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
Although elevators actually appeared in various games (like in the Forest Temple from Ocarina of Time or near the entrance to Goron Mines in Twilight Princess), the ones found in the dungeons from The Adventure of Link, as well as certain inner parts of Death Mountain, 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.

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 the first Zelda game (although some theorists suggest that The Minish Cap is), 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), economy (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 researchs 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 of the game shows even more about Terminan technology than anything else in the entire game. 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 Gibdo mummies that music can keep them away from approach. Knowing this, his house was built as a jukebox that plays a cheerful melody as long as the river gives motion to a waterwheel; by the events of the game, Link has to lift the river's course in order to make it flow water again; otherwise, the jukebox won't work without the water, the music won't be played, an the 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 Hylians 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.

Battleships and wall-mounted cannons
These machines are a more powerful and more lethal means of weaponry; and to the bane of 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 purposedly inside the boats to keep intruders from having them). Interestingly, neither the boats nor the cannons can be portrayed into figurines.

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, possibly rivaling 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 (Malver) 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.
 * In the Lakebed Temple, Link can open sources of water to transport water to dried rooms with the help of a rotative 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.
 * 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.
 * 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 to be 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.