Link runs across a mystery magician by the name of Vaati when they are both attending a festival together. Vaati is the one who turns Princess Zelda to stone. Because Link is unable to stop them, the king requests that he negotiate with a race of diminutive people known as the Minish. The monarch believes that the Minish may be able to assist them in their current plight. During his travels, Link becomes friends with a talking cap named Ezlo, who has the ability to make Link smaller so that he can converse with the Minish. Link must use his newly acquired skills to defend the realm from the threat posed by Vaati.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is an action adventure game that is played from the top down and relates the story of where the wicked Vaati from Four Swords came from. Players take on the role of Link as they explore and clear out a variety of dungeons in search of useful equipment to use in battle against dangerous foes and to overcome other challenges. Using items like the Mole Mitts, Link is able to dig into the soil, and the Gust Jar may be used to accelerate Link forward, as well as to draw in opponents and other things. In addition, with the assistance of Ezlo, the talking cap, Link is able to reduce his size to that of a Minish. The gaming element of shrinking is used by The Minish Cap to transform previously explored area into something novel and unique. When reduced to Minish size, puddles become enormous rivers, young chicks become enormous beasts, and routine opponents transform into dangerous bosses. In addition, Link has the ability to barter with other characters in the game for artifacts referred to as “Kinstones.” When two parts of the same Kinstone are linked together, new regions become accessible, treasure boxes emerge, and sometimes even helpful incentives are provided to Link.
