The Legend of Zelda Cartoons

The Zelda Cartoons first aired on American TV after the Super Mario Brothers Show on a Friday in 1989. Although it only ran for thirteen episodes, it will be forever remembered among Zelda fans for its cheesy lines and 80s-style humor.

Episode 01: THE RINGER
Written by: Bob Forward
Original air date: September 8, 1989
Description: When Ganon learns that there is to be an Amateur Magician’s Contest in the Castle of Hyrule, he sees his chance. He will enter the contest and use his powerful magic to disrupt it — and, in the confusion, make off with the Triforce!
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Episode 02: COLD SPELLS
Written by: Bob Forward
Original air date: September 15, 1989
Description: Link fakes a cold to get out of spring cleaning. Sprite’s magical powers go out of control, the plan backfires and mops & brooms come to life and attack Link. Turns out to be Ganon’s evil plan to use this distraction to steal the Triforce!
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Episode 03: THE WHITE KNIGHT
Written by: Eve Forward
Original air date: September 22, 1989
Description: Prince Facade arrives in Hyrule, Zelda can’t stop staring. A jealous Link embarrasses himself trying to regain Zelda’s attention, and ends up leaving Hyrule. Turns out that this is all part of Ganon’s plan to capture Zelda as soon as Link leaves!
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Episode 04: KISS ‘N TELL
Written by: Bob & Eve Forward
Original air date: September 29, 1989
Description: Link rescues a fair maiden (Gannon’s evil creature is disguise) from a dragon, and is rewarded with a kiss. Link turns into a frog and Zelda is captured. Only the kiss of a Princess will allow Link to become human again!
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Episode 05: SING FOR THE UNICORN
Written by: Martha Forward
Original air date: October 5, 1989
Description: When Ganon has captured an unicorn, he makes off with the King to hold him for ransom. Price: one Triforce! Link and Zelda must descend into the Underworld to rescue the king – and there they meet a girl named Sing, whose Unicorn Ganon had stolen!
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Episode 06: THAT SINKING FEELING
Written by: Bob Forward
Original air date: October 12, 1989
Description: Ganon has a magnet, capable of pulling anything into the Underworld. Ganon captures the King, and holds the castle in his chambers. Link and Zelda must use the Triforce to fight their way into the Underworld, defeat Ganon, and save King and castle.
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Episode 07: UNDERWORLD CONNECTIONS
Written by: Unknown
Original air date: October 19, 1989
Description: Ganon’s evil creatures break the Triforce into three pieces. Link rescues one of the pieces, but the other two are lost somewhere in the Underworld. Link and Zelda must search and recover the other two pieces — before Ganon finds them himself.
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Episode 08: DOPPLEGANGER
Written by: Eve Forward
Original air date: October 26, 1989
Description: When Zelda finds a beautiful mirror in her room, she assumes it is a present from Link. But in fact it is a present from Ganon! A mirror image of herself, an evil “Doppleganger”, steps from the mirror, captures her and takes her to the Underworld!
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Episode 09: STINGING A STINGER
Written by: Unknown
Original air date: November 2, 1989
Description: Link rescues an old man named Sleazenoze from attackers in the woods, and as a reward, the old man gives Link a new fancy sword in exchange for his old one. But Link discovers to his dismay, the new sword is worthless for fighting evil creatures.
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Episode 10: A HITCH IN THE WORKS
Written by: Phil Harnage
Original air date: November 9, 1989
Description: When Ganon captures Zelda, he has a most evil plot in mind: using the Crystal of Control he has just discovered, he will force Zelda to marry him — and then Hyrule will be under his control.
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Episode 11: FAIRIES IN THE SPRING
Written by: Bob Forward
Original air date: November 16, 1989
Description: When King Harkinnian decides to build a Royal Water Park for the enjoyment of all his subjects during the hot weather, it seems like a simple project.
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Episode 12: THE MOBLINS ARE REVOLTING
Written by: Unknown
Original air date: November 23, 1989
Description: When Ganon’s evil creatures suffer yet another humiliating defeat at the hands of Link, they decide that Ganon’s stupid plans are to blame.
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Episode 13: THE MISSING LINK
Written by: Unknown
Original air date: November 30, 1989
Description: Ganon, attempting to capture Link with a magical zapblast, succeeds in capturing his body, but not his spirit. In other words, Link’s body is in Ganon’s hands, but his “ghost” remains — and only Zelda can see it.
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