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Not to be confused with Mice.

Rats are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[1][name reference needed] They are shadow-dwelling creatures, preferring dank, maze-like sewers, holes in walls, and dark rooms.

Characteristics[]

A Link to the Past[]

In A Link to the Past, Rats can be found in the Castle Dungeon below Hyrule Castle while Link is escorting Princess Zelda to the Sanctuary. They can also be found in various locations around Hyrule.

The Wind Waker[]

Rat (Figurine from The Wind Waker)
TWW Rat Figurine Model
Rat
Habitat: Forsaken Fortress
Favorite Food: All-Purpose Bait

These creatures attack spontaneously and attempt to steal Rupees. The ones that carry bombs around are apparently known as Bombchus.
Tingle's Comment
Tingle says:

It's a Rat! Don't let it hit you or you will drop Rupees! Tingle loves Rupees!

In The Wind Waker, Rats can steal Rupees when attacking Link, dropping them upon their defeat. If Bomb Flowers are found in the same room, Rats will pick them up and toss them at Link. These Rats are known as Real Bombchu.[2] If Link throws All-Purpose Bait at their nests, they will sell different items to him, such as Arrows, Bombs, Blue Potion, Red Potion, All-Purpose Bait, and Hyoi Pear.[3]

Four Swords Adventures[]

Rats are found in various levels in Four Swords Adventures and can be easily defeated by the Links. They drop Force Gems upon their deaths. The Real Bombchu also appear.

Twilight Princess[]

In Twilight Princess, Rats can sometimes be found gnawing on Skulls. Another type of Rats, called Ghoul Rats, cling onto Link, preventing him from running and jumping off platforms. When they cling to Wolf Link, Midna will become uneasy, looking down nervously at the Ghoul Rats covering Link's body. Ghoul Rats can only be seen and destroyed when using Link's wolf senses. A Spin Attack can be used to remove all at once.

Phantom Hourglass[]

In Phantom Hourglass, Rats usually appear from small holes in walls. They generally act as simple obstacles and are easily defeated in one hit.

Spirit Tracks[]

In Spirit Tracks, Rats sometimes carry a Small Key, so Link must defeat them in order to obtain it. If one gets near a Phantom possessed by Princess Zelda, she will scream and cower, not being able to move again until Link defeats it. During the first phase of the fight with Malladus, Cole attacks Phantom Zelda with ghostly Rats that tend to attack her. If one of these Rats hits Princess Zelda, Cole will take control of her, forcing Princess Zelda to attack Link.

A Link Between Worlds[]

In A Link Between Worlds, Rats appear in the Secret Passage that Link uses to get inside the Sanctuary after Yuga locks the doors. Dark Rats, a stronger variation of Rat, also appear mostly in Lorule.

Tri Force Heroes[]

In Tri Force Heroes, there are two varieties of Rats; however, they have no difference except for their color. Regular grey Rats are generally found in The Ruins, attacking the Links normally. Blue Rats tend to appear in the Ice Cavern, and sometimes hide inside Snowballs.

Tears of the Kingdom[]

A Rat appears in the reveal trailer for Tears of the Kingdom where it was about to be consumed by Gloom. They do not appear in the final game, however.

Other Appearances[]

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland[]

In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Rats appear in different varieties.

FPTRR Shiyou Rat Sprite

Shiyou Rats are the weakest and most common variety, found in Hometown Prairie, Sunshine Seashore, and the Pirate Hideaway. They are not aggressive and tend to avoid Tingle if he goes near them. They are the weakest enemy in the game and regularly drop Bone. One of the Pirates owns a pet Rat called Ratty.

Big Green Rat

Chu Rats are larger, stronger versions of Shiyou Rats and also appear in Hometown Prairie and Sunshine Seashore. They are much more aggressive than the smaller variety and squeak and charge at Tingle when they see him.

FPTRR Rotten Rat Sprite

Rotten Rats are found only in the Pirate Hideaway. They are dark purple in color, aggressive, and much stronger than any other kind of Rat. They also only drop Rupees when defeated.

FPTRR Gold Rat Sprite

Gold Rats are rarely found at the Hometown Prairie in place of Shiyou Rats. As with all the rare gold enemies, they drop a large number of Rupees when defeated.

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseグーズ (Gūzu)[4]Gūzu
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

See Also[]

References

  1. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 200 (ALttP | TWW | TWWHD | FSA | TP | TPHD | PH | ST | ALBW | TFH)
  2. "These creatures attack spontaneously and attempt to steal Rupees. The ones that carry bombs around are apparently known as Bombchu." — Figurine (The Wind Waker)
  3. "If you spread bait near their nest, they may share their store of treasure with you." — King of Red Lions (The Wind Waker)
  4. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1, Shogakukan, pg. 124
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