Ok, this could be a contentious one, but before you all start throwing rotten fruit in my direction or calling me names in the comments section just hear me out. First and foremost I love Zelda games. Always have done. Ive finished them all at least once, the 25th Anniversary Symphony concert is rarely off my playlist, and my first child is called Saria. (My wife doesnt actually know that, she thinks her name is Chloe and the birth certificate got blown away by a freak gust of wind. I play along, but when I meet my baby daughters gazetheres a look there. She knows.) So, this isnt a hatchet job, but more an homage to those flawed bits that my fellow Zelda fans will recognise. Like soldiers coming back from war, the stories of suffering are always the ones people linger on. And boy have we suffered at times. I'll make it clear at the outset, this is not a feature about those parts of the game where you spend ages looking for the way through, only to find its blindingly obvious once you work it out (or look it up). That, my friends, is Zelda, and its entirely subjective. Instead, this list will feature quirks of gameplay, unfair quest requirements, frustrating fights and other moments that have had us all leaving teethmarks on our controllers. So, buckle on your Master Sword, make sure your Ocarina is snug and lets go forth. And if anyone sees Tingle, ignore him. Hes just attention seeking.
10. Weaponless Link
Along with exploration, rescuing a princess, and wearing a really weird hat, what Zelda is all about is collecting things to become ever more powerful. You start off as a weedy little fellow, usually with just a wooden sword (if that), and bit by bit you pick up heart pieces and weapons until youre death on legs and ready to give the big bad boss a right good slapping. Theres no better feeling than battling away through a really tough piece of dungeon or boss to be rewarded with something like the Ball and Chain, or the Skull Hammer. So what could be more frustrating than having it all taken away from you. This happens on several occasions through Links adventures. For example, Skyward Sword features trips into the Spirit Realm where you have to collect things for some reason or other, avoiding ghosty guardians that would take you two seconds to carve up if you were allowed to take a sword, but no, that would be too easy. Instead, you have no weapons or items, and if they touch you, you have to start the whole thing again. Your only defence is to run, Forest, run! Wind Waker is the worst. Having laughed at Link getting face-planted into the side of the tower, the smiles quickly wiped off my face when I find out Ive now got to break out of jail and sneak past several guards like a fantasy Solid Snake before I get anywhere near my sword again. And these guards only have to see me to catch me, because Link suddenly becomes incapable of running away, or throwing a barrel in a guards face so I can steal his weapon. That would be too logical; instead he just stands and gets caught. Why would you do that Link? Why?
Frustration Rating: 7.