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| + | ''This article is about Link's alternate forms in the Zelda series. For Hyrule's geographical changes, see [[Hyrule/Appearances by Game|here]]. For Ganon's shapeshifting, see [[Puppet Ganon]] and [[Ganon#In-Game Appearances|here]].'' |
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| − | {{Character |
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| − | |name = Link |
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| − | |image = {{RandomLinkImage}} |
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| − | |title = Hero of Hyrule {{Exp|The Legend of Zelda}}<br>Hero of Legend {{Exp|Maiden in A Link to the Past}}<br>Hero of Time<ref name=Quote1>{{cite|The Master Sword is a sacred blade which evil ones may never touch.... Only one worthy of the title of "Hero of Time" can pull it from the Pedestal of Time.... However, you were too young to be the Hero of Time.... Therefore, your spirit was sealed here for seven years. And now that you are old enough, the time has come for you to awaken as the Hero of Time!|Rauru|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> {{Exp|Ocarina of Time}}<br>Sworn Brother of the [[Goron]]s<ref>{{cite|Kid, I like you! How's about you and I become Sworn Brothers?! No, there's no big ceremony involved! Just take this as a token of our friendship!|Darunia|OoT}}</ref> {{Exp|Ocarina of Time}}<br>Hero of the Essences of Time and Nature {{Exp|Oracle of Ages/Oracle of Seasons}}<br>Hero of Winds {{Exp|The Wind Waker}}<br>Hero of Light<ref name=HeroofLight1>{{cite|Only one of you can be the true Hero of Light! Don't let your friends grab the treasure, or you'll be left in the dark!|US Boxart|Four Swords Adventures}}</ref> {{Exp|Four Swords Adventures}}<br>Savior of Romance {{Exp|Four Swords Adventures}}<br>[[Hero of Men]] {{Exp|The Minish Cap}}<br>Hero Chosen by the Gods {{Exp|Twilight Princess}}<br>Royal Engineer<ref name=royalengineer>{{cite|I hereby recognize our newest royal engineer... Link! Work hard, for we all rely on you, Link.|Princess Zelda|ST}}</ref> {{Exp|Spirit Tracks}}<br>The Chosen Hero {{Exp|Fi in Skyward Sword}}<br>Chosen Knight of the Goddess {{Exp|Demise in Skyward Sword}}<br>LD-Link-16<ref>{{cite|That's not much of a name, is it? How about I add a model number to your name like my friends have got? '''LD-Link-16'''... ?|Lanayru|SS}}</ref> |
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| − | |race = [[Hylian]] |
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| − | |gender = Male |
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| − | |first game = {{LoZ}} (1987) |
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| − | |latest game = {{SS}} (2011) |
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| − | |family = <small>''Ocarina of Time:''</small><br>[[Link's Father|Father]]<br>[[Link's Mother|Mother]]<ref name=linksmom>{{cite|Some time ago, before the King of Hyrule unified this country, there was a fierce war in our world. One day, to escape from the fires of the war, a Hylian mother and her baby boy entered this forbidden forest. The mother was gravely injured... Her only choice was to entrust the child to the Deku Tree, the guardian spirit of the forest. The Deku Tree could sense that this was a child of destiny, whose fate would affect the entire world, so he took him into the forest. After the mother passed away, the baby was raised as a Kokiri. And now, finally, the day of destiny has come!|Deku Tree Sprout|Ocarina of Time}}</ref><br><small>''A Link to the Past:''</small><br>[[Link's Uncle|Uncle]]<br><small>''The Wind Waker:''</small><br>[[Grandmother]]<br>[[Aryll]] <small>(sister)</small><br><small>''The Minish Cap:''</small><br>[[Smith]] <small>(grandfather)</small><br><small>''Oracle of Ages (manga):''</small><br>[[Lord Raven]] <small>(ancestor)</small><br><small>''Twilight Princess:''</small><br>[[Hero's Spirit]] <small>(ancestor)</small><ref name=herosspirit/><br> |
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| − | |voice actor(s) = [[Hikaru Midorikawa]] |
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| − | :({{ALTTP}} Drama CD)<br> |
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| − | [[Fujiko Takimoto]] |
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| − | :({{OOT}})<br>({{MM}})<br>({{FS}})<br>({{TMC}})<br>({{SSBM}}) as Young Link <br> |
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| − | [[Nobuyuki Hiyama]] |
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| − | :({{OOT}})<br>({{SSB}})<br>({{SSBM}})<br>(''[[Soulcalibur II]]'') as Adult Link <br> |
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| − | [[Sachi Matsumoto]] |
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| − | :({{TWW}})<br>({{FSA}})<br>({{PH}})<br>({{SSBB}}) as Toon Link <br> |
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| − | [[Akira Sasanuma]] |
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| − | :({{TP}})<br>({{SSBB}}) as Link |
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| − | [[Wikipedia:Yūki Kodaira|Yūki Kodaira]] |
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| − | :({{ST}}) |
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| − | Takashi Ōhara |
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| − | :({{SS}}) |
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| − | }} |
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| − | :''For the other Links featured in the series, see [[Link (disambiguation)]]. |
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| − | '''Link''' is the name every protagonist in [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]] is known by. There are many incarnations of Link, each possessing the Spirit of the Hero,<ref name=curse>{{cite|Those like you... Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero... They are eternally bound to this curse. An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!|Demise|SS}}</ref> with some of them being blood related as well.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Some are the same person, but most were Links of their time: either different people entirely or the descendants of their heroic ancestors.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=68|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref> They are chosen by the [[Golden Goddesses|Goddesses]] to protect the land from evil whenever deemed necessary.<ref>{{cite|[Link], hero chosen by the goddesses...|Lanayru|TP}}</ref><ref name=destiny>{{cite|If a person who has an evil heart gets the Triforce, a Hero is destined to appear...and he alone must face the person who began the Great Cataclysm.|Maiden|ALTTP}}</ref><ref name=destiny2>{{cite|You who have been sent by the goddesses... You should be able to gather the three pieces...|Sage|TP}}</ref><ref>{{cite|Oh! What is this? There, on your hand, the Triforce piece now dwells within you! It is the Triforce of Courage, proof that you are indeed the true hero. You have controlled the wind and crossed the seas, and here, near the end of your quest, the power of the gods has been bestowed upon you... Surely, from this moment on, you shall be known as the Hero of Winds...|King of Red Lions|TWW}}</ref><ref>{{cite|Oh, chosen one... Accept this final challenge...|Gohdan|TWW}}</ref><ref>{{cite|It was a sign that the powers of the chosen one rest within you...and that they are awakening. Look at your awakened form... The green tunic that is your garb once belonged to the ancient hero chosen by the gods...|Faron|TP}}</ref> In the majority of ''Zelda'' games, their adventures take place within [[Hyrule]], traveling through the land, collecting important items, and defeating a wide variety of enemies while trying to save both [[Princess Zelda]] and her kingdom from the clutches of [[Ganon]], [[Vaati]], or other villains. |
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| + | In most of the [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''Zelda'' games]], [[Link]] is portrayed as a [[Hylian]] or human-like character destined to combat evil and, as such, makes use of his physical and intellectual skills over the course of his journeys. Occasionally, however, he has undergone various moments when he is transformed into another form, which initially may imply limitations to him and his capacity to progress on his quest, but he eventually manages to not only return to his original self, but also shapeshift at will and use the new form to his advantage. |
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| − | The first Link was introduced as a young [[sword]]-wielding boy, but since {{AOL}}, the identity, appearance, and role of each incarnation of Link has varied from game to game. Many of the Links are given titles to identify them, such as the Hero of Time in {{OOT}} and the Hero of Winds in {{TWW}}. |
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| + | Below is a list of games in the franchise where the concept of shapeshifting takes place. |
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| − | {{OTOC|250|240}} |
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| − | {{clear|left}} |
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| − | ==Common attributes of all Links== |
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| − | ===Background=== |
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| − | In almost all the games (with the exception of ''The Adventure of Link'', {{TP}} and {{SS}}), Link starts his journey as a child or young adolescent [[Hylian]] and has not yet been depicted as being older than his late teens at any point of the series. Moreover, he is usually portrayed as having been orphaned at an early age: the only game that mentions Link's mother is ''Ocarina of Time'', who died after she escaped to the [[Kokiri Forest]] with Link as a baby from a [[Hyrulean Civil War|fierce war]] in Hyrule, leaving him in the care of the [[Great Deku Tree]].<ref>{{cite|Some time ago, before the King of Hyrule unified this country, there was a fierce war in our world. One day, to escape from the fires of the war, a Hylian mother and her baby boy entered this forbidden forest. The mother was gravely injured... Her only choice was to entrust the child to the Deku Tree, the guardian spirit of the forest.|Deku Tree Sprout|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> In games such as {{ALTTP}} and {{TWW}}, Link lives with his uncle and grandmother, respectively, but leaves his home in order to fulfill his destiny as the savior of Hyrule or another land. |
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| + | ==''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|The Adventure of Link]]''== |
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| − | In all games thus far, Link has been descended from the [[Hylian]]s (though the ambiguous canon [[Valiant Comics]] state that the incarnation of Link in the first two games was born in a land west of Hyrule, called [[Calatia]]), and due to that, appears as a young man with elf-like pointed ears. Link's incarnation of ''A Link to the Past'' mentions how he is the last descendant of the [[Knights of Hyrule]], and as such is destined to rescue Princess Zelda.<ref>{{cite|Only a person of the Knights Of Hyrule, who protected the royalty of Hylia, can become the Hero... You are of their blood-line, aren't you? Then you must rescue Zelda without fail.|A Maiden|A Link to the Past}}</ref><ref>{{cite|You are perhaps the last one to carry on the blood-line of the Knights... It is ironic that the last one in the line has the potential to become the Hero of legend.|A Maiden|A Link to the Past}}</ref> In many games, he has or earns the [[Triforce]] mark on the back of his left hand, either to signify possession of the Triforce of Courage or, in some cases, to simply signify his exemplary courage. |
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| + | [[File:Fairy.png|right]] |
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| + | {{Main|Spells of The Adventure of Link#Fairy Spell|Fairy Spell}} |
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| + | One of the eight Spells Link learns on his quest allows him to turn into a [[Fairy|fairy]] and, unlike most of the other transformations in the series, it's completely acquired by voluntary means (in this case, as a reward by healing a sick child with the [[Water of Life]] in [[Harbor Town of Mido|Mido Town]]). When in fairy form, Link can fly freely through side-scrolling zones, thus being able to cross large chasms, high obstacles and even locked doors without the need of a [[Key|Small Key]]. The disadvantages are that he cannot attack enemies by any means, and that he can only retrieve his [[Hylian]] form by going out from the place where he is. |
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| + | ==''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''== |
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| − | === Characteristics === |
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| + | [[File:Bunny Link.gif|left]] |
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| − | {{ImageCaption|image=File:OoT Link Portrait.png|size=150px|align=left|caption=Adult Link in ''Ocarina of Time''|captionalign=center}} |
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| + | {{Main|Bunny Link}} |
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| − | Because all the Links bear the Spirit of the Hero,<ref name=curse/> they each possess an unbreakable spirit.<ref>{{cite|To face Demise and bring hope back to the land, the goddess Hylia needed someone with an unbreakable spirit. That someone is you, [Link].|Zelda|SS}}</ref> One feature in Link's personality that is greatly emphasized is his courage. He is often depicted as a humble yet brave and courageous boy who steps up to the task of saving the kingdom of Hyrule (and many others),<ref name=destiny/><ref name=destiny2/> a task to which he seems destined.<ref name=curse/> As such, he is often associated with the [[Triforce#Triforce of Courage|Triforce of Courage]] and the goddess [[Farore (Goddess)|Farore]]: in ''Twilight Princess'', the Triforce of Courage activated when Link stepped into the [[Twilight]], and it protected him from becoming a lost soul, instead turning him into a [[Wolf Link|wolf]]. He rarely shows signs of cowardice and is always willing to use his strength and valor to save and help those around him, as seen in ''The Wind Waker'' where he asks [[Tetra]] and her [[Tetra's Pirate Crew|pirate crew]] to allow him to go with them on their [[Tetra's Ship|ship]] in order to save his sister [[Aryll]].<ref>{{cite|What?!? You want to come with us on our ship?|Tetra|The Wind Waker}}</ref> |
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| + | When Link is in the [[Dark World]], he is transformed into a [[Bunny Link|bunny]] unless he has the [[Moon Pearl]]. According to the legend, this happens because anyone entering the once-prosperous Golden Land will turn into an animal or object that can visually reflect that person's heart or emotions. Though unconfirmed, it's implied that Link is turned into a bunny because of his purity as a person. After retrieving the Moon Pearl, Link retains his original form while in the Dark World; and the only times he's turned into a bunny again are when certain shiny clouds (located in dungeons) touch him (and even then, the process is only temporary). Link is entirely defenseless as a bunny, although he instantly comes back to normal after being injured by an enemy. |
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| + | ==''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''== |
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| − | Link does not speak or have any written dialog, which has led some people believe him to be mute; his voice actions are limited to shouts and grunts. In addition, Link does not show signs of a strong and deep personality, nor does he present much of his personal motivations. However, the idea that Link is mute is disproved by his ability to interact with other characters in conversation; for example, in ''Twilight Princess'', [[Jaggle]] once states that Link's voice carries well,<ref>{{cite|Hey, there you go! Over here! Yeah! Your voice carries well, as usual!|Jaggle|Twilight Princess}}</ref> and in ''The Wind Waker'', Link can be heard using short phrases such as "Come on!" at certain points throughout the game. The true reason for this blankness and apparent muteness lies in Link's own essence: He seems to be the personification of the immersion experience, and in that way he is an extension of the player, a "link" between the player and the Zelda universe. Miyamoto and Nintendo designers themselves pointed out several times that the focus of the series lies in the player's personal experiences and in the concept of "the player being the hero," with Link as his/her avatar.<ref>{{cite web|quote=For awhile now, Miyamoto has been saying that he wants the player in a Zelda game to actually feel as if they were going on the adventure themselves, rather than just controlling a character down a path. With MotionPlus controls, you are actually doing real-life movements that match up perfectly with Link. He's acting like more of an avatar than a character, allowing the player an easier path to feeling closer to the experience. With each sword swing and arrow fired, you can see your real-life movements becoming an in-game reality. Surely, this type of control approach will help create memories of fights you took on, and puzzles you solved. One would expect you to better remember the experience as your own, rather than one of just guiding Link.|url=gonintendo.com|title=E3 2010 - Ten minutes with Shigeru Miyamoto|site=Go Nintendo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|quote=I think it's the feeling that you are actually taking part in the action, that the things in the game are really happening to you. It’s a game where, once you become absorbed in the adventure, you don’t feel like you’re merely controlling the character, but that it’s really you pushing those blocks around. You really feel like you have solved those puzzles in the dungeons. That strange feeling that it’s actually you in the game isn’t confined to puzzle-solving or battles; you get it when you meet and speak to characters in the game, or visit new places. Well, you could sum it up with the word "fantasy", but that sense of experiencing a world that doesn’t exist is different from the feeling you get watching a film. It all comes down to that feel which is totally unique to Zelda games. This is something which may not be that central to the game, but you also bump into all sorts of oddball characters, the kind that leave you thinking: "No game would normally have someone like that in it!" I think that might also be something you could call 'Zelda-esque'.|url=us.wii.com|title=Iwata Asks The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Part 4 - Always Striving to Stay True to the Spirit of Zelda|site=Nintendo's Wii Video Game console}}</ref> |
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| + | {{Main|Young Link}} |
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| + | Upon acquiring the [[Master Sword]] at the [[Temple of Time]], [[Young Link|Link]] is put into suspended animation for seven years, after which he awakens as an [[Adult Link|adult]]. He can become a kid again by returning the sword to the pedestal in the Temple, but only after clearing the [[Forest Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Forest Temple]] (regardless of how many of the other dungeons he may have cleared in the meantime). The differences between Young and Adult Link include: Different items for use (for example, Young Link is the only one allowed to use the [[Boomerang]] and the [[Slingshot]], while Adult Link is the only one for use of the [[Hookshot]] and the [[Fairy Bow]]), different equipment (Young Link cannot change his tunic, boots or sword; and the only extra shield he can use is the Hylian one. Adult Link has everything else suitable for him), size advantage (Young Link is the only one who can enter a small hole), and travel means (Adult Link is the only one who can ride [[Epona]]), among other things. |
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| + | ==''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]''== |
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| − | In that way, he was made blank so the human player can fill him with his/her own characteristics, experiences, motivations, feelings, thoughts and emotions. While he is traditionally known as Link, even his name is chosen by the player.<ref>{{cite book|quote=The heroes that appear in this chronology are all known as Link. It may have been their true name, but perhaps they were called something different.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=68|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref> This is in order to allow the player to enter this fantasy world and to have an intimate experience with it, and with those who live in it. So, the intention is for his role in dialog and plot to be filled by the words and thoughts of the player, to some extent. His speech is usually replaced with simple and concise answers that the player can pick. |
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| + | [[File:Deku Link.png|right|100px]] |
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| + | {{Main list|Deku Link|Goron Link|Zora Link|Giant's Mask|Fierce Deity}} |
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| + | In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', the concept of transformation develops further, as various [[mask]]s transform Link into alternate forms. The first of these is [[Deku Link]], who comes through involuntary shapeshifting, after Link loses to [[Skull Kid]] during a confrontation; however, Deku Link does have advantages, such as flying with the help of [[Deku Flower]] pads, shoot bubbles, hop a few times on water and spinning; Link, with the help of the [[Happy Mask Salesman]], eventually regains his Hylian form, and keeps the [[Deku Mask]] to turn back into a Deku Scrub every time the aforementioned abilities come in handy. It is theorized that Deku Link is related to the long-missing son of the [[Deku Butler]], who is found in the [[Deku Palace]]. |
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| + | [[File:Zora Link.png|left|100px]] |
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| − | Link also seems to have a particular fondness for sleeping. Most of the games begin with him oversleeping and having to be woken up by some other character. This seems to be done to show that at the beginning of the game he is a regular boy, while by the end he is a true hero. |
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| + | The other transformations come by voluntary situations: [[Goron Link]] is the result of [[Darmani|the ghost of a deceased Goron warrior]] giving Link his own body (encased into a mask); in this form, Link can curl to travel at very high speed, press giant buttons only with his weight, ground pound and land powerful hits. [[Zora Link]] materializes after the decease of [[Mikau|a Zora guitarist]], and allows the young hero to swim very fluidly underwater, walk on the bottom of it, use his fins as boomerangs, attack with electric energy and apply punches and kicks during direct confrontations. There is a [[Giant's Mask|mask]] that is obtained after defeating an [[Eyegore]] in [[Stone Tower Temple]], and transforms Link into a giant, while still retaining his physical Hylian form; however, it only works during a boss battle ([[Twinmold]]), not to mention that the Z-Targeting feature is disabled. Finally, there is a secret transformation that is provided by the [[Fierce Deity's Mask]], which allows Link to destroy enemies with extremely devastating attacks, but it only works during boss battles, including [[Majora's Mask (Boss)|Majora's Mask]] itself. |
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| + | It should be noted that Hylian Link himself, unlike in ''Ocarina of Time'', can now jump with more ease thanks to his athletic skills. He is also the only form who can use most of the C-items; the exception are the [[Powder Keg]] (which correspond to [[Goron Link]]), while Deku Link can use [[Deku Nut]]s as well. Most forms, in addition, can also use [[bottle]]s. |
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| − | Invariably, every Link wears a green tunic and a long, floppy green cap, at least for part of each adventure, although the shades of green vary. He also wears different clothes during parts of some ''Zelda'' games, most often color variations on his basic outfit (except for the [[Magic Armor]] and [[Zora Armor]] in ''Twilight Princess''). Physically, all Link have light-colored hair ranging from light brown to blonde, large eyes ranging from blue to dark, and a medium build. Furthermore, Link dons special gauntlets or bracelets that help him boost up his strength, such as the [[Power Bracelet]] or the [[Golden Gauntlet]]. In several games, various female characters often comment on Link's physical attractiveness, calling him "cute" or complimenting his great eyes.<ref>{{cite|Ohh. This is my first time meeting a foreigner... You're cute.|Romani|Majora's Mask}}</ref><ref>{{cite|This swordsman of ours has great eyes, honey. They're proud and wild...like a feral beast.|Telma|Twilight Princess}}</ref> |
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| + | As an extra note, every form of Link (except the Giant and Fierce Deity forms) uses a version of the [[Ocarina of Time (Item)|Ocarina]]: Deku Link has the Pipes of Awakening, Goron Link has the Drums of Sleep, Zora Link has the Guitar of Waves, and Hylian Link has the Ocarina in its usual form. |
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| − | Link is also depicted as left-handed in almost all games, except for the Wii version of ''Twilight Princess'' and in ''Skyward Sword'', which depicts him as right-handed, the same hand most people use to hold the Wii Remote. There is no option for left-handers, but in the GameCube version of ''Twilight Princess'', Link is a traditional left-hander. Arguably, Link is still left-handed in ''Twilight Princess'' and it is only that the camera is somehow reversed; this is supported by the fact that the entire Wii version of ''Twilight Princess'' is the complete reverse of the GameCube version. Currently, Link's "canonical" appearance in ''Twilight Princess'' is still as a left-handed version. However, ''Skyward Sword'' depicts Link as right-handed and is the only option available in-game. |
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| + | ==''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons|Oracle of Seasons]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]''== |
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| − | A peculiarity which Link shares with many video game characters is the uncanny ability to effortlessly carry around many cumbersome items. The concept is known as [[Wikipedia:Magic satchel|Hammerspace]] and allows Link to carry an enormous array of large and heavy items, without the use of a bag of any kind. For example, where does he store the [[Biggoron's Sword]] when not in use? And how can wearing the [[Iron Boots]] make him any heavier, if he was already carrying them with him? This is addressed in the non-canon cartoon series, ''[[The Legend of Zelda (TV series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'', in which in a couple of scenes Link is seen taking items out of a bag, which then "grow" to normal size when taken out so he can use them, and "shrink" when he puts them back into the bag. |
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| + | In the [[Oracle Series|''Oracle'' series]], [[Magic Ring]]s 43 to 47 transform Link into different forms if worn. While wearing one of these rings, Link cannot attack or use any of his items, and they have no other purpose than to change his appearance. Link returns to his original form after removing the ring, while swimming, and for a brief moment when moving between rooms. |
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| + | The rings, with their relative transformations, are:<br> |
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| − | ===Abilities=== |
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| + | [[File:OoX Octorok Link.png|Link as an Octorok]] '''{{Sec|Magic Ring|Octo Ring}}''': transforms Link into an [[Octorok]].<br> |
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| − | Link is depicted throughout the series as an impressive swordsman. He usually begins his adventure as an average boy with little to no swordsmanship skills. When trouble arises, however, Link demonstrates a natural aptitude for the ways of the sword and is able to best his enemies easily: in ''The Wind Waker'', Link goes to [[Orca]] to learn how to wield a sword in order to help Tetra from the [[Forest of Fairies]].<ref>{{cite|Oh! What is the matter, [Link]? You have an urgent look about you... Has something happened? Whatever it is, from the look on your face I suspect it is no laughing matter... What say you, [Link]? Do you wish to practice your skills with the sword?|Orca|The Wind Waker}}</ref> It is further noted by Orca himself that Link's ability to use a sword is firmly present in his veins.<ref>{{cite|You still have much to learn, but the skill to become a master is in your veins. Do not neglect your practice!|Orca|The Wind Waker}}</ref> As the game progresses, Link becomes known for his swordsmanship as well as his ability to quickly adapt to a wide variety of items and skillfully wield them, such as the [[Boomerang]], the [[Bow]], and the [[Clawshot]], among others. |
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| + | [[File:OoX Moblin Link.png|Link as a Moblin]] '''{{Sec|Magic Ring|Moblin Ring}}''': transforms Link into a [[Moblin]].<br> |
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| + | [[File:OoX Like Like Link.png|Link as a Like Like]] '''{{Sec|Magic Ring|Like Like Ring}}''': transforms Link into a [[Like Like]].<br> |
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| + | [[File:Subrosian Green.png|15px|Link as a Subrosian]] '''{{Sec|Magic Ring|Subrosian Ring}}''': transforms Link into a [[Subrosian]].<br> |
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| + | [[File:OoX First Gen Link.png|Link in first-gen form]] '''{{Sec|Magic Ring|First Gen Ring}}''': transforms Link into the [[The Legend of Zelda (Game)|original Legend of Zelda]] version of himself. |
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| + | [[File:Baby Link Sprite.png|32px|Link transformed into a baby by Blue Stalfos's attack]] Additionally, in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]'', Link can be transformed into a baby in when struck by the [[Blue Stalfos]]' magical attack while fighting him in the [[Ancient Tomb]]. |
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| − | In some games, Link can learn advanced sword techniques and complicated move-sets: in {{TMC}}, the [[Blade Brothers]] teach the young hero various sword skills by using [[Tiger Scroll]]s, and in ''Twilight Princess'', the [[Hero's Shade]] shares his knowledge of the sword by teaching Link seven [[Hidden Skill]]s to help him become more powerful and save Hyrule. |
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| + | ==''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]''== |
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| − | Additionally, Link is portrayed as having an excellent physical condition, performing backflips easily as well as being able to best others in sumo-wrestling, as seen in ''Twilight Princess''. However, despite this, Link is usually defenseless without a sword or an item. This is depicted in ''The Wind Waker'', where Link loses his sword after being launched into the [[Forsaken Fortress]] and must use his stealth abilities to get it back: if he is spotted by an enemy, he quickly surrenders due to his inability to fight back.<ref>{{cite|Listen up, Link... There's a monster running the searchlight up there! If you can slay the monster, then just maybe it'll shut the searchlight down. Oh...but you're unarmed, aren't you? All you have is a shield...|Tetra|The Wind Waker}}</ref> Although in some games Link is easily able to pick up large stones or push blocks many times his size, other games require him to use special bracelets or gauntlets to further increase his strength, such as the Power Bracelet or the [[Power Bracelet#Power Gloves, Titan's Mitt, and the Gauntlets|Titan's Mitt]]. |
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| + | {{Main|Minish Link}} |
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| + | In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'', Link can change his size significantly, having a miniature height, while still retaining his external Hylian form. This allows him to gain access to places whose size and/or entrance would be too small for him in natural size to enter. He also can speak with animals and (eventually) with the [[Minish]] as well. As with most transformations in the series, however, his item repertoire is once again significantly limited. |
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| + | ==''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''== |
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| − | As seen in ''The Adventure of Link'', ''A Link to the Past'', and ''Ocarina of Time'', Link is capable of using magic spells such as [[Din's Fire]] provided that he possesses a [[Magic Meter]], which is usually granted to him by a [[Great Fairy]]. |
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| + | [[File:Midna-Wolf.png|160px|frameless|right|Wolf Link is one of the core elements of ''Twilight Princess''.]] |
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| + | {{Main|Wolf Link}} |
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| + | In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'', Link turns into [[Wolf Link|a wolf]] whenever he goes into the [[Twilight Realm]]. During the first half of the game, that happens three times in total, and after that he becomes a wolf because of a curse cast upon him by [[Zant]]; but thanks to a purge by the [[Master Sword]], the curse is encased on a [[Shadow Crystal]], an item that is kept by [[Midna]] and thanks to which Link learns to change his form at will anytime. Among Wolf Link's abilities are: |
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| + | * As the game doesn't feature any instrument, Wolf link plays melodies with his howl. |
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| − | Link is also talented in playing a wide variety of instruments. This is first shown in the original {{LOZ}}, in which the young hero plays the [[Recorder]] to open up secret entrances or transport him to various parts in the overworld. Since then, Link has competently played other instruments such as the [[ocarina]], a [[Spirit Flute|pan flute]], a [[Ocarina Transformations#Guitar of Waves|guitar]], the [[Ocarina Transformations#Drums of Sleep|drums]], and a [[Goddess Harp|harp]], all of which play a major role in each of the respective games in which they appear. Not only is Link a proficient instrument player: he is also adept in using a [[Wind Waker (Item)|conductor's baton]] to conduct other players. |
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| + | * [[Scents|Recording scents in order to look for objects or people]]. |
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| + | * Walking on thin ropes suspended on air. |
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| − | ==Unified Timeline== |
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| + | * Dash while he's running. |
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| − | ===''Skyward Sword''=== |
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| + | * Dig holes when looking for treasures or secret caves. |
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| − | [[File:Link SS 4.png|right|180px|Link in ''Skyward Sword'']] |
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| + | * Use his senses to witness spirits and the aforementioned scents. |
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| − | The Link in {{SS}} is the tenth Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and currently the earliest incarnation of Link chronologically. |
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| + | * Create an energy barrier, with the help of [[Midna]], to attack enemy groups. |
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| + | * Hop and climb between spots, with the help of Midna. |
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| − | In ''Skyward Sword'', Link has lived his entire life in an island above the clouds known as [[Skyloft]]. He is childhood friends with [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]] and they attend the [[Knight Academy]] together, where he is often bullied by [[Groose]].<ref>{{cite|You've been friends since you were kids? Big deal. It doesn't change the fact that you float through life with your head in the clouds.|Groose|SS}}</ref><ref>{{cite|He's a student at the academy, like all of us.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> After playing the role of the [[Hylia|goddess's]] [[Hylia's Chosen Hero|hero]] at the [[Wing Ceremony]], Link and Zelda go for a flight together, when suddenly a twister pulls Zelda and her [[Loftwing]] below the clouds. After withdrawing the [[Goddess Sword]] from its pedestal and meeting [[Fi]], Link sets out to [[The Surface]] to search for Zelda. |
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| + | * Warp through portals, with the help of Midna. |
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| − | |||
| + | * Talk to animals. |
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| − | Eventually, Link catches up with Zelda and Impa at the [[Temple of Time]], but their reunion is cut short when Ghirahim attacks the duo. In the frenetic action going on, Zelda gives Link the [[Goddess's Harp]] before Impa and her escape through the [[Gate of Time]], with Impa destroying the gate so as to escape Ghirahim's grasp. After passing the three [[Silent Realm|trials]] of the goddess,<ref>{{cite|This is the nature of places known as Silent Realms. They are domains of the spirit, accessible only to the goddess's chosen hero. This particular trial, Farore's Silent Realm, tests the limits of your courage.|Fi|SS}}</ref> gaining spiritual growth,<ref>{{Cite|That is your Spirit Vessel. When this vessel is full, it will signify you have successfully completed the trial, allowing your spirit to grow.|Fi|SS}}</ref> and transforming the Goddess Sword into the [[Master Sword]],<ref>{{cite|Ah, your sword! There can be no doubt. The sacred flames have purified this blade. Well done, [Link]. That sword holds tremendous power.|Impa|SS}}</ref> Link manages to activate a second Gate of Time and meets with Zelda, who explains that Link is the goddess's chosen hero<ref>{{cite|You are the chosen hero, and I, Zelda... I am the goddess reborn as a mortal.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> before telling him that she, as Hylia's mortal reincarnation, must remain in a deep sleep to keep Demise imprisoned within his seal.<ref>{{cite|We must stop him from freeing himself from the seal that imprisons him. At any cost... That is why I intend to remain here in this time and place... To sustain the seal as best as I can. As long as I continue this vigil, we may be able to prevent the demon king from fully reviving himself in our own time.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> She then informs Link that he must find and use the Triforce to destroy Demise so that she will be able to wake up in their own time.<ref>{{cite|When Demise is finally gone, there will be no more need for the seal that binds him, and then I'll be able to wake up.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> |
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| − | Link sets out to the [[Sky Keep]] and obtains the [[Triforce]], using its might to wish for the eradication of Demise.<ref>{{cite|Furthermore, I have detected the successful eradication of Demise. Your prayers to the Triforce have been heard.|Fi|SS}}</ref> Despite this, [[Ghirahim]] kidnaps Zelda upon her awakening and takes her through the Gate of Time, where Demise is still sealed.<ref>{{cite|It's best for everyone if you forget about your friend. The little goddess is mine now! My master may have perished in this age, but in the past he lives yet! I'm taking the girl back through that gate to help me revive the demon king!|Ghirahim|SS}}</ref> Link, after defeating Ghirahim and Demise, seals the remains of the demon king in the [[Master Sword]], but not before Demise warns him that it was not over, and that his hatred would be [[Ganon|reborn as a being]] to pursue domination of the world, as well as those with the [[Princess Zelda|blood of the goddess]] and spirit of the hero, in a cycle without end.<ref name=curse/> Zelda as well as the young hero return to their own time, where she mentions to Link that she wants to remain in the surface and watch over the Triforce. She asks what Link's intentions are for the future,<ref>{{cite|Look around us! As a child, I always dreamed of a world below. I wanted to see the surface with my own eyes and feel the land's warm breeze on my skin. I... I think I want to live here. I always want to feel solid ground beneath my feet, see the clouds above my head|Zelda|SS}}</ref> and Link smiles at her, with the camera panning to show both his and Zelda's Loftwings flying back into the sky, implying that Link chose to stay with Zelda. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | |||
| − | ===''The Minish Cap''=== |
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| − | [[File:TMC Link 04.png|130px|left|Artwork of Link in ''The Minish Cap'']] |
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| − | The Link in {{TMC}} is the seventh Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the second Link chronologically. |
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| − | In ''The Minish Cap'', Link is the grandson of [[Smith]], the blacksmith for [[Hyrule Town]]. He lives just outside the town with his grandfather, and goes to the [[Picori Festival]] with his childhood friend, Princess Zelda. During the award ceremony for the festival's sword tournament, the winner, [[Vaati]], shatters the legendary Picori Blade and releases the monsters that had been sealed in the [[Bound Chest]]. [[Princess Zelda]] uses her power to send the monsters away, and despite Link's attempt to defend her, Vaati turns the princess to stone to prevent her from interfering with his plans. Afterward, the King of Hyrule sends Link to Minish Woods to find the Minish, in the hopes that they can reforge the broken Picori Blade so that it can be used against Vaati. As he travels though the woods, Link meets [[Ezlo]], his companion throughout the game. Ezlo sits on Link's head throughout his adventure to defeat Vaati and restore Zelda. Aside from his frequent advice and sarcastic comments about Link's quest, Ezlo grants the hero the power to shrink down to Minish size. |
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| − | {{Clear}} |
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| − | ===''Four Swords''=== |
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| − | [[File:Linkfs.png|120px|right]] |
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| − | The Link in {{FS}} is the fourth Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the third Link chronologically. |
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| − | In ''Four Swords'', when Link takes the Four Sword, he is divided into four different Links (Green, Blue, Red and Purple), each with their own style and personality. Working together, the [[Links]] must find 3 keys that lead to Princess Zelda, who was captured by [[Vaati]] the wind mage. Link travels with Princess Zelda to check on the Four Sword, an ancient blade said to seal Vaati, a powerful wind mage. As the two enter the Four Sword Sanctuary, Vaati breaks his seal, absconding with Zelda in order to make her his bride. As Link comes to, he is instructed by three Fairies to draw the Four Sword, which splits the hero into four copies of himself: one green, one red, one blue, and one purple. Together, the four Links journey across Hyrule to meet three Great Fairies, each of whom gives the Links a key necessary to enter Vaati's Palace. Inside, the four Links defeat Vaati after a fierce battle, sealing him inside the Four Sword once more. With Hyrule saved, the four heroes return the Four Sword to its pedestal, thus merging back into one being. |
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| − | ===''Ocarina of Time''=== |
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| − | {{Image |
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| − | |image=Young Link.png |
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| − | |type=caption |
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| − | |size=120px |
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| − | |align=left |
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| − | |caption=Artwork of [[Young Link]] in ''Ocarina of Time'' |
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| − | }} |
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| − | The Link in {{OoT}} and {{MM}} is the third Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the fourth Link chronologically. |
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| − | In ''Ocarina of Time'', a young Link has been raised as one of the [[Kokiri]], the children of the forest. Unlike the other Kokiri, Link does not have a [[fairy]] companion and is thus shunned by their self-proclaimed leader, [[Mido]]. Link's life changes one day when the [[Great Deku Tree]], the forest's guardian, sends [[Navi]] the fairy to Link with instructions to bring him immediately. A curse has been cast on the Deku Tree, and he asks Link to break it. While Link is successful in defeating the monsters inside the Tree, the Great Deku Tree was doomed to die before Link started.<ref>{{cite|Though your valiant efforts to break the curse were successful, I was doomed before you started... Yes, I will pass away soon... But do not grieve for me... I have been able to tell you of these important matters... This is Hyrule's final hope...|Great Deku Tree|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> Before passing away, the Deku Tree tells Link of the [[Triforce]] and directs Link to [[Hyrule Castle]] where he encounters [[Princess Zelda]]. |
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| − | |||
| − | {{Image |
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| − | |image=Adult Link.png |
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| − | |type=caption |
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| − | |size=120px |
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| − | |align=right |
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| − | |caption=Artwork of Adult Link in ''Ocarina of Time'' |
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| − | }} |
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| − | Zelda sends Link on a mission to collect three [[Spiritual Stones]] and save Hyrule. Once Link obtains the Stones, he travels to the [[Temple of Time]] and opens the Door of Time with the Stones and the [[Ocarina of Time (Item)|Ocarina of Time]]. He then draws the [[Master Sword]] from the Pedestal of Time. This action imprisons Link in the Temple of Light in the Sacred Realm for seven years so his body can mature, while [[Ganon|Ganondorf]] takes control of Hyrule and seizes the [[Triforce#Triforce of Power|Triforce of Power]]. Seven years after drawing the sword from the pedestal, Link is awakened as the '''{{Exp|時の勇者 (''Toki no Yuusha'')|Hero of Time}}''' by Rauru, Sage of Light.<ref name=Quote1/> He sets off on a quest to cleanse the land of [[Ganon|Ganondorf's]] evil by awakening the Sages, who can seal Ganondorf in what used to be the Sacred Realm. Returning to the Kokiri Forest, he finds that none of his friends have grown up, and most now no longer recognize him.<ref>{{cite|Hey, have you seen your old friends? None of them recognized you with your grown-up body, did they? That's because the Kokiri never grow up! Even after seven years, they're still kids!|Deku Tree Sprout|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> |
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| − | After Link defeats the evil in the [[Forest Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Forest Temple]], the Deku Tree's successor, the Deku Sprout, reveals the hidden story of Link's past to him. The Kokiri never grow up. The reason Link has grown, while his Kokiri friends have not, is that he is actually a [[Hylian]], orphaned in the wars that raged before Hyrule was united. When Link was a baby, his mother fled with him to [[Kokiri Forest]], and, mortally wounded, left him under the Deku Tree's protection. He was brought up as one of the Kokiri and knew no differently.<ref name=linksmom/> Through the rest of the game, Link travels back and forth between the two time periods using the Master Sword and the Ocarina of Time in order to awaken the Seven [[Sage]]s and return peace of Hyrule. At the end of the game, Link climbs [[Ganon's Tower]] and engages Ganondorf in battle. After he has been defeated and sent to the Dark Realm, Link is returned to his youth by Princess Zelda, and Navi soon departs from him. He is last seen when he encounters Princess Zelda again in the Castle Courtyard to warn her about Ganondorf and the future events that would unfold.<ref name=warning>{{cite book|quote= Link warned Princess Zelda of what the future would bring. Hearing his words, the princess entrusted the Ocarina of Time to Link and instructed him to travel far away in order to prevent Ganondorf from entering the Sacred Realm.|book= [[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher= Dark Horse Books|page= 110}}</ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | ==Downfall Timeline== |
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| − | The Downfall Timeline is the alternate timeline in which Link, the Hero of Time, despite his best efforts, was defeated by Ganondorf in the final battle. This turn of events created the timeline containing ''A Link to the Past'', the ''Oracle'' series, ''Link's Awakening'', ''The Legend of Zelda'', and ''The Adventure of Link''. |
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| − | ===''A Link to the Past''=== |
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| − | [[File:Linkalttpr.png|190px|left|Artwork of Link in ''A Link to the Past'']] |
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| − | The Link in {{ALttP}}, {{LA}}, {{OoS}} and {{OoA}} is the second Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the first Link chronologically in the Downfall Timeline. |
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| − | In ''A Link to the Past'', Ganon and his army of evil were banished into the [[Sacred Realm]], the realm of the Triforce, by the Hylians at the price of countless lives. The portal to this world was magically blocked by seven [[sage]]s, and the lands behind that seal, which Hylians hoped would never be broken again, became known as the [[Dark World]] as they were corrupted by Ganon's malice. One day, when the [[Imprisoning War]] was all but forgotten, the land was plagued by sudden disaster, until the wizard [[Agahnim]] appeared at the court of the [[King of Hyrule]] and quelled the upheaval. Named chief adviser to the throne, he soon seized power from the king and kidnapped six [[Maiden]]s, descendants of the sages who had sealed the entrance of the Dark World. The maidens were taken to the castle tower and never seen again. Agahnim then began a dark ritual to break the seal on the Dark World and unleash Ganon's fury upon Hyrule. At this time, Link lives with his uncle in a house near Hyrule Castle. One night, Link receives a telepathic message from Princess Zelda, herself descended from the seventh sage, before being taken away. Link awakens to find his uncle preparing to come to Zelda's aid, and is told to remain in his bed. After his uncle's departure, however, Link ignores his command and follows after him to Hyrule Castle. But Link's [[Link's Uncle|uncle]] was quickly dispatched and left Link his sword and with his last breath imparted the [[Spin Attack]]. The young hero rescues Zelda from the castle dungeons then begins a journey to collect three magical [[Pendants of Virtue]], and claim the [[Master Sword]] as his own before finally facing Agahnim, and later, his alter ego Ganon. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | ===''Oracle of Seasons''=== |
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| − | [[File:OoS Link.png|100px|right|Artwork of Link in ''Oracle of Seasons'']] |
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| − | In the ''Oracle of Seasons'' soon after ''A Link to the Past'', Link is summoned by the Triforce to save the land of [[Holodrum]]. Upon his arrival, he is cared for by a young girl named [[Din (Oracle)|Din]] who takes him to meet the troupe of performers that she's a part of; however, soon after, [[General Onox]] appears and captures Din, revealing that she is actually the Oracle of Seasons who was just disguising herself as a dancer. The seasons soon begin to go out of control now that Din has been kidnapped, and it is up to Link to return Holodrum back to normal. With the help of the [[Rod of Seasons]], Link acquires the eight [[Essences of Nature]] scattered all over the land in order to restore the [[Maku Tree]]'s power and enter [[Onox's Castle]]. After the young hero defeats the evil menace and rescues the Oracle of Seasons, peace returns to Holodrum and the order of nature is back to its normal state. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | ===''Oracle of Ages''=== |
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| − | [[File:OoA Link.png|120px|left|Artwork of Link in ''Oracle of Ages'']] |
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| − | In ''Oracle of Ages'', soon after ''Oracle of Seasons'', Link is again summoned by the Triforce to save the land of [[Labrynna]]. Upon landing, he hears a cry for help, and he soon finds that [[Impa]], Zelda's caretaker, is being surrounded by monsters. Link easily scares them off, and Impa asks that he help her search for a woman named [[Nayru (Oracle)|Nayru]]. After finding Nayru, it is revealed that [[Veran]], the Sorceress of Shadows, possessed Impa in order to manipulate Link into leading her to Nayru, who turns out to be the Oracle of Ages. Veran quickly takes over Nayru's body, which she uses to alter events in the past to ruin the future. It is Link who, with the help of the [[Harp of Ages]], travels through time in order to rescue the Oracle and restore the ages back to normal. After Link frees Nayru from Veran's possession, the Oracle of Ages teaches the young hero a [[Tune of Ages|song]] crucial to his quest in collecting the eight [[Essences of Time]] scattered over the land of Labrynna. Unfortunately, soon after, the Sorceress of Shadows possesses [[Ambi]], the queen of Labrynna in the past, and takes refuge in the [[Black Tower]]. Link, with all the Essences in hand, heads over to the sinister tower to defeat Veran once and for all. After this adventure, Link sets sail to an unknown destination aboard a ship. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | ===''Link's Awakening''=== |
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| − | [[File:Link LA.png|120px|right|Artwork of Link in ''Link's Awakening'']] |
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| − | In ''Link's Awakening'', taking place after ''Oracle of Ages'', Link is seen aboard his ship after leaving the land of Labrynna; however, he is soon caught in a deadly thunderstorm which results in the destruction of his ship. His unconscious body is later found by [[Marin]] on a faraway island's shores. When he awakes, he discovers that he had miraculously been washed ashore on [[Koholint Island]] and makes preparations to leave the island by first finding his missing sword. A mysterious [[Owl (Link's Awakening)|owl]] then approaches Link and explains to him about a sleeping being on the island, [[Wind Fish|The Wind Fish]], and that Link can only leave the island once The Wind Fish has been awoken from its eternal slumber. To awaken The Wind Fish, Link was forced to embark on a long journey and go through many dungeons to retrieve the [[Eight Instruments of the Sirens]]. |
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| − | Link is eventually instructed by the owl to go to the [[Southern Face Shrine]] where he discoveries a startling truth about the island. Koholint Island is but a dream of The Wind Fish, whose dreams had been invaded by [[Nightmare]]s and who is unable to awaken. If The Wind Fish awakes, the whole island shall disappear. Link had apparently been pulled into The Wind Fish's dream world and was now a part of it, and only he can awaken the dreamer. He eventually acquires all eight of the instruments and defeats all of the Nightmares, thus freeing The Wind Fish from their terror. Link is then named the hero of The Wind Fish's dream world by the owl before it disappears, and Link finally awakens The Wind Fish. As the island fades away, Link is forced out by a stream of water and awakens to find himself on a wooden board, back in the ocean. When he looks up, he sees The Wind Fish flying in the sky and smiles. It is unknown what happens to Link afterward, as he no longer has a ship. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | ===''The Legend of Zelda''=== |
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| − | [[File:Link LOZ with items.png|left|100px]] |
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| − | The Link in {{LOZ}} and {{AOL}} is the first Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the second Link chronologically in the Downfall Timeline. |
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| − | In the original ''The Legend of Zelda'', Link is a young [[:Category:Swordsmen|swordsman]] who is asked after rescuing [[Impa]], the royal nursemaid, to save [[Hyrule]] and [[Princess Zelda]] from the evil Prince of Darkness, [[Ganon]], who is seeking out the shards of the [[Triforce#Triforce of Wisdom|Triforce of Wisdom]]. Link collects the pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom and enters Ganon's lair in [[Death Mountain]]. He defeats Ganon with a [[Silver Arrow]], secures the [[Triforce#Triforce of Power|Triforce of Power]], and saves the princess from Ganon's clutches. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | ===''The Adventure of Link''=== |
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| − | [[File:AoL Link.png|right|120px]] |
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| − | In the sequel ''Adventure of Link'', set six years after ''The Legend of Zelda'', Link is now fifteen years old, approaching his sixteenth birthday. Although Link has defeated Ganon, the remnants of Ganon's army are still scattered across Hyrule. They plan to revive Ganon by spilling the blood of his murderer, Link, onto his ashes. Impa finds a Triforce mark on Link's hand as he approaches his sixteenth birthday, and explains that he is the hero chosen to awaken an ancient Princess Zelda from a potent sleeping curse by seeking out the Triforce of Courage. This time, Link places a crystal in each of Hyrule's six palaces, ultimately destroys Dark Link and receives the Triforce of Courage in the [[Great Palace]], and awakens Princess Zelda. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | ==Child Timeline== |
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| − | The Child Timeline is the timeline that follows Link after being sent back to his original time after defeating Ganon in the Adult Timeline. He warns Princess Zelda about Ganon's actions in the Adult Timeline, which creates the timeline containing ''Majora's Mask'', ''Twilight Princess'', and ''Four Swords Adventures''. |
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| − | ===''Majora's Mask''=== |
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| − | [[File:Link-MM.png|left|120px|Link in ''Majora's Mask'']] |
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| − | [[File:Hero's Shade.png|130px|right|The Hero's Spirit, the spirit of the Hero of Time in ''Twilight Princess'']] |
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| − | ''Majora's Mask'' occurs after [[Ganon]]dorf's defeat in ''Ocarina of Time'' and Link has been sent back to his childhood in the Child Timeline branch. After having been sent back to his childhood by the adult Princess Zelda of ''Ocarina of Time'', the Hero of Time began a new history in which Ganondorf never destroyed Hyrule Castle and failed to take over the kingdom for 7 years. He leaves Hyrule to search for his lost friend [[Navi]]. While riding deep in the [[Lost Woods]], he is ambushed by a [[Skull Kid]] who is possessed by an evil artifact, [[Majora's Mask (Object)|Majora's Mask]], and his horse, [[Epona]], is stolen along with the magical Ocarina of Time. Chasing the Skull Kid, Link falls into a crevasse and arrives in a world called [[Termina]]. He must save this land from the evil of Majora's Mask, which has drawn the moon into a decaying orbit, causing it to crash into Termina's capital city in just three days. Link uses the [[Ocarina of Time (Item)|Ocarina of Time]] (reclaimed early on) and the [[Song of Time]], which sends him back in time and saves the game when he plays it, to relive these three days again and again in order to prevent the disaster. Along the way, Link finds many magical masks of his own, a handful of which allow him to transform. Those masks can turn him into a rock-like [[Goron Link|Goron]]; a petite, plant-like [[Deku Link|Deku Scrub]]; a graceful aquatic [[Zora Link|Zora]]; or the [[Fierce Deity]] allowing Link to assume a powerful form, [[Fierce Deity|Fierce Deity Link]]. |
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| − | Eventually, Link succeeds in freeing the Four Giants, enigmatic deities who can halt the Moon's descent, and confronts the Skull Kid. At this point, Majora, the evil entity residing inside Majora's Mask, abandons its now useless host and retreats into the Moon. Link chases after it into the strange core of the Moon, and after a long and heated battle against the three incarnations of Majora, the entity is finally defeated and the menacing Moon disappears. Upon returning the now lifeless mask to the Happy Mask Salesman, Link leaves his new friends and continues his journey, while the people of Termina once more celebrate the dawn of a new day. During his lifetime after ''Majora's Mask'', he lamented the fact that he was not remembered as a hero. In addition, he wanted to pass on the "lessons of his life to those who came after him" but he was unable to do that and was filled with regrets after his death. In order to ease his regrets and finally pass on his knowledge, he teaches the seven Hidden Skills to his descendant, the Link of ''Twilight Princess''.<ref name=herosspirit>{{cite book|quote=Link, the descendent of the Hero of Time: [...] The spirit of Link's ancestor, the Hero of Time, teaches him his secrets. Ever since returning to the Child Era, the swordsman has lamented the fact that he was not remembered as a hero. This is the reason he passes down the proof of his courage and his secret techniques to the Link of this era, addressing him as "son".|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher=Dark Horse Books|page=118}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Although I accepted life as the hero, I could not convey the lessons of that life to those that came after. At last, I have eased my regrets.|Hero's Spirit|Twilight Princess}}</ref> |
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| − | <small>(This Link is the same one from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'')</small> |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | ===''Twilight Princess''=== |
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| − | [[File:TP Link.png|190px|left|Link in ''Twilight Princess'']] |
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| − | The Link in ''Twilight Princess'' is the eighth Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the second Link chronologically in the Child Timeline branch. |
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| − | In ''Twilight Princess'', Link is a teenager who has been raised as a wrangler outside of [[Hyrule]] territory in [[Ordon Village]]. His friend, [[Rusl]], requests that Link go in his place to deliver a sword he has made for the Hyrule Royal Family. Before Link can go on this journey, his village is attacked by [[King Bulblin]]. Link is knocked unconscious and all the children are kidnapped. When Link awakens, he wanders into a darkness and gets pulled into the [[Twilight Realm]]. Once in the Twilight Realm, rather than becoming a [[spirit]] like everyone else, he transforms into a wolf. He is captured until a creature of the Twilight, [[Midna]], comes to his aid. She helps him escape and get back to the world of light, however Midna is only using Link to change the Twilight Realm (her home) back to normal, as she has no care for what happens to Link and the light world. Link must journey to save the children of Ordon Village and eventually save the entire land of Hyrule from the mysterious Twilight. Link, in searching for the Ordon children, saves the [[Spirits of Light]], and becomes the Hero Chosen by the Gods. He then sets off with Midna to find the [[Fused Shadow]]s and stop the main antagonist, [[Zant]]. After finding out that Zant was just a mere puppet of Ganondorf, the duo set off to defeat him and bring back peace to Hyrule. In the ending credits scene, Link - equipped with just his shield - rides away from Ordon Village, while his childhood friend, [[Ilia]] watches his departure. |
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| − | |||
| − | This Link sometimes is given the fan nickname "Hero of Light," because his deeds involve restoring light to the land as well as the "Hero of Twilight" as he is spoken of in Twili prophecy as noted by Midna. Despite this nickname, this incarnation of Link is given the title "Hero Chosen by the Gods". |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | |||
| − | ===''Link's Crossbow Training''=== |
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| − | {{ambig|start}} |
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| − | In ''[[Link's Crossbow Training]]'', Link travels around the land of Hyrule shooting targets, enemies, and more in order to perfect his [[crossbow]] skills. The game most likely takes place at different times during ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''. In the game, Link has very little interaction with other characters. |
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| − | {{ambig|end}} |
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| − | |||
| − | ===''Four Swords Adventures''=== |
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| − | [[File:FSA Link.png|120px|right|Artwork of Link in ''Four Swords Adventures'']] |
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| − | The Link in {{FSA}} is the sixth Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the third Link chronologically in the Child Timeline branch. |
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| − | |||
| − | Concerned that the seal which keeps Vaati in the Four Sword may be weakening, Zelda and the rest of the Seven Maidens summon Link and open the way to the shrine of the Four Sword to investigate. However, Zelda and the other maidens are captured and imprisoned by [[Shadow Link]]. Despite the fact that it will release Vaati, Link is forced to draw the Four Sword from its pedestal in order to split himself into four and have the strength to go and rescue the maidens. The Links save all seven of them and collect the four Royal Jewels, which they use to reveal the Tower of Winds. When he followed Shadow Link down to the [[Four Sword Sanctuary]], he pulled the Four Sword splitting him into four like in the original Four Swords, but when he pulled the sword [[Vaati]] was released from the seal once again. After the Links saved Zelda and the maidens, got the four [[Elements#Four Swords Adventures|Royal Jewels]] from different heroes of Hyrule, and defeated Vaati, Zelda and the Links fought against the dark lord [[Ganon]] and, with the help of the Seven Maidens, seal him within the Four Sword and restored peace to Hyrule. The sword is then returned to its sanctuary and sealed there, and the Links are combined into one again. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | |||
| − | This incarnation of Link is given the title "'''Hero of Light'''", due to the hero's courage and being the only one who can free Hyrule from darkness.<ref name=HeroofLight1></ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | ==Adult Timeline== |
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| − | The Adult Timeline is the timeline that follows Link being sent to the Child Timeline after the Hero of Time defeats Ganon in the final battle. Ganondorf is sealed within the [[Sacred Realm]] by the Seven Sages but, with Link sent back in time, the world is left without a Hero. This turn of events created the timeline containing ''The Wind Waker'', ''Phantom Hourglass'', and ''Spirit Tracks''. |
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| − | |||
| − | ===''The Wind Waker''=== |
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| − | [[File:WW Link 3.png|100px|left|Artwork of Link in ''The Wind Waker'']] |
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| − | The Link in {{TWW}} and {{PH}} is the fifth Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the first Link chronologically in the Adult Timeline branch. Link appeared similar to the ''Four Swords'' and ''The Minish Cap'' incarnation with blonde hair, dark eyes and an infantile face. |
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| − | |||
| − | After the valleys of ancient [[Hyrule]] are flooded in a deluge, Ganondorf's power is mysteriously tamed for ages before his dark energy begins to be felt over the [[Great Sea]]. Link lives on Outset Island on the Great Sea, the region above Hyrule after it was flooded by the gods to prevent Ganondorf from conquering it. Link is given the green tunic and hat on his birthday to commemorate the Hero of Time,<ref>{{cite|Today is a day to celebrate! It is the day that you become the same age as the young hero spoken of in all the legends.|Link's Grandmother|The Wind Waker}}</ref> but an attack by the [[Helmaroc King]] in which his sister is kidnapped starts him on a whirlwind adventure. Link quickly sets sail and acquires the [[King of Red Lions]] in his quest to recover Aryll after she is kidnapped by the [[Helmaroc King]] and taken to the [[Forsaken Fortress]]. Instead of simply rescuing his sister, Link is drawn into a sequence of events that eventually puts the fate of all the islands of the Great Sea in his hands. Once again, [[Ganon]] has appeared with limited power. Link is pulled into the conflict between the island inhabitants and Ganondorf's increasing presence as he, with the help of the [[Wind Waker (Item)|Wind Waker]], races to recapture the ancient power of the [[Triforce]] and the [[Master Sword]] before Ganondorf's true power is realized. |
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| − | |||
| − | Eventually the King of Red Lions sees fit to grant Link the title '''Hero of Winds'''<ref>{{cite|Surely from this moment on, you shall be known as the Hero of Winds... Link! Hero of Winds! Go forth! To Hyrule! To Zelda's side!|King of Red Lions|The Wind Waker}}</ref> in honor of his ongoing struggle with the forces of evil. In the final showdown Link defeats Ganondorf for good, stabbing him in the head with the Master Sword. The King of Hyrule's wish with the Triforce was to give Link and [[Princess Zelda]] a future, and at the end of the game they set out to find a new land to be the next kingdom after Hyrule. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | |||
| − | ===''Phantom Hourglass''=== |
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| − | [[File:PH Link Ciela.png|100px|right|Link in ''Phantom Hourglass'']] |
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| − | The events of ''Phantom Hourglass'' takes place months after Ganon's defeat at the end of ''The Wind Waker''. Link is a child sailing with [[Tetra]] and her crew in search of the [[Ghost Ship (Phantom Hourglass)|Ghost Ship]]. When they find it, Tetra jumps aboard but is kidnapped, so Link goes after her but instead falls into the sea. Link is awakened on [[Mercay Island]] by a [[Ciela|fairy]], and they set out on a journey to find Tetra. Link and Ciela traverse the [[World of the Ocean King]], rescuing the Spirits of the Ocean King and Tetra, and forging the [[Phantom Sword]] which can slay [[Bellum]], the devil behind all this misfortune. At the end of the game, Oshus returns Link, Tetra, and [[Linebeck]] to their world, thanking them for their help. |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | |||
| − | ===''Spirit Tracks''=== |
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| − | [[File:LoZ ST Link.png|180px|left|Artwork of Link in ''Spirit Tracks'']] |
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| − | The Link in {{ST}} is the ninth Link appearing in the ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, and the second Link chronologically in the Adult Timeline branch. |
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| − | |||
| − | In ''Spirit Tracks'', taking place many years after the Hero of Winds found the [[Hyrule|new Hyrule]], Link is a child who lives with [[Niko]] in [[Aboda Village]]. He is an apprentice of a master engineer, named [[Alfonzo]], who has helped him in order to become a [[Royal Engineer]]. When Zelda presents Link with a [[Engineer Certificate|certificate]] for this achievement,<ref name=royalengineer/> she also gives him a letter, telling him to meet with her, to discuss her suspicions over the mysterious [[Chancellor Cole]] as well as the disappearing [[Spirit Tracks (Rails)|Spirit Tracks]]. When Link sneaks Zelda out of the [[Hyrule Castle|castle]], they meet up with Alfonzo, who escorts them to the [[Tower of Spirits]] by train. However, as the [[Spirit Tracks (Rails)|Spirit Tracks]] begin to fade, they crash, and are then ambushed by the chancellor, who attacks the trio. Link and his master are knocked unconscious while Zelda's spirit is separated from her body, which is seized by Cole's apprentice, [[Byrne]]. Link awakes back in [[Hyrule Castle]] to discover that Zelda is now a ghost and that Link is the only person who can see her. After visiting [[Anjean]] in the Tower of Spirits, he agrees to help her in defeating Chancellor Cole and recover her body in the process. |
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| − | |||
| − | After Link and Zelda travel up to the Tower of Spirits to recover a [[Rail Map]], a Phantom Knight attacks him, but Zelda charges at the Phantom just in time to take control of its body. After this, Link and Zelda begin their journey to restore the Tower of Spirits and the Spirit Tracks, traveling across the overworld using the [[Spirit Train]] that is granted to Link by [[Anjean]]. Whenever Link returns to the Spirit Tower to obtain another Rail Map, Princess Zelda possesses a Phantom's armor in order to aid the young hero. As the pair continues to travel, Link and Zelda establish a close friendship as the two get to know each other better. |
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| − | |||
| − | Once Princess Zelda recovers her body from Malladus with the aid of Link, the two together face up against the Demon King, who has now taken over Chancellor Cole's body. Together, Link and Zelda deal the final blow on Malladus using the [[Lokomo Sword]], and shortly after, Anjean and the rest of the Lokomos depart towards the heavens. As they leave, Anjean entrusts Princess Zelda to watch over the land, asking Link to help her as well.<ref>{{cite|Please watch over this land, my dear. And, [Link]... You must help her.|Anjean|Spirit Tracks}}</ref> Link and Zelda are then seen holding hands as they witness the departure of the Lokomos. Unlike other instances where Link departs from the land after having saved it, the young hero stays in Hyrule to fulfill Anjean's request, where he continues to be either an engineer or a warrior, depending on which Link chose. This is witnessed when Princess Zelda gets up from her seat in her office and waves out the window after having heard either a train's whistle or the clanking of swords. |
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| − | |||
| − | == Other Heroes of Hyrule == |
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| − | Besides the Links that appear in the games, the back story to some of the games feature additional unnamed heroes of Hyrule who have a similar appearance to Link. |
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| − | |||
| − | ===Goddess's Hero=== |
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| − | {{Main|Hylia's Chosen Hero}} |
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| − | In ''Skyward Sword'', it mentions that there was another hero long time ago, who was [[Hylia]]'s chosen hero. It is only known that Her Grace gave the [[Sailcloth]] to her chosen hero long ago.<ref name="Hylia's chosen hero">{{cite|You know, they say that the goddess gave the Sailcloth to her chosen hero long ago.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> It is said that the Link from ''Skyward Sword'' possesses the spirit of the hero{{Fact}} and that he and later incarnations are named after him.<ref>{{cite book|quote=The Links of certain eras may also have been named after the legendary hero.|book=Hyrule Historia|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|page=68}}</ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | === War of the Bound Chest Hero === |
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| − | [[File:Hero of Men.png|left]] |
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| − | {{Main|Hero of Men}} |
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| − | The back story of ''The Minish Cap'', tells of the [[War of the Bound Chest]]. During the War of the Bound Chest, the [[Hero of Men]], a hero clad in green clothes but lacking Link's traditional green hat, arose to fight the demons attacking the world. This story of the War of the Bound Chest is depicted in a series of stained glass windows beneath the [[Elemental Sanctuary]]. One of the stained glass windows depicts the Hero of Men receiving the [[Picori Blade]] and the [[Light Force]] from the [[Minish]], while in the other, it shows the hero confronting the monsters that were attacking Hyrule. |
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| − | {{clear}} |
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| − | |||
| − | === Hero of the Four Sword === |
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| − | {{Main|Hero of the Four Sword}} |
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| − | The back story of ''Four Swords'' describes how prior to the events of the game, Vaati attacked Hyrule kidnapping young girls. The knights of Hyrule fought bravely against Vaati, but could not defeat him. A lone traveling boy appeared wielding the [[Four Sword]]. The boy's sword split his body into four and they defeated Vaati and sealed him away into the Four Sword. After defeating Vaati, the boy vanished into the forest, leaving behind his sword. The people of Hyrule built the [[Four Sword Sanctuary]] protect the Four Sword and its seal on Vaati. |
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| − | |||
| − | According to ''[[Hyrule Historia]]'', this hero is known as the Hero of the Four Sword and is not the same hero who appears in ''The Minish Cap'' or ''Four Swords'', but is another hero who appears in between the two games. ''[[Hyrule Historia]]'' describes him as someone about whom little is known, but he appears to be the descendant of the hero who previously defeated Vaati in ''The Minish Cap''. |
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| − | |||
| − | === Hero of Light === |
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| − | {{Ambig|start}} |
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| − | [[File:Hero of light.gif|left]] |
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| − | In ''[[BS The Legend of Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets]]'', a game for the [[BS-X Broadcasting System]] and an uncanon sequel to ''A Link to the Past'', the [[Mascot|mascot characters]] of the broadcasting system replaces Link as the central heroes, who could be male or female depending on the player's broadcast ID, and become known as the [[Hero of Light]]. Six years after the events of ''A Link to the Past'' and during Link's absence, Hyrule's long peace comes to a sudden end as Princess Zelda suffers from reoccuring dreams of evil to come. She and [[Aginah]] then witness a flash of light in the forest and upon arriving to investigate, find an unconscious youth and bring him or her to rest at Sahasrahla's old hideaway. Zelda senses that the youth may be endowed with the power of courage, and believes that he or she may be the Hero of Light. |
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| − | |||
| − | The young hero was then given the task to locate several stone tablets and eventually learns that though Link had defeated Ganon previously in the last game, his spirit had lived on through his malice. Ganon had learned of and coveted the power of the Hero of Light, and had subsequently managed to summon the hero into Hyrule, hoping to obtain the hero's power to be fully reborn. Once Ganon was defeated, the Hero of Light returned the Master Sword they had used to its pedestal and returned to where they had came from in a flash of light. |
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| − | {{Ambig|end}} |
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| − | |||
| − | ==Other Appearances== |
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| − | {{Main|Link/Other Appearances}} |
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| − | Link is also featured in other media, including comics based on the games, animated shows, and the [[ssb:Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]]. Unlike the games in the main series, Link has actual dialogue in most of these appearances instead of being a silent hero. |
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| − | |||
| − | Link has also made several [[References to The Legend of Zelda|cameo appearances]] in various games and other media. |
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| − | |||
| − | ==Age Controversy== |
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| − | Link's age has been a major source of debate among some fans. The controversy stems from the fact that there had been little official acknowledgement of Link's age until the "Iwata Asks" feature for {{OoT3D}} was released. In this feature, Link's age in {{OoT}} was revealed to be 9 as a child and 16 as an adult.<ref>{{cite web|quote=Yes. When we decided to handle Link growing up from a 9-year-old child to a more mature 16-year-old, I wanted lots of characters to fulfill various roles. For example, Kaepora Gaebora is a grandfather figure who gives Link all kinds of advice and looks out for him. And since Link is a boy, I wanted girls besides Princess Zelda to show up.|accessdate=2011-12-14|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/4/1|title=Iwata Asks|site=Nintendo}}</ref> This directly conflicted with the more well-known but unofficial information found in the original game's guide.{{fact}} The same feature reveals Link from {{LoZ}} to be 12 and Link from {{AoL}} to be around 16.<ref>{{cite web|quote=Link is a boy. In the first game, The Legend of Zelda, he was about 12 years old. In Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, he was about 16, but I never wanted to make him just another cool hero.|accessdate=2013-03-25|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/4/1|title=Iwata Asks|site=Nintendo}}</ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | The age of Link from {{TWW}} is also highly debated, as at the start of the game Link is given the [[Hero's Clothes]] to wear on his birthday, which are to be worn by the boys of [[Outset Island]] upon reaching the same age as the [[Hero of Time]] was when he set out on his journey.<ref>{{cite|Time certainly flies... I can't believe you're already old enough to wear these clothes. Don't look so disappointed, dear one! Just try them on. Today is a day to celebrate! It is the day that you become the same age as the young hero spoken of in all the legends. You only have to wear them for one day, so don't look so down. Be proud, child!|Grandma|TWW}}</ref> Taking into account the age of the Hero of Time revealed in the Iwata Asks interview, the Hero of Winds was 9 years old when he set out on his journey; however, the Toon Link trophy in {{SSBB}},<ref>{{cite|His green clothes were worn on his 12th birthday and are the lucky outfit of the hero of legend.|Toon Link Trophy|SSBB}}</ref> the [[Nintendo Power]] guide for ''The Wind Waker'',<ref>{{Cite book|quote= When a boy turns 12 years old on Outset Island, he receives a green tunic.|book= The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Official Nintendo Player's Guide|publisher= [[Nintendo Power]]|page= 23}}</ref> and [[Zelda Box]]<ref>{{cite book|quote={{Exp|He was living peacefully on Outset Island, but on his 12th birthday his sister Aryll was kidnapped, and he decided to set out on an adventurous journey.|プロロ島で平和に暮らしていたが、12歳の誕生日に妹アリルがさらわれ、冒険の旅に出ることに。}} |book=[[Zelda Box]] |publisher=Enterbrain |page=18 }}</ref> all state he is 12 years old. |
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| − | |||
| − | According to [[Hyrule Historia]], Link from {{SS}} is seventeen and a half years old.<ref>{{cite book|quote=The Link presented here is a mere seventeen and a half years old. He was designed as such- "halfway grown up, not fully matured" -in order to strike a thematic balance between this and Twilight Princess. His armament and attire remain mostly unchanged (with perhaps only the absence of arm guards). The expressions on his face are portrayed as slightly more comical and lighthearted than before, so that regardless of what expression he makes, the expressions themselves seem relatable. Additionally, there is a lot of interpersonal interaction in this installment, so the expressions became much richer.|book=Hyrule Historia|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|page=8}}</ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | == Theories == |
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| − | {{theory}} |
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| − | === Reincarnation === |
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| − | It is possible that the various incarnations of Link share the same soul with their predecessors.<ref>{{cite|Before I enter the sleep that calls me to the sword, I wish to relay to you words that I recorded many times over the course of our journey. Many have said them to you thus far, but I now wish to say them for myself... Thank you, Master Link. May we meet again in another life...|Fi|SS}}</ref> The heroes appearing in ''Twilight Princess'' and ''The Wind Waker'' may constitute an exception to this; the former co-exists with the ghost of the Hero of Time, while the Hero of Winds is present in a different timeline (the "adult" timeline) from that of its predecessor (the "child" timeline), after the Hero of Time was returned to his original time at the end of ''Ocarina of Time''. |
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| − | |||
| − | ==<div id="Adult Link">Trivia</div>== |
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| − | <!--The stuff in the subsection heading here makes it so that a link like [[Link#Adult Link]] would take you to this section without redirecting.--> |
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| − | *In ''The Adventure of Link'', Link appears to speak when he finds the Mirror in [[Saria Town]], he says "I found a mirror under the table." |
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| − | *In ''A Link to the Past'', due to the limited color palette of the SNES, Link's hair was shown as pink, although in official art it was originally a reddish brown. |
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| − | *The Link of ''The Wind Waker'' and ''Phantom Hourglass'' is a separate playable character in {{SSBB}}. In ''Brawl'', he is known as Toon Link. He also appears as a [[Trophy]] wearing his pajamas. Furthermore, this Link is mentioned in ''Spirit Tracks'' by the aged [[Niko]], who notes that the current Link of that game is the spitting image of one of his dearest friends, the Hero of Winds himself. |
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| − | *In ''Ocarina of Time'', the term "Adult Link" is used to differentiate between his child and adult forms. Following the completion of the [[Forest Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Forest Temple]], Link is able to pass freely between his child and adult stages to make use of different items and locations. Unlike his child incarnation, adult Link is taller, has donned gloves and white leggings, and generally looks more sincere. Adult Link is unable to make use of certain child-only items, such as the [[Slingshot]], the [[Boomerang]] and the [[Kokiri Sword]]. Similarly, [[Young Link]] is unable to use items such as the [[Hookshot]], the [[Fairy Bow]], and the [[Mirror Shield]]. These equipment restrictions do not exist in other games, though. There are three other incarnations of Link of comparable age to adult Link in ''Ocarina of Time'': the heroes in {{AOL}}, {{TP}}, and {{SS}}. Most other games in the series do not cite or otherwise indicate an older character. |
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| − | *Since the Hero's Shade in ''Twilight Princess'' is the ''Hero of Time'', this makes ''Twilight Princess'' the first game to feature a Link having proper conversations on his own as opposed to simple responses chosen by the player. It is also the first time two Links have crossed paths and met.<ref name=herosspirit/> |
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| − | *Early screenshots of ''Majora's Mask'' show Link with an item resembling a mask of his adult face. This has led many to believe that Adult Link was originally planned to be in the game. However, the mask is not present in the final version and was likely replaced by the [[Fierce Deity's Mask]]. |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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| + | <gallery> |
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| − | {{GalleryPage}} |
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| + | File:Goron Link.png|[[Goron Link]], one of the playable transformations in ''Majora's Mask''. |
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| + | File:Fierce Deity Link.png|[[Fierce Deity|Fierce Deity Link]] is a secret transformation in ''Majora's Mask''. |
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| + | File:Baby link.png|Baby Link Transformation in Oracle of Ages. |
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| + | </gallery> |
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==See Also== |
==See Also== |
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| − | *[[ |
+ | *[[Ocarina Transformations]] |
| + | *[[Playable Secondary Characters]] |
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| − | *[[Links]] |
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| + | {{Gameplay}} |
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| − | *[[Link's Partners]] |
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| − | |||
| − | {{Refbar}} |
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| − | <br> |
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| − | {{Names |
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| − | |ja= {{Japanese|リンク|Rinku}} |
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| − | |jaM= Link |
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| − | |es= Link |
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| − | |esM= |
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| − | |esS= |
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| − | |esSM= |
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| − | |esL= |
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| − | |esLM= |
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| − | |fr= Link |
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| − | |frM= |
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| − | |frF= |
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| − | |frFM= |
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| − | |frC= |
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| − | |frCM= |
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| − | |de= {{de|Link}} |
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| − | |deM= |
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| − | |it= Link |
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| − | |itM= |
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| − | |ko= 링크 |
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| − | |koM= Transliteration of Japanese name}} |
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| + | [[Category:Link Transformations]] |
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| − | {{Characters}} |
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| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Game elements]] |
| − | [[Category:Hyruleans]] |
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| − | [[Category:Ordonians]] |
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| − | [[Category:Skyloftians]] |
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| − | [[Category:Link]] |
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| − | [[Category:Super Smash Bros.]] |
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| − | [[Category:Swordsmen]] |
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| − | [[Category:Heroes]] |
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Revision as of 21:13, 9 April 2013
Template:Sources This article is about Link's alternate forms in the Zelda series. For Hyrule's geographical changes, see here. For Ganon's shapeshifting, see Puppet Ganon and here.
In most of the Zelda games, Link is portrayed as a Hylian or human-like character destined to combat evil and, as such, makes use of his physical and intellectual skills over the course of his journeys. Occasionally, however, he has undergone various moments when he is transformed into another form, which initially may imply limitations to him and his capacity to progress on his quest, but he eventually manages to not only return to his original self, but also shapeshift at will and use the new form to his advantage.
Below is a list of games in the franchise where the concept of shapeshifting takes place.
The Adventure of Link
Main article: Spells of The Adventure of Link § Fairy Spell
One of the eight Spells Link learns on his quest allows him to turn into a fairy and, unlike most of the other transformations in the series, it's completely acquired by voluntary means (in this case, as a reward by healing a sick child with the Water of Life in Mido Town). When in fairy form, Link can fly freely through side-scrolling zones, thus being able to cross large chasms, high obstacles and even locked doors without the need of a Small Key. The disadvantages are that he cannot attack enemies by any means, and that he can only retrieve his Hylian form by going out from the place where he is.
A Link to the Past
Main article: Bunny Link
When Link is in the Dark World, he is transformed into a bunny unless he has the Moon Pearl. According to the legend, this happens because anyone entering the once-prosperous Golden Land will turn into an animal or object that can visually reflect that person's heart or emotions. Though unconfirmed, it's implied that Link is turned into a bunny because of his purity as a person. After retrieving the Moon Pearl, Link retains his original form while in the Dark World; and the only times he's turned into a bunny again are when certain shiny clouds (located in dungeons) touch him (and even then, the process is only temporary). Link is entirely defenseless as a bunny, although he instantly comes back to normal after being injured by an enemy.
Ocarina of Time
Main article: Young Link
Upon acquiring the Master Sword at the Temple of Time, Link is put into suspended animation for seven years, after which he awakens as an adult. He can become a kid again by returning the sword to the pedestal in the Temple, but only after clearing the Forest Temple (regardless of how many of the other dungeons he may have cleared in the meantime). The differences between Young and Adult Link include: Different items for use (for example, Young Link is the only one allowed to use the Boomerang and the Slingshot, while Adult Link is the only one for use of the Hookshot and the Fairy Bow), different equipment (Young Link cannot change his tunic, boots or sword; and the only extra shield he can use is the Hylian one. Adult Link has everything else suitable for him), size advantage (Young Link is the only one who can enter a small hole), and travel means (Adult Link is the only one who can ride Epona), among other things.
Majora's Mask
Template:Main list In Majora's Mask, the concept of transformation develops further, as various masks transform Link into alternate forms. The first of these is Deku Link, who comes through involuntary shapeshifting, after Link loses to Skull Kid during a confrontation; however, Deku Link does have advantages, such as flying with the help of Deku Flower pads, shoot bubbles, hop a few times on water and spinning; Link, with the help of the Happy Mask Salesman, eventually regains his Hylian form, and keeps the Deku Mask to turn back into a Deku Scrub every time the aforementioned abilities come in handy. It is theorized that Deku Link is related to the long-missing son of the Deku Butler, who is found in the Deku Palace.
The other transformations come by voluntary situations: Goron Link is the result of the ghost of a deceased Goron warrior giving Link his own body (encased into a mask); in this form, Link can curl to travel at very high speed, press giant buttons only with his weight, ground pound and land powerful hits. Zora Link materializes after the decease of a Zora guitarist, and allows the young hero to swim very fluidly underwater, walk on the bottom of it, use his fins as boomerangs, attack with electric energy and apply punches and kicks during direct confrontations. There is a mask that is obtained after defeating an Eyegore in Stone Tower Temple, and transforms Link into a giant, while still retaining his physical Hylian form; however, it only works during a boss battle (Twinmold), not to mention that the Z-Targeting feature is disabled. Finally, there is a secret transformation that is provided by the Fierce Deity's Mask, which allows Link to destroy enemies with extremely devastating attacks, but it only works during boss battles, including Majora's Mask itself.
It should be noted that Hylian Link himself, unlike in Ocarina of Time, can now jump with more ease thanks to his athletic skills. He is also the only form who can use most of the C-items; the exception are the Powder Keg (which correspond to Goron Link), while Deku Link can use Deku Nuts as well. Most forms, in addition, can also use bottles.
As an extra note, every form of Link (except the Giant and Fierce Deity forms) uses a version of the Ocarina: Deku Link has the Pipes of Awakening, Goron Link has the Drums of Sleep, Zora Link has the Guitar of Waves, and Hylian Link has the Ocarina in its usual form.
Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages
In the Oracle series, Magic Rings 43 to 47 transform Link into different forms if worn. While wearing one of these rings, Link cannot attack or use any of his items, and they have no other purpose than to change his appearance. Link returns to his original form after removing the ring, while swimming, and for a brief moment when moving between rooms.
The rings, with their relative transformations, are:
Link as an Octorok Octo Ring: transforms Link into an Octorok.
Link as a Moblin Moblin Ring: transforms Link into a Moblin.
Link as a Like Like Like Like Ring: transforms Link into a Like Like.
Link as a Subrosian Subrosian Ring: transforms Link into a Subrosian.
Link in first-gen form First Gen Ring: transforms Link into the original Legend of Zelda version of himself.
Link transformed into a baby by Blue Stalfos's attack Additionally, in Oracle of Ages, Link can be transformed into a baby in when struck by the Blue Stalfos' magical attack while fighting him in the Ancient Tomb.
The Minish Cap
Main article: Minish Link
In The Minish Cap, Link can change his size significantly, having a miniature height, while still retaining his external Hylian form. This allows him to gain access to places whose size and/or entrance would be too small for him in natural size to enter. He also can speak with animals and (eventually) with the Minish as well. As with most transformations in the series, however, his item repertoire is once again significantly limited.
Twilight Princess
Main article: Wolf Link
In Twilight Princess, Link turns into a wolf whenever he goes into the Twilight Realm. During the first half of the game, that happens three times in total, and after that he becomes a wolf because of a curse cast upon him by Zant; but thanks to a purge by the Master Sword, the curse is encased on a Shadow Crystal, an item that is kept by Midna and thanks to which Link learns to change his form at will anytime. Among Wolf Link's abilities are:
- As the game doesn't feature any instrument, Wolf link plays melodies with his howl.
- Recording scents in order to look for objects or people.
- Walking on thin ropes suspended on air.
- Dash while he's running.
- Dig holes when looking for treasures or secret caves.
- Use his senses to witness spirits and the aforementioned scents.
- Create an energy barrier, with the help of Midna, to attack enemy groups.
- Hop and climb between spots, with the help of Midna.
- Warp through portals, with the help of Midna.
- Talk to animals.
Gallery
- Goron Link.png
Goron Link, one of the playable transformations in Majora's Mask.
- Fierce Deity Link.png
Fierce Deity Link is a secret transformation in Majora's Mask.
Baby Link Transformation in Oracle of Ages.
See Also
- Ocarina Transformations
- Playable Secondary Characters
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