Editing Link

|species={{iw|zeldawiki|Hylian}}

|first_appearance=''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda}}'' ([[List of games by date#1986|1986]], ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda (Series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' series)<br>''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' - "[[Neatness Counts]]" (1989, ''Super Mario'' franchise)

|latest_appearance=''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom}}'' (2024, ''The Legend of Zelda'' series)<br>''[[Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition]]'' ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]], ''Super Mario''-related media)

Link's first appearance in the ''Super Mario'' franchise is the coloring game ''[[Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up]]''. Link is depicted on the "Chef" page, waiting for [[Mario]]'s pasta dish,<ref>{{cite|quote=Chef Mario is cooking one of his tasty pasta dishes. Waitress Princess Toadstool is taking Link's order at a table. "Your order is coming right up!" says Chef Mario. "Yeah, and now it's coming right down on my head!" says Link.|author=Game description|date=March 24, 1992|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up]]''|publisher=Merit Software|language=en}}</ref> and on the "Travel Guide," running a traveling agency.<ref>{{cite|quote=Link the travel guide is ready to take tourists to exciting faraway places, even to fantasy lands like SuperMarioLand.{{sic}} Better stick close to Link, though, because he knows how to deal with make-believe bad guys.|author=Game description|title=''Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up''|publisher=Merit Software}}</ref>

Link is amongst the characters celebrating Christmas at the [[Mario Bros.' House]] in "[[Super Mario: Die Bescherung]]." He only speaks in one panel, doubting the realness of [[Santa Claus]].<ref>{{cite|author=Link|quote=Bademantel und Wattebart! Ob dein bruder glaubt, wir perkennen ihn nicht? Lacher- lich, wer glaubt denn noch an {{wp|l=de|Weihnachtsmann|den Weihnachtsmann}}! (''Bathrobe and a cotton beard! Does your brother think we can't tell it's him? Laughable, who still believes in {{wp|Santa Claus|Father Christmas}}?'')|date=December 1992|title=''[[Club Nintendo (German magazine)|Club Nintendo]]'' Jahrgang 4 Ausgabe 6|location=Neu-Isenburg|publisher=Tokuma Shoten Publishing GmbH|language=de|page=55}}</ref>

In "[[Super Mario: Die Verwandlung]]", Dr. Light mistakes Mario for Link since he did cosmetic surgery on the latter.<ref>{{cite|quote=Oh nein! Nicht schon wie- der jemand, der sich über schönheitsoperation beschweren willi ich hab' doch mein bestes getan, Link! (''Oh no! Not another one who wants to complain about his cosmetic surgery! I did my best, Link!'')|author=[[Dr. Light]]|date=February 1993|title=''Club Nintendo'' Jahrgang 5 Ausgabe 1|location=Neu-Isenburg|publisher=Tokuma Shoten Publishing GmbH|language=de|page=57}}</ref>

In "[[Warios Weihnachtsmärchen]]", a parody of ''{{wp|A Christmas Carol}}'', Link has the role of [[Ghosts of Christmas#Ghost of Present|Ghost of Present]],<ref>{{cite|quote=Ich bin der Geist der Geganwert... (''I am the {{wp|Ghost of Christmas Present|Ghost of Present}}'')|author=Link|date=December 1995|title=''Club Nintendo'' Jahrgang 7 Ausgabe 6|publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|language=de|page=72}}</ref> and he takes [[Wario]] to see those whom he had upset earlier.<ref>{{cite|quote=...Sie her, was die leute heute von dir denken! (''...Look at what people are thinking about you today!'')|author=Link|title=''Club Nintendo'' Jahrgang 7 Ausgabe 6|publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|language=de|page=72}}</ref>

In "[[Mario in Mariozilla]]", he is seen in the [[Empire State Building]], studying a map together with [[Dr. Light]], who lives there.<ref>{{cite|author=Ota, Shigeru, et al.|date=April 1996|title=''Club Nintendo'' Jahrgang 8 Ausgabe 2|publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|language=de|page=22}}</ref> Link has a small role, but he does think that Dr. Light's "magic cap," which is actually a paper bag, is an improved disguise for Mario to confront [[Kamek]].<ref>{{cite|quote=Die tüte steht ihm gar nicht so schlecht. (''The bag might be an improvement.'')|author=Link|title=''Club Nintendo'' Jahrgang 7 Ausgabe 6|publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|language=de|page=73}}</ref>

Link is one of the inhabitants of the [[Wolkenkratzer]] in "[[Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens]]." He and his two allies, [[Mario]] and [[Kirby]], use a spell to transform themselves into powerful creatures to stop [[Abigor]] from taking over the Wolkenkratzer.<ref>{{cite|author=Ota, Shigeru|date=October 1997|title=''Club Nintendo'' Jahrgang 9 Ausgabe 5|publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|language=de|page=53-54}}</ref>

Link is the protagonist of ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda (TV Series)|The Legend of Zelda}}'' television series, which premiered on Fridays within the ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' programming block,<ref>{{cite|author=Hughes, Mike|date=September 14, 1989|language=en|quote=Each Friday has a Legend of Zelda episode that's quite a bit better than the rest of the week.|publisher={{wp|USA Today}}}}</ref> though it would be syndicated with a live-action segment of ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!''. He is voiced by Jonathan Potts.<ref name=potts>{{cite|quote=The {{wp|Toronto}} native entered the industry lending his voice to numerous cartoon series, appearing in the much-maligned "{{wp|Beverly Hills Teens}}," as well as making a popular turn as Link in "''The Legend Of Zelda''," quickly developing a reputation amongst his peers as one of the busiest voice actors in the industry.|title=Jonathan Potts|url=www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jonathan_potts|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|language=en}}</ref>

In ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', Link is by default ranked third on a podium at [[Cranky's Video Game Heroes]],<ref>{{file link|HeroesYoshi.png|Screenshot}}.</ref> with [[Mario]] coming in first and [[Yoshi]] second. [[Diddy Kong|Diddy]] can appear in his place if he has at least nineteen [[DK Coin|Video Game Hero Coin]]s.<ref>{{cite|author=Shinoda, Paul and Kent Killer|date=1995|title=''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' Player's Guide|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|page=127}}</ref> Link had swapped rankings with [[Yoshi]] in the [[Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance)|remake]], and Link has fifty Video Game Hero Coins instead.

Link is mentioned by [[Bazaar]] in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]'', but not in the [[Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance)|remake]]. Bazaar took up Link's 500-{{iw|zeldawiki|rupee}} offer to learn about [[Kastle Kaos|the castle]],<ref name=bazaar>{{cite|quote=Are you sure? Some cheeky lad called Link was in just last week and he asked about the castle too. He didn't have enough coins, but he seemed such a nice fellow that I agreed to accept 500 rupees instead.|author=[[Bazaar]]|date=1996|title=''[[Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!]]''|publisher=Nintendo|language=en}}</ref> since Link had insufficient [[bear coin]]s,<ref name=bazaar/> Link then left, dissatisfied presumably over the shape of the seashells,<ref>{{cite|quote=After that he left... muttering about my shells being the wrong shape or something. Oh well!|author=Bazaar|title=''Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!''}}</ref> a reference to the {{iw|zeldawiki|Secret Seashell}} sidequest in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening]]''.

In [[Super Mario-kun Volume 4|volume 4]] of ''[[Super Mario-kun]]'', some time after appearing in the world of ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past}}'', Mario takes the [[zeldawiki:Pegasus Boots|Pegasus Shoes]] from Hyrule, causing Link to search desperately for them behind the manga panel.<ref>{{cite|author=Sawada, Yukio, et al.|date=December 25, 1992|title=[[Super Mario-kun Volume 4|''Super Mario-kun'' Volume 4]]|publisher=Shogakukan|language=ja|isbn=4-09-141764-7|page=91}}</ref>

In ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' and [[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|its remake]], Link can be found resting at the [[Rose Town]] Inn.<ref>{{cite|author=AuraChannelerChris|date=October 6, 2023|url=youtu.be/yCkFM50zOPc?feature=shared&t=343|title=Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars - 24 - Rose Town Revisited (With Link Cameo)|timestamp=05:43|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref> When Link is interacted with, a ''The Legend of Zelda'' melody for uncovering a secret plays.<ref>{{cite|url=youtu.be/yCkFM50zOPc?feature=shared&t=367|title=Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars - 24 - Rose Town Revisited (With Link Cameo)|timestamp=06:07|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> Talking to Link in the remake adds "The Slumbering Hero" entry to the [[Scrapbook (Super Mario RPG)|Scrapbook]], and his model depicts his sleeves to be more red than brown.<ref>{{cite|author=Boundary Break|date=November 18, 2023|url=youtube.com/shorts/Uq4FRZRKbdc|title=The Link and Samus Model in ''Super Mario RPG''|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref>

|standard={{iw|smashwiki|Boomerang}} (64); [[smashwiki:Hero's Bow|Bow / Hero's Bow]] ("Hero of Time" Link, "Hero of Twilight" Link, Toon Link); [[smashwiki:Fire Arrow|Fire Bow / Fire Arrow]] (Young Link); {{iw|smashwiki|Bow and Arrows}} ("Hero of the Wild" Link)

|side={{iw|smashwiki|Boomerang}} (most Links since ''Melee''); {{iw|smashwiki|Gale Boomerang}} ("Hero of Twilight" Link)

|up={{iw|smashwiki|Spin Attack}}

|down=[[smashwiki:Bomb (Link)|Bomb]] (most Links); {{iw|smashwiki|Remote Bomb}} ("Hero of the Wild" Link)

|final={{iw|smashwiki|Triforce Slash}} (most Links); {{iw|smashwiki|Ancient Bow and Arrow}} ("Hero of the Wild" Link)

Playable incarnations of Link appear in every ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' game. They are identified as either "{{iw|smashwiki|Link}}", "{{iw|smashwiki|Young Link}}", or "{{iw|smashwiki|Toon Link}}".

In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', Link is one of the default playable characters. Specifically, he is the "{{iw|zeldawiki|Hero of Time}}" from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}''. Link is the first character fought in single player mode, on [[Hyrule Castle]].

Link's standard special move in this game is the {{iw|smashwiki|Boomerang}}, in which Link tosses a boomerang to damage opponents. His up special move is the {{iw|smashwiki|Spin Attack}}, in which he spins around rapidly to deal damage, and his down special is [[smashwiki:Bomb (Link)|Bomb]], in which Link pulls out a bomb to throw. In addition, Link's grab move uses the {{iw|zeldawiki|Hookshot}}, an item also taking its appearance from ''Ocarina of Time'' that can also be used as a {{iw|smashwiki|wall grapple}}. Link's up and down aerials are the {{iw|zeldawiki|Jump Thrust}} and {{iw|zeldawiki|Down Thrust}}, both of which originated in ''{{iw|zeldawiki|Zelda II: The Adventure of Link}}''.

Two of Link's alternate colorations in this game are based upon the [[zeldawiki:Goron Tunic|Goron]] and {{iw|zeldawiki|Zora Tunic}}s from ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'', while his final coloration is based upon his outfit after collecting the {{iw|zeldawiki|Blue Ring}} in ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda}}''.

The older Link's standard special attack is the [[smashwiki:Hero's Bow|Bow]], which lets him shoot an arrow that can be charged; the boomerang returns as his side special move. His other specials are kept the same, as has the Hookshot. This is also the first ''Super Smash Bros.'' game to feature Link's ability to use his {{iw|zeldawiki|Hylian Shield}} to defend himself from projectile attacks while standing still. Young Link's moves are similar to his older counterpart's, though while Young Link is faster and lighter, he is also weaker. As Young Link is shorter and wields the smaller {{iw|zeldawiki|Kokiri Sword}}, his attacks do not have as much range. Young Link's Deku Shield is also not as strong as the older Link's Hylian Shield, as it does not protect against stronger projectiles. Young Link, however, can [[Wall Jump]].

Additionally, a doppelganger known as '''Dark Link''', appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' as the opponent in {{iw|smashwiki|Event 18: Link's Adventure}}. In the battle, the player controls a red-clad adult Link, who has two [[extra life|extra lives]]. The fighter must defeat Dark Link, who also has two lives. The two swordsmen are fought at the Temple, with no time limit. This Event Match is a reference to the ending of  ''{{iw|zeldawiki|Zelda II: The Adventure of Link}}'', where a similar Dark Link served as the game's final boss.

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', two incarnations of Link are playable. The first is the "Hero of Twilight" from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess}}'', who is simply called "Link" and is available from the start. The second is the "Hero of Winds" from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker}}'', who is called "Toon Link" and must be unlocked first. The ''Wind Waker'' incarnation can be unlocked by either finding a door in The Forest in The Subspace Emissary after beating the mode, playing Classic after clearing The Subspace Emissary, or by playing 400 Brawl matches, then defeating him in battle.

The bow (now called "Hero's Bow") and bombs have been aesthetically changed to match their ''Twilight Princess'' designs, while the boomerang is now the {{iw|smashwiki|Gale Boomerang}}, which generates a whirlwind that can drag in opponents as it returns. The Hookshot is now the {{iw|zeldawiki|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. Toon Link's special moves are mostly the same as the other Link's, though Toon Link's attacks use their ''The Wind Waker'' variants. The only different move is the Boomerang, which is the same as the Hero of Time's Boomerang in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''. Toon Link's grab also uses the {{iw|zeldawiki|Hookshot}} from ''The Wind Waker'', which like the Clawshot also has a ledge-homing property, though its range is not as far. Both Links have a [[Final Smash]] called {{iw|smashwiki|Triforce Slash}}.

Dark Link also reappears in this game, where he returns in two Event Matches. The first, {{iw|smashwiki|Event 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, {{iw|smashwiki:Co-Op Event 7: Battle of the Dark Sides}}, is the same as Dark Link Duel, but with the addition of [[Samus]] and [[evil doppelganger#False Samus|her counterpart]] assisting Link and Dark Link, respectively.

Versions of Dark Link appear as palette swaps for both playable Links. The Hero of Twilight's is based on the [[zeldawiki:Dark Interlopers|"interlopers"]] from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess}}'', whereas Toon Link's is based off Shadow Link from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures}}''. Additionally, Toon Link's red, blue, and purple alternate costumes are based upon the copies of the Link from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords}}''. He also has an alternate costume based upon the Link from the original ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda}}'', as well as a Dark Link costume.

The Hero of Twilight retains all of his alternate costumes from ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', while gaining two more: one based on the clothes worn by the "Hero of the Skies" during the beginning of ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword}}'', and another based on [[zeldawiki:Fierce Deity|Fierce Deity Link]], a transformation Link can obtain at the end of ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask}}''.<ref>{{cite|author=Koczwara, Michael|date=September 6, 2014|url=mariopartylegacy.com/2014/09/new-details-from-super-smash-bros-for-3ds-event-in-japan|title=New Details from Super Smash Bros. for 3DS Event in Japan|publisher=Mario Party Legacy|language=en|accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref> One of Toon Link's additional alternate costumes in this game is based upon the appearance of the Link from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds}}''. Additionally, the Link from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks}}'' (also known as "Engineer Link") appears as a background character, complete with his {{iw|zeldawiki|Engineer's Clothes}} to further differentiate him. Engineer Link appears on the [[Spirit Train]] stage in the [[Nintendo 3DS]] version, where he conducts the titular train. However, he is replaced by his mentor {{iw|zeldawiki|Alfonzo}} if Toon Link or Link are involved in the battle.

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', three incarnations of Link are playable. The first is the "Hero of the Wild" from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild}}'', who is simply called "Link" and is available at the start. The other two are the same "Young Link" and "Toon Link" incarnations from the previous games, and they must be unlocked before they can be playable.

Compared to previous incarnations, the "Hero of the Wild" takes on many different stances during battle. While this is purely aesthetic in some instances, he also leans further when performing attacks, giving them greater range, yet making his hurtbox more vulnerable to attacks. On a related note, the blade of his [[Master Sword]] is longer, increasing the range in his attacks, and his forward smash's first hit is capable of firing a {{iw|zeldawiki|Sword Beam}} while his damage is at 0%. Although he uses a regular Boomerang like he does in ''Super Smash Bros.'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', his other special moves noticeably deviate from his predecessors': [[smashwiki:Bow and Arrows|his Bow]] is capable of firing two arrows at once, he uses the {{iw|smashwiki|Remote Bomb}} {{iw|zeldawiki|Rune}} instead of his Bombs as his down special, and [[smashwiki:Ancient Bow and Arrow|his Final Smash]] uses an {{iw|zeldawiki|Ancient Bow}} to fire an {{iw|zeldawiki|Ancient Arrow}}. Young Link gains a [[Final Smash]], the Triforce Slash, which he shares with Toon Link. Toon Link's moveset is largely unchanged, though his forward smash is now a single upward slash instead of two slashes with his [[Master Sword]].

Link's [[Spirit (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) |fighter spirit]] uses his artwork from ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild''. Young Link's fighter spirit uses his artwork from ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time''. Toon Link's fighter spirit also uses his artwork from ''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker''. Link, Young Link, and Toon Link also make appearances in a few primary spirits and support spirits.

By completing the "Hero of the Wild" Link's Classic Mode route, it is possible to unlock [[King K. Rool]], the [[Ice Climbers]], [[Simon Belmont|Simon]], [[Meta Knight]], [[Solid Snake|Snake]], Young Link, [[Richter Belmont|Richter]], or Toon Link. His Classic Mode route pits him against characters that are in some way associated with darkness, with the fight against the dark-costumed Link being a reference to Dark Link. Young Link's Classic Mode route pits him against fighters from ''The Legend of Zelda'' series. Throughout Toon Link's route, the player is assisted by a red and blue Toon Link, in reference to ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes}}''. If the player selects one of those colors, the default green Toon Link replaces that color as the second ally.

A few pieces of artwork of Link from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}'' appears as character stamps in ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]'', including his {{iw|zeldawiki|Young Link|Young form}}, his adult form, and his adult self on {{iw|zeldawiki|Epona}}.<ref>{{cite|author=OneyPlays|date=November 27, 2018|url=youtu.be/nVtbnGnCQUA?feature=shared&t=2342|title=Oney Plays Mario Artist: Paint Studio (Complete Series)|timestamp=39:02|publisher=YouTue|language=en}}</ref>

In ''[[WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]'', Link appears in three microgames. In [[Ocarina of Time]], the goal is for Link to unsheathe the {{iw|zeldawiki|Master Sword}} from its {{iw|zeldawiki|Pedestal of the Master Sword|pedestal}}, turning him into an adult on Level 1,<ref>{{cite|author=Emanuele Baserga|date=September 11, 2013|url=youtu.be/_e0a4e9W6jw?feature=shared&t=8|title=WarioWare: Smooth Moves - Ocarina of Time|timestamp=0:08|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref> an elderly adult on Level 2,<ref>{{cite|url=youtu.be/_e0a4e9W6jw?feature=shared&t=18|title=WarioWare: Smooth Moves - Ocarina of Time|timestamp=0:18|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> and a {{iw|zeldawiki|Cucco}} on Level 3.<ref>{{cite|url=youtu.be/_e0a4e9W6jw?feature=shared&t=28|title=WarioWare: Smooth Moves - Ocarina of Time|timestamp=0:28|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> In [[The Wind Waker]], Link has drop to a landing zone with his {{iw|zeldawiki|Deku Leaf}}.<ref>{{cite|author=Dude! Rude! The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD|date=March 7, 2022|url=youtu.be/xjL3ynuopbU?feature=shared&t=4|title=Land! (WarioWare SMOOTH MOVES)|timestamp=0:04|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref> In [[Opening Night]], Link in his sprite appearance from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda}}'' plays the violin in an orchestra with other Nintendo characters.<ref>{{cite|author=PixelsByNight|date=June 30, 2014|url=youtu.be/Lpo4kOi-myM?feature=shared&t=786|title=It's The Nintendo Episode! - WarioWare: Smooth Moves|timestamp=13:06|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref>

In ''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]'', Link is in the [[Zelda 2]] microgame, based on ''{{iw|zeldawiki|Zelda II: The Adventure of Link}}'', in which Link must deflect a {{iw|zeldawiki|Goriya}}'s boomerangs with the shield.

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 ''{{iw|zeldawiki|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 ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD}}'', where players can unlock Wolf Link.

In ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]'', the player transforms into Link upon collecting the [[Master Sword]] power-up, added in version 2.0.0 of the game. His appearance is based on his sprite from the original ''The Legend of Zelda'', albeit with the shield redesigned to be based on the Hylian Shield. While in this form, Link can attack enemies with his sword, block projectiles with his shield, perform a {{iw|zeldawiki|Dash Attack}} to charge through enemies, perform a {{iw|zeldawiki|Down Thrust}} to attack enemies from above, aim and fire an arrow in three directions to obtain distant items, and use a bomb to destroy breakable blocks. Link can also drop bombs beneath him while riding a [[Koopa Clown Car]]. In multiplayer, [[Mario]]'s Link form is red, [[Luigi]]'s is green, [[Toad]]'s is blue, and [[Toadette]]'s is pink. This makes them resemble the colored {{iw|zeldawiki|Links}} from ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords}}''.

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

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 {{iw|zeldawiki|Crest of the Sheikah}} as it appears on the {{iw|zeldawiki|Sheikah Slate}} instead of the {{iw|zeldawiki|Royal Crest}}, and he uses a {{iw|zeldawiki|Guardian Sword++}} instead of the Master Sword when performing tricks. The two variants have different horn sounds, which plays when pressing {{button|switch|l}} without any items; Link's horn is based on a sound from {{iw|zeldawiki|Hyrule Warriors}} and Champion's Tunic Link's horn is based on the Sheikah Slate. Before the 2.3.0 update,<ref>{{cite|author=balladofwindfishes|date=June 24, 2023|url=www.reddit.com/r/mariokart/comments/14hdedg/comment/jpcn05t|title=The experiment was just to pick BotW Link and see if CPU tunic Link was ever picked as a CPU in vs mode|publisher=Reddit|language=en|accessdate=July 13, 2023||archive=archive.today/2023.07.13-184457/https://www.reddit.com/r/mariokart/comments/14hdedg/has_anyone_seen_two_link_cpus_at_the_same_time_in/jpcn05t}}</ref> due to being two distinct incarnations of Link, the Hero of the Skies could also appear in a race if Hero of the Wild had already been selected and vice versa, while both could appear in a race if neither had been selected as well. Additionally, as CPUs, the vehicle combinations they use are almost completely different, with the only exception being the [[Standard Kart]], [[Standard (tire)|Standard]] tires, and [[Super Glider]] combination that is shared with most CPUs.

A costume for Mario based on Link may have been planned for ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', but it was not implemented. Its code was deleted from the game in version 1.2.0.<ref>{{cite|author=TCRF|title=[[tcrf:Super Mario Odyssey/Unused Graphics#Costumes|Super Mario Odyssey/Unused Graphics § Unused Costumes]]|publisher=The Cutting Room Floor|language=en|accessdate=March 6, 2025}}</ref>

*'''Weight Class''': Heavy

***'''Ground''': 4.25

***'''Water''': 2.25

***'''Air''': 3.5

***'''Anti-Gravity''': 2

**'''Acceleration''': 4.75

**'''Weight''': 4.25

***'''Ground''': 4.25

***'''Water''': 4.5

***'''Air''': 2.75

***'''Anti-Gravity''': 2.75

**'''Traction''': 2.5

**'''Mini-Turbo''': 3

*'''Weight Class''': Heavy

**'''Handling''': 3

**'''Traction''': 3

**'''Mini-Turbo''': 2

**'''Invincibility''': 4

Link shares identical stats with [[Rosalina]], [[King Boo]], and [[Pauline]].

|unlock=Clear {{iw|smashwiki|All-Star Mode}} as Link

|name={{iw|zeldawiki|Epona}} & Link

**'''[[smashwiki:Snake (SSBB)|Snake]]''': [[Smash Taunt#Otacon|Otacon]], who's the guy with the sword?

|games=''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' only

|name=Link (''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda}}'')

|obtain=[[smashwiki:Adventure Mode: World of Light|World of Light]] ({{iw|smashwiki|Mysterious Dimension}}); {{iw|smashwiki|Spirit Board}}

|stage={{iw|smashwiki|Find Mii}}

|name={{iw|zeldawiki|Epona}}

|name={{iw|zeldawiki|Ricky}}

|obtain=World of Light ({{iw|smashwiki|The Light Realm}}); Spirit Board

|stage={{iw|smashwiki|Bridge of Eldin}} ([[smashwiki:Battlefield form|Battlefield]])

|stage={{iw|smashwiki|Great Bay}}

|name={{iw|zeldawiki|Moosh}}

|obtain=World of Light ({{iw|smashwiki|Forest Hill}}); Spirit Board

|name={{iw|zeldawiki|Wolf Link}} & {{iw|zeldawiki|Midna}}

|name={{iw|zeldawiki|Loftwing}}

|obtain=World of Light ({{iw|smashwiki|Sacred Land}}); Spirit Board

|stage={{iw|smashwiki|Tortimer Island}}

*'''[[Play Nintendo]]:''' "''Transforming into Link using the Master Sword opens up a whole new world of design possibilities for creators. Using his arrows, Link can shoot far off switches that Mario would normally not be able to hit. His new down thrust move with the sword will defeat usually protected enemies like spike-covered Spinies. And with bombs, some walls that would normally be impassable by Mario and friends can easily be blown up.''"<ref>{{cite|url=play.nintendo.com/news-tips/news/super-mario-maker-2-free-dlc-updates-ver-2-0|title=Super Mario Maker 2 Free DLC Updates Ver. 2.0.0|publisher=Play Nintendo|language=en-us|accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable"width=100%

==Notes==

*According to an interview in 2009, [[Charles Martinet]], Mario's previous voice actor, told [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] that he wanted to voice Link in ''{{iw|zeldawiki|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>{{cite|author=rawmeatcowboy|date=November 15, 2009|url=gonintendo.com/?p=104332|publisher=Go Nintendo|title=Charles Martinet told Miyamoto that he wanted to voice Link, doesn't believe Nintendo has competition|language=en|accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref>

*In an interview, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] described the Wind Waker version of Link as "Cat-eyed Link".<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|author=Rawmeatcowboy|date=May 4, 2011|archive=web.archive.org/web/20110510003303/http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=157335|title=Miyamoto comments on 'Toon Link', knows many people don't like the style|publisher=GoNintendo|language=en|accessdate=June 22, 2024}}</ref>

**[[Solid Snake|Snake]] also describes this Link as having cat eyes during his [[Smash Taunt#Snake's codec conversations|codec conversation]].

*[https://zeldadungeon.net/wiki/Link Link on the Zelda Dungeon Wiki]