Twinrova (Ocarina of Time)

While fighting Ocarina of Time’s Twinrova is pretty fun, the thing that sticks out most to me about this encounter is the absurdity and humor. Twinrova refers to a form taken after Kotake and Koume do the fusion dance and turn into a powerful witch who controls ice and fire. She represents the two’s contrasting magical abilities and personalities, and Link has to use his Mirror Shield to pit their fire and ice attacks against one another. The two seldom feel like they’re on the same page, and the whole thing feels like an allegory for their clearly fraught relationship. Once defeated, the two begin to bicker as halos appear over their heads and they ascend to whatever the Hyrule version of the afterlife is. Much of the latter half of Ocarina of Time is pretty grim, as Link has traveled into a future conquered by Ganondorf. Yet Twinrova offers not only a compelling fight, but a bit of levity in some of the game’s darkest moments. I love these two weirdos, and was glad to see them return as allies in Majora’s Mask. — Kenneth Shepard