Who is the Youngest Link in The Legend of Zelda?
The Legend of Zelda series has been a beloved franchise for decades, with numerous games, spin-offs, and characters. One of the most iconic characters in the series is Link, the brave warrior who is often tasked with saving the kingdom of Hyrule. While Link is known for his bravery and skill with the Master Sword, not many people know about the various incarnations of Link across different games. In this article, we’ll delve into the question: Who is the youngest Link in The Legend of Zelda?
Direct Answer:
The youngest Link in The Legend of Zelda is 10-year-old Link from the original Legend of Zelda game (1986).
Why 10-year-old Link?
Hyrule Historia, the official timeline book for The Legend of Zelda series, reveals that Link in the first game is indeed 10 years old. This information might come as a surprise to some fans, as the original game does not explicitly state Link’s age.
What Other Incarnations of Link Exist?
Before we dive into the reasons why Link might be younger or older than 10 years old in different games, let’s take a look at some of the notable incarnations of Link across the series:
- Link’s Awakening: In this 1993 Game Boy game, Link is often referred to as the "boy who can be anywhere".
- Ocarina of Time: This 1998 game is infamous for its complicated timeline, but according to Hyrule Historia, adult Link is around 16-17 years old. In the child version of Ocarina of Time, Link is younger, likely around 8-9 years old.
- The Wind Waker: This 2003 game takes place many years after the events of Ocarina of Time, and its young protagonist Link is around 8-9 years old.
Reasons Why Link’s Age May Vary
While 10-year-old Link might be the youngest in the series, there are reasons why other incarnations of Link might be older or younger:
- Different Dimensions or Timelines: Some games might take place in alternate dimensions or timelines, where Link’s age would naturally be different.
- In-Game Timeline: As mentioned earlier, the series has a complicated timeline. Events might take place concurrently or at different points in time, making Link’s age change across different games.
- Development Choices: Developers might have made conscious choices to age up or down Link to better suit the game’s narrative or design.
Ages of Other Link Characters
To summarize, here’s a rough breakdown of the ages of some notable Link characters:
| Game | Age of Link |
|---|---|
| Original Zelda (1986) | 10 years old |
| Ocarina of Time (1998) | Adult: 16-17 years old; Child: 8-9 years old |
| Link’s Awakening (1993) | Unspecified |
| The Wind Waker (2003) | 8-9 years old |
Conclusion
The youngest Link in The Legend of Zelda series is 10-year-old Link from the original Legend of Zelda game. However, his age changes across different games due to various reasons, including different dimensions or timelines, in-game timelines, and development choices. We hope this article has helped clarify the age of our beloved hero Link.