Zelda franchise strategy guide/Animals

In The Legend of Zelda series, animals often play a large role, providing a fast means of transportation, or helping Link to reach areas he can't access by himself. Animals are more common in later Zelda games. The most common animal, the cucco, which is nearly identical to a chicken, is seen in almost every Zelda game after A Link to The Past.

Ocarina of Time
Link's horse, Epona, first appears in Ocarina of Time, when Link wins her in a race with Ingo. Malon teaches Link Epona's Song, allowing him to call Epona from anywhere in Hyrule Field, Lon Lon Ranch, Lake Hylia, Gerudo Valley or Gerudo Fortress. Link can shoot arrows while on horseback, and take part in various minigames, such as the obstacle course at Lon Lon Ranch or the horseback archery challenge at the Fortress.

Also if Link wins the obstacle course in less than 50 seconds Malon will say that she is going to give Link a present, but since it is too heavy, she delivers it to Link's home. If Link returns to his home as an adult, a cow will be there.

Majora's Mask
Epona makes another appearance in Majora's Mask. Like in Ocarina of Time, Epona can called by Epona's Song from Termina Field and select other locations. She is taken from Link at the beginning of the game by the Skull Kid, but is later returned after Link completes Romani's balloon challenge. Link can also shoot arrows from horseback in this game.

Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
In Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Link meets three animals: Ricky, Dimitri, and Moosh. However, Link only keeps one of them, depending on the flute he has.


 * Ricky is one of the most common animals in Seasons, because nothing special is required to get him; Link just meets him. In Ages you must earn the flute by winning in a mini-game. He can hop over holes and jump onto cliffs. Ricky has a powerful punch; when charged, he can release a hurricane. He is a kangaroo and Link rides in his pouch.
 * Moosh is one of the most common animals in Ages, as nothing special is needed to get him. Moosh is a blue polar bear with wings. He can fly for short periods of time and smash creatures.
 * Dimitri, a Dodongo, is the last animal Link can get. Although Dodongos are usually enemies, Dimitri is good and will let Link ride on his back. He can swim and climb waterfalls. When Link gets the power bracelet, he can pick Dimitri up and throw him. To get him or Moosh in the games, one has to buy or win a Strange Flute from a store or minigame, and depending on which one you get, you'll get Dimitri or Moosh as your "summon." Areas in Holodrum are different, depending on which of the three animals you can call.

In addition, Epona, or a horse similar to Epona, appears in both Opening sequences, but she does not appear in the game.

Twilight Princess
In Twilight Princess, Link can transform into a wolf when he enters the Twilight Realm, and this transformation is integral to the plot and gameplay. As a wolf, Link can attack with his teeth and tail, dig, talk to other animals, and sense out hidden objects and enemies with his natural heightened senses. He can also howl at various points in the game. When Midna is riding on his back, Link can target multiple enemies and warp throughout Hyrule.

Also while in animal form, Link can speak to other animals. This becomes an integral part of retrieving the Ordon Sword and Shield from Ordon village, as the animals will give Link hints and clues as to the whereabouts and retrieval options of the sword and shield.

Link's horse, which is named by the player (default name being Epona) at the beginning of the game, plays a much larger role in Twilight Princess. Horseback combat has been introduced, allowing Link to use his sword, bow, slingshot, clawshot, and boomerang on horseback.

Bulblins can ride and fight on large saddled boars, which Link can ride once its rider(s) are knocked off the boar. Link can ride the boars by going up to it and pressing A, but as soon as a Bulblin spots the boar, Link cannot ride it anymore (the A button command "Get on" disappears as soon as a Bulblin sees the boar which Link is standing next to). While on a boar, Link cannot use weapons, but can charge through barriers.

Using a grasswhistle, Link can call a hawk which he can use to knock down distant objects, or a Kargaroc that carries him as a wolf.