The Legend of Zelda is a fantasy adventure first and foremost. Stakes may prove perilous at times, but the world and its denizens are filled with a profound sense of whimsy to combat this. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Despite being a definite all-ages experience, The Legend of Zelda has never strayed away from exploring mature themes. When Zelda gets truly dark, it can create some of the most memorable experiences in the game.
The Legend of Zelda walks a fine line, then, where its characters must feel fully fantastical, but ready to face off against horrors beyond your comprehension. Alternatively, sometimes they are those horrors. Zelda‘s first movie adaptation is right around the corner, and it could certainly reflect some of the darker moments in the series. However, there are some Zelda heroes and villains that could just as easily fit into a good old-fashioned horror flick.
Ghirahim
The Flamboyant Swordsman Makes for a Perfect Slasher
Ghirahim is in the exclusive club of excellent Zelda villains who will never be allowed to surpass Ganondorf. That is to say that Ghirahim has never reappeared in the series since his introduction in Skyward Sword. Thankfully, this means his schedule should be completely open if any horror franchises are looking for a fresh face. Ghirahim’s mastery of the sword and habit of skulking around could forge him into the perfect slasher. Better yet, his glamorous attitude would ensure we know he’s having a world of fun while wreaking havoc.
Groose
Don’t Worry, I’m Sure He Dies First
While we’re on the topic of Skyward Sword, let’s go ahead and address the elephant in the room. Groose is one of the game’s most memorable characters for the simple reason that he is utterly insufferable. Thankfully, any given horror movie has plenty of room for an arrogant jock that you love to hate. Groose is downright dumb enough to get himself into all sorts of trouble, and as entertaining as it may be to see him make a miraculous escape, plenty of Zelda fans would be just as happy to prey on his downfall.
Princess Zelda
Gaming’s Greatest Final Girl
Of all horror’s most iconic character tropes, there is none quite as perfect as the Final Girl. After all her friends have been mowed down in gruesome fashion, a once-innocent young woman stands alone as the only hope for a happy ending. Princess Zelda has filled these shoes in games as recently as Breath of the Wild, and should be more than ready to reprise such a role if the opportunity presents itself.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Midna
The Twilight Princess Can Drive Back the Darkness
There’s a less appreciated, less common trope of horror that is nevertheless a personal favorite of mine. That is the character who enters an undoubtedly horrific situation and, for whatever reason, is completely prepared to handle it. They have a knowledge of all the strengths and weaknesses of whatever threat they’re up against, and the complete skill set to counter them.
One standout example from recent years would be Annie from Sinners, and Midna is Zelda‘s perfect candidate to take up the mantle. Midna’s mystical might and knowledge of the Twilight Realm should have prepared her for anything, and her sharp wit could make her a one-liner machine to rival Leon Kennedy.
Put the consoles in the correct order.
Vaati
A Monstrous Mage
Vaati is the rare Zelda villain to have made more than one appearance as a major antagonist. As much as some Zelda fans want to see him return yet again, his talents may be better suited to a Halloween horror fest. Vaati poses a threat not only for his mastery of dark magic, but for his bat-like demonic form. Zelda usually reserves monstrous horror for its cannon fodder and mini-bosses, but Vaati is a main villain who could take on such a role with proper poise.
Vaati is the rare Zelda villain to have made more than one appearance as a major antagonist.
Kotake and Koume (aka Twinrova)
One Witch Coven To Rule Them All
There’s yet another magic user who is undoubtedly the best suited for classic horror, and that’s none other than Ocarina of Time‘s Twinrova. Comprised of the Gerudo pair of Kotake and Koume, Twinrova is an unrivaled witch who raised Ganondorf himself. Twinrova could lurk in isolation and lure the unwitting victims into a one-of-a-kind witch’s grove.
Hero’s Shade
Man Made Into Monster
Jump scares can get right in your face, but there are some kinds of horror that are a bit more subtle. The psychological horror subgenre is particularly full of tortured souls, and the Hero’s Shade could finally find a place to fit in. An undead incarnation of Link that has fallen from grace, the Hero’s Shade would probe an audience with plenty of questions about what it means to lose touch with your humanity.
Happy Mask Salesman
Seriously, What Was His Problem?
The Happy Mask Salesman has topped plenty of lists ranking the creepiest characters in Zelda, or even in gaming. Perhaps the most off-putting thing about him is the sheer lack of any explanation for why he behaves the way he does. Majora’s Mask is chock-full of this sort of nearly nonsensical non-sequiturs, and yet he still manages to stand out. The Happy Mask Salesman couldn’t handle a starring role, but he would fit right in as an unnerving presence that lays the groundwork for a much bigger scare.
Majora
A Puppet Master with Godlike Potential
That much bigger scare should come in the form of none other than Majora itself. Majora brings with it some of the most haunting imagery in the series, including The Moon hanging over Clock Town, and the bombastic trickster known as Skull Kid. While Majora’s world-ending might would place it as the final boss of an action horror flick, it would also have the ability to scatter numerous other threats along the way. Majora has earned its place as one of the best villains throughout all of Zelda, with only one other threat it can truly call a rival.
Majora has earned its place as one of the best villains throughout all of Zelda, with only one other threat it can truly call a rival.
Ganondorf
The Demon King Reigns
Surely we all knew there was only one way this could end. Throughout all of Zelda, and even all of gaming, Ganondorf stands alone as an all-powerful villain who is truly inevitable. Ganondorf has been a wise old wizard, a force of nature, a run-of-the-mill demon, and everything in between. Some villains could star in a horror movie, or maybe even two, but Ganondorf could threaten to take over an entire franchise.
Ganondorf stands alone as an all-powerful villain who is truly inevitable.
