Daily Debate: What New Item Should Link Get in Zelda U?

Link may be a courageous hero with an unmatched ability to solve unnecessarily complicated temple puzzles, but he would surely be at a lost without the multifarious tools he stores in his pouches (or whatever other hammerspace location he’s hiding). It’s well established that the unique item discovered in each dungeon is needed to make your way to the boss and the reward beyond, hence the usual excitement surrounding said discover. Outside of the dungeons, these objects enable greater exploration within game, pushing the player’s expectations and strategies for gameplay one level further; they shape the world we experience.

Although there are some classic items that occur again and again, these are necessarily present. The sword, bow, and bombs are rather essential to core gameplay elements of the series. That said, these still do leave plenty of room for variation and specialization within the rest of available items in each game. Majora’s Mask is the most extreme version of this specialization, although some masks simply assimilate previously existing items or abilities (e.g. bombs, transformations). To some extent, each time a new item is added to Link’s arsenal, it is tested for its potential to be re-used later on.

This brings me to the primary subject of this post: Zelda U‘s items. From what we know about the upcoming title’s world, we can assume that there will be gameplay elements unlike those which we have previously experienced. As such, I’m fairly confident in stating that there will be a new item in this game helping to allow for the fullest enjoyment of this environment. Considering the massive amount of terrain to traverse, a new, travel-orientated item seems quite possible. If nothing else, it would provide a welcome alternative to Epona for transport (warping aside, of course). Other than this, a non-combat oriented tool would make a lot of sense. It might be kind of straightforward, but given the fruit that will grow on the plethora of flora, a gathering basket, or axe or similar cutting device, would make sense, if a little bit too much like Animal Crossing for my tastes.

Once we’ve seen more footage of Zelda U in action, we should be able to formulate some stronger guesses regarding the potential items. For now, let’s do our best with the limited amount of information and gameplay we’ve heard and seen, shall we? Additionally, given the current level of mystery surrounding most of the game’s details, now is certainly the time for expectations based on nothing more than our individual hopes for the title. Should we get a new weapon? What of something to aide in exploration? What haven’t we seen before? What new item should Link get in Zelda U? Join the Daily Debate!

Art Source: pixgood