Targeting

Targeting, also known as Locking On in, is a staple combat and environmental interaction ability in , predominately appearing in 3D titles.

Overview
Targeting is used to direct Link's focus onto a single enemy or target, typically through either the Z or L Buttons, depending on the controller used. Prior to the release of the Nintendo 64, all Zelda games were 2D with a clear view of everything on the screen. To accommodate for the third dimension, the targeting system was introduced.

In and, Link can only target with the help of a Fairy, though this is rarely acknowledged (for example, during the battle with Ganondorf in , Link cannot target him as his dark magic drives Navi away). In, targeting is achieved with Tatl, and her light is used to guide Dampé through the catacombs of the Ikana Graveyard.

In and, Poes will turn invisible when targeted. When this happens, Link can no longer target or attack them until they turn visible again. The accuracy of this is disputable, as oftentimes, Navi will continue to target the invisible Poe. Certain enemies, like the Gold Skulltula, cannot be targeted for unknown reasons, forcing Link to manually aim his weapons at them. In both and, unused targeting text for Gold Skulltulas exists but is never used.

The targeting system of was originally meant to be more like the one in  or ; with an upside down triangle above the targeted object, but the character designer, Yoshiaki Koizumi, thought it too simple and opted for a Fairy. He proposed using a cute girl-like Fairy, though the design proved too difficult for the system to display, so it was reworked to being a glowing ball with wings.

Z-Targeting
marked the beginning of Z-Targeting. Once an enemy is Z-Targeted, Navi flies to the selected enemy and all of Link's attacks are directed at the targeted enemy. Navi can give Link useful information about enemies that are targeted. The interface was carried over to (with the help of a new Fairy, Tatl), the Wii version of, and SS undefined.

L-Targeting
The layout of the Nintendo GameCube controller lacks a conveniently located Z Button. In order to carry the popular targeting system over to the GameCube, the button used for targeting was switched from Z to L. Implementation is the same, but with a different button. The L Button is used in the GameCube titles and, as well as  and  in the GameCube collection  and The Wind Waker Bonus Disc. Due to the changed button, in-game text was changed accordingly in the Nintendo 64 games.

Since the Nintendo 3DS lacks a Z Button whatsoever, the L Button is also used in and.

Other Targeting Methods
In and, Targeting is achieved by pressing the ZL Button. due to its more natural position in the Wii U GamePad.

L-Targeting is present in. It is possible to switch a Warrior's attention to another enemy by pressing the Right Stick in whichever direction the enemy of choice is located relative to the current target.