Tingle is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series. He is known for his flamboyant behavior, his catchphrase "Kooloo-Limpah", and outfit: red briefs, worn over a green full-body jumpsuit with a point head and ears. He is often seen floating in the air, attached to a red balloon.
Tingle first appeared as a Map merchant in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. He has a significant role in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and has minor roles in The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Ages, The Legend of Zelda: Four Sword Adventures and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. References have been made to his character in nearly every major title since then. Tingle received his own series consisting of three spin-off games and a DSiWare app that were released from 2006 to 2009.
In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Tingle is the son of the Swamp Tourist Center Guide. He is 35 years old and claims to be the reincarnation of a Kokiri, though he uses the term 'forest fairy' when referring to members of the tribe. He is looking for a fairy of his own and is eager to be friends with Link on account of Tatl. Tingle's father is exasperated by his son's immaturity and still refers to Tingle as a child, despite his age.
Tingle floats up in the air on a Balloon. He uses his vantage point to plot maps of Termina, which he sells to help his father. He sells them to Link "for cheap" as a sign of friendship.
In each region, Tingle sells two maps of that region and the map of the next region in Link's quest. Tingle sells the maps for other regions at a premium of 40 Rupees. It is cheaper for Link to buy the map of a region in the region itself - 5 Rupees for the map of Clock Town, 20 for the others.
Link can submit a pictograph of Tingle to win the Swamp Photograph Contest managed by Tingle's father.
Tingle is able to identify Link in his alternate forms, from either Deku Link, Goron Link, Zora Link, and/or Fierce Deity Link, because that he recognizes Tatl floating by Link's side. Tingle is the subject of four questions in Keaton's Quiz.
In The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Ages, Tingle can be found floating on top of a stump in the Forest of Time. To reach Tingle, Link needs Ricky's assistant the first time, as his path is blocked by holes and cliffs, There is an alternate route through a cave to Tingle that does not require Ricky, but in order to extend the bridge across the gap, Link needs the Seed Shooter to hit a Crystal Switch around a corner. Tingle gives Link the Island Chart that he uses while crossing the sea to reach Crescent Island. If Link returns later, Tingle will also give Link an upgrade Seed Satchel.
In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the people of Windfall Island had put Tingle in jail for stealing a Picto Box. Once that Link frees him, Tingle gives him the Tingle Tuner in return so that Link can ask him for help at any time. Afterwards, Link can find Tingle on Tingle Island, where he also meets Tingle's younger brother, Ankle, and his friend David Jr.. Link can also meet Knuckle, Tingle's older brother, on Outset Island. Tingle can translate Triforce Charts for Link so he can find the Triforce Shards at a price of 398 Rupees each.
By using the Tingle Tuner, Link can interact with Tingle. The young hero can buy items from him, find hidden Tingle Statues in dungeons, and fulfill side-quests on Windfall or Outset Islands. In the Tower of the Gods, five legendary pages can be found, which tell the history of Tingle from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Tingle's Tuner is replaced by the Tingle Bottle, thereby removing various interactions with Tingle.
In The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, Tingle collects Force Gems. Throughout the game, anytime Link finds a big Force Gem outside of dungeons, Tingle will also try to get it. If Link picks up the Force Gem first, he will retreat. Link can also shoot an Arrow at Tingle to slow him down. Tingle also tries to pick up the huge Force Gems, but his balloon cannot carry them.
Tingle posts signs throughout the stages called the Tingle Times, which tell a story of an experience Tingle had in the area, offering insight to his childish nature. Tingle also runs the Tingle's Tower, a multiplayer mini-game gallery that can be accessed by programming through the Hyrulean Adventure mode.
Tingle appears in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, found on a ledge east of Link's House after Link initially fails to cross Castor Wilds. When spoken to, Tingle mistakes Link for a Fairy and
promptly requests that they fuse Kinstone Pieces. Tingle will also tell Link that he gave Kinstone Pieces to his Siblings?, and promises that if Link fuses Kinstone Pieces with each of them, he will receive something beneficial. Tingle hopes to become a Fairy by fusing Kinstone Pieces.
When Link successfully Fuses Kinstone Pieces with Tingle, one of the Trees in North Hyrule Field will open, revealing a Switch connected to a Torchlight and a Treasure Chest containing a red Kinstone Piece. If Link fuses Kinstone Pieces with all four of the Tingle Siblings?, the final Switch will cause a Ladder to descend, allowing Link to open a Treasure Chest containing the Magical Boomerang.
After Link fuses Kinstone Pieces with all of the Tingle Siblings?, Tingle will offer to fuse Kinstone Pieces with Link again, causing a Golden Tektite to appear on Mount Crenel.
When spoken to after the first successful fusion, Tingle and his brothers will tell Link how many Kinstone Fusions he has left to complete. When Link has fused all 100 Kinstone Pieces, Tingle will give him the Tingle Trophy, which replaces the Kinstone Bag in the Inventory.
Tingle's likeness appears on a wanted poster in Mercay Tavern.
A figurine of Tingle can be found in several houses and shops in Spirit Tracks, namely the Trading Post, where it can be seen in the credits. The Trading Post also has a golden version of the figurine on a higher shelf.
Ferrus has a poster of Tingle in his house.
Zelda keeps a Tingle plush on her desk at the Knight Academy in The Legend of Zelda: The Skyward Sword.
In Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors Legends, Tingle appears as a playable Warrior. In Hyrule Warriors, he is available in the Majora's Mask DLC Pack. He uses the Balloon as his class of Weapon, with which he can use to bounce off of, float into the air, and even blow up into gigantic size to pop and damage nearby enemies. It can also fling Tingle into the air by tapping the dodge button after being blown with the Strong Attack button, allowing him to evade attacks or continue hitting foes. Tingle also uses a Wallet, Map, and Bombs to attack.
In Hyrule Warriors, Tingle does not drop any unique Materials when defeated. In Hyrule Warriors Legends, he may either drop his Map as a silver Material or his Watch as a gold Material.
Koei Tecmo wanted to add Tingle to the initial release, but the idea was rejected by Eiji Aonuma.
In the Legacy of Chris Thorndyke, he is shown to be the comedy relief of the sixth saga, even that he has played a role in Majora's Mask, Oracle of Ages/Seasons, The Wind Waker, and even Four Swords Adventures, but during Hyrule Warriors that he was deliberately freed by Link while helping Darunia get Death Mountain back from Wizzro's forces.