Zelda: Link’s Best Friends, Ranked

Highlights

• Tingle is a bizarre and unique Zelda character who is friendly to Link and often provides him with maps and items. He is one of Link’s few allies and has his own dedicated outfit in Tears of the Kingdom.
• Beedle is a reliable merchant who appears in multiple Zelda games and sells various items and supplies to aid Link on his quests. Link would have a hard time without Beedle’s consistent presence.
• The Great Deku Tree and the Koroks are wise and friendly characters who aid Link in his quests. The Great Deku Tree is a reliable guide and protector, while the Koroks are known for hiding throughout Hyrule. They are important allies to Link.

With an existence spanning over four decades, The Legend of Zelda is home to a vast catalog of memorable, well-loved characters. While some have had more than one appearance over the years, others had a fleeting presence but nonetheless left a lasting impression. Although Link is always at the center of these adventures, his environments and stories vary substantially, bringing new lore to an already convoluted timeline in The Legend of Zelda.

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Over the years, players have come to call certain characters icons of the Zelda franchise. Some even made such a huge splash that they’ve had cameos or references in future games. It’s a combination of their stories, mechanics, popularity with players, and loyalty to Link that makes some of these characters such good friends. Each of them is unique and layered in its own right, Link is lucky to have a whole slew of fantastic allies.

7 Tingle

Zaniest Troublemaker

• Eight Appearances
• First Game: Majora’s Mask

Tingle is a Zelda character that’s so distinct and popular that he’s been the center of three Nintendo spin-off games. Although difficult to categorize, Tingle is a rogue-like person who is often obsessed with fairies and generally relates most conversations to them. Although in Four Swords Adventure, Tingle will race Link for Force Gems, in most games he’s particularly friendly to Link since he often mistakes him for a fairy (or somebody who is close to faeries).

Tingle is by far the most bizarre and distinct Zelda character ever created. His catchphrase and generally mischievous behavior make him markedly different from other characters. It may be a stretch to call him a friend, then, but in titles like Majora’s Mask and The Minish Cap, Tingle is desperate to be good friends with Link and will often provide him with maps and helpful items. Tingle is one of the few characters to get an entire outfit dedicated to him in Tears of the Kingdom, outlining his importance to both Link and the franchise.

6 Beedle

Reliable Provider

• Seven Appearances
• First Game: The Wind Waker

Beedle is unquestionably the most reliable and frequent merchant Link encounters throughout his adventures. Tears of the Kingdom marks his seventh appearance in a Zelda game, and each time he is a trusty and much-needed encounter. In each game, Beedle’s character is largely consistent in his design and the hapless manner in which he sells his wares.

Truthfully, it’s unlikely Link would get very far without Beedle being just around the corner. In most games, like The Wind Waker and The Minish Cap, Beedle will sell ammo for various weapons Link obtains and can be fundamental in supplying items to aid him on his quest. In newer games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Beedle can be found ambling near every stable and sells various insects for recipes, as well as arrows. It’s safe to say this quivering guy is just as important to Link’s quests as any other ally.

5 The Great Deku Tree & Koroks

Wisest Guide

• Four Appearances
• First Game: Ocarina of Time

The Great Deku Tree is typically synonymous with Koroks, however, his very first appearance was in Ocarina of Time when he found the Kokiri Forest. Meanwhile, Koroks only feature in three Zelda games: The Wind Waker, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom. Although they’re fun and friendly characters, Korok’s are most well-known for hiding throughout Hyrule.

The Great Deku Tree has always been a wise presence in Link’s life and has been a very important force of good against Link’s various foes. He typically watches over some important artifact that he will eventually bestow upon Link, aiding him in his quest against evil. Although The Great Deku Tree can be cryptic, he is a clear ally and kind soul that protects the Koroks. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, he is the key in Link locating the Master Sword, once again proving himself a useful and reliable friend.

4 The Sages

Dedicated Allies

• Ten Appearances
• First Game: The Adventure of Link

There have been over twenty Sages in the Zelda main series over the last few decades, making them nearly impossible to individually rank. Some games simply refer to the existence of Sages, while others like Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, A Link Between Worlds, and Tears of the Kingdom have narratives that revolve around the Sages.

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The Sages vary in their relationships with Link. In later games like Tears of the Kingdom, Link bonds closely with the Sages and would easily call characters like Riju and Yunobo good friends since they’ve shared common enemies and undergone similar challenges. Link forms close friendships with the Sages through their unity against darker forces, and oftentimes Link must rescue them from danger. More than once, they have put their lives on the line to help Link defeat Ganondorf and various other enemies. Link may be a person of few words, but his willingness to put his life in the hands of the Sages is proof enough of a good friendship.

3 Saria

Most Loyal Friend

• One Appearance
• Only Game: Ocarina of Time

Although Saria can technically only be found in one Zelda game, her friendship with Link is an important one. Her first appearance was Ocarina of Time, however – like most Sages in the game – she is likely named after Saria Town from The Adventure of Link. Saria is Link’s best friend from his childhood in Kokiri Forest, the two are clearly very close.

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Despite her single appearance, Saria is integral to Link in Ocarina of Time. Firstly, she is a true friend and is always very supportive of his endeavors. She gives him the fairy ocarina and teaches him her song, which is key to his quest, and allows them to speak whenever Link wishes. After Link’s seven-year disappearance, when Mido spreads an awful rumor that Link is responsible for the death of the Deku Tree, Saria alone remains loyal to Link and blatantly refutes the rumor. It is later revealed that Saria is the new Forest Sage, further solidifying her role in Link’s story. Nearly no other Zelda character is a more loving and trustworthy friend to Link than his childhood best friend.

2 Impa

Committed Mentor

• Nine Appearances
• First Game: The Legend of Zelda

Impa is an important member of the Sheikah tribe and an absolute staple of Zelda games. Appearing in a whopping nine main titles, Impa is usually a close friend and confidant of Zelda, as well as a mentor and helper to Link. Throughout her appearances, Impa has been named as Zelda’s attendee, a Sage, a guardian of the goddess Hylia, and the eldest of the Sheikah Tribe/Kakariko Village.

Since her first appearance in The Legend of Zelda, Impa has been guiding Link on his quests. She has varied drastically in appearance, sometimes acting as a warrior and fierce ally, and other times a wise older woman. Regardless, she provides much-needed advice for Link and has remained a loyal subject of Princess Zelda and Hyrule. She can always be found trying her best to help those around her and will aid Link whenever she can. Her continued existence in the Zelda canon establishes her as a great and integral friend to Link. Players will most recently recognize her from her Tears of the Kingdom glyph search.

1 Zelda

Faithful Companion

• Sixteen Appearances
• First Game: The Legend of Zelda

It’s no surprise that Princess Zelda is Link’s greatest friend and ally. The eponymous Princess has been at the core of almost every single adventure Link has undertaken, and although their relationship varies depending on the game, it’s undeniable that the two share an unbreakable connection.

Princess Zelda has repeatedly proven that she is a caring and truthful person with a huge heart. Her empathy connects her Hyrule, and she’s able to share her feelings with both Link and her citizens. Although she began as a damsel in distress, newer iterations of Zelda show her genuine bond with Link and their mutual respect for each other. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda’s faith and unwavering trust for Link are central to the plot. She is always willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good, and it’s undeniable that Link wouldn’t be the same without her.