A Rat was shown in the First Look trailer for Tears of the Kingdom during E3 2019. It is shown in the Depths far Beneath Hyrule Castle being overrun by Demon King Ganondorf's Gloom. The cutscene that shows this Rat was removed during development, and no Rats are present in the final build of the game.
Rat
Rats are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[1][name references needed] They are shadow-dwelling creatures, preferring dank, maze-like sewers, holes in walls, and dark rooms.
Characteristics
A Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past, Rats can be found in the Sewer Passageway below Hyrule Castle while Link is escorting Princess Zelda to the Sanctuary. They can also be found in various locations around Hyrule.
The Wind Waker
Favorite Food: All-Purpose Bait
These creatures attack spontaneously and attempt to steal Rupees. The ones that carry bombs around are apparently known as Bombchus.
In The Wind Waker, Rats can steal Rupees when attacking Link, dropping them upon their defeat. If Bomb Flowers are found in the same room, Rats will pick them up and toss them at Link. These Rats are known as Bombchus.[2] If Link throws All-Purpose Bait at their nests, they will sell different items to him, such as Arrows, Bombs, Blue Potion, Red Potion, All-Purpose Bait, and Hyoi Pear.[3]
Several Rats are stationed in the Jail Maze, often just around corners and out of Link's view. If Link approaches them, they will ring their Bells, causing Trapdoors underneath Link to give way, dropping him out of the Jail Maze into the waters surrounding Windfall Island.
Four Swords Adventures
Rats are found in various levels in Four Swords Adventures and can be easily defeated by the Links. They drop Force Gems upon their deaths. The Real Bombchu also appear.
Twilight Princess
In Twilight Princess, Rats can sometimes be found gnawing on Skulls. Another type of Rats, called Ghoul Rats, cling onto Link, preventing him from running and jumping off platforms. When they cling to Wolf Link, Midna will become uneasy, looking down nervously at the Ghoul Rats covering Link's body. Ghoul Rats can only be seen and destroyed when using Link's wolf senses. A Spin Attack can be used to remove all at once.
Phantom Hourglass
In Phantom Hourglass, Rats usually appear from small holes in walls. They generally act as simple obstacles and are easily defeated in one hit.
Spirit Tracks
In Spirit Tracks, Rats sometimes carry a Small Key, so Link must defeat them in order to obtain it. If one gets near a Phantom possessed by Princess Zelda, she will scream and cower, not being able to move again until Link defeats it. During the first phase of the fight with Malladus, Cole attacks Phantom Zelda with ghostly Rats that tend to attack her. If one of these Rats hits Princess Zelda, Cole will take control of her, forcing Princess Zelda to attack Link.
A Link Between Worlds
In A Link Between Worlds, Rats appear in the Secret Passage that Link uses to get inside the Sanctuary after Yuga locks the doors. Dark Rats, a stronger variation of Rat, also appear mostly in Lorule.
Tri Force Heroes
In Tri Force Heroes, there are two varieties of Rats; however, they have no difference except for their color. Regular grey Rats are generally found in The Ruins, attacking the Links normally. Blue Rats tend to appear in the Ice Cavern, and sometimes hide inside Snowballs.
Tears of the Kingdom
Echoes of Wisdom
A Rat can be seen on a shelf in the Hyrule Castle Underground as Princess Zelda makes her initial escape.
Other Appearances
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Rats appear in different varieties.

Shiyou Rats are the weakest and most common variety, found in Hometown Prairie, Sunshine Seashore, and the Pirate Hideaway. They are not aggressive and tend to avoid Tingle if he goes near them. They are the weakest enemy in the game and regularly drop Bone. One of the Pirates owns a pet Rat called Ratty.

Chu Rats are larger, stronger versions of Shiyou Rats and also appear in Hometown Prairie and Sunshine Seashore. They are much more aggressive than the smaller variety and squeak and charge at Tingle when they see him.

Rotten Rats are found only in the Pirate Hideaway. They are dark purple in color, aggressive, and much stronger than any other kind of Rat. They also only drop Rupees when defeated.

Gold Rats are rarely found at the Hometown Prairie in place of Shiyou Rats. As with all the rare gold enemies, they drop a large number of Rupees when defeated.
Nomenclature
![]() ![]() | ||
---|---|---|
Language | Names | Meanings |
Rat (TWWThe Wind Waker)[10] | ||
Ratte (TWWThe Wind Waker)[9] | ||
| ||
Rata (TWWThe Wind Waker)[11] | ||
This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. |
Gallery
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A Blue Rat from Tri Force Heroes
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A Rat about to be consumed by Gloom from Tears of the Kingdom
See Also
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 200 (ALttPA Link to the Past | TWWThe Wind Waker | TWWHDThe Wind Waker HD | FSAFour Swords Adventures | TPTwilight Princess | TPHDTwilight Princess HD | PHPhantom Hourglass | STSpirit Tracks | ALBWA Link Between Worlds | TFHTri Force Heroes)
- ↑
These creatures attack spontaneously and attempt to steal Rupees. The ones that carry bombs around are apparently known as Bombchu.
— Figurine (The Wind Waker) - ↑
If you spread bait near their nest, they may share their store of treasure with you.
— King of Red Lions (The Wind Waker) - ↑ L'arte di una leggenda, Magazzini Salani, pg. 389
- ↑ Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 200
- ↑
Topo
— Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker)
Habitat: Fortezza dei Demoni.
Cibo preferito: Grani Multi. - ↑
グース
— Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker)
生息場所 魔獣島
好物 万能エサ - ↑ Nintendo Official Guidebook: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1, Shogakukan, pg. 124
- ↑
Ratte
— Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker)
Heimat: Die Verwunschene Bastion
Leibfressen: Universalfutter - ↑
Rat
— Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker)
Lieu de Résidence: Forteresse Maudite.
Nourriture préférée: Appât Universel. - ↑
Rata
— Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker)
Hábitat: Isla del Diablo
Alimento preferido: Cebo multiuso
- Enemies
- Animals
- Mammalian Enemies
- Rats
- Thieves
- Species
- Enemies in A Link to the Past
- Enemies in The Wind Waker
- Enemies in The Wind Waker HD
- Enemies in Four Swords Adventures
- Enemies in Twilight Princess
- Enemies in Twilight Princess HD
- Enemies in Phantom Hourglass
- Enemies in Spirit Tracks
- Enemies in A Link Between Worlds
- Enemies in Tri Force Heroes
- Species in Echoes of Wisdom
- Enemies in Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland