Link
- “Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!”
- —Link, The Legend of Zelda
Link is the main protagonist of The Legend of Zelda series. He is a courageous warrior and adventurer from the far away land of Hyrule; however, he occasionally visits Mushroom World. Link often has to release the Kingdom of Hyrule from the rule of Ganondorf. Link is connected to Zelda and Ganondorf by the Triforce.
History in the Mario series
Donkey Kong series
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (and Donkey Kong Land 2), Link was ranked third in Cranky Kong’s list of Video Game Heroes. Mario came in first place, while Yoshi came in second place. The heroes were ranked according to how many of Cranky's hidden DK Coins they discovered while progressing through the levels and defeating Kaptain K. Rool. By collecting more DK Coins than him (19), Diddy Kong knocks Link off the leader board and becomes the #3 Video Game Hero of Donkey Kong Country 2/Donkey Kong Land 2.
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
According to Bazaar the Bear, Link visited the Bear's General Store before the events of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!. While he was there, Link asked Bazaar who owned the castle in the northern part of the Northern Kremisphere. However, Link did not have the two Bear Coins Bazaar required before he would tell his story about the castle. Link did have five hundred Rupees though, and Bazaar agreed to take them. Unfortunately for Link, Bazaar did not know who owned the castle; Bazaar merely knew there was a no trespassing sign on the castle grounds. Distraught, Link left the store, grumbling about how Bazaar's Seashells were the wrong shape. (This is undoubtedly a nod to Link's quest for Secret Seashells in the Game Boy's "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening".)
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
During the events of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Link could be found taking a break from battling Ganon and actually resting at the Rose Town Inn. In fact, the Hyrulian hero is a heavy sleeper; he won't even awaken when spoken to (this is likely a nod to Link's constant portrayal as a silent protagonist). However, a strange but familiar melody could be heard whenever anyone tried to talk to the slumbering Link.
Club Nintendo
Link also made several appearances in the Mario comic series of the German Club Nintendo magazine. He debuted in "Super Mario: Die Bescherung", celebrating a Christmas party in Mario and Luigi's house. His role in this story is minor, though he has a brief speaking part at the end, mistrusting the realness of Santa Claus.
In "Mario in Mariozilla", he is seen in the Empire State Building, studying a map together with Dr. Light, who lives there. Link's actual role is unknown, though it appears that he works as Light's assistant. He also comments on a "magic cap" Light gave to Mario in order to make him incognito - actually a simple paper bag pulled over his head - in the way that it "becomes" him.
Link, alongside Kirby, was Mario's ally in the comic "Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens". During the events of this story, he lives in a Brooklyn 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.
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros.
Link has appeared in all three Super Smash Bros. games as a default character. In the first Super Smash Bros., he was the first character fought in single player mode, on Hyrule Castle.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Link is fought in the Underground Maze in Adventure Mode. Link is fought many different times (wearing different tunics each time) as fighters search for the Triforce to end the level.
Link's Bomb attack is not as strong as throwing the Bob-omb item, but can still do medium damage to the opponent. His Bow and Arrows, as well as his Boomerang, are his main long range attacks. At close range, Link can use the Master Sword to attack and the Hylian Shield to defend. He uses his Hookshot as grab move, which can be attached to the stage to prevent him from falling. A younger version of Link, called Young Link, is also playable in Super Smash Bros. Melee, much in the same manner that Mario and Baby Mario often appear in the same game. Additionally, a doppelgänger of Link, known as Dark Link, can be fought in the game.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Link was also the first character to be announced for the new game Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Link's Final Smash is the Triforce Slash. His moveset has been altered to match his appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which gives him the Gale Boomerang as well as a chargable Spin Attack. Link's grab move, the Clawshot, can be used as a Tether Recovery. Link has a new voice actor in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Akira Sasanuma, who voiced him in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Dark Link will also be in this game, as one of Link's Alternative Costumes. Toon Link, the Link from Wind Waker will also appear in the game, with a similar moveset to Link's.
Role in the Subspace Emissary
Link and Navi walk through a forest. There he finds the Master Sword. Taking the Master Sword in hand in a forest, Link meets up with Yoshi, forming an alliance. They later meet Mario and Pit, though under circumstances where Mario/Link defeats an evil copy of Zelda/Peach, leading to a fight. The two groups come to an understanding (and Kirby joins up as well) and unite as they see King Dedede driving off with Ness, Luigi, and the captured Princess.
They come to Dedede's base, only to find that Bowser beat them to it, taking the Princess off in his Koopa Clown Car. The team grows in size as they meet with Ike, Marth, Lucas, the Pokémon Trainer, and the Ice Climbers. The remaining heroes join them as they enter Subspace. Link is among the many that falls to Tabuu's Off Waves, only to be revived by Kirby. He and Zelda come across Ganondorf's trophy and revive him, forming a temporary alliance as everyone teams up to defeat Tabuu.
Solid Snake Codec Conversation
- Snake: Otacon, who's the guy with the sword?
- Otacon: That's Link. He's the hero of Hyrule. That blade in his hand is called the Master Sword, also known as the "Blade of Evil's Bane." He also has a whole arsenal of items at his disposal--bombs and arrows, a shield, a boomerang, and a Clawshot. He's a force to be reckoned with.
- Snake: Gear is only useful when it's used at the right time and place. Just lugging a ton of it around dosen't do you any good.
- Otacon: ...I, uh... I wouldn't be talking if I were you, Snake.
- Snake: What's that supposed to mean?
- Otacon: You tell me, Mr. Utility Belt.
- Snake: ...
Special Moves
Bow
Bow is a move used by Link and Toon Link in the Super Smash Bros. series. It first appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee, where it replaced the Boomerang as Link's standard special move. The attack will be kept as one of Link's moves in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, under the name of Hero's Bow (based on The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess). Toon Link keeps Link's old Bow move, however. Bow can be used by Kirby as well, but only if he sucks up Link or Toon Link's powers. Young Link has a similar attack, the Fire Bow.
Once done, Link will pull a bow and arrow out of nowhere, and start aiming. The attack can be charged up by holding the button. It will not increase the power of the move, but the arrow will be able to go farther if the move is charged. The attack can be done in mid-air as well, but it is harder to control the firing.
Boomerang
Boomerang is a special move performed by both Link and his younger counterpart, Young Link, and will be used by Toon Link in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In Super Smash Bros., it was Link's Standard B move. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, it was replaced by the Bow as the Standard B move and became his Side B move. It is also Young Link's Side B move in Melee. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Link's Boomerang will be replaced by the Gale Boomerang, but the Boomerang returns as Toon Link's side special move. In the first Super Smash Bros. only, Kirby was able to use Boomerang if he sucked up Link's abilities.
Gale Boomerang
Gale Boomerang is one of Link's new Special Moves in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is Link's Side Special Move in the game. When used, he will toss a Boomerang at the foe. This does minor damage, but can go very far, and can be curved very slightly. Upon return, however, if someone is hit, they will get hit by a tiny tornado that comes from the Boomerang. This will slightly move the hit character towards Link. The Gale Boomerang replaced the Boomerang from Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Link's entrance to a battle is spinning around on a tornado that appears to be the one from a Gale Boomerang.
Spin Attack
Spin Attack is an attack that can be used by Link, Young Link and Toon Link in the Super Smash Bros. series. It is their Up Special Move. Link or Young Link will spin around with their swords held out, severely damaging anyone who gets hit. The attack can also be used while jumping, acting as Link and Young Link's third jump. When an opponent is hit by Young Link's ground attack, the attack will last longer. The attack returns as Link and Toon Link's Up Special Move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but this time, the move can be charged up for a stronger hit.
Bomb
Bomb is Link's, Toon Link's and Young Link's Down Special Move. They will pull out a Bomb with its fuse lit. They hold the Bomb until it is thrown. Once thrown, the Bomb will either stay at the spot it was thrown to and explode a few moments later, or it will explode on impact. The former is more common in Super Smash Bros. However, the Bomb will explode even if Link, Toon Link or Young Link are holding it. Additionally, the two will be unable to pick up items while holding the Bomb. Young Link and Toon Link can not throw their Bombs as far, and it does not do as much damage, but he is able to run away from the explosion quicker. Toon Link's blast radius, however, is twice as big as Link's blast radius, and the Bomb's are harder to see. When using this bomb however, the player must be careful not to get caught in the blast.
Although the Bombs do decent damage, their knockback is minor compared to the Bob-omb item. Also when having the item in his hand wait 5 seconds then double jump and Up B then the Bomb will explode letting the player use Up B 1 more time, useful for recovering but needs good timing.
Triforce Slash
The Triforce Slash is Link's and Toon Link's Final Smash move in the game Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Once the Smash Ball is collected, the Triforce on Link's hand starts to glow. He will then use a Triforce to trap another player. He will then slash away furiously, severely injuring the player. The final blow is the strongest, and has a high chance of KO'ing an opponent. However, an opponent can survive, if he/she is lucky enough to land on solid ground. This attack is easily done in midair as well. Toon Link's Final Smash is a slightly modified version of this move, as well.
There are some differences between the Triforce attacks used by Link and Toon Link:
- When Link hits with the Master Sword, it makes a slash sound, but when Toon Link swipes with his sword, it makes a 'slosh' sound.
- Link can shoot from far away, and the Triforce will make contact, but with Toon Link, the player has to be right next to him.
- The Triforce does not hurt foes when they are in the Triforce Slash target's launching range when Link fires, but when Toon Link fires, it does 10% damage.
- Toon Link's triforce is smaller in appearance.
- Link's Triforce is a light gold, while Toon Link's is a bit darker.
In The Legend of Zelda series, every Link gets a Triforce on the back of his left hand, except for in the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess where he has it on the back of his right hand. Sakurai mentions that for this Final Smash, Link releases the Triforce he has in his hand and traps his opponents inside of it. This move hasn't been seen in any Zelda game, however Puppet Zelda in Twilight Princess used the Triforce as an attack similar to this.
WarioWare series
Link has appeared in all five WarioWare games. He usually is a playable character in 9-Volt's and 18-Volt's micro-games. In the micro-games, the player has to control the hero, helping him avoid the enemies on the screen by moving him safely into a cave.
Official Profiles and Statistics
Profile Information from Super Smash Bros.
Link is the valiant boy hero of "The Legend of Zelda" series in which he fights against the evil Ganon to recover the Triforce. Though his tools may change with each adventure, his strengh and righteousness remain constant. With his trusty sword and a variety of weapons, he takes adventure head on!
Trophy Information
Super Smash Bros. Melee
| # | Name | Image | First Game / Move | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Link (Classic) |
The Legend of Zelda 07/87 |
Even in his youth, Link was already becoming the warrior who would carry the destiny of Hyrule (and many other lands) on his shoulders. His epic struggles against the forces of darkness are written in legend, and he is bound to the Princess Zelda and the archfiend Ganondorf by the awesome power of the Triforce. | |
| 8 | Link [Smash] (Adventure) |
B: Bow Smash B: Boomerang |
Burdened with a shield, a heavy sword, and plenty of equipment, Link is not a very mobile character. Nevertheless, he's skilled with the blade, and his varied supply of missile weapons makes him a powerful fighter. To master Link, you must control the pace by balancing your long-range attacks with head-to-head swordplay. | |
| 9 | Link [Smash] (All-Star) |
Up & B: Spin Attack Down & B: Bomb |
Link's Bow, Boomerang, and Bombs all take time to wield, so you may want to try drawing them in midair to prevent your foes from attacking you while you're vulnerable. The Spin Attack can score consecutive midair hits, and the final slash is very powerful. Link's Bombs are his trump card, but he can't pull one out if he's carrying another item. |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
| # | Name | Image | Appearance(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Link | NES The Legend of Zelda WII The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess |
A young man who emerged to rescue Hyrule from peril. He's the bearer of the Triforce of Courage who fights to keep Ganondorf from conquering the world. His green outfit is a constant throughout the series. He's a skilled swordsman, horseman, and archer. He's also proficient with bombs and boomerangs. | |
| 6 | Triforce Slash | WII Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Link with a Smash Ball, releasing his ultimate attack. Light flares from the Triforce symbol on the back of his hand and rushes out to meet the enemy he faces. The enemy gets trapped within the glittering Triforce, is quickly cut to shreds, and is launched by the last strike. The attack works on one enemy at a time, so it's best to go after the character in first place. | |
| 338 | Wolf Link | WII The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | Link's alternate form in the Twilight Realm. In this form, he cannot use weapons such as swords or shields, but he can attack with a ferocious wolf bite. He also has a number of unique skills inherent to his beast form, such as a keen sense of smell, the ability to dig, and a loud wolf howl. |
Stickers
| Image | Game | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| File:Epona Link Sticker.jpg | Zelda: Ocarina of Time | [Arm, Leg] - Attack +9 Usable by: Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, Toon Link |
| File:Link Legend of Zelda Sticker.jpg | The Legend of Zelda | [Specials: Indirect] - Attack +17 |
| File:Link Link to the Past Sticker.jpg | Zelda: Link to the Past | [Electric] - Resistance +31 Usable by: Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, Toon Link |
| File:Link TP Sticker.jpg | Zelda: Twilight Princess | [Slash] - Resistance +27 Usable by: Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, Toon Link |
Mario Series Appearances
Trivia
- Link's name appears on the scorechart of Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64.
- Link, along with many other non-Mario Nintendo characters, was meant to appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, at the Starbeans Cafe. He would try one of the drinks that Mario and Luigi got and reward them with an item called "Triforce". He was replaced by E. Gadd in the final version, although his Triforce reward (albeit redesigned) survived as the professor's Great Force invention.
- Link appears in Nintendo Monopoly. He takes the place of Pennsylvania Avenue, and costs $320.
- In Yoshi's Island DS, a baby that looks very similar to Link is seen; this baby has pointy ears and yellow hair. He was kidnapped by Kamek, however, he turned out to not be a Star Child.
- The Ghost of Present in the Club Nintendo comic "Warios Weihnachtsmärchen" resembles Link.
- In the Club Nintendo comic "Super Mario: Die Verwandlung", Dr. Light constantly mistakes Mario for Link. One of these confusions also implies that Link has undergone an esthetic surgery by Light.
| Super Smash Bros. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playable characters | Donkey Kong • Fox • Kirby • Link • Luigi • Mario • Samus • Yoshi • Others | |||
| Non-playable characters | Bob-omb • Whispy Woods | |||
| Bosses | Giant Donkey Kong • Metal Mario | |||
| Stages | Peach's Castle • Yoshi's Island • Congo Jungle • Hyrule Castle • Meta Crystal • Mushroom Kingdom • Others | |||
| Items | Barrel • Bob-omb • Crate • Egg • Fire Flower • Green Shell • Hammer • Red Shell • Star • Star Rod • Target | |||
| Moves | Miscellaneous | Jump • Taunt | ||
| Special | Standard | Up | Down | |
| Mario | Fireball | Super Jump Punch | Mario Tornado | |
| Luigi | Green Fireball | Luigi Cyclone | ||
| Donkey Kong | Giant Punch | Spinning Kong | Hand Slap | |
| Yoshi | Egg Lay | Egg Throw | Yoshi Bomb | |
| Other | Gallery • Glitches • Pre-release and unused content • Quotes • Smash Card • Super Smash Bros. Poll • Super Smash Bros. (Shockwave game) • Staff | |||
