Hyrule Historia: An Answer to the Call for Zelda Canon - Guest Blog by Ingrid Wolf

01/29/2013 9:58am

I came to know The Legend of Zelda at age ten, shortly before the release of Majora’s Mask on the Nintendo 64. At the time I was what you might call a “casual gamer.” It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy games—I feared them. Sure, I could finish a Super Mario level, but once I reached the dreaded “Boss” I would hit pause and fling the controller at my, yes, younger brother. Then I would watch him claim what should have been my victory. Pathetic, I know.

That all changed when I played Ocarina of Time, my first and favorite Zelda game. Overcoming the obstacles of my first “dungeon” had proven challenging enough for a coward like me, and the giant arachnid Gohma should have sent me running from the TV. Yet I chose to face her; I chose to try. How could I turn back when I’d come so close to the finish line? The first of many, that is. Somehow that young, pointy-eared boy in green helped my younger self find the courage to win my first real Boss battle. And once I had tasted that exhilarating sense of accomplishment, I wanted more. Never again did I abandon a fight, not when that exciting world of virtual adventure lay ahead.

Since that day I have, along with countless others, repeatedly immersed myself in the fascinating world of Hyrule—or Termina, or whatever mysterious world Link has encountered throughout the series. I’ve met the many quirky, endearing characters, watched epic plots unfold, and helped restore peace to those troubled lands. For like every great video game, Zelda isn’t simply a game; it’s an experience. Between the dark, mind-boggling dungeons and the bright, beautiful overworlds, only a player can really appreciate the profound subtleties of the Zelda series—perhaps especially those of Link himself. To this day the games feature no spoken dialogue, only scrolling text—though Link is denied even that. He is, to some degree, whatever the player perceives him to be. In fact, what most other games might thrust in the player’s face Zelda leaves to interpretation. In this way it invites, nay, tempts the imagination to come alive and fill the gaps.

This has resulted in an amazingly vast and varied world of fan creativity. The Internet is packed with artwork, comics, and stories, all fan interpretations of everything and anything the games never tell. Those not creating works of art keep busy on the countless Zelda forums, debating complex theories and piecing together the overarching plot game by game. Much as fans enjoy all of this, many have longed to know the solid facts, the authoritative canon. Now, after literally decades of wondering, Nintendo presents Hyrule Historia, a thick, hardcover book filled with illustrations, descriptions, and other forms of Zelda goodness, including an exclusive comic by the great Akira Himekawa. What more could a fan want?

Historia includes the complete history and making of the series, including concept art never before released. Zelda fans will enjoy reading about the familiar faces and places they love, as well as the unfamiliar ones they’ve never known. Yet perhaps the most anticipated feature of Historia is the timeline section, which reveals the official chronology of the series—a topic under much heated debate. What truths will be revealed, what arguments put to rest? Whatever happens, Historia is bound to inspire lengthy, enthusiastic discussion among Zelda fans, not to mention new material.

All I know is I look forward to it. I’ve got my copy preordered, and when I finally crack it open, the excitement might just send a familiar chime echoing through my mind: da da da daah…(go on press the button!)

By Ingrid Wolf

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