The 10 Most USELESS Items In Zelda Games
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VOICE OVER: Johnny Reynolds
WRITTEN BY: Johnny Reynolds
"The Legend of Zelda" can sometimes feature items that are useless for anything other than taking up inventory space. For this list, we'll be showcasing items that the series, and Link, could've done without. We're only including items Link can actually use. Our list includes the Telescope from "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" (2003), Bait from "The Legend of Zelda" (1987), the Golden Gauntlets from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (1998), and more!
Script written by Johnny Reynolds
"The Legend of Zelda" can sometimes feature items that are useless for anything other than taking up inventory space. For this list, we’ll be showcasing items that the series, and Link, could’ve done without. We’re only including items Link can actually use. Our list includes the Telescope from "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" (2003), Bait from "The Legend of Zelda" (1987), the Golden Gauntlets from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (1998), and more! Which “Zelda” item do you find to be the most disappointing? Let us know in the comments!
We’ve talked about the disappointment of the Giant’s Knife before. But weapons don’t get much more useless than this. Picture this: you’re playing “Ocarina of Time” for the first time, exploring the home of the newly introduced, lovable Gorons. You blast your way through a hallway to Medigoron’s shop, who tells you he’ll sell you a powerful sword but that it’ll take years to make. You come back as an adult, fork over 200 rupees, earn the massive, two-handed blade, and it breaks almost immediately. No refund, no repair. It just sits in your inventory like the piece of junk it is. Of course, you can still use it. But why would you want to?
Items have obviously come a long way since the original game. In certain shops, Link could purchase Bait, which attracts enemies when set on the ground so that he can attack them unawares. It hardly seems worth seeking out though, as it only works on weaker enemies. And even then, it’s a one-use item. It’s also used to get past a hungry Goriya in Level 7, or Levels 3 and 8 on the Second Quest, which is its only necessary use. It seems like this obstacle could’ve easily been taken out or changed so that Bait wasn’t required.
Don’t get us wrong; the Mirror Shield is incredibly useful in nearly every game it appears in. Being able to deflect projectiles in some games and reflect light for enemies and puzzles in others is wonderful. But in “The Minish Cap,” there’s really no point in getting it. The problem is that it can only be obtained after you’ve beaten the game. You’ll earn it by giving your shield to Biggoron in Veil Falls after you’ve defeated Vaati. Part of the disappointment comes from how handy it would’ve been earlier in the game. Outside of earning 100%, the Mirror Shield offers little incentive here.
“Zelda” has included many items that are only used for one dungeon in the game. For us, the strongest example of this is the Sand Rod from “A Link Between Worlds.” It can only be rented from Ravio late in the game and is used for the Desert Palace. As you can probably guess from its name, the Sand Rod is essentially useless anywhere else in the game. It creates platforms from sand for Link to either walk across or merge into. Similar items that are needed to enter dungeons, like the Fire Rod and Tornado Rod, are great combative tools everywhere in the game. But the Sand Rod’s short usage makes it far less practical.
Sorry, Aryll, but lending us a telescope as a birthday present is pretty lame. The telescope is only used in one story moment in “The Wind Waker,” which is immediately after your sister gives it to you. It then takes up inventory space that we would’ve really loved to see filled by something else. It can be used to spot locations of Big Octos and Submarines from a distance. But by just exploring the world, you’ll find charts that map those locations anyway. We get that it’s an appropriately themed item for a seafaring adventure. However, removing it would have had absolutely no bearing on the overall game.
The thing that makes the Blue Candle useless is one significant shortcoming. Link uses it to send out a flame that lights up dark rooms, damages enemies, and burns away bushes to reveal secrets. Unfortunately, it can only be used once per area. So if you mess up and want to use it again, you’re forced to leave that screen and return. It’s later replaced by the Red Candle, which has no such fault. Why Nintendo would include such a flaw instead of just combining both candles into one item is confusing. But it wouldn’t be the last time. “Zelda II’s” candle can’t even be used for combat or puzzles, only lighting up dark caves and serving as a pretty annoying way to halt the player’s progression.
Maybe we just don’t think digging numerous holes in any given area is that fun. But we feel the shovel is an item that could’ve been removed from the entire series without losing anything. It’s been kept to 2D entries, first appearing in “A Link to the Past” as part of a side quest and mini-game. In other entries, it’s usually used to uncover extra money or hidden passages. Any story-centric items the shovel gets you don’t necessarily feel like they had to be hidden in the dirt. Any hidden passages feel like they could’ve been uncovered with something else, like bombs. And it isn’t as if a shovel is the most exciting item to get in a fantasy world.
There are a handful of items Link gets in “Ocarina of Time” that simply allow him to pick up heavier things. But what makes the Golden Gauntlets so pointless is how late in the game they’re found and how little they’re actually used. Link gets them inside Ganon’s Castle, the last challenge of the game, inside the Shadow room. They give him the might to lift heavy stone slabs. They can only be used three times, two of which are mandatory and the third of which leads to a Great Fairy. Because of this, they’re basically keys. Very nice-looking keys, but keys nonetheless. We had already gotten the Silver Gauntlets in the Spirit Temple so these seem like an afterthought.
Most of the masks in “Majora’s Mask” are used to earn only one reward. But the Circus Leader’s Mask doesn’t even do that. Link earns it from the leader of the Gorman troupe of performers after moving him with music in the Milk Bar. If Link wears it during Cremia’s side quest, it’ll stop Gorman’s villainous brothers from attacking her milk delivery. However, you have to have already completed that side quest to get the Circus Leader’s Mask in the first place, making it an entirely pointless endeavor. To be fair, the 3D remake did include a side quest through it that earned you an Empty Bottle. But as far as the original game goes, it deserves its inclusion.
On paper, Ilia’s Charm sounds very useful. It can be used to call Epona to you anywhere in Hyrule Field, similar to Epona’s Song in previous games. However, it’s when you get it that makes it useless. By the time Ilia has recovered her memories and gives Link the charm, he’s already gained the ability to warp to multiple places across the landscape. He can also transform into his wolf form at will, who runs just about as fast as Epona anyway. This is something that would’ve been greatly appreciated earlier in-game. But as it stands, it isn’t that helpful.
"The Legend of Zelda" can sometimes feature items that are useless for anything other than taking up inventory space. For this list, we’ll be showcasing items that the series, and Link, could’ve done without. We’re only including items Link can actually use. Our list includes the Telescope from "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" (2003), Bait from "The Legend of Zelda" (1987), the Golden Gauntlets from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (1998), and more! Which “Zelda” item do you find to be the most disappointing? Let us know in the comments!
Giant’s Knife
“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998)We’ve talked about the disappointment of the Giant’s Knife before. But weapons don’t get much more useless than this. Picture this: you’re playing “Ocarina of Time” for the first time, exploring the home of the newly introduced, lovable Gorons. You blast your way through a hallway to Medigoron’s shop, who tells you he’ll sell you a powerful sword but that it’ll take years to make. You come back as an adult, fork over 200 rupees, earn the massive, two-handed blade, and it breaks almost immediately. No refund, no repair. It just sits in your inventory like the piece of junk it is. Of course, you can still use it. But why would you want to?
Bait
“The Legend of Zelda” (1987)Items have obviously come a long way since the original game. In certain shops, Link could purchase Bait, which attracts enemies when set on the ground so that he can attack them unawares. It hardly seems worth seeking out though, as it only works on weaker enemies. And even then, it’s a one-use item. It’s also used to get past a hungry Goriya in Level 7, or Levels 3 and 8 on the Second Quest, which is its only necessary use. It seems like this obstacle could’ve easily been taken out or changed so that Bait wasn’t required.
Mirror Shield
“The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap” (2005)Don’t get us wrong; the Mirror Shield is incredibly useful in nearly every game it appears in. Being able to deflect projectiles in some games and reflect light for enemies and puzzles in others is wonderful. But in “The Minish Cap,” there’s really no point in getting it. The problem is that it can only be obtained after you’ve beaten the game. You’ll earn it by giving your shield to Biggoron in Veil Falls after you’ve defeated Vaati. Part of the disappointment comes from how handy it would’ve been earlier in the game. Outside of earning 100%, the Mirror Shield offers little incentive here.
Sand Rod
“The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” (2013)“Zelda” has included many items that are only used for one dungeon in the game. For us, the strongest example of this is the Sand Rod from “A Link Between Worlds.” It can only be rented from Ravio late in the game and is used for the Desert Palace. As you can probably guess from its name, the Sand Rod is essentially useless anywhere else in the game. It creates platforms from sand for Link to either walk across or merge into. Similar items that are needed to enter dungeons, like the Fire Rod and Tornado Rod, are great combative tools everywhere in the game. But the Sand Rod’s short usage makes it far less practical.
Telescope
“The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” (2003)Sorry, Aryll, but lending us a telescope as a birthday present is pretty lame. The telescope is only used in one story moment in “The Wind Waker,” which is immediately after your sister gives it to you. It then takes up inventory space that we would’ve really loved to see filled by something else. It can be used to spot locations of Big Octos and Submarines from a distance. But by just exploring the world, you’ll find charts that map those locations anyway. We get that it’s an appropriately themed item for a seafaring adventure. However, removing it would have had absolutely no bearing on the overall game.
Blue Candle
“The Legend of Zelda” (1987)The thing that makes the Blue Candle useless is one significant shortcoming. Link uses it to send out a flame that lights up dark rooms, damages enemies, and burns away bushes to reveal secrets. Unfortunately, it can only be used once per area. So if you mess up and want to use it again, you’re forced to leave that screen and return. It’s later replaced by the Red Candle, which has no such fault. Why Nintendo would include such a flaw instead of just combining both candles into one item is confusing. But it wouldn’t be the last time. “Zelda II’s” candle can’t even be used for combat or puzzles, only lighting up dark caves and serving as a pretty annoying way to halt the player’s progression.
Shovel
VariousMaybe we just don’t think digging numerous holes in any given area is that fun. But we feel the shovel is an item that could’ve been removed from the entire series without losing anything. It’s been kept to 2D entries, first appearing in “A Link to the Past” as part of a side quest and mini-game. In other entries, it’s usually used to uncover extra money or hidden passages. Any story-centric items the shovel gets you don’t necessarily feel like they had to be hidden in the dirt. Any hidden passages feel like they could’ve been uncovered with something else, like bombs. And it isn’t as if a shovel is the most exciting item to get in a fantasy world.
Golden Gauntlets
“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998)There are a handful of items Link gets in “Ocarina of Time” that simply allow him to pick up heavier things. But what makes the Golden Gauntlets so pointless is how late in the game they’re found and how little they’re actually used. Link gets them inside Ganon’s Castle, the last challenge of the game, inside the Shadow room. They give him the might to lift heavy stone slabs. They can only be used three times, two of which are mandatory and the third of which leads to a Great Fairy. Because of this, they’re basically keys. Very nice-looking keys, but keys nonetheless. We had already gotten the Silver Gauntlets in the Spirit Temple so these seem like an afterthought.
Circus Leader’s Mask
“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)Most of the masks in “Majora’s Mask” are used to earn only one reward. But the Circus Leader’s Mask doesn’t even do that. Link earns it from the leader of the Gorman troupe of performers after moving him with music in the Milk Bar. If Link wears it during Cremia’s side quest, it’ll stop Gorman’s villainous brothers from attacking her milk delivery. However, you have to have already completed that side quest to get the Circus Leader’s Mask in the first place, making it an entirely pointless endeavor. To be fair, the 3D remake did include a side quest through it that earned you an Empty Bottle. But as far as the original game goes, it deserves its inclusion.
Ilia’s Charm
“The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” (2006)On paper, Ilia’s Charm sounds very useful. It can be used to call Epona to you anywhere in Hyrule Field, similar to Epona’s Song in previous games. However, it’s when you get it that makes it useless. By the time Ilia has recovered her memories and gives Link the charm, he’s already gained the ability to warp to multiple places across the landscape. He can also transform into his wolf form at will, who runs just about as fast as Epona anyway. This is something that would’ve been greatly appreciated earlier in-game. But as it stands, it isn’t that helpful.
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