The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most iconic and long-running video game franchises. Since the first game launched in 1986, the series has followed a courageous hero named Link on his quests to rescue Princess Zelda and stop the evil Ganon. With its challenging puzzles, memorable characters, and epic adventures, the series helped shape the action-adventure genre and remains a favorite among gamers worldwide.

The series was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, a legendary game designer at Nintendo. Miyamoto is also known for creating Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong, and he’s widely considered one of the most influential figures in the video game industry.

Link, the silent protagonist of the series, has gone through many changes over the years. While he’s always been the brave hero in green, different games have given him new tools, skills, and even the ability to take on different forms, like a wolf in Twilight Princess or a painting in A Link Between Worlds. Despite the changes, Link consistently represents courage and selflessness.

Princess Zelda has also grown from a background figure into a powerful character in her own right. Early games cast her as someone in need of rescue, but more recent titles have given her bigger roles. In some games, she’s a magic-wielding ally. In others, she’s a strategist or a fighter who stands beside Link in battle. Her development over time has added depth and personality to the stories.

Ganon, or Ganondorf, is the series’ central villain. He started as a monstrous, pig-like figure and later appeared in human form with dark magical powers. Often wielding the Triforce of Power, Ganon stands as the biggest threat to Hyrule, returning again and again in different forms. No matter how he appears, he is always the final challenge Link must face.

Choosing the best Zelda game is tough, since so many are considered masterpieces. Ocarina of Time, released in 1998, is frequently ranked among the greatest games ever made. Breath of the Wild, released in 2017, reinvented the series with its open-world gameplay and earned widespread critical acclaim. Both games are highly rated on Metacritic, with scores of 99 and 97, respectively. Which one is “best” often depends on what a player values most in a game.

Over nearly four decades, The Legend of Zelda has become a cultural landmark in gaming. It continues to influence game design, storytelling, and the way players connect with heroic adventures. Whether you’re discovering the series for the first time or replaying a classic, there’s always something magical waiting in Hyrule.

Hammer Horror

Throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, Hammer Film Productions helped define British horror with its iconic line of Hammer Horror films. Known for their gothic atmosphere, lavish sets, and bold use of blood and violence, these movies left a lasting mark on the genre. Titles like The Curse of Frankenstein, The Mummy, and Dracula became staples of horror cinema and played a key role in reviving Gothic horror for a new generation.

Two actors became especially synonymous with the Hammer brand: Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Lee, tall and imposing, brought a chilling presence to the screen as Count Dracula in Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, and Dracula Has Risen from the Grave. He also portrayed the Creature in The Curse of Frankenstein and the Mummy in The Mummy (1959), both of which showcased his physicality and intense screen presence. His frequent collaborations with Hammer helped shape the studio’s eerie and stylish legacy.

Peter Cushing, equally iconic, was often cast opposite Lee. He played the determined Dr. Van Helsing in the Draculafilms and delivered a memorable performance as Dr. Victor Frankenstein in The Curse of Frankenstein and its sequels. Cushing also starred in The Revenge of Frankenstein and other horror titles for the studio, where his precise, thoughtful performances added depth to the often shocking material. Like Lee, he played a major role in establishing Hammer’s signature style.

Hammer’s original run of horror films came to an end in 1976 with To the Devil a Daughter, starring Christopher Lee and a young Nastassja Kinski. Based on a novel by Dennis Wheatley, it was the studio’s final release before financial struggles forced it to close. Decades later, the company returned with new projects, including the 2010 thriller Let Me In, a remake of the Swedish film Let the Right One In.

Although Hammer and the Star Wars franchise are unrelated, both Lee and Cushing appeared in the galaxy far, far away. Cushing played Grand Moff Tarkin in the original 1977 film, and Lee portrayed Count Dooku in the prequel trilogy. Their roles in both horror and science fiction demonstrate the lasting influence of their careers and the wide reach of their performances.