The Legend of Zelda games have been popular since the first was released in 1986. Establishing a fantasy world called Hyrule, the games come with their own incredible lore and unique races. There are different generations of Link and Zelda, but certain NPCs show up throughout the franchises. This unique approach to game creation has allowed designers to have a lot of fun.
Some of these characters are staples to the plots of many of the games, such as the title character Princess Zelda, while others are simply on the side ready to Hyrule's hero, Link. Whether their role is big or small, these nostalgic characters appear in multiple unrelated Zelda games.
The Great Deku Tree
The Great Deku Tree makes his first appearance in Ocarina of Time (OoT) when he was introduced as the guardian of the forest. He was the one who took Link in as a baby and raised him along with the forest spirits before sending him on his quest to save Hyrule. He dies as a result of Ganon's evil, but is ultimately reborn as The Great Deku Sprout, continuing the forest's magic.
Since then, The Great Deku Tree has appeared in Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild. In both, he is yet again the guardian of the forest. It is unclear if he is the same Deku Tree that was born in the OoT Kokiri Forest, or if he is yet another reincarnation, but he is certainly an NPC that fans love to see.
Beedle
Beedle is a merchant who was first introduced in Wind Waker and its sequels. He floats around islands and offers various items for sale that can help Link in his adventure. He is slightly silly, with a memorable voice that fans can't help but imitate.
Beedle appears later in the unrelated games Minish Cap, Skyward Sword, and Breath of the Wild, making him a fairly new familiar face in the games. With all of these games taking place at vastly different periods of the timeline, it can only be concluded that Beedle is yet another reincarnation.
Tingle
Tingle is introduced in one of the best Zelda games, Majora's Mask. He is the son of the swamp tour guide, who thinks of Tingle as a sad little man who never grew up. Tingle believes himself to be a reincarnation of a fairy and is desperate to have a fairy of his own like Link has. He does manage to fly around with the help of a balloon, which is useful as he draws maps of what he sees and sells them to Link.
Tingle has appeared in almost every major Zelda title since then. He is always flamboyant, strange, and slightly annoying. Since all of these games take place in different places on the timeline, it's possible that Majora's Mask Tingle was actually correct about being a reincarnated fairy.
The Great Fairy
Other than Link, Zelda, and Ganon, The Great Fairy is the oldest character in the series, with her first appearance being in The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Since then, she has appeared in almost every Zelda game. She is a helpful fairy that lives in a fairy fountain and gives Link gifts and hearts.
There will typically be a few different Great Faries in every game. Game designers have taken a great many different approaches to their designs, some looking like aliens with multiple sets of arms, and others looking like voluptuous and flirty giant women. Their general purpose is the same across all of the games, however: help Link out with his quest.
Postman
Diehard fans of the Zelda games may that the Postman was originally known as the Running Man when he was introduced in OoT. He provided Link with one of the many mini-games the title had to offer but served no other purpose to the story of the game.
He has appeared in a few other titles since then, but his main role was in that of Twilight Princess where he delivers letters to Link out in Hyrule Field. Players couldn't help at laugh as he comically appeared in the field, making weird squeaks on every step and singing his own version of the victory song when he presents his letter.
Twinrova
Twinrova, also known as the evil witches Koume and Kotake, are the surrogate mothers of Ganondorf and his greatest ers. They are the sorceresses of fire and ice respectively and are most memorable as the main bosses of the Spirit Temple in OoT.
Aside from their role in the related Majora's Mask, the evil twins also appeared in the Oracle of Ages and Seasons games. In both sets of titles, Koume and Kotake are able to combine into their Twinrova form, a giant half-fire half-ice Gerudo. The sisters are memorable as a boss, and something about their evil reverence of Ganon makes them extremely frightening.
Epona
Epona is Link's trusty steed and is sorely missed whenever she doesn't appear in a title. In OoT, Link finds Epona as a foal at Lon Lon Ranch where he immediately makes a connection with her. When he returns as an adult, he wins Epona in a bet, saving her from her fate of being given to Ganondorf.
In future games, Epona is always a trusted companion to Link. In Twilight Princess Link has been raised on a goat ranch, and Epona is his best friend. In Breath of the Wild, she can be gained as a part of the game's DLC. She may be a soul that is reincarnated right along with the other main characters and any game is certainly lacking without her.
Ganondorf
Ganondorf is the spirit of evil itself, and no matter how many times he is reincarnated, he is always set on taking over the kingdom of Hyrule. As described in OoT, he is one of the few men born to the Gerudo tribe. He is always granted the Triforce of Power, and will always, of course, be foiled by Link and Zelda.
Ganondorf has appeared in every major Zelda game other than Majora's Mask, Minish Cap, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and Skyward Sword. He is sometimes depicted as a man, beast, and other times both. No matter his form, he is always a major foe to be reckoned with.
Impa
Impa is one of the best NPCs across the Zelda games and was first introduced in OoT as the guard and servant to Princess Zelda. She is a member of the ancient Sheika Tribe and has been tasked with protecting the Royal Family for generations. It is her plan and magic that leads to Zelda being disguised as the mysterious Sheika boy, Sheik.
Impa has appeared in the Oracle games, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, and Breath of the Wild, as well as a playable character in the Hyrule Warriors games. She sometimes appears as an old woman, and at other times a strong and capable warrior, but either way it has been revealed that she is also reincarnated from game to game.
Zelda
As the title character of the series, Princess Zelda is a pretty important character. She appears in every main title other than Links Awakening and is always the Princess of the kingdom of Hyrule.
Zelda is always the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom and has been revealed to be the reincarnation of the Goddess Hylia herself. While she has a variety of different personalities across the games, she is always intelligent and capable, perfectly reflecting her Triforce shard.
