The citizens of Hyrule have an unusual reaction to Link walking around dressed as Tingle in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, suggesting that the infamous map maker could have a startling reputation throughout the land. The latest Zelda game features several unlockable outfits for Link that offer special bonuses when worn. Many of them are modeled after characters from past Zelda games, and Link can collect Tingle’s signature costume while exploring Tears of the Kingdom’s open-world version of Hyrule.
The Legend of Zelda series is well-known for its whimsical setting and colorful characters, and few represent this quite as well as Tingle. Players were first introduced to this eccentric, spandex-clad little elf in 2000’s Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, where he sold maps to Link during his quest to save Hyrule from an impending doomsday. He would return in various Zelda sequels and spin-offs, appear as an Assist Trophy or Spirit in the later Super Smash Bros. Games, and even get his own series of spin-off titles for the Nintendo DS.
Tingle has something of a divisive reputation among Zelda fans, and it turns out that even his fellow residents of Hyrule don’t like being reminded of him. Reddit user Victronik recently shared a video of themselves playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with Tingle’s outfit equipped. As Link approaches various NPCs, they all react with fear upon seeing him, with a group of battle-hardened Zora warriors stepping back and holding up their spears to defend themselves from whatever they associate Tingle with. Other users in the comment section think that this might have something to do with Tingle being imprisoned at the beginning of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
This is just one of the many fun details players have uncovered since Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launched on the Nintendo Switch in early May. There have been plenty of videos of fans using Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s new crafting system to build helpful vehicles or recreate some of Link’s powers that didn’t make the transition from Breath of the Wild. Others have come up with helpful tricks to help Link survive any attack thrown at him.
The reactions Link seems to get while wearing Tingle’s outfit in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom might not be anything game-changing, but it’s interesting to see just how frightened passersby get after being reminded of the quirky map maker. What exactly the original Tingle did to garner such a startled response will likely remain one of Hyrule’s great mysteries, as he is strangely absent from Tears of the Kingdom.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now for the Nintendo Switch.