He’s tall. He’s red. He has teeth that sparkle with the intensity of a thousand suns whenever he gives you that signature thumbs-up. If you’ve spent any time at all playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or its massive sequel Tears of the Kingdom, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Prince Sidon isn't just another NPC taking up space in Zora’s Domain; he’s basically the emotional anchor of the entire modern Zelda era.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a character capture the internet’s collective heart this fast. Usually, we're all arguing about weapon durability or whether the timeline actually makes any sense (spoiler: it doesn't). But Sidon? He’s different.
When we first met him on that bridge in Breath of the Wild, he wasn't just asking for help. He was recruiting a "formidable Hylian" with a level of charisma that felt almost aggressive. It was a refreshing change from the usual doom and gloom of a post-apocalyptic Hyrule. While everyone else was mourning the Champions, Sidon was out there being a literal ray of sunshine in a perpetual rainstorm.
The Evolution of Sidon Legend of Zelda Fans Adore
It’s easy to write him off as just a "hype man." You'd be wrong, though.
If you look at his arc across both games, Sidon is actually one of the most deeply developed characters Nintendo has ever put in a Zelda title. In Breath of the Wild, he’s living in the shadow of his sister, Mipha. That’s heavy stuff. Mipha was a prodigy, a Champion, and someone Link—and the entire Zora race—loved deeply. Sidon had to grow up in the wake of her tragic death, watching his father, King Dorephan, grieve for a century.
That "toxic positivity" people joke about? It’s not toxic at all. It’s a choice. He chooses to be the light because his kingdom has been underwater—literally and figuratively—for too long.
By the time Tears of the Kingdom rolls around, Sidon’s vibe has shifted. He’s older. He’s dealing with a sludge-covered domain and a fiancé named Yona. This was a controversial move for some fans who wanted Sidon to remain "available," but it added a layer of maturity. He’s no longer just the energetic prince; he’s a leader preparing to take the throne. Seeing him stand beside Link during the final battle against Ganondorf isn't just a gameplay mechanic. It feels like a genuine partnership.
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Why the "Sidon Smile" Works
Nintendo's designers are geniuses for that one specific animation. You know the one. The pose, the glint of light on the tooth, the "ting" sound effect.
It’s a classic anime trope, sure. But in the context of Sidon, it serves a mechanical purpose. Zelda games can be lonely. You’re often wandering through vast, empty ruins with nothing but a few Bokoblins for company. Sidon represents the living, breathing world worth saving. He’s the guy who thinks you can do anything, even when you’ve just accidentally blown yourself up with a bomb flower for the third time in ten minutes.
Breaking Down Sidon’s Combat Mechanics
Let's get technical for a second because people often underrate him as a companion. In Tears of the Kingdom, Sidon’s avatar offers a water-based shield.
Is it the best ability in the game?
Probably not. Tulin’s gust is better for exploration, and Riju’s lightning is better for raw damage. But Sidon’s power is incredibly niche and useful for specific builds.
- The Shield: It protects you from exactly one hit. This is huge if you're fighting a Lynel and mess up your parry timing.
- The Wet Status: This is the secret sauce. When you use Sidon’s ability, Link becomes "wet." This triggers the "Water Warrior" trait on Zora weapons, doubling their attack power. A Lightscale Trident suddenly becomes one of the most broken weapons in the game.
- The Wave Attack: After the shield is activated, your next swing sends out a horizontal wave of water. It’s decent for crowd control, though the aiming can be a bit wonky.
People often complain that the Sage avatars get in the way. And yeah, Sidon is a big guy. He’s huge. He’ll absolutely block your view when you’re trying to take a photo of a rare butterfly. But when you’re standing in the middle of a Boss Bokoblin camp, his aggressive AI is actually quite helpful. He’s a tank. He draws aggro better than most of the other Sages, allowing you to hang back and pick enemies off with your bow.
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Dealing with the Sludge
In the Zora's Domain main quest, the sludge is everywhere. It’s a metaphor, really. The Zora are creatures of purity and water, and this "Upland Zorana" filth is literally choking them.
The most striking moment in this questline isn't the boss fight with the Mucktorok (which is, admittedly, a bit of a silly fight). It’s seeing Sidon standing in the center of the domain, using his power to filter the water manually so his people can breathe. He’s exhausted. He’s straining. It shows a level of physical sacrifice we don't often see from the royal NPCs in these games.
The Cultural Impact of the Zora Prince
You cannot talk about Sidon legend of Zelda history without mentioning the fan community. He’s a meme. He’s a heartthrob. He’s a cosplay icon.
The "Sidon Simp" phenomenon is real, and Nintendo definitely leaned into it. They knew what they were doing when they made him seven feet tall and incredibly supportive. But beyond the thirst-posting, there’s a genuine appreciation for a male character who is allowed to be overtly emotional and kind. He doesn't have that "grumpy warrior" trope going on. He’s loud, he’s flamboyant, and he’s fiercely loyal.
There's also his relationship with Link. In a series where Link is often a silent observer, Sidon treats him like a brother. He’s one of the few characters who remembers Link from 100 years ago—well, his family does—and he treats the return of the Hylian Champion as a cause for celebration rather than a burden.
What Most Players Miss
Did you know Sidon has a hidden dialogue if you visit him at certain times of day? Or that his room in the palace has small details that hint at his anxiety about becoming King?
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Most players just sprint through the main quest, grab the Zora Armor, and leave. But if you hang around, you’ll see him interacting with the dragon-headed statues or staring out toward Mipha’s Court. It’s these quiet moments of reflection that make him feel like a person rather than a quest marker. He carries a lot of weight on those broad shoulders.
How to Maximize Sidon’s Effectiveness in Gameplay
If you want to actually use Sidon properly in Tears of the Kingdom, stop trying to use his shield for defense. Use it for offense.
Go to the Depths. Find a pristine Zora Spear from one of the ghost soldiers. Fuse it with a Silver Lynel Horn. Now, call Sidon. Use his ability. Your attack power will skyrocket into the triple digits. You can melt a Gleeok in seconds with this setup. It’s basically the "meta" for spear users.
Also, don't forget that his water wave can clean sludge. You don't always have to waste your precious Splash Fruit or Blue Chuchu Jelly. Just whistle for your big red buddy and let him do the heavy lifting. It saves resources and makes the Fire Temple much easier to navigate if you're dealing with lava or heat-related puzzles.
The Future of the Zora Throne
With the conclusion of the Tears of the Kingdom arc, Sidon has officially moved from Prince to King. It’s a bittersweet transition. It means he’s no longer the carefree adventurer we met at Inogo Bridge. He has responsibilities. He has a wife. He has a kingdom to rebuild after the Upheaval.
But the core of the character remains. Whether he’s a prince or a king, Sidon represents the best parts of the Zelda franchise: hope, persistence, and a really great smile.
If you’re heading back into Hyrule today, go visit him. Even if you’ve already finished the game. He’s usually hanging out near the throne or at the top of the domain. Just seeing that little sparkle on his tooth is enough to remind you why we play these games in the first place.
Practical Steps for Zelda Players:
- Upgrade your Zora Armor immediately: You need the full set (Helm, Chest, Greaves) to unlock the "Spin Attack Stamina Up" bonus. The Helm is hidden in a cave on Floating Scales Island; the Greaves are in the Ancient Zora Waterworks after you finish the main temple.
- Farm Zora Spears: Keep a stash of these in your inventory for boss fights. When combined with Sidon's "wet" status effect, they are statistically some of the highest-DPS weapons in the game.
- Look for the hidden journals: Read the tablets scattered around Zora's Domain. They provide a lot of context for Sidon's childhood and his relationship with his father that isn't explicitly told in cutscenes.
- Use the Sage of Water for Molduga fights: The water shield can actually protect you from the initial sand-breach attack if you time it correctly, giving you a window to throw a bomb.