For every sequel in The Legend of Zelda series, a new wrinkle in the formula has been added on top of the basic combination of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving that has been the series trademark since the beginning. In A Link to the Past, it was switching between the light and dark worlds. Ocarina of Time added 3-D, Majora's Mask had time travel, and Wind Waker provided a new method of traversal. These new mechanics were central to each game's world, created new ways for players to interact with their surroundings, and complemented the basic Zelda gameplay.
Recently, I watched my brother play two Zelda titles for the first time, A Link Between Worlds and Twilight Princess. Based on my talks with him, A Link Between Worlds continues the tradition of Zelda sequels I outlined above. In the game, Link is given the ability to turn flat and slap himself onto his surroundings. This mechanic creates new ways to get around the world and allows for some ingenious puzzle design. I imagine the game probably gets more and more demanding in the way it expects you to utilize this ability.
Watching my brother play Twilight Princess (a game I played during its initial release), I realized that Link being able to transform into a wolf doesn't add much. The changes are minor at best: you can run faster, you can lock-on to multiple enemies, and you can uncover hidden objects. But all of those differences are either slight tweaks on Link's normal abilities or a part of inconsequential mini-games. Becoming a wolf doesn't significantly alter the core Zelda gameplay. The other major feature of the game, switching between light and dark worlds, is lifted directly from A Link to the Past without the neat twist that A Link Between Worlds puts on it.
This isn't good or bad, it's just random. If it's not going to bring anything new to the game, why have Link turn into a wolf? Just because it's cool? Was there a sudden increase in wolf popularity in 2006? Did a higher-up at Nintendo hand-down a mandate to the developers while under the influence?
I don't know the answers to any of those questions. So I'll pose the question I asked in the title of this piece to any Nintendo employees who, with 99.99999% certainty, will never come across this blog. Why a wolf?
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