It's not easy picking the best Zelda characters, a franchise with such a long and vast history creates many characters that you remember, be it because they're a compelling hero or a wicked villain. While the titular princess and her knight in shining armor are obvious picks (thus, of course, on this list), there are many more characters that might slip under your radar, so let's shine a light on all of those who deserve it.
Do you know what else we have thoughts on? The best Zelda games, and with how many there are, it's not easy to pin down the ones you absolutely need to play, but we like a challenge. We also have a guide to the Zelda games in order, so you can make sense of the events and when they occur.
Here's our thoughts on the best Zelda characters:
1. The King of Hyrule
It's hard to pick just which king of Hyrule (the world Legend of Zelda often takes place in) is our favorite. Whether it's King Rhoam from Breath of the Wild, a controversial character where most of what is wrong with the land of Hyrule when you start your adventure comes down to his faulty decisions and avarice.
Or maybe you prefer the jolly, lighthearted King Harkinian, who warms your day with a welcoming "My boy!" you probably know this Zelda patriarch better from his influence on internet culture when YouTube was on the rise. Or maybe you prefer him as a boat. That's cool, too.
2. Tingle
The map-giving, balloon-floating clown of Hyrule and self-proclaimed fairy, Tingle, comes soaring in as our next entry. He's as flamboyant as he is floaty, often putting a humorous spin on a dark situation to the point where his involvement in a game can seem controversial if not clashing with the design and setting.
With a sparkly dance and song, Tingle assists Link, more often than not, with a helpful map or treasure chart. Just try to forget that we found him in jail in Wind Waker. Just what was he locked up for?
3. Impa
Impa is a member of the Sheikah tribe, a group with ties to the Hyrule royal family, serving as their bodyguards and sometimes maidens. Impa offers wise guidance to Link on his adventures, often detailing the point of his quest and the stakes at hand. Impa has many interpretations, but her appearances in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Hyrule Warriors, and Age of Calamity are our favorites.
While Impa being the wise instructor is interesting, her involvement as a cool, kickass warrior who lives up to the Sheikah name is always much more appealing.
4. Tetra
When the land of Hyrule and the kingdom is all but forgotten, the sassy pirate captain Tetra enters the scene in The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker as a descendant of Princess Zelda. The amount of sass she gives Link while he tries to save his sister makes her such a memorable character and a nice change of pace to the generic "princessy" vibe Zelda usually comes with.
The biggest shame of her character is that when Tetra embraces her role as Princess Zelda, she sits on the sidelines with a severe lack of sass for the remainder of the game. A bit of a waste if you ask me.
5. Ganon
There are only a few instances where Ganon, or Ganondorf, isn't the main antagonist. He's so recognizable with such a fierce reputation that you know exactly what you're in for when he enters the fray. He's a cruel individual who continually resurrects in his goal to take over the world.
That is when he's not kidnapping a princess like another certain Nintendo villain we all know and love, bringing all that is good and true to ruin unless you stop him. Whether he's a giant pig monster or a Gerudo with a jawline that won't quit, Ganon is the villain that every gamer knows.
6. Princess Zelda
The stoic princess of Hyrule has gone from a damsel in distress to a powerful warrior who is wise beyond her years. It's hard to ground where Zelda stands as a character sometimes, but she's always there and faithful to the forces of good when push comes to shove. Though her character in one of the latest mainline Zelda titles, Breath of the Wild, shows a young, wide-eyed princess with a lot to learn, which translates into some interesting moments in the sequel, The Tears of the Kingdom.
7. Link
The hero of time himself, Link, is one of the most iconic videogame protagonists of all time. Wielding the triforce of courage, one of Link's best character traits is that you can consider him a blank slate to implicate yourself upon. Such as in Wind Waker, where Link is a no-name descendant, reluctant to adventure.
Or in Breath of the Wild, where Link holds a high position of responsibility as the personal guard of Princess Zelda. The story of each individual game often leans into who Link is as a person and a hero and builds from there. Whether he lives up to the expectations of his ancestors is on you. To learn even more about him, pop by our BotW Link article.
8. Sheik
A strange warrior watches over and assists Link on his adventure in Ocarina of Time, setting him off on his adventure, teaching Link songs on their trusty harp. Sheik is there to direct Link whenever he's in need of it on his adventure through Hyrule. It's not just the in-game features of Sheik that make them interesting, it's also the mystery surrounding the character throughout, as we have no idea who this person is in Ocarina of Time with no prior mention of them.
The mystery remains until the game's finale, where Sheik reveals themself to be Princess Zelda in disguise. It's a very interesting twist that not only benefits Zelda as a character but also makes Sheik stand out in one of the best Zelda titles ever released.
9. Purah
Purah looks a lot older in Tears of the Kindom than you may remember her being in Breath of the Wild, and that's because, at some point between the two games, she perfects her anti-aging rune. Don't get me wrong, she looks young still, except she's a young woman rather than a small child.
She's quite an important character in BotW, upgrading your sheikah sensor, remote bomba, and stasis runes, which is vital if you want to be successful on your journey. Come to the events of Tears of the Kingdom, she's the head of Lookout Landing, and we have to admit, she has a certain authority about her - no doubt because she doesn't resemble a toddler anymore.
10. Zant
Villains are arguably better than the heroes; more often than not, they're more entertaining, for better or worse. Zant is one of the better villains in the Zelda universe, besides Ganon, of course. He debuted in Twilight Princess as the main antagonist that Link needs to overcome. While some enemies in Zelda can be intimidating, none come so close to being a horror villain as Zant, and that's what helps him to stand out among all of the villains in the franchise.
This guy is genuinely creepy. I wouldn't want to run into him in a dark alley or even a daisy field full of sunshine and rainbows, to be honest. Zant is one of the most controlling individuals you'll meet, with a calm and collected demeanor to match.
11. Revali
Talk about arrogance. Revali is dripping head to toe with it, and he's especially boastful about his abilities in front of Link. If you ask me, it's a bit unfair to have a sword-measuring contest in front of a silent protagonist; how is Link supposed to shut Revali down? Still, there's no denying his prowess as an archer. As for what games Revali appears in, he's in Breath of the Wild and Age of Calamity, though he also appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
12. Fi
It should come as no surprise to fans of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword that Fi is on this list. The fairy spirit leaves quite an impression throughout your adventure. She's a highly intelligent being with a formal aura, and she's here to help guide you on your adventure, ensuring you defeat the evil Demon Lord.
13. Sidon
Sidon first appears in Breath of the Wild, going on to show up in Age of Calamity and Tears of the Kingdom. His appearance is based on a hammerhead shark, and that's honestly reason enough to have him on this list. Another reason is his impeccable choice of weapon: a lightscale trident that looks totally badass. We also can't help but admire his love for life; he has an infectious enthusiasm that we find a little charming.
14. Kass
Yes, Kass is another character from Breath of the Wild, but considering how incredible that game is, is it really a surprise to see another face from the game appear on this list? While Link is on a grand adventure, Kass is on one of his own, searching for the Ancient Songs, and he typically has a new one to share with Link whenever the pair cross paths. We can't help but feel for Kass, the Rito left a wife and kids back in his hometown, and he often feels homesick, wondering if they're okay.
15. King Rauru
Not to be confused with Rauru, a character from older Zelda games, King Rauru debuts in Tears of the Kingdom, and he immediately found a place in our hearts. Serving the tritagonist, he founded the kingdom depicted in the Era of the Wilds, and was its first King of Hyrule, ruling alongside his wife Queen Sonia.
So, why do we love King Rauru so much? It's simple: he's kind and benevolent, only what's best for the world, being a true empath who cares for the well-being of everyone he meets. There aren't enough people like him in games or real life, so we hold King Rauru close to our hearts and treat him as a treasure.