The Untold Link: Unveiling 6 Stunning Twilight Princess Connections in Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Twilight Princess was a significant departure from the usual tone of the Zelda franchise. Originally released on the Nintendo Wii and later enhanced for the Wii U, the game revolves around the invasion of Hyrule by creatures from the Twilight Realm. Its unique aesthetic and captivating story have made it a beloved choice among fans.

In the Switch's latest Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom, there is a clear homage to various previous titles in the series, including Twilight Princess. From weaponry and game mechanics to armor sets, players can easily notice references to the characters and storyline of Twilight Princess. Some of these elements were absent in its predecessor, Breath of the Wild.

6 Ganondorf's Sword

In Tears of the Kingdom, fans of The Legend of Zelda will come across various weapons that will feel familiar. One of these weapons is the Dusk Claymore, a two-handed sword bearing a striking similarity to the sword used by the Six Sages when they executed Ganondorf in Twilight Princess, right before he manages to break free and claim it for himself.

Interestingly, the presence of this sword in Tears of the Kingdom holds a significant reference to the game's storyline, which focuses on Ganondorf's ascension to power in the land of Hyrule. Although Ganondorf doesn't personally wield the Dusk Claymore in this game, players have the opportunity to utilize its tremendous attack power for their own advantage.

5 Poes

When exploring the depths beneath Hyrule, players will encounter clusters of lights called Poes. These spectral entities can be exchanged with Bargainer Statues for valuable rewards such as rare armor and useful items. Poes also made an appearance in Twilight Princess as a similar collectible, serving a comparable purpose.

In Twilight Princess, players can obtain Poe Souls by defeating Imp Poes while in wolf form. As players gather a certain number of Poes, they have the option to trade them to Jovani, a man who sacrificed his soul for riches and was subsequently transformed into a golden statue. By assisting in Jovani's liberation, players will be generously rewarded with an empty Bottle or a considerable amount of Rupees.

4 Twilight Realm Helmets

There are several outfits in Tears of the Kingdom that pay homage to characters from previous games, and Twilight Princess is no different. Interestingly, there are two distinct head armor pieces inspired by characters from the Twilight Realm: Midna, Link's companion in the Wii game, and Zant, one of the primary antagonists.

To obtain Midna's Helmet, which provides resistance against gloom, players must venture into The Depths beneath Eventide Island and overcome a series of enemies in a coliseum-like setting. Similarly, Zant's Helmet can also be found in the Depths, but this time beneath Death Mountain. Players face a similar challenge in their quest to acquire it, just like with Midna's Helmet.

3 Armor Of Twilight

In Tears of the Kingdom, players can obtain an armor set inspired by Link's green outfit from Twilight Princess, as seen in other The Legend of Zelda games. This iconic look, worn by Link in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS, is now available for players to acquire.

The Twilight Princess armor consists of three pieces, which can be found in the Depths. By referring to old maps discovered on the Sky Islands, players can locate the exact whereabouts of these armor pieces. However, the Tunic of Twilight, the most challenging piece to find, is situated in the center of Rist Mine in the Depths. It is located directly beneath the Rist Peninsula, where players encounter the twelfth Dragon's Tear during the main story.

2 Batteries

Crafting machinery from Zonai devices and various objects is not only a new game mechanic in Tears of the Kingdom, but it is also crucial for progressing in the game. Consequently, players will likely dedicate a considerable amount of time to upgrading their Zonai batteries, enabling them to power their machines for extended periods.

Notably, the method of storing these Zonai batteries on Link's person evokes a reminiscent image from Twilight Princess. They bear a resemblance to the Vessel of Light, which Link utilizes to collect Tears of Light and restore Hyrule to its former glory after being taken over by Twili. Given the association with "tears," this connection cannot be mere happenstance.

1 The Zonai

Expanding on Hyrule's lore, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom introduces the Zonai race, credited with the creation of Hyrule. Like the Hylians, the Zonai are believed to have descended from gods. They dwell in the Sky Islands, advancing their civilization by inventing groundbreaking technologies.

Notably, some Zelda enthusiasts have pointed out the striking similarities between the Zonai's backstory and that of the Oocca, a bird species featured in Twilight Princess. The Oocca, residing in the City in the Sky, developed the Dominion Rod to communicate with Hyrule's royal family. It is plausible that the two races share some form of connection.