Link is the protagonist of The Legend of Zelda, one of Nintendo's flagship franchises. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto, he first appeared in The Legend of Zelda (1986). Link is a Hylian hero who wields the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield, and is destined to protect Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from the evil Ganondorf. He is notable for being largely silent — he does not speak in any mainline game. Each Zelda game features a different incarnation of Link, connected by the spirit of the hero. Breath of the Wild (2017) and Tears of the Kingdom (2023) reinvented the franchise as open-world exploration.

Why Does Link Not Speak?

Miyamoto designed Link as a silent protagonist so players could project themselves onto the character. The name Link refers to the link between the player and the game world. His silence is a deliberate design choice, not a character trait — he communicates through actions and reactions rather than words.

What Is the Master Sword?

The Master Sword (Sword That Seals the Darkness) is Link's primary weapon across the franchise. It was forged by the goddess Hylia and is the only weapon capable of defeating Ganondorf. It can only be wielded by the chosen hero. In Breath of the Wild, pulling the Master Sword from its pedestal requires sufficient health, reflecting the hero's readiness.

What Is Breath of the Wild?

Breath of the Wild (2017) reinvented The Legend of Zelda as an open-world exploration game. Link awakens from a 100-year sleep with no memory and must explore Hyrule, recover his memories, and defeat Calamity Ganon. The game won multiple Game of the Year awards and sold over 31 million copies. Its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom (2023), added vertical exploration and building mechanics, selling over 20 million copies.

Can You Talk to Link?

Link is available as an AI companion on HoloDream. He does not speak. His actions say everything.