Link is the protagonist of The Legend of Zelda series. Debuting in The Legend of Zelda for the NES, Link has become one of the most iconic characters in the industry. There are multiple variations of Link, with each one arising when a great evil approaches Hyrule. Link is the default name for the character, and the player can change it if he or she wishes. While the core of the franchise is the video games, Link has appeared outside of this realm with mangas, television shows, and merchandise.
The character has graced the cover of many magazines, appeared as the topic of philosophical discussions, and is one of the many characters in the Super Smash Bros. series, also appearing exclusively in the GameCube version of Soul Calibur 2. His popularity is almost unparalleled due to his instantly recognizable appearance. His green clothing which includes a tunic and a floppy hat have been featured in all of the titles, and holds a symbolic meaning to what the character signifies.
Character
The character's personality and attributes don't change much between the games. His look is overall similar, though minor differences are visible, which is understandable considering that there are different incarnations of the character. In all of the games Link is a teenager of varying ages. All of the incarnations of Link are left handed, excluding the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Nevertheless, this game was a mirror of the GameCube version in which he was left handed - this was done to suit right handed people (as they would hold the Wii Remote in that hand) of which there is a majority (though those who are left handed explained that the game felt natural). It should be noted that almost every game has a different Link (excluding titles with direct sequels).
Another common attribute with Link and many other video game characters is the fact that he never speaks. He isn't mute, though rather the developers wish for the players to determine what he says. All Links cloth themselves in a green tunic, though the appearance of this particular tunic changes with each new game. The tunic and floppy hat symbolizes the heroic deeds that the past heroes have done. It should also be noted that Link is most often distinguished with the Triforce of Courage, while Ganondorf wields the Triforce of Power and Zelda the Triforce of Wisdom.
In each video game Link is a Hylian. In Ocarina of Time, Link assumes that he's in fact a Kokiri, not knowing of his Hylian ancestry, which a young Deku Tree informs him of later in the game.
A common feature found in most video games is the concept of hammerspace - having a nearly endless pocket in which he carries all of his items in. For example, during most of the game all you see is Link's sword and shield, though somehow he is also holding hammers, iron boots, bows and arrows, a grappling hook, multiple different swords and tunics without it even stunting his movement. Notably, the Iron Boots, when on, will cause Link to walk very slowly - however, even though he's carrying it throughout the game it causes no effect whatsoever unless they're on.
History
Link has been through many adventures in his homeland, Hyrule, although several of his games have taken place in other lands such as Labrynna, Holodrum and Termina. Unlike Mario (Nintendo's mascot), whose games can usually go in any order chronologically, there are multiple incarnations of Link who are said to rise up when a great evil threatens Hyrule, such as Ganon or Vaati. The exact chronology is in debate, nothing is certain. It is accepted by most, however, that there are two branching timelines that refers to the split timeline theory. The games that chronologically take place after Ocarina of Time are either placed in one part of the timeline or the other. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is considered by many to be the first in the series, despite being released late in the Game Boy Advance's life.
The Legend of Zelda
In The Legend of Zelda, Link was chosen by an Old Man to save Hyrule. The Old Man gave him a sword, and Link went off. In this game, Hyrule is largely desolate, with all the citizens going underground to protect themselves from freely roaming monsters. The final enemy, Ganon, is clearly in control of the land. Link finds the 8 pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom in 8 dungeons, then ventures to Ganon's dungeon for a final confrontation in order to save Princess Zelda.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
In Adventure of Link, the same Link as before finds out from Impa that he has in possession the Triforce of Courage. Zelda has been put to sleep by her brother and a magician. Link must go to 6 Palaces in order to release the seal on the Thunderbird Palace, where he goes on to defeat the Thunderbird in order to release the seal on Zelda. In addition, Ganon's minions are wreaking havoc in Hyrule again, hoping to sacrifice Link in order to bring back Ganon. Link defeats the Thunderbird, but then confronts his own Shadow, Shadow Link.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Link comes back in Link to the Past. This time, he has an uncle who is a Knight of Hyrule (note: this is a separate incarnation of Link that wasn't present in the previous two titles. This game was the first title to confirm that there were more than one Link). Link recieves a telepathic message from Zelda, who has been imprisoned by a wizard named Agahnim. Agahnim was an advisor to the King of Hyrule, but then brought upon him a Coup in order to gain control. Link tells his uncle, who goes off to the Castle. Zelda contacts him once more, and he goes to her. Link finds his uncle injured inside the castle and takes his sword and shield to save Zelda. He rescues her, and then she tells Link that in order to fell Agahnim, he will need to contact a wise man, Saharasla.
Upon finding Saharasla, it is described to Link that in order to defeat the evil that has arisen, a hero must wield a blade powerful enough to pierce Ganon's skin. There is only one such sacred blade, and it is known as the Master Sword (note: this is the first game the sword appears in). In order to wield the blade, one must be an ancestor of the Knights of Hyrule. Link proves his worth and finds three pendants that are scattered across Hyrule and guarded by fierce monsters. After doing so, he is given access to the sword, and quickly goes off to Zelda's aid after learning of her kidnapping. After arriving in the castle, Agahnim transports Zelda to the Dark World. Link defeats the wizard, though is soon thereafter transported too by Ganon. After this, Saharasla informs Link that he must save the seven maidens that were transported here in the beginning of the game. After doing so, the maidens combine their power and give Link access to Ganon's Tower. Link battles the beast, and after defeat Link takes the Triforce, and wishes that the former glory of Hyrule would return, which happens due to the power of the Triforce.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
In Link's Awakening, Link finds himself on an island after a dreadful ship wreck. Soon after, he is taken to Tarin's house, where Link will meet Marin (Tarin's daughter who resembles Zelda). Once Link ventures outside, an owl tells him that he must find and play the 8 sirens to awaken the Wind Fish to return back to his homeland, Hyrule. Each siren is heavily guarded by a boss found inside of a dungeon. Once he traverses through every dungeons, and destroy every boss, he will be able to play the instruments, and wake the Wind Fish. It is soon revealed that this story is nothing but a mere dream (the wind fish's dream) that Link is trapped inside. Though to get out, he must still play the sirens, which will wake the fish up, thus getting rid of the dream and saving Link.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is often hailed as the greatest video game of all time. In it, the game begins in Kokiri Forest where Link is awakened by Navi the Fairy who informs Link that the Great Deku Tree wishes to see him. He seeks out a sword and shield upon the request of one of the Kokiri kids, and visits the Great Deku Tree who tells Link of a dastardly villain who cursed him after refusing to hand over one of the three Spiritual Stones. Desiring for the curse to vanish, he asked Link to travel inside his great body and destroy it. Link did so, though the curse had taken effect and the Great Deku Tree died before telling Link of his great adventure that would soon begin. He gave him the Forest Emerald and drew his last breath, with which he told Link to seek out the Princess of Hyrule.
Link traveled to Hyrule Castle where he met Princess Zelda, who foretold the future through a dream of hers. The dream was dark and grim and featured Ganondorf, the evil tyrant who cursed the Deku Tree, as the prominent figure. The King of Hyrule may not have seen through him, though Zelda did, and saw that he wished to have the Triforce for his own. Zelda asked that Link find the two other Spiritual Stones in order to open the realm that houses the Triforce, and did so by visiting the locations of the Goron and Zora races. After finding the third Spiritual Stone, he traveled back to Hyrule Castle only to find that Ganondorf had attacked Hyrule. Zelda and her faithful servant Impa escaped, and passed by Link. Zelda tossed an Ocarina into the moat, and vanished. Ganondorf followed, though was never able to find them.
Using the three Spiritual Stones and the newly acquired Ocarina of Time, Link opened the door of the Sacred Realm. There layed the Master Sword, with which he would be able to defeat Ganondorf. He thrust it from its pedestal, thus opening the way to the Triforce. However, Link was too young a boy to kill Ganondorf, and was thus sealed away for seven years. After withdrawing the blade, Ganondorf entered the realm and took the Triforce for himself. Link would have to wait for many ages until he would be old enough to defeat the beast.
Seven years later, it was revealed that Ganondorf's heart was not balanced in power, courage and wisdom. Thus, upon acquiring the Triforce, it was split into three parts and would find its new location within those whose attributes accurately signify power, courage and wisdom. Power was to Ganondorf, wisdom to Zelda, and courage to Link. Ganondorf would need to find the two of them in order to gain the ultimate power he so desired.
Meanwhile, Link, now an adult, would need to seek the help of six Sages. Each one rested within a temple, and Link would need to conquer each one in order to awaken them and their power. After doing so, a seventh Sage was revealed, Zelda. With their combined power, Link was able to enter the tower of Ganondorf that was suspended in mid air above a pool of flowing lava. He crossed the newly made bridge and entered the building. He climbed to the top, defeating waves of enemies and completing challenging puzzles, only to come across Ganondorf once and for all. He defeated him, though the tower where he was stationed started to collapse and he and Zelda had to escape. They did so, though outside Ganondorf transformed into his beast form Ganon and a new battle ensued. Link tactically thought out a battle plan and executed it perfectly, defeating Ganon and restoring peace to the land.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Link is set back to when he was a child after defeating Ganondorf as an adult. After being sent back, he goes off on an adventure to look for his lost friend (seemingly Navi from Ocarina of Time), and thus leaves Hyrule via Epona. While riding through woods in Termina, a corrupted Skull Kid attacks Link, steals his Ocarina and kidnaps his horse. After attempting to claim what is rightfully his, he falls into the land of Termina, which desperately needs Link's help from Majora's Mask, which recently took over Skull Kid's body, explaining the recent ambush.
Majora's Mask's most devious plan was pulling the Moon from its initial orbit and bringing it closer to the planet. Within three days the moon would crash smack dab in the middle of Termina, bringing the entire destruction to it. Link was obligated to stop these horrors from occurring. Link manages to get his Ocarina back, and playing a special song on it rewinds time by three days. Certain things that Link alter in those three days, however, will stay altered rather than reverting to their previous state. Link then needed to use this to his advantage and call the Four Giants so that they could push the moon back into its orbit. Doing so, however, would not rid of Majora's Mask. So, with sword in hand, Link thwarted the monster after being dispatched from Skull Kid, thus saving Termina from an almost inevitable destruction.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Ganondorf vows to retake Hyrule back from the sea that flooded it, so that he might one day rule it. A dark energy is felt through the world and Link, the hero of the winds, sets sail via the King of Red Lions after his sister is abducted by the Helmaroc King. At first Link's primary goal is to simply save his awaiting sister, though a series of events occur that causes him to be brought into a much more serious situation that requires him to thwart the demon king Ganondorf. As always, Ganondorf attempts to come in possession of the Triforce so that he can have ultimate power. Also, if he manages to do so, then he won't turn into the boar that he is destined to turn into.
While in most titles Link is simply known as the Hero of Hyrule or Time, the King of Red Lions assumes that another name suits him well this time around - the Hero of Winds, as the character wields the Wind Waker, a magical wand that allows its user to control the winds. In the end of the game, Link wields the Master sword and plunges it through Ganondorf's head, turning him to stone.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure
In this game, there are four styles of Link. There is green, blue, red, and purple. While they are all Link, and they fight together, they encounter a new foe named Vaati. Vaati was origionally just a normal human, until he made a wish, and he had become a giant eye.
The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap
The game casually starts with Link and Zelda attending a festival in Hyrule where the winner of a competition would be rewarded with a sword crafted by Link's grandfather. Chronologically, The Minish Cap is usually considered the very first video game in the series, thus making this Link the first incarnation of the hero. At the festival, Vaati, desiring the golden light contained within a chest that encased various evil monsters, broke the sword that kept the evil within. The monsters escaped, and after turning many of Hyrule resident's into stone, including the princess, Link was asked by King Daltus to reforge the sword by finding the legendary Picori.
Link managed to find the little creatures by placing the Picori that was cursed and turned into a hat Ezlo on his head. Using Ezlo, Link could shrink to the size of a Picori and thus converse with them. With the help of Ezlo, a cast of other characters and a bunch of weapons, Link managed to defeat Vaati and restore peace to the world.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
At the beginning of twilight princess, Link is just an ordinary farm boy; but when an evil King Bublin kidnaps his best friend Ilia, he is thrust into a world of Twilight created by Zant, the twilight king. A strange creature by the name of Midna offers to help Link get back to human form, but first they must meet Princess Zelda, who tells them to revive all the fountains of the sages and revive the Fused Shadow pieces to defeat Zant. However, once you do this, Zant steals the Fused Shadow and uses it for his own. Link must travel to Arbiter's Grounds to find the mirror chamber, the only access point to the Twilight world. He must retrieve the lost mirror shards from all around Hyrule and put them back into the mirror chamber to open the Twilight world to finally defeat Zant. Once he is beaten, the sages of the mirror chamber tell Link the story of how Ganondorf was locked inside and took over Zant's mind to make him evil. Midna urges Link to go back to Hyrule Castle to save Princess Zelda from Ganondorf's wrath. Link defeats him and saves the day once again and restores peace between the two worlds.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Taking place after the events of Wind Waker, Tetra, Link and the Pirates are searching for the Ghost Ship, that is taking citizens away. When they find the ship, Tetra jumps on board. Then, Tetra screams. Link tries to jump on the ship, but fails as it sails away. Link then wakes up on the beach of Mercay Island, where he meets Cielia the fairy and her grandfather, Osshu. Getting a sword and a shield, Link and Cielia go to the Temple of the Ocean King, where they go to find Cpt. Linebeck. They find him trapped so Link frees him. Linebeck teams up with Link and takes him to the Isle of Ember, where he fights the first boss. Then they go to Cannon Island and obtain a cannon. Also they get the phantom Hourglass, allowing Link to get through the Temple. Then they find the Ghost Ship heading North! Link directs the ship towards the Ghost Ship to save Tetra, but then it dissapears in immense fog! Link goes south and gets help from the islanders on Molida Isle. Taking the odd path, Link defeats the second boss and the third boss. During the fight with the bosses, the Spirit of Power, Wisdom and Courage (Who is actually Cielia) are freed and Osshu is revealed to be the Ocean King. Along the way, an old enemy of Linebeck's, Jolene, will occasionally attack your ship. When Link defeats the fourth boss on the Ghost Ship, they find that Tetra has been turned to stone! Osshu reveals her life force was trained completely. So, Link decides to obtain the Phantom Sword to rescue Tetra and defeat the evil Bellum. But he needs 3 items to do so! So, he heads to 3 more dungeons and obtains the crimsonine, the aquanine and the azurine. Then, with the Phantom Sword forged, he slayed Bellum. Or so he thought! When Tetra was freed of the curse, she was kidnapped again by Bellum! Quickly, Link, Linebeck, Osshu and the Spirits follow Bellum and destroy the Ghost Ship! They climb on board to find Bellum holding Tetra in his tentacles. Bellum attacks the ship, with Osshu on it! Then, Bellum wraps a tentacle around Link and grabs him, dropping the sword near Linebeck! Without a second thought, Linebeck grabs the sword and plunges it through a tentacle. Throwing Link and Tetra aside, Bellum grabs Linebeck and posseses him! Link grabs the sword and slays Bellum once and for all! With Linebeck and Tetra freed, Osshu turns back into his true form (A white, blue whale) and tells them Tetra and Link were teleported from the Great Sea to his sea! Then they are teleported back and climb back on the Pirate Ship. One of the Pirates tells Tetra they were only on there for 10 minutes...
Conception
Link was created by Shigeru Miyamoto when he wanted to create a character who would traverse lands and uncover secret dungeons. Link was to be a boy open to the world, and his name stems from the "link" he has with the player. Though in game canon his name is Link, the player can usually name the character whatever they wish to.
Already Released:
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: Adventure of Link
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Cameos
- In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Link is at the end in Cranky's video game heroes if the player did not get enought DK coins to beat his place. Video game stars Mario and Yoshi would also appear here as well.
- Link can be found sleeping at an inn in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'. Samus Aran, another famous Nintendo character, can also be seen sleeping in another inn.