Zelda's Best Cinematic Moments (by Carl B.)

November 16, 2011, by Carl B. - The Legend of Zelda series has had plenty of iconic moments throughout the past 25 years. With two hours of cut-scenes, Skyward Sword is the most cinematic Zelda experience Nintendo has created, but there are still some amazing moments from the franchise's storied past. What are the greatest cinematic moments in the series, not counting Skyward Sword?



A Link to the Past – Rain Opening

The opening moments in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is probably the best of the series. Zelda contacts Link telepathically, asking for his assistance in breaking her out of the castle dungeons before the evil wizard, Agahnim, uses her to break a sacred seal. Link's uncle gets the message as well and leaves before Link can even get out of bed. Players then gain control of the hero and make their way to Hyrule Castle in a heavy rain storm, while an epic score plays in the background.

Twilight Princess – Meeting Zelda

Twilight Princess as a whole had the largest scope and darkest story of any Zelda title before its release, and the latter of which is on full display in this scene. After being captured and transformed into a wolf, Link and new acquaintance Midna make their way to the castle's tower where Princess Zelda resides. She's draped in a black hooded outfit that compliments the mood of the scene, and proceeds to explain how Zant was able to take Hyrule Castle as his own.

Majora's Mask – End of the world

Anyone who has played Majora's Mask understands the feeling of impending doom every second of the adventure – that's because Link only has three in-game days to complete his quest, and even though players can slow down time and travel back to day one, it's still a constant race against the clock. Not to mention the moon slowly making its way into the ground, ignoring the laws of gravitational force along the way. This part of Majora's Mask is completely avoidable, but it's still one of the greatest moments in the game: the end of the world.

Ocarina of Time – Ganon Battle

I still get chills every time I play this particular part of Ocarina of Time. Just when Link and Zelda think Ganondorf is finished for good, he rises from the rubble of his castle and activates his Triforce of Power, allowing him to transform into Ganon. There's something noble and compelling about Navi telling Link she'll be able to help him in this fight, and coupled with Link temporarily losing the Master Sword, the final battle with Ganon is the greatest cinematic moment in the entire series so far.