The Legend of Zelda franchise is renowned for its sweeping narratives, epic boss battles, and iconic dungeons—but sometimes, it’s the quieter, more personal stories tucked away in side quests that truly steal the show. These quests dive deep into character arcs, emotional payoffs, and clever puzzles, often outshining the main storyline with their heart, humor, or haunting mystery. Whether it’s helping someone find love, unraveling a tragic fate, or simply reuniting a family, these side quests are proof that in Zelda, the real magic often happens off the beaten path.
#10: The Trading Sequence – Link’s Awakening
What begins as a lighthearted fetch quest—trading a Yoshi doll for a ribbon, a ribbon for dog food, and so on—ends up feeling like a whimsical journey through the personalities of Koholint Island. The charm lies in how each trade reveals a little more about the quirky residents and their oddball needs. It’s a delightful puzzle that spans the entire game, culminating in receiving the Magnifying Lens, an essential item for completing the true ending. The sequence is never explicitly required, but completing it feels like becoming a true part of the island’s community. There’s something deeply satisfying about the absurd logic of the trades and the goofy charm behind them. It’s proof that even in a dream world, meaningful connections can still be made.
#9: The Cucco Lady’s Brother – Ocarina of Time
What starts as a simple task of delivering an item turns into a quietly emotional journey involving time travel and a family separated by duty and silence. After earning the trust of the Cucco Lady in Kakariko Village, Link eventually learns about her missing brother, who was once a knight of Hyrule. By taking part in a lengthy sequence of item trades, he finds the brother living in isolation, consumed by guilt and hidden from society. It’s a subtle but powerful story of honor and regret. For a game that’s often about slaying monsters and solving puzzles, this side quest delivers a dose of humanity that hits harder than expected.
#8: The Anju and Kafei Quest – Majora’s Mask
This isn’t just a side quest—it’s an emotional saga. Spanning the entire three-day cycle in Majora’s Mask, the Anju and Kafei quest follows a tragic love story that unfolds in real-time. Kafei has been cursed into the body of a child and gone into hiding, leaving Anju confused and heartbroken. Link becomes their only hope, coordinating secret meetings, solving puzzles, and even infiltrating a hideout to reunite the lovers. The emotional payoff is enormous, but the catch? You only get to see their final reunion if you stick with it to the very last moment—just before the moon crashes into Termina. It’s complex, time-sensitive, and unforgettable. Many fans remember this quest more vividly than the game’s central plot.
#7: Tarrey Town – Breath of the Wild
This quest is all about building something—literally. As Link helps Hudson construct a town from scratch, you recruit residents from across Hyrule, each with their own quirks and stories. What starts as a fun detour becomes a celebration of community and second chances. There’s even a wedding at the end, complete with Zelda-style pomp and tradition. The joy of watching Tarrey Town come to life, stone by stone, is pure Zelda magic. It gives Link a reason to engage with the world beyond just saving it. Plus, the town’s catchy music evolves as the population grows, a subtle and brilliant touch that makes the experience feel alive.
#6: The Haunted House – Oracle of Seasons
Hidden deep within the game’s side content, this eerie and emotional side quest stands out for its tone and storytelling. A ghost asks Link to find her lost keepsake and return it to her resting place. Along the way, players learn about her tragic past and the reason she can’t move on. It’s a short but deeply affecting quest that injects a surprising dose of pathos into a game otherwise full of lighthearted adventure. Zelda doesn’t often delve into ghost stories with this much weight, and that’s what makes this one so special. It’s quiet, melancholy, and hits you right in the heart.
#5: Malon and Epona – Ocarina of Time
Winning Epona from Ingo at Lon Lon Ranch isn’t just about getting a horse—it’s about reclaiming joy from oppression. Malon’s father has been pushed aside, and the once peaceful ranch is under the control of a greedy bully. By helping Malon and winning Epona through an epic race, Link doesn’t just earn his steed—he restores balance and freedom to a part of Hyrule. It’s one of the most satisfying moments in the game and marks the first real emotional investment in the larger world. The joy of galloping across Hyrule Field on Epona afterward? Unmatched.
#4: The Café Side Quests – Phantom Hourglass
In a game focused heavily on dungeons and naval exploration, the side quests involving the various café owners and their patrons provide a welcome breath of fresh air. These quests are often humorous and involve helping characters with silly or surprisingly deep problems—like reuniting long-lost friends or resolving a misunderstanding. They give the game’s scattered islands a sense of community and make the player feel like more than just a wandering hero. The charm here lies in the dialogue and little moments that flesh out an otherwise isolated world. They may not reward you with ultimate power, but they definitely give you a smile.
#3: The Poe Collector – Twilight Princess
Hunting down all 60 Poe souls in Twilight Princess isn’t just a collect-a-thon—it’s a grim and atmospheric journey through the shadowy corners of Hyrule. The Poe Collector himself is a haunting figure, cursed and deformed, and his tragic backstory unfolds only after you gather all the souls. It’s a dark, obsessive quest that asks players to comb every inch of the map, often in the dead of night, with eerie music underscoring each encounter. The emotional weight, combined with the disturbing tone, makes this side quest feel like a gothic tale within the greater narrative. It’s easily one of the creepiest and most memorable optional quests in Zelda history.
#2: Rebuilding Lurelin Village – Tears of the Kingdom
In Tears of the Kingdom, the reconstruction of Lurelin Village is a masterclass in storytelling through world interaction. After finding the village overrun by pirates, players engage in a full-on mission to drive them out, then help the townspeople return and rebuild. The reward isn’t just treasure or new gear—it’s watching a devastated town come back to life, its shops reopening, and its culture flourishing again. The before-and-after contrast is stunning. You get to know the villagers, share meals with them, and celebrate the restoration of their home. It’s a feel-good quest with real stakes and visual impact, and it lingers long after the final hammer has struck.
#1: The Lovers’ Quest – Majora’s Mask (Anju and Kafei)
Yes, this quest earns a second mention—and that’s because it’s universally regarded as one of the greatest side quests in gaming history. Majora’s Mask is all about impending doom and how people respond to it, and this quest encapsulates that perfectly. Anju and Kafei’s story of love, loss, and reunion is so rich in emotion and detail that it eclipses the main plot for many players. You’ll wait nervously for secret meetings, watch their letters go undelivered, and finally guide them to their final moment of peace—knowing full well the world may end just after. It’s not just a side quest. It’s the quest. One that defines what makes Zelda great: heart, humanity, and hope.
While Zelda’s main stories have taken us through kingdoms, timelines, and epic showdowns with Ganon, it’s these side quests that often capture what makes the series truly unforgettable. They turn Hyrule into a living, breathing world full of laughter, tragedy, and wonder. Whether they bring a tear, a smile, or a long, thoughtful pause, these moments prove that sometimes, the side path is the one most worth taking.
