Daily Debate: What Instrument Should Link Play in the Next Zelda Game?
Posted on January 17 2024 by Leslie Jacobson
Music is an essential aspect of video games. Much like a movie’s soundtrack, good video game music enhances the player experience. It lets us know if a dilapidated building is supposed to be sad or spooky. The Legend of Zelda series is certainly no exception. There’s everything from sweeping ballads to quiet, contemplative pieces that provide just the right amount of atmosphere. What sets the Zelda series apart is that Link often plays an instrument that serves some kind of purpose in the game itself. In fact, it’s easier to list off the games in which Link hasn’t played an instrument or played songs: Phantom Hourglass, Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures, Tri Force Heroes, Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity, and Tears of the Kingdom. Admittedly, I am counting the wolf howling in Twilight Princess as an instrument, which may be a bit of a stretch. However, it is an integral part of the game.
Nonetheless, it seems the most recent incarnation of Link does not play an instrument of any kind. Kass seemed to be the one with the special instrument. The songs he’d learned were also important for several Shrine quests. Link does make music, though; he hums while cooking in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. He even hums a few classic songs from the series itself in Tears; however, his humming does not affect the main gameplay.
That being said, I wonder if Link will play an instrument in the next game. I believe the chances are pretty high that he will. The last recently-developed game where Link had an instrument was A Link Between Worlds, which was ten years ago. I think the chance to embrace a little more of the series tradition would bring back fans of the older games. Think about what fun gameplay mechanics could happen from playing a keyboard or a guitar. Perhaps just the right chord would have certain effects in areas or on enemies. Some instruments, like the harp and the ocarina, have been in multiple games and could also make a comeback.
Even if Nintendo has already said they’re going to stick with open-world gaming, I don’t believe that rules out musical instruments making a comeback. Music is so important to culture and can really make a world seem that much more alive and real when there are characters in the game creating music. Instruments have been associated with magic for a long time as well. Perhaps if the next Zelda title has more focus on magic than technology, I could definitely see instruments making a comeback. My personal hope for an instrument would be a guitar. I know Link had one in Majora’s Mask, but it would be fun to actually mimic playing the guitar with the motion controls.
What do you think? What instrument should Link play in the next Zelda game? Do you think the days of Link being a musician are over? Let us know in the comments!
Leslie is a mom, a cosplayer, an educator, and a fervent fan of The Legend of Zelda series. She lives in an area of the United States that reminds her of the Akkala region in the fall and Hebra the other 11 months of the year. She owns The Legend of Zelda t-shirts older than most of her students.
