Legend of Zelda News

Fairies in The Legend of Zelda have always been more than just magical creatures — they’re lifelines, guides, guardians, and, at times, eccentric mysteries. Across the franchise, they’ve appeared in many forms: ethereal spirits stored in glass bottles, divine beings blessing Link with sacred powers, and even fully-fledged companions with personalities and backstories. These beings are woven so deeply into Zelda’s identity that it’s difficult to imagine a world of Hyrule without them.

Companions of Courage: The Fairy Guides

Fairy companions in Zelda often act as a bridge between player and game world. The most iconic, Navi from Ocarina of Time, set the template: floating just over Link’s shoulder, offering tips, lore, and combat help. While her persistent voice and the now-infamous “Hey! Listen!” became meme-worthy, she was Nintendo’s answer to making a 3D Hyrule feel approachable.

Later iterations of fairy companions, like Tatl in Majora’s Mask, shifted the tone. Tatl’s sassier personality and brotherly connection to Tael added an emotional depth missing from Navi. In fact, Majora’s Mask places fairies front and center in its story — Tatl is essential to the narrative arc, and the mysterious Stray Fairies play a pivotal role in dungeon rewards, eventually helping you unlock the awe-inspiring Great Fairy Sword.

One of the most underappreciated companions is Ciela, from Phantom Hourglass. Unlike Navi and Tatl, Ciela is more than just a helper — she is eventually revealed to be the Spirit of Courage, tying directly into Hyrule’s divine lore. Her role as both guide and sacred force reflects the evolving complexity of fairy characters during the DS era.

Zelda Central Fact: The Nintendo DS stylus became part of Ciela’s design, turning her into the literal pointer for the player’s touch-based navigation — making her arguably the most interactive fairy in Zelda history.

The Great Fairies: From Sprites to Spirits

Great Fairies have transformed dramatically from game to game. In the 8-bit original, they were humble healers; in A Link to the Past, they became upgrade vendors hidden within Hyrule’s secret corners. But it was the N64 era where Great Fairies became memorable — and divisive.

In Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, these characters were visually overwhelming: towering, laughing, shrieking beings with exaggerated designs, glittering hair, and bold stage presence. Despite the discomfort they caused some players, they represented a major design leap — magical women tied to the Triforce themes of Power, Wisdom, and Courage.

By the time The Wind Waker launched, Nintendo radically reimagined their look. The Great Fairies here resemble serene deities, some with multiple arms, vibrant colors, and calm expressions. Their aesthetic draws on Hindu and Buddhist visual motifs — a striking contrast to the flamboyance of their predecessors. Notably, Wind Waker introduced the Fairy Queen, depicted as a childlike divine being with immense magical strength.

Zelda Central Insight: The Queen of Fairies is the only character in The Wind Waker to explicitly mention her royal status over other fairies, making her arguably the most powerful fairy across the sea-faring Zelda titles.

In Breath of the Wild, the Great Fairies got bigger — literally. The four sisters (Cotera, Mija, Kaysa, and Tera) reside in massive blossom-like fountains, and each grows increasingly extravagant in appearance and personality as Link offers more rupees. A fifth entity, Malanya, is known as the Horse God and resides in a similar fountain. While the game doesn’t call Malanya a fairy outright, official guides refer to him as the Horse Fairy, suggesting a rare male counterpart to the Great Fairies.

Bottled Fairies: Zelda’s Magical Lifesavers

Fairies aren’t just characters — they’re some of Zelda’s most iconic items. First appearing in The Legend of Zelda (1986), wild fairies have been collectible companions that automatically revive Link when he falls in battle. Capturing one in a bottle has long been a strategy for survival — and a testament to the series’ magical realism.

Yet, this mechanic raises questions. Are the fairies willing participants? Do they feel pain? The Wind Waker subtly addressed this with distressed facial animations in bottled fairies, while Breath of the Wild sidesteps the issue by using “fairy essence” for cooking recipes — a gentler interpretation.

In a fun reversal, Hyrule Warriors even allows the Great Fairy to wield Link in battle — literally carrying him in a bottle, flipping the dynamic and highlighting the quirky humor Zelda fans love.

Collectible Magic: Stray Fairies & Dungeon Lore

Fairies also serve as dungeon-based collectibles. In Majora’s Mask, each major temple contains 15 Stray Fairies, whose return to a Great Fairy fountain results in major upgrades — such as enhanced magic, defense, or weapons. Unlike typical items, these fairies speak, glow, and emote, making them feel alive even in their fragmentary state.

In Twilight Princess HD, Nintendo added a new collectible mechanic via the Fairy Tears side quest. Once players help the Great Fairy at the Cave of Ordeals, they’re rewarded with Great Fairy’s Tears — the most potent healing potion in the game.

Tingle: Hyrule’s “Fairy” Enthusiast

We can’t talk about fairies in Zelda without acknowledging the green-clad enigma: Tingle. Introduced in Majora’s Mask, Tingle claims to be a reincarnated forest fairy, despite being a grown man with a balloon and a map obsession. His bizarre charm led to multiple appearances — including The Wind Waker, where he runs a chart decoding business (and possibly a criminal operation from his private island).

Zelda Central Trivia: Tingle is one of the few Zelda characters to get his own spinoff series, including Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland and Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love — though most of them never left Japan.

The Future of Fairies in Zelda

With Tears of the Kingdom expanding on Breath of the Wild’s foundation, fans are wondering: what’s next for fairies in Zelda? Will we see a return to companion-style fairies like Navi or Ciela? Will new fountains be discovered across Hyrule and the skies above? Could we even see a game where Link is a fairy?

A Tale of Two Screens: Zelda on DS and 3DS

Determining the best Zelda DS game is an easier feat than it may seem. The Nintendo DS and 3DS gave Zelda fans a surprising range of adventures—six official titles spanning ports, remakes, sequels, and one brand-new timeline entry. Across these two systems, the lineup included:

• Phantom Hourglass (2007) – DS exclusive
• Spirit Tracks (2009) – DS exclusive
• Ocarina of Time 3D (2011) – 3DS remake
• A Link Between Worlds (2013) – 3DS exclusive sequel to A Link to the Past
• Majora’s Mask 3D (2015) – 3DS remake
• Tri Force Heroes (2015) – 3DS multiplayer-focused spin-off

Among these six games, only two were built entirely from the ground up for the Nintendo DS: Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. While the 3DS offered refinements of N64-era masterpieces and a few bold new experiments, the DS was where Nintendo truly leaned into hardware-specific innovation. These two titles weren’t just entries in the Zelda timeline—they were testbeds for stylus-based controls, microphone puzzles, and new ways to experience Hyrule on a portable screen.

And though the 3DS titles often steal the spotlight in retrospective rankings—thanks to the legacy of Ocarina or the inventive brilliance of A Link Between Worlds—it’s Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks that embody the spirit of experimentation that defined Zelda’s DS era.

This article doesn’t aim to pit all six handheld Zelda games against one another. Instead, we’re zooming in on the platform-exclusive DS entries in making the determination of the best Zelda DS release, the only ones that can truly be considered native to the dual-screen system. The question is simple: Between Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, which is the best DS Zelda?

Let’s set sail—and maybe lay some tracks—on the road to that answer.

Best Zelda DS Contender #1: Phantom Hourglass – A Nautical Adventure

Right out of the gate, Phantom Hourglass did what few Zelda games had dared—it asked you to forget buttons. Movement, swordplay, map annotations, and item usage were all handled via the stylus. The gamble paid off.

It was a direct continuation of The Wind Waker, giving us more Tetra, more Toon Link, and more seafaring exploration—albeit scaled down for handheld play. It wasn’t just nostalgia bait, either: the Ocean King’s Temple introduced a pseudo-roguelike progression system long before the genre surged in popularity. The Phantom guards were menacing, the time mechanic added pressure, and the sense of returning stronger with new tools nailed that core Zelda loop.

Fans praised its clever dungeon design, satisfying puzzles, and the way it turned the DS hardware into a game mechanic. Scribbling notes on maps felt essential, not gimmicky. And how could we forget the treasure maps, salvage crane mini-games, and customizable ship parts?

Commercially, Phantom Hourglass was a success, selling approximately 4.76 million copies worldwide. Its critical acclaim and strong sales underscore its impact on the Zelda franchise and handheld gaming. Could this title be the best Zelda DS game?

Hardcore takeaway: Phantom Hourglass succeeded because it respected the puzzle-first philosophy of classic Zelda while rethinking how to interact with the world.

Quick Links: Buy it on Amazon. View it on Nintendo’s Official Web SIte.

Best Zelda DS Contender #2: Spirit Tracks – On the Rails

Two years later, Spirit Tracks barreled onto the scene—literally. Ditching open seas for a train on fixed rails, this game introduced Hyrule’s first major transportation grid. It expanded on its predecessor in several ways: the dungeons were meatier, Zelda herself was finally a true companion, and controlling Phantoms in tandem with Link opened the door for some of the series’ most interesting dual-character puzzles.

But here’s where it divides the fanbase:

The overworld was no longer open—it was a railroad, both literally and figuratively. Exploration was reduced to station-hopping. Need to backtrack? You’re doing it in real time at 20 mph. Some players felt the Spirit Flute’s reliance on microphone input took novelty too far—great when it worked, annoying when it didn’t.

Still, Spirit Tracks dared to push the Zelda formula. It just asked you to accept a few clunky concessions along the way.

In terms of sales, Spirit Tracks sold approximately 2.96 million copies worldwide. While respectable, it fell short of its predecessor’s commercial performance. Could the best Zelda DS title have such low sales volume?

Hardcore takeaway: It was bold, but it occasionally let its big ideas get in the way of fluid gameplay.

Quick Links: Buy it Amazon. View it on Nintendo’s Official Web Site.

Community and Critical Reception

The gaming community has often debated the merits of these two titles. In various forums and discussions, players have highlighted Phantom Hourglass for its better pacing, more engaging exploration, and superior use of the DS’s features. Conversely, while Spirit Tracks was acknowledged for its improved dungeon design, the overall consensus leaned towards Phantom Hourglass as the more enjoyable experience.

Honorable Mention: Four Swords Adventures (DSiWare version)

While not a traditional DS game, we’d be remiss not to shout out Four Swords Anniversary Edition (available briefly via DSiWare). If you managed to grab it before it vanished, you know how much chaotic fun local co-op Zelda can be.

Conclusion

Both Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks brought fresh ideas to the Zelda series on the DS, each with its own strengths and innovations. However, considering the intuitive controls, engaging exploration, and overall reception, Phantom Hourglass stands out as the best Zelda game on the Nintendo DS. Its successful integration of the DS’s unique features and its continuation of the beloved Wind Waker storyline make it a must-play for fans of the series.

In the vast realm of video game protagonists, physical stature often correlates with perceived strength and heroism. Towering figures like Kratos and Master Chief dominate their narratives not just through their actions but also through their imposing presence. However, Link’s height in The Legend of Zelda series presents a compelling deviation from this norm.

Deciphering Link’s Height Across the Series

Nintendo has never officially disclosed Link’s exact height, leading fans to embark on their own investigative journeys. In Breath of the Wild, YouTuber The Bread Pirate conducted an in-depth analysis using in-game objects, estimating Link’s height at approximately 5’2″ (158.5 cm) . Contrastingly, a Tumblr user named crunchyfield revisited this measurement, accounting for potential parallax errors, and proposed that Link might stand closer to 5’8″ (173 cm).

Further back in the series, Ocarina of Time offers a unique opportunity to gauge Link’s height. In the Lakeside Laboratory, a measuring stick suggests that adult Link stands around 5’7″ (170 cm) . Similarly, analyses of character models from Twilight Princess estimate Link’s height at 165 cm (approximately 5’5″), with Princess Zelda standing taller at 173 cm (approximately 5’8″).

A Hero’s Stature in a World of Giants

Regardless of the exact figure, it’s evident that Link often appears shorter than many of his counterparts in Hyrule. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, he frequently looks up to converse with characters like the Gerudo, who are canonically around 8 feet tall . Yet, this height disparity is never portrayed as a disadvantage. Link’s prowess with the Master Sword, his agility, and his unwavering courage consistently position him as Hyrule’s foremost champion.

Challenging Stereotypes: Link Among Other Short Heroes

Link’s stature places him among a select group of protagonists who defy traditional height expectations. Characters like Kenshin Himura from Rurouni Kenshin, standing at 5’2″, and Wolverine from the X-Men, at 5’3″, share this trait. However, while these characters often confront challenges or stereotypes related to their height, Link’s adventures rarely, if ever, highlight his stature as a focal point. His heroism is intrinsic, not defined by overcoming perceptions tied to his physical appearance.

Embracing a New Archetype of Heroism

In an industry where towering figures often symbolize strength, Link’s height offers a refreshing perspective. His consistent portrayal as a formidable hero, irrespective of his stature, challenges conventional narratives and broadens the scope of representation in gaming. For fans and players alike, Link embodies the principle that true heroism stems from character, determination, and heart—not just height.