With multiple timelines, a seemingly unlimited amount of games, and the main characters of The Legend of Zelda appearing in various versions of Hyrule and other regions, the character designs also change to fit the story, world, art style, and tone of the games.
Link is usually the most noticeably different throughout the games as you control him and see the adventure through his perspective. Each version of Link is distinctive while having similar characteristics, so it's time to look at the history of Link from the very beginning and determine which versions of him look the best out of them all.
Updated on June 11, 2023 by Casey Foot: Link's appearance throughout The Legend of Zelda has remained mostly consistent when it comes to a few key aspects - the green tunic, hat, elf ears, and blonde hair - though there are a few exceptions. Tears of the Kingdom gave Link some new outfits and let loose his hair, setting him apart from other designs. Here's how this design compares to all Link designs in every game.
16 The Wand Of Gamelon And The Faces Of Evil
It is debatable if these abysmal games by Phillips for their CD-I console even count as true The Legend Of Zelda games, but they still feature the characters of Link and Zelda, so it's an obligation to talk about them.
To quickly sum up: this Link is awful. There's the in-game sprite which is just okay at best, but then the infamous cutscenes play, thus resulting in nightmare fuel visuals and sounds. It’s a classic Link design, but it’s held back tremendously by the game’s uncanny art style.
15 The Legend Of Zelda
The original game on NES is the classic title that started the series, and we wouldn't have some of the best games ever made without it. So why is the original Link so low here? While it established Link’s trademark design, the game’s sprite is basic.
Not to say the original Link is bad; it's just not the best. In an interview with Game Kult, Shigeru Miyamoto explained that, due to the limitations of the NES, Link’s sprite artist, Takashi Tezuka, had to make specific choices when creating it to make the hero stand out. They decided to give Link a long hat and big ears, which led them to take inspiration from Disney’s Peter Pan, ultimately choosing to give Link a similar green tunic.
14 Zelda 2: The Adventure Of Link
Link’s design in The Adventure of Link is nearly identical to the original NES game, but improves upon the sprite by giving him a more human-like design instead of the short and stout look from the original.
Zelda 2 sees Link once again journeying across Hyrule, this time to stop Ganon’s followers from reviving the King of Evil. As the game takes place several years after the original, Link is older and taller, which is reflected in his design. While it’s simple, it’s effective.
13 Link’s Awakening, Oracle Of Ages, And Oracle Of Seasons
When it comes to the Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, Link’s design remains mostly consistent, with the Peter Pan-like appearance from The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link making a return.
Link sports his familiar green hat and tunic, but his sprite differs greatly from the first two games. He has a rounder and generally cuter look, which is fitting for the tone and stories of these games as well. It would be a while before Link’s appearance would be fully realized because of the limitations of the console, but it’s a solid design nonetheless.
12 Link's Awakening Remake
The remake of this Game Boy classic was surprisingly fun, especially with the new art style it sported. Link's design has a charming and cute nature that's impossible not to smile at. It also perfectly blends the original design of Link with the more modern take that fans are used to.
His cartoony, all-black eyes are especially appealing, and his overall shiny model is almost like a mini figure. This remake did an excellent job updating Link’s design while staying true to the original sprite.
11 A Link To The Past
In A Link to the Past’s official art, Link’s design builds on the staples of the original appearance - the green tunic, long hat, and warrior’s shield - but adds the soon-to-be signature blonde hair.
The sprite featured in the game, however, makes the interesting choice of giving Link vibrant pink hair. Apparently, it was to help the hair not blend in with Link's face and the background, which is fair, but… pink? Why not yellow or dark brown? Admittedly, though, Link suits the pink look.
10 A Link Between Worlds
Take the version of Link from A Link to the Past, port it into a 3D character model, fix the color of his hair, and that's essentially what is featured in A Link Between Worlds. It's the SNES Link, but just done even better.
A Link Between Worlds is a sequel to A Link to the Past, though it follows a new Link, so it makes sense that the series reverted to a classic design that hadn't been seen in years. It's clear that Nintendo cared about fans of A Link to the Past since the attention to detail in recreating that world is exquisite.
9 Hyrule Warriors - Linkle
Timelines can create some interesting variations, and, in the case of this alternate world, the hero of Hyrule is Linkle. However, instead of just being a copy of the usual hero, she has a very unique design overall.
Linkle has a more poncho-like tunic with a green hood. Instead of a sword and shield, she has dual crossbows, thigh-high boots, and a compass pendant around her neck. She has bangs, and her hair is tied into two braids at the front, reminiscent of Zelda in Skyward Sword.
8 The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, And Tri Force Heroes
Most of the time, a new version of Link will last one or two games before Nintendo decides to change things up for the next game. But, in the case of Toon Link, this version has spread across multiple games and generations.
This lovable and expressive version of Link first debuted in The Wind Waker, then continued in Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and Tri-Force Heroes, despite the actual character being a different iteration in the last two. The cartoonish art style was criticized when it first debuted, but now he's a classic, even becoming his own character to play in Super Smash Bros. and Hyrule Warriors.
7 The Minish Cap
On the covers and artwork for the game made by Capcom and Nintendo, it's simply Toon Link, but the in-game sprite is much more unique than that. Without his green hat, Link has a severe case of bedhead, which adds a bit of personality.
His companion for this game, the sentient hat Ezlo, is built right into his design, giving a unique twist to the classic hat. The animation for the sprite is top-notch and by far the best of the 2D sprite versions of the character.
6 Skyward Sword
The main design for Link in Skyward Sword combines elements from Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess — the ideas from these designs merge together here with a few new aspects to create a very familiar yet fresh look for the character.
This fits within the story since Skyward Sword is the first game in the timeline and sets the example for how the hero will traditionally wear a green tunic. The bright and colorful art style also adds a touch of his cheerful personality to his design.
5 Ocarina Of Time And Majora’s Mask
A Link to the Past planted the seeds, and it was with the Nintendo 64 that Link was revolutionized in Ocarina of Time, as he appears in 3D for the first time. Link's entire design is done really well here with a more fully realized version of the iconic tunic, which he grows into as he goes from child to adult.
The simple introduction of a more mature version of Link would create the gold standard that future games would follow. The boy version of Link from Ocarina of Time would return in the dark yet beloved follow-up, Majora's Mask. The 3DS remakes enhanced the original graphics, including Link's design, smoothing out the edges and adding more detail.
4 Breath Of The Wild
Breath of the Wild changed up the Zelda formula by allowing you to explore an open-world version of Hyrule. Link’s base look in this game swaps the recognizable green tunic of other iterations of the character for the blue Champion’s Tunic, which has a silhouette of the Master Sword on its front.
Yet again, differing from the Links that came before him, Breath of the Wild Link doesn’t wear a hat and instead ties his hair back with a hairband. This game shook up the Zelda formula quite drastically, and the same can be said for Link’s design.
3 Tears Of The Kingdom
Link has many outfits to choose from in Tears of the Kingdom; however, in promotional materials, Nintendo mostly depicts Link wearing the blue Champion’s Leathers or Archaic armor set. The Champion’s Leathers is the same as the Champion’s Tunic Link wore in Breath of the Wild, except it has been modified by Zelda, and now has chain mail and other protective padding.
In contrast, the Archaic armor set consists of a gray and green tunic and footwear that resembles gladiator sandals. The tassels on the tunic are reminiscent of the Triforce as well. Link’s right side is exposed, showing his Zonai arm that originally belonged to Rauru. This Link also has the longest hair when compared to other iterations, which is left loose when you start the game.
2 Twilight Princess
With Twilight Princess taking a much darker and epic approach to The Legend of Zelda, it was only fitting that the design for Link would follow suit. This Link wears chain mail under his tunic, and his hair is dark blonde.
The longer hat is an interesting touch, and the darker shade of green on his tunic is pleasing, reflecting Twilight Princess’ more somber tone. Combine this with a very unique design for his Wolf form, and it’s a great iteration of the hero overall.
1 Hyrule Warriors
Ignoring how one might feel about this divisive spin-off title, the character designs for nearly everybody in Hyrule Warriors were unique and aesthetically pleasing - especially Link.
Sporting a very stylish blue scarf, metal shoulder guards, and chain mail, this version of Link is the closest the character has gotten to looking like a warrior. His hair has a more golden tone, and he has an overall more colorful appearance. Combined with the beautiful animation, this makes for a nearly flawless design.