This Forgotten Legend of Zelda Game Still Hasn’t Been Played Millions of People

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The Legend of Zelda is a hugely popular Nintendo franchise, and for good reason. Starting with the original game in 1986, there have been 21 main Zelda titles, plus numerous spin-offs and updated versions that have enriched the world of Hyrule. Link is also a familiar face in the Super Smash Bros. series. However, despite the franchise’s widespread success, there’s one Zelda game that remains incredibly rare and hasn’t been widely experienced.

The game, *Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland*, was a spin-off based on a supporting character from *The Legend of Zelda* series. It came out in 2006 for the Nintendo DS and stars Tingle, who first appeared in *Majora’s Mask* on the N64. Despite being part of such a popular franchise, *Rosy Rupeeland* was only released in Japan and Europe. Because of this, many *Legend of Zelda* fans still don’t know the game exists, even two decades later.

What is Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland About?

If you haven’t played this *Legend of Zelda* spin-off, don’t worry – it wasn’t released in North America. It was only available in Japan and Europe for the Nintendo DS. Curious about what it’s all about? Let me explain!

Tingle is a quirky character who first appeared in *Majora’s Mask* as a map salesman with a unique dream: to become a fairy. He’s known for his green outfit and helps Link by selling maps. He became so popular in Japan that he eventually starred in his own game, *Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland*, which tells his origin story.

This game shows players how Tingle became the character fans know from *The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask* and later games. A man named Uncle Rupee challenges Tingle to collect Rupees at all costs, which leads to the game’s central gameplay loop: gathering Rupees to construct a large tower near Tingle’s home.

Fans of *The Legend of Zelda* will find familiar dungeon exploration and puzzles in *Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland*, along with a trading system themed around Rupees. The game even has multiple endings based on your progress. Overall, it seems like a fun spin-off that maintains key elements of the series while telling a story from a different character’s perspective. Despite all this, it remains a relatively obscure title, with few fans having ever played it.

Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland Was a Commercial Success in Japan, But Never Branched Out Beyond 2 Regions

The Nintendo DS game based on the ‘Tingle’ series surprisingly did well in Japan, with good sales and generally positive reviews. Players especially liked its quirky concept and humor, though they felt the dungeons and combat weren’t as strong as the main series games. While it was released in Europe, it never came to North or South America, or any other region beyond Japan and Europe. Several factors contributed to its limited release.

The game wasn’t released in the United States for two primary reasons. The character Tingle isn’t popular with Western audiences; players often found his tasks repetitive and his personality a bit strange. He’s a beloved figure in Japan, so the game did well there. However, because Western fans didn’t like him in other games, Nintendo likely worried few people in the U.S. would be interested in buying this one.

Nintendo actually asked American fans if they wanted to play *Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland*. They did this through a poll in *Nintendo Power* magazine. Because so many fans voted against it, Nintendo of America decided not to release the game here. As a result, it’s still never been released in North America and remains a rare game in the *Legend of Zelda* series.

Today, it’s possible to find and play *Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland*, but it’s quite expensive, often selling for $150 to $200 on sites like eBay. While some players who’ve managed to get a copy have enjoyed it, most think the cost and effort of importing the game aren’t worth it. However, dedicated *Legend of Zelda* fans still see it as a worthwhile experience, appreciating its unique charm and the backstory it provides for the character Tingle.

Have you ever tried this lesser-known *Legend of Zelda* game? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-17 19:14