~ Healing Fairy History ~
Many things in the Zelda games have had a makeover over the years, including the healing fairies. So here's a chronological list of their changing looks.
The Legend of Zelda - 1987
Made for the NES, the graphics were simplistic and color-selective. Seldomly found, these fairies had the annoying habit of hovering over bushes & walls were you couldn't get to them. It's like they wanted you to lose. Anyway, these fairies wore a crown and healed ? hearts.
Adventure of Link - 1988
Also for the NES and used the same design. These fairies usually appeared in the overworld when Link was hurt (see right image), and when you walked into them you were taken to a side-screen view (left image) where if you jumped up to them they would fully heal you. A short "fairy tune" plays at the entrance.
A Link to the Past - 1992
Originally for the SNES then later released on the GBA. As you can see, the fairy design improved with more color options and better screen resolution. The crown was replaced with antennas, and they now carried a wand. This game also introduced the concept of catching fairies and placing them in a bottle, where you could have them heal you at a later time.
Link's Awakening - 1993
Made for the GameBoy then released in color for the GBC. I often mistook these fairies for little crickets. ^^; The design seems to be a hybrid of the NES & SNES fairy styles; Antennas instead of a crown, but no wand. These fairies could be found in bushes and pots, but you couldn't catch 'em in a bottle. (Heals 6 hearts)
Ocarina of Time - 1998
Ah, the first 3D Zelda game for the N64. This game rocked and the fairies made it that much better. A first for their kind, these fairies took glowing-orb forms instead of the normal humanoid look. A grand choice in my opinion. Their soft colors and sparkling trails added beauty and mystique to their amazing world. Plus, they could be found everywhere and, you could store them in bottles.
Majora's Mask - 2000
Also for the N64, used the same engine as OoT so the graphics style remained the same, if not more vibrant. And like OoT, healing fairies could be found around every corner.
Oracle of Ages & Seasons - 2001
Released simutaneously for the GBC. These healing fairies are exactly like those in Link's Awakening except they're pink. Can be found in bushes and pots, can't be captured, and heals 6 & 1/2 hearts.
The Wind Waker - 2003
The third 3D Zelda game (released on the GC), the healing fairies returned to the humanoid style, this time donning yellow pigtails and trashing the antennas and crown. They do however, keep the wand. These fairies could be found on most islands hiding in pots & in fountains, can be held in bottles, and heals 10 hearts.
Four Swords Adventures - 2004
Made for the GC but also uses the GBA. And although it uses the same graphic style as TWW, things work differently in FSA. This time, they're called Force Fairies, and instead of catching them in a bottle, they are stored in the Four Sword. There's no limit to how many you can keep and as long as you have some, one will always revive you if you die.
The Minish Cap - 2005
The best graphics I've seen for the GBA, this game follows The Wind Waker in style, right down to the healing fairies. These little ones look exactly like those found in WW, except cuter 'cause they're tiny. ^-^ However unlike their GC sisters, these fairies only heal 4 hearts.
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