The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is an action/adventure game and the twelfth installment in the Zelda series.
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Story & Themes
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap focuses on the Minish people (also known as Picori), a race of small, thumb-sized individuals. It was the Minish who helped the first reincarnation of Link. Long ago, they gave a sword and the green outfit traditionally worn by Link in the other games to a young boy so he could rid the land of darkness.
At the beginning of Minish Cap, Link is given the task of seeking the Minish so they can help with a problem Vaati, a returning villain, has caused. Princess Zelda has been petrified and the Picori Blade broken, unleashing a horde of monsters throughout Hyrule. Along the way, Link meets a strange being called Ezlo who helps Link shrink to Minish size at will. Together, Link and Ezlo collect four elemental artifacts in four different dungeons, and with the artifacts they're able to restore the broken Picori Blade to the Four Sword (a magical weapon that appears in earlier Zelda games). In response, Hyrule Castle is transformed into Dark Hyrule Castle by the nefarious Vaati, and once Link fights his way through the castle he is finally able to battle and defeat Vaati.
Once Vaati is defeated, Ezlo turns back into his true Minish form. He gives the magic hat he had once made (which Vaati subsequently stole and misused in order to gain power) to Princess Zelda, granting her a wish. Zelda uses the magic hat's wish to restore the castle and everyone harmed by Vaati. The game ends with Link and Ezlo parting ways, the latter returning to the Minish world.
Difficulty
Minish Cap is on par with other classic handheld games (it was originally released for Game Boy Advance) in terms of difficulty. Kids are fully capable of handling the controls, though there's still plenty of challenging aspects, such as certain puzzles, that are capable of testing even an adult's abilities.
Heads Up!
Violence The game features mild fantasy violence devoid of blood or gore that is not likely to offend.
Discrimination Princess Zelda is one of the forerunners of the damsel in distress trope as it applies to video games. Throughout the game, she's petrified and only serves as an impetus for Link's quest.
Conversation Starters
- Did you like the inclusion of the Minish? What do you think of their role among the other races of Hyrule and the broader Zelda universe
- What do you think of Vaati's backstory? Do you think he's a more compelling character after playing Minish Cap?
- Why do you think the Zelda series is so popular and long-lasting? What makes the games different and special?
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