10 Mistranslations In Zelda Games That Change EVERYTHING

Bagu Is My Name

“Zelda II: The Adventure of Link” (1988)

One of the most famous things from “Zelda II” is actually a minor NPC you find in Ruto Town. Initially, all he says is “My name is Error.” For a long time, English language players thought he was a literal error and turned him into a meme, but this isn’t the case. In the Moruge Forest, you’ll find a similar-looking NPC who introduces himself as Bagu. Technically, this isn’t a case of mistranslation, but of something not getting translated at all. Error’s name in the Japanese version is Era, and Bagu is the Japanese word for a computer bug. The duo are merely software puns, but the English localization team just failed to translate the latter NPC’s name.

The Nakku Family

Various

There are several groups of enemies in the series that are within the same family, and are noted as such by their names. The most famous is the ‘blin’ family, which is ‘burin’ in Japanese, including Moblins, Bokoblins, and Horriblins. However, the ‘nakku’ suffix is one that never made it into the English localizations, and all enemies that share it have different names. The most commonly recurring of these enemies is the Darknut, or Tāto Nakku, and the Iron Knuckle, or Aiannakku. Others include the “Zelda II” boss, Rebonack, or Rebonakku, the “Twilight Princess” mini-boss, Darkhammer, or Hanmānakku, and the “Link’s Awakening” enemy, Mad Bomber, or Bomu Nakku. Considering these all share a knight-like design, you can see the relation.

Ganondorf’s Motivation

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” (2023)

In the English language version of “Tears of the Kingdom,” Ganondorf’s motivations are pretty simple, to steal power from Rauru and subjugate Hyrule to darkness as its new King. As great as Matt Mercer is in the role, it’s pretty one-note. However, in the Japanese version, there’s a little more nuance. Ganondorf resents the Zonai for taking control of Hyrule and ushering it towards an era of peace, as he views this as making the land and its people weak. He doesn’t just want power, he wants Hyrule to return to a time of power, when those with strength could claim glory if they so chose. This desire is displayed in two key scenes; his resentment of the Zonai and their presumption to rule is found in the flashback where he first transforms. And his goal to return Hyrule to its “rightful form” is seen during his fight with Link.

The False Creators

“The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” (2006)

The Oocca are one of the strangest races in the “Zelda” series, composed of bird-like bodies with human faces. They’re very important to the lore, though, but how important depends on which version of “Twilight Princess” you’re playing. In the English language version, we’re told by the scholar, Shad, that the Oocca created the Hylian race. However, the Japanese version gives us what is now canonical information; they didn’t create Hylians, they just created Hyrule. “Zelda” lore is confusing enough without having to worry about localization errors. But the difference between the creation of a place and that of an entire people is pretty big.

Demise’s Speech

“The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” (2011)

Similar to Ganondorf in “Tears of the Kingdom,” Demise’s desires come with a bit more nuance in the Japanese version of “Skyward Sword,” specifically when talking about his curse. After being defeated by Link, Demise claims that his hatred is undying and that those with the blood of the Goddess, Hylia, and the spirit of the hero are eternally bound to it, forced into an endless cycle. He makes it sound as if he himself will be reborn in a new form, primarily with the line, “I will rise again!” And so, most players assumed that meant Ganon was a reincarnation of Demise, but that isn’t exactly true. In the Japanese version, Demise’s speech is more of a warning, that there will always be darkness to fight the light, and that the light is equally responsible for this cycle. While this still leads to Ganon and others like him, it isn’t as literal as Demise being reborn.

The Creation of the Master Sword

“The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past” (1992)

The Master Sword made its debut in “A Link to the Past,” but when and why it was created is completely different between the English and Japanese versions. While the game itself doesn’t give us any information, the manual does. The English one states a magic-resistant sword was created by Hylians in response to Ganon gaining the Triforce. But when none were worthy of wielding it, the Sages opted to seal Ganon away instead. However, this is a mistranslation from the Japanese manual, which states the sword was created long before this, with no specific creators listed, and that its location was merely forgotten. While Nintendo would later retcon the sword’s exact creation, the information in the Japanese version is more accurate.

An Uncomfortable Romance

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” (2017)

After conquering Divine Beast Vah Ruta in “Breath of the Wild,” you can find one of the most unsettling side quests in “Zelda” history. Finley, a Zora, waits near the Bank of Wishes, planning to send a love letter down the river. She’s been in correspondence with someone, and asks Link to follow it so he can see who it is. At the end, Link meets Sasan, a Hylian man who has fallen for Finley, but feels bad lying about having muscles. After the chat, Sasan heads to Zora’s Domain to meet Finley, and the two begin a relationship. Despite Zoras aging slower, this still looks like a grown man dating a child. The Japanese version never intended for this to be romantic as the two are basically pen pals. Yet, the English localization made us all shudder in disgust.

Lost History

“The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” (2006)

In “Twilight Princess,” Auru is a member of Telma’s resistance group who tells Link about the Arbiter’s Grounds prison and the Mirror of Twilight that resides there. At the end of the dungeon, Link meets the Sages who banished Ganondorf to the Twilight Realm, who all appear as ghostly old men. Later, Auru claims these sages are the ones who tutored Princess Zelda and told him of the Mirror. Except, this version of Zelda is still fairly young, and the Sages all appear as sort-of spirits, so it doesn’t really add up. That’s because the Japanese version tells us that Auru was Zelda’s teacher, not the Sages. His knowledge of Hyrule’s history then makes much more sense, given he once was so close to the Royal Family.

Last Words

“The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past” (1992)

The death of Link’s Uncle at the beginning of “A Link to the Past” is a defining moment of the intro. As Link descends into the depths of Hyrule Castle, he finds his Uncle gravely wounded. He’s then given his first sword and shield while listening to the man’s final words. In the English language version, Link’s Uncle trails off, dying after saying “Zelda is your…” This spawned a lot of theories and what-ifs about how the sentence was meant to end, with a popular one claiming “sister.” What he was likely about to say is “destiny,” or something like it. In the Japanese version, his last words are, “You are the princess’s…,” making it seem like Link was Zelda and Hyrule’s only hope.

Ganon’s Reincarnation

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” (2017)

After being defeated by Link in Hyrule Castle at the end of “Breath of Wild,” Calamity Ganon turns into his second form, Dark Beast Ganon. A message from Zelda claims he has given up on reincarnation, which he has been attempting to do the whole game, and taken on a pure, enraged form. However, in the Japanese version, she states this form was born from his obsessive refusal to give up on revival. Either way, you’re fighting a big ol’ monster, but it says something about the characterization of Ganon. The Japanese version is right; he’s not the type to ever give up on reincarnating or returning to wreak havoc. The English mistranslation makes it seem like if you defeat the Dark Beast, that will be the end of it. But obviously, that’s not the case.

Know of any other mistranslations in the series that changed how we view certain story elements or characters? Let us know about them in the comments!