The Legend Of Zelda Spent Decades Refining Its Cast, But Got Link Right Immediately

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The Legend of Zelda is a hugely influential video game series, beloved by players worldwide. For forty years, fans have enjoyed playing as Link, rescuing Zelda from the evil Ganon. The original game established many of the elements that still define the series today. Although the stories, world-building, and gameplay have become more elaborate, the fundamental ways you play remain consistent with the classic Zelda experience.

From the start, the game got its main character right. Link, the hero of The Legend of Zelda, is a gaming icon, and the qualities that make him so popular were present from the very beginning. While it took time for other characters like Zelda and Ganon to become fully developed, Link had a relatable personality and enough general qualities to allow players to easily connect with and play as him. Throughout the series, from the first game to the latest, Link has consistently been a fantastic protagonist.

The Legend Of Zelda Had A Perfect Video Game Lead Since 1986

The Legend of Zelda series has consistently allowed Nintendo to try new things with game design and create immersive worlds, and a key part of that is its relatable main character, Link. Even from the very first game, Link has been designed as a character players can easily connect with – a mostly neutral figure who remains consistent across different games. While later versions of Link have some unique personality traits – like the more playful version in The Wind Waker or the Link with a deeper connection to Zelda in Breath of the Wild – he’s still fundamentally the same hero we first met. He’s brave, focused, and often underestimated, but his silence allows players to project their own personality and experiences onto his journey, making the adventure uniquely their own.

Early Zelda and Ganon weren’t as fleshed out as they would become in later games, but Link’s essential character has remained consistent since the start. Over time, Ganondorf evolved into a more complex and human villain, seen in games like Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, and Tears of the Kingdom. Zelda gradually developed a stronger personality, moving beyond her initial role as simply a reward for completing the first game. Games such as The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Skyward Sword truly expanded her character, and recent titles have established her as a hero in her own right. Hyrule Warriors successfully showed off Ganon’s personality without diminishing his menacing presence. Despite these changes, Link has stayed true to his core self, allowing players to easily step into his shoes. This approach began with the first game, which created a relatable hero – unique enough to be memorable, but open enough to appeal to a wide range of players.

Why Link Is The Ultimate Game Protagonist

The original Legend of Zelda immediately dropped players into a challenging world where skill with a sword was key to surviving and winning. The clever part was that you were Link – you directly controlled his journey into the unknown, embarking on a thrilling and perilous adventure. Link had just enough character to fit into the game’s world, but was open enough for any player to imagine themselves as him. He’s the perfect player avatar – possessing enough personality to motivate heroic actions and advance the story, but never overshadowing your own experience. Link rarely has a deep, personal story arc; instead, the game focuses on letting you experience the power of being the hero. The first Legend of Zelda exemplified this perfectly, prioritizing exploration, action, and adventure over a complicated plot.

Many games have built upon the original The Legend of Zelda’s gameplay over the years, adding their own twists and improvements. Yet, Link himself has consistently been a character players can easily connect with and project themselves onto – just as true in the first game as it is today. He’s the ideal hero for players to step into the shoes of, and that foundation was established from the very beginning. Shigeru Miyamoto and his team set out to create an adventure that felt like being a young boy bravely exploring the wilderness, and they succeeded. This resulted in a perfect, relatable hero that remains powerfully effective even after forty years.

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2026-02-22 20:12