Dabbing, sometimes referred to as “the dab,” is a simple yet effective gesture. In order for one to “hit that dab,” the performer must drop his or her head into the bent crook of a slanted, upwardly angled arm while simultaneously raising the opposite arm out straight in a parallel direction. Of course, you probably already know this, as the phenomenon has revolutionized our culture since achieving mainstream popularity in 2015.
What you may not know is that it was Nintendo who originally invented the dab. The company has cleverly hidden the expression throughout its Legend of Zelda series seemingly since the franchise began.
As humble as it is inventive, Nintendo has not once claimed credit for this outstanding innovation, so I’m taking it upon myself to shine the spotlight on the company’s most overlooked contribution. The following list comprises five of the greatest dabs ever seen throughout The Legend of Zelda series.
5) Ganon (The Legend of Zelda TV series)
When I said that Nintendo was ahead of the curve, I wasn’t kidding: The company first introduced dabbing way back in 1989, in the widely acclaimed Legend of Zelda TV series.
In the episode “Stinging a Stinger,” Link, Zelda, and Sleezenose team up to defend North Castle against Ganon, using a bunch of bugs they found in the woods. The idea is as genius and effective as it sounds, sending the Dark Lord and his minions packing. It’s a mystery as to why Link bothers wasting time seeking the Master Sword in the Zelda games when the TV series already established that weaponized insects will suffice — but as we all know, this is one of many examples of why the TV series is the pinnacle of all Legend of Zelda media. Regardless, and to Ganon’s credit, he went out with style.
As a swarm of bees surrounds and attacks Ganon, he can be seen wildly flailing in response. If you watch closely, you’ll see him execute the unmistakable gesture. Whether it was a defensive maneuver, a graceful, physical acknowledgment of defeat, or a combination of the two, it’s an example of why The Legend of Zelda TV series was so ahead of its time.
4) Link (Breath of the Wild)
Jumping forward 28 years later, and 2017’s Breath of the Wild is unapologetically continuing Zelda’s extensive legacy of dabbing. By equipping a two-handed weapon, and repeatedly alternating between presses of the Y and B buttons, you will unlock an incredible secret Easter egg, as seen in the video above.
Strangely enough, this ferocious flurry of dabs does not drain Link’s stamina meter. You can make the Hero of the Wild dab as many times as your heart desires, which perfectly embodies the theme of freedom within Breath of the Wild’s open world. While this new discovery is a welcome one, I am concerned that it could make Link overpowered and thus break the game, hence why this entry is not as high in the list as it could be.
3) Princess Zelda (Super Smash Bros. Melee)
In 2002, Nintendo made a spin-off of The Legend of Zelda series, called Super Smash Bros. Melee. It is clearly a Legend of Zelda title as it has Legend of Zelda characters in it, but it is a very weird Legend of Zelda game in the Legend of Zelda series. You can only move left and right, there is barely any story, and the dungeons are rubbish. It also has a fox with a gun in it, which is just too unrealistic in my opinion. It’s no wonder Nintendo decided to leave it out of the Hyrule Historia timeline — I’d be embarrassed to mention this mess of a game too.
Fortunately, there is one saving grace in this terrible game. By performing Princess Zelda’s neutral special attack, Nayru’s Love, she will form magical blue barrier around herself, which can attack enemies within close proximity from both sides and reflect projectiles. Just how is the princess able to summon such a powerful move? Pause at just the right moment, and the answer is clear: Her dab is so potent that she has clearly mastered it as both an offensive and defensive stance.
While this is a very impressive display, please also recognize this as a reminder to take caution when dabbing. It can bring much joy to others, but if misused, it can also be very dangerous.
2) Young Link (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
If you can believe it, Nintendo stubbornly refused to drop its failed Zelda spin-off project, Super Smash Bros, producing a number of sequels with an installment as recent as 2018. Talk about beating a dead Epona! I can only imagine that the game was a massive flop and nobody bought it, so hopefully, Nintendo gets the message this time.
Even the developers clearly weren’t interested in their own game, as they accidentally put Link in the game three times. Stupid. Anyway, if you select the smol Link and use his down taunt, he will take out and drink a bottle of Lon Lon Milk. Link is able to down the milk at incredible speed, and if you watch closely, the cheeky tyke isn’t afraid to brag about this particular talent in the only way he knows how.
1) Ravio (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
Nothing else in The Legend of Zelda series has embodied courage, wisdom, and above all, power quite like this moment in Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition. When selecting Ravio in the “Warriors” menu, an animation will play wherein our hero will strike a pose so graceful and robust that it’s clear to see why the game has “Definitive” in the title.
Take a moment to observe how rigidly and relentlessly his arms are pointed, and soak in the confidence emanating from his posture. Upon first glance, one might initially argue that the dab is imperfect, as the arms are not precisely parallel. However, this is, in fact, what makes it so beautiful: We all carry flaws, and Ravio does not deny nor hide this aspect of himself. Nintendo, by allowing a purple-robed man in a bunny hood to dab, has delivered an unforgettable metaphor on the human condition. My life has not been the same since I first gazed upon this majestic spectacle.
There is a popular question that commonly arises in the modern gaming community: “Can video games be art?” When someone asks me this, I simply present them with this image. I encourage you to do the same.
