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Tingle is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series.[3][4] He is known for his flamboyant behavior, catchphrase, and outfit: red briefs worn over a green full-body jumpsuit with a pointy head and ears. He is often seen floating in the air, attached to a red balloon.

Tingle first appeared as a Map merchant in Majora's Mask. He has a significant role in The Wind Waker, and has minor roles in Oracle of Ages, Four Swords Adventures, and The Minish Cap. References have been made to his character in nearly every major title since then. Three spin-off games and a DSiWare app centered on Tingle were released from 2006 to 2009.

Biography[]

'Majora's Mask'[]

MM Tingle Ground Model

In Majora's Mask, Tingle is the son of the Swamp Tourist Center Guide.[5] He is 35 years old and claims to be the reincarnation of a Fairy.[6] He is looking for a fairy of his own and is eager to be friends with Link on account of Tatl. Tingle's father is exasperated by his son's immaturity and still refers to Tingle as a child despite his age.

Tingle floats up in the air on a Balloon. He uses his vantage point to plot maps of Termina, which he sells to help his father.[7] He sells them to Link "for cheap" as a sign of friendship.[8]

Tingle can be found in each region of Termina:

In each region, Tingle sells two maps: the map of that region and the map of the next region in Link's quest. Tingle sells the maps for other regions at a premium of 40 Rupees. It is cheaper for Link to buy the map of a region in the region itself—5 Rupees for the map of Clock Town, 20 for the others.

Wares and Pricing[]

Location Map Price
North Clock Town Clock Town 5 Rupees
Woodfall 40 Rupees
Road to Southern Swamp Woodfall 20 Rupees
Snowhead 40 Rupees
Road to Goron Village Snowhead 20 Rupees
Romani Ranch 40 Rupees
Milk Road Romani Ranch 20 Rupees
Great Bay 40 Rupees
Great Bay Coast Great Bay 20 Rupees
Stone Tower 40 Rupees
Ikana Canyon Stone Tower 20 Rupees
Clock Town 40 Rupees

Link can submit a pictograph of Tingle to win the Swamp Pictograph Contest managed by Tingle's father.

Tingle is able to identify Link in his alternate forms because he recognizes Tatl floating by Link's side.[9] Tingle is the subject of four questions in Keaton's Quiz.[10][11][12][13]

'Oracle of Ages'[]

OoA Tingle Sprite

In Oracle of Ages, Tingle can be found floating on top of a stump in the Forest of Time. To reach Tingle, Link needs Ricky's assistance the first time, as his path is blocked by holes and cliffs. There is an alternate route through a cave to Tingle that does not require Ricky, but in order to extend the bridge across the gap, Link needs the Seed Shooter to hit a Crystal Switch around a corner. Tingle gives Link the Island Chart that he uses while crossing the sea to reach Crescent Island. If Link returns later, Tingle will also give Link an upgraded Seed Satchel.

'The Wind Waker'[]

In The Wind Waker, the people of Windfall Island had put Tingle in jail for stealing a Picto Box.[14] Once Link frees him, Tingle gives him the Tingle Tuner in return so Link can ask him for help at any time. Afterwards, Link can find Tingle on Tingle Island, where he also meets Tingle's younger brother Ankle and his friend David Jr. Link can also meet Knuckle, Tingle's other brother, on Outset Island. Tingle can translate Triforce Charts for Link so he can find the Triforce Shards at a price of 398 Rupees each.

By using the Tingle Tuner, Link can interact with Tingle. The young hero can buy items from him, find hidden Tingle Statues in dungeons, and fulfill sidequests on Windfall and Outset Islands. In the Tower of the Gods, five legendary pages can be found, which tell the history of Tingle from Majora's Mask. In The Wind Waker HD, Tingle's Tuner is replaced by the Tingle Bottle, thereby removing various interactions with Tingle.

Tingle (Figurine from The Wind Waker)
TWW Tingle Figurine Model
Tingle
Birthplace: Unknown
Favorite Things: Fairies, deciphering maps

It's been several years since Tingle first became enchanted with deciphering maps in the hopes it would help him find fairies, and he's lost many things during that time.

He's raising funds to begin his search for fairies, hoping to embark sometime in his thirties, while the lust of life is still upon him. At the age of 35, the pressure's on!

'Four Swords Adventures'[]

FSA Tingle Balloon

In Four Swords Adventures, Tingle collects Force Gems. Throughout the game, anytime Link finds a big Force Gem outside of dungeons, Tingle will also try to get it. If Link picks up the Force Gem first, he will retreat. Link can also shoot an Arrow at Tingle to slow him down. Tingle also tries to pick up the huge Force Gems, but his balloon can not carry them.

Tingle posts signs throughout the stages called the Tingle Times, which tell a story of an experience Tingle had in the area, offering insight to his childish nature. Tingle also runs the Tingle's Tower, a multiplayer minigame gallery that can be accessed by progressing through the Hyrulean Adventure mode.

'The Minish Cap'[]

Tingle appears in The Minish Cap, found on a ledge east of Link's House after Link initially fails to cross Castor Wilds. When spoken to, Tingle mistakes Link for a Fairy and promptly requests that they Fuse Kinstone Pieces.[15] Tingle will also tell Link that he gave Kinstone Pieces to his Siblings?, and promises that if Link Fuses Kinstone Pieces with each of them, he will receive something beneficial.[16] Tingle hopes to become a Fairy by Fusing Kinstone Pieces.[17]

When Link successfully Fuses Kinstone Pieces with Tingle,[18] one of the Trees in North Hyrule Field will open, revealing a Switch connected to a Torchlight and a Chest containing a red Kinstone Piece. If Link Fuses Kinstone Pieces with all four of the Tingle Siblings?, the final Switch will cause a Ladder to descend, allowing Link to open a Chest containing the Magical Boomerang.

After Link Fuses Kinstone Pieces with all of the Tingle Siblings?, Tingle will offer to Fuse Kinstone Pieces with Link again,[19] causing a Golden Tektite to appear on Mount Crenel.

When spoken to after the first successful Fusion, Tingle and his brothers will tell Link how many Kinstone Fusions he has left to complete.[20] When Link has Fused all 100 Kinstone Pieces, Tingle will give him the Tingle Trophy, which replaces the Kinstone Bag in the Items Screen.

'Phantom Hourglass'[]

Tingle's likeness appears on a wanted poster in Mercay Tavern.

'Spirit Tracks'[]

A figurine of Tingle can be found in several houses and shops in Spirit Tracks, namely the Trading Post, where it can be seen in the credits. The Trading Post also has a golden version of the figurine on a higher shelf.

Ferrus has a poster of Tingle in his house.

'Skyward Sword'[]

Zelda keeps a Tingle plush on her desk at the Knight Academy in Skyward Sword.

Other appearances[]

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland[]

TRR Tingle 2

In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle is promised a life in a paradise, Rupeeland, by a creature named Uncle Rupee. The only thing he would have to do is collect as many Rupees as possible and throw them into the tower located under the Western Pool. Tingle accepts and then is changed into a Tingle. Under this curse, his money became his life, so if he runs out of Rupees, he will die. Uncle Rupee also provides him with an assistant, Pinkle, who fulfill the role of Tingle's sidekick and suggested love interest. Tingle travels to many islands and fulfills many tasks to get the money to get to Rupeeland. It is then revealed to him by the Grand Fairy that Rupeeland is a paradise for only Uncle Rupee, the demon whose power depends on Rupees. If Tingle were to proceed, everyone would be turned into a Tingle, forced to work for Uncle Rupee until the end of time. Tingle manages to free Pinkle, and with her help, confront Uncle Rupee. Using the Rupees he has collected, Tingle manages to defeat him, and is freed of the Tingle curse. When the Grand Fairy asks him what he was going to do with all the money left, Tingle replies that he was going to use it to lead the life that was initially promised to him.

Tingle's Balloon Fight DS[]

TBFCA1

Tingle's Balloon Fight DS concept art

Tingle's Balloon Fight DS was a special promotional game released only in Japan. It was mostly just an updated version of Balloon Fight with a Tingle theme. Along with music from Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, one of the new additions to the game is a special Tingle artwork gallery, where 20 pieces of art can be unlocked.

Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love[]

Tingle 2 TLBT

In Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love, Tingle is seen as an ordinary man at the beginning. He orders a book from a television sales program, which is said to make its readers popular among women. However, he gets sucked into a picture book world when he opens it and becomes Tingle. The only way to exit the world is to dance with the princess. On his way to find her, Tingle teams up with his new friends Kakashi, Buriki, and Lion. Tingle must advances from page to page with his three friends, following the yellow-brick road.

Unreleased Vanpool game[]

In 2010, Vanpool began development of a horror game for the Nintendo DS. The project was eventually[when?] canceled.[21]

Super Smash Bros. Melee[]

Tingle makes a cameo appearance in the Great Bay Stage from Super Smash Bros. Melee. His balloon can be used as a small platform until popped. Upon landing, he will do his dance and eventually blow up a new balloon. He also appears as a Trophy.

# Trophy First Game / Move Description How to unlock
170 SSBM Tingle Trophy Model
Tingle
Majora's Mask
10/00
Tingle is a mysterious middle-aged man who thinks he's "the very reincarnation of a fairy." His bizarre behavior and unique speech are just little pieces of his vibrant personality. Tingle travels by way of a small hot-air balloon, making maps of the lands below him. Pop his balloon, and Tingle will fall to earth to sell his maps. Random

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Tingle appears in his The Wind Waker appearance as an Assist Trophy. When summoned, a random effect occurs. These include:

  • Releasing Hammers and Golden Hammers.
  • Making the stage gravity lighter by releasing balloons.
  • Making the ground slippery by throwing banana peels.
  • Releasing flowers causing the camera to zoom in on the player who summoned him.
  • Giving everyone Curry status.

Since he usually just sells maps in the Zelda games, these effects have no connection to Tingle other than his strange personality.

Tingle also appears as a Trophy and two Stickers.

# Trophy Significant Games Description How to unlock
193 SSBB Tingle Trophy Model
Tingle
Majora's Mask

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
A strange little man easily spotted by his trademark green bodysuit, bright nose, and pointy beard. Tingle has frequently appeared around Hyrule and always lets those he meets know that he's a fairy and selling homemade maps. In a recent adventure, Tingle escapes a sad and dreary life to embark on a magical adventure in the delightful, dreamlike paradise of Rupeeland. Random
Sticker Artwork from Effect in The Subspace Emissary Usable by
SSBB Tingle Sticker Icon
Tingle
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland [Arm] - Attack +12 This sticker is only usable by Link, Zelda, Ganondorf and Toon Link
SSBB Tingle Sticker Icon 2
Tingle
The Wind Waker [Flame] - Resistance +24 This sticker is only usable by Link, Zelda, Ganondorf and Toon Link

'Hyrule Warriors'[]

HW Tingle Artwork


In Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors Legends, Tingle appears as a playable Warrior. In Hyrule Warriors, he is available in the Majora's Mask DLC Pack. He uses the Balloon as his class of Weapon, with which he can use to bounce off of, float into the air, and even blow up into gigantic size to pop and damage nearby enemies. It can also fling Tingle into the air by tapping the dodge button after being blown with the Strong Attack button, allowing him to evade attacks or continue hitting foes.[22] Tingle also uses a Wallet, Map, and Bombs to attack.

In Hyrule Warriors, Tingle does not drop any unique Materials when defeated. In Hyrule Warriors Legends, he may either drop his Map as a silver Material or his Watch as a gold Material.

Koei Tecmo wanted to add Tingle to the initial release, but the idea was rejected by Eiji Aonuma.[23]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[]

Tingle once again appears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. He also appears as a Trophy in both versions.

# Trophy Appears in Description How to unlock
3DS Logo WiiU
201
203
SSBfN3DS Tingle Trophy Model SSBfWU Tingle Trophy Model Majora's Mask Never seen without his green bodysuit, it's a wonder this strange little man is single at 35, isn't it? In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, he was locked up for causing trouble. In Smash Bros., he'll appear on the scene, shout "Kooloo-Limpah!" and unleash all sorts of madness. Random
Tingle

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

Tingle — Spirit Battle Information

SSBU Tingle Spirit Icon
Tingle
SSBU Support Spirit Icon Support Spirit
No. 211
Team Power SSBU Grab Type Icon Grab | 9000 Rank ★★★ ACE Fighter(s)
Stage Great Bay Theme "Termina Field" SSBU Villager Stock Icon 5 Villager
SSBU Young Link Stock Icon 2 Young Link
SSBU Villager Stock Icon 7 Villager
SSBU Villager Stock Icon 3 Villager
Rule(s) Uncontrollable Speed
Slippery Stage
Hazard(s)
Condition(s)
 · Defeat the main fighter to win
 · All fighters move faster and can't stop quickly after a little while
 · The enemy loves to taunt

Tingle — Spirit Information

SSBU Tingle Spirit Icon

Tingle
No. 211
Rank ★★★ ACE Cost
Skill
Slumber Immunity
Grants immunity to slumber floors and sleeping in general.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Tingle appears as a Spirit with the ability, Slumber Immunity, which makes a Fighter immune to sleeping. Tingle also appears on the Great Bay Stage reprising the same role from Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Kooloo-Limpah[]

TMC Tingle Sprite 2

Kooloo-Limpah are Tingle's "magic" words he created.[24] Kooloo-Limpah is a romanization of "kururinpa," the sound that Japanese people make when doing the "Cuckoo sign," a circling motion of the index finger at the ear or side of the head that signifies that a person is crazy.

The effects of Kooloo-Limpah in The Wind Waker are always random, including a Ting or a Link homing Tingle Bomb.

Name origin[]

ALttP Book of Mudora Artwork 2
This article or section does not sufficiently cite its sources.

Please help improve this article by introducing appropriate citations.

Main article: Tingles

In Tingle's first starring game, Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, it is explained that Tingle is not a person, but a state of being; a curse that can befall every living being.[25] Tingle in Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland is not called "Tingle" but instead has a real name chosen by the player. The curse is the work of Uncle Rupee, who tricks others into becoming his servants by offering access to the supposed paradise Rupeeland. Upon accepting the offer, Tingle is changed into a Tingle, automatically gaining the green outfit and becoming dependent on Rupees.

Tingle's obsession with Fairies is also explained, as Tingle seems to get romantically involved with a Fairy princess named Pinkle. While Uncle Rupee is the manifestation of evil Rupee power (greed/egoism), Fairies are his arch-enemies; the manifestation of good Rupee power (charity/altruism). As such, a Tingle that chooses to fight Uncle Rupee will find himself aided by the Fairies. This seems to suggest that Tingle might be similar to Link, in that Tingle (the person) is destined to become the hero needed to defeat evil.

Reception[]

Tingle is one of the series' most controversial characters. In 2004, IGN staff launched a "Die Tingle, Die!" campaign, expressing the editors' wish not to see the character in another Zelda game. The campaign cites Tingle's role in the "tedious fetch quests" of The Wind Waker.

Given that three Nintendo DS games were released in Japan featuring Tingle as the protagonist—as well as a DSiWare app—it seems Tingle's unpopularity stems mainly from the West.

Trivia[]

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageName
CanadaFrenchCATingle (HWDE)
FranceFrenchEUTingle (MM3D | TWWHD | HWDE)[29][30]
GermanyGermanTingle (TMC)[31]
de-niwa:TingleTingle (HWDE)[32]
ItalyItalianTingle (TMC | HWDE)[33]
SpainSpanishEUTingle (TMC | HWDE)[34]
Latin AmericaSpanishLATingle (HWDE)
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

See Also[]

References

  1. "But I AM a little concerned about the guy in green tights on the hill there..." — Swordsman Newsletter #5 (The Minish Cap)
  2. "It's been several years since Tingle first became enchanted with deciphering maps in the hopes it would help him find fairies, and he's lost many things during that time." — Figurine (The Wind Waker)
  3. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 244,(MM) 254,(OoA) 259(TWW) & 270(TMC)
  4. Art & Artifacts, Dark Horse Books, pg. 255(FSA)
  5. "Blimey! Where is he? That spoiled child is off playin' hooky again! A child his age has no business searching for fairies...!" — Swamp Tourist Center Guide (Majora's Mask)
  6. "Alas, though I am already age 35, no fairy has come to me yet... My father tells me to grow up and act my age, but why? I tell you...Tingle is the very reincarnation of a fairy!" — Tingle (Majora's Mask)
  7. "Now while I stand here waiting for a fairy of my own, I sell maps to help out my father." — Tingle (Majora's Mask)
  8. "Lucky! Lucky! You're so lucky to have a fairy! I know! I know! We should be friends! Yes! Yes! In exchange, I will sell you a map for cheap as a sign of my friendship." — Tingle (Majora's Mask)
  9. "Huh?... A white fairy? The way you look? Ohh... Magic, isn't it, sir?" — Tingle (Majora's Mask)
  10. "Answer me this... Pick one of the three choices... How old is Tingle, the map salesman?: 15, 25, 35" — Keaton (Majora's Mask)
  11. "Answer me this... Pick one of the three choices... What are the magic words that Tingle created? Tingle, Tingle...what?: Abracadabra!, Kookoo-Tingle-Rama!, Kooloo-Limpah!" — Keaton (Majora's Mask)
  12. "Answer me this... Pick one of the three choices... Is Tingle the mapmaker left-handed or right-handed?: Left-handed, Right-handed, Ambidextrous" — Keaton (Majora's Mask)
  13. "Answer me this... Pick one of the three choices... What color of trunks does Tingle the mapmaker wear?: Yellow, He doesn't wear any, Red" — Keaton (Majora's Mask)
  14. "Tingle is my name! I have been looking for you and your kind, for I, too, long to be one of the fairy folk! And yet, I was mistaken for some kind of troublemaker and put into this dreadful sort of place! How disrespectful! Please, Mr. Fairy... Rescue poor Tingle from this place and take him to where you and your kind live in splendor!" — Tingle (The Wind Waker)
  15. "That green cap and green clothes... Are you...perhaps...a fairy?! Woohaaa!♪ I knew it! I knew it! Tingle wants to be a fairy, too!♪ Actually, Tingle has some Kinstones, you know!" — Tingle (The Minish Cap)
  16. "And I have given Kinstones to my brothers, too. If you can fuse Kinstones with me and each of my brothers, well... I don't want to give it away, but you'll get something very, very, VERY good! Good luck, Mr. Fairy!" — Tingle (The Minish Cap)
  17. "They fit perfectly! At last, Tingle can finally turn into a fairy, too!" — Tingle (The Minish Cap)
  18. "You want to fuse Kinstones? Oh, Tingle is so happy!" — Tingle (The Minish Cap)
  19. "Hey! Mr. Fairy! You've got some nice pieces there! Would you be surprised to know Tingle has a new piece, too? Let's fuse them!" — Tingle (The Minish Cap)
  20. "Oh, no, no, no! Why, you still have XX Kinstones left to fuse! Why, you've only just begun! The road is long, Mr. Fairy!" — Tingle (The Minish Cap)
  21. "Looking back eight years ago, we were developing a horror game with Vanpool that starred Tingle as the main character, but that project was canceled due to a variety of reasons." —Kensuke Tanabe (The Makers Of Nintendo's Latest Hidden Gem Worry People Missed It)
  22. "Use a Strong Attack to trigger the quick escape function, allowing you to dodge attacks or dish out further Regular or Combo Attacks." — N/A (Hyrule Warriors)
  23. "Actually, Tingle was a character we kind of considered and sort of went back and forth on. We really wanted to include him but Mr. Aonuma suggested that it might be good to include some other character." — Sickr, Aonuma Told The Hyrule Warriors Team Not To Add Tingle, My Nintendo News, published January 5, 2015.
  24. "Tingle, Tingle! Kooloo-Limpah! ...These are the magic words that Tingle created himself. Don't steal them!" — Tingle (Majora's Mask)
  25. "In Rupeeland, everyone will be made into a tingle!" — Grand Fairy (Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland)
  26. "The main purpose of the cobra mask on his back is to intimidate enemies." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 153)
  27. "チンクルはほかのソフトでも活躍(注11)してることもあって、チンクルとは名乗っていないんですけど…。でも、あのスタアマンは「チンクルをリアルにしたらどうなるんだろう?」ってことで、開発当初に中野(祐輔さん=メインキャラクターデザイナー)がラフで描きおこしたものがベースになってるんです。" —Eiji Aonuma (Eiji Aonuma interview)
  28. "Purlo runs the STAR Game in Hyrule Castle Town. He was actually designed to be a more realistic version of Tingle." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 187)
  29. Encyclopedia, Les Éditions Soleil, pg. 244
  30. Encyclopedia (Les Éditions Soleil) pg. 259
  31. Encyclopedia (TOKYOPOP) pg. 270
  32. "Tingle" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
  33. Encyclopedia (Magazzini Salani) pg. 270
  34. Encyclopedia (Norma Editorial) pg. 270
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