Optional content in any video game is a fascinating thing, as it is developers creating content that sometimes large portions of players will completely miss. And in the case ofThe Legend of Zeldafranchise, Nintendo has often crafted unique content that players can skip over and never see. Whether they find out about its existence later through friends or choose to skip it, the optional content inZeldaover the years features some truly excellent experiences.
Beit completely optional dungeonsor compelling side quests,The Legend of Zeldais no stranger to creating content that a majority of players never see. Through its myriad of mainline titles, secondary entries, and spin-offs, theZeldafranchise has seen several games feature some pretty fantastic optional quests and locations for players to visit.
Majora’s Maskwas developed in a little over a year, using assets fromOcarina of Timeand pushing it out the door swiftly. And in spite of that short development cycle,Majora’s Maskstill features some truly outstanding optional content for players to experience and is one of the most decorated entries in the franchise. As the name implies, this N64 classic features a collection of optional masks to find both in the world and for defeating bosses.
Additionally,Majora’s Maskfeatures dozens and dozens of side quests throughout Clock Town and in the field of Termina, as well assome fabulous optional dungeons. It’s a game loaded with both consequential and smaller-scale side quests, and this huge game continues to impress even today. Whether it’s the 3DS remake or on the Nintendo Switch,Majora’s Maskis a great place to find some wonderful side content for Link and Zelda to explore.
With the promise of translating theZeldafranchise from 2D to 3D, this enormously anticipated N64 game had a lot to live up to. It shattered those expectations, as thehuge, sprawling world ofOcarina of Timeis still impressive in the totality on offer. A slew of optional weapons, collectibles, and quests await, with the N64 powering the next phase of what this series could do in 1998.
Hunting down 100 Gold Skultullas, finding Biggoron’s sword, and mastering the mini-games is just the tip of the iceberg, as the Gerudo Training Ground is a fantastic optional excursion that rewards the player with Ice Arrows. The Bottom of the Well is also a spooky treat, pitting Link against ReDeads and granting the Lens of Truth. It’s full of neat little mini-games and side quests, a testament to the long-lasting legacy of this classic title.
The Wind Wakerwas met with some criticism after Nintendo unveiled its cel-shaded style at Space World 2001, butit proved everyone wrongwhen it launched on the GameCube in 2003. The vast, open-ended Great Sea was truly a delight to explore and still is, as sailing across uncharted waters on the King of Red Lions is just as exhilarating today as it was in 2003. Peppered across the blue waters ofThe Wind Waker, players will find a multitude of outstanding bits of optional content and dungeons to explore.
The Savage Labyrinth is a standout, offering 50 floors of challenge that see Link descend into the darkest pits of Hyrule, while finding sunken treasures in the Great Sea really sells the breadth ofWind Waker’sworld. In addition, defeating all six of the Big Octos is a fantastic bit of fun, as finding them is just as engaging as battling them while taking part in Zunari’s Trading Quest can help players become more familiar with the Great Sea.
WhenBreath of the Wildwas released as aSwitch launch title in 2017, it took nearly every aspect of theZeldafranchise that had become commonplace and threw it out the window, distilling the series down to its NES roots in exploration and discovery. And off the beaten path, in this new, darker vision of Hyrule, players can find a treasure trove of remarkable optional stories and quests. It revolutionized the series in many ways but maintained its soul in the best possible way.
The numerous side quests populate the enormous map, as they range from simple fetch quests to more involved stories. One of the best involves Tarrey Town, an uninhabited land mass located in the Akkala Highlands, and sees Link creating a melting pot of different races, cultures, and species. It’s a game that almost thrives on its optional content, but the dense and tightly-packed world makes seeing everything take upwards of 100 hours.
Initially beginning development as an after-hours project worked on by Nintendo employees,Link’s Awakeningwas eventually released on the Game Boy in 1993 and was remade for the Switch in 2019. Set on Koholint island,Link’s Awakeningsees the Hero of Hyrule on a quest to wake the Wind Fishand escape the dream, but it also features the best optional content one can find in aZeldagame. Beginning with the iconic trading sequence, a delightful mini-adventure that starts with a cute little Yoshi doll and ends with Link acquiring the boomerang and a magnifying lens.
Link’s Awakeningalso features some optional temples, but the best one is easily the Color Dungeon. Available in both the Game Boy original from 1993 and the 2019 remake, the Color Dungeon is accessible with the Pegasus Boots and is one ofLink’s Awakening’sgreatest challenges. This spectacular game is notable in that the optional content is meaty, feeling less like filler quests and more like fully-formed experiences in their own right.
