Link is the protagonist of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series, one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful franchises in gaming history. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first appearing in the 1986 NES title The Legend of Zelda, Link is a courageous Hylian warrior destined to protect the kingdom of Hyrule from the forces of darkness. Unlike most video game protagonists, Link is a silent character by design, intended to serve as a direct connection between the player and the game world. His name itself symbolizes this purpose: he is the "link" between player and adventure. Fellow [Nintendo icon Mario](/quiz/mario/) may be gaming's most famous face, but Link holds a unique place as the medium's most celebrated adventurer.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Zelda series is that Link is not a single character but a recurring spirit reincarnated across different eras. Each game typically features a new incarnation of Link, chosen by destiny to wield the Master Sword and bear the Triforce of Courage. Whether he is the Hero of Time in Ocarina of Time, the Hero of Winds in The Wind Waker, or the Hero of the Wild in Breath of the Wild, every Link shares the same indomitable courage and sense of justice. This reincarnation cycle, established by the first hero's victory over the demon king Demise in Skyward Sword, ties the entire franchise together across multiple timelines.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) is frequently cited as one of the greatest video games ever made, and its version of Link is perhaps the most iconic. Young Link's journey from the Kokiri Forest to the Temple of Time, where he draws the Master Sword and awakens seven years later as Adult Link, defined an entire generation's relationship with gaming. The game introduced Z-targeting combat, context-sensitive actions, and a vast 3D Hyrule that became the template for open-world adventure games. Majora's Mask, its direct sequel, placed the same Link in the doomed land of Termina with only three days to prevent the moon from crashing into the world.
Breath of the Wild (2017) reinvented the Zelda formula by dropping Link into a massive open world with unprecedented freedom. Players could climb any surface, glide across vast distances, cook meals for stat bonuses, and approach challenges in any order. The game sold over 30 million copies and won universal Game of the Year recognition. Its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom (2023), expanded on this foundation with the Ultrahand ability, letting players build vehicles, bridges, and contraptions from materials found throughout the world. The creativity enabled by Tears of the Kingdom's physics-driven building system made it one of the most inventive games ever released.
Link's cultural impact rivals that of any character in entertainment. He is a mainstay of the Super Smash Bros. roster, appearing in every entry of the crossover fighting series. His green tunic and pointed cap are among the most recognizable silhouettes in gaming, though Breath of the Wild's blue Champion's Tunic introduced a new iconic look. The Zelda franchise has sold over 150 million copies worldwide, and Link's adventures continue to set the standard for what action-adventure games can achieve.
