It’s not a far stretch to say that The Legend of Zelda is one of the most iconic gaming franchises of all time, with plenty of characters, songs, and visual themes that have grown far beyond the scope of just the games over the past 40 years.
While it’s not hard to recognize some of the more striking elements, like Link’s green tunic or any of Zelda’s iterations, the tools that Link actually uses throughout each of his adventures are easily some of the most iconic in gaming. From powerful artifacts, magical weapons, or basic tools that have become inseparable from the series, there are more than a few items that even those outside of the fanbase will recognize.
Majora’s Mask Has An Incredibly Iconic Design
Although Majora’s Mask functions more like a plot device rather than an actual item that Link can regularly use on his own, the design of the mask itself is easily one of the most visually striking items the franchise has to offer, especially given how much it was used in the titularly named sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
From its glaring eyes surrounded by bright spikes that offset the heart-shaped design, Majora’s Mask has an incredibly ominous design that more than lives up to its ancient power. Even if Majora’s Mask itself hasn’t appeared in too many entries except for references in Super Smash Bros. and games like Breath of the Wild, it’s still one of the most recognizable items in the series that is likely getting a new release soon.
Heart Pieces Are A Worthwhile Reward For Brave Adventurers
First introduced in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past alongside several of the series’ most longstanding tools, Heart Pieces are one collectible that makes even the most brutal dungeons and bosses worthwhile, with its glowing shine and heart within a heart brimming with power.
If you’re lucky enough, you can also come across the full heart container after certain major bosses or other rewards, allowing you to gain a full heart to help Link face off against his greatest foes as opposed to simply using pieces to craft a full one for yourself. Even if you can’t use them in combat or for exploration, Heart Pieces are still an easy-to-recognize and iconic tool for any hero.
Link Can Only Do So Much Without His Handy Bow
Long before you unlock Link’s iconic Master Sword or Hylian Shield, his Bow & Arrows are one of the most reliable tools you can use across the entire franchise, being both dependable and an essential part of Link’s overall aesthetic as a Hylian. Appearing since the very first entry in the series, Link’s Bow is a fundamental weapon that offers not only options for ranged combat but also countless puzzles and environmental interactions across the series.
Even incorporating first-person perspectives at times, Link’s Bow also opens up options for different types of arrows and other unique combinations to make for an even more impactful weapon, even if it gets outshone by stronger melee weapons at times.
While Bombs are definitely one of the more generic items you can acquire in The Legend of Zelda, that doesn’t mean they aren’t one of the most iconic tools in the series. Although their design has changed several times over the years, Legend of Zelda‘s take on the explosive tool is easily identifiable in most entries by its perfectly round body, topped by a fuse and metal separator.
While the new non-linear nature of Zelda games will likely change how bombs continue to function, there’s no doubt these iconic tools used for destroying barriers and enemies alike will still be around and kicking years into the future of the series.
The Hookshot Is A Stylish Way For Link To Get Around
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While Link has more than a few recognizable fairy companions like Navi or the various Great Fairies that grant powerful abilities, what’s even more iconic are the itemized versions of these fantastical creatures. Often portrayed as glowing orbs with four wings, simply walking through them will provide excellent healing abilities in the wild, but turning them into iconic fairy bottles is far more valuable.
Being one of the most visually iconic and powerful tools that you can come across in The Legend of Zelda, Fairy Bottles not only fully restore your health upon use but having one in your inventory after losing your last heart will instantly revive you back up to full HP without any action on your part, making them one of the most valuable consumable items in nearly every entry they appear in.
Finding Rupees Never Gets Old All These Years Later
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Although Rupees aren’t exactly a traditional tool from The Legend of Zelda, their hexagonal shape and bright array of colors are something that any fan can instantly recognize at a glance. While green Rupees are easily the most iconic variation, you’d be lucky to get your hands on a Silver or even Gold one for drastically higher value.
Being primary currency used across every game, Rupees also pose one mystery within TLoZ—how so many ended up in pots and bushes across each game world.
The Ocarina’s Popularity Goes Far Beyond Its Titular Entry
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Even if Link’s Ocarina is closely tied to its vital role in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, this musical instrument has made its way into several games across this series and still stands as one recognizable item in franchise history.
Being iconic even among non-fans, there have been countless recreations and appearances as references to this legendary item becoming staples in retro gaming history.
Link’s Hylian Shield Is The Perfect Fit For A Hero
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While how you actually go about acquiring Hylian Shield changes from game to game, its striking design displaying both Hylian Family Crest and Triforce makes it visually distinct—any hero would be lucky to get their hands on it.
The Hylian Shield has been Link’s trademark tool for defense since its first appearance. Although it doesn’t have special abilities offered by other shields, only one item has a more visually iconic design than Hylian Shield itself.
The Master Sword Is One Of Gaming’s Most Recognizable Weapons
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The Master Sword is an inseparable part of Link’s identity as a hero. Originally wielded by Goddess Hylia herself, it is powerful enough to take down evil entities like Ganondorf due to its divine enhancements.
This uniquely shaped weapon makes it satisfying when obtained mid-to-late game as opposed to offering it from start. Even without special abilities, Master Sword’s design is instantly recognizable as sword belonging to true hero.
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