When things get dangerous in the Zelda world, what do we players turn to for help? When Hyrule's biggest baddies are out to get us, what is the one thing that will save us from an immediate and painful game over? Yes, that's right, our trusty weapons. These Bokoblin Beaters and Stalfos Slayers come in many different forms, and we'll be looking at all of them. How did they do in solving their respective puzzles? But I believe more importantly, how did they do outside the comfort of their dungeons? These are the questions we will be answering today.
Ocarina of Time
As I have said before, this game is the pioneer of the modern Zelda franchise. And this is still very true when it comes to its weapons and combat. We are given many variations on the items, but we will only look at a choice few. And only ones that are used frequently in combat. In this game, that includes:
Master Sword, Biggoron Sword
Fairy Bow (Light, Fire, Ice)
Fairy Slingshot
Boomerang
Megaton Hammer
Bombs, Bombchus
Deku Nuts
This is our combat roster that we will use to challenge the other games. So what do they bring to the table? First, we have our trusty Master Sword as usual. This is pretty basic but is an upgrade from the Kokiri Sword. Its combat is pretty basic but effective enough. The Biggoron Sword is a much more damaging choice. It is huge, scary looking, and makes Link look like a boss, which is always extra points. It's very similar to the Giant's Knife, but it doesn't break, which is a nice feature. Nothing stops combat quicker than having your sword snap in half. But this sword is a little slow, and isn't as agile as the Master Sword, and needs both hands to be used, which means it cannot be paired with a shield. The fairy bow is simple enough. You point it, then you shoot it. But it is equipped with Light, Fire and Ice arrows, which upgrades it tremendously. The Fire arrows add some extra damage and can set things on fire. The Ice arrows can temporarily freeze enemies, and the Light arrows have Ganon-killing capabilities, which is kind of a big deal. They are all very good for long range attacks and can kill enemies without being in much danger of retaliation. The fairy slingshot is kind of the clearance toy store version of the bow. It serves Young Link fine but is never used again. So it's not a very strong competitor. The boomerang is good to stun or distract enemies while you get ready for a more effective attack. So not great as a stand-alone weapon, but can be used with others to make a solid maneuver. The Megaton Hammer is similar to the Biggoron Sword. It is a little slow but deals a decent toll of damage. Bombs are pretty much like they sound. You place them in a strategic place, run for your life, and watch the enemies explode or run around like crazy. So pretty good if there are a lot of enemies in close quarters, but not good to pull out and use in close combat or on short notice. And if used unwisely, it can even hurt or kill you. Bombchu's are little bomb rodents that run into the danger for you, which can be a lot safer seeing you don't have to place the explosive yourself. And Deku Nuts can stun the enemy and make it a much easier target. A lot of these items are really only used to solve puzzles a few times, and really only shine inside their respective dungeon. But the bow and arrows, the hammer, and the bombs have some very good puzzles tied to them which makes them all that more valuable.
Majora's Mask
This shares some ties to the previous game but definitely brings its own jewels to the table. Here's what it has for us:
Razor Sword, Gilded Sword, Great Fairy Sword
Bombs, Bombchus
Deku Nuts
Hero's Bow (Light, Fire, Ice)
The Razor Sword gives twice as much damage but needs to be sharpened after every 100 uses. It has a double blade and spikes on the handle, which makes it look awesome and increases the range. So it is a little inconvenient, and costly at 100 rupees, but does well enough in combat. The Gilded Sword is an upgrade to the Razor Sword. It has even more range and deals three times more damage than the Kokiri Sword. You have to find ingredients to make it, but it doesn't cost any more for Gabora to make it. This, like the Razor Sword, looks pretty cool. The Great Fairy Sword isn't a direct upgrade to the Kokiri Sword like the others but is an upgrade in combat. You have to find the 15 fairies of the Stone Tower to acquire it. Its function is a little weird because it is a C-button Item instead of a B-Button Equipment. So that takes some getting used to. It is also a double-handed sword, which means more power and range, but no shield to defend you during your attack. But it deals four times more damage than the Kokiri Sword, which means it's the most powerful sword in the game. But it's not as convenient or agile as some of the previous swords mentioned. The Bombs, Bombchus, and Deku Nuts are pretty much the same as the last game. The Hero Bow is like the Fairy Bow, in the sense that you have the three arrows and horseback capabilities, but it isn't used as much as the Fairy Bow was. The name is an improvement, and you feel less like a kid, even though you still kind of are in this game, but I wish there was a little more change and variety in these items. The Masks are used in combat but aren't technically weapons, so they are not included in this list.
The Wind Waker
The Wind Waker has some really fun items that you can use, and each one can be used to make a different approach to combat. And here they are:
Master Sword
Bombs
Hero's Bow (Light, Fire, Ice)
Boomerang
Skull Hammer
The Master Sword is just your average sword but has some good combat moves and maneuvers. The Bombs are also similar to the others, though this time, enemies will run away if you pull one out, meaning the surprise factor of the explosions is immediately ruined. But the explosion animation is pretty cool and adds to the feel of the game. The Hero's Bow has some new gadgets to discuss. We have the same roster of arrows, but this time, the Fire and Ice arrows are combined into one item that can be interchanged at a moments notice. This takes away the hassle of switching between the two. The Light Arrow is not included in this combo but is used less, so it's not that inconvenient. The Boomerang also got an upgrade. You can now target up to five enemies, objects, or squiggly plant monster arms at once. This makes it much easier to use, and Link doesn't have to wait for it to return as much. The Skull Hammer is related to the Megaton Hammer but is widely more fun to use. Seeing the large size difference between Link and the Hammer compared to their counterparts in Ocarina of Time, the animation of Link swinging the Hammer over is head and squashing, stunning, launching, or breaking the face of any enemy nearby is much more fun to do and watch.
Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess is packed full of deadly, creative, and fun weapons to choose from. The combat has no comparison, and there are items in it that aren't found in any other game, which is a rare quality in a Zelda game. So here you go:
Ball and Chain
Master Sword
Bombs, Bomblings, Water Bombs
Gale Boomerang
Hero's Bow (Hawkeye, Bombs)
Slingshot
There are many unfamiliar faces here, but each adds its own punch to the combat of this game. The Ball and Chain are AWESOME (if you don't mind my enthusiasm). It has no item to compare to, though it is similar to the Hammers in the sense that is it large, not that agile, and deals a large amount of damage. This one can knock down ice enemies, boulders, and any unfortunate enemy who gets in your way once Link gets some swing and momentum behind this thing. The Master Sword comes with a huge range of combat moves that you can learn from the Hero's Shade. Each one feels great and isn't confusing or inconvenient. Each one can be done at a moments notice and adds dozens of different ways you can decimate a Bulblin. The Bombs are pretty much par with the others, except for a few features we'll talk about lower down. Bomblings are basically Bombchus, but personally, I found myself rarely using them or even buying them at all. They didn't add all that much to the combat, but if invested in, they could be useful to a certain extent. Water Bombs are really only used a few times in combat and puzzles, but they are useful to find hidden treasures and rupees. The Boomerang got upgraded to the Gale Boomerang, which adds a mini tornado below it which gives it magical wind powers. It can carry bombs over to groups of enemies and make a little air raid of death over small groups of Bulblins. It can also confuse enemies and temporarily stop their attacks and gives you a good opportunity to hit them. The Hero's Bow feels much more smooth and easy to use than the previous titles. It can be paired with the Hawkeye to give it scope and zooming capabilities which are very useful. Then you can add it to a bomb to make BOMB ARROWS! (again, pardon my enthusiasm). These make the capabilities of both Bombs and Arrows skyrocket and makes shooting at Bulblins much more satisfying. Then we have...the slingshot. This item is constantly in the shadow of the other items and is basically discarded once the Bow is acquired. I wish I could tell you differently this game, but it's the same old story. I find myself surprised to see that the item is still in my little item wheel, and Link didn't throw that thing away a long time ago. But before the Goron Mines, it can be useful for hitting small enemies and annoying larger ones (because that's really all it does, no matter how many times you hit it). So again, the Slingshot is pushed to the back of the race.
Skyward Sword
The process of direct upgrades has been (finally) integrated into the Zelda series. So these items in the last stretch of the race will be the final upgrade of said item. This game also brings some unfamiliar items to the table, many of which are well appreciated and welcomed aboard. So here we have it:
Tough Beetle
Bomb
Sacred Bow
True Master Sword
Scattershot
The Beetle is a very interesting item. It is a stunning and even damaging flying combat item, which sounds pretty awesome in of itself. It can drop bombs, lead air attacks, and can hit enemies just by itself. So, though not the most damaging item, it can be very useful for long-range bombings and attacks. These bombs can be rolled, thrown, and just simply dropped using the (groan) Wii Motion Plus. They can also be collected from flowers, which is a very convenient quality that should be and have been incorporated more. The Sacred Bow has aiming much like Twilight Princess, but with none of the smooth targeting and movement. Again, we are using the remote, which never felt natural. Though the bow, in its upgraded state, is very strong and has good range, the incorporation with the Nunchuck felt cool, the aiming is very shaky and throws off the accuracy we enjoyed in the last game. Next is the Master Sword. This is something that is almost required in a Zelda game, (Majora's Mask is yet again the rebel) and we've heard the monologue so many times we can recite it by heart. Sword of Evil's Bane...blah blah blah...passed down to the hero of the goddess...I didn't want a history lesson, I want the super awesome sword, now hand it over so I can kick some butt. But in this game, this over-sung song just got a new verse. The Master Sword (Sponsored by WiiMotion Plus) is periodically upgraded once you complete the tasks given to you by the all-powerful goddess. If fully upgraded, and you play in Hero Mode, it can give you automatic Skyward Strike, which is a relief, because honestly, that thing was a pain to do. And it also gives the sword some colored stripes, which is cool...I guess. But it's a nice change to have it buffed and polished up for our new installment. And now we come to the Slingshot, now, with an upgrade, the Scattershot. This was like giving the Slingshot the Nobel Prize and a popular Vine channel when it comes to making it well known and successful. I found myself using it much more than in the other games, even after I got the bow, and even up until the end of the game. It felt very satisfying to stun, knockback, and scatter a large amount of Bokoblins. The aiming was the same as the bow, but accuracy was almost never that big of a deal when you have that many seeds. So I saw a huge and much-needed upgrade for our little buddy the Slingshot, the Rocky Balboa of item comeback stories. So Skyward Sword has definitely polished the weapon collection that has been getting dusty over the years. We have new weapons that add some new awe and excitement. And the old, rusty veterans got all spruced up and shiny for our battling enjoyment. But the WiiMotion Plus and the spotty controls really took the shine off the shoes. The weapons were cool and upgraded, but when you're swinging your sword around like a toddler, praying that you hit something, there's not a lot of room to feel like to Hero of Hyrule. If not for that, this game would give all the others a run for their rupees.
So, probably no surprise to anyone, Twilight Princess takes the cake. The combat makes you actually feel like the hero of Hyrule, not a kid who just found out how to hold a sword (sorry Young Link). The weapons are epic and bring the most pain and suffering to all Bulblins, which is a main deciding factor in this competition. But all these games won in the sense that they brought something new to the game. Took the blueprint of the last game and decided to change it up a bit. And with that, we got five games with a whole different item and combat roster. On the surface, they look like the same old story, but really they are all different and better in their own way. The same thing can be said about the Zelda series as a whole, which makes it that much better. So don't take those items for granted. Instead of just pulling out your go-to Master Sword at every occasion, try a new strategy, see how it goes. And as always, comment what you think about the topic. What do you think is the best game for weapons and combat? What's your favorite weapon? Let me know, and Happy Adventuring! :)
~Stalfos
The Razor Sword gives twice as much damage but needs to be sharpened after every 100 uses. It has a double blade and spikes on the handle, which makes it look awesome and increases the range. So it is a little inconvenient, and costly at 100 rupees, but does well enough in combat. The Gilded Sword is an upgrade to the Razor Sword. It has even more range and deals three times more damage than the Kokiri Sword. You have to find ingredients to make it, but it doesn't cost any more for Gabora to make it. This, like the Razor Sword, looks pretty cool. The Great Fairy Sword isn't a direct upgrade to the Kokiri Sword like the others but is an upgrade in combat. You have to find the 15 fairies of the Stone Tower to acquire it. Its function is a little weird because it is a C-button Item instead of a B-Button Equipment. So that takes some getting used to. It is also a double-handed sword, which means more power and range, but no shield to defend you during your attack. But it deals four times more damage than the Kokiri Sword, which means it's the most powerful sword in the game. But it's not as convenient or agile as some of the previous swords mentioned. The Bombs, Bombchus, and Deku Nuts are pretty much the same as the last game. The Hero Bow is like the Fairy Bow, in the sense that you have the three arrows and horseback capabilities, but it isn't used as much as the Fairy Bow was. The name is an improvement, and you feel less like a kid, even though you still kind of are in this game, but I wish there was a little more change and variety in these items. The Masks are used in combat but aren't technically weapons, so they are not included in this list.
The Wind Waker
The Wind Waker has some really fun items that you can use, and each one can be used to make a different approach to combat. And here they are:
Master Sword
Bombs
Hero's Bow (Light, Fire, Ice)
Boomerang
Skull Hammer
The Master Sword is just your average sword but has some good combat moves and maneuvers. The Bombs are also similar to the others, though this time, enemies will run away if you pull one out, meaning the surprise factor of the explosions is immediately ruined. But the explosion animation is pretty cool and adds to the feel of the game. The Hero's Bow has some new gadgets to discuss. We have the same roster of arrows, but this time, the Fire and Ice arrows are combined into one item that can be interchanged at a moments notice. This takes away the hassle of switching between the two. The Light Arrow is not included in this combo but is used less, so it's not that inconvenient. The Boomerang also got an upgrade. You can now target up to five enemies, objects, or squiggly plant monster arms at once. This makes it much easier to use, and Link doesn't have to wait for it to return as much. The Skull Hammer is related to the Megaton Hammer but is widely more fun to use. Seeing the large size difference between Link and the Hammer compared to their counterparts in Ocarina of Time, the animation of Link swinging the Hammer over is head and squashing, stunning, launching, or breaking the face of any enemy nearby is much more fun to do and watch.
Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess is packed full of deadly, creative, and fun weapons to choose from. The combat has no comparison, and there are items in it that aren't found in any other game, which is a rare quality in a Zelda game. So here you go:
Ball and Chain
Master Sword
Bombs, Bomblings, Water Bombs
Gale Boomerang
Hero's Bow (Hawkeye, Bombs)
Slingshot
There are many unfamiliar faces here, but each adds its own punch to the combat of this game. The Ball and Chain are AWESOME (if you don't mind my enthusiasm). It has no item to compare to, though it is similar to the Hammers in the sense that is it large, not that agile, and deals a large amount of damage. This one can knock down ice enemies, boulders, and any unfortunate enemy who gets in your way once Link gets some swing and momentum behind this thing. The Master Sword comes with a huge range of combat moves that you can learn from the Hero's Shade. Each one feels great and isn't confusing or inconvenient. Each one can be done at a moments notice and adds dozens of different ways you can decimate a Bulblin. The Bombs are pretty much par with the others, except for a few features we'll talk about lower down. Bomblings are basically Bombchus, but personally, I found myself rarely using them or even buying them at all. They didn't add all that much to the combat, but if invested in, they could be useful to a certain extent. Water Bombs are really only used a few times in combat and puzzles, but they are useful to find hidden treasures and rupees. The Boomerang got upgraded to the Gale Boomerang, which adds a mini tornado below it which gives it magical wind powers. It can carry bombs over to groups of enemies and make a little air raid of death over small groups of Bulblins. It can also confuse enemies and temporarily stop their attacks and gives you a good opportunity to hit them. The Hero's Bow feels much more smooth and easy to use than the previous titles. It can be paired with the Hawkeye to give it scope and zooming capabilities which are very useful. Then you can add it to a bomb to make BOMB ARROWS! (again, pardon my enthusiasm). These make the capabilities of both Bombs and Arrows skyrocket and makes shooting at Bulblins much more satisfying. Then we have...the slingshot. This item is constantly in the shadow of the other items and is basically discarded once the Bow is acquired. I wish I could tell you differently this game, but it's the same old story. I find myself surprised to see that the item is still in my little item wheel, and Link didn't throw that thing away a long time ago. But before the Goron Mines, it can be useful for hitting small enemies and annoying larger ones (because that's really all it does, no matter how many times you hit it). So again, the Slingshot is pushed to the back of the race.
Skyward Sword
The process of direct upgrades has been (finally) integrated into the Zelda series. So these items in the last stretch of the race will be the final upgrade of said item. This game also brings some unfamiliar items to the table, many of which are well appreciated and welcomed aboard. So here we have it:
Tough Beetle
Bomb
Sacred Bow
True Master Sword
Scattershot
The Beetle is a very interesting item. It is a stunning and even damaging flying combat item, which sounds pretty awesome in of itself. It can drop bombs, lead air attacks, and can hit enemies just by itself. So, though not the most damaging item, it can be very useful for long-range bombings and attacks. These bombs can be rolled, thrown, and just simply dropped using the (groan) Wii Motion Plus. They can also be collected from flowers, which is a very convenient quality that should be and have been incorporated more. The Sacred Bow has aiming much like Twilight Princess, but with none of the smooth targeting and movement. Again, we are using the remote, which never felt natural. Though the bow, in its upgraded state, is very strong and has good range, the incorporation with the Nunchuck felt cool, the aiming is very shaky and throws off the accuracy we enjoyed in the last game. Next is the Master Sword. This is something that is almost required in a Zelda game, (Majora's Mask is yet again the rebel) and we've heard the monologue so many times we can recite it by heart. Sword of Evil's Bane...blah blah blah...passed down to the hero of the goddess...I didn't want a history lesson, I want the super awesome sword, now hand it over so I can kick some butt. But in this game, this over-sung song just got a new verse. The Master Sword (Sponsored by WiiMotion Plus) is periodically upgraded once you complete the tasks given to you by the all-powerful goddess. If fully upgraded, and you play in Hero Mode, it can give you automatic Skyward Strike, which is a relief, because honestly, that thing was a pain to do. And it also gives the sword some colored stripes, which is cool...I guess. But it's a nice change to have it buffed and polished up for our new installment. And now we come to the Slingshot, now, with an upgrade, the Scattershot. This was like giving the Slingshot the Nobel Prize and a popular Vine channel when it comes to making it well known and successful. I found myself using it much more than in the other games, even after I got the bow, and even up until the end of the game. It felt very satisfying to stun, knockback, and scatter a large amount of Bokoblins. The aiming was the same as the bow, but accuracy was almost never that big of a deal when you have that many seeds. So I saw a huge and much-needed upgrade for our little buddy the Slingshot, the Rocky Balboa of item comeback stories. So Skyward Sword has definitely polished the weapon collection that has been getting dusty over the years. We have new weapons that add some new awe and excitement. And the old, rusty veterans got all spruced up and shiny for our battling enjoyment. But the WiiMotion Plus and the spotty controls really took the shine off the shoes. The weapons were cool and upgraded, but when you're swinging your sword around like a toddler, praying that you hit something, there's not a lot of room to feel like to Hero of Hyrule. If not for that, this game would give all the others a run for their rupees.
So, probably no surprise to anyone, Twilight Princess takes the cake. The combat makes you actually feel like the hero of Hyrule, not a kid who just found out how to hold a sword (sorry Young Link). The weapons are epic and bring the most pain and suffering to all Bulblins, which is a main deciding factor in this competition. But all these games won in the sense that they brought something new to the game. Took the blueprint of the last game and decided to change it up a bit. And with that, we got five games with a whole different item and combat roster. On the surface, they look like the same old story, but really they are all different and better in their own way. The same thing can be said about the Zelda series as a whole, which makes it that much better. So don't take those items for granted. Instead of just pulling out your go-to Master Sword at every occasion, try a new strategy, see how it goes. And as always, comment what you think about the topic. What do you think is the best game for weapons and combat? What's your favorite weapon? Let me know, and Happy Adventuring! :)
~Stalfos
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