The source of many of debates. Malon's role vs Zelda's. The two females face it off here! Lets discuss their roles and importance in the game. Why one is more important than the other, why we think one should be with Link, and so on and so forth. Also, stuff to use in debates against the Malinkers out there. (You all know you run into them, so we might as well be able to argue with them calmly and logically, right?)

Anyway, lets get talking guys!

EDIT: As of November 2008, I'm changing the topic to expressly state that this is NOT a thread to discuss Malink vs Zelink. Discussion here will be focused on Zelda and Malon- their character in relation to Link may be mentioned or referred to, but this is not a shipping war thread, kay?

Here's my view of things.

Both characters were important to the development of the plot of Ocarina of Time. If Malon hadn't given us the egg, Talon wouldn't have moved out of the way to the princess. Incidentally, if she hadn't taught us Epona's Song, we wouldn't have been able to get Epona after the seven year skip from Ingo, thus making the travel to Gerudo Valley that much less exciting.

In the same vein, if Zelda hadn't been there, we wouldn't have had a goal, and Sheik wouldn't have been there to suggest a course of action. Sheik also wouldn't have been able to save Ruto or help us from behind the scenes. We wouldn't have obtained the Light Arrows, and we wouldn't have had the incentive to go fight Ganondorf without the need to save Zelda. It's also unlikely we'd have made it out of Ganon's tower as it collapsed.

All things considered, though, in terms of main plot, Zelda was drastically more important than Malon. Without Zelda and with just Malon, what would Ocarina of Time have been?

Well, first, it wouldn't have been called Ocarina of Time, because without Zelda there was no such instrument. It might have just been called Fairy Ocarina. Which is a lot wimpier.

Secondly, it's likely the main quest would have been to... defeat Ingo? That was, after all, Malon's main plight throughout the game. The final boss would be what? An obstacle course?

Now let's consider the game without Malon and with just Zelda.

First off, Talon would have been removed, since Malon was no longer there to get rid of him. So we get free access to Zelda. No big deal.

We can't learn Epona's Song. No problem. Write it into a journal, the same way you can write it on a tombstone. Notes left by a ranchowner to tame the wild foal. That's outta the way and you still get Epona.

I think I've proven that as far as game development goes, Malon was optional. Not to take anything away from her character, I really think she was there to deepen the game. Not to make it move forward.

this picture I made say's enough who's stronger. :ph43r:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/cra...alonvszelda.jpg

I wish I had arms like that.

I mean the second guy! The seonc one! Can't typew...

Too much muscle is sort of a turn-off for me. The best is the 'strong but slim' build. Drool.

You mean like Link? :link:

Anyway, back to the debate. As to Zelda and Malon's importance to the games, I think it's pretty clear that Zelda is far more important to the overall storyline than Malon is. Don't get me wrong, I like Malon, I think she's a cute character, but her only importance to the game is as part of a side quest. Like CM said, if Malon wasn't there, then we wouldn't have learned Epona's song or gotten a chicken to wake up Talon. But the developers would have thought up another way for the player to wake up Talon and get the song, so having no Malon in the game wouldn't be such a problem.

Zelda, however, is far more important to the story. Aside from being the titular character, it is because of her that Link is able to grow strong enough to defeat Ganondorf. Without Zelda, the Great Deku Tree would have probably sent him to the king, who believed Ganondorf to be his ally, and wouldn't believe a little kid who told him that Ganondorf was evil (I mean, if he didn't believe his own daughter, then there's no way he would have believed Link). Without Zelda, Link would have never gotten the Ocarina of Time, and he wouldn't have had Sheik to help guide him on his quest. Also, some of the emotional resonance would have been lost. I mean, it's great and all to save the world for the sake of everyone, but to save it for someone you care deeply enough to battle your way to hell and back is a little more poignant.

So, overall, Zelda is a central figure to the story, while Malon is just one of many quirky characters that help make the LoZ games more immersive.

And she sings. Don't forget that. You can find her at night singing.

And...

That's about it...

Oh yeah, I forgot about that...

Does Zelda sing? I know she plays a variatey of instruments, but I don't think we've seen her singing...

Rumour has it that she's the one who was singing the Song of Time when Link returns to the Temple of Time at the end of OoT, since it isn't the same tone as Malon. But it's hard to say, with those *.mid files playing.

Do they play the song of time? :blink:

you mean Zelda's lullaby >_>
Well I think it´s her voice yes, and it´s actually higher than Malon´s voice...

Right. I was hesitating between the two. I couldn't remember which one Zelda played to send Link back.

Wouldn't it have made more sense to play the Song of Time, though? :huh:

Yes, Zelda does play her Lullaby and she sings it as well. You know, I never thought about it before, but you're right, it does seem like she should be playing the Song of Time, but Zelda's Lullaby holds its own special power as well.

*cough* Now, back on topic?

Heehee

I do NOT for one minute believe that Malon is more vital to the story than Zelda, I just posted this so we could get some practice arguing with Malinkers :D The game would have been untouched for the most part without the ranch girl, but without the Princess? There wouldn't BE a story without her. I rest my case.

Too true. The whole plot of the game revolves around Zelda. Get the Spiritual Stones and bring them to Zelda, spend seven years in hybernation and search for Zelda, beat the crap out of Ganny and rescue Zelda. "Saving" Malon is only optional (besides, if Malon was in any actual danger, she would have run away from Ingo). You only need to see Malon maybe two or three times throught the game *shrug*

Ingo: Mwahahaha! You are my slave, Malon!
Malon: Oh no. Woe is me! Daddy, help!
Ingo: Your father was a wimp! He ran away to Kakariko!
Malon: Oh! How awful! Here I am, surrounded by the fastest (and only) steeds in Hyrule, with the door wide open, in the middle of a large field, with many places I can escape to, and the only thing holding me back is a half-wit crazed ranchhand! Verily, my only choice is to wait seven years for a fairy boy to come and save me.
Ingo: I knew my plan was flawless! Hail Ganondorf!

Whereas...

Ganondorf: Mwahahaha! You are my slave, Zelda!
Zelda: We'll see about that! *escapes on horseback with Impa* I will ensure to send the future Hero of Time in a safe place where he will age and grow strong enough to defeat you!
Ganondorf: The boy is weak! He can do nothing against me!
Zelda: He will, one day! And I will aid him! I will become a ninja to help him from the shadows! We will gather the power of the six sages! And when the time is right, we will strike you down and bring an end to your tyranny. He and I will then shag for many long nights.
Ganondorf: I knew my plan was flawless! Hail me!

I rest my case.

:funny: Holy crap! That was priceless! :lol:

Well, it is kind of true, after all. :rolleyes:

Zelda actually has the highest voice. Hear her squeak. Like a mouse. I'm sorry. I just got high.

ROFL :funny: :lol: CM, that was so hilarious, but ever so true!!! *cannot stop laughing*

Seriously though, it brings up a great point. If Malon is so much stronger than Zelda is, why didn't she run away/fight Ingo? I mean, sure, she has that lame excuse that she can't leave otherwise Ingo will treat the horses badly, but I don't buy that. You can't abuse a good horse and get a good price for it. It just doesn't happen, and even a 'half-wit' like Ingo should know that, you know?

Right. Besides, it's not like she was going to prevent Ganon from buying the horses (which he probably would have mistreated just as much). If Link hadn't dropped by when he did, Epona would have been sold off.

Epona! Sold off! Blasphemy.

Luckily he came by and rescued Epona from that fate!

But yeah, but like Alantie said, if Malon is supposed to be stronger than Zelda, then don't you think she could have just taken the farm over from Ingo? I mean, he's not exactly what I'd call a fine specimen of manliness, so if Malon was really determined to get her farm back, then I don't think he'd be able to stop her.

Or maybe Malon is more like her father in that she's secretly lazy :P

That would be pathetic. Seeing as I don't hate Malon nearly as much as I said, I will pretend that option doesn't exist. :ph43r:

:D Fair enough. But as to Malon's character, we have very little to actually go on (because she isn't an integral character to the plot and thus gets no character development), so most of the things that make her "better" than Zelda are, more than not, speculations of the fans. The only things we really know about her personality is that she's kinda cheeky, and she's waiting for a night in shining armour to sweep her off her feet. I mean, that could pretty much describe any girl, and I think this is the reason Malinkers are so vehement in their support of her. I don't mean to cut her short or anything, because I like Malon, but I think that because of her "every girl" personality, many fangirls can sort of project themselves into the character of Malon. As such, when they say that Link should be with Malon, they are really saying that Link should be with them. Maybe.

That is SO true. I really think you're right there. Its easy with a character like Malon to think, "Oh, she's just like me!" And of course, what sane girl doesn't want Link to be with them?

Even insane girls want Link. That's how far this goes.

Even girls who don't know Link exist (there is such a thing) want Link.

Yeah, his hotness is so all encompassing that pretty much all females (and some males :blink: ) want Link.

Too bad he's only a fictional character T_T

Y'all can dream. :D

Ah, true enough :D

well, i am a zelda and link Fan so I would have to say that Zelda is better, but isn't it unfair putting Malon bcause this is a "Zelink" forum? I like Malon, but not for Link. She is one of my favorite characters and i think the game is really vital to have her. if she wasn't there, i think running around hyrule would have sucked. plus, we are forced to talk to her before we even go the the castle or she would have stayed in the market place. but zelda is the main character :zelda: and can't be removed. malon is only in one game. even though i like malon, i have to say zelda.

I don't think its unfair. You can bet that Malink forums have a place where they totally bash Zelda to pieces. That's not what this is about. Its about comparing the two characters. Also, I think there are also many Zelink fans who like Malon's character, but just hate her with Link. But yay for saying you think Zelda is better! :zelda: Oh, and welcome to the forums!

Zelda is better, but you're right. I don't want to join Malon and Link communities because they can get really weird. I don't know if there is even a malon and link forum out there. You'd think that with all the battles there would be some place.

EDIT: Plus, Zelda is in super smash brothers!!! The only defense that we would hear is that she'd use a pitchfork. <_<

*shrugs* I dunno if there are any Malink forums. I haven't looked, but I'm sure there's one SOMEWHERE. Rofl. I never thought of that! Malon in SSBM! She has a pitchfork of doom and can send chickens of death to attack you! :lol:

That would actually be pretty scary. Those chickens are far more deadly than Ganny x_x

Seriously. The chickens are all-powerful.

*nods in agreement* Fear the chickens :ph43r: See, if Malon had been able to harness that power, she could have chased Ingo off the ranch without needing Link's help. :D

Did she pull an Anju on us, then?

"Oh my, the chickens gave me the goosebumps! Look at my poor, dishevelled, dirty, mumpy, etc. (wait for a few more minutes) hands!"

I agree. The chickens kill you. Not ganon. Unless you cheat. :D

Or stay on Epona :P

Rofl. That's what I do whenever I take it into my head to attempt a suicide mission on killing chickens. Then I gallop over the chickens on Epona :P Too bad Malon didn't think of this stuff otherwise she might have taken care of Ingo by herself!

Well a pitchfork is there for USE.

A couple jabs in the ass probably would have sent Ingo running. The guy isn't very strong XD