Tandem Legends: a Legend of Zelda Podcast

Zora's Domain is frozen over and neither the Zoras nor Link's old flame(?) are anywhere to be seen. With limited options, Link goes spelunking, exploring the Ice Cavern and discovering the Iron Boots hidden within.  Sit down with your hosts, Shannon and Joe, as they play, discuss and theorize their way through Nintendo's Legend of Zelda video games in the timeline order noted in the Hyrule Historia. New episodes of Tandem Legends: a Legend of Zelda Podcast released every other week.

The Fire Temple, a scorching hot dungeon located deep within Death Mountain Crater filled with imprisoned Gorons waiting to be eaten by the Subterranean Lava Dragon, Volvagia. Holding the Megaton Hammer, the legendary weapon once wielded by Darunia's ancestor, surely Link has a chance at reawakening the next Sage.. WHOEVER THAT MIGHT BE.

Breath of the Wild has found a place within the Legend of Zelda timeline. With news like this we couldn't not talk about it. How can a game like Breath of the Wild be part of the timeline? Why is it so distantly placed? What does this mean for Tandem Legends? Why does Joe keep talking about Hyrule Warriors? We vaguely address our thoughts on these questions and more in this tiny Miniblin of an episode.  http://www.tandemlegends.com/

The Forest at peace once again and Saria now serving as the Forest Sage, it's time to head for the very angry looking Death Mountain that we've been trying to pretend we hadn't noticed. After spending some time exploring all that Hyrule has to offer, namely Golden Skulltulas and Heart Pieces, and after getting little help from our biggest fan, we equip the Goron Tunic and enter Death Mountain Crater.

Our first temple as an adult is filled with creepy giant hands and a veritable horde of Stalfos. While we certainly get put through our paces, we of course emerge victorious against the dungeon boss, Phantom Ganon. After a short goodbye to Saria, Link is given the startling news that he is not a member of the childlike Kokiri, but is in fact a Hylian brought to the forest by his dying mother.. And with that cheerful revelation we're off to find the next Medallion!

The Master Sword has been pulled from its pedestal! Unfortunately, there was a miscalculation in the prophecies and Link is 7 years too young to be a proper Hero. With Link held in stasis, Ganondorf nabs the Triforce and turns Hyrule into a very different place. 7 years later, Link is told by Rauru, the Sage of Light, he must find the other Sages to save Hyrule. Link encounters the mysterious Sheik who offers advice on reaching the first Sage deep within the Forest Temple.  http://www.tandemlegends.com/

Link finds Zora’s Domain in disarray and their King is despondent. Princess Ruto has disappeared, apparently swallowed by Lord Jabu-Jabu. After finding the princess and defeating the Bio-Electric Anemone: Barinade, Ruto gives Link her most precious possession, Zora's Sapphire. Three spiritual stones in hand, Link makes his way to Hyrule Castle to meet with Zelda. But Ganondorf has already made his move, as Zelda and Impa flee the castle, Zelda tosses the Ocarina of Time towards Link.

The Gorons are starving. Darunia, leader of the Gorons, agrees to help Link in his quest only if he can restore their food supply by clearing out Dodongo’s Cavern various monsters: Beamos, Armos, Lizalfos, and Dodongos. King Dodongo destroyed and the cavern cleared out, Darunia remains true to his word, dubbing Link his Sworn Brother and bestowing the Goron's Ruby. With the Spiritual Stone of Fire in his possession, Link is one step closer to thwarting Ganondorf's evil plan to steal the Triforce.

Not three steps into Hyrule Field, Link is met by a sagely owl named Kaepora Gaebora that advises him to head towards Castle Town. Along the way Link runs into Malon, who ends up giving him a Cuckoo that proves instrumental in Link's infiltration efforts of Hyrule Castle. Link finally comes face to face with the Princess of Destiny, Princess Zelda, who warns Link of a coming storm and sends him on a quest to obtain the remaining Spirital Stones.  http://www.tandemlegends.com/

Stepping inside the mouth of the Great Deku Tree, Link hopes to lift an evil curse. Carving through Skulltulas and Deku Scrubs, Link eventually reaches the Parasitic Armored Arachnid, Queen Gohma. Queen Gohma destroyed, the Great Deku Tree still dies, but not before bestowing the Kokiri Emerald to Link and pointing him towards Hyrule Castle and the Princess of Destiny.

The boy without a fairy sleeps restlessly while evil forces gather in the world. Navi the Fairy has been sent to retrieve him, as his destiny begins with helping to break the curse placed upon the guardian spirit of the forest, the Great Deku Tree. Link explores the Kokiri Forest and manages to scrounge up a sword and shield, eventually being given access to the interior of the Deku Tree. We made it to Ocarina of Time! I don't think we have to explain why we're super excited to be here.

That was quick! Today, we review our playthrough of Four Swords and chat about our impressions, the key themes, the connections with Zelda canon, and introduce the next game in the timeline. Four Swords begins with Zelda and Link entering the shrine of the Four Sword many years after it has been used to defeat and seal away the evil Wind Mage, Vaati. Zelda has growing concerns that the seal that binds Vaati in the Four Sword has begun to weaken.

Minish Cap is complete! Today, we review our playthrough of The Minish Cap and chat about our impressions, the key themes, the connections with Zelda canon, and introduce the next game in the timeline.

Link pushes his way through a dark and twisted Hyrule Castle filled with the servants of Vaati. Link makes his way to the top of Hyrule Castle just in time to stop Vaati’s dark ritual. The battle is fierce and long, but Link triumphs, freeing Hyrule of Vaati’s curse and restoring both Zelda and Ezlo to their true forms. Ezlo expresses his gratitude and, before departing, gifts Link with an iconic green pointed hat..

Link enters the Palace of Winds. A large variety of obstacles and enemies are in Link's path but with the final item in hand,  Roc’s Cape, Link is able to defeat the Gyorg Pair boss and obtain the Wind Element. Link goes to the Elemental Sanctuary and infuses his blade, creating the Four Sword. After learning that the light force can be found inside the spirit of Princess Zelda, Vaati appears in the disguised form of King Daltus, attacks Link and disappears back into Hyrule Castle.