Psychic powers are an interesting and diverse category of abilities. They range from simple telekinesis to complex elemental powers, from the mundane to the out of this world.
A number of video games feature psychic characters, either as protagonists or as game-breaking powerhouses in the background. Some are even set in a dystopian setting where being psychic is illegal.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Originally released on the Nintendo 64 in 2000, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is one of the more weird and cultish games in the series. It is known for its recurring three-day cycle and use of various masks that transform Link into different characters.
Using these masks, Link can complete many puzzles and dungeons in the game. It also requires Link to play his Ocarina, which can control time or open passages to temple dungeons.
It also features a number of psionic powers, including telekinesis, teleportation, pre- and postcognition, and ESP. In addition, Majora’s Mask also introduces a new effect that doubles Link’s run speed and jump distance.
Although this effect might not be a great help in combat, Majora’s Mask is all about time management, so having the ability to get around in half the time can come in handy when it comes to completing quests and dungeons. It’s not a power that can be used by all characters in the game, but it does offer some extra speed to the player and is a welcome addition to the title.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, is widely considered to be one of the greatest video games ever made. It received critical acclaim and sold more than 7.6 million copies worldwide.
Its groundbreaking use of 3D graphics created a sense of space and freedom that has since become commonplace in action games. It also introduced new gameplay features such as a target lock system and context-sensitive buttons.
While exploring Hyrule, Link is greeted by a fairy named Navi, who tells him that the Great Deku Tree is cursed and that the “servants of evil” are gaining strength. Once Link claims the Master Sword, he is warped back seven years into the future to a world of darkness, which is ruled by Ganondorf.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
In The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Link wakes up to find himself shipwrecked on Koholint Island. He’s tasked with collecting magical instruments across the land and awakening the Wind Fish, Koholint’s guardian.
Like most Zelda games, Link’s Awakening features dungeons where you’ll gain abilities and a variety of weapons to use against enemies. You can also collect items that will allow you to track down treasure, solve puzzles, and complete side quests throughout the game’s main storyline.
Another addition to the remake is the ability to create your own dungeons. These are called Chamber Dungeons, and you’ll be able to take elements from many of the dungeons you’ve explored so far.
While Link’s Awakening isn’t a new entry in the series, Nintendo has made sure to do a great job with its Switch release. This new remake is a modern reboot that stays true to both the story and gameplay style of the original, and it’s worth playing whether you’re a fan of the series or not.
4. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Wind Waker is a game that was born out of a simpler time in game development, where games were brighter and more optimistic instead of drab and gritty. This HD version preserves that sentiment and more, making this a classic of the series that will appeal to both newcomers and veterans alike.
The original Wind Waker is a beautiful game, combining flat planes of colour and stylised effects with stark lighting and hugely expressive animation to bring a cartoon world to life. This has been reworked in this HD version, but while it can break the toon illusion at times, it still manages to give Wind Waker a vibrant, energetic feel that has aged well.
The gameplay is similar to other 3D Zelda titles, with Link navigating an ocean full of dungeons and puzzles. He also travels to faraway islands, each of which has its own unique features and secrets to uncover.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess is the latest entry in the series. It introduces a new villain, Zant, and his attempt to merge the Twilight Realm with Hyrule. This new plot, combined with the dark mood of the game and a strong use of piano and keyboard themes, helped create an eerie atmosphere that made players feel like they were in a world of trouble.
It also introduced an interesting storyline where Link was sucked into the Twilight Realm and transformed into a wolf. He was then rescued by an imp-like creature called Midna and she helped him find his way out of the castle.
The story of Twilight Princess is one of the most complex in the series. It incorporates a number of different characters and events, but is mostly focused on Link and his journey.
Twilight Princess is not the best Zelda game in terms of story, but it’s a great addition to the series. It’s a solid game, and a must-play for any fan of the series.
6. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Originally released for the Super Nintendo in 1991, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was one of the most influential video games of its time. While it was not the best Zelda game, it helped to define many of the series’ key concepts.
For one, the game introduces the concept of two worlds: the light and dark versions of Hyrule. The dark world, which has been seen in subsequent Zelda games, introduces a sense of foreboding that has become a staple in the series.
Another notable feature of the game is its dungeon system. Each dungeon is multi-leveled, and requires Big Keys to unlock doors or puzzles that allow Link to progress through the area.
This dungeon system has been replicated in numerous later games, including Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker. However, A Link to the Past was a pioneer of this style of dungeon design.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
While the average Zelda game is classically epic in scope, Majora’s Mask is a somber, intimate title that explores loss and grief. It shares several key themes with Ocarina of Time, including the importance of preserving memories through music and cherishing those who have passed away.
It also introduces several unusual mechanics, including the use of time-travel to solve puzzles and a bizarre set of dungeons that aren’t really dungeons at all. Instead, Link needs to transform into different creatures from the shared universe, like the leafy Deku or volcano-dwelling Gorons, and use their powers to complete challenges that would be impossible with a traditional dungeon.
While this might seem like a weird way to introduce a time-traveling element into the series, it actually works very well. The premise firmly embeds the concept of survival in the mind of players, causing them to feel anxious about what they’re doing at all times and making the game more scary than the rest of the franchise.
8. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3
One of the greatest video games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is a cult classic. It is notable for its dark tone, themes, and unique art style.
It was also the first game in the series to make music a more important plot element than ever before. This was a new approach for the franchise, which had mainly relied on visuals until that point.
The game’s soundtrack is an essential part of the experience and was considered the best in the series at the time. It has a wide range of themes and musical styles that tie in with the game’s story.
Like Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask features time travel. It is a very different type of time travel, however. Instead of allowing the player to enter another world, it is more like a time loop. This can cause the player to go back in time a few days or even a few hours at a time. This creates a sense of urgency to the game that is not seen in other games in the series.
9. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
It’s been a while since the last Zelda game, but Wind Waker was the first to bring this franchise to the next generation. When it was announced, fans worldwide were stoked – a new console title meant that Nintendo would finally be able to re-introduce the series to a younger audience.
The visuals of Wind Waker are stunning, relying on flat planes of colour, stylised effects and hugely expressive animation to deliver a cartoon world all around you. The HD upgrade makes it even more so, with surfaces smoother, textures crisper and better lighting adding another dimension to every scene.
What’s more, the original Wind Waker embodied everything that is great about Zelda. Its charming world, excellent design and beautiful art have helped it stand as one of the most memorable adventures in gaming history.
