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{{Character | {{Character | ||
|image=[[Image:Link.jpg|250px]] | |image=[[Image:Link.jpg|250px]] | ||
− | |caption=Link | + | |caption=Link's design in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]''. |
|bgcolor=#006600 | |bgcolor=#006600 | ||
|fgcolor=#FFFFFF | |fgcolor=#FFFFFF | ||
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|eyes=Blue | |eyes=Blue | ||
|species=[[Hylian]] | |species=[[Hylian]] | ||
− | |relatives='''''A Link to the Past'''''<br />[[Link's Uncle|Uncle]]<br />'''''The Wind Waker'''''<br />[[Link's Grandma|Grandma]] <br /> [[Aryll]] (sister)<br />'''''The Minish Cap'''''<br />[[Smith]] ( | + | |relatives='''''A Link to the Past'''''<br />[[Link's Uncle|Uncle]]<br />'''''The Wind Waker'''''<br />[[Link's Grandma|Grandma]] <br /> [[Aryll]] (sister)<br />'''''The Minish Cap'''''<br />[[Smith]] (grandpa) |
− | |voiced by= [[Fujiko Takimoto]] (Young Link) (1998-2002 | + | |voiced by= [[Fujiko Takimoto]] (Young Link) (1998-2002)<br>[[Nobuyuki Hiyama]] (1998-2001)<br>[[Sachi Matsumoto]] (Toon Link) (2002-2008)<br>[[Akira Sasanuma]] (2005-present)<br />[[Yuuki Kodaira]] (Toon Link) (2009) |
− | |debut= | + | |debut=[[The Legend of Zelda]] |
|}} | |}} | ||
− | '''Link''' is the hero and primary playable character of the [[Portal: The Legend of Zelda| | + | '''Link''' is the hero and primary playable character of the ''[[Portal: The Legend of Zelda|The Legend of Zelda'' series]]. There is more than one Link who shows up across [[Hyrule|Hyrule's]] history, but all of them are similar. All of them are heroic young [[Hylians]] who dress in green and have nearly identical physical appearances. Each of them bears a sword in his left hand and a shield in the other in addition to a whole arsenal of various weapons. Each Link rises from obscurity to beat back evil as it rises, with his greatest nemesis being the Demon King [[Ganon]]. He is also commonly associated with the [[Triforce|Triforce of Courage]]. The connection between these Links is uncertain, but ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'' serves as the new foundation for the legend of the hero and implies nearly every Link may be a reincarnation of a previous one who bears the "spirit of the hero". |
=Background= | =Background= | ||
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==Pre-Timeline Split== | ==Pre-Timeline Split== | ||
− | === | + | ===[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]=== |
Link was a young citizen of [[Skyloft]] who studied at its [[Knight Academy]] as an underclassmen. He was friends with some of his peers such as his classmate [[Fledge]] as well as the upperclassmen [[Pipit]] and [[Karane]]. Out of his friends, Link was the closest to [[Zelda]], whom he had known since childhood. Her father, the headmaster [[Gaepora]], also took a liking to Link. Link also had to contend with the bullying tactics of [[Groose]], who was jealous of Link's bond with Zelda, and Groose was always joined by by his lackeys [[Cawlin]] and [[Strich]], although they were relatively more cordial to Link. Link was considered to be a promising student ever since he formed a special bond with a rare Crimson [[Loftwing]] as his personal Loftwing when he was younger, and they were close enough to make Zelda jealous. Link was implied to be somewhat lazy, as he began practicing less while sleeping and daydreaming more, much to Zelda's chagrin. At least some of this could be attributed to the mysterious prophetic dreams that Link experienced with increasing frequency in which an apparition (which Link would later know as [[Fi]]) appeared before him and began to warn him of his destiny. | Link was a young citizen of [[Skyloft]] who studied at its [[Knight Academy]] as an underclassmen. He was friends with some of his peers such as his classmate [[Fledge]] as well as the upperclassmen [[Pipit]] and [[Karane]]. Out of his friends, Link was the closest to [[Zelda]], whom he had known since childhood. Her father, the headmaster [[Gaepora]], also took a liking to Link. Link also had to contend with the bullying tactics of [[Groose]], who was jealous of Link's bond with Zelda, and Groose was always joined by by his lackeys [[Cawlin]] and [[Strich]], although they were relatively more cordial to Link. Link was considered to be a promising student ever since he formed a special bond with a rare Crimson [[Loftwing]] as his personal Loftwing when he was younger, and they were close enough to make Zelda jealous. Link was implied to be somewhat lazy, as he began practicing less while sleeping and daydreaming more, much to Zelda's chagrin. At least some of this could be attributed to the mysterious prophetic dreams that Link experienced with increasing frequency in which an apparition (which Link would later know as [[Fi]]) appeared before him and began to warn him of his destiny. | ||
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Demise's curse at the end of the game sets up the precedent for the rest of the series. Ganondorf (or possibly just his form as the Demon King Ganon) is implied to be the incarnation of Demise's hate, which is why he always emerges to cause trouble during times when a Link and Zelda are present. The term "spirit of the hero" also implies that Link is also reincarnated into the other successive Links (with the most likely exception being the Links of the Adult Timeline), although it could also refer to spirit as the determination which always drives the hero. | Demise's curse at the end of the game sets up the precedent for the rest of the series. Ganondorf (or possibly just his form as the Demon King Ganon) is implied to be the incarnation of Demise's hate, which is why he always emerges to cause trouble during times when a Link and Zelda are present. The term "spirit of the hero" also implies that Link is also reincarnated into the other successive Links (with the most likely exception being the Links of the Adult Timeline), although it could also refer to spirit as the determination which always drives the hero. | ||
− | === | + | ===[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]=== |
Very little is known about the Link who is spoken of in ''The Minish Cap'''s backstory. When Hyrule was covered in darkness this child used the [[Four Sword|Picori Blade]] and light force granted by the [[Minish]] to repel the evil and save Hyrule. He sealed the various monsters within the Bound Chest with the Picori Blade. This hero was not known to wear a cap. | Very little is known about the Link who is spoken of in ''The Minish Cap'''s backstory. When Hyrule was covered in darkness this child used the [[Four Sword|Picori Blade]] and light force granted by the [[Minish]] to repel the evil and save Hyrule. He sealed the various monsters within the Bound Chest with the Picori Blade. This hero was not known to wear a cap. | ||
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In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'', a young, capless Link is childhood friends with Princess Zelda due to the good relations between [[King Daltus]] and [[Smith]], Link's grandfather. When Vaati shatters the Picori Blade and turns Zelda into stone, it is left up to Link to repair the sword and defeat Vaati. He is accompanied in his quest for the four Minish elements by [[Ezlo]], a Minish wizard who had been transformed into a bird-like hat by Vaati's curse. Ezlo rides on Link's head and uses his spells to shrink Link down to Minish size near great sources of Minish magic, which proved an invaluable ability in the adventure. The Picori Blade was restored and became the [[Four Sword]], Vaati was destroyed, Zelda was freed, and Ezlo was restored to normal. As he left for the Minish world, he gave Link a special gift: his own green cap. | In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'', a young, capless Link is childhood friends with Princess Zelda due to the good relations between [[King Daltus]] and [[Smith]], Link's grandfather. When Vaati shatters the Picori Blade and turns Zelda into stone, it is left up to Link to repair the sword and defeat Vaati. He is accompanied in his quest for the four Minish elements by [[Ezlo]], a Minish wizard who had been transformed into a bird-like hat by Vaati's curse. Ezlo rides on Link's head and uses his spells to shrink Link down to Minish size near great sources of Minish magic, which proved an invaluable ability in the adventure. The Picori Blade was restored and became the [[Four Sword]], Vaati was destroyed, Zelda was freed, and Ezlo was restored to normal. As he left for the Minish world, he gave Link a special gift: his own green cap. | ||
− | === | + | ===[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords|The Four Swords]]=== |
[[Image:Fourlinks.jpg|thumb|125px|left|Link in four colors.]] | [[Image:Fourlinks.jpg|thumb|125px|left|Link in four colors.]] | ||
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==The Hero of Time== | ==The Hero of Time== | ||
− | === | + | ===[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]=== |
During the fierce wars that engulfed Hyrule, a lone mother escaped into the [[Kokiri Forest]] with her newborn son, Link. As she lay dying, she begged the [[Deku Tree]] to protect her son. Sensing a noble fate for the boy, the Deku Tree agreed. Link was then raised in the Kokiri Forest as one of the mystical [[Kokiri]] children, unaware of his Hylian heritage. He formed a strong friendship with [[Saria]] the Kokiri girl, but he was teased by [[Mido]] and the other Kokiri for his lack of a [[fairy]] partner. Dark dreams haunted Link for some days throughout his childhood until he woke up one day to find he now had a fairy named [[Navi]], who brought him to save the ill Deku Tree. Link entered the tree and used his [[Kokiri Sword]] and [[Deku Shield]] to slay the evil within, but it was too late for the Deku Tree. Before he withered, the tree bestowed upon Link the [[Kokiri's Emerald]], the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, and sent him to meet the [[Zelda|Princess of Destiny]] in Hyrule Castle. After a heartfelt farewell with Saria, Link left the forest with his new companion Navi and began his grand adventure. | During the fierce wars that engulfed Hyrule, a lone mother escaped into the [[Kokiri Forest]] with her newborn son, Link. As she lay dying, she begged the [[Deku Tree]] to protect her son. Sensing a noble fate for the boy, the Deku Tree agreed. Link was then raised in the Kokiri Forest as one of the mystical [[Kokiri]] children, unaware of his Hylian heritage. He formed a strong friendship with [[Saria]] the Kokiri girl, but he was teased by [[Mido]] and the other Kokiri for his lack of a [[fairy]] partner. Dark dreams haunted Link for some days throughout his childhood until he woke up one day to find he now had a fairy named [[Navi]], who brought him to save the ill Deku Tree. Link entered the tree and used his [[Kokiri Sword]] and [[Deku Shield]] to slay the evil within, but it was too late for the Deku Tree. Before he withered, the tree bestowed upon Link the [[Kokiri's Emerald]], the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, and sent him to meet the [[Zelda|Princess of Destiny]] in Hyrule Castle. After a heartfelt farewell with Saria, Link left the forest with his new companion Navi and began his grand adventure. | ||
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After infiltrating Ganon's Castle and scaling Ganon's Tower, Link fought his nemesis for the first time, first in the form of Ganondorf and then as the Demon King Ganon. Link's Master Sword and [[Light Arrows]] proved invaluable in the battle, and Zelda also provided some aid after she was rescued. Link managed to incapacitate Ganon long enough for Zelda and the other Sages to seal Ganon within the tainted Sacred Realm. Zelda then gave Link a solemn farewell as she used the [[Ocarina of Time]] to send him and Navi back in time, where he replaced the Master Sword and closed the door between the two times permanently. The future that Link left became the Adult Timeline, and the new timeline where Link arrived in his childhood was the Child Timeline. | After infiltrating Ganon's Castle and scaling Ganon's Tower, Link fought his nemesis for the first time, first in the form of Ganondorf and then as the Demon King Ganon. Link's Master Sword and [[Light Arrows]] proved invaluable in the battle, and Zelda also provided some aid after she was rescued. Link managed to incapacitate Ganon long enough for Zelda and the other Sages to seal Ganon within the tainted Sacred Realm. Zelda then gave Link a solemn farewell as she used the [[Ocarina of Time]] to send him and Navi back in time, where he replaced the Master Sword and closed the door between the two times permanently. The future that Link left became the Adult Timeline, and the new timeline where Link arrived in his childhood was the Child Timeline. | ||
− | There is also a third timeline branch following an alternative version of events in which Link fails to defeat Ganon in the final battle. This leads to the death of the Hero of Time and the decline of Hyrule, with the sages being forced to take care of Ganon themselves. The after-effects of this are shown under the [[# | + | There is also a third timeline branch following an alternative version of events in which Link fails to defeat Ganon in the final battle. This leads to the death of the Hero of Time and the decline of Hyrule, with the sages being forced to take care of Ganon themselves. The after-effects of this are shown under the [[#Defeated_Timeline|Defeated Timeline]]. |
===Child Timeline=== | ===Child Timeline=== | ||
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''The Ocarina of Time'' ended with Link meeting with Zelda in the courtyard, and his hand still bore the mark of the Triforce of Courage. The Hyrule Historia elaborates that Link had been returned at a point prior to the Sacred Realm being opened. However, his adventures in the future had caused him to arrive with the Triforce of Courage from this timeline and also caused Ganondorf to retrieve a Triforce piece. Link came to Zelda to warn him about Ganondorf's plans, and Link's testimony was able to lead to Ganondorf being captured before he could set his plans into motion. In the meantime, Zelda suggested that he protect himself by leaving Hyrule on a private journey. She entrusted him with the Ocarina of Time so that it would be kept safe from Ganondorf. Link decided to search for the missing [[Navi]] and borrowed Epona from Malon. | ''The Ocarina of Time'' ended with Link meeting with Zelda in the courtyard, and his hand still bore the mark of the Triforce of Courage. The Hyrule Historia elaborates that Link had been returned at a point prior to the Sacred Realm being opened. However, his adventures in the future had caused him to arrive with the Triforce of Courage from this timeline and also caused Ganondorf to retrieve a Triforce piece. Link came to Zelda to warn him about Ganondorf's plans, and Link's testimony was able to lead to Ganondorf being captured before he could set his plans into motion. In the meantime, Zelda suggested that he protect himself by leaving Hyrule on a private journey. She entrusted him with the Ocarina of Time so that it would be kept safe from Ganondorf. Link decided to search for the missing [[Navi]] and borrowed Epona from Malon. | ||
− | ==== | + | ====[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]==== |
[[Image:Linkyoung.jpg|thumb|150px|Young Link in ''Majora's Mask'']] | [[Image:Linkyoung.jpg|thumb|150px|Young Link in ''Majora's Mask'']] | ||
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The Happy Mask Salesman was able to teach Link the [[Songs in Legend of Zelda series#Song_of_Healing|Song of Healing]], which restored Link to normal while sealing the Deku Scrub form within a mask. He quickly became angry when he saw that Link had failed to retrieve Majora's Mask. However, [[Tael]] had given them a hint on a way to stop the Skull Kid. Link and Tatl then traveled across Termina over the course of various three-day cycles and solved the problems of the four regions while freeing the [[Four Giants]] who were the guardians of the world. Along the way, Link gathered various magical masks, including ones that could turn him into a [[Goron]], [[Zora]] or even a [[Fierce Deity's Mask|Fierce Deity]]. He also helped all of the troubled inhabitants of Termina to solve their problems which the corrupted Skull Kid have caused. Link was able to summon the four giants once they were freed to stop the moon from falling on the third night. Link then entered the moon and destroyed Majora's Mask. The Skull Kid returned to his senses and apologized to Link, recognizing him from the Lost Woods of ''Ocarina''. Link parted ways with his new friend Tatl as well as the Skull Kid and the Happy Mask Salesman. Riding Epona, he soon returned to the Lost Woods and resumed his journey. | The Happy Mask Salesman was able to teach Link the [[Songs in Legend of Zelda series#Song_of_Healing|Song of Healing]], which restored Link to normal while sealing the Deku Scrub form within a mask. He quickly became angry when he saw that Link had failed to retrieve Majora's Mask. However, [[Tael]] had given them a hint on a way to stop the Skull Kid. Link and Tatl then traveled across Termina over the course of various three-day cycles and solved the problems of the four regions while freeing the [[Four Giants]] who were the guardians of the world. Along the way, Link gathered various magical masks, including ones that could turn him into a [[Goron]], [[Zora]] or even a [[Fierce Deity's Mask|Fierce Deity]]. He also helped all of the troubled inhabitants of Termina to solve their problems which the corrupted Skull Kid have caused. Link was able to summon the four giants once they were freed to stop the moon from falling on the third night. Link then entered the moon and destroyed Majora's Mask. The Skull Kid returned to his senses and apologized to Link, recognizing him from the Lost Woods of ''Ocarina''. Link parted ways with his new friend Tatl as well as the Skull Kid and the Happy Mask Salesman. Riding Epona, he soon returned to the Lost Woods and resumed his journey. | ||
− | The Hero of Time's whereabouts following the events of ''Majora's Mask'' are unknown. He is known to started a family at some point, with the [[# | + | The Hero of Time's whereabouts following the events of ''Majora's Mask'' are unknown. He is known to started a family at some point, with the [[#The_Hero_from_Ordon|Hero from Ordon]] being his descendant. Ever since he returned to the past, Link felt some disappointment that he would not be remembered as a hero in this timeline, as he directly defeated Ganon only in the adult timeline. This regret caused Link's spirit to manifest as the [[Hero's Spirit]] after his death. |
− | == | + | ==Defeated Timeline== |
===The Destined Hero=== | ===The Destined Hero=== | ||
− | ==== | + | ====[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]==== |
This incarnation of Link lived peacefully with his uncle. They were both descended from the Knights of Hyrule, which made them indirect relatives of the Hero of Time. One stormy night, Princess Zelda telepathically contacted Link with a plea for help. A dark wizard name [[Aganhim]] had gained control over Hyrule Castle and was sacrificing the maiden descendants of the seven sages in order to break the seal on the [[Dark World]]. Zelda was the only one left, so Link journeyed into the castle to rescue her, coming across his dying uncle along the way. He was able to escort her to a sancturary, but he found that he would need the Master Sword before he could stop Aganhim. Link journeyed across Hyrule to gather the three pendants of Courage, Power and Wisdom, and with them he was able pull the Master Sword from its pedestal in the [[Lost Woods]]. By the time he accomplished this, Zelda had been captured, and she was sacrificed into the Dark World just as Link arrived to save her. | This incarnation of Link lived peacefully with his uncle. They were both descended from the Knights of Hyrule, which made them indirect relatives of the Hero of Time. One stormy night, Princess Zelda telepathically contacted Link with a plea for help. A dark wizard name [[Aganhim]] had gained control over Hyrule Castle and was sacrificing the maiden descendants of the seven sages in order to break the seal on the [[Dark World]]. Zelda was the only one left, so Link journeyed into the castle to rescue her, coming across his dying uncle along the way. He was able to escort her to a sancturary, but he found that he would need the Master Sword before he could stop Aganhim. Link journeyed across Hyrule to gather the three pendants of Courage, Power and Wisdom, and with them he was able pull the Master Sword from its pedestal in the [[Lost Woods]]. By the time he accomplished this, Zelda had been captured, and she was sacrificed into the Dark World just as Link arrived to save her. | ||
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Link was able to match Aganhim in battle, so he simply used his magic to send Link into the Dark World. Link continued his adventure in the Dark World by saving Zelda and the other six maidens, who had been distributed to Ganon's monster lieutenants across the Dark World. Each of the maidens told him more about Ganon, who was behind Aganhim and seeking a way out of the Dark World. Link proved himself to be the Hero of Cataclysm's Eve by defeating Ganon in the [[Pyramid of Power]]. He then found the Triforce in the room behind Ganon, and he used a wish upon it to restore peace to Hyrule. This also restored his uncle to life. | Link was able to match Aganhim in battle, so he simply used his magic to send Link into the Dark World. Link continued his adventure in the Dark World by saving Zelda and the other six maidens, who had been distributed to Ganon's monster lieutenants across the Dark World. Each of the maidens told him more about Ganon, who was behind Aganhim and seeking a way out of the Dark World. Link proved himself to be the Hero of Cataclysm's Eve by defeating Ganon in the [[Pyramid of Power]]. He then found the Triforce in the room behind Ganon, and he used a wish upon it to restore peace to Hyrule. This also restored his uncle to life. | ||
− | ==== | + | ====The Oracle Series==== |
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One day, Link entered Hyrule Castle, and the three pieces of the Triforce spoke to him before whisking him away on a pair of quests in [[Holodrum]] and [[Labrynna]], where he was to rescue the Oracles of [[Din (Oracle)|Seasons]] and [[Nayru (Oracle)|Ages]] from [[General Onox|Onox]] the General of Darkness and [[Veran]] the Sorceress of Shadows, respectfully. | One day, Link entered Hyrule Castle, and the three pieces of the Triforce spoke to him before whisking him away on a pair of quests in [[Holodrum]] and [[Labrynna]], where he was to rescue the Oracles of [[Din (Oracle)|Seasons]] and [[Nayru (Oracle)|Ages]] from [[General Onox|Onox]] the General of Darkness and [[Veran]] the Sorceress of Shadows, respectfully. | ||
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In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Ages]]'', Link ended up in Labrynna and met up with Nayru. Link also encountered Impa again, who not only was acting strangely, but she could not move the magical seal leading to Nayru's secret grove. It turned out that Veran was possessing Impa and once she was near Nayru, Veran passed into Nayru's body and warped through time to four hundred years prior. In order to fix the alterations in time, Link had to jump between the present and four centuries ago, using the [[Harp of Ages]] to master time as well as restore Labrynna's [[Maku Tree]] with all eight [[Essensce of Time]]. Link did save Nayru before completing the quest, but Veran survived and possessed [[Queen Ambi]] instead. Once Link had gathered all the Elements of Time, he was able to enter the Black Tower and defeated Veran in battle. His adventure was not over yet, as Princess Zelda had been captured in the meantime. | In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Ages]]'', Link ended up in Labrynna and met up with Nayru. Link also encountered Impa again, who not only was acting strangely, but she could not move the magical seal leading to Nayru's secret grove. It turned out that Veran was possessing Impa and once she was near Nayru, Veran passed into Nayru's body and warped through time to four hundred years prior. In order to fix the alterations in time, Link had to jump between the present and four centuries ago, using the [[Harp of Ages]] to master time as well as restore Labrynna's [[Maku Tree]] with all eight [[Essensce of Time]]. Link did save Nayru before completing the quest, but Veran survived and possessed [[Queen Ambi]] instead. Once Link had gathered all the Elements of Time, he was able to enter the Black Tower and defeated Veran in battle. His adventure was not over yet, as Princess Zelda had been captured in the meantime. | ||
− | Link partook in one more battle to save Princess Zelda from [[Twinrova]], who were using Onox and Veran to light the torches necessary to revive their king. The last torch could only be lit by sacrificing Zelda, but this time Link was able to save her before it was too late and defeated Twinrova. Twinrova opted to sacrifice their selves and to complete Ganon's ressurection. However, this Ganon was a mindless beast due to the revival being botched, so Link was able to defeat him with relative ease. Following Ganon's defeat, Link had some moments of fun and peace with all the friends he had made throughout his adventure before leaving | + | Link partook in one more battle to save Princess Zelda from [[Twinrova]], who were using Onox and Veran to light the torches necessary to revive their king. The last torch could only be lit by sacrificing Zelda, but this time Link was able to save her before it was too late and defeated Twinrova. Twinrova opted to sacrifice their selves and to complete Ganon's ressurection. However, this Ganon was a mindless beast due to the revival being botched, so Link was able to defeat him with relative ease. Following Ganon's defeat, Link had some moments of fun and peace with all the friends he had made throughout his adventure before leaving in a boat, to either train in other lands or return to Hyrule. |
− | ===The | + | ====[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]==== |
− | + | [[Image:Link-alttp.jpg|thumb|160px|right]] | |
− | + | Once Link's quest of enlightenment and training in other lands was complete (it is uncertain if the ''Oracles'' games constitutes the entirety of his training or if he trained in different lands prior to this game), he sailed back to Hyrule. However, he was shipwrecked by a squall which trapped him in the dreams of the [[Wind Fish]], which took place on [[Koholint Island]]. The kindly [[Marin]] and [[Tarin]] took care of him, and Link soon regained his basic items while beginning a new adventure in Koholint. He knew that waking the Wind Fish with the [[Instruments of the Sirens]] was the only way to leave the island, but it was not until a late stage of his quest that he learned that the entire island was the product of the Wind Fish's dream. | |
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− | + | This seemed to caused some tension for Link, as he had gotten close to Marin during the adventure. He still continued his journey, completed the collection of eight magical instruments and defeated the final Nightmare known as [[Enemies in Link's Awakening|DethI]] within the Wind Fish's Egg. He finally found his chance to awaken the Wind Fish at this point. Doing so meant losing all the dear yet imaginary friends he had made on the island, but Link had to wake up the Wind Fish and himself if he ever hoped to return to Hyrule. The Wind Fish assured Link that Koholint would live on in Link's memories and his own dreams, and Link played the Ballad of the Wind Fish over all of the instruments, they awoke together. Link woke up in the middle of the ocean floating on driftwood and watched the Wind Fish fly off. His exploits afterwards are unknown. | |
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===The Foreign Warrior=== | ===The Foreign Warrior=== | ||
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===The Hero of Winds=== | ===The Hero of Winds=== | ||
− | ==== | + | ====[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]==== |
The Link who surfaced in ''The Wind Waker'' was a young boy who lived with his loving [[Link's Grandmother|grandmother]] and younger sister named [[Aryll]]. He had a pleasant upbringing on [[Outset Island]], until the day when he turned the same age the Hero of Time did when he started his quest. As was customary on the island, Link was given a green tunic like the Hero's. On that very day he met with [[Tetra]] and her pirates, who had been chased there by the [[Helmaroc King]]. Confusing her with Tetra, the bird swiped Link's sister. Link wanted to help Tetra find her, and he proved her worth by earning a sword from [[Orca]] after some practice sessions and being given a shield by his grandmother. On the ship, he was initiated into the crew by the scheming [[Niko]]. Link infiltrated the Helmaroc King's coop at the [[Forsaken Fortress]] after the pirates brought him there, but he was easily beaten and taken to meet Ganondorf- who thought nothing of the boy and had him flung into the horizon. | The Link who surfaced in ''The Wind Waker'' was a young boy who lived with his loving [[Link's Grandmother|grandmother]] and younger sister named [[Aryll]]. He had a pleasant upbringing on [[Outset Island]], until the day when he turned the same age the Hero of Time did when he started his quest. As was customary on the island, Link was given a green tunic like the Hero's. On that very day he met with [[Tetra]] and her pirates, who had been chased there by the [[Helmaroc King]]. Confusing her with Tetra, the bird swiped Link's sister. Link wanted to help Tetra find her, and he proved her worth by earning a sword from [[Orca]] after some practice sessions and being given a shield by his grandmother. On the ship, he was initiated into the crew by the scheming [[Niko]]. Link infiltrated the Helmaroc King's coop at the [[Forsaken Fortress]] after the pirates brought him there, but he was easily beaten and taken to meet Ganondorf- who thought nothing of the boy and had him flung into the horizon. | ||
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The King of Red Lions had Link and Tetra brought to Hyrule, where he revealed himself to be [[Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule]]- an ancient king of Hyrule. And he also revealed Tetra to be a descendant of Princess Zelda. Link was amazed at this information. Daphnes still accompanied Link as the King of Red Lions while Zelda stayed behind in Hyrule Castle. Link then had to find two new Sages to help power his Master Sword after guiding them to their proper altars in their respective temples. With [[Makar]] and [[Medli]]'s efforts, the sword was restored to its original sharpness, leaving behind only one errand: he had to fish around the Great Sea and gather the shards of the Triforce of Courage, after gathering the Triforce charts and paying [[Tingle]] to decipher them for him. Once it was united, Link broke the barrier leading to Ganon's Tower and battled Ganondorf once more while ancient Hyrule flooded around them after Daphnes used the wish on the Trifoce. Ganondorf was finally beaten when Link lodged the Master Sword in Ganondorf's head, turning him into stone. Link and Zelda were teleported to the surface of the Great Sea by Daphnes, who sadly chose to stay behind and go down with Hyrule. Link and Zelda, who had gotten back into her Tetra guise, later set out to find a new Hyrule. | The King of Red Lions had Link and Tetra brought to Hyrule, where he revealed himself to be [[Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule]]- an ancient king of Hyrule. And he also revealed Tetra to be a descendant of Princess Zelda. Link was amazed at this information. Daphnes still accompanied Link as the King of Red Lions while Zelda stayed behind in Hyrule Castle. Link then had to find two new Sages to help power his Master Sword after guiding them to their proper altars in their respective temples. With [[Makar]] and [[Medli]]'s efforts, the sword was restored to its original sharpness, leaving behind only one errand: he had to fish around the Great Sea and gather the shards of the Triforce of Courage, after gathering the Triforce charts and paying [[Tingle]] to decipher them for him. Once it was united, Link broke the barrier leading to Ganon's Tower and battled Ganondorf once more while ancient Hyrule flooded around them after Daphnes used the wish on the Trifoce. Ganondorf was finally beaten when Link lodged the Master Sword in Ganondorf's head, turning him into stone. Link and Zelda were teleported to the surface of the Great Sea by Daphnes, who sadly chose to stay behind and go down with Hyrule. Link and Zelda, who had gotten back into her Tetra guise, later set out to find a new Hyrule. | ||
− | ==== | + | ====[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]==== |
Sometime after Link and Zelda set off on their journey, Tetra began investigating a mysterious Ghost Ship that was terrorizing the seas, as she believed that it was a fraud set up by pirates and wanted to prove them wrong. Link had spent most of the time aboard the ship napping while Niko told tales of his previous adventure, but Link was once more drawn into an active adventure after Tetra leaped onto the Ghost Ship and was abducted as the ship sped away. Link attempted to board the ship and rescue her, but he fell overboard and wound up being washed up on the shore of [[Islands in Phantom Hourglass|Mercay Island]]. | Sometime after Link and Zelda set off on their journey, Tetra began investigating a mysterious Ghost Ship that was terrorizing the seas, as she believed that it was a fraud set up by pirates and wanted to prove them wrong. Link had spent most of the time aboard the ship napping while Niko told tales of his previous adventure, but Link was once more drawn into an active adventure after Tetra leaped onto the Ghost Ship and was abducted as the ship sped away. Link attempted to board the ship and rescue her, but he fell overboard and wound up being washed up on the shore of [[Islands in Phantom Hourglass|Mercay Island]]. | ||
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His future is largely unknown, although ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]'' showed that Tetra was eventually successful in founding a new Hyrule. Link presumably played some role in the kingdom's foundation, and seemed to have been the inspiration for the uniforms of the castle guards (although it could also be the influence of the Hero of Time's legend, or some sort of combination). Niko also wound up owning his old shield, which he would give to that game's Link after collecting 15 of the stamps. | His future is largely unknown, although ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]'' showed that Tetra was eventually successful in founding a new Hyrule. Link presumably played some role in the kingdom's foundation, and seemed to have been the inspiration for the uniforms of the castle guards (although it could also be the influence of the Hero of Time's legend, or some sort of combination). Niko also wound up owning his old shield, which he would give to that game's Link after collecting 15 of the stamps. | ||
− | === | + | ===[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]=== |
This Link was a young apprentice engineer living in Adoba Village with an elderly Niko, who would often regale him with tales of the new Hyrule's history. He learned under the legendary former swordsman [[Alfonzo]]. Link and Alfonzo traveled to Hyrule Castle for Link's graduation ceremony, where Princess Zelda would grant Link his official engineering certificate. The ceremony went according to plan aside from [[Cole|Chancellor Cole]]'s scoffing at its uselessness. However, he found that Zelda had secretly slipped her note bidding him to secretly meet her in her room. He traveled there and found that she was growing suspicious of the spirit tracks that were disappearing throughout Hyrule, and she wanted Link to help her investigate the Tower of Spirits because she did not trust Chancellor Cole, and he did not allow Zelda to leave the castle alone. She gave him the uniform of a recruit to the army (which was the typical Link clothes) so that he could sneak her out of the castle. He then brought her to his train, where Alfonzo was convinced to take them to the Tower of Spirits. But the spirit tracks disappeared beneath the train as it traveled, leaving them stranded in a field. They were then attacked by Cole and his minion [[Byrne]], who proceeded to defeat Alfonzo and capture Zelda's body after separating her soul from it. Link was left there unconscious. | This Link was a young apprentice engineer living in Adoba Village with an elderly Niko, who would often regale him with tales of the new Hyrule's history. He learned under the legendary former swordsman [[Alfonzo]]. Link and Alfonzo traveled to Hyrule Castle for Link's graduation ceremony, where Princess Zelda would grant Link his official engineering certificate. The ceremony went according to plan aside from [[Cole|Chancellor Cole]]'s scoffing at its uselessness. However, he found that Zelda had secretly slipped her note bidding him to secretly meet her in her room. He traveled there and found that she was growing suspicious of the spirit tracks that were disappearing throughout Hyrule, and she wanted Link to help her investigate the Tower of Spirits because she did not trust Chancellor Cole, and he did not allow Zelda to leave the castle alone. She gave him the uniform of a recruit to the army (which was the typical Link clothes) so that he could sneak her out of the castle. He then brought her to his train, where Alfonzo was convinced to take them to the Tower of Spirits. But the spirit tracks disappeared beneath the train as it traveled, leaving them stranded in a field. They were then attacked by Cole and his minion [[Byrne]], who proceeded to defeat Alfonzo and capture Zelda's body after separating her soul from it. Link was left there unconscious. | ||
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==Child Timeline== | ==Child Timeline== | ||
− | ===The Hero | + | ===The Hero from Ordon=== |
The Link of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' had a humble upbringing in the [[Ordon Village]], in a province located outside Hyrule. He was of high esteem in his village. He was admired by the children, especially [[Colin]], and Link acted as the kids’ unofficial leader. He was also held in high regard by the adults of the village, who saw Link as a potential future mayor. Link himself worked as a ranch hand for [[Fado]]. One of his closest friends was a girl named [[Illia]], although she often scolded him for carelessness whenever his horse, Epona, was injured. The town’s swordsman, [[Rusl]], later gave Link a sword and invited Link to accompany him on his trip to Hyrule. | The Link of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' had a humble upbringing in the [[Ordon Village]], in a province located outside Hyrule. He was of high esteem in his village. He was admired by the children, especially [[Colin]], and Link acted as the kids’ unofficial leader. He was also held in high regard by the adults of the village, who saw Link as a potential future mayor. Link himself worked as a ranch hand for [[Fado]]. One of his closest friends was a girl named [[Illia]], although she often scolded him for carelessness whenever his horse, Epona, was injured. The town’s swordsman, [[Rusl]], later gave Link a sword and invited Link to accompany him on his trip to Hyrule. | ||
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Link then lent his power to Zelda in the final battle with Ganondorf. Link and Zelda rode together on Epona’s back into combat with Ganondorf. Zelda fired Light Arrows to stun Ganondorf so that Link could slash him with the Master Sword. Afterwards, Ganondorf used a magical barrier to trap Link in one-on-one combat with him. Link was able to not only defeat Ganondorf but impale him on the Master Sword. Following Ganondorf’s death, Link met with Midna, whom had been restored to her original form. Link and Zelda later saw Midna off when she returned to the Twilight Realm, but she destroyed the Mirror of Twilight as well in order to prevent anymore clashing between the two realms. With his adventure complete, Link returned the Master Sword to its resting place and rode Epona back to Ordon Village. | Link then lent his power to Zelda in the final battle with Ganondorf. Link and Zelda rode together on Epona’s back into combat with Ganondorf. Zelda fired Light Arrows to stun Ganondorf so that Link could slash him with the Master Sword. Afterwards, Ganondorf used a magical barrier to trap Link in one-on-one combat with him. Link was able to not only defeat Ganondorf but impale him on the Master Sword. Following Ganondorf’s death, Link met with Midna, whom had been restored to her original form. Link and Zelda later saw Midna off when she returned to the Twilight Realm, but she destroyed the Mirror of Twilight as well in order to prevent anymore clashing between the two realms. With his adventure complete, Link returned the Master Sword to its resting place and rode Epona back to Ordon Village. | ||
− | === | + | ===[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]=== |
This Link was another childhood friend of Zelda's, similar to his predecessors from ''The Minish Cap'' and ''Four Swords'' though removed by many centuries. He accompanied Princess Zelda and the Shrine Maidens when they checked the seal on Vaati. They were suddenly attacked by Shadow Link, who captured Zelda and all of the maidens. Link had no choice but to draw the Four Sword and free Vaati. Vaati quickly sent the four Links flying away, but they soon recovered and set off with advice from Kaepora Gaebora. They strengthened the Four Sword by collecting [[Force Gem]]s along their quest and saved the six maidens as well as Zelda. They stopped the Shadow Links with help from the princess and completely destroyed Vaati. Finally, the Links and Princess Zelda worked together to defeat the reincarnation of Ganon, who was behind this entire plan. Ganon was defeated and sealed within the Four Sword in Vaati's place. | This Link was another childhood friend of Zelda's, similar to his predecessors from ''The Minish Cap'' and ''Four Swords'' though removed by many centuries. He accompanied Princess Zelda and the Shrine Maidens when they checked the seal on Vaati. They were suddenly attacked by Shadow Link, who captured Zelda and all of the maidens. Link had no choice but to draw the Four Sword and free Vaati. Vaati quickly sent the four Links flying away, but they soon recovered and set off with advice from Kaepora Gaebora. They strengthened the Four Sword by collecting [[Force Gem]]s along their quest and saved the six maidens as well as Zelda. They stopped the Shadow Links with help from the princess and completely destroyed Vaati. Finally, the Links and Princess Zelda worked together to defeat the reincarnation of Ganon, who was behind this entire plan. Ganon was defeated and sealed within the Four Sword in Vaati's place. | ||
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=Other Appearances= | =Other Appearances= | ||
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==Video Games== | ==Video Games== | ||
− | *Link was the hero of the | + | *Link was the hero of the unlicensed game, ''Link: The Faces of Evil'', a Philips CD-i game. He also appeared as a major character in ''Zelda: Wand of Gamelon'' and ''Zelda's Adventure''. For more information, see [[Nintendo Games on Philips CD-i]]. |
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*Link is playable in ''Soul Calibur II'', in which most of his weapons (even the Magical Sword) can be purchased, equipped and used in battle. His backstory says that, after saving Hyrule from an evil magician controlled by the Soul Edge at Zelda's request, he traveled into another world to destroy the Soul Edge itself. In his ending, after sealing the evil away, he returns to the world of Hyrule by playing some sort of song on his ocarina. | *Link is playable in ''Soul Calibur II'', in which most of his weapons (even the Magical Sword) can be purchased, equipped and used in battle. His backstory says that, after saving Hyrule from an evil magician controlled by the Soul Edge at Zelda's request, he traveled into another world to destroy the Soul Edge itself. In his ending, after sealing the evil away, he returns to the world of Hyrule by playing some sort of song on his ocarina. | ||
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===Super Smash Bros.=== | ===Super Smash Bros.=== | ||
− | Link appears as a playable character in every game of the ''[[Portal: Super Smash Bros.|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series. | + | Link appears as a playable character in every game of the ''[[Portal: Super Smash Bros.|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series. His design in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' was inspired by ''Ocarina of Time'', by ''Twilight Princess'' in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U]]'' and by ''Breath of the Wild'' in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. |
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====Young/Toon Link==== | ====Young/Toon Link==== | ||
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Young Link also appears as a separate unlockable playable character in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', based on the Link's child form appearing in ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''Majora's Mask''. Young Link is unlocked by playing 500 Vs. Mode matches or by beating Classic Mode with ten different characters. | Young Link also appears as a separate unlockable playable character in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', based on the Link's child form appearing in ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''Majora's Mask''. Young Link is unlocked by playing 500 Vs. Mode matches or by beating Classic Mode with ten different characters. | ||
− | In ''Brawl'' and the 3DS/Wii U installment, Young Link is replaced by Toon Link. This version is the cel-shaded Link as seen in ''The Wind Waker'', and so most of his moves are variations on Young Link's moves | + | In ''Brawl'' and the 3DS/Wii U installment, Young Link is replaced by Toon Link. This version is the cel-shaded Link as seen in ''The Wind Waker'', and so most of his moves are variations on Young Link's moves derived from that game. In ''Brawl'', he is unlocked by playing 400 brawls, beating Classic Mode after completing "The Subspace Emissary" or by meeting him in "The Subspace Emissary". |
− | In ''Ultimate'' | + | In ''Ultimate'' Young Link and Toon Link are included as two separate playable fighters. |
====Brawl: Subspace Emissary==== | ====Brawl: Subspace Emissary==== | ||
− | Within | + | Within "The Subspace Emissary", Link is first seen within The Forest drawing the Master Sword from its pedestal (accompanied by Navi). However, minions of the Subspace Army then attack, which leads Link to team up with [[Yoshi]] (who was napping nearby) in fighting them off. Afterwards, either Link and Yoshi fight a shadow clone of [[Princess Peach]] or [[Mario]] and [[Pit]] fight a shadow clone of Zelda. Either way, it results in either Mario or Link seeing the shadow clone of the princess they knew dissipating, leading him to think that was the real princess and that the other was the enemy. This leads to a battle between Mario and Link, but the misunderstanding is cleared after the battle when the four team up to pursue [[King Dedede]], aided by [[Kirby]]. They do not succeed in finding the captured princesses, but they do unite with the main group to travel into Subspace to fight [[Tabuu]]. If Link and Zelda were freed from trophy form by [[Kirby]], they then decided to restore Ganondorf so that he could help them in the final battles. |
Toon Link is not part of the main story of "The Subspace Emissary" and can only be reached through a door that appears in The Forest after the game is completed. This door takes the player to the Pirate Ship level, where Toon Link attacks the player, seeing him as an intruder. | Toon Link is not part of the main story of "The Subspace Emissary" and can only be reached through a door that appears in The Forest after the game is completed. This door takes the player to the Pirate Ship level, where Toon Link attacks the player, seeing him as an intruder. | ||
− | ==== | + | ====Trophies and Stickers==== |
− | In | + | In ''Melee'' there are three trophies of Link, while ''Brawl'' has two trophies (one being his normal trophy while the second shows his Final Smash). ''Brawl'' also contains a Wolf Link trophy and stickers of Link from ''The Legend of Zelda'', "A Link to the Past'', ''Twilight Princess'' and ''The Wind Waker'', with Epona from ''Ocarina of Time'', as Wolf Link with Midna in ''Twilight Princess'', with the King of Red Lions from ''The Wind Waker'', with pigs from ''The Wind Waker'' and with a Goron Mask from ''Majora's Mask''. There are also additional stickers of Link in Deku, Goron and Fierce Deity forms from ''Majora's Mask''. |
− | + | Young Link has three different trophies in ''Melee'', which are unlocked by beating each of the game's modes with him. In ''Brawl'', there are three different trophies of Toon Link that can be found - one normal one, one of his Final Smash and one showing him in his normal clothes from ''The Wind Waker''. | |
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In the 3DS/Wii games, there are two standard trophies for both Link and Toon Link that appear in both versions. Beyond that, the 3DS version also has trophies for Link's adult self in ''Ocarina of Time'', for his ''Spirit Tracks'' design and for his Engineer outfit from ''Spirit Tracks'', while the Wii U version has trophies for Link and Toon Link's respective Final Smashes as well as for Wolf Link. | In the 3DS/Wii games, there are two standard trophies for both Link and Toon Link that appear in both versions. Beyond that, the 3DS version also has trophies for Link's adult self in ''Ocarina of Time'', for his ''Spirit Tracks'' design and for his Engineer outfit from ''Spirit Tracks'', while the Wii U version has trophies for Link and Toon Link's respective Final Smashes as well as for Wolf Link. | ||
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==Other Media== | ==Other Media== | ||
− | *Link was the main character in the 13-episode run | + | *Link was the main character in the 13-episode run of Zelda cartoons that ran as alternate segments on the Super Mario Bros. Super Show. Here Link was portrayed as a young, obnoxious youth who frequently would state "Well excuuuse me, princess!" whenever he was turned down by Zelda. He was voiced by Jonathan Potts. He also made a few cameo appearances on the Captain N show. |
− | *Link was also featured in the Valiant comics | + | *Link was also featured in the Valiant comics "Legend of Zelda", which was based primarily on the cartoon series while adding elements from ''Zelda II''. Link was portrayed somewhat more seriously and protected the Triforce of Courage in addition to his duties protecting Zelda and her Triforce of Wisdom from Ganon. It also explored Link's background by showing him as hailing from the land of Calatia, and his parents (named Arn and Medila) appear. It lasted only five issues and one issue of Nintendo Comics System. |
*Link has been featured in various manga adaptations of ''Zelda'' games over the years, including three different adaptations of ''A Link to the Past''. The first manga adaptation was a ''The Legend of Zelda'' manga in 1989, followed by one of ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' in 1990, both made by Yu Mishasawa. In this continuity, Link was a half-elf who was secretly the son of a hero named Rune and the former (deceased) Princess Zelda. He was brought up by an old man he called Grandpa as well as Impa and eventually became friends with Zelda, although he was somewhat cowardly and teased for being a half-elf. Link was mostly forced into the journey to reunite the Triforce of Wisdom by Zelda after she coerced him into confronting Ganon. However, Link gained bravery in his quest and reunited the Triforce of Wisdom with the help of his aunt, Kana (although he remained unaware of his heritage) and used his father's White Sword to slay Ganon afterwards. | *Link has been featured in various manga adaptations of ''Zelda'' games over the years, including three different adaptations of ''A Link to the Past''. The first manga adaptation was a ''The Legend of Zelda'' manga in 1989, followed by one of ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' in 1990, both made by Yu Mishasawa. In this continuity, Link was a half-elf who was secretly the son of a hero named Rune and the former (deceased) Princess Zelda. He was brought up by an old man he called Grandpa as well as Impa and eventually became friends with Zelda, although he was somewhat cowardly and teased for being a half-elf. Link was mostly forced into the journey to reunite the Triforce of Wisdom by Zelda after she coerced him into confronting Ganon. However, Link gained bravery in his quest and reunited the Triforce of Wisdom with the help of his aunt, Kana (although he remained unaware of his heritage) and used his father's White Sword to slay Ganon afterwards. | ||
− | *The first of the three ''A Link to the Past'' adaptations was Shotaro Ishinomori's comic version that was published in Nintendo Power in 1992. In this version, his parents were Knights of Hyrule who were sent into the Dark World, and he was raised by his uncle until | + | *The first of the three ''A Link to the Past'' adaptations was Shotaro Ishinomori's comic version that was published in Nintendo Power in 1992. In this version, his parents were Knights of Hyrule who were sent into the Dark World, and he was raised by his uncle until he was killed by Aganhim. In this version he instead begins to transform into a wolf in the Dark World (a possible influence on ''Twilight Princesss'') until he rejects his inner darkness. His allies in this version included the fairy Epheremelda, the master archer Roam who also acted as a rival, and a Zora. Link and Zelda defeat Ganon together, and afterwards Link becomes the protector of the Triforce. Link and Zelda's relationship reaches a bittersweet conclusion due to their new duties giving them little time to see each other and it had only been "in their dreams" with the psychic link they shared in the battle against Ganon that they had been close. |
− | *Link was featured in Ataru Cagiva's ''Link's Awakening'' manga in 1994. This made only several alterations to the plot. One was yet another fairy sidekick, this time named Felicia and provided by the owl. Additionally, Link and Marin's relationship is given much more emphasis, and after Link finds out the truth about Koholint Island | + | *Link was featured in Ataru Cagiva's ''Link's Awakening'' manga in 1994. This made only several alterations to the plot. One was yet another fairy sidekick, this time named Felicia and provided by the owl. Additionally, Link and Marin's relationship is given much more emphasis, and after Link finds out the truth about Koholint Island there is a plotline where Link attempts to reject his destiny as the waker of the Wind Fish and leave Koholint on a raft with Marin, but they are unable to escape the island and Link eventually learns to embrace his destiny and finish his quest. |
*Link was then featured in Cagiva's adaptation of ''A Link to the Past'' in 1995. | *Link was then featured in Cagiva's adaptation of ''A Link to the Past'' in 1995. | ||
*In 1998, he starred in Akira Himekawa's adaptation of ''Ocarina of Time''. This follows a somewhat abbreviated version of ''Ocarina of Time'''s story. His background was also explored a bit, with it being said that he was born into the guardian house of Hyrule, and that his father was a knight who was slain in battle. This manga also includes several bonus chapters: a two-part Young Link story showing Link meeting the Skull Kid at an annual Kokiri Festival prior to the main story's events, and an extra Adult Link story which shows him helping the Lake Hylia Laboratory's professor with his research and meeting a member of the birdlike Watara species. | *In 1998, he starred in Akira Himekawa's adaptation of ''Ocarina of Time''. This follows a somewhat abbreviated version of ''Ocarina of Time'''s story. His background was also explored a bit, with it being said that he was born into the guardian house of Hyrule, and that his father was a knight who was slain in battle. This manga also includes several bonus chapters: a two-part Young Link story showing Link meeting the Skull Kid at an annual Kokiri Festival prior to the main story's events, and an extra Adult Link story which shows him helping the Lake Hylia Laboratory's professor with his research and meeting a member of the birdlike Watara species. | ||
*Link then appeared in the 2000 adaptation of ''Majora's Mask''. This version also for the most part remained loyal to the original version of Link's quest and also specified that Link was searching for Navi. | *Link then appeared in the 2000 adaptation of ''Majora's Mask''. This version also for the most part remained loyal to the original version of Link's quest and also specified that Link was searching for Navi. | ||
*Link also appeared in the interconnected adaptations of ''Oracle of Seasons'' and ''Oracle of Ages'' written from 2001 to 2002 by Himekawa. In this depiction, Link was born with a Triforce crest and descended from a family of Hyrule Knights and was raised by his grandparents after the death of his parents. He comes across the Triforce while hiding from soldiers after getting into a fight prior to the annual swordsman contest. In ''Oracle of Seasons'' he seeks only the Rod of Seasons instead of the eight Essences and is awakened to hear the voices of nature's spirits, including the young Cucco chick Pyoko who acts similar to a fairy companion. His companions on this quest are Ricky and [[Maple]]. In the ''Oracle of Ages'' manga, Link teams up with his ancestor Raven as well as Ralph, and together they defeat Veran followed by Ganon. After returning to his grandparents house, it is shown he has changed history and inspired his own name. | *Link also appeared in the interconnected adaptations of ''Oracle of Seasons'' and ''Oracle of Ages'' written from 2001 to 2002 by Himekawa. In this depiction, Link was born with a Triforce crest and descended from a family of Hyrule Knights and was raised by his grandparents after the death of his parents. He comes across the Triforce while hiding from soldiers after getting into a fight prior to the annual swordsman contest. In ''Oracle of Seasons'' he seeks only the Rod of Seasons instead of the eight Essences and is awakened to hear the voices of nature's spirits, including the young Cucco chick Pyoko who acts similar to a fairy companion. His companions on this quest are Ricky and [[Maple]]. In the ''Oracle of Ages'' manga, Link teams up with his ancestor Raven as well as Ralph, and together they defeat Veran followed by Ganon. After returning to his grandparents house, it is shown he has changed history and inspired his own name. | ||
− | *In the 2004 manga adaptation of ''Four Swords Adventures'', Link was shown as a member of Hyrule's knights with his father, but one that preferred to work alone. After being split into four, however, each has a different personality | + | *In the 2004 manga adaptation of ''Four Swords Adventures'', Link was shown as a member of Hyrule's knights with his father, but one that preferred to work alone. After being split into four, however, each has a different personality and slowly learn about teamwork as the series progresses. At one point the four are split apart, at which point Purple begins working with Shadow Link but only to learn more about him, Vaati and Ganon and ultimately betrays him. At the end Shadow Link gives his life to allow Vaati to be destroyed, but lives on as Link's actual shadow after Link becomes whole again. |
− | *In 2005, Himekawa's adaptation of ''A Link to the Past'', the third and so far final adaptation of that game, was released. Link was shown to work as a farmer in an apple orchard. Link in the 1992 comic, Link's parents had been trapped into the Dark World | + | *In 2005, Himekawa's adaptation of ''A Link to the Past'', the third and so far final adaptation of that game, was released. Link was shown to work as a farmer in an apple orchard. Link in the 1992 comic, Link's parents had been trapped into the Dark World and Link's father was a great knight, but this version further expands on the background by having Link's father being a former friend of Aganhim until he turned evil. In this version of the quest he is accompanied by the thief Ganty, who betrays him after learning of his heritage due to thinking Hyrulean knights killed her parents, but later it is revealed that Ganty is another survivor of the knights' family, and she fires the Silver Arrow that finishes Ganon. Afterwards Link opens up "the Hero's Apple Orchard". |
− | *Link was featured in the 2006 manga adaptation of ''The Minish Cap'', which followed an | + | *Link was featured in the 2006 manga adaptation of ''The Minish Cap'', which followed an abbreviations version of the game's story with only minor additions and alterations, such as showing Link training at a dojo in the beginning but being considered too young and inexperienced by his master to compete in Hyrule's swordfighting tournament. In 2009, he starred in a ''Phantom Hourglass'' manga that similarly followed the original storyline. |
− | * | + | |
− | + | ==Canceled Appearances== | |
+ | |||
+ | *Link was at one point planned to have a cameo appearance in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' as one of the partons of the Starbeans Cafe, according to unused text from the game. He would give the Triforce, which was changed to the Great Force in the final version. Link did not speak in this appearance, but the cashier's dialogue pokes fun at the conventions of the Zelda series by calling Link the "Hero of... what is it, now?". | ||
=Trivia= | =Trivia= | ||
− | *Link is the official name for the character, but his name can be chosen by the player at the beginning of | + | *Link is the official name for the character, but his name can be chosen by the player at the beginning of each game. [[Shigeru Miyamoto|Miyamoto]] and other developers prefer Link to be more of an avatar for the player to relate with rather than giving him an actual, distinct personality. Miyamoto has actually stated that he himself prefers Link as a playful and childlike character as opposed to his more serious depictions [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/4/1]. |
− | + | **The primary exceptions in which Link is known as "Link" without the player using their own name are ''Hyrule Warriors'' and ''Breath of the Wild'' (as well as most of the non-canon spin-off games). | |
− | + | *There are currently twelve different known Links, counting the heroes from the backstories of ''The Minish Cap'' and ''Four Swords''. There are six Links from prior to the timeline split (with the Hero of Time being the sixth), and so far each of the three timelines has featured two different Links. | |
− | *There are currently | + | *Link is left-handed in all appearances except for the [[Wii]] version of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'', where he was made right-handed in order to improve gameplay with the Wii remote. The ''Master Quest'' of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D|Ocarina of Time 3D]]'' also flips Hyrule and Link's swordfighting hand as a way to increase the difficulty. |
− | *Link is left-handed in all appearances except for the [[Wii]] version of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' | + | *The age of Link in various games is one point of confusion, especially once it became apparent that there are multiple Links. The only age for Link given in-game is that the Link from the first two games is 16 at the beginning of ''The Adventure of Link''. Miyamoto has also stated that Link is around 12 in the first original ''Zelda'', and that in ''Ocarina of Time'' he changes between being 9 and 16 years old while traveling through time. |
− | *The only age for | + | *There are also several known relations of the Links which were implied or confirmed by the [[Hyrule Historia]]: |
− | * | ||
**The Hero of the Four Sword (from the ''Four Swords'' backstory) may be descended from the Link of ''The Minish Cap''. | **The Hero of the Four Sword (from the ''Four Swords'' backstory) may be descended from the Link of ''The Minish Cap''. | ||
− | **The Hero of Time is confirmed as the ancestor of the Link from ''Twilight Princess'' in the Adult Timeline. Although Link does not survive to produce offspring in the | + | **The Hero of Time is confirmed as the ancestor of the Link from ''Twilight Princess'' in the Adult Timeline. Although Link does not survive to produce offspring in the Defeated Timeline, the Historia does state an indirect relation as both Links are descended from the Knights of Hyrule. |
**The Link of ''The Legend of Zelda'' is implied to be descended from the Link of ''A Link to the Past''. | **The Link of ''The Legend of Zelda'' is implied to be descended from the Link of ''A Link to the Past''. | ||
=See Also= | =See Also= | ||
− | *[[ | + | *[[Link's Different Forms]] |
− | *[[ | + | *[[Link (SSB)|Link's Super Smash Bros. Entry]] |
+ | *[[List of Appearances by Link]] | ||
{{Zelda Characters}}{{Super Smash Bros. Characters}} | {{Zelda Characters}}{{Super Smash Bros. Characters}} |