Nintendo Heroes Are Still Mostly Mute – And I Prefer It That Way

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Nintendo has always stood out from other game companies, and one key reason is their frequent use of silent main characters. Many of their most famous heroes barely speak throughout the games, even though the story might suggest they do. For example, in Breath of the Wild, Link communicates during cutscenes, but the game never actually shows or tells us what he says, leaving it up to the player’s imagination.

Today’s gamers might find it odd that classic characters like Mario don’t speak in their games. With realistic motion-capture technology now common, it feels unusual for these iconic figures to remain silent, especially since they often have voices in movies and other adaptations. But this silence is actually a valuable part of their appeal, and I believe it’s a major reason why these characters remain so popular with a wide audience.

Should Nintendo Characters Still Be Silent?

For many years, Nintendo’s main characters haven’t spoken, and it looks like that won’t change anytime soon. In the beginning of video games, characters like Mario, Link, and Samus were silent because the technology didn’t allow for much dialogue. Nintendo wanted players to jump right into the action and didn’t want to waste limited space on character voices. Instead, they focused on creating interesting worlds and perfecting how the games played, which proved to be a better approach. Even as technology improved, Nintendo continued to keep its heroes silent.

Many of Nintendo’s most famous characters, unlike those in games like Star Fox or Fire Emblem, haven’t traditionally said much. Even in The Legend of Zelda, while Zelda and Ganondorf have lengthy speeches, Link rarely speaks. Some players have expressed frustration with this, feeling it makes Nintendo’s heroes seem outdated compared to modern protagonists. While there’s some truth to that, Nintendo hasn’t shown any signs of changing this approach, as recent popular games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4 also feature mostly silent main characters. This silence actually gives Nintendo characters a unique quality that sets them apart, and it can also improve storytelling and make the games appeal to a wider range of players.

Why Nintendo Characters Being Mute Works In Their Favor

Nintendo characters are designed to be enjoyed by everyone, especially families and younger players. The company has always been known for creating characters that are expressive and relatable, even without speaking. This makes them instantly recognizable and easy to connect with, no matter a player’s age or experience. Nintendo prioritizes clear and simple character designs, allowing players to easily understand and imagine themselves in the game. Too much dialogue could limit a character’s appeal and disrupt the sense of wonder that Nintendo games aim to create. By keeping characters largely silent, Nintendo invites players to share in the adventure and experience the game’s discoveries alongside them.

This design choice also affects how stories are told in games, requiring character personalities to be shown through movement and actions instead of excessive dialogue. This helps players feel more connected to their character. Too much talking can be distracting and interfere with how players imagine their own version of the character. Nintendo, for example, deliberately leaves room for players to interpret and add their own personality to a character, while still maintaining the character’s core identity through their physical presence, story moments, and visual storytelling. This approach avoids issues with localization or translation. It’s similar to how silent film star Charlie Chaplin defended silent movies when sound was introduced – he believed that physical expression was a powerful and universal storytelling tool that could be lost with spoken dialogue.

Nintendo games excel at showing character development through actions and movement, rather than lengthy dialogue. This approach keeps characters relatable while still allowing for clear personalities and growth. For example, seeing Luigi overcome his fear in Luigi’s Mansion is a subtle but satisfying experience. Similarly, characters like Samus and Link communicate volumes through their body language and actions, even without extensive conversations. Despite remaining largely silent for decades, Nintendo’s characters are actually enhanced by this understated approach.

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2026-01-01 20:21