ZD Top 5 – Ghosts

There have been some dark aspects of the Zelda series that are easily some of the more memorable parts of each game. The eerie, ominous places that Link often travels to are filled to the brim with danger, but what is usually the harbinger of that danger is a whole load of ghosts. From characters to monsters to bosses, ghosts have shown up in Zelda since the first game’s release 30 years ago, and it has not slowed down to this day.

In this week’s Top 5, the ZD staff take a look at their absolute favorite specters from throughout the series. Hit the jump to see their choices, and make sure to leave your own choices in the comments!

Jon Lett – View Profile

5. Bongo Bongo (Ocarina of Time)
4. Zelda (Phantom Hourglass)
3. Hero’s Shade (Twilight Princess)
2. Igos du Ikana (Majora’s Mask)
1. ??? (Majora’s Mask)

I’ll be honest, you can’t live much of a better life than a life in a toilet. ??? sure does know how to make the most of his afterlife. I mean really. All this thing ever has to worry about it getting a little well-needed paper, and Link’s always there to save the day in that department. I hope that when my day comes, I can go out in luxury like this toilet-dwelling beast. …Okay, seriously, though, as one of the very few recurring jokes in the series, I am glad that ??? has appeared as many times as it has. It’s super strange, yes, but I like it, and as awesome as some of the other ghosts are, I love me a good joke like this.

Alexis Anderson – View Profile

5. Kamaro (Majora’s Mask)
4. Knights of Hyrule (Four Swords Adventures)
3. Sharp and Flat (Ocarina of Time)
2. Fado (The Wind Waker)
1. Queen Rutela (Twilight Princess)

I honestly love all of the spirits of the series, they’re all memorable in one way or another. Sharp and Flat and Kamaro were kind of funny, and Fado and Rutela were somber but still had an influence on the events of the game they were in. Technically the Knights of Hyrule were alive until you kill them, but then they speak to you from beyond the grave so I’m going to count them. I loved the Knights because they gave a good impression of the kingdom set-up of Hyrule, rather than just seeing Link and Zelda. We always see soldiers around Hyrule, but these guys were elite and they really fought to protect the kingdom; mad respect to these four guys.

Thomas Jacobs – View Profile

5. King Gustaf (The Minish Cap)
4. Kamaro (Majora’s Mask)
3. Death Sword (Twilight Princess)
2. Hero’s Shade (Twilight Princess)
1. Princess Zelda (Spirit Tracks)

It is rare to see mention of any other member of Zelda’s family other than her direct parents, and even then it’s almost always her father we see. With King Gustaf we see someone else: a wise king from the days of yore who helps Link on his quest to defeat Vaati. Kamaro’s got some pretty sweet moves and gives you a nifty (albeit creepy) mask with which you can dance like the dead man can. Death Sword was a fun and creepy miniboss, whom you have to free yourself before you can put an end to him. The Hero’s Shade is a tragic figure, trying to leave a legacy he could not leave in life after his death, training Link in order to help him defeat evil. But my #1 is of course Princess Zelda herself. In Spirit Tracks her body is stolen and it’s up to Link, with help of Zelda’s spirit, to get it back from the evil Chancellor Cole who has less than wholesome plans with it. In this game Zelda is funny, energetic, capable and more than willing to help her corporeal friend in order to overcome evil. And that’s why she’s my favorite ghost in the series.

Kira Koneko- View Profile

5. Bongo Bongo (Ocarina of Time)
4. King Gustaf (The Minish Cap)
3. Fado (The Wind Waker)
2. Queen Rutela (Twilight Princess)
1. Hero’s Shade (Twilight Princess)

It might be because I am currently playing through Twilight Princess HD that my top 2 ghosts came from that title but there is something to be said about that games overarching darker feel to inspire landing in the top spots on my list! From the finding of the White Wolf to having the Hero’s Shade appear before you in a misty version of Hyrule to the teachings that he imposed on you, all of it makes for very impressive ghosts. There is even a slightly mysterious romantic quality to the interactions, or maybe it’s just the tragic quality of Queen Rutelas situation that pulls at my heart strings!