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OoT Triforce Model
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Please see the related discussion on this article's talk page for more information concerning its future layout.

This article is about the recurring objects in the series. For the game console, see Nintendo Switch.

Switches are recurring Objects in the The Legend of Zelda series.[1][2][3][name reference needed]

Overview[]

Switches appear in many forms and locations throughout the The Legend of Zelda series. Effects of activating them include:

  • Opening doors
  • Making Treasure Chests appear
  • Moving walls or other obstacles
  • Opening gates to fill areas with water, or drain them
  • Turning fans on or off
  • Deactivating Armos statues
  • Opening skylights to allow Light Beams inside
  • Making Enemies appear (if trapped)

Once activated, a Switch's effect may or may not be permanent:

  • Permanent: The Switch's action remains in effect indefinitely, or at least until Link leaves the room, which triggers many puzzles in the series to reset.
  • Timed: The Switch's action only lasts for a short duration, usually with a musical cue or ticking clock sound effect to indicate this.
  • Momentary: Only applies to floor Switches. Will stay activated as long as something is on top of it to hold it down, otherwise it will immediately deactivate when something gets off the Switch.

Types of Switches[]

Big Switch[]

Main article: Big Switch


Eyeball Switch[]

Main article: Eyeball Switch

An Eyeball Switch is a wall Switch that looks like an open eye. When hit by an Arrow (or sometimes a Slingshot pellet),[4] the eye closes and is activated. Some of these Eyeball Switches are encased in ice, which must be unfrozen using the Fire Arrow or other flame-based attack. There are two variations: Yellow ones, which are one-time activated, and Silver ones, which could be hit multiple times. They appear in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and Skyward Sword. Fire Eyes are identical in appearance to Eyeball Switches.

In Phantom Hourglass some Eyeball Switches will "flip" to protect themselves from being activated when Link faces north, so Link have to face south and have something that changes the arrow's direction like an Arrow Orb or a Grappling Hook so Link can activate them when they are open. They appear in the Temple of the Ocean King and the Temple of Ice.

Floor Switch[]

Main article: Floor Switch

Floor Switches normally take the form of a large button or plate,[5] which can be activated by being stepped on by Link, or sometimes by placing a heavy object on top.

Grapple Switch[]

A Grapple Switch is a ceiling-mounted variation on the pull lever which is activated by Link hanging from it, either by its handle or by using the Clawshot/Grappling Hook. Sometimes they require Link to wear the Iron Boots for extra weight.

Lever[]

Main article: Lever

Levers are a variation on the mechanical switch that are recessed into walls. Link must pull on a handle to activate it. These Levers are frequently timed or booby trapped.

Light Switch[]

Main article: Light Switch

Light Switches are hand-activated levers that perform some function when pushed into a different position. They appear in both A Link to the Past and The Minish Cap.

Shock Switch[]

Main article: Shock Switch

Shock Switches are small sphere- or obelisk-shaped Switches that can be activated by being slashed by a sword or hit by another weapon.

Sun Pattern[]

Sun Switch TWW

A Sun Pattern is activated by having Light Beam shone at it,[6] usually by rotating a mirror or by using the Mirror Shield. When activated, they sometimes evaporate. Like Pull Levers, they can sometimes be trapped.

Torch Switch[]

Main article: Torchlight

Torchlights are sometimes used as disguised switches, which are activated by lighting them. Torch switches are frequently timed, their effects lasting only until the flame goes out. When multiple torches are present, Link will usually have to light them all before the first one goes out to trigger the effect. This is much easier with area-effect spells such as Din's Fire, or at least long-range methods like a Fire Arrow.

Wind Switch[]

Main article: Wind Switch
SS Propeller Icon

Wind Switches can be activated by blowing them with Wind, causing them to rotate.

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseレバースイッチ (Rebāsuitchi)[7]Lever Switch
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

See Also[]

References

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