Six Reasons Why Princess Zelda Should Be a Playable Character
Always the princess, never the protagonist
If her name didn’t make it obvious enough, Princess Zelda is a staple to the Zelda franchise. Even more so than the infamous Ganon, Princess Zelda has appeared in every single Zelda game – apart from Link’s Awakening. There are few characters quite as iconic as her.
We believe it’s about time that Princess Zelda gets a more important role in the franchise named after her. She’s never been a playable character in a main entry of the Zelda series, and it’s about time that changes.
We have six key reasons to explain why Princess Zelda needs to become a playable character for future Zelda games.
The maker of the winds of change
Breath of the Wild was a huge step forward for the Zelda franchise. It adapted so many of the traditional Zelda conventions while feeling completely new – and it did this to huge success. Breath of the Wild was a much-needed breath of fresh air in the series, and revolutionised one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises.
Future Zelda games have a high bar to meet now, and fans may well expect similar changes. One of the biggest possible changes that could be made is adding another playable protagonist. No one makes more sense than Princess Zelda: always the starring character, and now potentially a key playable character too.
New perspectives from similar faces
Much of Breath of the Wild’s story came through the memories which Link found throughout Hyrule. Although they centred around Princess Zelda, we didn’t get to experience them as her. Adding Princess Zelda as a playable character could allow for new perspectives to the story, and help make Zelda seem less like a cliche damsel in distress.
Plus, the ability to adventure as Princess Zelda would open up new gameplay options too. Travelling through areas of Hyrule as Princess Zelda would surely look different than when exploring as Link. NPCs would react differently, speak differently around her, and maybe even give hints that Link would never find out. It could add a whole new dimension to the story within new Zelda games.
Zelda makes the Link
Link. The Hero of Time. He’s named ‘Link’ as the developers wanted to emphasise the connection between the player and the character, and Link is perfect for this. Perhaps the best silent protagonist ever, being mute allows the player to build their own image of Hyrule’s Hero.
But, seeing Link through the eyes of Princess Zelda could add a new connection between the player and Link. There’s only so much that can be created with a silent protagonist, and having Princess Zelda as a character who speaks could not only drive the story further, but add some development to the character of Link.
She’s not just a princess
Even though Link has always been the main protagonist, he’s not the only playable character in the series. For example, in Wind Waker, the player can control both Makar and Medli at certain points, and they both help Link in his quest. Both characters have unique skills that are needed to complete the Earth Dungeon and Wind Dungeon.
In the Breath of the Wild sequel teaser video it seems to show Princess Zelda helping Link to discover something about Ganon. In fact, there’s a lot hidden in this short tease. It would make perfect sense for Princess Zelda to be playable if she’s got a skill required to help Link. She is the Princess, after all, and she knows her history of Hyrule, so surely that would come in helpful. It makes complete sense for Princess Zelda to help Link.
She’s got the moves like Zelda
Sadly, Princess Zelda has mostly been portrayed as a damsel in distress in the Zelda, sadly. She’s the Princess who continually needs rescuing by the hero Link. This is a formula that works, but surely it’s about time for Zelda to show off her fighting skills too?
In both the Super Smash Bros. series and Hyrule Warriors, Zelda is portrayed as a fierce fighter who can defend herself. Obviously, these are not canon, but they do indicate that fans will accept a Princess Zelda who can fight too. It’s about time Princess Zelda shows off her fighting skills in a main entry to the Zelda franchise.
It’s 2019, people
Surely we’re way past the old damsel in distress trope by now? Obviously the developers weren’t being sexist when designing Princess Zelda in this style: it’s a formula that has worked, and one that is widely accepted. But in this day and age, she deserves more of a role.
Not only is she the character the series is named after; she’s one of the most iconic women in all of gaming. It’s about time Princess Zelda shows that she can hold her own, and be useful. There’s no better way to achieve this than by making her a playable protagonist too.
