Link (The Legend of Zelda) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Link |
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| The Legend of Zelda character | |
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Various incarnations of Link, as seen in The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia
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| First game | The Legend of Zelda (1986) |
| Created by | Shigeru Miyamoto |
| Designed by | Shigeru Miyamoto |
| Voiced by |
Child
Fujiko Takimoto (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Hyrule Warriors, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
Sachi Matsumoto (Wind Waker - Four Swords Adventures, Phantom Hourglass, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) Yūki Kodaira (Spirit Tracks) Mitsuki Saiga (A Link Between Worlds, Link's Awakening, Echoes of Wisdom) Young adult
Nobuyuki Hiyama (Ocarina of Time, Super Smash Bros., Majora's Mask, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Soulcalibur II)
Akira Sasanuma (Twilight Princess, Link's Crossbow Training, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U) Takashi Ōhara (Skyward Sword, Mario Kart 8) Yūki Kaji (Hyrule Warriors) Kengo Takanashi (Breath of the Wild, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Age of Calamity, Tears of the Kingdom) Other
Jonathan Potts (TV series and Captain N)
Jeffrey Rath (Link: The Faces of Evil and Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon) Caitlyn Bairstow (Cadence of Hyrule) |
| Portrayed by | Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (2027 film) |
| Information | |
| Race | Hylian |
| Origin | Hyrule |
| Weapon | Master Sword |
Link is a famous character from Nintendo's video game series, The Legend of Zelda. He is the main hero in these games. Link was created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto.
Link first appeared in the original The Legend of Zelda game in 1986. He has starred in many games in the series and several spin-offs. In most games, Link travels through the land of Hyrule. He explores mysterious dungeons, battles scary creatures, and solves tricky puzzles. His main goal is usually to defeat the evil Ganon and save Princess Zelda.
Across the series, Link has appeared in different forms. He is often shown wearing his classic green cap and tunic. He always carries a sword and shield. Link can be a child or a young adult, and he belongs to the elf-like Hylian race. In the Zelda stories, Link is the spirit of a legendary hero. This spirit is reborn in a new boy or young man whenever evil threatens Hyrule. To defeat Ganon, Link often finds the magical Master Sword. This special weapon helps him overcome many challenges.
Link is also famous outside the main games. He has appeared in other Nintendo games, like the Super Smash Bros. series. You can also find him in comics, manga, and even an animated TV show. Link is one of the most recognizable video game characters ever. He helped shape the role-playing video game genre. His adventures inspired many games with their ideas of open worlds and nonlinear gameplay.
Contents
Link: The Hero of Hyrule
How Link Was Created
Link's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, based The Legend of Zelda on his childhood memories. He also took inspiration from books and movies he enjoyed, like The Lord of the Rings. Miyamoto wanted players to feel like heroes. So, he made Link a seemingly ordinary boy with a big destiny. Link's name comes from his role as a "link" between different times or people. He connects the scattered energy of the world through the ages.
Link is the character you play as in every The Legend of Zelda game. Even though they look similar, each Link is usually a different person. The series covers thousands of years in Hyrule's history. This means each Link is a new hero, sometimes a descendant or a spiritual rebirth. In some games, like Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, the same Link continues his story. The game Skyward Sword, released in 2011, explained this cycle. It showed that a curse forces a hero to always rise and defeat evil, usually in the form of Ganon.
Link usually doesn't speak much in the games. His voice acting is mostly grunts and battle cries. This is so players can imagine Link's thoughts and feelings. It helps players feel like they are the hero.
Link's Changing Look
Link's design has changed over the years but kept some key features. Early designs were inspired by Disney's Peter Pan. Green was chosen as his main color because the first game was set in a forest. His sword, shield, long hat, and pointed ears made him easy to spot.
For Ocarina of Time, Link appeared as both a child and a young adult. This helped tell a story about growing up. Later, The Wind Waker introduced a cartoon-style Link. This "Toon Link" had big eyes and showed many emotions. This style allowed for more expressive storytelling.
In 2006, Twilight Princess showed a more realistic and serious Link. He looked like an older teenager, ready for battle. In this game, Link could even turn into a wolf. This transformation helped him mature during his adventure.
Link's famous green tunic and cap also changed. In Breath of the Wild (2017), his green outfit was not the default. Instead, he often wore a blue tunic. Designers wanted to update his look and make him a neutral character. This allowed players to relate to him more easily. His physical features also evolved, reflecting different fashion trends. He has often had soft, gentle facial features.
Link sometimes has a dark counterpart called Shadow Link or Dark Link. These versions have different looks, like a shadowy form or red eyes.
Who is Link?
Link is known as the "Hero of Hyrule." He is the classic hero of the The Legend of Zelda series. When great evil threatens Hyrule, Link is destined to fight it. He brings peace back to the land. He often starts as a lazy child or young adult. But he grows stronger and more skilled as the game progresses. His adventures usually involve solving puzzles, saving Princess Zelda, and defeating Ganon.
Link is a Hylian, a humanoid race with pointed, elf-like ears. He is usually seen in his green cap and tunic, with a sword and shield. Link's age changes in different games. He was ten in the first game and 16 in its sequel. In Ocarina of Time, he was nine, then 16 after a time jump. In The Wind Waker, Toon Link was 12. In Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and Breath of the Wild, Link was around 16 or 17.
In the stories, Link is the reborn soul of a hero. He is chosen by the goddess Hylia to protect Hyrule. He also carries the Triforce of Courage. This is one of three parts of the Triforce, a sacred symbol of power. The Triforce of Courage represents Link's bravery and the player's adventurous spirit.
Link's Special Items
Link uses many weapons, like bows, boomerangs, and magic rods. But his most famous weapon is the Master Sword. This powerful magic sword can repel evil. Throughout his adventures, Link finds many useful items. These items give him special abilities. For example, a magic cape can make him invisible. Potions can restore his health. Other tools like the hookshot help him grab things. Bombs can blast open walls.
Link also uses musical instruments, like the Ocarina of Time. This instrument helps him teleport. In Breath of the Wild, his main tool was the Sheikah Slate. This tablet had runes that let him control the game world. In Tears of the Kingdom, Link's damaged arm was replaced. This new arm gave him powers like Ultrahand, Fuse, and Ascend. These powers helped him build things and move through the world.
Link's Close Connections
Link, Zelda, and Ganon are linked by the Triforce. Ganon represents Power, Zelda represents Wisdom, and Link represents Courage. This connection means they are always part of an endless battle between good and evil. Link and Zelda share a very special bond. This connection is often a key part of their adventures.
Link's Adventures in Games
Early 2D Adventures
Link first appeared on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in The Legend of Zelda (1986). He was a small, 2D character in a flat world. He wore a green cap and tunic. In this game, Link had to rescue Princess Zelda and Hyrule from the evil Ganon. He explored many areas and dungeons, finding items to defeat bosses.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987) showed a slightly taller Link. This game mixed top-down exploration with side-scrolling action. Link could stab up and down with his sword. He gained Experience points to improve his health and attack. He also used magic spells.
A Link to the Past (1991) brought Link to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System with more colors. This game returned to a top-down view. It introduced important items like the hookshot and the Master Sword. Link's combat skills improved, allowing diagonal movement and spin attacks.
The first handheld game, Link's Awakening (1993) on the Game Boy, featured Link on Koholint Island. He was shipwrecked and had to collect musical instruments. This game was unique because Link could jump in an overhead view.
Stepping into 3D Worlds
Ocarina of Time (1998) for the Nintendo 64 (N64) was the first 3D Zelda game. Link had blonde hair and rode his horse, Epona. Players controlled Link as both a child and a young adult. His abilities greatly expanded, with many new movements and combat options. A fairy named Navi guided him.
Link returned on the N64 in Majora's Mask (2000). As a child, he had to save Termina from the moon crashing down. Link used the Ocarina of Time to travel back in time. He also found magical masks that transformed him into different creatures. These transformations gave him special powers.
Cartoon Style and New Ideas
The Wind Waker (2002) on the GameCube showed Link in a cute, cartoon-like style. He was a preteen character with a large head and expressive eyes. He explored islands and used the Wind Waker, a magical baton, to control the wind.
The Minish Cap (2004) on the Game Boy Advance brought Link back to a single-player adventure. He was a child who could shrink to the size of the Minish with the help of a talking cap named Ezlo.
Phantom Hourglass (2007) and Spirit Tracks (2009) continued the cartoon style on the Nintendo DS. These games used the console's touchscreen for controls. In Spirit Tracks, Link traveled by train and worked with Princess Zelda's spirit.
Realistic Worlds and Open Exploration
Twilight Princess (2006) on the GameCube and Wii offered a darker adventure. It featured a detailed, teenage Link. He could transform into a wolf and was helped by an imp-like creature named Midna. This game had a more mature tone.
Skyward Sword (2011) on the Wii used Wii MotionPlus for sword controls. This game explored a close bond between Link and Zelda. Link traveled between a sky land and the surface world. He reforged the Goddess Sword into the Master Sword.
A Link Between Worlds (2013) for the Nintendo 3DS was a sequel to A Link to the Past. Link could turn into a painting to walk along walls. This allowed him to switch between Hyrule and the dark world of Lorule.
Breath of the Wild (2017) on the Nintendo Switch and Wii U reinvented the series. It created a huge open world for Link to explore. He could climb, glide, and interact with the environment in new ways. His classic green outfit was replaced by a blue tunic by default.
In Tears of the Kingdom (2023), a direct sequel, Link's arm was replaced by a magical one. This arm gave him new powers like Recall, Fuse, Ultrahand, and Ascend. These abilities helped him build and manipulate objects.
Echoes of Wisdom (2024) was the first main Zelda game where Zelda was the playable character. Link was originally planned as the hero. However, his sword fighting skills did not fit the game's unique "echoes" concept. Link still appeared in the game, helping Zelda in her quest.
Link Beyond the Main Games
Other Game Appearances
Link has appeared in many other game series. He is a playable character in the popular Super Smash Bros. fighting games. Different versions of Link, like Toon Link and Young Link, have appeared. He also raced in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In the GameCube version of Soulcalibur II, Link was a guest character. He also made cameos in games like Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Super Mario RPG.
Link in Movies and Books
An animated TV series aired from 1989 to 1990. It showed Link as a rude, lovesick teenager. He tried to kiss Zelda and often said, "Well excuse me, Princess!" A similar Link appeared in Captain N: The Game Master.
A live-action film is planned for 2027. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is set to portray Link in this movie.
Link has also appeared in many manga and comic books. These stories often retell or expand on the game's plots. There were also gamebooks where readers could choose their own adventure with Link.
Link Collectibles
Since 2014, many amiibo figures of Link have been released. These include different versions like Link, Toon Link, and Young Link. There are also amiibo for specific games like Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild. Link is the Nintendo character with the most amiibo figures. You can also find Link on many other items. These include figurines, plush toys, and action figures. In May 2024, Lego minifigures of Link were announced as part of a Great Deku Tree set.
See also
In Spanish: Link (personaje) para niños
