Spiketrap

The Spiked Roller (also potentially translated as Spiny Roller, Thorn Roller, etc.) is a common trap in The Legend of Zelda series, first appearing in A Link to the Past. It has no official English name and is instead known by a number of terms such as "rolling pin" or "spiky roller", and is known as either or  in Japan.

Appearances and Behavior
In most instances, Spiked Rollers move along a predetermined path at a predetermined speed, and serve to both impede progress and damage Link on contact. Some Spiked Rollers only need be dodged to get past them, but certain areas may require the usage of a jumping item to get over the traps in order to pass them safely, or a diving ability to swim underneath them. A Spiked Roller was used by the Rolling Bones, a middle boss that appeared in Link's Awakening, and was the first instance of having to avoid this trap in this manner.

The Spiked Roller found Inside the Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time is unique in that it does not move along a path, only spinning in place above a pool of water. The puzzle in the room with the trap requires going underneath it aboard a floating platform in order to pass through the room safely. Spiked Rollers found Beneath the Well in Majora's Mask don't always bounce back and forth at the same speed, but do move in patterns that a player might have to judge in order to get past the group safely.

Only in Twilight Princess can players take the fight to these traps by using the Dominion Rod on the resident statue in the Temple of Time, then using its hammer to smash the obstacles in one hit. In all other games, Spiked Rollers cannot be destroyed, although they will disappear during fights with Rolling Bones once he has been defeated.

Extremely large rollers appear in the Sand Temple in Spirit Tracks. Link can halt their movement using the Sand Wand and walk across them to reach new parts of the dungeon.

Trivia

 * The first part of this enemy's Japanese name comes from the word, meaning thorn, and is used by other spiked enemies such as the Spiked Beetle and Spiny Chuchu.
 * The Sea Trap is known as a in Japan, and has to be avoided in a very similar manner.
 * In Twilight Princess, a Roller exists inside the Arbiter's Grounds, but strangely it does not move at all and only hurts Link if he somehow runs into it.
 * In Majora's Mask, a glitch can occur involving Link shielding himself from a Spiked Roller at an angle. The shield will constantly be hit by the Roller and get "stuck", and Link will be dragged along the Roller, unable to move, but not getting hurt. This continues until the player resets the console.
 * Extremely similar traps appear in Super Mario 3D Land and are particularly prominent in World 5-2, a stage inspired by The Legend of Zelda series.