Summary
- Link has appeared in various Zelda games, from rescuing Princess Zelda to battling enemies like Ganon and Vaati.
- Apart from mainline quests, Link has featured in spin-off games like Link’s Crossbow Training and Hyrule Warriors.
- Link has made guest appearances in non-Nintendo franchises, such as SoulCalibur 2 and Sonic Lost World, showcasing his iconic status.
Link might not say much, but his legacy speaks volumes. For nearly four decades, the green-clad Hero of Hyrule has wielded more than just a sword and shield; he’s also become one of gaming’s most recognizable icons. Link’s adventures aren’t just limited to his mainline quest to rescue Princess Zelda or battle Ganon. Nintendo’s silent protagonist has popped up in unexpected places; he’s slayed dungeons with friends, raced karts, solved puzzles, and even traded blows with Mario and Pikachu.
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Whether he’s the lone swordsman or part of a team, playable or waving from the sidelines, Link has proven to be the hero who always shows up, sometimes even in places players least expect. For everyone who’s ever loved playing the Silent Hero, here’s the definitive list of every game Link has ever shown up in.
Mainline Zelda Games
|
Game |
Release Date |
Original Console |
Story & Link's Role |
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Feb 21, 1986 |
NES |
Hyrule is invaded by Ganon’s forces, and Link has to collect the 8 fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom to save the Kingdom and rescue Princess Zelda. |
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Jan 14, 1987 |
NES |
Link embarks on a journey to awaken Princess Zelda from a sleeping spell, restoring the Triforce of Courage and facing his shadow in the Great Palace. |
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Nov 21, 1991 |
SNES |
Link travels between Light and Dark Worlds, claiming the Master Sword and rescuing Princess Zelda and the Seven Sages from Agahnim and Ganon. |
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Jun 6, 1993 |
Game Boy |
Shipwrecked on Koholint Island, Link collects magical instruments to awaken the Wind Fish and escape (Remade for Switch in 2019). |
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Dec 12, 1998 |
Game Boy Color |
An enhanced re-release of Link’s Awakening, adding color graphics and a bonus dungeon, but keeping Link’s quest to awaken the Wind Fish intact. |
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Nov 21, 1998 |
Nintendo 64 |
Link becomes the Hero of Time, travels between childhood and adulthood, stops Ganondorf, and rescues Zelda using the Ocarina of Time (Remade as Ocarina of Time 3D in 2011). |
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Apr 27, 2000 |
Nintendo 64 |
Link has 72 hours to prevent the moon from crashing into Termina, using masks to transform and reset time (Remade as Majora’s Mask 3D in 2015). |
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Feb 27, 2001 |
Game Boy Color |
In the land of Labrynna, Link uses the Harp of Ages to travel through time and rescue Nayru from the sorceress Veran. |
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Feb 27, 2001 |
Game Boy Color |
Link restores the disrupted seasons in Holodrum and rescues Din from General Onox, using the Rod of Seasons to change the environment. |
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Dec 2, 2002 |
Game Boy Advance |
Link is split into four copies by the Four Sword, working together (through multiplayer) to rescue Zelda from Vaati. |
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Dec 13, 2002 |
GameCube |
As the Hero of Winds, Link sails the Great Sea to rescue his sister, master the Wind Waker, and stop Ganondorf (Remastered as Wind Waker HD in 2013). |
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Mar 18, 2004 |
GameCube |
Link is split into four by the Four Sword, battling Shadow Link and Vaati in a cooperative quest to save Hyrule. |
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Nov 4, 2004 |
Game Boy Advance |
Link teams up with Ezlo, shrinks to Minish size, and forges the Picori Blade to stop Vaati and save Princess Zelda. |
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Nov 19, 2006 |
GameCube, Wii |
Link transforms into a wolf, partners with Midna, and battles Zant and Ganondorf to restore light to Hyrule (Remastered as Twilight Princess HD in 2016). |
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Jun 23, 2007 |
Nintendo DS |
Link sets sail with Captain Linebeck, using the Phantom Hourglass to rescue Tetra from the Ghost Ship and defeat Bellum. |
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Dec 7, 2009 |
Nintendo DS |
As a railroad engineer, Link teams up with Zelda’s spirit to defeat Malladus, drive magical trains, and restore the Spirit Tracks. |
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Nov 18, 2011 |
Wii |
The origin story of the Master Sword; Link descends from Skyloft to rescue Zelda and forge the legendary blade (Remade as Skyward Sword HD in 2021). |
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Nov 22, 2013 |
Nintendo 3DS |
Link gains the power to merge with walls and travels between Hyrule and Lorule, rescuing Zelda and the Seven Sages from Yuga. |
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Oct 22, 2015 |
Nintendo 3DS |
Three Links join forces (solo or in multiplayer) to save Princess Styla in Hytopia, stacking up into totem formations and donning outfits with special powers. |
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Mar 3, 2017 |
Wii U, Switch |
After a 100-year slumber, Link awakens in a ruined Hyrule, regains his memories, frees the Divine Beasts, and defeats Calamity Ganon. |
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May 12, 2023 |
Switch |
Link explores new Sky Islands and The Depths, gains Zonai arm powers, and battles the resurrected Demon King Ganondorf to save Zelda and Hyrule. |
Spin-Off Zelda Games
|
Game |
Release Date |
Original Console |
Story & Link’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zelda (Game & Watch) |
Aug 26, 1989 |
Game & Watch |
Link dives into dungeons, defeats dragons, and rescues Zelda in this LCD handheld adventure. |
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Oct 10, 1993 |
Philips CD-i |
Link journeys to Koridai, defeating Ganon and his minions to rescue Zelda in an animated side-scrolling adventure. |
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Oct 10, 1993 |
Philips CD-i |
Link is a captive in Gamelon, and Zelda sets out to rescue him from Ganon. Link appears in cutscenes after being saved. |
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Jun 5, 1994 |
Philips CD-i |
Link is again the captive, with Zelda as the protagonist who braves Tolemac to save him from Ganon. |
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Nov 19, 2007 |
Wii |
Link hones his marksmanship in a shooting gallery, fighting monsters and targets post-Twilight Princess. |
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Aug 14, 2014 |
Wii U, |
Link leads Hyrule’s forces in large-scale Musou battles, uniting warriors from across timelines to defeat Cia and Ganondorf. |
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Mar 31, 2016 |
Nintendo 3DS |
Link is the subject of Picross puzzles; players reveal Twilight Princess artwork by solving nonograms. |
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Jun 13, 2019 |
Switch |
Link dances and battles to the beat, teaming up with Zelda and Cadence to defeat Octavo and Ganon in this rhythmic roguelike. |
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Nov 20, 2020 |
Switch |
Link is Zelda’s appointed knight, leading troops and battling Calamity Ganon’s forces in an alternate take on Hyrule’s Great Calamity. |
Nintendo Crossover Games
|
Game |
Release Date |
Original Console |
Story & Link’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jan 21, 1999 |
N64, GC, Wii, 3DS, Wii U, Switch |
Link is a central playable fighter in every Smash Bros. Game, wielding his sword, bombs, and boomerang against Nintendo’s best. Later entries add Young Link, Toon Link, and Breath of the Wild Link. |
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May 29, 2014 |
Wii U, Switch |
Link joins the kart-racing mayhem, riding the Master Cycle and racing on Hyrule-themed tracks alongside Mario and friends. |
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Sep 10, 2015 |
Wii U, Switch |
Link makes his debut as a whimsical costume for Mario. When players collect the Mystery Mushroom in Super Mario Bros. 8-bit style levels, Mario transforms into Link. |
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Jun 28, 2019 |
Wii U, Switch |
Link appears as a fully playable 8-bit character (with sword, shield, and bombs) in Super Mario Maker 2. |
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Nov 18, 2012 |
Wii U |
In “Battle Quest,” players’ Miis dress as Link to fight enemies with swords and bows in a theme-park-style Zelda attraction. |
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Apr 20, 2006 |
Nintendo DS |
Link appears in a special Zelda-themed Mission Mode, helping clear dungeons or celebrating on victory screens as an 8-bit cameo. |
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2003–present |
GBA, DS, Wii, 3DS, Switch |
Link stars in microgames: walk into a cave, deflect rocks, or swing a sword. These cameos are scattered throughout the series. |
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Nov 21, 1995 |
SNES |
Link pops up on the “Video Game Heroes” podium in a fun cameo, showing Nintendo’s sense of humor. |
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May 13, 1996 |
SNES |
Link is found sleeping at an inn. An unmissable Easter Egg complete with the iconic Zelda jingle. |
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Link As A Guest Character (Non-Nintendo Franchises)
|
Game |
Release Date |
Original Console |
Story & Link’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
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Aug 27, 2003 |
GameCube |
Link enters Namco’s fighting game, wielding the Master Sword and Hylian Shield with classic moves and alternate weapons. |
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Mar 27, 2014 |
Wii U |
Sonic wears Link’s tunic and meets Link riding his Loftwing, with Zelda music and themed enemies. Link waves from above in a cameo. |
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Nov 18, 2012 |
Wii U |
Players can summon Link as an object; he’ll use his sword and shield and fight enemies, appearing in full “Toon Link” style. |
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