Can you believe it's been 30 years (31 in Japan) since we saw the birth of the Legend of Zelda franchise? It's hard to imagine a series lasting that long, but developers have done a fantastic job in bringing us unique and entertaining releases that keep us on the edge of our seats. Link has become a worldwide icon and the Legend of Zelda name is known by gamers of all ages and backgrounds. It's an amazing sight to see.

Many people compare the success of the franchise to Mario, another Nintendo creation that has withstood the test of time. While they're definitely similar in success, they aren't similar in their target audience. Although they're mostly labeled as family games, many entries in the Legend of Zelda franchise carry a much darker weight than that of the Mushroom Kingdom. The world of Hyrule is rife with pain, suffering, murder, and war.

This has led to many creepy storytelling moments, as well as the creation of Majora's Mask, which resonates a depressing and morbid tone. While Mario opts for frights with Boos, The Legend of Zelda sees zombies, skeleton knights, and wide-mouthed mini-bosses.

This list is dedicated to some of the creepier things (and facts) found throughout the Legend of Zelda universe. You'll see a lot of Majora's Mask here (for obvious reasons).

20 He's Only A Freak In The U.S.A.

Tingle is like a walking fever dream. Everything about him seems a little bit off. His eccentric demeanor, tight-fighting clothes, and made-up language are enough to unsettle any passerby. Tingle seems like the kind of person you would see on an episode of To Catch a Predator. Perhaps that's why we're so creeped out that he sells maps. Hopefully, these hand-drawn guides don't secretly lead to his house.

Although, there are some out there that would welcome a visit from the rosy-cheeked cartographer. Some countries think Tingle is hilarious, often poking fun at his eccentric nature and wacky style. Japan, for example, shares a special adoration for this freaky frog-like man. Here in the United States, he's often viewed as a creeper. To be fair, if Germany can lust over Hasselhoff, why can't Japan get tingly for Tingle?

19 The Linkerfly Effect

If you're a fan of time travel, you've probably stumbled across the Butterfly Effect theory once or twice. Without getting into too much nerdy detail, the basic gist suggests that doing anything (different than the original intention) in the past can have disastrous effects on the future. Depending on what you believe, it's possible that certain consequences can spawn alternate timelines.

Those of you that read Hyrule Historia may recall seeing a chart, which explained what "time period" some of the Legend of Zelda titles were staged in. What's unsettling, is that some of the games you'll play actually exist in timelines in which Link failed to triumph over his enemies. Not exactly jarringly creepy, but depressing to know that there are some instances in which Good doesn't defeat Evil.

18 The First Is The Worst

Speaking of horrible timelines where EVERYONE DIES (not literally, we just wanted to add tension), did you know that the original Legend of Zelda is set during one of the worst events in Hyrule history? The game that started it all takes place during the Fallen Hero Timeline, an "alternate" time arc in which Link fell to Ganondorf during battle (Ocarina of Time). This allowed the dark lord to secure the remaining Triforce pieces.

Have you ever noticed that all of the Legend of Zelda games have towns, except for the original? That's because the Hyrule you explore is essentially a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The only known survivors are creepy men living in caves and weirdo's sealed behind solid walls. If you want further proof of the land's demise, look at the first dungeon. Perhaps this old decrepit log is the remains of the once mighty Great Deku Tree.

17 Can't Spare A Square

A LOT of creepy and disturbing things happen in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Get used to revisiting the nightmare-laced realm because you'll see it featured numerous times on this list. One of the more unsettling moments is when Link happens across a toilet-monster named "???." You can't actually pronounce that (you can try), it just means the creature doesn't actually have a name. We aren't even sure if it's human. All you can see is a bony hand sticking out of the dark bowl of an outhouse.

The hand asks for paper and will reward Link with a Piece of Heart if he spares some. An interview with Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that ??? was modeled after the rather horrifying "toilet ghost" Urban Legends found in Japanese culture. We'll spare you the details here, but if you find yourself in a particularly brave mood, check out the tale of Hanako-San.

16 Near-Death Experience

Link is the sworn protector of the land of Hyrule. He is a brave soul that works tirelessly to keep Princess Zelda safe from harm. Unfortunately, his over-zealousness almost cost the poor Princess her life, according to Legend of Zelda lore. The author of Console Wars, Blake J. Harris, released some never-before-seen illustrations that came directly from Nintendo. These drawings had interesting "story bits" that spoke to some of the lore surrounding The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

The one pertaining to Princess Zelda speaks of a time when Link almost committed one of the worst accidental atrocities in all of Hyrule. Apparently, the Princess had been captured and was escaping on her own when Link burst into the room and almost cut her in two. The lighting was poor and the Hylian Hero noted a large spider that had sat down beside Zelda. Either that, or he was just tired of all the rescue quests and saw an "accidental" way out.

15 Tick Tock

The moment you first arrive in Clock Town, things seem a bit off. In fact, the entire Majora's Mask experience is like something straight from a Stephen King novel. There is much to see and do that will make you uneasy, but the way that the adventure "changes with time" is really eerie. The beginning of each three-day cycle sees a renewed hope, complete with upbeat music and sun-filled adventure.

The second day, however, is a bit more grounded. Things are slightly darker than before and there seems to be a general sense of dread wafting through the air. By the third day, the shining disposition is replaced with panic and tense music. Even the citizens of Clock Town, who once laughed at the idea of the moon falling from the sky, seem frozen in fear and regret. Say what you want about Ocarina of Time versus Majora's Mask, but the latter definitely had a compelling story.

14 Night Of The Living Dead

There are a lot of disturbing Legend of Zelda elements that seem harmless at first glance. How many times have you cleaved through a Stalfos, without so much as a thought? Sure, from the outside, they look just like any other cookie-cutter RPG Skeleton Knight, but have you ever stopped to think about where Stalfos come from? They're reanimated skeletons and those bones didn't randomly appear out of thin air.

Each time Link cracks a Stalfos' skull or slices its spine in two, he's desecrating human remains. It's easy to forget that these enemies were once people. They could have been anyone, happily roaming the fields of Hyrule before succumbing to a terrible fate. Most of them were probably cut down during times of war. We know the souls of these people left their undead corpses long ago but it still creeps us out to think we're hacking away at once proud Hylians.

13 A Relic Forgotten

Ask someone what their worst fear is and they'll most likely speak about something simple like spiders, heights, or enclosed spaces. There are fears, however, that are much more profound. A good example is the fear of being forgotten. No one wants to exit this plane of existence as nothing more than dust in the wind. As humans, we crave to leave a legacy. Because of this, you can imagine how hard it must have been for the Hero of Time to realize he'd become nothing more than a poorly recalled fairy tale.

In the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, you're trained by a powerful Stalfos known as the Hero's Shade. Hyrule Historia later confirmed that this skeletal creature is, in fact, the spirit of the Hero of Time. It's hard to imagine this gnarled warrior as the savior of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Even in death, he strives to teach his descendant the skills necessary to keep Hyrule safe.

12 Close Encounters Of The Poe Kind

Here we go again, with another entry outlining something downright messed up in the world of Majora's Mask. This time we find ourselves at Romani Ranch, which looks and feels a lot like Lon Lon Ranch. This is no surprise, considering Majora's Mask re-used a lot of the Ocarina of Time elements (both for time-saving and creepy alternate universe purposes). Here we meet Malon Romani, a young girl with an overactive imagination. At least, we wish it was overactive.

Without much warning, you'll find yourself sniping Poe-like aliens from abducting the ranch's cows. What makes this so creepy is that the otherworldly beings will actually kidnap Romani if you fail. Even more unsettling is that she'll show up later on, but something will seem rather "off" about her.

11 The Gomess Reaper

Let's keep the Majora's Mask freak train a-rollin'. If you manage to make it through the Stone Tower Temple without throwing your controller through your television, you'll happen across a rather creepy foe named Gomess. He's covered in bats, which can only be displaced by Light Arrows, and swings at Link with a massive scythe. At first glance, you'd think this character was modeled after the Grim Reaper.

You'd be right. Gomess is called Faucheur in the French version of Majora's Mask. That word roughly translates to Reaper (also mower) in English. This becomes incredibly creepy (and telling) if you believe in the Link is Dead theory. Perhaps this is the Hero of Time figuratively and literally battling against the Grim Reaper in an attempt to stay alive.

10 They Don't Have A Leg To Stand On

A lot of the things featured on this list are spooky because of background lore or visual effects. The next item on the list is creepy because of what's hidden behind the scenes. Those of you who played Ocarina of Time are probably familiar with the ending sequence, which showcases all of the wonderful people that Link saved. Most of the characters we see are in full view, but many of the shopkeepers featured are leaning on boxes or in frame "above the waist."

These prop-assisted shenanigans are actually pretty intelligent from a design and development standpoint. Only half of a character's body is shown, which cuts down on 3D rendering times. In fact, Nintendo went as far as to cut the legs off these poor people. If you use a cheating device to swivel the camera around behind a shop's counter, you'll notice the NPC has no bottom half.

9 Suicidal Tendencies

The Ikana Valley is one of the creepiest places in all of Majora's Mask (and that's saying a lot). The music is emotionally draining, undead shamble through deserted areas, and certain zones are filled to the brim with ghouls and ghosts. It's no surprise that this place would be home to a slew of malicious specters.

During Link's adventure, he will come across robed Ninjitsu-masters called Garo. The deadly foes struggled against the Ikana and were thought to have been wiped out during a battle. Their spirits remain and Link even fights the Garo Master as a Mini Boss for the Stone Tower Temple. If you defeat him, he will kneel to the ground, speak some wise words to you, and then use a bomb to commit suicide.

8 Eternally Young

The Skull Kid in Ocarina of Time plays an important part (for a heart piece and some Rupees), but the one from Majora's Mask really propelled these beings into the spotlight. The gaming community quickly fell in love with these quirky characters, spawning much fan art and some pretty stellar cosplay.

Coolness factor aside, the origins of a Skull Kid are pretty creepy and morbid. Skull Kid are said to be the product of children who find themselves stranded in the Lost Woods. It should come as no surprise, after all, the word "kid" is right in the name. Still, it's pretty terrible to think about all of the cold and lonely children who ventured into the Lost Woods and never came back. For a "kids" game, Ocarina of Time can be pretty dark.

7 A Bloody Scene

At its core, Ocarina of Time was supposed to be an adventure beloved by kids and adults alike. For the most part, it is. It features a cast of colorful characters, vibrant worlds, and a chipper soundtrack. The E rating keeps is clean and Nintendo did a good job censoring out all of the questionable content. At least, they thought they did.

The Bottom of the Well and the Shadow Temple offer a stark reminder that the Legend of Zelda franchise isn't always kid-friendly. These two zones are enough to spook a younger audience and even include some rather graphic imagery. In each area, you'll find a large X-shape, which looks a lot like a torture rack. Below these objects are pools of dried blood, suggesting something pretty gruesome happened there.

6 Something's Amiss In Kakariko Village

For those unfamiliar, the Bottom of the Well is located in the Kakariko Village. At first glance, this seems like a unique cover for one of the more interesting mini-dungeons in Ocarina of Time. A further look, however, suggests that Kakariko Village may have been used as a secret torture location for enemies of the Royal Family.

It's hard to classify this as a fact since it's purely speculation, but a lot of players feel like something suspicious is happening below the seemingly innocent town. It's also important to note that this location is home to the graveyard, which houses the gravestones for the Royal Family. The area beneath the well is filled with re-deads (zombies), disturbing imagery, and what look like torture devices. It's hard not to imagine that this location was used for some pretty horrible things.

5 Ganondorf's Morbid Demise

Everyone knows that Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time are filled to the brim with creepy secrets, but it's hard to imagine anything unsettling coming from The Wind Waker. This Gamecube release is often remarked as the "happiest" title in the franchise. The incredibly bright colors and cel-shaded art combine to create a game world that is exciting, adventurous, and vibrant. Regardless, there are still some unsettling moments to be found.

One of those moments happens during the final battle between Link and Ganondorf. The dark lord is a bit more acrobatic in this release. He'll make quick work of Link if you aren't focused on dodging his attacks. The creepy part of the battle comes on the last strike, when Link leaps into the air and forces his sword deep into Ganondorf's forehead. There's no blood, but it's still a rather morbid sight.

4 The Creepy Cabana

Another spooky Wind Waker plot twist takes place during a side quest. As you progress through Link's adventure, you'll come across a thankful woman who will reward you with the deed to her luxurious island cabana. After some sailing, you'll come across the small home, which is perched atop a gentle slope. Inside is a slide-tile puzzle that you can complete for Rupees, as well as some smashable pots.

This is where things get a bit creepy. The money isn't the only thing you'll find in this inconspicuous home. If you use the grappling hook on a perch near the ceiling, it will unlock a secret passage through the nearby fireplace. After tumbling down a dark pit, you'll find yourself surrounded by rats, traversing a stone-walled maze, and squeezing through claustrophobic crawlspaces. There are even some re-deads hanging about.

3 The Pain Of Transformation

It seems like every little detail in Majora's Mask has a dark meaning behind it. Those of you who braved the creepy adventure will most likely remember the horrible mask transformation cutscenes. Each time Link placed a mask onto his face, he would let out an agonizing scream. This led to a lot of speculation that the transformation was actually quite painful.

Thankfully, a Nintendo developer shed light on this mystery during a chat on the Miiverse. The truth isn't much better. According to @mnemosynekurai, whoever dons a mask will immediately feel the boundless sorrow of the creature it came from. The scream that Link expresses is due to the rush of emotions flooding over him. Imagine having to experience that each and every time.

2 The Creation Of The Twili

Twilight Princess is a rather dark adventure in its own right. It's not as unsettling as Majora's Mask, but it has its moments. Take, for example, Lanayru's vision. The spirit shows Link how the Triforce was formed, along with the land of Hyrule and the Sacred Realm. It all starts innocently enough, painting a rather beautiful visual of how the Legend of Zelda universe was created.

Things go south incredibly quickly. The next few scenes play out like a fever-induced nightmare. Characters turn benevolent, the music grows ominous, and everything is laced with feelings of dread and hopelessness. The Dark Interlopers are introduced, taking the form of Link (shadowed versions of him). Near the end of the vision, Link is seen standing with the group, a wicked smile on his face and his eyes replaced with stark white voids. This is easily one of the most disturbing scenes to ever feature in a Legend of Zelda title.

1 Identity Theft

Admit it, you had no doubt that something from Majora's Mask would feature at the end of this list. To be fair, a lot of the items from this list appeared in Majora's Mask. We couldn't help it, the game has so many creepy elements.

It's hard to realize what's happening as a kid, but the events that occur in the Great Bay really shook us up. When you're old enough to understand what's going on, you realize that Link is basically wearing someone else's face and assuming their identity. No, this isn't the normal instance in which you transform into a creature to simply gain its abilities. Link actually "takes over" for Mikau in some respects.

After watching the famed guitarist die, Link is awarded the Zora Mask. This turns him into a cookie cutter version of Mikau. You'll need to use the song to calm Lulu (Mikau's proposed lover) and you'll even see Link "standing in" for the guitarist during the Indigo-Go's carnival gig.