Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition combines the universe and characters of The Legend of Zelda with the addictive Dynasty Warriors franchise to create a pretty intriguing mashup. It still feels like a Zelda game – you play as Link, grab the Master Sword, and rescue Zelda – but the gameplay is all Dynasty Warriors. That means flashy combat against hundreds of monsters, capturing bases, and beating gigantic bosses.
If you played Fire Emblem Warriors, you’ll know a huge part of the fun involves playing as your favourite characters in a completely new way. In typical Zelda games, we’re limited to playing as Link, but Hyrule Warriors gives you an opportunity to experience combat as the likes of fan favourites Zelda and Ganondorf alongside the more obscure Zant, Fi, and Midna.
In this guide, we’re going to not only list every single character you can unlock in Hyrule Warriors, but we’re going to tell you exactly what you have to do to unlock them. So read on below and you’ll be smashing through hordes of hapless Hyrulians as Ganondorf himself in no time.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition Characters Unlocked by Default
Link
Link is the primary protagonist in The Legend of Zelda franchise, and has foiled Ganon countless times over many different generations. Link possesses the Triforce of Courage.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda (NES) | Sword / Magic Rod / Gauntlets / Great Fairy |
Impa
Impa is a member of the Sheikah clan, which serves and protects the royal family of Hyrule. Typically, Impa serves as a bodyguard for Princess Zelda, and provides guidance to each incarnation of Link.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda (NES) | Giant Blade / Naginata |
Sheik
Sheik is a persona that Zelda undertakes in Ocarina of Time, in order to anonymously assist Link during his adventure. Posing as a member of the Sheikah tribe, Sheik teaches Link a variety of songs on a harp.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Ocarina of Time (N64) | Harp |
Lana
Lana is a sorceress that appears exclusively in Hyrule Warriors, and is tasked with maintaining the balance of the Triforce.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Hyrule Warriors (Wii U) | Book of Sorcery / Spear / Summoning Gate |
Zelda
Zelda is the eponymous princess in The Legend of Zelda franchise, and possesses the Triforce of Wisdom.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda (NES) | Rapier / Baton |
Ganondorf
Ganondorf is the alter-ego of Ganon, the primary antagonist of The Legend of Zelda franchise, and King of the Gerudo people. He possesses the Triforce of Power.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Ocarina of Time (N64) | Great Swords |
Darunia
Darunia is the leader of the Hyrulian Gorons in Ocarina of Time, and the Sage of Fire.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Ocarina of Time (N64) | Hammer |
Ruto
Princess Ruto is the only child of King Zora, the ruler of the Zoras in Ocarina of Time. Ruto is the Sage of Water.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Ocarina of Time (N64) | Zora Scale |
Agitha
Agitha is the self-proclaimed princess of the insect people in Twilight Princess.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Twilight Princess (GameCube) | Parasol |
Midna
Midna is a main character in Twilight Princess, and a descendant of the ancient Twili people.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Twilight Princess (GameCube) | Shackle |
Zant
Zant is a minion of Ganondorf, and one of the primary antagonists in Twilight Princess.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Twilight Princess (GameCube) | Scimitars |
Fi
Fi is a spirit that inhabits the Goddess Sword in Skyward Sword, and assists Link during his adventure.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Skyward Sword (Wii) | Goddess Sword |
Ghirahim
Ghirahim is an antagonist in Skyward Sword, and hunts Zelda so he can use her spirit to resurrect his master, Demise.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Skyward Sword (Wii) | Demon Sword |
Cia
Cia is a primary antagonist in Hyrule Warriors, and aims to conquer the entire lands of Hyrule.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Hyrule Warriors (Wii U) | Sceptor |
Volga
Volga is a primary antagonist in Hyrule Warriors, and the general of Cia’s army.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Hyrule Warriors (Wii U) | Dragon Spear |
Wizzro
Wizzro is a companion of Cia, and is another primary antagonist in Hyrule Warriors.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Hyrule Warriors (Wii U) | Ring |
Linkle
Linkle is a shepherd who believes she is the reincarnation of the legendary hero, Link.
| First Appearance | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Hyrule Warriors Legends (3DS) | Dual |
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition Unlockable Characters
Cucco
Cuccos are chicken-like creatures that are often found inhabiting the various worlds in The Legend of Zelda. When repeatedly attacked by Link, they will often retaliate en masse.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| A Link to the Past (SNES) | Complete Ganon’s Fury Survival Stage 3 with an A Rank | N/A |
Twili Midna
Twili Midna is the true form of Midna, one of the primary protagonists in Twilight Princess.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Twilight Princess (GameCube) | Complete Adventure Mode 1-16 | Mirror |
Young Link
Young Link is the child stage of Link, the Hero of Time from Ocarina of Time. He also appears in Majora’s Mask.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda (NES) / Ocarina of Time (N64) | Complete Adventure Mode 2-1 | Mask |
Tingle
Tingle is a bizarre recurring character in The Legend of Zelda. He’s obsessed with fairies and believes himself to be one.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Majora’s Mask (N64) | Complete Adventure Mode 1-12 | Balloon |
Skull Kid
Skull Kid appears in Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, and Twilight Princess, and is believed to be one of the children that went missing in the Lost Woods.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Ocarina of Time (N64) | Complete Adventure Mode 3-13 | Ocarina |
Toon Link
Toon Link is the protagonist of Wind Waker and the Phantom Hourglass.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Waker (GameCube) | Complete Adventure Mode 7-9 | Sword / Sand Wand |
Tetra
Tetra is a pirate captain and another persona of the Princess Zelda. She’s a primary protagonist in Wind Waker and the Phantom Hourglass.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Waker (GameCube) | Complete The Wind Waker: A New Disturbance in Legend Mode | Cutlass / Flintlock Pistol |
King Daphnes
Daphnes is the king of Hyrule and a primary protagonist in Wind Waker, in which he takes on a boat form: the King of Red Lions.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Waker (GameCube) | Complete The Wind Waker: Reclaiming the Darkness in Legend Mode | Sail |
Medli
Medli is a character from the Wind Waker and takes on the roles of attendant of Valoo and the Sage of Earth. She is a member of the Rito people.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Waker (GameCube) | Complete Great Sea Map B8 in Adventure Mode | Rito Harp |
Ganon
Ganon is the primary antagonist of The Legend of Zelda franchise, and has appeared in most of the games in the franchise. He possesses the Triforce of Power.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda (NES) | Complete Ganon’s Fury in Challenge Mode | N/A |
Marin
Marin saves Link right at the beginning of Link’s Awakening, and goes on to be a major character during that game.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Link’s Awakening (Game Boy) | Unlocked in the Koholint Island Map in Adventure Mode | Bell |
Ravio
Ravio serves as a shopkeeper in A Link Between Worlds, providing Link with the equipment necessary to complete his adventures… for a small fee.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| A Link Between Worlds (3DS) | Unlocked in the Lorule Map in Adventure Mode | Rental Hammer |
Yuga
Yuga is a minion of Ganon, and one of the primary antagonists in A Link Between Worlds.
| First Appearance | How to Unlock | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| A Link Between Worlds (3DS) | Unlocked in the Lorule Map in Adventure Mode | Picture Frame |