Link
- For fighter info, seeLink (SSB),Link (SSBM),Link (SSBB),Link (SSB4), andLink (SSBU).
- For other variations of Link, seeYoung Link andToon Link.
Link | |
---|---|
Official artwork for various iterations of Link. | |
Universe | The Legend of Zelda |
Debut | The Legend of Zelda (1986) |
Smash Bros. appearances | SSB Melee Brawl SSB4 Ultimate |
Most recent non-Smash appearance | The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (2024) |
Console/platform of origin | Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom Disk System) |
Species | Hylian |
Gender | Male |
Place of origin | Hyrule |
Created by | Shigeru Miyamoto Takashi Tezuka |
Voice actor | Nobuyuki Hiyama (SSB/Melee) Akira Sasanuma (Brawl/SSB4) Kengo Takanashi (Ultimate) |
Article on Zelda Wiki | Link |
Link (リンク,Link) is the playable protagonist ofThe Legend of Zelda series. Unlike the majority of Nintendo protagonists, there are several distinct incarnations of Link seen throughoutThe Legend of Zelda series, each of whom are destined to become heroes against powerful forces of evil, most notablyGanondorf/Ganon.Due to the consistent critical and commercial success ofThe Legend of Zelda series, Link is marketed as one ofNintendo's flagship characters alongsideMario, the company's mascot, to the point that both he and Mario are marketed together as mascots forSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
As a member of the "perfect-attendance crew", Link has been featured as a playable character throughout the entireSuper Smash Bros. series. Compared to the rest of the crew, however, he holds the distinction of doing so in name only because of three of his incarnations (theHero of Time, theHero of Twilight, and theHero of the Wild) appearing as playable characters. By extension,prepubescentincarnations have also been playable, with thefirst instance of this occurring inSuper Smash Bros. Melee.
Origin[edit]
Link's first appearance was inThe Legend of Zelda, which depicted his quest to rescuePrincess Zelda and the land ofHyrule from the evilGanon. Link is designed with a green tunic and a green hat, which, like Mario's design, was due to the NES' hardware limitations. This appearance has since been traditional for Link, with the exception of his appearance inBreath of the Wild, which nevertheless features versions of his traditional green clothes as unlockable attires.
It is worth noting that while there have been multiple games withinThe Legend of Zelda series, it has not always been the same Link who the player controls. This is evident with the fact that there are multiple timelines within the series, wherein many games typically feature a new Link with a new origin. Notable examples include "Hylia's Chosen Hero" (referring to the Link fromSkyward Sword), the "Hero of Time" (referring to the Link fromOcarina of Time/Majora's Mask), the "Hero of Winds" (referring tothe Link fromThe Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass), and the "Hero of Twilight" (referring to the Link fromTwilight Princess). While the only blood relation between any Links was shown inTwilight Princess between the Hero of Time and the Hero of Twilight, each Link has nevertheless been shown to possess the spirit of the hero.
On a related note, Link's age has also varied. In some games, such asThe Wind Waker and the present timeline ofOcarina of Time, Link is a child, with these two particular incarnations being represented asplayablecharacters in theSuper Smash Bros. series. InSkyward Sword,Zelda II: The Adventure of Link,Breath of the Wild,Twilight Princess and the future timeline ofOcarina of Time, Link is depicted as a teenager, with the incarnations from the latter three games also being playable characters in theSuper Smash Bros. series.
In addition, Link, regardless of his age, almost always starts out as unremarkable until learning of his heroic destiny and, as his journey presses onward, gradually progresses into a full-fledged hero. For example,Ocarina of Time features him asa young boy whose mother entrusted him in the care of theGreat Deku Tree before dying.The Wind Waker also features him asa young boy, albeit living a happy and carefree life onOutset Island alongside his grandmother and younger sisterAryll. InTwilight Princess, he is an ordinary young man working atOrdon Ranch.Breath of the Wild is one of the few exceptions to this rule, introducing him as a knight and a descendant of many other knights.
Link also traditionally never speaks outright, remaining a silent protagonist. There are instances throughout the franchise to imply that Link is speaking, such as other characters replying to him in conversations despite not saying anything and dialogue boxes with responses occasionally appearing. This is done to make Link a blank slate with minimal personality, which makes it easier for the player to project themselves onto Link and immerse themselves in the game.
Regardless of his origin, each incarnation of Link is tasked with defeating the main antagonist of the story, most frequentlyGanondorf/Ganon, in order to stop them from either taking over the world or,in other cases,destroying it. Other hallmarks shared by the Links are their ability to wield theMaster Sword and their possession of theTriforce of Courage, although these are not depicted universally.
Due to theThe Legend of Zelda series giving Link simple and concise answers that the player can pick instead of traditional dialogue, there is very little insight into the personalities of the majority of his incarnations. While the only incarnations to expressively show distinct personalities are the ones fromOcarina of Time/Majora's Mask,The Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass,Twilight Princess,Spirit Tracks,Skyward Sword, andBreath of the Wild, universal traits among Link's incarnations are bravery, humility, and politeness.
InSuper Smash Bros.[edit]
As a playable character[edit]
Link's first appearance in a fighting game, and by extension his first official appearance in a Nintendo game outside of his home series, is inSuper Smash Bros. as one of the eightstarter characters. The incarnation that appears is the Hero of Time fromThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Link is a slow heavyweight whoseMaster Sword grants him many disjointed attacks that allow for ranged combat. Hisneutral special move isBoomerang, which is a fast attack that will return to him. Hisup special move isSpin Attack, which boasts impressive power, but is cited as his main weakness due to its lackluster recovery potential. Lastly, hisdown special move isBomb, which can be thrown either directly at opponents for combos, or to rest on the ground.
Due to his flaws, Link is currently ranked 11th out of 12 on thetier list, placing him in the C tier.
Link's in-game character description says:
- Link
- Link is the valiant boy hero of "The Legend of Zelda" series in which he fights against the evilGanon to recover the Triforce. Though his tools may change with each adventure, his strength and righteousness remain constant. With his trusty sword and a variety of weapons, he takes adventure head on!
- Works:
- The Legend of Zelda (NES),
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES),
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
InSuper Smash Bros. Melee[edit]
As a playable character[edit]
The Hero of Time incarnation of Link returns inSuper Smash Bros. Melee as a starter character. He retains hisOcarina of Time design, although redesigned in a way so that he has a far more detailed look, even more so than the game his design is based on - largely due to the improved graphics of the GameCube. While his playstyle has been largely retained, his moves have been slightly tweaked. Spin Attack is now a much more reliable recovery move, while Boomerang is now assigned as Link'sside special. Like the rest of his fellow veterans, he received a fourth special move, with his beingBow. It is a neutral special move that allows Link to fire an arrow, with the arrow's range being dependent on how long the player holds down the B button. Finally, hisHylian Shield is no longer purely aesthetic, as it can block projectiles while Link is standing still or crouching.
Link has been buffed in the transition toMelee. In addition to retaining his Master Sword's disjointed range and his numerous projectiles, Spin Attack covers more distance in the air and his faster air speed. However, he has a very slow dashing speed, and is easy to combo due to his heavy weight and quick falling speed.
Thanks to his buffs, Link is currently ranked 18th out of 26 on the tier list, placing him in the C- tier.
Trophies[edit]
As a playable character, Link has three trophies - a normal trophy won beating theClassic Mode with Link on any difficulty, and "Smash Red" and "Smash Blue" trophies are acquired by beating the Adventure and All-Star modes, respectively.

- Link
- 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.
- The Legend of Zelda (7/87)

- LinkSMASH
- 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.
- B: Bow
- Smash B: Boomerang

- LinkSMASH
- 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.
- Up & B: Spin Attack
- Down & B: Bomb
InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
As a playable character[edit]

Unlike the previous two installments,Super Smash Bros. Brawl does not feature the Hero of Time. Instead, he has been succeeded by his descendant, the "Hero of Twilight" fromThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. While this Link's playstyle is essentially the same as his ancestor's, some of his moves are slightly different in order to match his aesthetics and functionalities inTwilight Princess. This is most apparent with theGale Boomerang and theClawshot: the former can pull opponents and items toward Link with a small tornado, whereas the latter can grab an edge, but not walls. Other changes include the arrows of his Hero's Bow, which now disappear after a distance, and his Spin Attack now being chargeable when used on the ground.
Like the rest of the cast, Link has aFinal Smash that he obtains when he breaks aSmash Ball. In his case, his Final Smash is theTriforce Slash, in which light from the Triforce of Courage on Link's hand shoots out and traps an opponent in between two large Triforce-shaped force fields. Link then dashes at the opponent, unleashes a barrage of slashes, and then finishes with a powerful blow with enoughknockback toone-hit KO the opponent if nothing gets in the way.
While this Link's attacks are stronger, his mobility and recovery are very poor, to the point that the latter is comparable to his ancestor's inSSB. Due to his weaknesses largely outweighing his strengths, Link is ranked 35th out 38 on the tier list. This places him in the F tier, and renders him as a bottom-tier character.
Trophies[edit]
Link has a trophy that is awarded each time theClassic Mode is completed with Link on any difficulty.

- Link
- 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.
:The Legend of Zelda
:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Wolf Link
- 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.
:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Stickers[edit]
Name | Game | Effect | Fighter(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Epona &Link | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | AttackArmLeg+009![]() ![]() | Link Zelda Ganondorf Toon Link![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Link | The Legend of Zelda | AttackSpecialsIndirect+017![]() | All characters![]() |
Link | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | DefenseElectric+031![]() | Link Zelda Ganondorf Toon Link![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Link | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | DefenseSlash+027![]() | Link Zelda Ganondorf Toon Link![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Midna &Wolf Link | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | AttackLeg+026![]() | Link Zelda Ganondorf Toon Link![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() Epona & Link (Zelda: Ocarina of Time) |
![]() Link (The Legend of Zelda) |
![]() Link (Zelda: Link to the Past) |
![]() Link (Zelda: Twilight Princess) |
![]() Midna & Wolf Link (Zelda: Twilight Princess) |
InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]
As a playable character[edit]
TheTwilight Princess incarnation of Link reappears as a starter character inSuper Smash Bros. 4. However, his overall color scheme is noticeably more vibrant because ofSSB4's aesthetics, making him look more like hisSkyward Sword incarnation, whom was otherwise unused inSmash.
Link has been buffed in the transition toSSB4. Many of his attacks are faster and stronger, whileSSB4's new edge mechanics make his Clawshot'stether recovery more dependable. His projectiles have also seen some improvements: Hero's Bow charges faster, Gale Boomerang's new launching angle improves its follow-up potential, and Bomb deals more damage if it explodes near the opponent's feet. However, Link is still highly susceptible to rushdowns because of his rather sluggish mobility, while some of his attacks' damage outputs were slightly lowered.
Thanks to his buffs largely outweighing his nerfs, Link has been able to attain some notable players in tournament play and achieve respectable results, even at the national level. As a result, he is ranked 31st out of 54; in addition to placing him near the top of D tier, this renders him a mid-tier character like his ancestor is inMelee.
As a costume[edit]

In addition to his playable appearance, Link's appearance serves as the basis of adownloadable contentcostume forMii Swordfighters. Nintendo also released aQR code for those who wish to have the exact Mii used in the costume's advertising. While the costume is based on Link'sSSB4 appearance, its simplified design, brighter color scheme, and mirrored hairstyle closely resemble theSkyward Sword incarnation of Link.
Trophies[edit]


- Link
Green clothes? Pointy hat? Yep, it's Link, all right! In this game, his sword and shield make for effective attacking and blocking, and his bow, bombs, and boomerang will spice up any battle. He's even brought his Clawshot for grabbing enemies and edges. Jeez, just how much stuff can Link carry?
Green tunic? Pointy hat? Yep, it's Link, all right! In this game, his sword and shield make for effective attacking and blocking, and his bow, bombs, and boomerang will spice up any battle. He's even brought his Clawshot for grabbing enemies and edges. Jeez, just how much stuff can Link carry?
:The Legend of Zelda (08/1987)
:The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (04/1992)
Green clothes? Pointy hat? Yep, it's Link all right! In this game, his sword and shield make for effective attacking and blocking, and his bow, bombs and boomerang will spice up any battle. He's even brought his Clawshot to make light work of grabbing enemies and hanging from edges. The hero of Hyrule is really kitted out for a brawl!
:The Legend of Zelda (11/1987)
:The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (09/1992)


- Link (Alt.)
If Link was on a desert island and could only pick one item, it'd be his powerful sword. This weapon is key to his down-air attack, a move with great launching potential and the ability to strike twice. He can also strike twice with his side smash—the second blow deals more damage and launches harder.
If Link was on a desert island and could take only one item, it'd be the Master Sword. This weapon is key to his down air attack, a move with great launching potential and the ability to strike twice. He can also strike twice with his side smash—the second blow deals more damage and launches farther.
:The Legend of Zelda (08/1987)
:The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (04/1992)
Of all of his weapons, Link's sword may be the most lethal. His down air attack has incredible launching power. What's more, he'll bounce up afterwards, allowing for a follow-up strike. His side smash can also be followed up with a more powerful second blow that sends foes flying – just press the button again straight away.
:The Legend of Zelda (11/1987)
:The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (09/1992)
- Adult Link (Ocarina of Time)
The children from Kokiri Forest never seem to grow into adults. Just a young boy, Link is entrusted with a quest by the Great Deku Tree. He leaves the forest and eventually finds the Master Sword in the Temple of Time. When he awakes, he is seven years in the future and an adult!
Link was once a carefree lad living with the Kokiri in Kokiri Forest, but one day, the Great Deku Tree entrusted him with an important task and he had to leave. His quest led him to find the Master Sword, and when he took it, seven years passed in the blink of an eye. Before he knew it, Link had grown into a young man!
- Wolf Link
Hey, who let a wolf in here? This is the spot for a trophy of Link! The wolf does look cool, though... Oh, oops! That wolf is Link, from Twilight Princess, after he steps into Twilight. It's actually a pretty handy transformation. Maybe the Master Sword can help him transform at will...
:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (11/2006)
Hold on a sec! Where's our dashing young swordsman? Oh... This IS him, just...in wolf form. When he steps into the eerie Twilight world, Link becomes this rough-looking beast! Luckily, he turns back into normal Link eventually, but with the Master Sword letting him transform at will, he might feel like going wolf again from time to time.
:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (12/2006)
InSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
As a playable character[edit]
Link returns inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate as a playable character. Initially teased alongsideMario and theInklings during the then-unnamedSuper Smash Bros. trailer at the end of the March 8th, 2018Nintendo Direct,[1] he was formally announced alongside the rest of the cast viaUltimate's E3 2018 trailer on June 12th, 2018.[2]
LikeBrawl,Ultimate features a new incarnation of Link succeeding a previously playable one; in this case, it is the "Hero of the Wild" fromThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In addition to wearing theChampion's Tunic as part of his default costume, Link has the WildSetofclothes as an alternate costume.
Compared to his predecessors, Link features a few noticeably distinct properties to his moveset. He is now right handed as inBreath of the Wild, with several altered animations as a result. While at 0%, he can use his forward smash to launch a Sword Beam, improving his camping potential near the beginning of his stocks. Compared to his previous Bombs, theRemote Bomb Rune is detonated on command, granting it improved utility and KO potential. He lacks aHookshot orClawshot due to neither of them appearing inBreath of the Wild; while his grab has less range and can no longer be used for spacing or recovery, it is much faster and thus safer to use. He can also pick up previously firedarrows and shoot two simultaneously, and his Final Smash utilizes anAncient Bow to fire an Ancient Arrow, similar to Zelda and Sheik'sLight Arrow in previous installments.
Aside from these changes, Link has been noticeably buffed fromSmash 4. His Master Sword has greater reach, and he greatly benefits from the universal reduction of landing lag, although his already sluggish frame data has been further worsened in other aspects. His Boomerang has reverted to its appearance from64 andMelee, restoring some of its combo potential. Due to these buffs and his more technical gameplan, Link has been positively received in competitive play with strong representation and results, and is generally agreed to be at least a high-tier fighter.
As a costume[edit]
Link's downloadable costume for theMii Swordfighter from the previous installment is now unlockable, but it is also accompanied by a new outfit based on the Champion's Tunic fromThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
A Mii Swordfighter costume of Link'sAncient Soldier Gear fromBreath of the Wild is available asdownloadable content for players who purchase Fighters Pass Vol. 2. This costume wields anAncient Short Sword and carries anAncient Shield, although the shield is purely aesthetic.
Spirits[edit]
Fighter spirit[edit]
Primary spirits[edit]
Support spirits[edit]
No. | Image | Name | Class | Cost | Ability | Series |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
196 | Epona | ★★★ | 1 | Undamaged Attack & Speed ↑ | The Legend of Zelda Series | |
217 | Ricky | ★ | 1 | Fist Attack ↑ | The Legend of Zelda Series | |
218 | Dimitri (The Legend of Zelda) | ★ | 1 | Swimmer | The Legend of Zelda Series | |
219 | Moosh | ★ | 2 | Instadrop | The Legend of Zelda Series | |
231 | Loftwing | ★ | 1 | Landing Lag ↓ | The Legend of Zelda Series |
Gallery[edit]
Names in other languages[edit]
Language | Name |
---|---|
リンク,Link | |
Link | |
Link | |
Link | |
Link | |
Link | |
林克,Link | |
링크,Link | |
Link | |
Линк | |
Link |
Trivia[edit]
- Link andCaptain Falcon have shared the sameweight value throughout theSuper Smash Bros. series.
- As ofMelee, Link is one of only three characters who has had a forward smashthat can unleash a second hit upon a second button press. Fittingly, he shares this trait withYoung Link and, prior toUltimate,Toon Link.
- Palutena's Guidance is the first official source to refer to theBreath of the Wild incarnation of Link as the "Hero of the Wild". This moniker was originally coined by fans, derived from the Tunic of the Wild and the naming pattern of the other Links' amiibo-unlocked tunics from that game; the Hero of Time's tunic is called the Tunic of Time, the Hero of Twilight's tunic is called the Tunic of Twilight, and so on.
- Link is, alongHero, one of the two playable characters inSmash whoseCopy Ability hat is based on an alternate costume rather than the default design. In this case, Kirby still wears the iconic green cap when copying Link inUltimate, even though it has been relegated to Link's Hero of the Wild alternate costume and is not featured in the default Champion's Tunic.
- Conceptually, Link and Zelda "swapped" their Final Smashes in the transition fromSmash 4 toUltimate. InBrawl andSmash 4, Link uses the Triforce of Courage to attack withTriforce Slash, while Zelda fires an arrow withLight Arrow; inUltimate, Link fires an arrow with theAncient Bow and Arrow, and Zelda uses theTriforce of Wisdom to attack.
- In the official one-shot mangaThe Nintendo All-Stars Free-For-All! Smash Brothers, Link assumes the role of Phantom X, the main antagonist of the manga. He, along withSamus Aran andFox McCloud as henchmen, decided to create these alter egos so the other characters can stop bickering and unite as friends against a common enemy. Phantom X has never reappeared in any media since this manga.
References[edit]
Playable characters | |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. | Captain Falcon ·Donkey Kong ·Fox ·Jigglypuff ·Kirby ·Link ·Luigi ·Mario ·Ness ·Pikachu ·Samus ·Yoshi |
New inMelee | Bowser ·Dr. Mario ·Falco ·Ganondorf ·Ice Climbers ·Marth ·Mewtwo ·Mr. Game & Watch ·Peach ·Pichu ·Roy ·Sheik ·Young Link ·Zelda |
New inBrawl | Diddy Kong ·Ike ·King Dedede ·Lucario ·Lucas ·Meta Knight ·Olimar (Pikmin) ·Pit ·Pokémon Trainer (Squirtle ·Ivysaur ·Charizard) ·R.O.B. ·Snake ·Sonic ·Toon Link ·Wario ·Wolf ·Zero Suit Samus |
New inSmash 4 | (Alph) ·Bayonetta ·Bowser Jr. (Koopalings) ·Cloud ·Corrin ·Dark Pit ·Duck Hunt ·Greninja ·Little Mac ·Lucina ·Mega Man ·Mii Brawler ·Mii Gunner ·Mii Swordfighter ·Pac-Man ·Palutena ·Robin ·Rosalina &Luma ·Ryu ·Shulk ·Villager ·Wii Fit Trainer |
New inUltimate | Banjo &Kazooie ·Byleth ·Chrom ·Daisy ·Dark Samus ·Hero ·Incineroar ·Inkling ·Isabelle ·Joker ·Kazuya ·Ken ·King K. Rool ·Min Min ·Mythra ·Piranha Plant ·Pyra ·Richter ·Ridley ·Sephiroth ·Simon ·Sora ·Steve (Alex,Zombie,Enderman) ·Terry |
Character Inspirations forMii FighterCostumes inSuper Smash Bros. 4 | |
---|---|
![]() | Akira ·Captain Falcon ·Flying Man ·Heihachi ·Jacky ·King K. Rool ·Knuckles ·Toad |
![]() | Ashley ·Black Knight ·Chrom ·Dunban ·Gil ·Link ·Lloyd ·Monster Hunter ·Takamaru ·Viridi ·Zero |
![]() | Fox ·Geno ·Inkling ·Isabelle ·K.K. Slider ·MegaMan.EXE ·Proto Man ·Samus ·Tails ·X |
Headgear only | Barbara ·Chain Chomp ·Chocobo ·Daisy ·Inkling Squid ·Luigi ·Majora's Mask ·Mario ·Meta Knight ·Peach ·Red Shell ·Sheik ·Shy Guy ·Spiny ·Super Mushroom ·Waluigi ·Wario ·Zelda |