Zelda Parallels

The Ocarina of Time makes so many parallels between the previous four games that it really gives you an insight into what the Zelda team is thinking. I'll list all the story-based parallels I can at the moment (although I'm sure I missed a couple)... parallel monsters and items have been left off this list.

(The games are numbered here as such: 1 = The Legend of Zelda, 2 = The Adventure of Link, 3 = A Link to the Past, 4 = Link's Awakening, 5 = The Ocarina of Time, 6 = Majora's Mask, 8 = Mystical Fruit)

The Master Pattern

Hopefully, this clears up some questions about the overall Zelda storyline. I have read conflicting information about the upcoming GBC titles, so I will not be including them in this timeline as of yet.

• Link represents Courage.
• Zelda represents Wisdom.
• Ganon represents Power.

The Big Ones

These should be obvious, but it would be a shame not to list them.

• Link, of course, appears in all seven games
• Zelda appears in 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6; in Link's Awakening, her role is taken over by Marin, who bears 'an uncanny resemblance to Princess Zelda.'
• Ganon appears directly in 1, 3, and 5 and indirectly in 2 and 4 (but not at all in 6)
• A mysterious musical instrument (either a whistle, an ocarina, or an ocarina-shaped object they name 'flute') appears in all six games.

Between Odd-Numbered Zelda Games

With only six games it might be too early to call out patterns, but so far they're doing a good job of sticking to them.

• Link fights Ganon to save Zelda
• The entire game takes place in Hyrule
• The Triforce plays a significant role in each game
• Death Mountain plays some key role in each game
• All three have a graveyard and the Lost Woods, and a potion-selling old woman.

Between Even-Numbered Zelda Games

• Part or all of the game takes place outside of Hyrule
• In all three games, an old woman sells potions.

Between Zelda 1 and Zelda 2

Zelda 2 is a clear and direct sequel to Zelda 1.

• The world of 1 (Spectacle rock, Death Mountain, the graveyard, the lake, and all) is in the Southwest corner of the world of 2.

Between Zelda 1 and Zelda 3

• Spectacle Rock appears in both games.

Between Zelda 2 and Zelda 3

• Both games star a wizard with deep connections to Ganon

Between Zelda 1 and Zelda 5

• In both games, Ganon holds the Triforce of Power.
• In the original, Zelda hides the Triforce of Wisdom from Ganon; in Ocarina, the Triforce selects her to protect the Triforce of Wisdom.
• In the original, Impa tells link of his quest (read the instruction booklet); in Ocarina, Impa advises Link and appears as a sage.

Between Zelda 2 and Zelda 5

• In 2, Link must fight to earn the Triforce of Courage; in 5, Link is chosen to bear the Triforce of Courage.
• In Link, there are towns named Rauru, Saria, Ruto, Darunia, and Nabooru; in Ocarina, these are the names of sages.
• Impa, the only sage without a town, is still around after Ocarina and tells Link the legends of Hyrule.
• In both games, Link must fight his own shadow.

Between Zelda 3 and Zelda 4

• Turtle Rock shows up in both games.
• Link's own nightmares of Ganon and Aghanim from Link to the Past show up in Awakening.
• That goofy bat thing is in both games.
• A witch makes a magic powder in both games.

Between Zelda 3 and Zelda 5

• At the end of Ocarina of Time, the power of seven sages seal Ganondorf into the Sacred Realm, and he threatens to build up his power and come after their descendants. At the beginning of Link to the Past, the wizard Aghanim (Ganon's counterpart) traps descendants of seven sages in order to break the seal between the Light world and the Dark world (which was once the golden land).
• Kakariko town, the Zora's Fountain, the desert, and Lake Hylia make appearences in both games.
• In both games, three tokens must be obtained in order to obtain the Master Sword.
• If you read the story in the instruction book to 3, it gives away most of the story to 5.

Between Zelda 4 and Zelda 5

• Awakening features an owl who is the essence of the great Wind Fish; Ocarina features an owl who is said to be the reincarnation of an ancient sage.
• Both games feature a giant revered whale
• In Ocarina, there are the characters Malon, who sings, and Talon, who gets into trouble -- these characters bring to mind Marin and Tarin of Link's Awakening (who, in turn, bring to mind Zelda and Mario).

Between Zelda 1 and Zelda 6

• Two tunes straight from the original game can be heard in Zora Hall.
• A lot of the old enemies we thought we were rid of forever make their comeback.

Between Zelda 3 and Zelda 6

• A tune from Zelda 3 can be heard in Zora Hall.

Between Zelda 4 and Zelda 6

• Both games are cool in new ways (OK, that's an opinion, not a parallel, but who cares).
• A song named "The Ballad of the Wind Fish" appears in both games. They're two completely different songs, though.

Between Zelda 5 and Zelda 6

Like 2 is to 1, Majora's Mask is a clear and direct sequel to Ocarina of Time.

• Epona, Skull Kid (who is a very minor character in Ocarina), and the mask salesman are all back for more.
• A lot of similar minor characters -- too many to list -- appear in both games
• Time travel is key in both games

Allusions to Other Games found in Zelda

• Link's Awakening to the Mario Bros. series: the Yoshi doll, Tarin (he looks like Mario and then he dresses up as a Raccoon... don't tell me there's no parallel there), and a picture of Princess Toadstool (not to mention several enemies)
• Link's Awakening to Sim City: Mr. Write (in Mr. Write's house)
• Link's Awakening to the Kirby series: Kirby appears (as an enemy) in one of the dungeons.
• Ocarina of Time to the Mario Bros. series: There are paintings on the wall of Hyrule Castle of characters from Super Mario Bros.

Other Games with Allusions to Zelda

• Super Smash Bros.: Link appears as one of the 12 fighters in this game, along with Hyrule Castle and a couple items.
• Super Mario RPG: Link has a cameo role in this game.

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