ATB’s Top 25 Zelda Items: (18) Hammer/Magic Hammer

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No more games, no more pretense — this is our list of the top 25 Zelda items of all-time. Whether they were weapons or shields or utility items, these are the panel’s selections for the coolest or most useful inventory slots in the series. We’ll be counting down one by one until we reach the #1 pick on Jan. 31.

18) Hammer/Magic Hammer – 4 votes, 117 points

Chris: The early days of the hammer led to some interesting (and strange) utility. It could smash boulders and cut down trees in the NES original, for example, even though using a hammer on a tree makes zero sense. The SNES’s Magic Hammer — known as MC Hammer in Japan, no joke — could be used for a Magic Jar in a pinch, but mostly functioned like its later versions in the Megaton and Skull Hammers.

The big difference-maker was Phantom Hourglass. The hammer in that game does some of its usual tricks, like pounding on foolish enemies. That’s no surprise. But it got much more flexibility with its ability to be used with the stylus, and was able to crunch those pesky Stalfos like it was nothing. Couple that with its use on springboards, launching Link to new heights (which was brought back in Link Between Worlds as well) and you have a versatile killing machine that fits perfectly within the confines of the series.

Shaun: MC Hammer, huh? I actually would have preferred that, especially if every time you used it the musical cue played and your enemies were forced to don gold pants. As it is, we got an okay hammer with varying utility, depending on the game. Certainly deserves a spot on our list, though 18 might be a little too high.

Joseph: The Magical Hammer/Ice Rod combination gave you some magic in a dire situation, but the puzzles requiring their use basically consisted of hitting a post into the ground or other farming activities. The Hammer only truly shined in Four Swords Adventures, where you could use it to dispense indiscriminate justice on your allies/enemies.

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(19) Bracelets/Gauntlets/etc.

(20) Din’s Fire

(21) Iron Boots

(22) Zora Tunic

(23) Silver Arrows

(24) Four Sword

(25) Magic Cape

#50-26

#75-51

Honorable Mention

Introduction

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Pokemon

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Female VG Characters

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