It may be time for The Legend of Zelda to bring back a version of Link that has been missing from recent games. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom had their own iteration of Link that proved to be a fantastic addition to The Legend of Zelda. However, in the aftermath of those games, there’s a question as to where the series will go next. A big part of the next game’s identity is going to come from its version of Link, so it may be time for a previous version of Link to reemerge next game.
Although Link isn’t Echoes of Wisdom‘s protagonist, he has been the main character of almost every other game in the franchise. This has seen him go through several incarnations to fit the games in question. Link’s most recognizable design is as a young man in his iconic green outfit, but that is far from his only appearance. The Wind Waker saw a younger cel-shaded Link, a design that would appear a few more times throughout the series, while Breath of the Wild once again reinvented Link with its blue tunic design. Even with a variety of designs, Link’s status as a hero remains constant.
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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Likely Means One Trend is Here to Stay
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has just been announced, and it could confirm a new trend for the long-running Nintendo franchise.
The Next Legend of Zelda Game Could Bring Back Young Link
A New Legend of Zelda Will Likely Have a New Link
It seems natural that some changes will take place after Tears of the Kingdom, and one of those may be a new version of Link. Looking at recent versions of Link outside of remakes, one common threat between them is that they have primarily been young adults. With that in mind, those experienced with the series will remember that a younger version of Link has appeared before, but it has been quite some time since a young Link has had a proper adventure. Perhaps one of the next Legend of Zelda‘s twists will involve Link taking up the sword at a young age once more.
Young Link Hasn’t Had an Adventure in Years
Link’s adventures as the Hero of Time in the Nintendo classics Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask both start when he is a child. Even in his youth, Link is shown to be a brave and skillful adventurer. However, after those games, Young Link has not appeared in quite the same light. The Wind Waker had another younger Link, but that cel-shaded Link was more cartoonish; likewise, Link in the Link’s Awakening remake looks rather young, but also toy-like and highly stylized. Outside of Super Smash Bros., a more detailed and realistic Young Link hasn’t been seen for a while without a significant art style change.
The Next Legend of Zelda Could Explore Young Link’s Family
Featuring a younger Link in the next game could also lead to a lesser-used Legend of Zelda trope: if Link is still young, then his family could play a role in the game. They could act as a motivation for him, or some of his starting gear could even come from his parents. In fact, while Link has been shown with other relatives in certain games, he has never actually had either of his parents depicted onscreen in any iteration. A young Link in the next Legend of Zelda game could reverse this trend and let players meet Link’s parents for the first time.
Even in his youth, Link is shown to be a brave and skillful adventurer.
In the wake of Tears of the Kingdom, the next game will need its own identity. On that note, the future of The Legend of Zelda could involve another adventure starring a young Link. This approach to the iconic protagonist could be a chance to tell a new kind of story, or give a next-gen update to a classic character design. Link’s portrayal is naturally going to form a major part of any Legend of Zelda game’s identity, so it might be time for another young Link to emerge.