Revisiting Zelda: The Missing Link as the Series Enjoys its 35th Anniversary

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Revisiting Zelda: The Missing Link as the Series Enjoys its 35th Anniversary

The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link made a splash when it was released last year.

The Legend of Zelda, one of gaming’s most beloved series, has turned 35. The anniversary follows Nintendo’s other key franchise, the Super Mario series, in reaching the same impressive milestone last year. As fans celebrate the landmark and eagerly anticipate what’s to come in the future, it’s worth returning to Hyrule once again to revisit The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link.

 

What is The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link?

The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link is a fan-made entry into the Zelda series set between two classics of the Nintendo 64 era: Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. The short game, made by modder Kaze Emanuar and his team in Ocarina‘s engine, was released in July last year. It sees Link set out on a mission to find Navi, the fairy that accompanies him throughout the events of Ocarina of Time. The story leads directly into Majora’s Mask, which opens with Link searching for her in the game’s prologue. Along with some new environments, graphics and music, The Missing Link also features a new gameplay mechanic in the form of a Magic Hourglass, which Link can use to solve puzzles by travelling back in time 10 seconds.

A teaser for the romhack is embedded below.

Nintendo is notoriously protective of their intellectual property, however, and sadly, it didn’t take them long to issue a copyright complaint to have the game taken down.

Should Nintendo revisit Ocarina of Time?

They’ve shown willingness to revisit classic entries in the Zelda series of late, though, from 2019’s Link’s Awakening to the recent confirmation that an HD remake of Skyward Sword will come to the Switch later this year. Fans would no doubt be delighted if the next game in their back catalogue to get similar treatment was Ocarina of Time. Winner of countless game of the year awards and considered by many to be one of the greatest games ever made, Ocarina is firmly among the most beloved and influential of Zelda titles.

How are fans celebrating the series’ 35th anniversary?

Nintendo has been surprisingly quiet about Zelda turning 35 so far, but fans have flocked to social media in droves to celebrate the momentous anniversary.

Using the hashtag #Zelda35th, fans have been sharing some truly stunning Zelda art on Twitter:

There’s some incredible cosplay to be found, too:

Here’s hoping Nintendo join in the fun soon.

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