Water (Terrain)

Water has appeared in every The Legend of Zelda game to date. Usually, Link needs a certain item to be able to swim in water, but there are some Zelda games where Link starts with the ability to swim.

The main item Link needs to be able to swim is the Flippers, but he has obtained other items that let him cross water. In a few Zelda games, Link finds a Raft that can cross water. Oracle of Ages features a unique item called the Mermaid's Suit that not only allowed him to swim faster, but in very deep waters. He can even dive underwater, turning his appearance into that of a mermaid.

In Ocarina of Time, Link dove underwater by pressing the A button. By acquiring the Silver Scale, he could dive even further. By holding down B, Link could swim along the water's surface with greater speed. But this addition was removed in Majora's Mask.

In The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass, Link was able to cross vast amounts of water using a boat. The The Wind Waker Link was able to swim for a set time, and he couldn't dive. For some odd reason, the Link in Phantom Hourglass lost his ability to swim at all.

Shallow Water
Shallow water, under normal circumstances is not hazardous for Link. and the majority of titles since, contained pools, puddles, and coastlines in which Link was free to splash through with no damaging effects. In, while in Minish form, small collections of water were deadly for the Zora Flippers-less hero]]. While in shallow water Link will retain his ability to use weapons, including bombs-which defuse in deeper waters.

Link is also able to swoop an empty bottle through shallow waters and recieve a fill of Water, Forest Water, Hot Spring Water, Mineral Water, and possibly even a fish.

Poison Water
Link may pass through poison water at the cost of losing Health. Poisoned water has appeared purple in color in The Swamp of. The polluted Zora Seas were green and lumpy until Link assisted the Great Fairy in cleansing them

Deep Water
Link encounters deep water in every Legend of Zelda release. Most of the titles allow Link to swim, usually immediately or after obtaining the Zora's Flippers. While swimming above the surface Link is unable to use any of his items or weapons. In, , , and , underwater swimming switches to a 2-D sidescrolling view and allows Link to make sword swipes. In and, Iron Boots can be equipped to sink to the ground and select items such as the hookshot can be used. Staying underwater for prolonged periods of time requires a Zora's Tunic in, Zora Mask in , and Zora's Armor in. Beaver Falls Race is a minigame directly related to swimming.

Diving

Other means of Link crossing deep water have been used as well. In, Link could use a ladder to cross a single span of water, and a raft to float straight out from any of the docks. returned the use of the raft, also floating it straight across with no means of steering it. The boots could be equipped to walk on the sea with minor paths of exploration.

Rapids
Link is at the mercy of Raging Rapids or strong currents. Although a modicum of control is maintainable. In, the currents of waterfalls and Zora's River served to speed up Link's swimming pace.