Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Zelda: 5 Underrated Characters You Need to Know

The Legend of Zelda franchise has cemented its position as one of Nintendo's most successful series, alongside Pokemon and Super Mario. With over three decades under its belt, the franchise has introduced a plethora of vibrant characters, each belonging to different races, for fans to adore.

Hyrule is a melting pot of memorable heroes and citizens, from the dignified Gorons to the graceful Rito, for players to engage with. Despite the likes of Navi and Skull Kid being fan favorites, some characters in The Legend of Zelda are often overlooked. Here are a select few of the franchise's most underrated characters.

5 Kilton

In Breath of the Wild, players can come across Kilton, a monster-obsessed salesman who runs the Fang and Bone shop. Kilton offers unique monster-based items in exchange for Mon, a currency he created specifically for his sales. He takes pleasure in discussing monsters with Link and shares that his shop exists to spread his love for them and allow the people of Hyrule to feel like monsters when they dress in his merchandise. If Link successfully defeats all of Hyrule's larger monsters, such as Stone Taluses or Molduga, Kilton will award him with a Medal of Honor for each type, providing players with a genuine sense of accomplishment for making Kilton happy.

Kilton also provides Link with gear based on certain monsters, which enables him to sneak past them undetected. For example, the Bokoblin Mask allows Link to move through entire monster camps without alerting any enemies. Additionally, Kilton sells the Dark Link set, which gives Link an iconic appearance from the series' past and enhances his speed, while also instilling fear in both enemies and citizens.

4 Tingle

Tingle, a peculiar addition to The Legend Of Zelda series, is arguably the most polarizing character. He is known for befriending Link, offering discounted maps, and believing he is a real fairy. Interestingly, Tingle's odd life becomes even stranger when it is revealed that he has siblings named Ankle, Knuckle, and Pinkle, who all wear identical full-body jumpsuits, creating an unfinished rainbow of colors. Despite mixed reactions from Western fans, Tingle has appeared in several games, including Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, Oracle of Ages, Four Swords Adventures, and Minish Cap. He has even been featured as the main character in a few Japan-exclusive Nintendo DS spin-offs, suggesting that he may have a surprisingly strong following in his home country.

3 Bolson

As the president of his own construction company and the mastermind behind Link's Breath of the Wild abode, Bolson is an eccentric character found in Hateno Village. Despite initially offering Link a bargain price for the house, he takes great joy in helping the hero spruce up his new digs with flowers, torches, and even a personalized sign bearing Link's name. Bolson's pride in his company's theme song and dance routine is infectious, as he is always eager to perform it – even humming the tune in his sleep.

Later on, Bolson attends his colleague Hudson's wedding in the newly constructed Tarrey Town, where he marvels at the beauty of the event and even hints at his own desire for a life partner. His love for extravagance is evident in his flashy pink attire and his appreciation for the finer things in life, making him a welcome and refreshing addition to Hyrule's male population.

2 Linebeck

Initially, Linebeck appears to be a spineless individual with no clear motivations or backstory, fleeing from danger and leaving Link to tackle the challenges of the temples alone during their first encounters in Phantom Hourglass. However, as their journey progresses, Linebeck develops a fondness for Link and even goes as far as saving his life during the climactic moments of the game. Despite his fixation on treasure hunting, Linebeck demonstrates a remarkable attachment to his ship, opting to repair and restore it instead of acquiring the coveted riches he had set out to find. This transformation and his genuine affection for his vessel endear Linebeck to players, making him an unexpectedly charming character in the franchise.

1 Vaati

Vaati, the Minish wind mage, is a recurring boss in the Four Swords duology and the main antagonist in The Minish Cap. His descent into villainy began with a peculiar fascination with the dark and repressed evil that exists within all individuals. However, his desire for power soon corrupted him, leading him to seek the Light Force held within Princess Zelda. Vaati's arrogance and unquenchable thirst for power ultimately led to his downfall at the hands of Link. Despite his malevolent nature, Vaati's smug and prideful personality before his defeat make him a villain that players can't help but love to hate.

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