 1987's The Legend of Zelda. Additionally, these transformations prevent him from being eaten by real Like Likes, but the usual limitations on using items also apply. Nevertheless, the opportunity to play as a monster is uniquely appealing.
Baby Link
Different to the various ring-based transformations, a particularly odd transformation can be found specifically in Oracle of Ages in a single dungeon. In the Ancient Tomb, the eighth dungeon of the game, Link can encounter a Blue Stalfos. This skeletal miniboss can use magic, and if hit by a ball of magic, Link will be transformed into a baby for a few seconds. As young as Link can be on some of his adventures, this is obviously too young for battle, and so he can only slowly crawl around until he recovers.
Wolf Link
When he enters the pockets of Twilight encroaching on Hyrule in Twilight Princess, Link’s unknowing ownership of the Triforce of Courage means that he transforms into a wolf rather than a disembodied spirit. Later, after being cursed by Zant, Link’s acquisition of the Master Sword means he can repel and embrace the curse at will, allowing him to change forms at any time. Capable of howling tunes, tracking scents and direct combat, Wolf Link is undoubtedly one of his most capable alternate forms. It is a curse that the hero fully turns to his advantage, and is instrumental in his survival.
Goron Link
One of the mask-based transformations found in Majora’s Mask, Link’s ability to transform into a Goron is ultimately born from tragedy. When Link encounters the ghost of Darmani III, the Goron warrior is despondent over his death, having fallen into a ravine during a powerful blizzard. However, after Link plays him the Song of Healing, Darmani III’s woes are eased, and he entrusts Link with the Goron Mask; this allows the hero to take on Darmani III’s form and use its related abilities to fight and explore (as well as pose as the other Link in Majora’s Mask).
Zora Link
The result of another tragic tale in Majora’s Mask, Link becomes able to transform into a Zora after meeting the guitarist Mikau. Dying after a failed attempt to rescue his bandmate Lulu’s eggs, Mikau’s pain and regret is eased by Link playing the Song of Healing. This earns him the Zora Mask, the use of which (as with every transformation mask in the game) prompts a haunting cutscene; the world turns dark and Link, or perhaps Mikau, screams as the mask becomes flesh.
Deku Link
Unlike the other two main transformation masks, the origin of the Deku Mask which Link uses to transform into a Deku Scrub in Majora’s Mask is less immediately obvious. This is because when Skull Kid (somewhat similarly to Wolf Link) curses Link with the form, the Deku Butler’s Son to which it is connected has already died. Link can later find his body, now warped into a small tree, but has no chance to talk to him like Darmani III and Mikau. As dark as Majora’s Mask can be, the revelation of this child’s death is a particularly sad moment.
Giant Link
Link can transform into a giant version of himself at only one point in Majora’s Mask, during the boss battle against Twinmold in the Stone Tower Temple. Interestingly, the way of obtaining the Giant’s Mask responsible for this change is different depending on the game version; in the original, Link obtains the mask by killing an Eyegore, but in Majora’s Mask 3D he instead gets it during the course of the boss battle itself. The remake also gives him a somewhat more muscular appearance and unique attacks during this sequence, consisting of powerful blows using his fists.
Fierce Deity Link
The Fierce Deity’s Mask is a particularly strange and rare item, only available by giving all masks other than the Deku, Goron, and Zora Masks to the children found inside the Moon during the climax of Majora’s Mask. According to developer comments, the Fierce Deity is an embodiment of the thoughts and feelings of Termina’s inhabitants, hence how it is obtained by trading in the masks Link earns through helping them. When wearing it, the tall and imposing Fierce Deity Link uses a helix-shaped sword, and has pure white hair and eyes.
Link can transform in many different ways throughout the Zelda franchise, from relatively mundane applications of magic, to being afflicted by strange curses and even utilizing the physical remnants of others’ lives. Regardless of the method, however, such changes never render him incapable of saving Hyrule, or any other land for that matter. Whether voluntary or not, Link’s transformations in The Legend of Zelda are invariably to his advantage, allowing him to survive with his mind intact in places like the Dark Realm, and even turn the effects of curses back on his enemies.
