Link

"Heyah!"

- Link

Link is the main protagonist of the highly popular The Legend of Zelda series by Nintendo. Over the course of the series, many different incarnations of Link have existed, chosen by the Goddesses of Hyrule to protect the land from evil. Each incarnation of him bears the Triforce of Courage, and usually has to fight Ganon, and save Hyrule and its ruler, Princess Zelda. Being Nintendo's second most popular video game character after Mario, Link has had several crossover appearances with the Mario series.

Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up
Link's first appearance in the Mario series is the coloring game Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up. He first appears on the "Chef" page, where he is shown waiting for a pasta dish cooked by Mario. He later appear on the "Travel Guide" page, which depicts him owning a travelling agency. Several enemies from the Zelda series also make appearances in the other career pages.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (and Donkey Kong Land 2), Link is ranked third in Cranky Kong’s list of Video Game Heroes. Mario comes in first place, while Yoshi comes in second place. The heroes are ranked according to how many of Cranky's hidden DK Coins they have discovered while progressing through the levels and defeating Kaptain K. Rool. By collecting more DK Coins than he (19), Diddy Kong can knock Link off the leader board and become the #3 Video Game Hero of Donkey Kong Country 2/Donkey Kong Land 2.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
In Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, in one of the dialogue sequences, Bazaar the Bear states that Link visited his General Store the week before, asking who owns the castle in the northern part of the Northern Kremisphere. He didn't have enough Bear Coins, but Bazaar thought him nice enough that he accepted a payment of 500 rupees instead. After being told the information, Link left, grumbling about the seashells being the wrong shape (a nod to the Secret Seashell sidequest in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.) This easter egg was removed in the Game Boy Advance port.

F-1 Race
Link makes a guest appearance in the game, F-1 Race, alongside various other Nintendo All Stars (the other characters include Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Pit, and Samus Aran). In this appearance, he is one of the guest characters cheering on for the player prior to the fifth race course, as well as appearing in the ending credits to congratulate the player on their victory.

Captain Rainbow
Though Link himself doesn't make a direct appearance in Captain Rainbow, there is a Link cameo in the form of a portrait of him above Tracy's throne, next to a portrait of Mario. The Link picture is actually artwork from Twilight Princess. It is worth noting that Tracy is a character also from the Legend of Zelda series.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Link can be found taking a break from battling Ganon and actually resting at the Rose Town Inn. In fact, the Hylian hero is a heavy sleeper; he does not even awaken when spoken to (this is likely a nod to Link's constant portrayal as a silent protagonist). However, a strange but familiar melody can be heard whenever anyone tries to talk to the slumbering Link: the melody that plays when the player reveals a secret in the Zelda series.

Super Mario 3D World
In Super Mario 3D World, before the second Green Star in  Rainbow Run, if the player walks around in a secret area, he or she will uncover an 8-bit image of Link, hidden as an easter egg. A remix of the main theme to the Legend of Zelda will begin to play afterwards.

Club Nintendo
Link also makes several appearances in the Mario comic series of the German Club Nintendo magazine. He debuts in "Super Mario: Die Bescherung", celebrating a Christmas party in Mario and Luigi's house. His role in this story is minor, though he has a brief speaking part at the end, mistrusting the realness of Santa Claus.

In "Mario in Mariozilla", he is seen in the Empire State Building, studying a map together with Dr. Light, who lives there. Link's actual role is unknown, though it appears that he works as Light's assistant. He also comments on a "magic cap" Light gave to Mario in order to make him incognito - actually a simple paper bag pulled over his head - in the way that it "becomes" him.

Link, alongside Kirby, is Mario's ally in the comic "Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens". During the events of this story, he lives in a Brooklyn skyscraper and fights against Abigor and his demonic fellows who plan to take over the building. He does so by making use of a magic serum which turns him and his allies into aggressive ghostbusters. In this form, he has green skin, black armor and a fire sword.

Super Smash Bros.


Link appears in all four Super Smash Bros. games as a default character. In the first Super Smash Bros., he is the first character fought in single player mode, on Hyrule Castle. His appearance is based off his Ocarina of Time incarnation.

Super Smash Bros. Melee


In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Link is fought in the Underground Maze in Adventure Mode. He is fought many different times (wearing a different tunic each time) as fighters search for the Triforce to end the level.

Link's Bomb attack is not as strong as throwing the Bob-omb item, but can still do medium damage to the opponent. His Bow and Arrows, as well as his Boomerang, are his main long range attacks. At close range, Link can use the Master Sword to attack and the Hylian Shield to defend. He uses his Hookshot as grab move, which can be attached to the stage to prevent him from falling.

A younger version of Link, called Young Link, is also playable in Super Smash Bros. Melee, much in the same manner that Mario and Baby Mario often appear in the same game. Additionally, a doppelganger of Link, known as Dark Link, is a boss-type enemy that can be fought in the game during its Adventure mode. All three Links are based off their The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time appearance.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Link was also the first character to be announced for the new game Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Link's Final Smash is the Triforce Slash. His moveset has been altered to match his appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which gives him the Gale Boomerang as well as a chargeable Spin Attack. Link's grab move, the Clawshot, can be used as a Tether Recovery. Link has a new voice actor in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Akira Sasanuma, who voiced him in Twilight Princess. Dark Link is also in this game, as one of Link's Alternative Costumes. Toon Link, the Link incarnation from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, also appears in the game, with a similar moveset to Link's.

Role in the Subspace Emissary
While walking through a forest, Links finds the Master Sword. Taking it in hand, he meets up with Yoshi, forming an alliance. They later meet Mario and Pit, though under circumstances where Mario/Link defeats an evil copy of Zelda/Peach, leading to a fight. The two groups come to an understanding (and Kirby joins up as well) and unite as they see King Dedede driving off with Ness, Luigi, and the captured Princess.

They come to Dedede's base, only to find that Bowser has beaten them to it, taking the Princess off in his Koopa Clown Car. The team grows in size as they meet with Ike, Marth, Lucas, the Pokémon Trainer, and the Ice Climbers. The remaining heroes join them as they enter Subspace. Link is among the many that falls to Tabuu's Off Waves, only to be revived by Kirby. He and Zelda come across Ganondorf's trophy and revive him, forming a temporary alliance as everyone teams up to defeat Tabuu.

Solid Snake Codec Conversation

 * Snake: Otacon, who's the guy with the sword?
 * Otacon: That's Link. He's the hero of Hyrule. That blade in his hand is called the Master Sword, also known as the "Blade of Evil's Bane." He also has a whole arsenal of items at his disposal--bombs and arrows, a shield, a boomerang, and a Clawshot. He's a force to be reckoned with.
 * Snake: Gear is only useful when it's used at the right time and place. Just lugging a ton of it around doesn't do you any good.
 * Otacon: ...I, uh... I wouldn't be talking if I were you, Snake.
 * Snake: What's that supposed to mean?
 * Otacon: You tell me, Mr. Utility Belt.
 * Snake: ...

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Link will reappear in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U as a playable character along with Toon Link. He retains the design from his incarnation in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, albeit with a color scheme derived from his incarnation in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. He has been stated to have several buffs, including the ability to meteor smash with his down aerial attack. Link retains all of his special moves from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but he will receive several new variations of his special moves along with the other playable characters. Sakurai revealed on Miiverse that one of his palette swaps is based on his ordinary clothes from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Hookshot/Clawshot
The Hookshot is Link's grab move in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee. It is also Young Link's grab in Melee and Toon Link's in Brawl. In Melee, the size of the chain differs depending on the user but is otherwise identical. Both characters could use it as a last effort to return to the stage, like Samus's grapple beam; however, it doesn't automatically aim itself and can miss.

The move returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U as the Clawshot. For the game, the name and design have been changed to fit the Twilight Princess design of Link. This move can be used as a Tether Recovery. In contrast to the Hookshot of Super Smash Bros. Melee, the Clawshot automatically targets the nearest ledge when using it as a tether recovery; this avoids the targeting process of the Hookshot, which was deemed too difficult. Aside from its name, appearance and auto targeting, the move is unchanged from Link's version of the Hookshot.

Hero's Bow


Hero's Bow is a move used by Link and Toon Link in the Super Smash Bros. series. It first appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee, where it replaces the Boomerang as Link's standard special move. The attack is kept as one of Link's moves in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, under the name of Hero's Bow (based on The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess). Toon Link keeps Link's old Hero's Bow move, however. Hero's Bow can be used by Kirby as well, but only if he sucks up Link or Toon Link's powers. Young Link has a similar attack, the Fire Bow.

When the attack is used, Link pulls out a bow and arrow and starts aiming. The attack can be charged up by holding the button. This does not increase the power of the move, but the arrow is able to travel farther if the move is charged. Hero's Bow can be executed in mid-air as well, but doing so makes it harder to control the firing.

Boomerang


Boomerang is a special move performed by both Link and his younger counterpart, Young Link, and is used by Toon Link in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In Super Smash Bros., it is Link's Standard move. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, it has been replaced by the Bow as the Standard move and has become his Side  move. It is also Young Link's Side move in Melee. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Link's Boomerang is replaced by the Gale Boomerang, but the Boomerang returns as Toon Link's side special move. In the first Super Smash Bros. only, Kirby is able to use Boomerang if he sucks up Link's abilities.

Gale Boomerang


Gale Boomerang is one of Link's new Special Moves in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. It is Link's Side Special Move in the game. When used, he tosses the Gale Boomerang at the foe. This does minor damage, but can go very far, and can be curved very slightly. Upon return, however, if someone is hit, they get hit by a tiny tornado that comes from the Boomerang. This slightly moves the hit character towards Link. The Gale Boomerang replaces the Boomerang from Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Link's entrance to a battle is spinning around on a tornado that appears to be the one from the Gale Boomerang.

Spin Attack


Spin Attack is an attack that can be used by Link, Young Link and Toon Link in the Super Smash Bros. series. It is their Up Special Move. Link or Young Link spin around with their swords held out, severely damaging anyone who gets hit. The attack can also be used while jumping, acting as Link and Young Link's third jump. When an opponent is hit by Young Link's ground attack, the attack lasts longer. The attack returns as Link and Toon Link's Up Special Move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but this time, the move can be charged up for a stronger hit. This move, along with Donkey Kong's Spinning Kong move, acts different when on the ground. If used in the air, Link will be put into a helpless state once the move finishes.

Bomb


Bomb is Link's, Toon Link's and Young Link's Down Special Move. They pull out a Bomb with its fuse lit. They hold the Bomb until it is thrown. Once thrown, the Bomb either stays at the spot it was thrown to and explode a few moments later or explode on impact. The former is more common in Super Smash Bros. However, the Bomb explodes even if Link, Toon Link or Young Link are holding it for too long. Additionally, the two are unable to pick up items while holding the Bomb. Young Link and Toon Link can not throw their Bombs as far, and they do not cause as much damage, but they are able to run away from the explosion quicker. Toon Link's blast radius, however, is twice as big as Link's blast radius, and the Bombs are harder to see. When using this bomb however, the player must be careful not to get caught in the blast.

Although the Bombs do decent damage, their knockback is minor compared to the Bob-omb item. When Link has the item in his hand, waiting 5 seconds and then double jump and pressing Up causes the Bomb to explode, letting the player use Up  one more time, which useful for recovering but requires good timing.

Triforce Slash


The Triforce Slash is Link's and Toon Link's Final Smash move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. Once the Smash Ball is collected, the Triforce on Link's hand starts to glow. He then uses a Triforce to trap another player. He then slashes away furiously, severely injuring the player. The final blow is the strongest, and has a high chance of KO'ing an opponent. However, an opponent can survive, if they are lucky enough to land on solid ground. This attack is easily performed in mid-air as well. Toon Link's Final Smash is a slightly modified version of this move.

There are some differences between the Triforce attacks used by Link and Toon Link:


 * When Link hits with the Master Sword, it makes a slash sound, but when Toon Link swipes with his sword, it makes a 'slosh' sound.
 * Link can shoot from far away, and the Triforce will make contact, but with Toon Link, he has to be right next to an opponent.
 * The Triforce does not hurt foes when they are in the Triforce Slash target's launching range when Link fires, but when Toon Link fires, it does 10% damage.
 * Toon Link's triforce is smaller in appearance.
 * Link's Triforce is a light gold, while Toon Link's is a bit darker.

In The Legend of Zelda series, every Link gets a Triforce on the back of his left hand, except for in the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess where he has it on the back of his right hand. Sakurai mentions that for this Final Smash, Link releases the Triforce he has in his hand and traps his opponents inside of it. This move hasn't been seen in any Zelda game, however Puppet Zelda in Twilight Princess used the Triforce as an attack similar to this.

WarioWare series
Link appears in several WarioWare games. He usually is a playable character in 9-Volt's and 18-Volt's microgames.

WarioWare: Mega Microgame$!!
Link appears in the Legend of Zelda microgame, in which he appears in the first screen from the original Legend of Zelda game and must make his way into the cave.

WarioWare: Smooth Moves
In the Ocarina of Time microgame, Young Link must draw his sword from its pedestal. This turns him into Adult Link at Level 1, old Link (with a grey beard) at Level 2, and, at level 3, into a Cucco.

In the Wind Waker microgame, Toon Link must glide over the sea to a safe landing point, holding a deku leaf.

Mario Kart 8
Link will appear as a DLC character in Mario Kart 8, included in the first of two downloadable content packs to be released in November 2014. His appearance is based upon that of his incarnation in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Profile Information from Super Smash Bros.
''Link is the valiant boy hero of "The Legend of Zelda" series in which he fights against the evil Ganon 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!''

Trivia

 * Link's name appears on the scorechart of Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color.
 * Link, along with many other non-Mario Nintendo characters, was meant to appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, at the Starbeans Café. For more information, see the Toon Link page and the list of beta elements in the game.
 * Link appears in Nintendo Monopoly. He takes the place of Pennsylvania Avenue, and costs $320.
 * The Ghost of Present in the Club Nintendo comic "Warios Weihnachtsmärchen" resembles Link.
 * In the Club Nintendo comic "Super Mario: Die Verwandlung", Dr. Light constantly mistakes Mario for Link. One of these confusions also implies that Link has undergone an aesthetic surgery by Light.