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Link (The Legend of Zelda)

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"Link (character)" redirects here. For other uses, see Link (disambiguation).
Link
The Legend of Zelda character
Link in the air aiming with a bow and arrow.
Various incarnations of Link, as seen in The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia
First appearanceThe Legend of Zelda (1986)
Created byShigeru Miyamoto
Voiced by
In-universe information
RaceHylian
GenderMale
Occupation
  • Adventurer
  • Knight
AffiliationKingdom of Hyrule
WeaponMaster Sword
OriginHyrule
NationalityHyrulean

Link[c] is a fictional character and the protagonist of Nintendo's video game franchise The Legend of Zelda. He was created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Link was introduced as the hero of the original 1986 The Legend of Zelda video game and has appeared in a total of 19 entries in the series, as well as a number of spin-offs. Common elements in the series include Link travelling through Hyrule whilst exploring dungeons, battling creatures and solving puzzles until he eventually defeats the series' primary antagonist, Ganon, and saves Princess Zelda.

Throughout The Legend of Zelda series, Link has made multiple appearances in a variety of incarnations. He has been rendered in both 2D and 3D form and has been traditionally depicted in his signature green cap and tunic carrying a sword and shield. Over the course of the series, he appears as a child or young adult of the Hylian race, which originates from the fictional kingdom of Hyrule. Within Zelda lore, Link is the soul of a legendary hero that throughout history is reincarnated within a seemingly ordinary boy or man when the need arises for a new warrior to defeat the forces of evil. To defeat Ganon, Link usually obtains the mystical Master Sword or a similar legendary weapon, which is obtained after completing various trials. Over the course of his journey, he also acquires other magical items, including musical instruments and other weaponry.

In addition to the main series, Link has appeared in other Nintendo media, including merchandise, comics and manga, and an animated television series. He is a prominent character in various spin-off games, including Hyrule Warriors, Cadence of Hyrule and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. He has appeared in entries of several other game franchises, including the Super Smash Bros. series, SoulCalibur II and Mario Kart 8, and has also been referenced in other games, such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Alongside fellow Nintendo character Mario, Link is one of the most recognisable characters in the video game industry. He has been instrumental in the establishment of the role-playing video game genre as the protagonist of the series, which has influenced numerous other video games with its concepts of open world and nonlinear gameplay. According to Guinness World Records, Link is the most critically acclaimed videogame playable character and the most ubiquitous action-adventure video game character, surpassing Mario. He has been recognised by the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition as the second best video game character of all time after Mario. Critics have also named him as one of the most influential video game characters of all time and one of Shigeru Miyamoto's most famous creations.

Concept and creation

Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Link, holding replicas of the character's signature sword and shield at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2004

Link's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, said that his concepts of The Legend of Zelda and Link were based on his childhood memories as well as books and movies he and video game designer Takashi Tezuka had enjoyed,[6] notably J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.[7] Miyamoto tried to make people identify with Link and have the opportunity to be heroes like the character.[8] Although at the end of some games, Link becomes vastly talented in physical skill and magical prowess, he usually starts off the game as a regular boy.[9]

Link's sprite design was created by designer Takashi Tezuka. Shigeru Miyamoto stated in an interview with Gamekult that Takashi Tezuka used the Disney character Peter Pan as a source of inspiration when creating Link in order to make the character recognisable.[10] Due to the limited capabilities of the technology at the time, Nintendo was only able to use three colours and the development team decided to choose green as Link's signature colour, as the game was mainly set within a forest environment. Link's sword and shield, long hat and ears were all created to make the character easily distinguishable.[11]

On the origin of the name "Link", Miyamoto said that "Link's name comes from the fact that originally, the fragments of the Triforce were supposed to be electronic chips. The game was to be set in both the past and the future and as the main character would travel between both and be the link between them, they called him Link". He also stated in the Nintendo book titled Hyrule Historia that the character is named Link because he, "connects people together" and that, "he was supposed to spread the scattered energy of the world through the ages".[12]

Character incarnations

There have been several iterations of Link within The Legend of Zelda series. Each incarnation of Link bears a similar appearance and role as the hero in the Zelda games, with nearly every game resetting the storyline.[13] According to The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia, Link is "not just one individual; he is the hero reborn to many homes, over the course of many lifetimes, chosen by the goddesses with a single purpose: to stand up and fight when evil descends upon Hyrule".[14] Miyamoto explained, "For every Zelda game we tell a new story, but we actually have an enormous document that explains how the game relates to the others, and bind them together. But to be honest, they are not that important to us. We care more about developing the game system ... give the player new challenges for every chapter that is born".[15][16] Although each version of Link is different, an official chronology for the Zelda series was established by Nintendo, which spans thousands of years of fictional history and incorporates three separate timelines.[17] Hyrule Historia details The Legend of Zelda fictional timeline.[18] It explains Link's repeated incarnations in the fictional timeline by stating that the name "Link" is a common name in Hyrule. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which was released in 2011, aimed to create an origin story, in which the antagonist Demise curses "the spirit of the hero" to be caught in an endless cycle of defeating evil.[17]

Character design

Link's appearance has been consistent over the course of The Legend of Zelda series but his character design has evolved with each game release. In the original 1986 The Legend of Zelda, he is depicted in green in a simple 2D form viewed from a top-down perspective. This was followed by a taller version of the character seen from a side-scroll perspective in the 1987 video game titled The Adventure of Link. With the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1998, Link appeared as a 3D character.[19] Miyamoto said that the team started by creating a grown-up model followed by a child model, but realised that they could both be used in the game, "to tell the story of a boy growing up".[20] Link's teenage appearance in Ocarina of Time was designed with the aim of making him more handsome and cooler than all previous forms of the hero.[21] Nintendo illustrator Yusuke Nakano stated that Link's design in Ocarina of Time was based on a well-known American actor at the time of the game's development.[22]

In 2002, Shigeru Miyamoto unveiled an anime-inspired design for Link at E3 2002, which had been created for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.[23] The "Toon Link" incarnation proved to be initially controversial due to its childlike cartoonish style.[24] Toon Link was originally created by graphic designer Yoshiki Haruhana as a way to evolve the series.[25] Miyamoto commented in a 2003 interview: "Actually we never intended to create a shockwave, it's just we were trying to make something new".[26] He said that after many experiments, the development team had decided that cel-shading was the best option for expressing a young, energetic boy.[27] Toon Link eventually carved his own identity into the franchise by appearing in multiple entries in the series and being introduced as a playable character in Super Smash Bros.[23] Producer Eiji Aonuma explained that after the initial reaction, gamers began to accept Toon Link, and commented, "so after Wind Waker we created Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks with the new artwork style".[28]

Following the public reaction to Toon Link, Nintendo completely reversed the art style for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess in 2006. In this game, Link was depicted in a more realistic style with a darker, grittier tone.[29] Nintendo artists Yusuke Nakano and Satoru Takizawa stated in The Legend of Zelda: Art and Artifacts that they had planned to design him aged mid-to-late twenties and that he would be well built, but this was rejected because the team expected that fans wanted to see Link as he appeared in Ocarina of Time.[30] Instead, Link was designed as a teenager again, aged 16 years. Miyamoto explained: "So after Wind Waker we tried several different models and made varied versions of them. Ultimately we decided that in showing a teenage Link really the best style of expressing him would be something that's closer to our graphical style in Ocarina of Time". Aonuma explained that the design team wanted to express Link as an older teenager: "the fact that we're seeing Link on horseback and swinging a sword, I think that's one more way in which Link has matured".[27] In Twilight Princess, Link has the ability to transform into a wolf. Aonuma explained that a wolf was chosen because the design team considered the animal to be the best representation of a hero and that this function gave the adult version of Link limited human abilities, allowing him to mature over the course of the game.[31]

Eiji Aonuma purposely made Link's design in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild more gender neutral so that players could more easily relate to him.[32]

Link's signature green outfit has evolved over the course of The Legend of Zelda series. At a Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Art Director Satoru Takizawa described the subtle changes made to Link's outfit. He said that for Twilight Princess he, "made the hat long, so it would flap in the wind and move around", but for the release of Skyward Sword, he made it more diminutive and gave it less motion. The release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in 2017 broke the conventions of Link's design, notably by the absence of his signature green outfit. Takizawa explained that "as the graphic fidelity has increased it becomes more difficult to make that hat look cool". Despite this, the player is still able to acquire his green hat and tunic in the game.[33] For Breath of the Wild nearly 100 designs were considered to ensure that Link remained a neutral character. Aonuma commented, "We thought that the iconic green tunic and hat had become expected, so we wanted to mix things up and update his look. Interestingly, though, nobody on the team said, 'Let's make him blue!' It just organically ended up that way".[34]

Although Link is depicted as a male character, Aonuma said that he wanted him to be gender neutral. He said that in Ocarina of Time: "I wanted the player to think 'Maybe Link is a boy or a girl'. If you saw Link as a guy, he'd have more of a feminine touch. Or vice versa, if you related to Link as a girl, it was with more of a masculine aspect". During the development of Twilight Princess, he created a more masculine Link, but later decided to return him to a more gender neutral character. Regarding Link's character design in Breath of the Wild, Aonuma commented that, "as far as gender goes, Link is definitely a male, but I wanted to create a character where anybody would be able to relate to the character".[32]

Portrayal

Since the first instance of voice acting in the series (in Ocarina of Time), Link has been voiced by eight actors: Nobuyuki Hiyama in Ocarina of Time (as adult Link); Fujiko Takimoto in Ocarina of Time (as young Link), Majora's Mask, A Link to the Past and Four Swords for the Game Boy Advance and Minish Cap; Sachi Matsumoto in The Wind Waker; Akira Sasanuma in Twilight Princess; Yūki Kodaira in Spirit Tracks; Takashi Ōhara in Skyward Sword; Mitsuki Saiga in A Link Between Worlds and Link's Awakening (the 2019 version only); and Kengo Takanashi in Breath of the Wild. In Tri Force Heroes, Fujiko Takimoto, Sachi Matsumoto, Yūki Kodaira and Mitsuki Saiga all reprise their roles as Link, acting as alternate voices.[35]

As no canonical game in The Legend of Zelda series to date has contained substantial spoken dialogue for Link, the part consists only of short phrases, grunts, battle cries, and other sounds. In The Wind Waker, Link can be heard saying the phrase, "Come on!"[36] Voice acting for the character has been deliberately limited to avoid contradicting players' individual interpretations of how Link could sound.[37] Aonuma stated that Link's silence is meant to avoid breaking the relationship between the player and the character that could result from adding dialogue with which the player does not agree. Link's character has been purposefully left open to interpretation to offer a blank slate for players to enter the game world and provide a more personal experience.[38]

Characteristics

Link is a brave, skilled warrior and the hero of The Legend of Zelda series. Over the course of the series, he has appeared in a variety of ages and forms, ranging from child to young adult, and in Twilight Princess, also appears in the form of a wolf.[39][40] He displays the characteristic traits of the Hylian race, being of human form with elfin features, including pointed ears. Since the original 1986 The Legend of Zelda video game, he has been repeatedly depicted wearing his characteristic green cap and tunic.[41] He has also appeared wearing other outfits, including a blue lobster shirt in The Wind Waker and his blue Champion's Tunic in Breath of the Wild.[42] Link is described in the original game's instruction manual as a "young lad" and a traveller[43] and in later games, such as Breath of the Wild, as a knight of Hyrule who is sworn to protect the kingdom and Princess Zelda.[44] During gameplay, he carries a sword and a shield, but has also wielded a variety of other weapons, including bows, spears and axes.[45]

Link's signature weapon is the Master Sword, a powerful magic sword that has the ability to repel evil.[46] He is also often depicted holding the Hylian Shield. These two components have become integral aspects of the character's identity.[47] Each game in the series follows a similar story arc in which Link must take a journey that eventually leads him to recover the Master Sword, which makes him stronger in gameplay and enables him to defeat the series' main antagonist, Ganon.[46]

Throughout each game, Link is able to obtain various items during his adventures, which the player can then use in gameplay. Many of these objects possess magical properties that bestow specific abilities on Link, such as a magic cape that makes Link invisible when he wears it, or potions that replenish his health. Others have various practical purposes, such as the hookshot, which enables Link to pull items towards him, and bombs for detonation. Link has used various musical instruments on his travels, most notably, the Ocarina of Time, which when played is used for teleportation.[48] In Breath of the Wild, Link's key tool is the Sheikah Slate, a handheld tablet featuring various runes that enable him to manipulate the game world.[49]

In Zelda lore, Link is the reincarnated soul of a hero, chosen by the goddess Hylia to protect the kingdom of Hyrule from Ganon and save Princess Zelda whenever the need arises.[50] As the goddess' chosen hero, he is also the bearer of the Triforce of Courage, one of the three components that combine to form the Triforce, a sacred artefact and symbol of power. In several Zelda games, Link's main objective is to recover the fragments of the Triforce in order to defeat Ganon.[51] Link's character is always depicted as a fearless hero and a "symbol of courage" who is willing to protect Hyrule for the sake of others.[14]

Relationships

Link's relationships with the other main characters has been a defining aspect of the series. Within the fictional lore, Ganon, Zelda and Link represent three pieces of the Triforce, with Ganon representing Power, Zelda representing Wisdom and Link representing Courage. This trinity transcends the fictional timeline and dictates that the three characters are destined to be forever reincarnated in an endless battle for good and evil. Link's battle with Ganon established a fictional chronology that spans across the entire series and branches into three separate timelines. The three timelines originate at the end of Ocarina of Time when the timeline splits according to whether Link successfully defeats Ganon ("The Hero is Victorious") or fails to stop him (the "Fallen Hero" timeline).[52] The official fictional chronology was revealed in Hyrule Historia, with Skyward Sword presented as the first game in the timeline. Skyward Sword establishes that the three main characters are destined to be connected in an endless cycle after the antagonist Demise curses Link and Zelda.[53]

Link's relationship with Zelda has been a core aspect of the series but has also been the subject of speculation. Throughout the games, the storylines have suggested the possibility of a romantic relationship between the two, but this has remained ambiguous. With each game release, the nature of their relationship has varied and Link has also been presented with other possible love interests. A romantic relationship between Link and Zelda is particularly evident in Skyward Sword and was also emphasised in an official "romance trailer" for the game. Aonuma commented on this relationship in an interview with Game Informer: "As far as the love story goes, it wasn't that we wanted to create a romance between Link and Zelda as much as we wanted the player to feel like this is a person who's very important to me, who I need to find. We used that hint of a romance between the two to tug at the heartstrings".[54] In Breath of the Wild, the relationship between Link and Zelda is more complex and follows a story arc that begins with resentment and ends in a close bond with each willing to give their life for the other.[55]

Appearances and evolution

The Legend of Zelda series

Link has appeared as the protagonist of every game in The Legend of Zelda series and also appears in various spin-off games. Although the plot in each Zelda game varies, most center around him defeating Ganon with the Master Sword and rescuing Princess Zelda. During gameplay, he usually navigates through various dungeons, defeats monsters and solves puzzles before reaching the end of the game.[56]

An overhead view of a young boy in a green tunic battling creatures
Link's first appearance in 2D form in The Legend of Zelda on the NES (1986)

Link was introduced on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in the original 1986 game release The Legend of Zelda. Due to the limited hardware of the era, he was rendered as a simple 8-bit 2D character within a flat environment viewed from a top-down perspective.[57] In his debut appearance, he is presented as a stubby character with brown hair wearing a green cap and tunic.[58] In the opening introduction, he meets an old man who offers him a sword and declares "It's dangerous to go alone!" Link is described as a "young lad" who saves Princess Zelda's elderly nursemaid Impa from Ganon's henchmen. He assumes the role of the hero and must rescue Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from the evil wizard Ganon, who has stolen the Triforce of Power. During the game, the player controls Link as he explores 128 areas of Hyrule. Nine dungeons each contain a special item that gives him the ability to defeat that dungeon's boss; he must defeat them all before fighting Ganon.[59][43]

In Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987), Link reappeared on the NES still as a basic 8-bit 2D character but as a slightly taller sprite wearing a similar green outfit.[60] The game differs from the previous title by switching between top-down exploration and side-scrolling action sequences.[61] Link's combat capability evolved with the ability to stab up and down with his sword while jumping. Experience points gained by defeating enemies enable his health and attack power to be levelled up. A series of magic spells also grant him special abilities, such as extra defence.[58] The game involves defeating his doppelgänger Dark Link to claim the Triforce of Courage, reunite the three pieces of the Triforce, and awaken sleeping Zelda.[62] Dark Link would later reappear in Ocarina of Time, The Oracle of Ages, Twilight Princess, and various other games.[63]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991) recreated Link in a 16-bit colour palette for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It presents the character with the unusual characteristic of having pink hair.[64] In contrast to the in-game sprite, the game manual depicts Link as a tall blond character. Link's sprite was also designed to appear more expressive, as he was given an animated hat and a face that turns red when pulling objects. [60] The game reverted to a top-down perspective and features items that upgrade Link's moves with extra abilities such as running and swimming.[58] The gameplay takes place across two parallel worlds: Hyrule and its mirror the Dark World. It introduced several recurring elements in the series, including the hookshot and the Master Sword. Link's combat abilities were developed to be more complex. He was given the ability to move diagonally, swing his sword in an arc and perform a spin attack that enabled multi-directional attacks.[65] His heart containers, which featured in the first game, were broken into pieces, necessitating the player to locate them and upgrade his health in smaller increments.[66]

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening was released in 1993 for the Game Boy, making it the first handheld title in the series. Link appeared in monochrome until the DX port brought the game to the Game Boy Color.[67] In place of Hyrule, the game takes place on Koholint Island after Link is washed ashore. It features a combination of mostly top-down adventuring and some side-scrolling action sequences and was the first overhead game in which Link's move set includes the ability to jump. It also includes cutscenes that depict Link in an anime art style.[58] The inclusion of several non-Zelda characters such as Chain Chomp and Kirby were added for fun. Tezuka, the director, said, "It was like we were making a parody of Zelda".[68][69] A 3D 2019 remake was released for the Nintendo Switch.[70]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time featured Link's first 3D rendering. Although the development team was new to 3D games, assistant director Makoto Miyanaga recalled a "passion for creating something new and unprecedented".[71]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998), which was released for the Nintendo 64 (N64), was the first 3D game in the Zelda series. It was a landmark game in terms of the graphics and gameplay and gave the player the experience of exploring a three-dimensional Hyrule. Link was depicted with blonde hair and his horse Epona was introduced as a mode of transport.[63] The plot's time shifts allow the player to control Link as a child carrying the Hylian Shield and a slingshot and later as an adult wielding heavier weapons.[60][72] His abilities were extensively developed to perform a variety of movements, including a swipe, stab, roll, dodge and dive. The game's Z-targeting system simulates sword fighting by enabling Link to lock on to enemies and circle around them in combat.[58] During his adventure, he is accompanied by the fairy Navi, who gives him hints about enemies and his surroundings.[73] In 2011, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, was released as a remake of the original game for the Nintendo 3DS.[74]

Link returned in 2000 with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on the N64. It reused character and scenery models from Ocarina of Time but added some surreal effects and colours to create a darker entry than its predecessors. The game includes four main dungeons and various side quests. In the storyline, Link appears as a child and must save the land of Termina from the evil of Majora's Mask, which has drawn the moon into a decaying orbit, threatening to crash into Termina's primary town, Clock Town, in three days. Link uses the Ocarina of Time to play the Song of Time, which allows him to repeatedly travel back in time to relive those three days until he successfully prevents the disaster. During the game, Link finds various magical masks that transform him into a Goron, Deku Scrub, or Zora and each grants him special abilities such as gliding, swimming underwater and rolling.[75] In the final boss battle with Majora, Link is transformed into Fierce Deity Link, a dark, adult version of himself with white eyes, before finally reverting to his child form.[76] In 2015 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D revisited the game for the Nintendo 3DS.[77]

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages are a pair of interconnected games released in 2001 for the Game Boy Color. The two games were outsourced to a developer named Flagship and were originally designed as a trio, but the plan proved to be too complicated. Like Link's Awakening, Link is controlled from a top-down perspective within a flat 2D game world.[78] The two games are interlinked, with completion of one game unlocking secrets within the other. The plot involves Link being sent on a mission to the foreign lands of Holodrum and Labrynna in order to stop the disruption of the seasons by the General of Darkness, Onox, and the disruption of time by the Sorceress of Shadows, Veran. Link's key tools for uncovering areas and fighting his enemies are the Rod of Seasons and his magic harp.[79]

In 2002, Nintendo published The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords on the Game Boy Advance. Four Swords was an original title packaged together with the rereleased entry A Link to the Past. Diverging from the traditional single-player approach, Four Swords was based on cooperative gameplay, allowing four players to interact together by connecting four Game Boy Advance systems.[80] In Four Swords, four Links of different colours appear, each of which is controlled by a different player. The four versions of Link must then work together to complete the game's challenges.[81]

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was released in 2002 on the GameCube. It marked a radical change for the series by depicting Link and the game world in a cute childlike graphical style. He appears as a preteen cartoon character with a large head and huge eyes.[82] His facial expressions communicate a range of emotions.[58] The game involves exploring the islands that are dotted around the map to encounter characters and uncover dungeons.[83] Link's key tool is the titular Wind Waker, a magical baton that enables him to manipulate the breeze as he crosses the Great Sea.[84] A sequel to The Wind Waker was planned but later abandoned in favor of Twilight Princess. Nintendo artist Satoru Takizawa explained the reason for this was that the sequel would have taken place in a land-based setting, involving Link riding on horseback: "But Link's proportions in Wind Waker weren’t very well suited for riding on horseback; he was too short, and an adult version of Toon Link did not seem appropriate either."[85] In 2013 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD revisited Link's voyage across the Great Sea on the Wii U.[86]

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, which was published for the GameCube in 2004, again reinterpreted traditional Zelda gameplay with a multiplayer approach. The plot centres on Link being split into four versions of himself by the Four Sword, resulting in four Links of different colours. He must embark on a quest that involves rescuing seven princesses from an evil sorcerer. The game depicts the Links in a 16-bit top-down perspective and involves each player controlling one of the four Links to explore the game world and defeat enemies in order to complete each level.[87]

The release of The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap in 2004 on the Game Boy Advance returned the series to a single-player format. Link appears as a child viewed from a top-down perspective and is tasked with saving his friend Princess Zelda. After a mysterious stranger arrives at a festival celebrating the coming of the Picori, he destroys the sacred Picori Blade and turns Zelda to stone. During the game, Link is accompanied by a magical talking cap named Ezlo, who helps him on his quest and teaches him to shrink to the size of the Minish.[88]

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006) was released on the GameCube and Wii and offers a darker adventure to previous entries in the series. The game features a more detailed depiction of a teenage Link who appears ready for battle wearing chainmail beneath his tunic. In the early part of the game, he becomes trapped in the Twilight, which transforms him into a wolf.[60] Throughout the game, he is aided by Midna, an imp-like creature, who rides on his back and helps him on his quest. The game uses a variety of animal abilities for progression, such as the ability to follow scents.[89] Twilight Princess aimed to provide a stark contrast to the cartoonish style of The Wind Waker, presenting a game world drained of colour and a story with a more mature tone.[90] In 2016, Link appeared in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, a remaster for the Wii U.[91]

The direct sequel to The Wind Waker, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, was released in 2007 for the Nintendo DS. It follows Link as he embarks on a journey to save his friend Tetra. The game was designed to appeal to a wider audience, with 3D cel-shaded graphics and a light-hearted tone.[92] It takes inspiration form the style and tone of The Wind Waker, with Toon Link displaying various humorous expressions.[93] The game made use of the console's touchscreen functionality, which enabled the player to control Link using a stylus instead of the traditional button controls.[94]

Following on from Phantom Hourglass, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009) reintroduced Toon Link to the Nintendo DS. The game is a sequel to its predecessor and has a similar format but replaces sailing by boat with travelling by train. Link must explore four main map pieces, return the power of the spirit tracks using the Spirit Flute, and navigate the Spirit Tower, the main labyrinth hub, aided by the spirit of Zelda.[95] The gameplay also incorporates the mechanic of controlling both Link and Zelda in a series of cooperative puzzles and boss battles.[96]

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was released on the Wii in 2011 and made use of the Wii Motion Plus as the central game mechanic, giving the player the ability to control Link's sword using motion controls. The Wii Motion Plus is used to swipe his sword, control a mechanical beetle, and ride his loftwing through the skies.[97] The plot establishes a central timeline for the other games in the series and was designed to be an origin story for the Master Sword. It also involves a romantic relationship between Link and Zelda. It begins in Skyloft, a land floating above the clouds, until he is forced to descend to the surface after Zelda is kidnapped. He then travels between the two lands wielding the Goddess Sword, a magical sword that holds a spirit named Fi, who acts as his guide. During his journey, Link imbues the Goddess Sword with three sacred flames, which results in it being reforged into the Master Sword.[98] The game introduced Link's stamina meter for climbing surfaces and sprinting, and the ability to craft materials to make new items.[58] Link also appears in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (2021), a remastered version of the game for the Nintendo Switch.[99][100]

Toon Link as depicted in promotional artwork for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, dressed in the character's recognizable green clothes and holding the Wind Waker baton

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds was released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS and is a sequel to A Link to the Past. The plot revolves around a sorcerer named Yuga who has the ability to merge into walls and turn people into paintings. Link must foil his plan to revive Ganon. The storyline is set within the same world as A Link to the Past and was designed with a similar art style. Players are able to explore the two separate worlds of Hyrule and Lorule, which are reminiscent of the contrasting worlds of light and dark in A Link to the Past. The game introduced the ability for Link to turn into a painting, allowing him to walk along walls and switch between the two worlds.[101]

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015) was the second original Zelda entry for the Nintendo 3DS and a departure from the series' tradition, with a focus on a three-player cooperative campaign. Link appears alongside two companions that can be stacked to reach high places, solve puzzles and defeat tall enemies.[102] The storyline revolves around the theme of fashion and is set in the realm of Hytopia, where a witch has cursed Princess Styla to wear an ugly brown body suit. As a result, the Hytopian king calls for adventurers to break the curse. The gameplay departs from the usual Zelda open-world structure and involves completing dungeons and collecting materials to fashion outfits that provide specific abilities.[103]

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released on the Nintendo Switch and Wii U in 2017 and reinvented the franchise by creating a massive open world for Link to explore. He has the ability to climb most surfaces, jump from structures and soar across the sky using a paraglider. He was designed to interact with the environment, collect materials for cooking and react to cold and heat.[104] The game introduced significant changes to his design, notably the absence of his signature green outfit. The player can instead dress Link in a variety of outfits and more emphasis is placed on using a bow as a prominent weapon.[105] The storyline centers around Link waking without his memories after a century in a stasis pod called the "Shrine of Resurrection" and discovering that Calamity Ganon has taken control of Hyrule Castle and that Hyrule has fallen into ruin.[106]

Link is due to appear in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which will be released on 12 May 2023.[107] Nintendo released a teaser trailer as part of its E3 2021 Nintendo Direct, showing an altered version of Link from Breath of the Wild. The upcoming game is a direct sequel to the previous game and is set in the same version of Hyrule.[108] On 28 March 2023, Aonuma revealed Link's new abilities in a Nintendo presentation for Tears of the Kingdom, including the Recall ability, which rewinds an object's movement, the Fuse ability, which merges objects to create new weapons, the Ultrahand ability, which enables the construction of vehicles, and the Ascend ability, which enables Link to ascend through ceilings.[109]

Spin-off games

In 1989, Link appeared in Zelda, which was released in the Game & Watch series of handheld electronic games. The unit features a multi-screen liquid-crystal display (LCD). The lower display is used for the main gameplay which involves Link fighting against dungeon monsters, while the upper display features the inventory and another small game screen.[110] The gameplay of the Game & Watch unit ZL-65 is simpler than that of an NES game and features a story that replaces Ganon with eight dragons that kidnap Zelda. After battling through a dungeon, Link must defeat a dragon on the upper screen to receive a piece of the Triforce, before freeing Zelda with the eight recovered Triforce pieces.[111]

1989 was also the release year of The Legend of Zelda Game Watch, which was part of the LCD wristwatch product line licensed to and developed by Nelsonic Industries. In addition to its timekeeping function, the unit features gameplay based on the original The Legend of Zelda game but without a storyline. It features Link adventuring through eight dungeons comprising four rooms in each.[112]

Link appears in Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce (Barcode Battler II), which was released by Epoch Co. in 1992 in Japan but not in North America. It was developed for the Barcode Battler II console and involves swiping cards to unlock various characters from A Link to the Past.[113]

In 1993 and 1994, Link appeared in Link: The Faces of Evil, Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon and Zelda's Adventure, The Legend of Zelda CD-i games published by Philips Interactive Media for its Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-i) players. While the games were licensed by Nintendo to use official Zelda characters, they were not produced or supervised by Nintendo.[114] As well as being critically panned, none of these games are recognized by Nintendo as part of the series' official chronology. Aonuma said that he does not consider these games as canon to Zelda lore.[115] Unlike the main games, Link has the ability to speak and is voiced by Jeffrey Rath.[116] His personality mirrors his animated series counterpart in which he yearns for adventure and is constantly trying to get a kiss from Zelda.[117]

In 2007, Nintendo released a shooting video game for the Wii titled Link's Crossbow Training. It is set within the Zelda universe and features Link as a playable character holding a crossbow. The game revisits the world of Twilight Princess and features the same landmarks and enemies. It involves the use of the Wii remote and nunchuck to create a light gun, which targets enemies with an onscreen reticule.[118]

Link appears in the 2014 hack and slash video game Hyrule Warriors as a playable character. This incarnation is a Hyrulian soldier-in-training who helps to lead the campaign against the forces of evil. Young Link from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask also appears in the game as a playable character via downloadable content, while Toon Link from The Wind Waker appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors Legends, the Nintendo 3DS port of Warriors.[119]

Link also appears as a playable character in the 2019 Nintendo Switch rhythm game Cadence of Hyrule, a crossover between Crypt of the NecroDancer and The Legend of Zelda series.[120] Players can choose to play as either Link or Zelda and both are required at the end of the game. Link can perform a spin attack and carries a shield, while Zelda uses an ethereal block and a fireball.[121]

In 2020, Link reappeared as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which acts as a prequel to Breath of the Wild and exists within the same game world. Link's appearance is similar to this previous incarnation and includes the same game mechanics featured in Breath of the Wild, such as the use of the Sheikah Slate and the ability to use a sword and a shield for parrying. He is accompanied by a roster of characters to fight alongside on the battlefield. The storyline centres around Zelda struggling to unlock her powers and the Champions battling against the newly resurrected Ganon. The game progresses in the form of various missions that must be completed to level up Link and his allies.[122]

For the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series, Nintendo released Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda in 2021. The unit was designed with a green colour scheme, metallic gold front plate and light up Triforce on the reverse. It includes the original The Legend of Zelda game, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Link's Awakening and also a version of the 1980 Game & Watch title Vermin which features Link in the main role. The clock function also depicts Link fighting various enemies.[123]

Other game series

File:Link With Master Sword Super Smash Bros.png
Breath of the Wild's incarnation of Link as he appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The Master Sword and the Hylian Shield have become defining aspects of the character's visual identity.[124]

Link has appeared in other game series and his weapons and outfits have also appeared in several games. A reference to Link appears in the Japanese release of the NES game Final Fantasy, where a grave in Elfheim is marked "Here lies Link".[125] Among SNES games, Link makes a cameo in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest where he is ranked against the player next to Mario and Yoshi.[126] Alongside Samus Aran, he makes a cameo in Super Mario RPG, where they are seen sleeping in separate beds at an inn.[127]

He is a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series and has appeared in every title since the first Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64.[128] In 2008, Toon Link from The Wind Waker appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii. He was also introduced in 2014 in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.[129] Link later returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch in various incarnations, including Young Link, Toon Link, green tunic Link and the version wearing his blue tunic from Breath of the Wild.[130]

In the GameCube version of Namco's Soulcalibur II, Link is a featured character and wields his signature weapons from the Zelda series.[131] Miyamoto did not see a problem with Link appearing in what some had thought to be a "violent fighting game", as he had already been established as a fighter in the Super Smash Bros. series.[132] Link was planned to appear together with Metroid series protagonist Samus Aran in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but was later removed.[133] As part of the styling of a Zelda-themed game mode, he is featured in the 2006 puzzle video game Tetris DS.[134] In Scribblenauts Unlimited, many Zelda series characters are summonable in the Wii U version, including Link.[135] He is referenced by an archer dressed in green in The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, a mini game in the 2012 party game Nintendo Land, which involves archery and sword fighting in a cloth style.[136] His signature green outfit also appears alongside that of Samus in Dynasty Warriors VS for the Nintendo 3DS.[137] Link appears in Sonic Lost World as part of "The Legend of Zelda Zone", where he rides his signature Crimson Loftwing.[138] In the 2013 compilation game NES Remix, players can play remixed portions of NES games, including playing as Link in a level of Donkey Kong.[139]

The Skyward Sword incarnation of Link was introduced as a playable character in Mario Kart 8, along with the "Hyrule Circuit" race track, the "Triforce Cup" and a vehicle set consisting of the "Master Cycle", "Triforce Tires" and "Hylian Kite".[140] In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Breath of the Wild incarnation also appears, along with the Master Cycle Zero, Ancient Tires, and Paraglider from the same game.[141] He is referenced in 2015 downloadable content for Monster Hunter 4 with armor resembling his tunic, Monster Hunter Generations DLC and also Monster Hunter Stories.[142][143] Incarnations of Link from The Legend of Zelda, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess and Tri Force Heroes also appear as "Mystery Mushroom" costumes in Super Mario Maker.[144][145][146] In 2016, Link appeared in a 3DS game titled My Nintendo Picross - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, a picture-puzzle game made available through the My Nintendo rewards program.[147][148] The Master Sword and Hylian Shield appear alongside Link's Champion's Tunic from Breath of the Wild as Amiibo-unlocked content in the Nintendo Switch version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.[149] In 2019, Link was added as a playable character in the 2.0.0 update to Super Mario Maker 2, which features the Master Sword power-up changing the Mario characters into Link.[150]

Television series

In The Legend of Zelda animated series, Link, voiced by Jonathan Potts,[151] features in a set of cartoons which aired from 1989 to 1990 as a part of DIC's The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!. Based loosely on the first game, the cartoons present Link as a rude, lovesick teenager. The plot revolves around Link living in Hyrule Castle and being recruited to protect the Triforce of Wisdom from Ganon, while accompanied by a fairy princess named Spryte. Over the course of the series he persistently attempts to kiss Zelda and exclaims the catchphrase "Well excuuuuuse me, Princess!" when tired with her attitude. Thirteen episodes were produced before the cancellation of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show.[152][153] The writers had little input from Nintendo and were not video game players, so they had a lot of freedom to develop the series. Jonathan Potts said he pictured Link as a, "youthful, goofy teenage boy who acts before he thinks."[154]

A similar version of Link and Zelda appear during the second season of Captain N: The Game Master.[155] The storyline involves a character named Kevin being sucked into a TV and entering a game world. During three episodes, he helps Link and Zelda to stop Ganon from reviving to protect the Triforce.[156]

Throughout 2013 and 2014, Link appeared in a series of comedic shorts titled The Legend of Zelda: The Misadventures of Link. The series made its debut on Nintendo Video, a video on demand service for the Nintendo 3DS. The series was based on The Wind Waker HD and aimed to present Link "in a new and hysterical light."[157]

In 2015, news of a planned live-action series based on The Legend of Zelda was widely reported online. According to comedian Adam Conover, the proposed series was cancelled by Nintendo after someone from Netflix leaked the project.[158]

Comics and manga

Main article: The Legend of Zelda (manga)

Following the release of the original game, Link appeared in manga-style novels published by Futabasha, including The Legend of Zelda: The Mirage Castle, which was published in Japanese in 1986.[159] A similar book titled The Legend of Zelda: The Triforce of the Gods was released in 1992 with a storyline based on A Link to the Past.[160]

In the early 1990s, Valiant Comics published a serial comic based on The Legend of Zelda series.[161] The comic series lasted for only five issues, with a sixth story published as part of the Nintendo Comics System. In this incarnation, Link's appearance was based on the original video game, giving him red hair, instead of his typical blonde or brown hair. The storyline reflects The Legend of Zelda animated television series, which was being aired around the same time. Link and Zelda's relationship is depicted as amorous, with Link attempting to get a kiss from Zelda and Zelda returning Link's affections.[162]

A serial comic was created for Nintendo Power magazine by Japanese manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. It was published in 1992 and later collected in graphic novel form in 1993. The plot is an alternate version of the storyline from A Link to the Past. Several other manga adaptations have been published by Viz Media based on the Zelda video games, including Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, A Link to the Past and The Minish Cap, which were illustrated by Akira Himekawa.[163] The Japanese artist duo also wrote the long-running Twilight Princess manga, which began as a Japanese serialisation in 2016 followed by an English translation in 2017 and has been released as a series of volumes.[164]

Nintendo published Link's Hijinks, a translated web comic by Saitaro Komatsu on its Play Nintendo website. The comic had originally appeared in the Japanese manga magazine CoroCoro Comic.[165]

Gamebooks

Nintendo published several gamebooks based on The Legend of Zelda series. As part of the Nintendo Adventure Book series, which was similar to the Choose Your Own Adventure books, two books were published in 1992 titled The Crystal Trap and The Shadow Prince. In The Crystal Trap, the storyline involves Zelda saving Link from the trap, while in The Shadow Prince, Link must save Zelda with the help of a character named Charles. In 2001, two books based on The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages were published by Scholastic, which were written by Craig Wessel and feature Link in a storyline based on the video games.[166]

Reception

Link has been well received by critics. He has been counted as one of the all-time best video game heroes by GamesRadar+.[167] Damien McFerran of Nintendo Life described him as "one of gaming's most iconic heroes", remarking that the enigmatic nature of his character leaves him open to interpretation and makes him "one of the most drawn and imitated video game icons".[168] Complex listed him as one of the "most badass" comic book characters,[169] and emphasised the fond memories that most gamers have of their first encounter with Link and the nostalgia that he creates within the video game community.[170] UGO.com considered Link to be the top comic book character who needs their own movie: "Get Peter Jackson or Guillermo del Toro to do it, dump a ton of money into it, and we'll all die happy."[171]

He is a popular character among the video game fan community. In the 1988 and 1989 Nintendo Power Awards, readers voted him as the best character.[172][173] He was also voted by readers as the first and third "Best Hero" in the 1993 and 1994 Nintendo Power Awards respectively.[174][175] In one of IGN's 2007 Hero Showdowns and in Screw Attack's Death Battle, Link was voted the favorite over Cloud Strife.[176] In 2001, readers of the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition voted Link as the second best video game character of all time, behind Mario.[177]

Link has proven to be a popular guest character in other video games series. In 2008, IGN chose him as the best bonus character in the Soulcalibur series,[178] while GameDaily considered him the best Smash Bros. character.[179] Polygon's Jeremy Parish ranked 73 fighters from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and described Toon Link as, "the single most expressive fighter on the Smash roster."[180] Gavin Jasper of Den of Geek placed Link in sixth place on his list of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate characters commenting, "He's not just a generic hero, but a force of pure mythology."[181]

Critics and gamers have responded to Link's sexual attractiveness. In June 2006, Link was chosen as the "hottest video game character" by Out magazine for appearing as "Nintendo's sexy farm-boy-turned-wolf" in Twilight Princess.[182] A survey conducted from December 2019 to November 2020 placed Link in top position on a list of the sexiest male video game characters based on 20 fan sources and Google search data.[183] Brian Feldman for New York magazine remarked, "For three decades, gamers have been horny for Link, and finally, Nintendo has acknowledged that Link is a hot, sexy boy who will fight for your honor", highlighting the reactions of side characters in Breath of the Wild.[184] Link and Zelda's relationship was ranked as the number one video game romance by James Hawkins of Joystick Division, who commented, "Never overtly called-out and not yet actualized, this tacit romance has shaped one of gaming's greatest franchises."[185]

Character analysis

Link is not only brave; he is the embodiment of the virtue of courage and heroism, single-handedly embarking on epic quests, helping those in need no matter how small the task, and showing his kind-hearted soul to everyone he meets. Link does all these things and receives little more of a reward than the occasional thank you.[186]

–The staff of GamesRadar in 2012

Critics have commented on Link's development as a fictional character. Writing for Den of Geek, Ryan Lambie praised him as "the videogame equivalent of Tintin" because he is, "the archetypal young hero, embodying all the optimism, generosity and spirit of adventure a broad fantasy action game requires." He noted that as the player character, he acts as a filter through which the player can experience the game world. He also described Link as, "the ultimate videogame underdog" and "an ordinary yet brave little guy who wants to save the world, in spite of insurmountable odds."[187] Kyle Wizner for Screen Rant considered Link's silence to be the character's most significant problem: "The silent protagonist is a gaming trope as old as any, but as it becomes less common in the modern era of video games, its issues become more obvious."[188] In a 2016 interview, Aonuma said that he felt that, "that air of proud independence he has because he doesn't speak is a precious part of the individuality of his character."[189] Jonathan Homes writing for Destructoid questioned whether Link should be viewed as an individual, or a blank slate avatar. He said that Nintendo had successfully created Link as both a specific character and an abstract concept and that this is illustrated by the player choosing the character's name at the start of various games. He continued, "He also never speaks, further solidifying him as non-character who's [sic] only purpose is to act as doorway for the player into the game world. Yet, by leaning hard on both the reincarnation myth and the use of multiple timelines, Nintendo has managed to shape Link into a series of individual characters in the minds of many."[190] Den of Geek's Aaron Greenbaum asserted that even though Link does not have voice lines, he is a different character in every incarnation and each game makes it clear that he communicates. He opined, "This paradoxical characterization helps players insert themselves into Link's shoes but also gives him a personality, despite not being designed with one."[191] Riley McAtee for The Ringer opined that the spirit of Link is the combination of courage as a defining characteristic and the absence of dialogue, which help to immerse players in the game and that this combination makes him, "the quintessential video game hero."[192]

As the series protagonist

Link's role as the protagonist of the series has been the subject of critical commentary. Sara Gitkos for iMore questioned why Link is the protagonist rather than Zelda despite her being the titular character. She commented that since the start of the series, "Zelda served as the prize at the end of Link's long traveled tunnel" and played the role of the damsel in distress, although in recent games, she has "acted more as a partner to Link rather than an object to save". She also noted that it would be difficult to change this because, "the silent hero is really just the vessel for players to control. He doesn't have any character to speak of, but rather is the place holder for us, and we become him."[193] In 2016, video game websites GameSpot and Kotaku consulted Aonuma regarding the possibility of producing a Zelda game led by a female Link. Aonuma responded that Nintendo had considered this and decided that it was simpler to have Princess Zelda as the main character, but this was abandoned because, "if we have Princess Zelda as the main character who fights, then what is Link going to do?" Jacob Krastenakes writing for The Verge opined, "Switching the two characters wouldn't even require Link to be completely absent — he could simply be the other character, who is off doing their own thing." Aonuma also used the Triforce as a reason for not creating a female Link: "The Triforce is made up of Princess Zelda, Ganon, and Link. Princess Zelda is obviously female. If we made Link a female we thought that would mess with the balance of the Triforce. That's why we decided not to do it."[194] In 2015, Nintendo announced a female version of Link named Linkle for the 2016 Nintendo 3DS release Hyrule Warriors Legends.[195] Miyamoto confirmed that Link would continue to be the protagonist in an interview with Game Kult, stating, "in the classic games in the series, Link is the hero and that will not change."[196]

Influence and legacy

Link's star at the Walk of Game in the Metreon, San Francisco

As the mascot of The Legend of Zelda series, Link has become a widely recognisable character in pop culture. Due to his popularity with gamers, his signature green outfit combined with the Master Sword and Hylian Shield is a popular choice with fans for cosplay.[197] His image has been recreated in numerous works of fan art.[198] He has been the subject of numerous internet memes that focus on the common misconception that Link is named Zelda due to him being the protagonist of the series.[199] He has also appeared in the form of various merchandise, including figurines, Amiibo, plush toys, and apparel.[200] Guinness World Records reported that as of 1 February 2018, Link is the most prolific Nintendo character released as an Amiibo.[201] Since the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on 7 December 2018, he also holds the Guinness World Record as the most ubiquitous action-adventure video game character, having appeared in 40 unique video games, not including rereleases and HD remasters.[202]

For 30 years, an elf-like dude in a green shirt has embarked on adventure after adventure. His look changed, and his setting changed, but his spirit never changed. Throughout the course of those thirty years, the impact of his first adventure has resonated within the industry. 30 years ago, the foundation of gaming shifted drastically, with the definition of "adventure" being intrinsically linked to the Legend and its hero. Many milestone titles have released under the Zelda brand, and many more have released because of it.[203]

–The Escapist in 2016

Critics widely consider Link's adventures to have been influential on the video game industry. The original The Legend of Zelda was an important influence on the action role-playing video game genre, being an early example of open world design and nonlinear gameplay. The series has inspired numerous other game titles to adopt a similar action-adventure gameplay and open world exploration, with these games being commonly referred to as "Zelda clones".[204][205] In 2005, Link was awarded a star on the Walk of Game along with his creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, noting that, "the series has produced the most popular role-playing game titles in history."[206] In 2011, Empire said, "Link has grown into one of the world's most celebrated console heroes, and helped establish RPGs as an international gaming standard."[207] In 2017, Time named Link as one of the most influential video game characters of all time commenting, "Link embodies the selfless hero on a transformative journey, a storytelling trope we've seen in countless titles from Mass Effect's Commander Shepard to Halo's Master Chief."[208] In 2020, James McMahon for The Independent listed him as one of the most iconic video game characters for starring, "in over 19 instalments of what's largely considered the greatest RPG series of all time."[209]

On 26 October 2018, Guinness World Records named Link as the most critically acclaimed videogame playable character, as he has appeared in six unique entries in GameRankings.com's list of the top 100 all-time best reviewed videogames, with Nintendo's Super Mario and Konami's Solid Snake being his closest competitors.[210] In 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was the series' biggest commercial success and received critical acclaim, having sold almost 23 million copies on the Nintendo Switch and over 1.6 million on the Nintendo Wii U, making it one of the best selling video games.[211][212]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ As "Fierce Deity Link" while wearing the obtainable Fierce Deity Mask.
  2. ^ Japanese: リンク, Hepburn: Rinku

References

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