Okay, let's be real. Sometimes, after a long day of getting my rear end handed to me by Lynels in Tears of the Kingdom, I don't want a new strategy guide. I want something soft, squishy, and utterly incapable of firing a shock arrow at me. That's where the magic of Zelda plushies comes in. They take the epic scale of Hyrule and shrink it down into something you can hug. As a lifelong fan who's probably spent more rupees on collectibles than on actual games, I've embarked on a personal quest to find the best cuddly companions from across the kingdoms. Forget the Triforce; the real treasure is a shelf full of these adorable characters, and I'm here to be your guide.

The Lost (And Found) Korok Crew

When Tears of the Kingdom dropped in 2023, we all had one burning question: where did all the Koroks go and why do they need so much help?! Turns out, they got lost... again. The silver lining? Their new backpack-toting designs are arguably the cutest thing to ever happen in gaming. I mean, look at them! It’s no surprise they were turned into plushies almost instantly. Frankly, I’m still a little salty that we never got official Breath of the Wild Korok plushes, but these little backpack-wearing guys from Tears more than make up for it. Just a heads-up: if you want to recreate that heartwarming reunion scene from the game, you’ll need to buy two. It’s a sneaky but effective marketing tactic, and yes, I fell for it. My shelf now features a happily reunited pair.

The Surprisingly Cuddly Menace: The Octorok

Think of iconic Zelda villains. Ganon, sure. Dark Link, maybe. But the humble Octorok? This guy has been spitting rocks at Link since the 80s! His design has changed more than my resolve to finally finish all the shrines, which is why it’s so hilarious and wonderful that Nintendo decided, "You know what? Let's make this thing adorable." Enter the Octorok Mega Mocchi. Part of Tomy's super-soft Mocchi Mocchi line, this plush is the polar opposite of its in-game counterpart. It's big, round, and supremely huggable. Displaying one on my desk is a constant, soft reminder that not everything in Hyrule wants to kill me. Mostly just the ones in my Switch.

Sailing the Cuddly Seas: Wind Waker Duo

The Wind Waker’s cel-sharted style was practically begging to be turned into fabric. The Princess Zelda (Toon Zelda) plush is a masterpiece of translation. They’ve captured everything, right down to her embroidered blue eyeshadow and that felt, gold tiara. At a compact 8 inches tall, she sits politely on my shelf, taking up minimal space—perfect for when your collection starts to spill over into your living room (no judgment here).

And of course, you can’t have Zelda without her hero. The Wind Waker Link (Toon Link) plush is, in my expert opinion, perfection. Wearing his iconic green tunic (the "Hero's New Clothes," if you're fancy), with those big, embroidered cartoon eyes, he looks ready for adventure. He even comes with his own little plush sword! He’s the same size as Zelda, and let me tell you, they look absolutely perfect displayed together. It feels wrong to separate them. They’ve been through enough!

Not Just a Shield, It's a Pillow!

Sometimes you want a character, and sometimes you want an icon. The Hylian Shield Plush is the latter. This thing has protected Link through Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, and right up to the latest games. In plush form, it won't block any Guardian lasers, but what it lacks in defense, it makes up for in being an fantastic decorative piece or even a comfy pillow. The detailing is impeccable—the royal blue color, the Hylian Crest, the Triforce right in the center. It’s a standout piece that says, "I love Zelda, but I also appreciate functional decor."

The OG Forest Sprite

Before they were hiding under rocks, Koroks were making beautiful music. This Korok Plush, inspired by Makar from The Wind Waker, is the classic design. You don't need to solve a puzzle in the Lost Woods to get this one (thankfully). Made from super soft material and standing at a substantial 15 inches tall, this is a plush with presence. It’s a wonderful tribute to the GameCube era and a must-have for any fan of the series' more whimsical side.

The Modern Monarch and Her Hero

Breath of the Wild gave us a Zelda who was less about royal gowns and more about ancient tech and research. The Breath of the Wild Princess Zelda plush captures this brilliantly. They’ve detailed her practical outfit, her golden hair with its braids and clips, even the little pouch on her belt—presumably for her Sheikah Slate. At about 12 inches tall, she commands respect on the shelf.

And then there's her knight. The Breath of the Wild Link plush shows our hero in his famous blue Champion's Tunic. The detail is stunning, from the embroidered Master Sword silhouette on the tunic to his little blue earrings and hairband. They even gave him a sword and shield on his back! It’s a fantastic representation of the Link who spent 100+ hours of my life cooking dubious food and climbing in the rain.

My Personal Plushie Power Rankings

Because I can't help myself, here's how I'd rank these cuddly champions based on sheer huggability, display appeal, and overall vibe:

FAQs From One Collector to Another

• Why is it called The Legend of ZELDA and not The Legend of LINK? 🤔

  This is the eternal question! The creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, named the princess after the famous American socialite and painter, Zelda Fitzgerald. He thought the name sounded "pleasant and significant." So significant, in fact, that he named the whole series after her, even though Link does all the heavy lifting. Typical.

• What is 'Zelda' short for?

  In the real world, Zelda is often a nickname for Griselda. But for our beloved princess? No evidence of that. As far as we know, she's just Zelda. One name, one legend, countless plushies.

So there you have it, fellow adventurers! Building a Zelda plush collection is a joyful, low-stakes quest with a very high reward: a room full of friendly faces from your favorite world. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go check if there's a new Ganon plush... preferably a soft, non-malicious one. A collector's work is never done!