The Top 10 Unanswered Mysteries in Legend of Zelda

The release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has opened up new and unexplored areas of the beloved Nintendo franchise for fans to delve into. Since its inception in 1986 on the Nintendo Entertainment System, the series has been known for its intricate lore and complexity. Despite this, many aspects of the Zelda universe remain shrouded in mystery, from unresolved plotlines spanning multiple games to perplexing character connections and timeline inconsistencies. These enigmas have puzzled fans for years and, while Tears of the Kingdom may not offer answers to these lingering questions, they continue to occupy the minds of avid gamers.

10 The Lineage Of Ritos And Zoras

The presence of both the Rito tribe and Zora people in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel has caught the attention of many fans. While the Zora civilization has been a part of the franchise since Ocarina of Time, the Rito were introduced much later in The Wind Waker. However, the co-existence of both in the recent games conflicts with the established lore of The Wind Waker. According to developer Eiji Aonuma, the Rito in The Wind Waker are descendants of the Zora from Ocarina of Time, which raises the question of how they are able to exist as separate species.

9 Breath Of The Wild's Place In The Timeline

The release of Breath of the Wild has sparked speculation about the overall timeline of the Zelda franchise. While Skyward Sword established itself as the earliest entry in the series chronologically, the placement of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom remains a mystery. Despite the possibility that these games exist in their own alternate timeline, Nintendo has yet to provide any clarification for fans. As a result, even the franchise's most dedicated followers are left in the dark about their connection to the rest of the Zelda universe.

8 The Existence Of Termina

Fans have been fascinated by the connections between Termina and Hyrule since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask in 2000. While some attribute the similarities to limited resources during the Nintendo 64 era, others speculate that Termina may have been a figment of Link's imagination. This theory is supported by the fact that Termina ceases to exist once Link destroys the Majora's Mask, leaving innocent civilians to a bleak fate.

7 Navi's Disappearance In Ocarina Of Time

In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Navi plays a crucial role as Link's guide in his quest to save Hyrule. Their parting in the game's emotional conclusion leads to Link embarking on a journey to locate her in Majora's Mask. However, despite Link's travels to Termina, the fate of Navi remains unknown to fans. Speculation abounds, with some positing that she returned to her home in the Kokiri Forest, but the mystery of her whereabouts remains unsolved.

6 Link's Family Origins Are Never Explained

Throughout the Legend of Zelda franchise, there have been various details revealed about Link's family members. For instance, his uncle plays a significant role in the opening scenes of A Link to the Past, and his grandmother is featured in The Wind Waker. However, the origins of Link's parents remain a mystery in many of the games.

In Ocarina of Time, Link's mother is mentioned as a Hylian who left him in the care of the Great Deku Tree during the Hyrulean Civil War. Some fans have speculated that Link and Princess Zelda may have a familial connection, but their relationship in games like Skyward Sword has led to debate over this theory.

5 The Royal Ties Of Tetra's Crew

In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Tetra, Link's pirate companion, is revealed to be Princess Zelda in disguise, protected from Ganondorf's evil forces. However, there is an Easter egg that some fans may miss regarding what this revelation means for Tetra's crew. Fans who explore the undersea Hyrule Castle in the game will discover a portrait of Princess Zelda and her royal servants, who all bear a striking resemblance to Tetra's crew. It's unclear whether these crew members are also unaware of their true identities, but it is a possibility.

4 Toilets Throughout Hyrule Are Haunted

One character that appears frequently throughout the franchise is inspired by a Japanese ghost story about a hand that reaches out of a toilet to grab unsuspecting users. In Majora's Mask, this character is simply called "???" and is depicted as a withered hand emerging from a toilet bowl and asking for toilet paper. After Link provides the paper, the character disappears and rewards Link with a piece of heart. A similar character named Hand also appears in Oracle of Ages, and Phoeni in Skyward Sword is the ghost of a young girl trapped in a toilet in the Knight's Academy. While these characters have their origins in Japanese folklore, their repeated appearances in the Zelda games might suggest a more unsettling truth about the sewer systems of Hyrule.

3 The Song Of Storms Creates A Paradox

The music theme known as "The Song of Storms" has made appearances in various titles within the Zelda franchise, but its inclusion in Ocarina of Time has left fans with many questions. In the game, an adult Link can learn the song from the Phonogram Man in Kakariko Village, who claims to have learned it from a young boy. However, by traveling back in time and becoming young Link, the player becomes the very same boy who teaches the song, creating a confusing paradox. Despite the revelation in Majora's Mask that the Composer Brothers wrote the song, its origins in Hyrule remain a mystery.

2 Where The Wind Fish Came From

The Zelda franchise boasts a multitude of recurring characters and mythological elements, but one that stands out as particularly unique is the Wind Fish featured in Link's Awakening. Uniquely, this character is the creator of a land that exists solely within Link's dreams - Koholint Island. However, the game's ending casts doubt on even this fact, as Link spots the Wind Fish flying in the sky. Although the Wind Fish is not referenced in any other Zelda titles or media, one of Marin's moves in Hyrule Warriors features the character, leaving fans to speculate on its significance.

1 The Extinction Of The Sheikah

The enigmatic Sheikah tribe has been a longstanding mystery in the Zelda universe. While they were introduced in Ocarina of Time as a people chosen by the goddess Hylia who had since gone extinct, they have taken on a greater significance in Breath of the Wild and its sequel. In these games, we learn that the Sheikah were exiled and now survive in scattered communities throughout Hyrule, with Kakariko Village serving as a major hub. The Yiga Clan, a group of Sheikah who have defected to serve Calamity Ganon, add further intrigue to the tribe's history. Additionally, the remnants of Sheikah technology hint at a complex culture that remains shrouded in mystery.

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