There have been so many entries into the Legend of Zelda franchise over the years. As such, many different animation styles made their way into different eras and titles. Without including things like comics or short-lived TV shows, there are still more than just ten different versions of Link to be compared.
But the Hero of Hyrule always has a few distinct traits such as the Master Sword and an iconic green tunic. At least, most of the time he has a green tunic. Except when it’s a blue one or he has split into four different versions of himself using a sword. There is also the nega-version of Link to consider, too. Which versions of Link do fans prefer most?
10 Minish Cap Link
This game released in 2004 for the GameBoy Advance and pit Link against a wind sorcerer named Vaati. Though Ganon is “around,” he isn’t the main bad guy in this game.
But Link works alongside the small “Picori” or Minish citizens who are cute, monkey-like creatures. To match that style, Link looks a bit more cartoony and sports some kind of hat resembling a sentient bird. With the help of the Picori, young Link de-petrifies Zelda, stops Vaati, and restores the Four Sword.
9 Four Swords Adventure Link
Speaking of the Four Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures finds Link with a few different versions of himself. In order to stop a new Ganon, Link must use the power of the Four Sword to split himself into four Links. Then they search all over Hyrule to find what they need to stop Ganon from releasing Vaati.
Each Link is represented by a different colored tunic with green being the original Link. Die-hard fans will recall that this isn’t the first time Link has used the Four Sword like this. The GameBoy Advance game The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords that came out in 2002 also featured this mechanic.
8 Skyward Sword Link
In this game, Link isn’t the Hero of Hyrule yet; he’s just some random dude living in a village. In fact, Skyward Sword is the game that establishes the Hylian Hero, Zelda, and Ganondorf reincarnation cycle.
However, many fans don’t look too fondly on this iteration of Link. The graphics for the game made his pants appear baggy and shapeless and fans also didn’t take kindly to his facial proportions. It released in 2011 for the Wii with Wii Motion Plus in mind.
7 Wind Waker & Phantom Hourglass Link
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker is one of the first games that takes place after the canon timeline split in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It follows Link across the high seas and eventually connecting with a pirate queen named Tetra.
After the events of Wind Waker, the two continue their adventures in Phantom Hourglass and it eventually leads to Spirit Tracks. But fans don’t often reference that game as it was confusing and not as memorable as other games in the series.
6 Smash Bros. Link
There a few different varieties of Link across the various Smash Bros. games including a Toon Link and a Child Link. But the most notable version of Link from the game series is the Adult Link found in Melee and Brawl. The version of Adult Link in Smash Bros. Ultimate features Link’s Breath of the Wild blue tunic instead of his green one.
This Link features classic colors of green, brown, and beige along with Link’s dirty blonde locks and piercing blue eyes. For fans who may not know, Kirby can also eat Link and adopt the outfit as seen in the top left of the above photo.
5 Ocarina Of Time & Majora’s Mask Link
These two games are often lauded as the two best in the franchise next to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Ocarina of Time also marks the canon timeline split into one of three timelines. They’re classified as Adult Link, Child Link, and Fallen Hero. Fans will instantly recognize young Link on the right. Majora’s Mask follows Child Link after the events of Ocarina of Time. It was also the first game that introduced the character Tingle.
Fans connect with this Link because he is a child; he is innocent and has to face this huge responsibility of battling powerful creatures. In the case of Ocarina of Time, that’s Ganondorf. In the case of Majora’s Mask, it is the corrupted Skull Kid under the power of Majora’s Mask.
4 Dark/Shadow Link
Negative versions of characters are always cool, but Dark or Shadow Link is more than meets the eye. At first, fans just see a slick, one-track mind version of Link with one goal: obliterate the real Link.
He first appears in The Adventure of Link, but is best known for his appearances in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, and Twilight Princess. Those distinct red eyes act as harbingers of doom, but fans have never found out whether or not he has a master. Though Ganondorf and Vaati have both leveraged his abilities against Link, it is unknown if they controlled him. Perhaps Dark Link just lives for screwing up Link’s day.
3 Breath of the Wild Link
This is the most recent version of Link next to the one that appears in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. But that Link is very similar to the one from Breath of the Wild, so for the purpose of this list, it will be included. Though Link has many outfits and armor sets in Breath of the Wild, his distinct green tunic is not his default outfit.
Instead, fans find Link in a rich blue tunic with white accents. This may have been an intentional choice to show that Link has been asleep for one hundred years. Perhaps these fashions are not popular or even able to be made anymore. Either way, many fans like to dress him up as Tingle for laughs.
2 Hyrule Warriors Link
Though not a direct story version of Link, the design from the original Hyrule Warriors game stands out as many fans’ favorite design. Not only does Link sport the green tunic and lush blonde bangs, but he also has more unique armor, too.
The cerulean blue scarf and matching arm and leg wraps make great contrasts to the emerald green of his tunic and hat along with the brown of the leather. He also has what seems to be chain mail on underneath and an engraved pauldron. This is a Link that the Link from Tri-Force Heroes would consider stylish.
1 Twilight Princess Link
Despite many stellar competitors, most fans agree that the design for Link from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is the best. It is true to the original game released way back in 1986 while updating it for modern graphics.
Link sports his classic forest green tunic contrasted by beige underclothes and pants. His belt, sword straps, and armguard are a deep brown color, as well, evoking thoughts of the forest where he grew up. Fans also appreciate the sharpness of his face as opposed to a more anime style. He also gets to be a wolf for part of the game as pictured on the left.
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