Summary
Plenty of familiar faces fill out the cast of everyLegend of Zeldatitle. While each game is often ages or worlds apart, reoccurring designs, or at least the main trinity of Link, Zelda, and Ganon tend to show up regardless. Some faces, like Beedle or Tingle, may play more subdued roles than others, but it’s still nice to seeThe Legend of Zeldamake use of its history in a variety of new ways.
Among Link’s staunchest allies throughout the franchise is his loyal horse, Epona. This mighty mare with a brown coat and white mane has ferried Link through plenty of situations, ranging from thedanger-fraught Hyrule Field inOcarina of Timeto the wide-open wilderness ofTears of the Kingdom. Primarily associated with the 3DLegend of Zeldagames, Epona serves as a way to speed up the player’s journey while traveling between places before fast travel is unlocked. She’s gone through several iterations just like her owner, and they all have something to offer.
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S Tier
Ocarina of Time-The first Epona came fromOcarina of Time, like manyZeldastaples, and is still easily the best. First shown on the title screen as Link gallops across Hyrule Field, Epona was quickly endeared to players as an iconic part of Link’s image. Ironically, despite Epona’s prominence and how visible the Lon Lon Ranch is in front of Hyrule Castle Town, the quest to get the horse is totally optional.
It says something that most players never realize that the Longshot can cross the broken bridge Epona is needed for. They’re too busy bonding with Epona in the past so they can meet again inOcarina of Time’s adult timeline. Link and Epona’s first encounter is a heartwarming moment that involves several other NPCs in its subplot, and was enough to make this horse aZeldaicon.
Twilight Princess-Epona has only made a couple other notable appearances, and the most plot-relevant one is inTwilight Princess. Here, Link owns Epona as part of his ranch work, and she serves as a talking point between Link and his childhood friend Ilia. After Link and Epona reunite later on, for the first, and so far only, time in the franchise, Epona becomes a regular part of various setpieces. Horseback combat is such afocus inTwilight Princessthrough escort missionsand boss fights that Epona even aids Link in the final battle with Ganondorf. Even though herOcarina of Timeappearance is more emotionally charged,Twilight Princesswas Epona’s chance to prove herself a hero.
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A Tier
Majora’s Mask-The Epona fromOoT’s child timeline does appear in one other game, making her the only Epona to canonically make two appearances. Unlike inOcarina of Time, Epona actually participates in the plot for a bit, being with Link in the opening as he is robbed by Skull Kid. This Epona is also mandatory for accessing a couple of regions, improving herOcarina of Timeimplementation while also pointing the player towardsone ofMajora’s Mask’s larger side quests. All that’s holding this Epona back is that she simply doesn’t inspire the same feelings in the player as herOoTorTPself, ultimately serving as a key to progress instead of a character in her own right.
Hyrule Warriors-Epona is normally used for transportation rather than combat, butHyrule Warriorsgives her a proper role on the battlefield. One of Link’s weapon styles is riding horseback, and every new weapon tier is a different version of Epona from her variousZeldaappearances. This is a great piece of fanservice, and Epona is fun to control given her uniquely mobile fighting style. Later releases ofHyrule Warriorsbundle her in with the rest of the cast, and players will no doubt be glad to see any version of her they unlock. However, that comes with the caveat thatHyrule Warriorsis not canon, and Epona doesn’t play a canon role even withinHyrule Warriors' story. It’s good to seeHyrule Warriorsgive everyZeldaregular their due, but combat is not what Epona’s known for.
B Tier
Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom-Horses inBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomare largely obsoletecompared to the Paraglider andTotK’s Zonai vehicles, only being mandatory for some side quests. Furthermore, although Epona is the name of an in-universe company thanks to being a legendary horse, she isn’t normally available in the open worldZeldatitles. Epona must be summoned via an amiibo, or be registered in aBotWsave file forTears of the Kingdomto access. She’s the best all-around horse in the games, but the many hoops players need to jump through to use this Epona means she can’t hold a candle to some other iterations.
The Minish Cap-Sadly, Epona has not had a good top-downZeldaappearance yet. Because of the compact nature of these games' worlds, she’s rarely needed, andFour Swords Adventureshad to go as far as designing specific levels and minigames to support horses at all. Those steeds are never named despite resembling Epona, but the legendary horse herself does make a confirmed appearance inThe Minish Capalongside recurring side character Malon. Both spend their time peddling Lon Lon Milk in and around Hyrule Town, and Epona has her own sales pitch if Link talks to her while shrunken down. Still, an Epona appearance that doesn’t involve riding her isn’t in the same league as anyLegend of Zeldainstance that does, so this Epona sadly lags behind the rest.
