Saving

One of the most unique features from was the built in battery capable of saving a game in progress. A save function has since been in every game. In most cases, the save function can be accessed at anytime during gameplay from the start menu. In addition to retaining the game data, the save function allowed for the player to name the protagonist of the story.

The Legend of Zelda
The option to save from The Legend of Zelda appears after losing all Life energy. This same menu can also be accessed by pressing Up on the Control Pad and the A Button simultaneously on the second controller while the game is paused (doing so will warp Link back to the starting screen).

Link's Awakening
included a save system similar to that of the first Legend of Zelda title. There were three save files, in which a player could enter their choice of name. The player could access the save menu by pressing A, B, Start, and Select Buttons, or by death in-game.

Majora's Mask
deviated from the standard saving system immensely. The ability to save from anywhere and anytime during gameplay had been removed.

In Majora's Mask, the player can save the game by playing the "Song of Time" to return to the start of the First Day. Players can also quicksave at Owl Statues, a temporary save that allows players to save their progress partway through the three-day cycle or just before entering a dungeon. In the Japanese version of the Nintendo 64 release (and its Virtual Console release), Owl Statues cannot be used to quicksave; this function was added in the international release of the Nintendo 64 release (at the expense of the game having two save files rather than three), and was also added to the Japanese release of Majora's Mask in.

In, the "Song of Time" no longer saves the game. Instead, Owl Statues permanently save the game; additionally, Quill Statues were added, which allow saving like Owl Statues but cannot be warped to with the "Song of Soaring". The game also has three save files, like the original Japanese release.

Four Swords Adventures
saving system departed from the typical manner of The Legend of Zelda series. Saving was automatically done upon the completion of a level throughout the game.

Twilight Princess
Saving in is performed using the Save button from the Collection Screen. An option to Save Link's progress will also be given after certain events, such as clearing a Dungeon. introduces the ability to save Link's progress to any of the three Quest Logs at will, rather than having to copy a Quest Log beforehand. This ability was removed from subsequent games but returns in.

Skyward Sword
Saving in SS undefined works similarly to Majora's Mask, using Bird Statues scattered throughout the map; however, these saves are permanent, rather than the temporary save states of the Owl Statues. Because this is the one and only way to save in Skyward Sword, the Bird Statues are much more numerous than Owl Statues were in Majora's Mask, with some even found in dungeons.

A Link Between Worlds
In, Link can save by using Weather Vanes. Once a sleeping Weather Vane is found, Link must talk to it in order to wake it up. Weather Vanes can be found in both Hyrule and Lorule. They are also seen flapping their wings and moving around in a panicked manner after Link has completed a large task, or has spent a considerable amount of time doing things since his last save, trying to indicate that now may be the time to save.

Tri Force Heroes
In, saving is performed at a statue in the center of Hytopia Village, referred to as the Tri Force Hero Statue. This statue, surrounded by a small fountain, features Hytopia's three legendary heroes in a Totem formation. The raised sword atop the statue will shimmer when Link saves his journey's progress, similarly to a charged Skyward Strike. If Link proceeds to the Castle without saving first, then the Bearded Baron, who is standing nearby, will implore Link to "give thanks" to the statue and comment on his resemblance to the heroes.

Link's progress is also saved automatically at the conclusion of each Level, whether the Links successfully complete the Level, die in action, fail the Drablands Challenge, or are disconnected from a multiplayer game. If a Link intentionally leaves the game, he will simply return to Hytopia Castle without having his progress saved. Automatic saving also occurs after each completed battle in the Coliseum and after each completed Zone in the Den of Trials.

Tri Force Heroes is the only canon game in the series that does not allow for multiple save files.

Breath of the Wild
In, Link can Save by using the Save button in the System screen. Link's progress is also periodically recorded by Autosaves after performing certain actions (such as receiving an item from a Treasure Chest or resting at a Campfire), approaching certain locations (such as Ancient Shrines or Stables) or every five minutes.

In Normal Mode, Link is allowed to utilize one Save file and up to five Autosave files while in Master Mode Link is resticted to using one Save file and one Autosave file.

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
In, the game can be saved by accessing a Tingle Tuner-like device found within Tingle's house. There are three save files which can be selected at the start of the game, with Tingle holding up the respective number of fingers for the file icon.

Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love
In, Tingle has the ability to save his game in one of three files by accessing a save point, and tapping on a three-dimensional spinning pig. Unlike the previous Tingle Series installment, the player can choose to save the game to any of the three files while playing. Once the game is completed, the file image icons will replace the three images of Tingle with the likes of Kakashi, Buriki, and Lion, respectively.