Why is link named link

The only real black mark against the series is a trio of terrible games for the CD-i format in the early s, including The Legend Of Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon , but these titles tend to be ignored by the fanbase as Nintendo had little direct involvement in their creation.

While a live-action Zelda movie or TV show has yet to happen, an animated series from Castlevania producer Adi Shankar is in the works. The Legend Of Zelda's Link has little in the way or dialogue in any of the games, and the character's creator Shigeru Miyamoto once explained the name itself was from the original concept for the first game, as it was supposed to take place in both the past and the future with Link literally being the link between them.

Link is also the only name he's ever been known by until Miyamoto and producer Eiji Aonuma provided his full name to Game Informer in According to Shigeru Miyamoto, his full name is Link Link. But the incredible diversity that Nintendo has brought to this one character makes his continued relevance all the more impressive, especially when you consider the company he keeps. Many other iconic video game protagonists have risen and fallen since the eighties.

And many have gone through periodic transformations the same way Link and Princess Zelda have. But if you compare Link to other enduring characters like Mario or Lara Croft, I think Nintendo has achieved something truly unique with its Zelda games, something my friend helped me truly appreciate for the first time. Take Lara Croft, for instance. Her physical appearance has varied throughout the years as she's appeared in video games, comics, live-action movies, and rebooted versions of all these things.

But she's always remained Lara Croft and only Lara Croft. A trailer for the latest Tomb Raider reboot proclaimed that we're all Lara Croft in some idealistic sense. But as much as I loved the new Tomb Raider , I didn't buy that tagline for a second. I like playing as Lara Croft, much in the same way I like playing as countless other heroes in games. These games are fun because they allow you to become a famous and superhuman character.

Zelda does that. But it also does something else, I'd argue. Something far more profound. The games don't just invite you to become Link. Link also becomes you. Every time one of the Zelda games prompt you to rename the famous hero, they're also inviting Link into a deeply personal inner sanctum of one's own fantasy. It's a tricky maneuver, and one I'm honestly not sure anyone else has achieved in video games. Part of me has to wonder if Nintendo would have even established the same pattern of allowing players to rename Link if they started making the series today.

In either case, the people behind Zelda have made a deliberate choice to keep the tradition alive. After all, why did Nintendo decided to name Link…well…Link in the first place? As it turns out, though, Nintendo has previously explained why Link is named Link, and the reason for his name reveals some surprising information about the evolution of the franchise itself.

Ad — content continues below. The game was to be set in both the past and the future, and as the main character would travel between both and be the link between them, they called him Link.

You've beaten Veran , but Twinrova's plans are not yet thwarted! All is well. I never go back on my word. I dub you Zora Hero and permit you to enter Jabu-Jabu. Don't let your friends grab the treasure, or you'll be left in the dark!

It's the Ordonian! Nice to see you again! It was about the messenger to the heavens who held the rod Her helmet can be found at the temple ruins soaked in the waters of Regencia River.

I'm not surprised. You have always been the true hero chosen by the Ocean King. Well then, please hand me the pure metals You want to leave through this door? Well, I can tell just by looking at you that you aren't adequately prepared.

There are all sorts of strange beasts on the other side of this door. It's not the kind of place you want to go without a sword! She made the spirit that resides in your sword to serve a single purpose: to assist her chosen hero on his mission.

The girl's presence has all but faded from this place, which means there's no reason to linger here. Good-bye, sky child. Run and play this time. Get in my way again, though, and you're dead. How about I add a model number to your name like my friends have got? This incarnation is known as the Hero of the Wild.

I don't know how he can sleep on such a nice day! It makes me want to sing a song Yes, the song is 'Ballad of the Wind Fish! You must be a nice guy! Must be! You must be! Please, Mr. Nice Guy! Without a fairy, you're not even a real man! That's a nice name, but How about That's the name Romani gives you. Tingle knows all, Mr. Rescue poor Tingle from this place, and take him to where you and your kind live in splendor! Oh, thank you so much, Mr.

This is our thanks to you! It's been passed down on our island for many years, so don't tell the island elder, OK? Please accept this Treasure Chart! Important Hero! Thanks for that business with the elder, Brother. Uh, look, Mr. Heavy, at any rate, neither the money nor the carving is here, so I can't repay you. I offer assistance! I can now detect Mistress Fi's thought waves, vrrt! From now on, I henceforth and hereby dub thee My Numero Uno Chum!! We'll be chums forever! Are you surprised?! The director of this laboratory is NOT Symin.

It's ME! Snappity snap! Do you remember any dreams from your time in the Slumber of Restoration? Well, no matter! I'm just happy you're still in one piece. What's with that look? You do still remember me, right? Boots spins her wheels on it, we'll grow closer And closer And then One day, to escape from the fires of the war, a Hylian mother and her baby boy entered this forbidden forest. The mother was gravely injured Her only choice was to entrust the child to the Deku Tree, the guardian spirit of the forest.

The Deku Tree could sense that this was a child of destiny, whose fate would affect the entire world, so he took him into the forest. After the mother passed away, the baby was raised as a Kokiri. And now, finally, the day of destiny has come! You've dedicated yourself to becoming a knight as well. Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero They are eternally bound to this curse. An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!

You should be able to gather the three pieces What is this? There, on your hand, the Triforce piece now dwells within you! It is the Triforce of Courage, proof that you are indeed the true hero. You have controlled the wind and crossed the seas, and here, near the end of your quest, the power of the gods has been bestowed upon you Surely, from this moment on, you shall be known as the Hero of Winds Accept this final challenge Look at your awakened form The green tunic that is your garb once belonged to the ancient hero chosen by the gods Yes, I will pass away soon But do not grieve for me I have been able to tell you of these important matters This is Hyrule's final hope Only one worthy of the title of "Hero of Time" can pull it from the Pedestal of Time However, you were too young to be the Hero of Time Therefore, your spirit was sealed here for seven years.

And now that you are old enough, the time has come for you to awaken as the Hero of Time! None of them recognized you with your grown-up body, did they? That's because the Kokiri never grow up! Even after seven years, they're still kids! They all become Stalfos. Are you going to become one Heh heh!

At last, I have eased my regrets. It is the day that you become the same age as the young hero spoken of in all the legends. Hero of Winds! Go forth! To Hyrule! To Zelda's side! It's a sharp blade made by your grandfather. She'd like to know if you'd join her at the festival. And while the two of you may be childhood friends, remember Zelda is the princess of Hyrule. This chest must hold that which I seek!

There was nothing in there but a rabble of monsters? The power that was gifted to the people of Hyrule still flows within the veins of the ladies of its royal family? If I leave you now, you'll only cause me trouble later. That will never do. To stone with you! They should be able to repair the broken blade and reforge the sword.

And you say that reforging the sacred blade can break his curse, eh? Well, then you have found yourself a companion, my boy! My name is Ezlo. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. At first glance, it appears to be a mere stump, yes? That stump is a portal used by people long ago to adjust their size! With my help, you can use it to shrink down to Minish size. And you've come here now hoping to have the blade reforged? Well, if that's what you're after, you'll need four mystic elements.

These elements are the crystalline forms of the energies of this world. Only by infusing the blade with these energies can a new blade be forged. You must go tell the elder at once! There, you will find a man named Melari. Among all the Minish, there is no one more able to repair your sword. If you ask him, I am certain he will reforge your broken Picori Blade.

This is where we can infuse your blade with the power of the elements Who's there?!? How did you get in here!? What are you doing?!? The golden light force of limitless magical power I want it!!! It is somewhere here in Hyrule! Go now, and bring me this power! Waste no time! Go forth at once, and bring me the light force! So that's what it means Ah ha ha haaaa Ezlo, you really are too kind. First, you gave me my magic cap , and then you guide me here!

I doubt she will be able to survive the extraction process We must hurry to the roof of Hyrule Castle! What is this madness? I have the power of a god! I have unstoppable might!!! How could I lose to a child?!? I knew you could do it!!