Zelda as Echoes of Wisdoms Protagonist Could Justify the Return of Sheik

01/07/2024

Echoes of Wisdom features Zelda as its protagonist, blending past elements with new features.
Sheik, a previously underutilized character, could return due to Zelda's role in the game.
Sheik's potential appearance in Echoes of Wisdom could involve stealth segments and disguise, shaking up the title's gameplay.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is making franchise history by being the first mainline entry in the series to feature Zelda herself in the role of protagonist. While the prospect of playing as the titular princess instead of Link is exciting on its own, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom seems to be blending elements of the series' past, such as the top-down perspective and art style borrowed from Link's Awakening on the Nintendo Switch, with new features such as Zelda's Echo ability. In an effort to meld the old and the new, Echoes of Wisdom should see the return of one underutilized character.

Fans of the N64 era of the franchise will likely remember Ocarina of Time's big reveal that the mysterious Sheik, who helped guide Link on his journey, was Princess Zelda in disguise the whole time. This revelation made such a lasting impact on the franchise that Sheik became a playable character in subsequent spin-off titles, yet never saw a main series appearance again. Now that Zelda is in the spotlight as Echoes of Wisdom's playable protagonist, there has never been a better time for her to don her disguise as Sheik once again.

Why Link Probably Won't Be Totally Absent in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is making series history by featuring Zelda as the protagonist, but she may not replace Link entirely.

With Zelda Playable in Echoes of Wisdom, Sheik Shouldn't Be Far Behind

Despite Multiple Spin-Off Appearances, Sheik Has Only Ever Been in One Mainline Zelda Game

Zelda aids Link throughout his journey in Ocarina of Time disguised as a male member of the Sheikah Clan known as Sheik. As Sheik, Zelda shows up to teach Link the songs necessary to warp to the game's temples, appearing and disappearing stealthily as though vanishing into thin air. These traits, along with Sheik's iconic design, cemented the character as a core part of the series' identity, yet the Sheikah Warrior only ever appeared in spin-off and crossover titles following his Ocarina of Time role.

All Games Sheik Has Appeared In

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U
Hyrule Warriors
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The popularity of Sheik in Ocarina of Time earned him several spin-off and crossover roles, including in the Super Smash Bros. franchise and Hyrule Warriors. In these games, Sheik uses ninjutsu-like abilities akin to those that a Sheikah Warrior would traditionally use, but he also leans into the image of a stealthy ninja, being a fast, light character. This design would inform how the character has been perceived by Zelda fans in the time since his introduction.

How Sheik Could Factor into Echoes of Wisdom

While the core of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's gameplay seems to revolve around the use of the Tri Rod to create Echoes to solve various puzzles around the world, there is still room for a character like Sheik to make an appearance, even if only briefly. Past Zelda titles have made use of stealth segments, typically requiring Link to sneak past guards to enter Hyrule Castle. Echoes of Wisdom could do something similar and require Zelda to get past enemies without being noticed, perhaps having her don her Sheik costume to enhance her stealth.

Zelda is already shown to wear a cloak throughout her adventure in Echoes of Wisdom, suggesting a need for covert exploration that disguising as Sheik could help enhance. Even if Echoes of Wisdom doesn't fully embrace Zelda's Sheik persona, Sheik could still make a cameo appearance via the outfit appearing in Zelda's room just as a small nod to the princess' past. With how underrepresented Sheik has been in the mainline Zelda series, the princess' alter ego has the perfect opportunity to resurface in Echoes of Wisdom and Nintendo shouldn't pass up the chance to capitalize on it.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Franchise The Legend of ZeldaPlatform(s) SwitchReleased September 26, 2024Developer(s) NintendoPublisher(s) NintendoGenre(s) AdventureESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+