Part of what makesThe Legend Of Zeldashine is the exploration. Ever since Link’s first adventure on theNES,Nintendohas consistently made lush fantasy worlds with secrets, colorful characters, and imagination around every corner. It’s liberating to escape the troubles of real life and allow yourself to get lost in the wonder of Hyrule. But just like any good adventurer, you need a way to traverse the land on your journey.
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The Hero of Time has quite a collection of travel methods. An expansive world to explore is only half of what makes Zelda special. Having a fun way to get around completes the experience and highlights Nintendo’s incredible ability to create outstanding gameplay.
10Shield Surfing - Breath Of The Wild And Tears Of The Kingdom
Shield surfing is an unusual method of transportation, but that doesn’t stop it from being a blast. It’s a fast-paced way to go down slopes and can even be used on flat land. One common strategy is to gain momentum, jump on your shield, and shoot enemies as you speed by.
Tears Of The Kingdomtook this concept further thanks to the Fuse mechanic. You can combine your shield with a mine cart to make a stake board or even fuse it with a bomb to destroy bad guys while simultaneously launching yourself in the air. The possibilities are boundless.
9Zora Mask - Majora’s Mask
The Zora Mask isone of the best in Majora’s Maskfor achieving the unthinkable. It made water levels fun. Swimming as a Zora feels like a dream and makes water segments something to look forward to.
The Zora Mask allows you to speed through water, similar toMario’sfrog or penguin suits. Zooming through the ocean or the Great Bay Temple is thrilling. You can even walk underwater. Eat your heart out, Iron Boots. While it’s a shame the speed boost is attached to the magic meter in the3DSremake, theN64classic is still a treat to revisit for some excellent swimming sections.
8Loftwing - Skyward Sword
Motion controls are not everyone’s cup of tea, but flying on a Loftwing feels satisfying in ways other Wii games don’t. Shaking the Wii Remote or Switch Joy-Cons to flap his wings is an intuitive and creative way to simulate riding a massive bird.
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Flying up high before diving down for a speed boost is exhilarating and a joy to play around with while you travel to your destination. The only thing that holds it back is the lack of things to do in the sky. Regardless, it’s still a fun way to traverse the overworld.
7Jet Plane - Tears Of The Kingdom
Apparently even engineering and piloting a jet isn’t outside of Link’s skill set. The Jet Plane isone of the best vehicles in Tears Of The Kingdomand is excellent for exploring the sky.
To make it, you need a wing, a steering stick, a couple of fans, and rockets. The rockets will propel you up, allowing you to reach high altitudes quickly. Once you’re in the air, the fans will take you anywhere you want to go. The battery drains fast, but there’s a solution. If you turn off the power midair, the plane will glide on the wind for a bit, allowing you to recharge. Give it a few seconds, start the power again, and you’re back in business.
6Master Cycle - Breath Of The Wild
When the very first game launched on the NES, who would’ve thought this tiny pixilated man would one day be cruising through Hyrule on a motorcycle?Breath Of The Wild’sDLC added a lot, but the Master Cycle is the coolest addition.
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Rocking a stylish horse design, the Master Cycle is good for exploring flat land and slopes. It’s a great way to get around quickly and can even be used in combat. Riding up to a Guardian before jumping off your bike and shooting it in the eye never stops being satisfying. You have to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, but other than that, it’s one of the most fun ways to traverse the kingdom.
5King Of Red Lions - Wind Waker
The King Of Red Lions is a rare instance of your travel method also acting as a character. The King’s personality has a lot of range, capable of light-hearted comedy and serious moments. His role in the story, especially the ending, cements him as one ofLink’s greatest sidekicks.
Your boat in Wind Waker is one of the most versatile vehicles in the series. The items you collect throughout the game will add to the King’s abilities, including a cannon to fight enemies and a grappling hook to salvage treasure. He’s even better in the HD remaster thanks to the newly added Swift Sail, which increases your speed and allows you to change directions without altering the wind.
4Hover Bike - Tears Of The Kingdom
What’s better than a motorcycle? How about one that flies? The Hover Bike is one of the best ways to travel in Tears Of The Kingdom, and it’s easy to build. All you need are two fans and a steering stick. It’s a simple device, but it comes with a wealth of opportunities.
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The Hover Bike can cover a lot of ground quickly, or you may tilt the joystick up to gain altitude. It’s a great way to reach the sky islands and can even be used to breeze past tricky areas in the depths. To top it all off, it has a decent battery life. This vehicle is a must for your journey.
3Paraglider - Breath Of The Wild And Tears Of The Kingdom
It’s hard to imagine what Breath Of The Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom would be like without the paraglider. It’sone of the best itemsand plays a large part in what makes exploration fun.
Hyrule is massive and is filled with mountains, towers, and sky islands. Giving Link a way to glide through the air was a genius move from Nintendo. Gliding is easy to control and leads to endless possibilities. Areas that would normally take ages to reach can be accessed in no time. The paraglider is a lifesaver, and Link’s movement has never been this versatile.
2Teleportation - Various Titles
Walking back and forth between opposite ends of Hyrule is a monumental task. Addingthe ability to teleportjust made sense. It’s most convenient in Tears Of The Kingdom and Breath Of The Wild, where you can tap an area on your map and be there in seconds. But there’s something to be said for the old way too.
Warping inOcarina Of Timerequires you to memorize six songs, but in a way, that’s part of the charm. While it takes longer, this method adds personality to teleportation that’s missing in recent titles. Each song features a gorgeous melody composed by the legendary Koji Kondo, and they nail the tone of their respective locations. While the newer way is more practical, the older way still deserves credit for being unique and iconic.
1Epona - Various Titles
In Ocarina Of Time, there are three ways to traverse Hyrule Fields quickly without warping. You can roll, z-target and repeatedly jump to the side, or call Epona.This beloved horsesaves so much time in this N64 masterpiece.
Epona will get you to your destination in no time. She’s a must if you want to complete the Poe side quest, and she even plays a part in some of the best moments in the game. Escaping from Lon Lon Ranch and jumping over the broken bridge to get into Gerudo Valley are iconic scenes and perfectly highlight the bond between Link and his faithful steed. She’s one of his greatest partners and has been a series staple ever since.
