Like Like

The Like Like is a voracious and gelatinous tube-like creature that usually resides in wet and dark places, but can be occasionally found in dry areas. They are present in nearly every The Legend of Zelda game. They especially love shields, considering them a delicacy. According to the Like Like trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee, the name "Like Like" is derived from an ancient Hylian proverb, "Shield-eaters and world leaders have many likes alike".

Characteristics
Like Likes range from being yellow to a pinkish color. Their bodies consist of circular, gelatinous layers. The most notable feature of these creatures is that they have a taste for Shields, a trait similar to that of the Pickit Plant. Unique to Ocarina of Time, Like Likes may also steal Goron and Zora Tunics if Link happens to be wearing whichever one when ingested. To consume a shield or other equipment, Like Likes will suck in and engulf Link, constricting him inside of their gelatinous "mouths" until they can remove Link’s equipment, after which they'll spit him out without his equipment and avoid him until they finish eating. Like Likes from Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks will literally suck in Link like vacuums. Even if Link has no Shield, Like Likes will continue to attack Link, dealing minimal damage in the process. In fact, Like Likes will only cause physical harm to Link in the A Link to the Past GBA rerelease and their 3D appearances.

In The Legend of Zelda and later games in the series, Like Likes cannot take certain Shields, especially if that Shield has only one of its type, for obvious reasons. These include Link’s original shield from The Legend of Zelda, the Mirror Shields from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, and the Shield of Antiquity. In most games, once a Like Like swallows a Shield, the item is gone for good, necessitating the purchase a new one. However, in a few games, such as GBA version of A Link to Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, and The Minish Cap, the same Like Like that swallows one of Link’s shields will drop it if killed quickly enough. Excluding Ocarina of Time, Likes Likes will often swallows Link’s shield, whether it is equipped or not.

Like Likes seem to be one of the most versatile creatures in the Zelda universe. They have been known to appear in a number of places, from caves, to forests, to dungeons. In Majora’s Mask, they are even seen moving across the ocean floor. In their most recent appearances, from The Minish Cap and on, they will even burrow underground, waiting for prey to be in close proximity.

''The Legend of Zelda
In The Legend of Zelda, Link will have to buy a new shield if they eat his. Though in later The Legend of Zelda games, Link can often recover his shield after slaying the foe. Slash them with Link's sword a few times and they will be no more. Arrows and bombs are also useful when keeping a safe distance and avoiding losing any equipment. Also, they are vulnerable to fire.

Only in this title, Link will not be shield-less after he gets attacked by a Like Like. Instead, he will revert to his smaller shield.

A Link to the Past
Like Likes were not in the original release of A Link to the Past, but in the GBA re-release, they can be found near the Dark World Shield Shop. Contact with Like Likes will actually cause physical harm to Link. If a Like Like consumes a shield, it will quickly try to escape, but Link can retrieve the shield by slaying the Like Like. If Link does not kill it in time, however, the Like Like will launch straight into the sky and escape.

Link's Awakening
Like Likes in Link's Awakening act much as they originally did, devouring Link's shield, necessitating the purchase of another.

Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
In their first 3D incarnations, Like Likes can devour Link's shield as well as steal the Goron or Zora Tunics off of Link, forcing him to slay the creature to get them back or buy new ones if he is unable to do so. The Kokiri Tunic and Mirror Shield are safe during Like Like attacks. If a Like Like happens to catch Link with these clothes or shields, the player can pause and swap it out while caught to prevent it from being stolen in the first place. In Majora's Mask, Like Likes appear to be amphibious creatures, as they are found underwater or on the beaches of the Great Bay.

Oracles series
Like Likes in these titles will devour Link's shield when he comes in contact with them, causing the need to purchase a new one, similarly to Link's Awakening.

Four Swords
While Like Likes themselves did not appear, Four Swords introduced their rupee eating cousins, the Rupee Like.

The Minish Cap
In The Minish Cap they have the ability to burrow underground and only reveal themselves when Link is close, making an unaware player doomed to a voracious fate. A cousin of the Like Like is the Rupee Like.

Phantom Hourglass
In Phantom Hourglass, Like Likes are much larger and are dark red rather than brown. Their attack patterns remain relatively unchanged, though. They still swallow Link and eat his shield. The shield can be recovered by killing the beast. However, they no longer have to touch Link to eat him. Instead, they bend over and suck in air like a vacuum, pulling Link into their mouths. However, if Link is quick enough, he can throw a bomb into this vacuum to defeat it.

Spirit Tracks
Like-Likes also make an appearance in Spirit Tracks. They look much like their Phantom Hourglass counterparts and attack in the same manner. Some Like-Likes hide in pots or chests. They appear in caves at both the Trading Post and Goron Village.

Like always, Like Likes will steal Link's shield should they catch him. However, once Link has obtained the Shield of Antiquity from Niko, it cannot be taken by the Like Likes.