With excitement regarding Skyward Sword's item upgrade system at an all time high, what better time to sit down and have a look at the best items in the Zelda series? I previously looked at the Top 10 Enemies in OOT, so any chance I get to write about Zelda, I'm gonna take it. I am only listing items that can be assigned to an input, so swords, shields, tunics etc. won't make the cut. Yeah, I know that swords and shields can be equipped in the handheld games, but I'd rather look at some of the other items instead. OK let's get on to number 10.
10) Skull Hammer – Wind Waker
Hammers have showed up in multiple Zelda games, but I think the Skull Hammer is the best of the bunch. It is an extremely powerful hammer sporting a nifty double use. Much like other hammers it can be used to fight enemies and take some of them down with one swing. However, Link wields so much power with the Skull Hammer that he can be rendered motionless for a moment. It can also be used to drive pegs into the ground opening up previously unreachable paths.
9) Fire Rod – A Link to the Past
One of the most useful items in A Link to the Past has to be the Fire Rod. I know it appears in other games, but I feel it is best utilized in the SNES classic. It throws fireballs across the screen, but will use up a little bit of magic power. It lights torches on contact and is essential for solving a number of puzzles in the game; even making some puzzles easier due to its long range. Adding to its useful puzzle solving trait is its ability to be wielded as a weapon. It will instantly burn some enemies alive and must even be used to take down multiple bosses in the game.
8) Bombs – Multiple Zelda Games
Bombs are a long time staple for the Zelda series. Like a lot of items on this list (you will notice a trend) it can be a very versatile item and prove worthy in a number of situations. It is a deadly weapon that can destroy a number of bosses from the franchise, but its main use would have to be its ability to blow up shit. Walls, floors, boxes, and even rocks can be completely obliterated; the bomb takes no prisoner. They have even shown a little innovation over the series in the form of Bombchus and Water Bombs. However, when you think you've seen everything they can do, Skyward Sword has you rolling bombs along the ground.
7) Bottle – Multiple Zelda Games
Just about anything can be held inside these magical bottles making bottles a great item to seek. Some uses included catching faeries that will revive a fallen Link, storing potions to replenish your hearts, and even killer bees that will attack enemies on your behalf. Bottles can also store a variety of other things including a magical blue fire that melts red ice in Ocarina of Time and Gold Dust used to forge the Gilded Sword in Majora's Mask. You can even sell the leftover Gold Dust for a profit.
6) Boomerang – Multiple Zelda Games
Much like many items on this list, Link's boomerang has a multitude of uses that range from combat to puzzle solving, however, it has seen a few innovations over the series that keep it fresh and are worth mentioning. As we know, in Wind Waker it gained the ability to mark many targets at once, but it's Phantom Hourglass that took things a little further. Not only could you mark many targets, but you could also draw the path that it took giving puzzles a nice kick in the ass. Twilight Princess added a new spin by adding the element of wind allowing Link to put out fires and drag foes closer to him.
5) Ocarina of Time – Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask
Now we're getting to the good stuff. The Ocarina of Time is unique because it actually allows Link to manipulate time, which is pretty awesome. Its magic is unleashed after playing one of many songs Link will learn throughout his journey. In Ocarina of Time, Link can use the Ocarina to open the Door of Time, warp around the map, and is important to make progress through story elements. Its importance is increased in Majora's Mask by allowing you to manipulate time in many ways, which we all know is extremely important in that game. You can speed up time, slow it down, and even travel three days back in time. It is a really incredible item that is essential to both of these games.
4) Roc's Cape – Minish Cap
Roc's Cape is in my opinion one of the coolest items in the Zelda series. It proves to me that jumping on command (as opposed to the auto jump) can work in a Zelda game. Its usefulness is proven when it allows you to jump over pits that were previously untraversable. It also allows Link to glide over long distances which makes it better than the simple jump of Roc's Feather.
3) Bow/Arrows – Multiple Zelda Games
Ganon can only be truly defeated with Silver/Light arrows.
2) Clawshot – Twilight Princess
I was considering placing the hookshot on this list, but let’s be honest, the Clawshot item is way, way cooler. It is first introduced in Twilight Princess (will be in Skyward Sword) as a single glove for Link to wear that initially seems to work just like the hookshot. However, a little later in the game Link finds a second Clawshot which he can wear on the opposite hand. In turn he becomes much like a fantasy themed Spider-Man. Wearing two of these Clawshots (aka Double Clawshot) means that Link can hook onto a surface and proceed to use the other hand to attach to another surface. This amounts to some crazy climbing sections and one of the best boss fights in Zelda history.
1) Masks – Majora’s Mask
What item could go up against the masks from this stellar Zelda game? Majora’s Mask has 24 masks with a range of abilities available to Link from transformations to the ability to run faster. Transformation masks such as the Goron, Deku, and Zora masks allow Link to take on the form and abilities of those races, while masks such as the Gibdo mask will trick ReDeads into thinking you are one of them. Some masks are incredibly useful like the Blast Mask, and some are only used a few times, but it is their charm and variety that makes them number 1.
Images borrowed from Zeldapedia
