Why is Link left handed in Zelda?

Why is Link Left Handed in Zelda?

Throughout the Legend of Zelda series, Link’s handedness has been a topic of intrigue and curiosity among fans. Link was originally left-handed, starting from the early games in the franchise. But why is that?

The Legend of Zelda Connection

In an interview with Game Informer, Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Link, revealed that Link’s right-handedness was changed to left-handedness to better suit the motion controls of the Wii Remote controller. LTTP (Link’s Awakening): Twilight Princess, released in 2006, was the first game that showcased Link as a lefty. This change allowed players to more effortlessly use the Wii Remote to control their character.

Left-Handedness in the Games

Over the years, Link’s handedness has been consistent across most games in the Zelda series. Breath of the Wild (2017) and Triforce of the Godesses (2002) are notable examples that feature Link wielding his sword in his left hand. Even in modern games like Skyward Sword (2011) and BoTW (2022), Link remains a left-hander.

What Does This Tell Us?

By analyzing this trend, we can deduce that Eiji Aonuma’s team, who worked under Shigeru Miyamoto, continued to maintain Link’s left-handedness over the years. This suggests that developers have intentionally made Link left-handed to create a unique identity within the franchise.

Conclusion

While there may not be an explicit motivation behind Link’s left-handedness in The Legend of Zelda, developers have consistently made him ambidextrous. Additionally, the change in handedness from right-handed to left-handed happened to accommodate the Wii Remote controller more effectively. Left-handed-ness has become a defining attribute of Link’s character.