The Legend of Zelda has seen multiple Links over the past three decades. Almost every entry resets the board and focuses on that Link’s first adventure. It’s a tried-and-true method that’s worked well for the series, but it wouldn’t be until A Link to the Past that Nintendo would start playing around with multiple Links.
Since then, we’ve seen a few Links come and go, but usually never for more than two games. Most of the time, a Link will star in two games back to back, but that isn’t always the case. In one particular instance, a previous Link came back as a supporting character years later.
Updated on June 6, 2023, by Casey Foot: Although each game in The Legend of Zelda series is very different from each other, sometimes, a Link from a previous game will return for a new adventure, whether that be in Hyrule or a new region altogether. Tears of the Kingdom's launch saw the return of Breath of the Wild Link, with the sequel's story continuing off some time after the first game ended. Let's take a look at every other Link that returned from a previous game, too.
6 Hero Of Hyrule
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Game Appearances |
The Legend of Zelda |
|---|---|
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Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link |
It only makes sense to start with the beginning. The Hero of Hyrule single-handedly reformed the Triforce of Courage, killed Ganon, and saved Princess Zelda. And all without pants! Unlike later Links who actually end up killing Ganon, the Hero of Hyrule doesn’t even use the Master Sword. Instead, he’s able to pull it off with the Magic Sword, his raw strength, and the Silver Arrows.
Three years later, Ganon’s forces target Link in an attempt to use his blood to revive the Dark Lord. Link, now older and more mature, sets out once again to stop Ganon’s forces, exploring even more of Hyrule this time around. By Zelda 2, Link’s swordplay has improved considerably and the game even has him adept at magic, learning spells over the course of his second adventure. Link successfully prevents Ganon’s revival and Hyrule moves on to the next threat.
5 Legendary Hero
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Game Appearances |
A Link to the Past |
|---|---|
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Link's Awakening |
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Oracle of Seasons |
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Oracle of Ages |
The most storied Link by far, the Legendary Hero appears in four games. That means this Link travels not only across Hyrule, but Koholint Island, Holodrum, and Labrynna. He’s the best-traveled Link by a country mile and he’s incredibly strong to boot, wielding a fully reforged Master Sword by the end of A Link to the Past. The Oracle duology even let him get it back.
It's a bit unclear which order this Link's adventure takes place in as the position of the Oracle games changed when a new Zelda timeline was published, but it doesn't change the fact that he's been on the most adventures.
4 Hero Of Time
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Game Appearances |
Ocarina of Time |
|---|---|
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Majora's Mask |
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Twilight Princess |
The Hero of Time arguably suffers more than any other Link in the series in the two games where he is the protagonist. In Ocarina of Time, it’s established out the gate that he’s othered by his peers for not having a fairy. When they finally accept him, he’s tasked with a mission that results in the Deku Tree’s death, othering him again and more or less severing his connection to Kokiri Forest. After pulling the Master Sword from its pedestal, Link falls into a seven-year sleep and has his youth stolen, all while Ganondorf enters the Sacred Realm.
Thankfully, the Hero of Time does manage to defeat Ganondorf (except in the Downfall Timeline), but Navi leaves him as soon as they get sent back to the past. In Majora's Mask, Link accidentally travels to Termina while trying to find her, resulting in him needing to stop Skull Kid from bringing down the moon on the citizens. The Hero of Time even makes an appearance in Twilight Princess as the Hero's Shade, passing down all of his skills to the Hero of Twilight.
3 Hero Of Winds
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Game Appearances |
The Wind Waker |
|---|---|
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Phantom Hourglass |
With no relation to the Hero of Time or past Links, The Wind Waker’s Hero of Winds is one of the more impressive Links in the series. He manages to prove his worth, reform the Triforce of Courage, and defeat Ganondorf without embodying the spirit of the Hero. Considering how much the series starts focusing on fate, destiny, and reincarnation with Skyward Sword, this stands out as very refreshing.
The Hero of Winds would later return in Phantom Hourglass, where he is joined by Captain Linebeck on a sea-faring journey to find Tetra, who disappeared after setting foot on a Ghost Ship. It's a smaller-scale adventure when compared to The Wind Waker, though Link has a new companion while exploring the seas once again.
2 Hero Of Lorule
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Game Appearances |
A Link Between Worlds |
|---|---|
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Tri Force Heroes |
By looking at the official artwork of A Link Between Worlds and Tri Force Heroes, you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell that they feature the same Link; however, Nintendo did confirm that Tri Force Heroes follows the same hero. A Link Between Worlds actually takes place in the same Hyrule as A Link to the Past, but follows a different Link.
In this game, Link takes on the evil Yuga who has a penchant for turning people into paintings, including Link himself, which allows Link to enter the dark version of Hyrule - Lorule. In comparison, despite following the same Link, Tri Force Heroes is a multiplayer game, featuring this Link and two other heroes, though it's never explained where they come from. Though there's very little connection between these two games, it's interesting that this Link was able to go on another adventure, this time in Hytopia.
1 Hero Of The Wild
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Game Appearances |
Breath of the Wild |
|---|---|
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Tears of the Kingdom |
This Link first appears in Breath of the Wild where, after awakening in the Shrine of Resurrection, he sets off into the expansive land of Hyrule, eventually facing off against Calamity Ganon, who was originally his downfall 100 years ago.
In Breath of the Wild’s sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, Link once again finds himself journeying to Hyrule’s different regions, this time aiming to awaken the Sages and find Princess Zelda. Despite being injured from the Gloom, Link has new Zonai abilities that allow him to Fuse weapons, make Zonai vehicles, and more. Being over 100 years old and living through three catastrophic events, this Link has certainly been through a lot, living up to the title of a legendary hero.