Link (The Legend of Zelda)

Lore & Background

Link was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, who based the concept of The Legend of Zelda on his childhood memories and books and movies he and Takashi Tezuka enjoyed, notably J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Miyamoto wanted people to have the opportunity to be heroes and created Link as a normal boy with a destiny to fight great evil. The name 'Link' originates from Miyamoto's intention for the character to serve as the link between the player and the game world, connecting the two in the adventure.

Throughout the series, Link appears in multiple incarnations, each a different individual—sometimes a descendant or spiritual reincarnation—spanning thousands of years in Hyrule's history. The 2011 game Skyward Sword explained this cycle by introducing the antagonist Demon King Demise, who curses the hero and Princess Zelda so that an incarnation of his hatred will eternally follow them, manifesting as Ganon or other forms. Link is mostly a silent protagonist, with voice acting limited to grunts and battle cries; series producer Eiji Aonuma explained that this silence allows players to relate to him and put themselves in his shoes.

Link's character design has evolved over time. His original design was inspired by Disney's Peter Pan, and the limited technology of the time led to the use of three colors, with green chosen as his signature color because the first game was set in a forest. For Ocarina of Time, both a child and adult model were created to tell a story of a boy growing up. The Wind Waker introduced a cartoon, cel-shaded version called Toon Link, which initially caused Miyamoto to cringe but later carved its own identity. Twilight Princess returned to a more realistic, darker style, with Link depicted as an older teenager who could transform into a wolf.

Reader's Guide

Link's significance lies in his role as the protagonist of The Legend of Zelda series, which has been instrumental in establishing the role-playing video game genre and influencing numerous other games with its concepts of open world and nonlinear gameplay. According to Guinness World Records, Link is the most critically acclaimed video game playable character and the most ubiquitous action-adventure video game character, and he was recognized as the second best video game character after Mario. Critics have named him one of the greatest and most influential video game characters of all time.

Beyond the main series, Link has appeared in other Nintendo media, including merchandise, comics, manga, and an animated television series. He is a prominent character in spin-off games such as Hyrule Warriors, Cadence of Hyrule, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. He has also appeared in other game franchises, including Super Smash Bros., SoulCalibur II, and Mario Kart 8, and has been referenced in games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. His enduring design—green cap and tunic, sword and shield—and his silent, heroic persona have made him a cultural icon in the video game industry.

Did You Know?

• Link's name comes from Miyamoto's concept that the character serves as the link between the player and the game world.
• Link is mostly a silent protagonist, with voice acting limited to grunts and battle cries, though in The Wind Waker he can be heard saying 'Come on!'
• The green color of Link's signature tunic was chosen because the first game was mainly set in a forest environment.
• Link's design in Ocarina of Time was influenced by a developer's wife who said all Nintendo characters had funny noses.