'Zelda: twilight princess' was my first 'favorite' game. So, for my first model I decided to make Zelda's head. I did the modeling, UV mapping, texturing and rendering in the span of 12 weeks.
My Zelda model had more humble beginnings. My first time ever modelling in Maya, and the first time modelling a humanoid head meant I sunk in hours upon hours. it was really fun and I'd do it all again (if only they'd offer a 2nd year modelling course.)