
The Ringer-Verse 'The Legend of Zelda' 40th Anniversary Draft | Button Mash
Feb 20, 2026
Zachary Small, NYT games reporter, offers reporting-based angles. Keza MacDonald, Guardian games editor and author of Super Nintendo, brings historical context. Maddy Myers, Mothership co-founder and critic, shares personal and critical takes. They discuss Nintendo history, Zelda origin stories, a playful draft of favorite Links, maps, items, bosses, dungeons, songs, and companion characters.
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Bottom Of The Well's Childhood Horrors
- Maddie nominated Bottom Of The Well for its nightmare-inducing creepiness and the Lens of Truth.
- She described dead hands and the well's atmosphere as formative childhood scares.
Song Of Storms' Tiny Magical Power
- Maddie picked the Hyrule Temple/Song of Storms as her favorite tune for its weather-changing magic.
- Keza echoed the emotional nostalgia of making it rain and altering in-game weather at will.
Fairy Theme Equals Comfort And Upgrades
- Ben chose the Fairy Fountain theme for its comforting upgrade association and looped melody.
- He cited its simple resolution and long-standing series presence as reasons it endures.



