Technology in The Legend of Zelda Universe

Over the course of the years, particularly with the announcement and eventual release of games like Spirit Tracks, one of the most popular topics and objects of debate among The Legend of Zelda fans is the presence and influence of artificial or divine technology in the fictional universe of the Zelda series, specifically in land of Hyrule and/or the life of its inhabitants. Because the franchise usually describes Hyrule as a medieval-inspired land, a noticed sign of anachronism in any game catches the attention of theorists and players.

Below is a list of Zelda games where samples of advanced technology (either in Hyrule or in some other land) have been noticed and are of interest for most fans.

Hookshot
Out of the items Link has in his vast repertoire, one of the most sophisticated is the Hookshot. Debuting in A Link to the Past, this item has the ability to carry the user to hard-to-reach places by shooting a metal chain that holds into wood or metal spots, or even enemies (paralyzing them in the process). As a side note, the Hookshot has suffered some changes and modifications as the Zelda series continued.

Pictograph Boxes
In Majora's Mask, the Tourist Center advertises various attractions, such as target shooting and pictography. For the latter, they offer monochromatic pictograph boxes capable of saving one image at a time.

Even more advanced than the Terminan Picto Boxes, the Deluxe version featured in The Wind Waker can store up to three images at any time and, when upgraded with a Forest Firefly, in full color, making it useful in numerous sidequests; however, Link initially can only have a Regular Picto Box that stores black-and-white images, although it can still store three images and, through a sidequest, upgrade it to the color version.

Elevators
Over the years, elevators have appeared in various games (like in the Forest Temple from Ocarina of Time or near the entrance to Goron Mines in Twilight Princess). Special mention, however, goes to the ones found in the dungeons from The Adventure of Link (as well as in certain inner parts of Death Mountain in the same game), which are the only ones Link can control entirely (in fact, none of the dungeons in the game featured any staircase). In the other games, elevators work either when a switch activates them, or when Link simply stands over them.

Warships, Wall Cannons and Octomines
The Warships are introduced in The Wind Waker, while the wall-mounted cannons are exclusive to that game. These machines are a more powerful and more lethal means of weaponry and, to the bane of the peaceful inhabitants of the Great Sea, they're active in numerous islands, such as Forsaken Fortress, all of the Eye Reefs, lone islands and observation towers. Usually, destroying them lead to interesting prizes (which, according to the Fishman, are guarded purposely inside the boats to keep intruders from having them). Interestingly, neither the boats nor the cannons can be portrayed into figurines.

While not to the same extent as in the Great Sea, warlike ships make an appearance in the World of the Ocean King as well. This time, they're generally found in groups of three, and one of them often shows a bigger size than usual (in fact, if this ship catches Link, the enemies driving it can invade the S.S Linebeck). In the case of Jolene, her ship is able to shoot homing torpedoes that must be avoided by jumping. Otherwise, the ship is pretty much like Tetra's.

Similar to the water areas of the Pirates' Fortress in Majora's Mask, the waters of this World are hazardous due to the presence of living explosive mines. Though it's unknown who created these obstacles, they make retrieval of sunken treasure more difficult than usual.

Finally, warships are seen patrolling the waters of Hyrule in Spirit Tracks and, as those of the World of the Ocean King, they attack in groups of three. They also have a more efficient shooting accuracy, meaning that Link will have to shoot their fired projectiles before it's too late. Octomines appear beneath the waters of the Ocean Realm as well, though they no longer represent a menace for Link due to their distance.

Lasers
Since A Link to the Past, lasers have been a staple in the Zelda series, and remain one of the most advanced technologies available. The proper term for most single-barreled laser turrets is "Beamos"; however, many other, more advanced lasers exist. The most advanced lasers can be found in The Wind Waker, in the form of double-barreled lasers and laser barriers.

Telephone Booth
The Telephone Booth is a very advanced means of communication Link can use to talk Ulrira, who provides useful tips and hints. What makes this machine so noteworthy is the fact that it's used in Koholint Island, which in fact is only part of Link's dream; because dreams are said to be based on real life experiences or emotions, it's unknown what inspired Link to imagine a device that hasn't been invented yet in any incarnation of Hyrule (it should be noted, however, that in the game's predecessor Link could communicate with Sahasrahla in dungeons thanks to certain panels placed in the walls. This may have inspired the telephone booth in Link's Awakening).

Ocarina of Time
Because this game is chronologically one of the first The Legend of Zelda games (along with Skyward Sword), the land of Hyrule portrayed in it is relatively primitive. However, this is also where the Hookshot is historically reported first and there is even a better version of the item in the Water Temple.

Fans
Located in some parts of the Shadow Temple and Ganon's Tower, these ventilating wall-mounted devices periodically blow wind that can hinder Link's progress (although it can be completely damped thanks to the Iron Boots). It's unknown what gives power to these fans, especially because the rooms of the Shadow Temple where they're found are located deep beneath the land.

Majora's Mask
The land of Termina as a whole is revealed to be more advanced than most lands and countries seen in the series. In fact, here the mention goes for the places where signs of advanced technology can be appreciated.

Clock Town
Although in Ocarina of Time's Hyrule the concept of time and schedule is defined, it's in Termina where time is being measured by a clock; in fact, every location in Clock Town has a clock that continuously marks the current time; it's also worth mentioning that the Clock Tower itself operates thanks to an interior wooden machine that makes use of hydrodynamic motion. Clock Town also has developed in matter of politics (it's governed by a mayor), entertainment (lottery shops, shows in the bar and the minigame attractions from East Clock Town being arguably more developed than they already were in Hyrule), economics (Clock Town Bank) and tourism (Stock Pot Inn).

Termina Field
Although only accessible through East Clock Town, there is an Astral Observatory with a large-sized telescope, and where Professor Shikashi makes researches related to stars and outer-space bodies, and collects rare minerals (such as the Moon's Tear) for further analysis. Interestingly, this observatory can only be accessed by entering through the kids-only Bombers' Hideout in East Clock Town.

Snowhead Temple
The mechanic bull-like monster Goht serves as the boss of this dungeon. Curiously, it's frozen by the moment Link finds it.

Pirates' Fortress
Inhabited and run by Gerudo pirates, the Fortress is a well-developed metallurgical building, capable of dealing with currents of water (as seen underwater in the outer area), and disposing of small-sized telescopes, thermally regulated aquariums, and cannons for long-distance attacks, among other things. Likewise, the pirates travel through water thanks to motorboats (whose fuel is likely stored in the metal barrels seen in some rooms).

Great Bay Temple
The third dungeon in the game shows even more than anything else in the entire game about technology in Termina. Theorized to be built either by Zoras or by divine intervention, the temple serves as a hydroelectric plant, operating thanks to giant waterwheels, water-based elevators, and power plants; neon lights illuminate the doors and passages, suggesting that part of the water's mechanic energy being turned into electric energy. No other dungeon or place in the series has featured this unprecedented level of technology.

Ikana Canyon
Pamela's Father discovered during his researches on Gibdos that music can drive them away. Knowing this, his house was built as a jukebox that plays a cheerful melody as long as the river drives a waterwheel. By the events of the game, Link has to lift the river's curse in order to make its water flow again; otherwise, the music won't play and Gibdos will overrun the house's surroundings.

The Wind Waker
Because the Great Sea is the result of Hyrule being flooded long ago, it's unknown how much Hyruleans had progressed in matter of technology before the divine intervention, and only some of the following examples are evidently derived from their advances.

Tingle Tuner
Having a design and appearance heavily based on the Game Boy Advance, this device is given to Link by Tingle, and has multiple uses. For example, Link can synchronize Tingle's actions (such as laying bombs) through this item and also serves as a map for dungeons, even if Link has to collect the traditional Dungeon Map yet. The Tuner can also locate golden statues Link can later give to Knuckle to receive money in exchange.

Tower of the Gods
This ancient tower, sunken underwater before Link retrieves the sacred pearls, shows numerous instances of advanced technology, although they're likely made by the Goddesses and not by living beings; laser barriers, luminous statues and the decidedly futuristic battlefield where Link fights Gohdan (who itself is a giant machine built by the Goddesses to test the Chosen Hero's courage), are the most notable examples here.

Wind Temple and Forbidden Woods
Although in Ocarina of Time the Shadow Temple had rooms with ventilators or fans, the Wind Temple has arguably more and one of them is significantly bigger and more powerful than the others, located in the dungeon's main room. Although it's unknown what these machines are for, they're possibly to ventilate the area, or to remark the dungeon being wind-themed. As for the Forbidden Woods, it has numerous rooms with leaf-made fans that, once moving thanks to wind, can move elevators or even make a lily pad blow a strong gale for a limited time.

Armos
In this game, Armos Statues are revealed to be mechanical being built by the Minish for the Wind Tribe, and to have a switch inside their head to activate and deactivate them.

Phonographs
Along with the telephone from Link's Awakening, this piece of sound-related technology is one of the most advanced in the Zelda series. It can be found inside the house with an Aztec-like statue on top in Castle Town.

Remote Bombs
Another very advanced technology, remote bombs seemingly use electromagnetic waves to transmit a "detonate" signal when Link decides to.

Turret Statues
Found only in Dark Hyrule Castle, these statues can be considered the first and only appearance of a gun that fires a non-explosive round in the Zelda series, unlike cannons from other titles. They are reminiscent of cannons found in the Airship levels of Super Mario Bros. 3.

Twilight Princess
This game shows a more sophisticated incarnation of Hyrule than Ocarina of Time's, notably in the majority of the dungeons; however, it also introduces races and lands that are even more advanced, not unlike Termina and its inhabitants.

Malo Mart Castle Branch
After Malo purchases the expensive shop located in Hyrule Castle Town, said shop is remodeled significantly, with neon lights included; additionally, the shopkeeper (Chudley) has a speaker onto him and a microphone to make his announcements.

Dungeon machinery

 * In the Forest Temple, Link can make use of the Gale Boomerang to manipulate wind-operated bridges by moving their fans with the item's wind that is provided by the Fairy of Winds.
 * The Goron Mines as a whole show that the Gorons brought an industrial revolution to Hyrule, especially with the use of electromagnets, elevators and magnetic minerals. Link also uses the Iron Boots to traverse through magnetized walls and ceilings.
 * In the Lakebed Temple, Link can open sources of water to transport water to dried rooms with the help of a rotating staircase; once he does this, the water will make giant gears and waterwheels operate, allowing Link to explore new rooms.
 * In Arbiter's Grounds, Link uses the sophisticated Spinner not only to ride across metal rails, but also to manipulate some ancient machines that open new ways, including the access to the elusive Mirror of Twilight.
 * There are also bomb-powered cannons in Snowpeak Ruins.

Oocca engineery
The Oocca race, introduced first in this game, are said to be closely linked to the goddesses, which provided them with incredibly advanced tools, such as the Dominion Rod, which it's said was used by its creators to build the now-destroyed Temple of Time, and that can give life to statues. The Oocca themselves live in a very high sanctuary known as City in the Sky, which makes use of eolic energy to hold itself suspended in the blue sky. The dungeon's machinery is also compatible in certain rooms with Link's Spinner, allowing him to unveil bridges (in fact, because of this, it's theorized that the Spinner itself is yet another invention from the Oocca).

Twili engineery
The Twilight Realm, as seen in the Palace of Twilight, is notorious for having a much more futuristic presentation than Hyrule or even the City in the Sky. Energy-made elevators, walls illuminated by blue neon lights and orbs that respond to the Sols' energy are only some examples; on the other hand, these devices may be actually a result of magic, rather than artificial technology.

Phantom Hourglass
The World of the Ocean King features a similar level of technology as that seen in the Great Sea. Once again, it is unknown how advanced the land's predecessor was before the Great Flood.

S.S. Linebeck
Unlike the King of Red Lions, the S.S. Linebeck is more artificial and doesn't house the soul of anybody else, working instead with a steam-powered engine. It was made by Linebeck and, over the course of the game, it is possible to customize it completely, as the ship is compatible with numerous Ship Parts whose proper combinations manages to enhance the defense of the vehicle. The interchangeable parts include the Prow, the Anchor, the Hull, the Cannon, the Handrail, the Bridge, the Chimney and the Wheels.

The ship can eventually be equipped with a Salvage Arm as well, which is so resistant that it can seize from treasure chests to fish as big as a Neptoona.

Spirit Tracks
In the land of New Hyrule, there have been some technological advances as well, particularly in the area of transportation.

Spirit Train
Taking advantage of the presence of the rails that were placed to seal the spirit of the Demon King Malladus, Hyruleans built trains in order to make travel across Hyrule faster, as well as to transport material between places more easily. After receiving the title of train engineer by Princess Zelda, Link is allowed to use a train for the aforementioned purposes. It should be noted that, at first, the young hero has a train on his own, but it's gravely derailed when the rails connecting Hyrule Castle Town with the Tower of Spirits disappear suddenly. Because of this, and after the aforementioned rails are restored, Link receives the legendary Spirit Train and keeps it for the rest of the game.

As the quest progresses, the train can be enhanced with extra parts, such as a cannon to attack incoming enemies in the fields, and a wagon to transport heavy material from one place to another. As in the case of the S.S. Linebeck, the parts of the train are interchangeable.

To the bane of the peaceful inhabitants of Hyrule, the forces of evil use the train technology as well, as seen with the presence of Dark and Armored Trains. Unlike Link's, these cannot be destroyed by conventional means, so any traveller will have to avoid them as often as possible, crossing their territories only when there is a clearly wide selection of paths to evade them easily. Chancellor Cole in particular has a train on his own, the Demon Train, which is so big that it has to travel through two tracks while on land; this train is also equipped with explosive barrels, laser cannons, and a wagon that can shoot multiple laser beams.

Tanks and turrets
Whereas the Warships patrol the Ocean Realm, the tanks patrol the Forest, Snow and Fire Realms. They behave the same way as the Warships, coming in groups of three and being proficient at target shooting.

Protecting the Sand Temple are twelve turrets, which slightly look like the tanks. Upon proximity of an intruder, they will shoot bombs in order to guard a side of the pyramidal structure. Only after all of them were disabled, Link will be able to enter the dungeon. The local boss, Skeldritch, is equipped with turrets in the upper part of its body, which throw red stones at a faster rate than its regular lower cannons.

Hot-air Balloons
Aerial transportation, which existed in a very primitive fashion in the past with Cuccos and Kargarocs, and still does to an extent, reaches to a new level in this game. Beedle, the recurring seller, travels across the four territories of Hyrule through his own hot-air balloon, able to support a greater weight than Tingle's balloon in Majora's Mask, so that he can sell his goods to a wider clientele. Interestingly, the interior of the floating shop is similar to that of the shop ships in The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass.

Skyward Sword
Despite being the first game in the timeline, Skyward Sword has some very advanced technology.

Robotic enemies and bosses
Certain enemies and bosses in Skyward Sword can be considered robotic, including the Golden Statue boss. Another enemy, featured in one of the trailers for the game, is a mechanical totem pole-like enemy with electrified joints.

Electric Railroads
Several steps above Spirit Tracks' steam railway is Skyward Sword's electric railway. Seen only for a few seconds in the last trailer for the game, this technology is amazingly advanced for Hyrule.

The Beetle
This technology has only recently been developed in the real world. The Beetle is basically a miniature UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) like those developed for the US military. It has its own motive power and the capacity to lift items and bring them back to Link.

Gold Sculptures
These "replacements" for keys in Skyward Sword have markings on them very reminiscent of a printed circuit board, suggesting that the sculpture, orientated in the correct way, completes an electronic circuit and unlocks the door. This "key" has been featured in one of the first trailers for the game.