Princess Zelda
- For fighter info, see Zelda (SSBM), Zelda (SSBB) and Zelda (SSB4).
- "Zelda" redirects here. For the universe, see The Legend of Zelda (universe).
| Princess Zelda | |
|---|---|
Princess Zelda
Official artwork of Princess Zelda from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. | |
| Universe | The Legend of Zelda |
| Debut | The Legend of Zelda (1986) |
| Smash Bros. appearances | Melee Brawl SSB4 Ultimate |
| Most recent non-Smash appearance | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) |
| Console/platform of origin | Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Species | Hylian |
| Gender | Female |
| Place of origin | Hyrule |
| Created by | Shigeru Miyamoto |
| Voice actor | Jun Mizusawa |
| Article on Zelda Wiki | Princess Zelda |
Princess Zelda (ゼルダ姫, Princess Zelda) is the titular character of The Legend of Zelda series by Nintendo. In most incarnations, Zelda is the princess of the kingdom of Hyrule, the setting for the vast majority of the series. In earlier games she was often seen as a damsel-in-distress, but in more recent installments, she has been depicted as an ally and companion to series protagonist Link. Zelda made her Super Smash Bros. debut in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and returned in both Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. 4.
Character Description
Zelda's first appearance was in The Legend of Zelda on the NES, where she served as the damsel-in-distress for Link to rescue from the evil monster known as Ganon. She has appeared in some capacity in every installment of the Zelda series, with the exception of Link's Awakening, where she is only mentioned briefly, and Tri Force Heroes, where she is referenced via an outfit.
Since then, she has usually filled the role as the princess that must be rescued at some point in each game, but unlike Nintendo's other prominent damsel-in-distress Peach, Zelda frequently takes an active role in Link's final battles with Ganon, such as in The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Spirit Tracks, where she attacks Ganondorf (or Malladus in Spirit Tracks) with Light Arrows, and has been shown to have very powerful magic abilities.
Like Link, Zelda's age and appearance are subject to change throughout the different games; in some games, she is a young girl, and in others, she is a teenager or a young adult. This is because most games have a different incarnation of Zelda, barring Phantom Hourglass, which shares the same version of both Link and Zelda as The Wind Waker.
Zelda first became playable in the Philips CD-i Zelda games, infamous for their non-canonical status and poor quality. Her first playable appearance in an official Nintendo game was Super Smash Bros. Melee, and she would later become playable in the official, albeit still non-canon, Hyrule Warriors.
In Super Smash Bros.
While Zelda herself is not mentioned in the original Super Smash Bros., the games The Legend of Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are all mentioned, referencing her.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee
As a playable character
Zelda makes her first appearance in the Super Smash Bros. series as a starter character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Her design is based off her appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Zelda is a slow but powerful character who uses magic in many of her attacks, and is unique due to her ability to turn into another character, that being her alter ego Sheik. Her neutral special move is Nayru's Love, which causes a brief blue diamond shield to protect her. Her side special is Din's Fire, which sends a fireball at her opponents. Her up special is Farore's Wind, which will teleport Zelda up in the air. Lastly, her down special is Transform, which allows her to transform into Sheik. Despite the power and versatility of her magic attacks, Zelda is ranked 22nd on the tier list in the F tier thanks to her low mobility and overly demanding, situational playstyle.
Trophies
Zelda is a playable character, so she is featured on three trophies that can be acquired by beating each major 1-player mode with her on any difficulty. Her first trophy is earned by defeating the Classic mode as her on any difficulty; her second from the Adventure mode; her third from the All-Star mode.
Her Classic trophy reads as follows:
Princess Zelda
The crown princess of Hyrule. Zelda entrusted Link with the future of Hyrule after a revelation came to her in the world of dreams. She knows much about the Triforce; in fact, the only person who likely knows more about Triforce lore is Ganondorf himself, whom Zelda evaded in Ocarina of Time by transforming into her alter ego, Sheik.
- The Legend of Zelda, 07/87 (NES)
Classic trophy
![Smash trophy [Adventure Mode]](https://ssb.wiki.gallery/images/thumb/a/a1/Princess_Zelda_Trophy_%28Smash%29.png/84px-Princess_Zelda_Trophy_%28Smash%29.png)
Smash trophy [Adventure Mode]
![Smash trophy [All-Star Mode]](https://ssb.wiki.gallery/images/thumb/5/56/Princess_Zelda_Trophy_2_%28Smash%29.png/120px-Princess_Zelda_Trophy_2_%28Smash%29.png)
Smash trophy [All-Star Mode]
![Smash trophy [Adventure Mode]](/File:Princess_Zelda_Trophy_(Smash).png)
![Smash trophy [All-Star Mode]](/File:Princess_Zelda_Trophy_2_(Smash).png)
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl
As a Playable Fighter
Zelda returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a starter character, with her new design based on her appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. She retains the ability to transform into Sheik from Melee, now appearing as "Zelda/Sheik" on the character selection screen, and unlike in Melee, her starting form can be chosen. As with all other characters, Zelda received a Final Smash in Light Arrow, a powerful beam of light with near-one-hit KO levels of knockback. Despite many of her attributes being buffed, her significant weaknesses still remain, and Zelda fares even worse in Brawl than she did in Melee, ranked 37th on the Brawl tier list, second to last.
Trophies
Zelda has a trophy that is awarded each time Classic mode is completed with her on any difficulty, and several randomly-available ones. See Light Arrow for the trophy description of Zelda's Final Smash, and Sheik for trophies of her in that form:
Princess Zelda
The princess of Hyrule. In other games, her role changes between titles. In Ocarina of Time, she was hunted by the would-be conqueror, Ganondorf. She deceived him, however, by adopting the persona of Sheik. In Twilight Princess, she surrendered to Zant and was held as his prisoner.
: The Legend of Zelda
: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Robed Zelda
The princess of Hyrule, loved and trusted by the people. When Hyrule is invaded by Zant from the Twilight Realm, Zelda is resolute in opposing him...but she chooses to protect her people and must surrender. From then on, she is imprisoned in the Twilight Hyrule Castle. In memory of the lost people of Hyrule, Zelda wears a black robe of mourning.
- : The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Zelda (Wind Waker)
The rightful successor of the throne and descendant of the true royal bloodline of Hyrule. She strove to put an end to the ongoing battles with Ganondorf. As the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom, she became a target of the resurrected Ganondorf. Although she was hidden in Hyrule Castle, Ganondorf managed to find and kidnap her.
: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Princess Zelda trophy
Robed Zelda trophy
Zelda (Wind Waker) trophy
_-_Brawl_Trophy.png)
Stickers
| Name | Game | Effect | Character(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Zelda | The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap |  Resistance +16
|
   
|
| Young Zelda | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |  Attack +20
|
|
| Zelda | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past |  Attack +27
|
|
| Zelda | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |  Resistance +18
|
|
.png) Young Zelda (Zelda: Minish Cap) |
.png) Young Zelda (Zelda: Ocarina of Time) |
.png) Zelda (Zelda: Link to the Past) |
.png) Zelda (Zelda: Ocarina of Time) |
In Super Smash Bros. 4
As a playable character
Zelda returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4. She retains her appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, but is no longer capable of transforming into Sheik, who has become a separate character entirely. As a result, she has a new down special move, Phantom Slash.
Despite her status as a bottom-tier character in Brawl, Zelda was nerfed in SSB4 due to the aforementioned removal of Transform, which was further compounded by the vast number of buffs that other characters (Sheik included) received in SSB4, as well her flaws not being properly compensated. However, Zelda has received notable buffs courtesy of game updates. These included increased damage outputs, improved multi-hit connectivity, decreased ending lag and, in regards to Phantom Slash, the removal of a critical blind spot. An indirect buff Zelda received was due to the changes to shield mechanics, as her multiple hit moves and Lightning Kick have became safer on shield and enable her to avoid being punished better than before. As a result, Zelda has become slightly better than she was in Brawl, yet has not improved much compared to the majority of other veterans in SSB4. As such, Zelda is currently placed 55th out of 58 on the SSB4 tier list, in the F tier.
Trophies
- Zelda
This is the namesake of the Legend of Zelda games. Her appearance may change, but she always plays an important role. In Smash Bros., she's quick on the draw when it comes to magic, though a bit slow when moving. She has a new move that summons a Phantom to her aid.
This is the Zelda they're talking about in the titles of all the Legend of Zelda games. Though her appearance can change from game to game, her importance in the story usually doesn't. In this game, she's a bit slow, but her impressive magic skills make up for it. Power up her brand new special, Phantom Slash, by holding down the button.
- Zelda (Alt.)
- Zelda's forward air attack, Lightning Kick, is a valiant kick with a magically charged tip. Striking with just the glowing spot will deal heavy damage and launch your opponent. Din's Fire, her explosive side special, can be guided up and down and has a greater blast if the button is held.
- Zelda's forward air attack, Lightning Kick, is a single-footed, electrically charged strike. Hit your opponent with just the glowing spot to deal heavy damage and launch them. Her Din's Fire side special can be guided up and down, and makes a bigger blast the longer you hold the button. It'll explode as soon as you let go.
- Adult Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- In the seven years following Link's disappearance, Hyrule falls under the rule of the evil Ganondorf and Zelda grows into a young woman. To help Link in his quest to find the seven Sages, she takes on the guise of a young man named Sheik. The real identity of this mysterious helper is just one of the surprises awaiting Link.
- In the seven years after Link's vanishing, Hyrule falls under the rule of the evil Ganondorf, and Zelda grows into a young woman. To help Link in his quest to find the seven Sages, she takes on the guise of a young man and becomes Sheik. The real identity of this mysterious helper is just one the surprises awaiting Link.
- Young Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- The Princess of Hyrule chosen by the goddesses. Zelda dreams of a darkness descending on Hyrule and tells Link where he must travel next. Fleeing Ganondorf, she gives Link the Ocarina of Time. It is seven long years before he is heard from again...
- The Princess of Hyrule. Having dreamt of the world being engulfed by darkness, she asks Link for his help and tells him the secret to entering the Scared Realm. Later, while fleeing from Ganondorf, she frantically throws the Ocarina of Time for Link to take. Seven long years pass before the two meet again.
- Zelda (Spirit Tracks)
- This Princess Zelda lives a suitably peaceful royal existence in Hyrule Castle. "Existence," however, is relative, and her life gets turned upside down after something awful happens along the way to the Tower of Spirits with Link. What will this spirited young woman do as only a spirit?!
- This Princess Zelda lives a suitably peaceful royal existence in Hyrule Castle. "Existence," however, is relative, and her life gets turned upside-down when she heads to the Tower of Spirits with Link and something awful happens along the way. What will this spirited young woman do without her body?!
- Zelda's Spirit (Spirit Tracks)
- In The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Chancellor Cole casts Zelda out of her body, so she agrees to join Link on his quest in her spirit form. On the plus side, Link (and you!) can still see and hear her as you explore temples together. She'll even possess a Phantom or two if it helps Link get the job done!
- Zelda (Wind Waker)
- Princess Zelda plays a variety of roles throughout the games bearing her name. In the Wind Waker, she's a pirate who travels the seas without knowing her true identity. Even when she learns she's a princess, she quickly returns to her piratey ways. In the end, she takes up a bow to fight beside Link.
- Princess Zelda has had quite a variety of incarnations, but this one doesn't even know she's a princess! When Link meets her, she's a wild and fearless pirate. In a certain sealed land, this Zelda discovers her true identity, but doesn't act like a princess for very long, and even fights alongside Link in the final showdown!
- Hooded Zelda
- When a dark shadow invades Hyrule, Zelda sacrifices herself and is imprisoned in the world of Twilight. Her dark attire while a prisoner is appropriate to the title of the game, but Link's bravery convinces her to toss the robes and take up her bow and arrows instead.
- After failing to protect Hyrule from the encroaching Twilight, Zelda lays down her sword and shield and hides behind a dark robe, mourning those who were lost due to her failure. In the end, Link's brave acts inspire her to cast the robe aside and take her bow in hand, but she never forgets the dark times when all hope seemed lost.
Classic (3DS)
Classic (Wii U)
Alt. (3DS)
Alt. (Wii U)
Adult Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
Young Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
Zelda (Spirit Tracks)
Zelda's Spirit (Spirit Tracks)
Zelda (Wind Waker)
Hooded Zelda
