As it is the sequel to one of the most acclaimed games in the Legend of Zelda franchise, fans are expecting a lot from the Zelda release, Tears of the Kingdom. Longtime players and newbies alike are expecting thrilling action, shocking revelations of lore, and terrifying enemies.
Of course, even more important than all of these cornerstones of the games are the many wholesome characters that compose the heart of the series, from loyal friends like Malon to noble heroes like Sidon. Which characters have the biggest hearts of all?
Malon (Ocarina Of Time)
Malon is one of the first friends that Link makes outside Kokiri Forest for the first time in his life. She takes an instant liking to him despite how unlike other Hylians he is, unlike most of the Kokiri, who always ostracized him. Seeing that he is a caring person, she trusts Link with Epona's Song, sharing her bond with her beloved horse with him.
When they reunite as adults, she recognizes Link as her old friend and is glad to see him safe. A pure-hearted animal lover, Malon is willing to do anything to protect the horses under her care, even stay at the ranch after her father's been kicked out to endure Ingo's cruelty alone.
Anju and Kafei (Majora's Mask)
The best sidequest in Majora's Mask is a story of lovers who are utterly devoted to each other. Kafei, transformed into a child, was unable to fight back when his wedding mask was stolen. Rather than giving up, he utterly refuses to break his promise to Anju and works tirelessly to recover it and reunite with her.
Everyone around Anju insists that Kafei abandoned her, but Anju's belief that Kafei would never treat her like that holds strong with Link's help, even as their wedding day nears with no sign of him. When they reunite mere minutes before moonfall, they exchange wedding masks and vow to stay together even facing certain death. Their proper wedding, attended in daylight by the whole town, is a joyful highlight of the end credits.
Groose (Skyward Sword)
At the beginning of the game, Groose would hardly be anyone's definition of wholesome. A swaggering, self-centered bully, Groose tries to sabotage Link to get ahead instead of winning on his own merits. But when push comes to shove, he proves that he is capable of great selflessness when it counts.
Once he falls into Link's journey and is hit with the hard truth that he isn't the Hero here, he throws himself into helping Link and Zelda out as a friend instead, using both his great strength and his latent engineering skills. Fi judges him to be "pure of heart" and even the wildlife of Hyrule seem quite taken with him.
Colin (Twilight Princess)
All the kids of Ordon Village look up to Link like an older brother (except maybe Malo, because who knows what's going on with him), but Colin is the one who ires him most, being the only one who has absolute faith in Link to save them all. He also wants most to be like Link, but at first thinks that the only way to do it is by fighting with a sword, which terrifies him.
However, Colin realizes that Link's strength comes not from his power in battle, but from his courage and kindness. This comes to a head when Colin risks his own life to save one of the other Ordon kids, all of whom had always picked on him before, from an attack from King Bulblin that would have been deadly. Though he's young, he's well on his way to being a hero too.
Medli (Wind Waker)
When Link first arrives on Dragon Roost Island, its guardian dragon Valoo is in an absolute fury. This is how he meets Medli, Valoo's attendant. Medli is insecure about her abilities due to her training being cut short, but she still faces every challenge with optimism and determination to do her best, whether it's calming Valoo or bringing the grieving Prince Komali out of his shell.
Later, learning that she is the destined successor to the Earth Sage, she is sad to leave her home and everything she knows. But she doesn't hesitate to go with Link for the good of their world, and though Komali is left behind, he is a stronger person as a result of Medli's strong influence on his life.
Tetra's Crew (Wind Waker)
Its bright and cartoonish art style makes Wind Waker one of the best Zelda games, and it lends itself well to the designs of characters like Tetra's crew of pirates. Though they are perfectly willing to plunder and steal (they are pirates, after all), they are also perfectly happy to help Link out when they believe they're responsible for his sister's kidnapping, and of course, they are ride-or-die for their beloved captain Tetra.
In the next game, Phantom Hourglass, they are still good friends with Link and hold their captain in the highest esteem. Niko even begins the game by excitedly telling a story about the brave Princess Zelda, much to Tetra's annoyance.
Saria (Ocarina Of Time)
Saria is the first friendly face both Link and the player see in Ocarina of Time. Always cheerful and polite, she is the only Kokiri that's truly close to Link and has never looked down on him for not being like the rest of them. Though she's upset to see Link leave the forest, she puts on a bright smile and encourages him, telling him she always knew he had a bigger destiny waiting for him.
One of the best songs in Ocarina of Time is the mark of her love and friendship: Saria's Song. Loyal and selfless to the end, having gone to the Forest Temple to try and solve the forest's monster problem, her last words to Link before becoming a Sage are a promise that she will always be his friend.
Epona (Multiple Games)
What's more wholesome than a loyal animal companion who will follow you through thick and thin, not just in one life, but in every incarnation the two of you meet in? First encountered in Ocarina of Time, where she trusts only Malon and Link to ride her and won't let anyone unkind touch her, Epona has become a staple of Link's adventures. She is one of the Tears of the Kingdom.
In several games, Epona will respond to Epona's Song, an expression of her deep loyalty to Link, by coming to Link's aid however far away he is. In Twilight Princess, players get the rare chance to hear her thoughts if they speak to her as Wolf Link: unlike Link's human loved ones, who presumably have known him longer and better, Epona recognizes her friend even as a beast that would normally hunt horses like her, and urges him to return to human form so they can travel together again.
Prince Sidon (Breath Of The Wild)
A cast of unique characters like Sidon is a big reason why Breath of the Wild is one of the best Nintendo Switch games. The prince of the Zora radiates positivity and enthusiasm for his duties. Though he often doubts and berates himself, under the pressure of taking over the responsibilities of his older sister Mipha who died in battle, his people all adore him.
Once he recognizes Link, Mipha's friend who he knew as a young child, Sidon is a loyal partner in battle as the two of them team up to take on Divine Beast Vah Ruta. He spurs Link on with a bright smile and a sincere "I believe in you!" His honor and kindness stand out even in a game filled with heroes.
Link (All Games)
There's a good reason Link has been such a beloved protagonist for almost 40 years. His boundless courage and determination to help everyone he meets, no matter what, are the core of the entire franchise. He never gives up, befriends and inspires the people he encounters, and all in all is just an unfailingly nice guy.
He also has his fair share of adorable and funny moments just by being himself. From his exaggerated expressions in Wind Waker, to his friendship with all animals in Twilight Princess, to his hopping around in shocked pain after trying to open chests with a barefooted kick in Breath of the Wild, Link is simply a joy to follow through these games.
