Link: Difference between revisions

{{about|Link as usually seen in his adult form|the other versions of Link|[[Young Link]] and [[Toon Link]]}}

|image=[[File:SSBBLink.jpg|250px]]<br>Artwork of Link from ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''

|first_appearance=''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda|The Legend of Zelda]]'' ([[List of games by date#1986|1986]], ''The Legend of Zelda'' series)<br>''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' (1989, ''Mario''-related media)

|latest_appearance=''[[zeldawiki:Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda|Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda]]'' ([[List of games by date#2021|2021]], ''The Legend of Zelda'' series)<br>''[[WarioWare: Get It Together!]]'' (2021, ''Mario''-related media)

|latest_portrayal=Kengo Takanashi (''The Legend of Zelda'' and ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, 2017-present)<br>[[wikipedia:Takashi Ōhara|Takashi Ōhara]] (''Mario''-related media excluding ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, 2014-present)

{{quote2|Champion of Hyrule|[[Boxing Ring]] [[Boxing Ring#Fighter nicknames|nickname]]|[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]}}

'''Link''' is the main protagonist of the ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda (Series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' series created by [[Nintendo]]. Over the course of the series, many different incarnations of Link have existed, chosen to protect the land of [[zeldawiki:Hyrule|Hyrule]] from evil. Each incarnation of him bears the [[zeldawiki:Triforce#Triforce of Courage|Triforce of Courage]], and usually has to fight [[Ganon]] and save Hyrule and its ruler, [[Princess Zelda]]. Being one of the most popular Nintendo video game characters alongside [[Mario]], Link has had several crossover appearances within and alongside the [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' franchise]].

Link's first appearance in the ''Mario'' franchise is the coloring game ''[[Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up]]''. Link first appears on the "Chef" page, where he is shown waiting for a pasta dish cooked by [[Mario]]. He later appears on the "Travel Guide" page, showing that he owns a traveling agency.

Link also makes several appearances in the ''Mario''-based comics within the German [[Club Nintendo (magazine)|''Club Nintendo'' magazine]], his appearance based upon that in the original ''The Legend of Zelda''. He debuts in "[[Super Mario: Die Bescherung]]", celebrating a Christmas party in the [[Mario Bros.' House]]. His role in this story is minor, though he has a brief speaking part at the end, mistrusting the realness of [[Santa Claus]].

Link, alongside [[Kirby]], is Mario's ally in the comic "[[Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens]]". During the events of this story, he lives in a [[Brooklyn]] [[Nintendo Skyscraper|skyscraper]] and fights against [[Abigor]] and his demonic fellows who plan to take over the building. He does so by making use of a magic serum which turns him and his allies into aggressive ghostbusters. In this form, he has green skin, black armor and a fire sword.

Link received his own television show with ''[[The Legend of Zelda (television series)|The Legend of Zelda]]''. It aired under the ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' syndication, with the animated ''Mario'' segments running Monday through Thursday, and being replaced by ''Zelda'' segments on Fridays. The ''Zelda'' segments still received an accompanying live-action [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] short. The series revolved around Link and [[Princess Zelda]] protecting the Triforce of Wisdom from [[Ganon]].

Link and Zelda appear in ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'', borrowing their appearance and personality from the aforementioned ''Legend of Zelda'' cartoon. Jonathan Potts returned to voice Link in the series. Link was also a major character in the Valiant [[Nintendo Comics System]] line of ''Captain N: The Game Master''.

===''Donkey Kong'' franchise===

====''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' / ''Donkey Kong Land 2''====

Link also appears in the Video Game Heroes in the ending for ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'', where he has the same number of DK Coins collected as before.

 

In the [[Game Boy Advance]] port, Link and Yoshi's positions are swapped; additionally, Link has obtained 50 DK Coins in total. This means that Diddy can only shift Link down to third place, therefore removing Yoshi from the podium.

[[File:Link SMRPG screenshot.png|right|thumb|Link sleeping at the [[Rose Town]] [[Inn]] in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''.]]

In ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'', Link can be found resting at the [[Rose Town]] Inn. He does not awaken when spoken to (likely a nod to Link's constant portrayal as a silent protagonist), and a ''The Legend of Zelda'' melody for when a secret is uncovered plays instead.

Link appears in every [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' game]] as a default playable character. Most of Link's standard attacks make use of the [[Master Sword]], while his specials are all attacks or items from ''The Legend of Zelda'' series.

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', Link returns as a playable character, though some of his moves have been changed. His standard special attack has been replaced with the [[#Hero's Bow|Bow]], which lets Link shoot an arrow that can be charged; the boomerang has instead been made his side special move. His other specials are kept the same, as has the Hookshot. ''Melee'' is also the first game to feature Link's ability to use his [[zeldawiki:Hylian Shield|Hylian Shield]] to defend himself from projectile attacks while standing still.

|title = Dark Link

|color = green

|width = 200

|emblem = Zelda_Emblem.png

|image = Dark Link SSBM.jpg

|games = ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' (non-playable) <br> ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' (non-playable, or playable using one of Link's alternate costumes)

|standard = [[#Hero's Bow|Bow / Hero's Bow]]

|side = [[#Boomerang|Boomerang]] (''Melee''); [[#Gale Boomerang|Gale Boomerang]] (''Brawl'')

|up = [[#Spin Attack|Spin Attack]]

|down = [[#Bomb|Bomb]]

|final = [[#Triforce Slash|Triforce Slash]]

Link was the first character to be announced for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''. Unlike in previous installments, this Link is the "Hero of Twilight", the descendant of the Hero of Time and the protagonist of ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]''. This Link's moveset also references ''Twilight Princess'' in a number of ways. The bow (now called "Hero's Bow") and bombs have been aesthetically updated to match their ''Twilight Princess'' designs, while the boomerang has been replaced with the [[#Gale Boomerang|Gale Boomerang]], which generates a whirlwind that can drag in opponents as it returns. The Hookshot has also been replaced with the [[zeldawiki:Clawshot|Clawshot]] from ''Twilight Princess'', which, when used offstage, can home in on edges and grab them unlike the Hookshot; however, it is now a tether recovery, as opposed to a wall grapple. Dark Link also appears in the game, both as one of Link's alternative colors and as an opponent in an Event Match. The "Hero of Winds" from ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]'' also appears in the game as a playable character under the name [[Toon Link]], complete with a moveset very similar to Link's.

Dark Link also reappears in this game, where he returns in two Event Matches. The first, [[smashwiki:Event Match 18: Dark Link Duel|Event Match 18: Dark Link Duel]], is similar to the match from Melee, but it is fought on the [[Bridge of Eldin]] instead, and is a stamina match rather than using lives. The second, [[smashwiki:Co-Op Event 7: Battle of the Dark Sides|Co-Op Event 7: Battle of the Dark Sides]], is the same as Dark Link Duel, but with the addition of [[Samus Aran]] and [[Dark Samus]] assisting Link and Dark Link, respectively.

Link reappears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' as a playable character along with Toon Link. Due to these games' more vibrant aesthetic, Link has a noticeably brighter color scheme unlike in ''Brawl'' and ''Twilight Princess''. Link retains much of his moveset from the previous game, though some of his non-special moves have been altered, such as his down aerial gaining a [[meteor smash]] effect and gaining the [[zeldawiki:Jump Slash|Jump Slash]] as his new dash attack. Link's Hylian Shield can also now block projectiles while crouching and walking.

[[File:03-Link.png|thumb|right|100px|Link's stock icon]]

The [[zeldawiki:Hero of the Wild Set|Hero of the Wild]] set of clothes from ''Breath of the Wild'', which resembles Link's classic design, also appears an alternate costume. Although Link uses a regular Boomerang like he does in ''Super Smash Bros.'' and ''Melee'', his other special moves noticeably deviate from his predecessors': his bow is capable of firing two arrows at once, he uses the [[zeldawiki:Remote Bomb|Remote Bomb]] [[zeldawiki:Rune|Rune]] instead of his Bombs as his down special, and his Final Smash uses an [[zeldawiki:Ancient Bow|Ancient Bow]] to fire an [[zeldawiki:Ancient Arrow|Ancient Arrow]].

Some of Link's normal moves are also different compared to his predecessors. Due to neither the Hookshot nor the Clawshot appearing in ''Breath of the Wild'', Link's grab consists of him quickly putting his Hylian Shield on his back in order to reach out with his left hand. Although this makes his grab much faster overall, it also results in his grab having much shorter range and lacking a tether recovery compared to his predecessors. As another reference to ''Breath of the Wild'', the first hit of Link's forward smash is capable of firing a [[zeldawiki:Sword Beam|Sword Beam]] while his damage is at 0%, granting him yet another projectile (aforementioned above).

The '''[[zeldawiki:Boomerang|Boomerang]]''' is a recurring item throughout [[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]] that appears as Link's standard special move in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', and as his side special move in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. Originally designed after the Boomerang in ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', the move is also used by [[Young Link]], who uses the same Boomerang. In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', Link's Boomerang is the same one from ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild''. When the move is used, the player throws a Boomerang at opponents that can damage them, automatically returning to the player once it hits an opponent or wall. The player can hold the control stick to make it fly farther, and can also be thrown diagonally. The Boomerang can also fly up or down while it is active by tilting the control stick just before throwing it. In later games, the move is used by [[Toon Link]], whose design of the Boomerang is based on that in ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]''.

The '''[[zeldawiki:Gale Boomerang|Gale Boomerang]]''' is Link's side special move in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', based on the Gale Boomerang item from ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' and replacing the [[#Boomerang|Boomerang]] from the previous games. When used, the Gale Boomerang generates a whirlwind; the attack hurts opponents when thrown, and the whirlwind draws opponents and small items in as it returns, though it deals no damage. Like the previous Boomerang, it returns to Link automatically once it hits an opponent or a wall, and the Gale Boomerang can also be thrown at an angle.

The '''[[zeldawiki:Spin Attack|Spin Attack]]''' is Link's up special move in every installment of the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]]. The move is based on the Spin Attack move recurring throughout ''The Legend of Zelda'' series. When used, Link spins around rapidly with his sword to deal damage. When used in the air, the move also gives Link some vertical and horizontal distance. In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' onward, the move can be charged by holding down the special attack button when used on the ground to deal more damage.

In ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', the first custom variant for this move is '''Giant Bomb''', which gives Link a larger Bomb that deals more damage and has a larger blast radius, but does not automatically explode upon impact. The second is '''Meteor Bomb''', which lessens the time that the Bomb will explode and weakens it, but gives it a [[meteor smash]] property.

In ''Super Smash Bros.'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', the Bombs used by Link and Young Link are based on the ones from ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''. In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', however, the Bombs used by Link are based on the ones from ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]''. In all ''Super Smash Bros.'' games since ''Brawl'', Toon Link's Bombs are based on the ones from ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker|The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker]]''.

'''Triforce Slash''' is Link's [[Final Smash]] in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', as well as [[Toon Link]]'s since ''Brawl'' and [[Young Link]]'s in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. When activated, Link's Triforce on his hand glows and he fires a beam of light directly in front of him. If an opponent is in the line of fire, they will be trapped between two Triforces as Link rushes forward to deliver several sword blows. After fifteen slashes, the character rushes through the trapped opponent, launching them. If the beam of light does not reach an opponent, the attack fails.

In ''[[WarioWare: Get It Together!]]'', Link is seen in a new microgame titled [[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]], which is based on the [[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|''The Legend of Zelda'' game]] of the same name.

Link appears as a [[Mystery Mushroom]] [[Costume Mario|costume]] in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]''. Link, [[Toon Link]] and Wolf Link's costumes can be unlocked by scanning their respective [[amiibo]], or randomly by completing the 100 Mario Challenge. The Link Costume is based on his sprites from ''The Legend of Zelda''. The Wolf Link Costume also includes [[Midna]] riding on top of Wolf Link.

 

A special [[List of official Super Mario Maker courses|Event Course]] titled "[[Tri Force Heroes]]" allows the player to play as, and unlock, a special Costume Mario called Totem Link, based off of ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes|The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes]]''. As Totem Link, players play as all three Links from the game (red, blue and green), stacked up on top of each other. Additionally, there is also an Event Course titled "[[Twilight Princess HD]]", which is based off ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD|The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD]]'', where players can unlock Wolf Link.

A data-mine of ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' revealed that a Link costume for [[Mario]] was planned to be part of the game, but files pertaining to it have since been removed as of the [[Balloon World]] update.<ref>[https://tcrf.net/Super_Mario_Odyssey#Unused_Costumes Super Mario Odyssey § Unused Costumes]. ''The Cutting Room Floor''. Retrieved April 18, 2018.</ref>

While wearing a [[Goomba's Shoe]], Link cannot block [[Bullet Bill]]s. However, he can do it underwater.

In ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'', Link appears as a downloadable playable character in the [[The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8|''The Legend of Zelda'' × ''Mario Kart 8'']] downloadable content pack. This marks his first playable appearance of any kind in the ''Mario'' series. Link is one of the lighter heavyweight racers, befitting his much taller size, and he shares his stats with [[Rosalina]], [[Donkey Kong]], [[Waluigi]], and [[Roy Koopa]]. Although this Link is the Hero of the Skies from ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]'', his proportions have been altered slightly to fit the ''Mario'' franchise aesthetic: he has a slightly larger head and eyes, and is left-handed as opposed to right-handed like in ''Skyward Sword''.

The [[Master Cycle]], a [[bike]] based on Link's [[Master Sword]] and his horse [[zeldawiki:Epona|Epona]], appears as one of four additional vehicle bodies, along with a ''Zelda''-themed set of [[tire]]s, the [[Triforce Tires]], and a ''Zelda''-themed [[glider]], the [[Hylian Kite]]. A ''Zelda''-themed course called [[Hyrule Circuit]] also appears as part of the [[Triforce Cup]]. His kart symbol is the [[zeldawiki:Royal Crest|Royal Crest]]. During his tricks, he wields the Master Sword and shows off the Triforce.

[[File:Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Art - Link.png|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Artwork of Link on the Master Cycle holding a [[boomerang]] from ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'']]

Link reappears in the [[Nintendo Switch]] game ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', available as part of the core game. He is available from the start, and shares his stats with only [[Rosalina]] and [[King Boo]]. ''Deluxe''{{'}}s July 19, 2018 update also added the Hero of the Wild from ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'', alongside the [[Master Cycle Zero]], [[Ancient Tires]], and [[Paraglider (The Legend of Zelda)|Paraglider]] parts. Upon being added, the Hero of the Wild became the default Link, while the Hero of the Skies was relegated to being an alternate character. Like the Hero of the Skies, the Hero of the Wild is left-handed despite being right-handed in his respective game; however, they also share the same voice actor.

Despite sharing some of the same part colors for items that change, the two Links have some noticeable differences. In regard to the Hero of the Wild, his kart symbol is the [[zeldawiki:Crest of the Sheikah|Crest of the Sheikah]] as it appears on the [[zeldawiki:Sheikah Slate|Sheikah Slate]] instead of the [[zeldawiki:Royal Crest|Royal Crest]], and he uses a [[zeldawiki:Guardian Sword++|Guardian Sword++]] instead of the Master Sword when performing tricks. Due to being two distinct incarnations of Link, the Hero of the Skies can also appear in a race if Hero of the Wild has already been selected and vice versa, while both can appear in a race if neither has been selected as well.

In terms of the video games, Link's voice actor usually matches the incarnation he is based off of. In the original ''Super Smash Bros.'' and ''Melee'', Link was voiced by {{wp|Nobuyuki Hiyama}} (who would later voice [[Topper]] in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''), using his voice clips from ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'', but was replaced in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' and ''for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'' by [[nwiki:Akira Sasanuma|Akira Sasanuma]], his voice actor from ''The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess''. {{wp|Takashi Ōhara}} later voiced Link in ''Mario Kart 8'', reprising his role from ''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword''. While the Champion's Tunic Link in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' reused Ōhara's portrayal from the Wii U version (making it the only exception to this tradition), ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' later featured Kengo Takanashi, matching Link's appearance in ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild''.

*'''[[Solid Snake|Snake]]''': [[Radio conversation characters#Otacon|Otacon]], who's the guy with the sword?

|align=center|''N/A''

|bgcolor=#FF4433|'''NA:''' ''If Link was on a desert island and could only pick one item, it'd be his powerful sword. This weapon is key to his down-air attack, a move with great launching potential and the ability to strike twice. He can also strike twice his his side smash—the second blow deals more damage and launches harder.<br>

'''EU:''' ''Of all of his weapons, Link's sword may be the most lethal. His down air attack has incredible launching power. What's more, he'll bounce up afterwards, allowing for a follow-up strike. His side smash can also be followed up with a more powerful second blow that sends foes flying - just press the button again straight away.''

!bgcolor=#FF4433|Adult Link (Ocarina of Time)

|bgcolor=#FF4433|'''NA:''' ''The children from Kokiri Forest never seem to grow into adults. Just a young boy, Link is entrusted with a quest by the Great Deku Tree. He leaves the forest and eventually finds the Master Sword in the Temple of Time. When he awakes, he is seven years in the future and an adult!''<br>

'''EU:''' ''Link was once a carefree lad living with the Kokiri in Kokiri Forest, but one day, the Great Deku Tree entrusted him with an important task and he had to leave. His quest led him to find the Master Sword, and when he took it, seven years passed in the blink of an eye. Before he knew it, Link had grown into a young man!''

(NOTE: Due to the aforementioned changes to Link's grab, Otacon's mention of the Clawshot was removed.)

== List of ''Mario''-related appearances==

{|class=sortable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 border=1 align=center width=100% style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial"

|Fra=Link

|FraM=-

|Fra=Link Noir

|FraM=Black Link

*According to an interview in 2009, [[Charles Martinet]], Mario's voice actor, told [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] that he wanted to voice Link in ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', though Miyamoto told him that he would remain without a speaking voice. In the final game, his grunts and yells were portrayed by [[Nobuyuki Hiyama]].<ref>http://gonintendo.com/?p=104332</ref>