The Enchanting Evolution of Zelda: Unveiling the Mesmerizing Allure of Tears of the Kingdom's Bargainer Statues

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom follow. Read ahead at your own risk.

The Legend of Zelda games are known for their intense and high-stakes narratives, and Tears of the Kingdom is no exception. When Princess Zelda goes missing, it falls upon Link to defeat the malevolent Ganondorf and save Hyrule from destruction. Along the way, Link uncovers intriguing details about the enigmatic Zonai in Breath of the Wild. However, Tears of the Kingdom introduces its own mysteries. Notably, the game fails to provide an explanation for the puzzling Bargainer Statues, despite their prominent presence.

Among the numerous shops in Tears of the Kingdom, the Bargainer Statues stand out as particularly remarkable. By collecting Poes in the Depths of Tears of the Kingdom, Link can offer these lost souls to the Bargainer Statues, receiving rare items and equipment in return. This invaluable service, however, may have implications beyond its immediate utility. The Bargainer Statues' connection to the underworld suggests a potential storyline in a future Tears of the Kingdom sequel, wherein Link and Zelda reunite with their departed allies to prevent the Demon King's escape from death.

Tears of the Kingdom's Sequel Could Use Bargainer Statues to Explore the Afterlife

Ganondorf's apparent demise marks the end of Tears of the Kingdom, distinguishing it from other games where he is banished or sealed away. The final battle sees Ganondorf being obliterated by the energy unleashed from his shattered secret stone. However, this would not be the first time Ganon needed to be resurrected. Should the next Zelda game revisit BotW's Hyrule, it is possible that Master Kohga and the Yiga Clan might seek to open a portal to the underworld, allowing Ganondorf to return.

If this were to happen, Link may find an ally in the form of the Bargainer Statues. These enigmatic statues are believed to be caretakers of the undead and have the ability to traverse the underworld. They could guide Link and serve as psychopomps, leading him to strike at the core of Ganondorf's newfound power. This would also give way to the return of familiar allies. Link and Zelda would have a multitude of support, including the Champions from Breath of the Wild and Rauru and Sonia from Tears of the Kingdom, who could appear as ghosts and assist in foiling Ganondorf once again. Considering the limited interaction between Link and these characters, reuniting them in Hyrule's afterlife would serve as a fitting conclusion to a potential BotW trilogy.

The potential for a Zelda adventure through the underworld exists in Tears of the Kingdom (TotK), as it handles the Bargainer Statues similarly to how Breath of the Wild (BotW) handled the Zonai. Like the Zonai, the Bargainer Statues have a significant impact on the world map, yet they are not fully explained in the plot and go unacknowledged by most characters. Their origins and true intentions remain unclear. If the Zonai can take center stage in BotW's sequel, it raises the possibility of the Bargainer Statues doing the same in a TotK sequel.

Naturally, nothing is certain about the future of the Bargainer Statues. It may be years before Nintendo hints at another Zelda game, let alone confirms a TotK sequel. Nevertheless, the Bargainer Statues offer a fascinating avenue for a new Zelda game if Nintendo intends to continue with the Calamity continuity. Exploring Zelda's canonical afterlife would present an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into the franchise's mythology and further develop recently deceased characters. Nintendo could even consider a grand Zelda crossover game, with Link and Zelda collaborating with their past selves, if they dare to be bold. Hopefully, the potential of the Bargainer Statues is fully realized.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now for Nintendo Switch.