Midna is weird. She’s snarky, vaguely terrifying in her imp form, and she spends the first half of the game treating Link like a sentient lawnmower. But when The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD hit the Wii U, it didn't just sharpen the textures; it reminded everyone why this specific character remains the undisputed peak of Nintendo’s companion design. Most sidekicks in games are just walking tutorials. They beep at you when your health is low or point out the obvious "puzzle" solution you already figured out ten minutes ago. Midna is different. She has a soul, a massive chip on her shoulder, and a character arc that actually makes you feel something by the time the credits roll.
She isn't just a guide. She's the heart of the game's identity.
What makes Twilight Princess HD Midna so different?
When you first meet Midna in the cells of Hyrule Castle, she’s a jerk. There’s no other way to put it. She mocks Link's wolf form, rides him like a horse, and makes it incredibly clear that she’s only helping him to get what she wants. This is a brilliant narrative move by Nintendo. In most Zelda games, the companion is a loyal servant or a literal fairy assigned to help you because you're the chosen one. Midna? She’s an exiled princess with a grudge.
The HD version of the game highlights this personality through refined animations. In the original Wii and GameCube versions, her expressions were sometimes lost in the low-resolution fuzz. In Twilight Princess HD, you can see the subtle sneers, the shifts in her eyes, and the genuine exhaustion that sets in as the stakes get higher. The lighting engine on the Wii U—and subsequently through emulation or modern play—really makes those glowing orange patterns on her body pop. It gives her an ethereal, dangerous quality that Navi or Fi never had.
Honestly, the "imp" look is iconic. That stone mask—the Fused Shadow—is creepy. It’s supposed to be. It represents the dark, forgotten power of the Twili, and seeing it in high definition makes you realize how much detail the designers crammed into her silhouette. She’s tiny, but she dominates every scene she’s in.
The gameplay shift in the HD version
It wasn't just a visual upgrade. Twilight Princess HD introduced several quality-of-life changes that directly affected how you interact with Midna. The most notable is the GamePad integration. Being able to toggle your map and inventory without pausing makes the flow of the game feel much more modern. But more importantly, the "Wolf Link" sections—where Midna is most active—felt a bit snappier.
🔗 Read more: Why Miranda the Blighted Bloom Is the Weirdest Boss You Missed
The Poe Soul quest was also tweaked. In the original, hunting down 60 Poes was a nightmare that felt like a chore. The HD version introduced the Ghost Lantern, which glows when a Poe is nearby. This might seem like a small thing, but it changes the pacing of the mid-game. It allows you to spend more time exploring the world with Midna rather than just wandering aimlessly through the fields.
Then there’s the Hero Mode. If you thought the game was too easy, Hero Mode flips the world (literally, mirroring the map like the Wii version) and doubles the damage you take. Playing through these tougher sections makes you rely on Midna’s combat abilities—like her dark energy field—much more strategically. She isn't just a decorative element on your back; she’s your primary weapon when you're in wolf form.
The emotional weight of the "Midna’s Lament" sequence
You can't talk about Midna without talking about that one scene. You know the one. Link is carrying a dying Midna through the rain, heading toward Zelda. The music—"Midna's Lament"—is a haunting piano track that stays with you for years. In the HD version, the atmosphere of this sequence is peaked. The rain effects on the Wii U were significantly improved over the 2006 hardware, creating a somber, oppressive environment that perfectly mirrors the desperation of the moment.
It’s the turning point for her character. Up until this point, she’s been selfish. But after Zelda makes a massive sacrifice to save her, Midna changes. She starts caring about the Light World, not just her own realm. This kind of nuanced writing is rare for a Zelda game of that era. She isn't just a "good guy" now; she’s a leader who has regained her sense of responsibility.
Critics at the time of the HD release, like those at IGN and GameSpot, often pointed out that while the textures in the world were a bit hit-or-miss (some rocks looked like blurry blocks), the character models were top-tier. Midna, in particular, benefited from this. Her "True Form" at the end of the game is stunning in 1080p. The contrast between her impish, bratty persona and the regal, melancholic beauty of her true self is one of the best visual payoffs in the entire franchise.
💡 You might also like: Why Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is the Best Game You Probably Skipped
Why fans still prefer her over newer companions
Since Twilight Princess, we've had Fi in Skyward Sword and the various Champions in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. While those characters are great, they don't have the same presence. Fi was criticized for being too robotic—literally. She gave you percentages and data. The Champions are ghosts who appear in cutscenes, but they don't journey with you.
Midna is with you for 40 to 60 hours. She comments on the dungeons. She reacts to the bosses. She feels like a partner. People still clamor for her to return in a sequel or a "Warriors" style spin-off because the bond formed between Link and Midna feels earned. It’s a relationship built on mutual necessity that grows into genuine friendship.
There’s also the mystery of the Twilight Realm itself. The HD version does a better job of making the "twilight" look like a shimmering, digital-esque corruption rather than just a yellow fog. This helps ground Midna’s origins. She comes from a place that looks fundamentally different from Hyrule, and the HD visuals help emphasize that "alien" quality.
The technical reality of the HD port
Let’s be real for a second: Twilight Princess HD wasn't a ground-up remake like Shadow of the Colossus. It was a remaster handled by Tantalus Media. Some fans were disappointed that it didn't look like the 2011 Wii U tech demo. However, what it did do was stabilize the framerate and clean up the UI.
If you're playing it today, the best way to experience it is still on the original hardware (or via the Steam Deck if you're into that sort of thing). The textures on Midna’s cloak and the intricate carvings on her helmet are significantly sharper. You can actually see the "Twili" language etched into the stone. These details were almost invisible on a CRT TV in 2006.
📖 Related: Why Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch Still Beats Every Other Platformer
The game also added Amiibo support. Tapping the Wolf Link Amiibo unlocks the "Cave of Shadows," a combat-heavy gauntlet. It’s basically a survival mode that tests how well you can use Wolf Link’s moveset. Completing it gives you a bigger wallet, but the real draw is the extra gameplay time you get to spend with Midna in a focused, high-stakes environment.
Misconceptions about Midna’s role
A lot of people think Midna is just "the helper." That’s wrong. Narratively, Twilight Princess is Midna’s story; Link just happens to be the muscle. She’s the one with the character arc, the personal stakes with the villain (Zant), and the ultimate resolution. Link is the silent protagonist who enables her growth.
Another misconception is that the HD version is the "definitive" way to play because of the graphics. While the graphics are better, the real "definitive" part is the removal of the redundant chest animations. In the original, every time you reloaded a save and found a blue rupee, the game would act like it was the first time you’d ever seen one. The HD version fixed this. It sounds like a small thing, but it makes the late-game exploration much less frustrating.
Actionable steps for your next playthrough
If you're jumping back into Twilight Princess HD specifically to appreciate Midna’s character, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Pay attention to her idle animations. If you leave the controller alone while in wolf form, Midna will interact with Link. These small touches show the evolving relationship between the two.
- Don't skip the dialogue. It’s tempting to mash through text, but Midna’s lines are filled with foreshadowing about the Twili and her relationship with Zant.
- Check the GamePad often. The HD version puts a lot of lore and map detail on the second screen. It helps keep the main TV screen clean and immersive.
- Play the Cave of Shadows early. Don't wait until the end of the game. Engaging with this challenge as you progress makes the bond between the characters feel more "earned" through struggle.
- Look for the small environmental details in the Twilight Realm. The HD textures reveal a lot about how the Twili lived before Zant took over.
Midna remains a masterclass in how to write a companion that the player actually cares about. She isn't perfect, she isn't always nice, and she doesn't always have the answers. That’s exactly why she’s the best. When she finally breaks the Mirror of Twilight at the end of the game, it’s a punch to the gut because you’ve spent dozens of hours with a character who felt real. The HD version didn't change the story, but it gave us a clearer window into the soul of a character who redefined what a Zelda game could be.