There are many interesting and unique races found throughout The Legend of Zelda, and one is arguably overdue to make a reappearance. There is an unfortunate tendency for Zelda games to keep many of their most unusual races confined to a single title, with the amount of major recurring races (such as the Zora and Gorons) actually being in the minority. Nevertheless, there is always a chance for such races to make a comeback, and one race in particular arguably deserves such an opportunity more than most.

The race is cut from a new Zelda game after being established, but the disappearance of some races is undoubtedly more disappointing than others.

Zelda's Minish Race Is One Of Its Best

The Minish Should Return In A Future Zelda Title

The titular race of The Minish Cap is an interesting one, with a curious contribution to the franchise’s lore. The tiny Minish have the unusual quirk of being invisible to most, with only children being able to perceive them. Moreover, they are also said to be responsible for hiding small items all over Hyrule, thereby explaining why Link is able to find Rupees, Hearts, and other such items simply by breaking pots and cutting through the long grass around him. Considering how frequently Link benefits from this, the Minish are arguably one of the greatest contributors to Hyrule’s survival.

The shrinking mechanic central to The Minish Cap is also one of Link’s most memorable transformations, providing an entirely new perspective on Hyrule. The Minish are capable of living practically anywhere in Hyrule, and Link is able to interact with them by shrinking down to their size. The mechanic is one that has never been seen again, something that is not unusual for the ever-evolving Zelda franchise, but which nevertheless continues to hold great potential. A version of this shrinking would undoubtedly accompany any new appearance of the Minish, with all the implications for gameplay that that carries.

Shrinking in The Minish Cap is only possible through the use of designated Minish Portals and the aid of Ezlo, but a modern take on the mechanic could make it possible at any time, similar to the flexibility offered in BOTW and TOTK.

With all this in mind, it is disappointing that the Minish themselves have never appeared in another Zelda title. Although the continuing appearance of hidden items in grass and pots can be used to explain their continued presence, in the end this feature is simply a matter of convenience for players, and was a part of the franchise long before the Minish. Furthermore, The Minish Cap seems unlikely to be remastered as some other Zelda titles have been, although it is still playable on Switch via Nintendo Switch Online.

The Minish Have Been Missing For A While

A Planned Inclusion In BOTW Was Ultimately Cut

This and other ports of The Minish Cap aside, however, the Minish have ultimately been absent from the franchise for close to 20 years now. The Minish Cap was originally released in 2005 (or 2004 in Japan), and its titular race has since all but disappeared. However, this absence can always be reversed in future installments of the Zelda franchise. In fact, the Minish have already come close to making a comeback on at least one occasion, in the hugely successful Breath of the Wild no less.

Although the Minish were not explicitly referred to by name at the time, it has been revealed that BOTW nearly featured miniature NPCs living in suitably tiny homes all over Hyrule, as well as a shrinking mechanic that would have allowed Link to talk to them. Naturally, it is immediately apparent that these characters would have been a modern version of the Minish. This in turn proves that the Minish still maintain a strong presence in the minds of developers, which paints their future in a positive light.

It is worth noting that the Minish were reportedly not excluded from Breath of the Wild due to any technical limitations.

It is worth noting that the Minish were reportedly not excluded from Breath of the Wild due to any technical limitations. Instead, it was simply decided that they would have been crowded out of the already well-populated Hyrule that was taking shape in development. However, there is nothing to prevent a game more focused on them from taking shape in the future. Moreover, as the actual shrinking feature appears to have been viable in itself, it is entirely feasible for it to be recycled for a future game.

What A New Zelda Game Focused On The Minish Could Do

Kinstones And Shrinking Are Perfect For An Open-World Title

A new open-world Zelda game designed to revolve around the Minish and a shrinking mechanic would be full of exciting new possibilities. Giving Link the ability to freely change his size in an open-world environment would enable an exciting new range of exploration options, such as allowing him to enter otherwise inaccessible areas through small holes and cracks. Meanwhile, the possibilities for size-changing puzzles range from being as simple as shrinking to through a set of bars, or as complex as altering the internal mechanisms of some form of machine.

Reintroducing the Minish could also include the return of Kinstone Fusing, which would provide additional incentive to explore as much of Hyrule as possible. In The Minish Cap, finding and Fusing Kinstones offers rewards ranging from simple treasure to hidden areas being unlocked, as well as the possibility of activating new side quests. It would be very easy to see this carried over and expanded upon in a modern game, especially with a much larger world providing plenty of space for such secrets.

The Minish are an interesting race deeply connected to a unique mechanic, and as such they have much to offer any new Zelda game. The gameplay possibilities offered by Link shrinking are near-endless, particularly in an open-world game like Breath of the Wild. Of course, The Legend of Zelda is far from averse to reintroducing new races, and the Minish are ideal candidates for such treatment in a future title. It would be a shame for them to never be seen again, especially after previous game development has already laid the groundwork to bring them into the modern age.