Hero of Time

The Hero of Time is the legendary title given to the who appears in the critically acclaimed Nintendo 64 games , , and later in as the . Link is bestowed this title upon awakening from his seven-year slumber after retrieving the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time. By traveling through time to awaken the Six Sages and stop the King of Evil Ganon from conquering Hyrule, the Hero of Time's tale becomes a legend that is passed down through many generations, proving to be of great relevance to both the Mythology in the franchise as well as the timeline in which the games take place. According to the offical timeline of The Legend of Zelda series, the Links from Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker, known as the Hero of Twilight and the Hero of Winds, respectively, are his successors, with the former being his descendant as well. The Hero of Time's predecessors are the incarnations from Skyward Sword, The Minish Cap and Four Swords, the former being the Legendary Hero himself. The Hero of Legend from A Link to the Past would be his potential successor if Ganon ultimately defeated the Hero of Time. 
==Biography==
===The Rise of the Hero of Time===
In the earliest days of his life, the Hero of Time grew up in the Kokiri Forest believing that he was a Kokiri, but in reality he was an orphaned Hylian, due to his dying mother left him under the guardianship of the Great Deku Tree as a baby during the Hyrulean Civil War. Because the Hero of Time was not a Kokiri despite being raised as such, Link did not possess a Fairy companion, which led to him being ostracized by the majority of the Kokiri tribe, with the exception of his close friend Saria and the Deku Tree. He himself had been plagued with ominous nightmares about a princess on horseback fleeing from a wicked man dressed in black. One day, the Hero of Time was bestowed with a Fairy named Navi by the Great Deku Tree to help guide him on his grand quest to save Hyrule. At the beginning his adventure, Link managed to save the Great Deku Tree from a dangerous parasite inside and earning the Kokiri's Emerald, the first of three Spiritual Stones. But, despite Link's brave efforts, the Kokiri Forest guardian was already doomed by the man in black's curse and ultimately dies as a result after the Deku Tree tells his destiny to meet the princess of Hyrule, Princess Zelda, and save the land as the chosen hero, in which he must leave the forest. 
In the land of Hyrule, with a little bit of help by a rancher girl named Malon, upon meeting Zelda inside the courtyard of Hyrule Castle (who also shares the dreams of the man in black and even had a vision of Link) for the first time, she tells Link the legends that speak of the Triforce, the omnipotent mythical Golden Power said to reside in the Sacred Realm which has the powerful ability to grant any wishes of whoever touches it, whether it is good or bad. Ganondorf, the King of the Gerudo tribe, aware of his advantage of the Triforce not being able to discriminate against evil, schemes to enter the Sacred Realm to claim the Triforce himself, and thus rule the world.Although Zelda had told her father, the King of Hyrule, about her dark dreams and Ganondorf's likely betrayal, he doesn't believe the princess' important warning. Link even sees the evil man through the window Zelda herself was looking at, swearing "allegiance" to the King (despite Ganondorf himself soon spotting him). With them being the only ones in the kingdom knowing the villain's plan, the duo agreed to stop him and save Hyrule with all their power. Just before leaving the castle and resumes his quest, Link met Zelda's attendant and personal bodyguard Impa, one of the last surviving members of the Sheikah tribe, who escorts him back to Hyrule Field safely. 
However, with the unwitting assistance of a young courageous boy named Link and Hyrule's Princess Zelda, after the former collects the remaining Spiritual Stones - the Goron's Ruby and Zora's Sapphire, and meeting more new friends along the way such as Darunia and Princess Ruto after solving their troubles within Dodongo's Cavern and Jabu-Jabu's Belly, respectively, Ganondorf attacked Hyrule Castle, with the young princess escaping on horseback with Impa - exactly like in his earlier nightmare. But Zelda herself notices Link, and, in a desperate move, throws the Ocarina of Time toward him as she entrusts him to finish his duty of protecting the Sacred Realm. Link then meets Ganondorf in person and although the boy boldly tries to challenge him by drawing his weapons, he was no match for the Gerudo King, as he knocks Link to the ground with a blast of magic energy, and then Ganondorf seemingly chases after Zelda and Impa again. After looking on in frustration, Link soon enters the Temple of Time to open the Door of Time using the Spiritual Stones, which inside lies the Master Sword, a legendary weapon with the power to repel evil. What the young hero or Princess Zelda does not know, however, was that Ganondorf had been following him as he entered the Temple, as he quickly realized Link has the Royal Family's Ocarina given by Zelda. When Link retrieves the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time, he was suddenly sealed by the blade without warning, as he was too young of age to bear the title as the "Hero of Time". In addition, the Sacred Realm was opened as Link pulled the Master Sword, as it is also one of the keys to the secret place like the Ocarina of Time. Consequently, as the magical seal is beyond his control, he helplessly watches Ganondorf entering the Realm (before mocking the hero for letting him reach his ultimate goal), touches the Triforce, and expresses his vile wish to conquer Hyrule. 
Although the King of Thieves was successful at reaching the Sacred Triangle thanks to his smart thinking and things are not going according to plan for Link and Zelda, their mission of stopping and defeating him did not entirely fail, however; Because Ganondorf's heart was not in balance due to his wickedness, the Triforce itself separated into three component parts upon being touched by the Gerudo leader, leaving him with only the blessing of the Golden Goddesses he believed to be the most important, the Triforce of Power (Din), and transforming the Sacred Realm into a corrupt world of evil. The remaining pieces are given to two special individuals chosen by destiny; Therefore, the Triforce of Wisdom was then bestowed upon Princess Zelda and the Triforce of Courage upon Link, respectively, granting themselves untold sources of mystical abilities by the essence of Nayru and Farore as well (although Zelda and Link were not quite aware of their newfound crests until much later). Even though his strength became god-like by the one Triforce piece he ultimately acquired, Ganondorf was not satisfied with just Power alone and is determined to search and steal the other two from Zelda and Link in order to gain complete control of the world and truly become invincible. Link himself was then put into suspended animation within the Chamber of Sages for seven years until he matured enough to properly handle the Blade of Evil's Bane. Meanwhile, throughout this near-decade gap in time, with the young hero being absent and Hyrule Castle now defenseless, Ganondorf used the Triforce of Power to take over the kingdom, likely murdering the King of Hyrule in the process, and become its new king, transforming the entire world into a dark age and forcing Zelda into hiding as a member of the Sheikah named Sheik, patiently waiting for the hero's late return. 
=== The Legend of the Hero of Time ===
Now a young adult, Link eventually awakens as the Hero of Time while Rauru, the Sage of Light, explains to him what had happened during his long sleep and he must prove himself worthy of his new title. Using the Master Sword and the Ocarina of Time plus instructions by Sheik, Link travels through time and across Hyrule to seek the Six Sages (most of which revealed to be his childhood friends), who were said to have the power to bind Ganondorf and return peace to Hyrule.In addition, they also grant the young man some of their own power in the form of Medallions. When all Sages are at last awakened after destroying various dangerous monsters within six different Temples, including Ganondorf's surrogate mother Twinrova and even his own evil shadow at one point, he returns back to the Temple of Time, where Sheik tells Link about the meaning of the Triforce and why it split, who are the three bearers, and ultimately reveals himself using the Triforce of Wisdom to be Princess Zelda in disguise (who is also revealed to be the seventh Sage and their leader). The princess is pleased to see her invaluable partner in person after 7 years and tells Link her ultimate plan to seal Ganondorf to the Evil Realm, but she needs help from his exemplary courage, once more. She then gives him the powerful Light Arrows, as these special weapons of light can penetrate the Evil King's defenses. But their reunion was cut short when Ganondorf himself, who have been waiting for such a time to come of Zelda fully exposing herself to Link, suddenly captures her in a magic crystal, and the Evil King tells his adversary to enter his castle, known as Ganon's Castle, where Hyrule's formerly stood, for a final showdown if he wishes to rescue the princess, laughing wickedly.
With the assistance of the Six Sages, Link was able to storm the stronghold via a colorful metallic bridge, dispel six powerful elemental barriers (possibly freeing the Sages themselves) with the Light Arrows, and challenge Ganondorf the Evil King at the inner sanctum once and for all. Upon reaching the throne room at the top of the tower where Ganondorf himself is waiting (playing his theme song on a pipe organ in the process) and Princess Zelda held hostage above, all three of their respective Triforce pieces begin to resonate and attempt to become whole again, much to Link and Zelda's surprise. A one-on-one duel between Link and Ganondorf engages soon after. But, the Evil King, despite his great strength, was gravely injured by Link, to the point he even vomits blood. In disbelief that he himself would be bested by the "kid" who is now the Hero of Time, in a burst of anger and frustration, Ganondorf obliterates the ceiling of the tower, though Link remains completely unscathed likely from the Triforce of Courage protecting the hero, before collapsing face down to the ground, apparently dead. Princess Zelda is now freed from her crystal prison.
But, then, as Zelda begins to feel pity about Ganondorf not being able to properly control the powers of the gods due to his evil heart, the tower suddenly begins to crumble, as Ganondorf himself intentionally uses his power to make his own castle collapse in order to kill his foes under the rubble. Link and Zelda manage to escape and watch the entire keep falling before their very eyes. When the destruction is over, the duo believe they are finally victorious. However, a loud bang is heard, and they realize something was very wrong. As the Hero of Time defends the princess and bravely begins to investigate at what caused the noise, with no warning, a fiery barrier traps Zelda again, and then, Ganondorf, still alive, rises out of the ruins of his now-destroyed castle. Link aggressively draws the Master Sword toward him in a threatening display, daring his archenemy to challenge the hero again, since he just beaten him before. Furious and filled with hatred for Link, Ganondorf takes the dare and unleashes the Triforce of Power to the fullest extent, transforming himself into a huge and vicious boar-like demon, which is none other than his true form - Ganon. Armed with two gigantic golden swords, the monster catches Link off-guard (due to his and Zelda's shock by the grotesque transformation) and temporarily knocks the Master Sword out of his hands, forcing the Hero of Time to fight the villain once more in a dramatic, intense battle to the death, more dangerous than anything he has ever faced before, as the fate of Hyrule is now at stake. Ganon himself is unimaginably powerful and his body appears to be indestructible due to the essence of the Goddess Din bestowed upon him, but, Link miraculously finds his Achilles' heel: the tail. With the full combined might of Link's raw skills, the Master Sword, Light Arrows, the Triforce of Courage, and the aid of the Seven Sages and Navi, the Hero of Time eventually manages to weaken Ganon, causing the deadly beast to collapse in pain and the fire barrier to disappear.
Taking her opportunity, Princess Zelda uses her powers to hold Ganon down as she commands the hero to deliver the final blow, but her energy didn't last very long, however. The Master Sword then suddenly glows at its full power. Link, ready to put his archnemesis to sleep for good as he himself is filled with righteous hatred for the monster just as much as Ganon has for him, ultimately slashes the Demon King's face three times, then, in a rather nasty move, furiously thrusts the Master Sword straight into his mouth (with blood spilled yet again), resulting in Ganon, not killed by the seemingly lethal attack, somehow, gets back up roaring and flailing about in agony (likely due to the max-powered Triforce of Power making him able to survive in spite of the legendary blade's ability to vanquish evil). Nevertheless, as the villain is mortally wounded a second time, this gave Zelda and the Six Sages the chance they desperately needed to finally bind Ganon and throw him back into the void of the Evil Realm, thus ending the Evil King's seven year reign over Hyrule. Defeated at last by Link's hand, the King of Evil, reverted back to his human form with the Triforce of Power still in his hand, and in a fit of rage and complete shock, threatens the Hero of Time, Princess Zelda, and the Sages he will return one day to exterminate their descendants to make them all pay for his ultimate defeat and imprisonment once the seal is broken (foreshadowing the events of The Wind Waker).
With Hyrule now finally at peace, while saying their goodbyes, Princess Zelda uses her power as a Sage with the Ocarina of Time and Triforce of Wisdom to send the Hero of Time back to his original age via seven years into the past in order to regain his lost childhood, as compensation for his heroic role of taking down Ganondorf, and, with guilt, claiming the tragedy that had befallen Hyrule was merely her own mistakes as a child and dragged Link into the ordeal. Through her instructions, the Master Sword is also left in the hero's wake, being returned to its pedestal in turn, sealing the Sacred Realm entirely and therefore closing the road between times. With this act by the princess in the future, the Hero of Time vanishes completely from this branch of Hyrule's history, leaving only his legend behind, as she unknowingly split the present timeline into two and thus created new history, called the Child and Adult Timeline - the latter being the actual universe where all of Ocarina of Time's events were unfolded, and Link is heading to the former, therefore marking the beginning of the Hero of Time's downfall. With him being sent back to his childhood by Zelda, the Triforce of Courage in this particular timeline also shatters into multiple fragments and are scattered throughout the land, which would be found again one day by another Hero that would have need of its power at his own adventure.
===The Hero of Time's Terrible Fate===
Now back to his original time permanently, in the alternate Child Timeline, Link's trusted Fairy companion, Navi, with her mission completed, suddenly flies away and utterly leaves him without a word to spare. With the memory of his adventure still intact, the Hero of Time returns to the Hyrule Castle Courtyard, and warns Princess Zelda and the King of Hyrule about Ganondorf's conspiracy and what the "future" would unfold if the Gerudo King was not immediately stopped, in order to prevent the previous events from ever occurring again, as he's well-aware of their archenemy's coming assault, and using the Triforce of Courage remaining in his hand as evidence. He gains the Royal Family's trust and stayed in the castle for a short while. After Link tells Zelda he must leave for a secret and personal journey, the princess entrusts Link with the , this time in person, and instructs him to head far away, to completely thwart Ganondorf from entering the Sacred Realm and have himself ultimately imprisoned (and eventually sentenced to death in the events of Twilight Princess) by the King. After saying goodbye (again), the young hero then departs from Hyrule, riding on his horse Epona with the magical Ocarina in hand to seek for his missing fairy friend. Upon Link's departure from the kingdom, however, the Triforce of Courage in this branch of the timeline, due to himself being separated from the "elements that made him a hero", ultimately vanishes from the Hero of Time's hand, therefore losing the great mystical powers bestowed upon him by the essence of the Goddess Farore.
No longer protected by the power of the Triforce and months later in the process, in a distant forest at the very outskirts of Hyrule, the Hero of Time was suddenly ambushed and stumbles into a parallel universe known as Termina, which was being threatened to be destroyed by its sinister Moon in three days, by the Skull Kid, under possession of a powerful evil entity called Majora's Mask. He was then instructed by the mysterious Happy Mask Saleman (who apparently knows him from Hyrule) to take the ancient mask from the Skull Kid as soon as possible, resulting in Link forced to put his search for Navi on hold and do another adventure within this strange Hyrule-like world, which turned out be even darker than the last. With the aid of the Ocarina of Time to travel through time once again, transforming Masks in the form of a Deku Scrub, Goron, and Zora, a new tomboyish fairy partner named Tatl, and the Four Giants upon saving them from capture by the forces of evil within four Temples, Link overcomes many tough obstacles as well as helping many people across the land through their own troubles (earning many regular masks doing so) like he did before at Hyrule. He even regains a few of his older items such as the Lens of Truth, the magic Arrows, including Light, once more at one point. Very late in his second quest, the young Hero of Time also obtains a mysterious transformation mask resembling his adult self's face, which such rare item's dark powers are said to be just as dangerous as Majora's Mask itself. This particular mask is none other than the notorious Fierce Deity's Mask, which would prove especially useful for Link in the final battle...
In the eventual final showdown against Majora's Mask (which took in three increasingly more powerful forms), taking place inside the Moon, Link defeats Majora in a harsh battle with the tremendous strength of his ferocious Fierce Deity form, ultimately destroying the wicked monster and the Moon itself, and saves Termina from its imminent destruction. The now-freed Skull Kid gave thanks and seemingly recognized him as the one who taught him "that song" in the Lost Woods. Soon after, he part ways with Tatl and leaves the land to resume his original quest of searching for Navi, though he eventually notices a tree stump in a band of light in the same place where he was originally ambushed, showing a drawing of himself, Skull Kid, Tatl, Tael, and the Four Giants waving, by the Skull Kid himself as a remembrance. However, as soon as Link left Termina and seemingly returns back to Hyrule, the universe itself ceases to exist due to Majora's ultimate defeat, causing the young hero's history of rescuing this place to erase entirely - just like in the end of his previous adventure in Hyrule after defeating Ganondorf. Consequently, the Hero of Time is once again back to square one, with no lasting evidence of himself saving either world. At this point, Link's future whereabouts and activities are unknown.
=== A Legendary Hero Who Never Was ===
Despite he indeed rescued his homeland as well as Termina from certain doom and his legend forever lives on in the Adult Timeline, unfortunately, as the Hero of Time now lives in the Child Timeline - a completely different universe with his title being non-existent and virtually all of his friends were lost, and he is unable to return back to the other where he belongs due to the Sacred Realm being completely sealed, thus forever trapped in this alternate dimension, as time went on, Link continued to lament the fact that he was not remembered as a hero at all after he was returned to his original time against his will by Princess Zelda immediately after defeating Ganon in the events of Ocarina of Time - a questionable decision in spite of her good intentions - and his great heroic achievements were tragically unrecognized to the world even after warning the Royal Family and stopping Ganondorf entirely (and his act of getting the Gerudo warlock executed was in vain when the villain survived due to the Triforce of Power and then cast into the Twilight Realm). In addition, he never found Navi after the events of Majora's Mask, a beloved friend who simply abandoned him without saying goodbye. When he eliminated Majora, an evil perhaps psychopathic demon about as dangerous as Ganon himself, although the Skull Kid did seem to recognize him, the Happy Mask Salesman and Tatl also never gave Link a proper thanks for his hard efforts due to themselves being focused on their own goals. Plus, Termina itself was an ill-fated world destined to disappear regardless if he saved it or not, due to the fact that land was made from the Skull Kid's memories and Majora's Mask's power. In the end, with his two traumatic journeys apparently all for naught, Link, sadly, was never in relative peace, and is filled with complete regret of his actions for the rest of his life and remained isolated from the many hardships, ironically like how Zelda in the seven-year future felt about Hyrule falling under Ganondorf's rule due to her own actions.
The once great but now-disregarded hero eventually passes away. However, even after his death, the Hero of Time was unable to go to the afterlife because of the non-stop regrets that kept him tied to the world of the living, feeling that he was unable to pass on the lessons of his life to the younger generations. Therefore, Link remained restless, but his wish would soon come. In order to finally ease his inner demons and at last pass on his long-lost masterful knowledge of the arts of the sword, the Hero of Time teaches seven powerful techniques known as the Hidden Skills to his descendant, the Link of , known as the Hero of Twilight, in the form of a ghostly Stalfos-like swordsman and pale golden wolf known as the Hero's Spirit, taking place over a century after his time as the chosen hero by the Goddesses, in order to help this new Link become stronger to match his level and destroy Ganondorf for good as a worthy successor. After the Hero of Twilight learns all of the Hidden Skills, the Shade's regrets are finally eased and the Hero of Time ultimately rests in peace into the afterlife.
=== A Doomed Legend ===
Meanwhile, back at the Adult Timeline, following Ganon's brutal defeat, Link's legend as the Hero of Time was fondly remembered and had passed for many generations during Hyrule's longtime peace. However, due to Princess Zelda's decision of permanently sending him back to his original time and unintentionally into the Child Timeline, the world was ultimately left without a hero, and over time, the seal of Ganondorf by the Six Sages, thought to be forever in effect, eventually failed for unknown reasons, causing the Gerudo King to become free as his beast form. Now risen from the earth's ground, well-aware of his dreadful promise for revenge by eliminating their descendants for being defeated by Link and his long imprisonment in the corrupted Sacred Realm at the end of Ocarina of Time and the Triforce of Power was never lost, darkness began to cover Hyrule again. People began to pray that the Hero of Time would return to once again save the land by traveling through time. But the legendary Hero never appeared at all, as Link himself as well as his trusted allies from his era were long gone to history at this point. Because of Hyrule's total defenseless state, the villain manages to completely take over the kingdom with even less difficulty than in the past events of Ocarina of Time, as he had no resistance whatsoever. By this time, the current King of Hyrule, Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, although he managed to temporarily extract the Triforce of Power as well as splitting the Triforce of Wisdom into two fragments, the king was unable to stop Ganon. In so, he pleaded to the Goddesses via the full Triforce to flood Hyrule away with a worldwide torrential downpour (not before telling chosen people to flee into the mountaintops), sealing the kingdom and Ganon under what will become the Great Sea. The memory of the kingdom vanished, but the Hero of Time's legend survived the wind's breath.
As more time continues to pass, in the events of The Wind Waker, Ganon broke the seal once again (though now significantly weakened and reverted to his human form) to claim the Triforce yet again. In a faraway island, a customary tradition exists where young boys reaching the same age as the Hero of Time would wear a green tunic and hat and search for swords to honor his legend. One day, a completely new Link - the Hero of Winds, came of age and earns this clothing for his birthday, and began his own adventure where he would revive a few memories of the Hero of Time as his successor in this timeline and even destroy the King of Evil himself with the help of an unwitting descendant of Princess Zelda and King Daphnes himself as the King of Red Lions, by the unexpected kidnapping of his younger sister Aryll.
=== The Tragic Defeat of a Great Hero ===
Despite Ocarina of Time's ending of the Hero of Time being triumphant over Ganon and this particular event is only possible during gameplay (as there is no unique cutscene or cinematic for it in-game), if the complete opposite were to occur in the Final Boss battle and Link tragically dies by the main antagonist's hand regardless of his human or beast forms, another different branch of the canon timeline would take place known as the Downfall Timeline. In this rather sad scenario, the Hero of Time fails his mission and Ganondorf is completely successful at getting rid of his biggest obstacle to conquer Hyrule. With the King of Evil ultimately victorious, he then steals the Triforce of Courage from the now-dead Link's body and also takes Princess Zelda's Triforce of Wisdom, making himself at last obtain the completed Triforce and thus gaining the True Force. In spite of the seemingly hopeless situation, the Seven Sages all refuse to give up; As a last resort, similar to the true ending of the game, they each quickly use their combined power to seal Ganon away into the Evil Realm. Although Hyrule is now at peace for the moment, Zelda, the Six Sages, and Navi all mourn the loss of their great hero and beloved friend who had sacrificed himself to help save everyone in the land.
As time pass leading to the Era of Light and Dark, the doorway to the Sacred Realm opened again, causing an event known as the Imprisoning War, where people battled to claim the Triforce but never returned. An army of Ganon's minions came forth. The King of Hyrule of this era commands the Seven Wise Men to seal the gate, which they were successful, though many Knights of Hyrule were wiped out, leaving the kingdom impoverished. Eventually, a dark wizard named Agahnim brainwashed Hyrule's soldiers, killed the King, and made six of the seven descendants of the Seven Wise Men, the Maidens, disappear into the Dark World, to weaken the seal of Ganon. The last Maiden is a new Princess Zelda, and she uses telepathy to call out to the incarnation of Link of this point of time, the Hero of Legend, to begin his own adventure. This is where the events of A Link to the Past takes place. Much like in the Child Timeline, the legend of the Hero of Time in the Downfall branch is completely lost.
==Legacy==
The legend of the Hero of Time becomes of great significance in the development of the Zelda Timeline and the mythology in series. His climactic battle against Ganondorf marked the point in which the timeline split into three branches: the Downfall, Child, and Adult Timeline. Princess Zelda's plan with Link to save Hyrule by retrieving the Triforce before the villain resulted in the King of Evil ultimately obtaining the Triforce of Power, leading eventually, in one continuity, to Link's tragic defeat by Ganon's hand and the formation of the Downfall Timeline. In the alternate continuity where Link succeeds in defeating Ganondorf as seen in the ending of Ocarina of Time, the princess sends the Hero of Time back to his original time, creating two timelines; the Child Timeline and the Adult Timeline. In the latter of the two, the Triforce of Courage is shattered and the Link in the Adult Timeline vanishes from existence due to the time paradox, resulting in Hyrule eventually being flooded since there was no hero whatsoever to defeat Ganon once the Sages' seal broke. In the former, the Hero of Time becomes filled with regret by not being remembered as the legendary hero that saved Hyrule from Ganon or Termina from Majora's Mask, eventually leading him to linger on as the in the Era of Twilight.
Although Hyrule was flooded in the Adult Timeline and the memory of the kingdom vanished, the legend of the Hero of Time transcended through time. In Outset Island, it became a custom to clothe boys in green once they came of age. A statue depicting the Hero of Time is also prominently displayed in the sunken Hyrule Castle, demonstrating how meaningful the legend of the brave boy clothed in green was to the citizens of Hyrule. When the Hero of Winds, the Link from The Wind Waker, defeats Puppet Ganon, Ganondorf compared this particular hero with the Hero of Time, his predecessor, who had defeated him hundreds of years ago, claiming he is that Link reborn.
==Relationships==
In his childhood, the Hero of Time establishes the relationships of certain individuals that will come to his benefit in his adult years, after pulling the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time. Link is the one to establish his beneficial and plot-necessary relationship with Saria, and Mido's dislike for him can be attributed to this in addition to the Great Deku Tree's favor for him over anyone else, namely Mido himself. The young hero also strikes up a friendship with Princess Zelda, and indirectly with Impa as well, while conversing with her about Ganondorf and the fate of her kingdom in the Hyrule Castle courtyard, after vanquishing the parasite from the Great Deku Tree. In helping Darunia reopen the Dodongo's Cavern (who calls him his Sworn Brother), and saving Princess Ruto from the depths of the stomach of Lord Jabu-Jabu (who claims she is engaged with him after giving the Zora's Sapphire), Link had, unbeknownst to him, met and aided almost all of the future Sages who would, in turn, ultimately help him in his quest to save Hyrule from the Evil King Ganondorf in the young hero's adult years. Even after returning to his childhood for the second time to enter the Spirit Temple, he continues this by befriending Nabooru by agreeing to aid her in overthrowing Ganondorf. He is also the one that forms the initial bond with Epona and Malon. In addition, he also met and befriended the scarecrows Bonooru and Pierre, which the latter would aid him controlling the flow of time in Termina. The Skull Kid, once freed from Majora's Mask, remembers Link as the one who taught him Saria's Song.
== Personality ==
Like with most other Links in the series, as he is known as a "silent protagonist", although he displays distinctive vocals of grunts and screams, the Hero of Time is not seen speaking or emoting to a large degree in the games where he is playable, although the optional texts the player can choose when talking to certain characters implies he is not necessarily mute. He is a benevolent, intelligent, highly brave, honest, calm, and selfless individual with a pure heart, though Link often appears serious or stoic (especially as an adult) in the original N64 versions of Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, a few spin-off games, and some offical artwork, and rarely smiles (the 3DS remakes shows himself more relaxed). Despite his rather quiet, "just business" behavior in his in-game appearances, some media such as the Akira Himekawa manga series depict Link in a significantly more cheerful or expressive manner. Twilight Princess and Hyrule Historia serve as the only real look into his thoughts and feelings. The Hero of Time is also shown to be very helpful and caring to others throughout his journeys in both Hyrule and Termina, even if it wasn't related to his main quest, willing to sacrifice his own personal deeds no matter the outcome.
As the Hero's Shade, where he does actually speak (likely due to the fact he's no longer controlled by the player), he is shown to be much sterner and blunt, telling his descendant, the Link from Twilight Princess, that the latter's current skill level dishonors their bloodline upon first meeting him, regardless of him already having the Triforce of Courage like the Hero of Time himself once did. He also reflected on his former time as a hero, saying that the path to becoming a true hero is a long one, and that while he accepted the tough life as a hero, he regretted that he couldn't pass on the lessons he had learned. As he trained the Hero of Twilight in the long-lost arts of the sword, the former Hero of Time reminded the latter that he must continue to improve his skill and courage himself so that he could become the savior Hyrule needed to defeat Ganondorf, as he saw his former self fully reflected in his descendant. Once the Hero of Twilight mastered all of the Hidden Skills, the shade proudly told his student/successor that he now knew all of what it took to be a true hero, even addressing him his "son", and could now march forth with his vision unclouded at last. Even as a specter, the Hero of Time continued to aid the land of Hyrule and its people with the best of his ability just like when he was alive.
== Fighting skills ==
The Hero of Time, like all other incarnations of Link due to himself possessing the spirit of the Legendary Hero, is a character with incredible levels of courage destined to destroy evil, and he is almost always seen with a sword and shield in hand, generally the Master Sword and Hylian Shield (though he has various other related weapons such as the Biggoron's Sword or Mirror Shield). As with the Links in the older games of The Legend of Zelda series, the Hero of Time is born as a fearless fighter with no apparent teacher and only experience in battle serving as his lessons, but ultimately is an expert. As heavily suggested by his aforementioned "serious" personality, even at a young age, due to his endless training as an elite swordsman, archer, and magic user, as well as possessing the Triforce of Courage which augments his abilities to vast proportions by the essence of Farore, the Hero of Time already displayed an immense amount of bravery, discipline, stealth, and skill that only grew further when he became an adult and reached professional levels as the Hero's Spirit, proving himself a master warrior comparable to a Hylian Knight and even impressing the Gerudo, whom themselves are feared fighters in their own right (and the only other male they considered remarkable being their king, Ganondorf, whom Link himself defeated). Likewise, Impa and Sheik, themselves Sheikah, also find Link's natural fighting talents worthy of attention. Although the Hero of Time did ultimately lose the Triforce piece in Majora's Mask due to an unfortunate sequence of events, his raw skills did not decrease whatsoever, but actually continues to improve, as can be observed in-game by himself being more acrobatic and able to frontflip or somersault over ledges, as opposed to a normal jump in the previous N64 title.
The Hero of Time is capable of destroying dangerous enemies with ease such as the Dinolfos, Stalfos, the Poe Sisters, Dead Hand, Gerudo Thieves/Pirates, the Garo Master, Gomess, the deadly Iron Knuckles, and even the ancient undead king of the Ikana Kingdom, Igos du Ikana. In addition, stronger foes known to potentially destroy Hyrule or Termina such as Phantom Ganon, Volvagia, Bongo Bongo, Twinrova, or Goht are also slayed by Link's hand. He is so proficient that not only he himself defeated the two extremely powerful demons responsible for all of his troubles in a duel - Ganon and Majora (the latter which he actually killed), but also himself as a shadow, indicating tremendous capabilities of combat adaptation, strength, speed, and great knowledge of the art of the sword. Outside of swordfighting, Link uses a wide variety of items such as the Ocarina of Time, Fairy Slingshot, Hookshot, elemental magic Arrows by his Bow, his transformation masks, and many more such as the Megaton Hammer, Zora Tunic, or Naryu's Love to overcome many obstacles in his adventures. He is also comfortable at sneaking around heavily guarded locations, as seen in Hyrule Castle Courtyard, Gerudo's Fortress and Pirates' Fortress, with the Stone Mask adding extra help to his benefit for the latter. Interestingly, unlike other incarnations of Link where the hero gains an increase of defensive power through special clothing or rare items (such as the Red Ring in The Legend of Zelda), the Hero of Time obtains it through the magical powers of the Great Fairy of Courage in both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Finally, his mighty Fierce Deity's Mask item serves as his weapon of last resort. Although not used in combat, his Silver and Golden Gauntlets also grants Link superhuman strength.
In Twilight Princess, as the Hero's Shade, as demonstrated from his teachings of the Hidden Skills, some of the Hero of Time's advanced techniques are so dangerous to the point that if his descendant were to learn them, they pose an immediate risk to his life, as seen with the Helm Splitter and Mortal Draw. He can also create afterimages and shoot Sword Beams from his blade. Being a specter, he does not feel any pain had the Hero of Twilight perform those special moves onto him even with the Master Sword, suggesting himself to be immortal.
In his spin-off appearances such as the Super Smash Bros. series, Hyrule Warriors, as well as SoulCalibur II, alongside the traditional Spin Attack, Jump Attack, Hookshot, Fairy Bow, Boomerang, and Bombs, Link can perform unique moves not found in Ocarina of Time or Majora's Mask such as swift kicks (although he technically can do this as Zora Link), the Dash Attack, Jump Thrust, Down Thrust, throws, and even the Triforce Slash. Some attacks in the latter game include twisting opponents' arms, shoving his foe's back with his shield before stomping on his/her shoulder, violently tackling one into a forward roll or firing an Arrow with his Bow towards one's leg, indicating a more brutal fighting style than in a typical 3D Zelda game and even Smash Bros..
Despite his extraordinary skills as a heroic character and indeed proved himself worthy of his title, however, the Hero of Time is not invincible; There are cases where he had been caught off-guard in both of the canon games where he is playable such as the evil spirit of Bongo Bongo escaping the well in a burning Kakariko Village knocking him down while attempting to protect Sheik in Ocarina of Time or the Skull Kid ambushing him in the Lost Woods with the help of Tatl and Tael in Majora's Mask, alongside offical artwork of himself being caught by Morpha, as well as some media such as the Akira Himekawa manga series where he had been nearly beaten down by several foes at various points. In fact, as much of a legendary hero this incarnation of Link is, his own possible defeat would have dire consequences for Hyrule's fate, as explained in the Downfall Timeline if he were to be ultimately killed by Ganon.
Lore-wise, the Hero of Time is a highly skilled and experienced assassin, rivaling if not surpassing other particularly strong Links such as the Hero of the Sky, Hero of Legend or Hero of the Wild (from Skyward Sword, A Link to the Past and Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom, respectively) and he is even the mentor of the Hero of Twilight himself.
==Other Appearances==
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:See article on for more information.
The Hero of Time appears in both his child and adult forms in . His adult form is a default character while his child form has to be unlocked. There are two ways to unlock his child form, including by playing 500 Vs. matches, or Completing with 10 different characters, including Adult Link and Zelda. The player will then be challenged by Young Link, and upon defeating him, Young Link will become a playable character. His appearance is based on his younger and older counterparts as seen in , since he wields the Kokiri Sword and the Deku Shield during combat as a child, and the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield as an adult. Young Link is more agile, but weaker while Adult Link is slower, but stronger. Young Link has some of the same weaponry and moves as his adult counterpart, but they are usually accompanied with a few changes, like his Hookshot and Boomerang having a shorter reach. Great Bay serves as the home stage of Young Link, and Hyrule: Temple is the home stage of Adult Link.
Both Adult Link and Young Link can choose different color tunics, including the Goron and Zora tunics, and a black tunic. When the Young Link taunts his foes, he drinks a Bottle of Lon Lon Milk, then wipes his mouth.
Young Link's special moves are the same as the adult version. He wields the Fairy Bow from as his ; however, instead of it shooting normal Arrows like Adult Link's, Young Link shoots Fire Arrows, although they do not travel as far as Adult Link's and inflict less damage. Young Link's is the Boomerang. Bombs function as both Link's , while the Spin Attack is their as well as his . Young Link's Spin Attack is weaker than Adult Link's, but it can trap nearby foes in a cyclone of slashes upon performing this move.
The Hero of Time is replaced by Toon Link and a Link resembling the incarnation in in and , for his child and adult forms. Both appear as Trophies in .
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Although his adult form remains absent from (being replaced by the Breath of the Wild incarnation of Link) the Hero of Time reappears as Young Link. His moveset is almost identical to how it was in , with slight changes.
== Trivia ==
* In spite of his highly unfortunate story as a tragic hero, the Hero of Time is universally the most popular and iconic Link in the community, not only due to the breakthrough success of Ocarina of Time and its sequel or his major importance in the mythology and timelines according to , but also setting the standard for most future Links since, the praised voice performances of Fujiko Takamoto and Nobuyuki Hiyama for his child and adult self, respectively, and even having a unique, very powerful transformation, giving him his legendary status.
* The opening cutscene of shows the Hero of Time defeating Ganon as a child, when he was in fact an adult in during the final battle. In the same scene, Link also fought him without a shield while Ganondorf battled only in his beast form, unarmed.
** Notably, the adventure of the Hero of Time in the game's prologue seems to be not entirely based on the actual events of Ocarina of Time or Majora's Mask, as alongside the aforementioned differences, it too shows him riding Epona as a child in the Adult Timeline rather than the Child Timeline, as his legend was remembered there.
* Although the Hero of Time is technically his adult self, as explicitly explained in Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker and some media claimed Link's title as a child.
* As it is never explained by Nintendo what happened to the Hero of Time after the events of Majora's Mask and before becoming the Hero's Spirit in Twilight Princess, fans have created many unconfirmed theories about the character, such as Link killed in battle during a very intense war as a knight at Hyrule in his adulthood or inside the Lost Woods while searching for Navi due to the decayed skeletal appearance wearing swordsman armor, as well as the loss of his Triforce of Courage.
** Ironically, according to Hyrule Historia, it is possible that the Hero of Time was once a Hylian Knight himself.
* Unlike all other incarnations of Link in The Legend of Zelda series, the Hero of Time in Ocarina of Time, despite destiny ultimately separating them and none displayed direct affection, shares a somewhat romantic relationship with four different female characters, three of which whom are also Sages: Princess Zelda, Saria, Princess Ruto, and Malon. Because of this, many fans strongly considered this particular Link to be a ladies' man or in a love triangle. Story-wise, however, he is technically engaged with Ruto, as the Zora princess vows the Hero of Time her husband when obtaining the Spiritual Stone of Water, as it is also called the "Zora's Engagement Ring", even though Link himself was not aware of being Princess Ruto's fiancé due to his important goal of helping Hyrule's princess, Zelda, and, more likely than not, the fact he was still at a young age.
** In the Ocarina of Time (Himekawa) manga, Kaepora Gaebora, the owl form of the Sage of Light, Rauru, indeed directly tells Link that he is popular with the ladies after meeting Saria, Zelda, and Malon, but not yet Ruto, in which the young hero's response was to hush up, implying he is relatively aware of his relationships. Earlier in the same manga, Zelda can be seen giving Link a kiss to his cheek after agreeing to stop Ganondorf.
** Nabooru, the Sage of Spirit, also shows interest in Link when she realizes how handsome he is as an adult, and regrets that she should've kept the promise of "something great" she said to him as a child.
** Although never confirmed by Nintendo and despite the aforementioned possible marriage with Princess Ruto, some fans speculated that Malon may have ultimately won the Hero of Time's affections among the four girls in the events leading to becoming the Hero's Spirit well after Majora's Mask, due to the fact that her wish was to have a knight in shining armor wiping her feet one day according to a Gossip Stone in Ocarina of Time, as well as that Link himself could possibly be one according to Hyrule Historia. His descendant in the Child Timeline, the Link from Twilight Princess, initially a rancher like Malon, knows Epona's Song, the song she herself teaches the Hero of Time.
*** Even Navi has a slight fondness for Link, as according to Shigeru Miyamoto in an interview, she is jealous of Princess Zelda and feels something for the young hero. In the manga adaptation of Ocarina of Time by Akira Himekawa, the Fairy tells Link she loves him before parting ways with him at its climax.
* Although the Hero of Time's Fierce Deity form by the Fierce Deity's Mask is not actually required to complete Majora's Mask, Link defeating Majora as such is stated to be canon according to Hyrule Historia.
* In addition to Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask and their remakes, as he is featured in Twilight Princess (as Hero's Spirit), three of the Super Smash Bros. series (original, Melee, and Ultimate), Hyrule Warriors (Young Link), the critically acclaimed 2002 Namco fighting game SoulCalibur II (as a guest star), and likely the SpaceWorld 2000 GameCube Tech Demo, as well as a cameo in The Wind Waker, the Hero of Time made more appearances than any other incarnations of Link.
* The Hero of Time is the only incarnation of Link to be hugged by another character other than Princess Zelda, based on the events of Majora's Mask. If Link were to help Cremia, the Terminan adult counterpart of Malon, deliver her rare Chateau Romani milk to the Milk Bar after protecting her from the Gorman Brothers' ambush during the night of the Second Day, and the Romani's Mask was already obtained, there is a 50/50 probability for himself to receive a Huge Rupee (even if the counter is full) or an affectionate hug from her as a reward.
** As displays of direct affection are extremely rare in The Legend of Zelda series, the hug from Cremia in Majora's Mask is the second instance since the ending of The Adventure of Link where Link were to be embraced, and another would not be seen until the final battle of Spirit Tracks (although the linked Oracle game shows Zelda kissing Link in its ending upon defeating the incomplete Ganon).
** It is often presumed by fans that the Hero of Time had never been hugged before in his life or at least is not used to it, as during this moment, Link can be seen simply standing with his arms hanging loosely, and in the events of Ocarina of Time, he was terrified when several Gorons attempted to hug him after obtaining the Spiritual Stone of Fire from Darunia (though this is may be comic relief), as well as he was orphaned by the Great Deku Tree as a baby.
** Surprisingly, Cremia's heartwarming hug towards the Hero of Time was not originally planned for the game. According to Yoshiaki Kolzumi, he stated that it was actually made out of an animation mistake during development; When Link's position was being set up, his face was too close and lodged into Cremia. But instead of removing it, the team immediately decided to rework the error and left it in the final game, saying this would have been every boys' dream, including himself.
* In the Ocarina of Time (Himekawa) manga adaptation, the Hero of Time's blue earrings are a gift from Impa and are a rite of passage for young Sheikah men, in spite of Link himself not being such people.
* The Hero of Time's model in Ocarina of Time, although seen in official artwork, has the upper belt on his shoulder missing, due to the graphical limitations of the Nintendo 64. It is also missing in the original Super Smash Bros. as well. Despite this, it is fixed in Majora's Mask via increased memory by the Expansion Pak, and in Ocarina of Time 3D.
** On a similar note, the Hero's Clothes in The Wind Waker, which is supposedly a replica of the Hero of Time's outfit, lacks the upper belt.
* According to Hyrule Historia, the Hero of Time's age is 10 as a child and 17 as an adult, though it is debated in other sources; For example, the Link from The Wind Waker, was given his Hero's Clothes upon reaching the same age as the Hero of Time when he set out his Hyrule journey as a tradition, and his Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and amiibo state he is 12, thus suggesting Adult Link to be 19 as well.
* Although Link's exact height is unknown, when compared to the corrected measuring graph in the pool in the Lakeside Laboratory via the Iron Boots in Ocarina of Time 3D, the Hero of Time stands 1.7m (5'7") tall in height as an adult, which is around the average for a man. Interestingly, Princess Zelda (and Sheik) is slightly shorter than Link, but Impa, the Sage of Shadow and Zelda's attendant, stands taller than him. On the other hand, as a child, Link stands shorter than Zelda.
** His Fierce Deity Link form in Majora's Mask is exceptionally tall, likely the same as Ganondorf, who himself measures 230cm (7'6½") in Ocarina of Time according to Hyrule Historia.
** Himself as the Hero's Spirit in Twilight Princess, due to his Stalfos-like ghost form, stands much taller than when he was alive.
* If one looks closely in the introduction scene of Ocarina of Time, when Link is having his nightmare about Princess Zelda and Ganondorf, his eyes can be seen still open before he shivers and turns his head around.
* In the Ocarina of Time (Himekawa) manga, the Hero of Time was shown training with Impa as well as a Hylian Knight named Captain Orsen in its sequel. However, in the original games, unlike most other incarnations of Link, he is a self-taught fighter. Due to his constant increase in raw skills until his death, he even became an instructor in Twilight Princess as the Hero's Spirit - something no other Link in the long-running franchise had done.
* In the post-credits cutscene of Link meeting Princess Zelda in the Hyrule Castle Courtyard for the second time in Ocarina of Time and Ocarina of Time 3D, the Triforce of Courage can be seen resonating on his left hand.
* In Twilight Princess, some of the items the Hero of Twilight obtain in his adventure such as the Hero's Bow and even some residents claim of an ancient hero of the past known in Hyrule. This implies the Hero of Time's actions throughout his life in the Child Timeline might not be completely forgotten.
* The statue of the Hero of Time seen in Hyrule Castle in The Wind Waker has somewhat of a close resemblance to the Hero of Winds incarnation in that it depicts him wearing the same exact clothing and even has the Mirror Shield based on its appearance in-game (despite the N64 titles have much different designs).
* In the event Link is defeated in Ocarina of Time as an adult and the player consequently receives a Game Over, the Hero of Time can be heard saying "Yuck!" as he collapses, marking the first time in The Legend of Zelda series he speaks English words in a mainline game, before The Wind Waker's "Come on!" as widely believed.
* In the beta version of Ocarina of Time, the Hero of Time was originally going to summon Epona using a reed whistle. Although this was scrapped, this concept would be reused for Twilight Princess' Horse Call.
** Similarly, the running slash attack seen in that title was originally planned for Ocarina of Time but was cut for unknown reasons.
* Although sometimes falsely assumed as such by fans, the Hero of Time is not the first instance in the franchise to feature an older Link, as this debuted in The Adventure of Link. However, his appearance in Ocarina of Time has become a trademark image for the character to many, despite the majority of the games in the series depicted Link as a child.
* Surprisingly, during early development of Ocarina of Time, the Hero of Time were to begin his adventure in Hyrule already as an adult, as his child self was not originally planned.
* The Hero of Time has the most transformations over any incarnation of Link - five.
* The Hero's Spirit being the Hero of Time himself has been met with controversy by fans of the series, especially ones who played the N64 games, as the form in Twilight Princess shows this rather iconic Link in a horrific, sad, decayed state vaguely explained how he become such.
* Although the Hero of Time has no direct counterpart in Termina, Kafei in Majora's Mask is remarkably similar to Link in that he shares the same personality and animations as himself, and during a part of the Reuniting Kafei and Anju sidequest where they must acquire the Sun's Mask inside Sakon's Hideout, he can even be controlled by the player (a first for the series) and can also punch.
* Link's actions by strictly following Zelda/Sheik's orders throughout Ocarina of Time's storyline solely to save Hyrule led some fans to believe the Hero of Time is simply a pawn of the princess of his era.
* The introduction of Majora's Mask explains a slightly different reason for the Hero of Time's departure as opposed to Hyrule Historia. Although he is indeed looking for Navi, the game says that Link is also fed up with the dangerous battles he experienced in his previous adventure in Ocarina of Time.
** It should also be noted, as the N64 title was made well before the introduction of the official timeline in 2011, its plot says that in Hyrule, Link's legend was echoed by the Royal Family, which suggests that there is no evidence in-game that the timeline by Ocarina of Time's events had split into two and Link himself being in an alternate universe.
* Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask combined, the Hero of Time has obtained a total of over 200 items (including reused), 9 Swords (two are Kokiri Sword variants), 5 Shields (two are different Mirror Shields), and accomplished 22 Dungeons (13 which are main). He also fought 163 different enemies including reused, 24 Mini-Bosses (excluding re-encounters), and 17 Bosses including Ganon and Majora's forms.
* The Hero of Time's encounter with his descendant in Twilight Princess as the Hero's Spirit marks the first time based on canon content where a Link directly speaks with another incarnation of himself.
* Although often considered to be the most climactic defeat of Ganon in the The Legend of Zelda series, some fans also viewed the Hero of Time's final blow in the Final Boss battle of Ocarina of Time as arguably the most violent scene in the entire franchise as well, due to the beast spewing red blood in the original v1.0/v.1.1 NTSC builds of the N64 game as well as himself stabbing the monster directly in the mouth (Ganondorf also pukes blood when defeated). Due to controversy, this has resulted in all subsequent versions (including PAL) and releases, including its remake, being censored by Nintendo with the blood changed to green and in Ocarina of Time 3D, the Master Sword instead hits Ganon in the forehead much like in some later games' final blows with the scared blade, to tone down the violence, as the game was in fact rated Everyone (E) by the ESRB and would not risk it being re-rated to Teen (T). The 3DS remake, however, has the Everyone 10+ (E10+) rating. No other Zelda game in the long-running series since Ocarina of Time features realistic colored blood.
** Stained blood can also be seen in Bottom of the Well and Shadow Temple. It remains red even in later v.1.2 versions and the remake.
** The Ocarina of Time (Himekawa) manga also shows the finishing blow of Link hitting Ganon on the forehead rather than in the mouth.
* Link's Hero's Shield and updated Kokiri Sword that replaced his Deku/Hylian Shield and older version of the sword in the events of Majora's Mask is possibly due to the Royal Family giving him adequate gear to help him on his second adventure.
* Though not clearly evidenced in-game or his other appearances such as the Super Smash Bros. series or SoulCalibur II, most fans presumed Adult Link in Ocarina of Time as merely his child self in a grown-up body. This is likely due to the fact that he was forced into a magical sleep for 7 years to become the Hero of Time upon pulling the Master Sword, and thus the experience of his growing life was skipped entirely.
** In the Akira Himekawa manga adaptation, however, this is strongly depicted, as Link was completely clueless about what happened to him between his sleep and awaken, and his behavior remained generally childish through the second part of the story.
* Perhaps humorously, due to Adult Link's realistic reaction when taking fall damage, some fans like to make fun of it by jokingly believing he said "Ay, s***!", although he never actually said profane language.
* Similar to Epona, Link's model in Majora's Mask is slightly taller than how he appears in its prequel. This implies the Hero of Time had gained a small growth between the games' events.
* Interestingly, in his crossover appearance in SoulCalibur II exclusively for the GameCube version, although not canon to either The Legend of Zelda or Soul series whatsoever, the Hero of Time's in-game story not only references his two adventures in Hyrule and Termina, but also A Link to the Past as well. In this game, Link pulled the Master Sword in the Lost Woods as opposed to the Temple of Time, and he had already rescued Hyrule from an evil magician (possibly Agahnim) before entering the Soul universe as he learns the controlling force behind the wizard was by a deadly evil entity sword called Soul Edge, where he must destroy it. When he eventually succeeds in his quest and encounters the Soul Calibur, a powerful holy weapon similar to the Blade of Evil's Bane, therefore saving the world entirely, he quietly leaves to return back to Hyrule, like in the ending of Majora's Mask. Although most of his available arsenal in SoulCalibur II are from the N64 games where he is playable such as the Biggoron's Sword or Great Fairy's Sword, a few of such are also items predating Ocarina of Time, specifically the Magical Sword/Shield (named "Magic Sword" in-game), Cane of Byrna, and even the Bug Catching Net. He can even wield Soul Edge itself in the shape of his trademark Master Sword and Hylian Shield weapons. In addition, like in the Super Smash Bros. series, the Blue Ring tunic from the original The Legend of Zelda is also available as an alternate costume.
** Coincidentally, the Hero of Time's child and adult voice actors, Fujiko Takamoto and Nobuyuki Hiyama, also voiced Taki and Siegfried/Nightmare, respectively, as well as Yoshimitsu for the latter, when set at the Japanese language. The game itself is also the last time of Hiyama himself reprising his role as Adult Link before his official retirement for voicing the character.
** Soul Calibur II also marks the first and so far only instance where Link was to be featured in a fighting game as well as a non-Nintendo title. Although he did previously appear in the original Super Smash Bros., that series has a completely different ruleset where characters are battling on platforms and therefore is considered distinct from conventional fighting titles.
** Link would not get another official crossover until Mario Kart 8 in 2014, 11 years after the release of SoulCalibur II, though this game uses the Hero of the Sky (Skyward Sword) incarnation.
* Despite the Link from The Wind Waker, known as the Hero of Winds, is the Hero of Time's successor in the Adult Timeline and is possibly his descendant like the Hero of Twilight from Twilight Princess, this incarnation is said to be unrelated to the legendary hero in-game according to the King of Red Lions when speaking to Jabun, likely due to the fact centuries have passed since the events of Ocarina of Time and the Hero of Time himself was sent back to his original age into the Child Timeline by Princess Zelda in his era.
* Alongside being the most important Link in the mythology and official timelines, in terms of power-scaling, the Hero of Time is likely one of, if not the strongest incarnation of The Legend of Zelda series' main protagonist; In addition to possessing the traditional Master Sword, Triforce of Courage, Mirror Shield, Light Arrows, as well as having a large and unique arsenal of items other Links do not have such as the Lens of Truth, transformation masks, three magic spells with power of the Golden Goddesses themselves, etc., he himself defeated a prime Ganon while the King of Evil himself almost completely took over Hyrule for seven years, destroyed another powerful demon called Majora and even fought and beaten his own shadow, each of which in a one-on-one fight with no assistance (despite Princess Zelda attempting to hold Ganon down just before the final blow). Physically, he is able to wield the two-handed weapons Biggoron's Sword or Megaton Hammer in one grip when equipped during cutscenes as well as in SoulCalibur II (the Breath of the Wild incarnation for example holds the former like a zweihänder giving its size) and can rival Ganondorf's Triforce of Power superhuman strength with the Golden Gauntlets. His skills in sword combat are so great, that as an immortal ghost, he is even the teacher of the Hero of Twilight to help his descendant defeat Ganondorf in Twilight Princess by showing him how to perform his own highly advanced techniques (Hidden Skills), and, most notably, the mysterious Fierce Deity Link transformation by the Fierce Deity's Mask in Majora's Mask, a deadly form restricted only for boss battles, is widely believed to be the most unstoppable form of any Link possible among the franchise's community, as it is capable of destroying such foes very quickly, including Majora's Mask itself, due to its incredible raw power. The Fierce Deity can even slice the seemingly indestructible Moon in two with a single focused slash as seen in Hyrule Warriors.
** Despite not being canon to the Zelda series, in SoulCalibur II, the Hero of Time also defeated Inferno, the fiery demonic being behind the extremely powerful Soul Edge - a cursed sword capable of devouring souls, after saving Hyrule from an unknown potent wizard.
** In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, he is capable of performing the Triforce Slash as his Final Smash like his other incarnations in-game.
* In the Akira Himekawa manga adaptation of both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, Link can be heard saying minor profanities, often "Damn".
* Unique among other incarnations of Link and in a rather dark way, as seen in both of his adventures in Hyrule and Termina, the Hero of Time is capable of eating spirits, as when a captures a Poe in a Bottle and then uses it, he consumes the Poe Soul in the same manner as Milk or a Potion (which randomly recovers or depletes portions of his Life Energy). However, he cannot do this with the Big Poe variant.
* The Hero of Time is the only incarnation of Link to switch between ages within one mainline game - Ocarina of Time, although he was originally going to do this in Majora's Mask as well by a transforming Mask closely resembling his face but was scrapped during development and was replaced by the Fierce Deity's Mask to become Fierce Deity Link instead. Concept artwork of his adult self can be seen in Hyrule Historia's section of the latter game (see gallery).
* The Hero of Time, alongside Navi, has a pop culture appearance in the popular 1998 Cartoon Network superhero TV series The Powerpuff Girls, in the season three episode "Child Fearing", where the character Mayor plays a Zelda game on his Nintendo 64. Based on the then-new Ocarina of Time, Link, without a shield, repeatedly runs directly into walls with Navi saying her infamous line "Hey!", before suddenly being crushed by a block and even kills the fairy with a single horizontal slash with his sword (presumably the Kokiri Sword), which both incidents has him taking three Hearts in damage, despite the latter not actually taking hits. Consequently, he gets a Game Over, in spite of having one Heart Container remaining.
* The Hero of Time's earliest appearance was possibly the Zelda 64 Spaceworld 1995 tech demo, where the demo was an early test of the N64's capabilities for a Zelda game. Although in 3D, Link's appearance is based on A Link to the Past rather than his final design in Ocarina of Time.
==Nomenclature==
==Gallery==
File:OoT Child Link Artwork.png|As a child
File:OoT Link Ocarina of Time Artwork.png|Playing the Ocarina of Time
File:Young Link Navi.png|With Navi
File:Young Link Slingshot.png|Drawing the Fairy Slingshot
File:Younglinkstance.png|Battle stance
File:Young Link OoT3D Art.png|Ocarina of Time 3D child artwork
File:OoT Link Portrait.png|As an adult
File:OoT Link Walking Artwork.png|Walking
File:Link Run OoT.png|Running
File:Link Jumping.png|Jumping
File:Link Roll OoT.png|Forward roll
File:Link Block OoT.png|Crouch blocking with Hylian Shield
File:OoT Link Guarding Artwork.png|Battle stance
File:Linkposeoot.png|Battle stance
File:Link Slash 2 OoT.png|Horizontal slash
File:Link Slash OoT.png|Vertical slash
File:OoT Link Stabbing Artwork.png|Sword thrust
File:OoT Spin Attack Artwork.png|Spin Attack
File:Link Spin Attack OoT.png|Performing a Spin Attack
File:OoT Link Attacking Artwork.png|Jump Attack
File:OoT Link Performing Jump Attack Artwork.png|Jump Attack
File:Link Bomb OoT.png|Carrying a Bomb
File:OoT Link Throwing Bomb Artwork.png|Throwing a Bomb
File:OoT Link Using Fairy Bow Artwork.png|Drawing the Fairy Bow
File:OoT Link Climbing Block Artwork.png|Climbing a block
File:Link Push OoT.png|Pushing a block
File:OoT Link Climbing Ladder Artwork.png|Climbing a ladder
File:Link Hang OoT.png|Hanging on a ledge
File:OoT Treasure Chest Artwork.png|Opening a Treasure Chest
File:OoT Link Swimming Artwork.png|Swimming underwater
File:OoT Link Riding Epona Artwork.png|On Epona ready for battle
File:OoT Link and Epona Artwork.png|With Epona
File:OoT Link and Navi Artwork.png|Playing the Ocarina of Time
File:Link Ocarina 2.png|Playing the Ocarina of Time
File:MM Link Razor Sword Artwork.png|Holding the Razor Sword
File:MM Link Tatl Artwork.png|With Tatl
File:MM Link Epona Artwork.png|Riding Epona
File:MM Link Artwork.png|Jump Attack
File:MM Link Artwork 2.png|Charging for an attack
File:MM Deku Link Artwork.png|As Deku Link
File:MM Goron Link Artwork.png|As Goron Link
File:MM Zora Link Artwork.png|As Zora Link
File:MM Fierce Deity Link Artwork.png|As Fierce Deity Link
File:MM3D Link Razor Sword Artwork.png|Majora's Mask 3D artwork of Link and Tatl with the Razor Sword and Mirror Shield
File:MM3D Deku Link Artwork.png|Majora's Mask 3D artwork of Deku Link playing the Deku Pipes
File:MM3D Goron Link Artwork.png|Majora's Mask 3D artwork Goron Link playing the Goron Drums
File:MM3D Zora Link Artwork.png|Majora's Mask 3D artwork of Zora Link playing the Zora Guitar
File:OoT Great Deku Tree Artwork.png|Link entering the Great Deku Tree
File:OoT Link Fighting Gohma Artwork.png|Vs. Queen Gohma, the Boss monster of the Great Deku Tree
File:OoT Link and Ganondorf Artwork.jpg|Link meets his archenemy Ganondorf for the first time
File:OoT Pedestal of Time Artwork.png|Link pulling the Master Sword out of its pedestal to become the Hero of Time
File:Link vs Volvagia.jpg|Vs. Volvagia, the Boss of the Fire Temple
File:OoT Morpha Artwork.png|Vs. Morpha, the Boss of the Water Temple
File:OoT Link Spin Attack Artwork.jpg|Link destroying two Deku Babas with a Spin Attack
File:OoT Link Sheik Artwork.jpg|The Hero of Time, with Sheik fighting against a multitude of Ganondorf's minions
File:OoT Link Fighting Ganondorf Artwork.jpg|The Hero of Time and the King of Evil in a one-on-one fight to the death
File:MM Artwork.png|Artwork of Majora's Mask, featuring the Hero of Time on Epona, in various forms alongside the Skull Kid
File:MM Artwork 2.png|Artwork of Majora's Mask, with Link on Epona, Tatl, and several characters in the background
File:MM Clock Town Artwork.png|Majora's Mask artwork of The Hero of Time, with Tatl, in Clock Town looking up to the Moon above
File:MM3D Fierce Deity and Majora.jpg|Majora's Mask 3D artwork of Fierce Deity Link, with the four Moon Children and Majora's Incarnation in the background
File:OoT Cast Concept Artwork.jpg|Early illustration of Ocarina of Time's main cast alongside the Hero of Time
File:OoT3D Hyrule Field Artwork.png|Artwork of Ocarina of Time 3D, with Link riding Epona across Hyrule Field
File:Link, Navi and Sheik.jpg|Ocarina of Time 3D artwork of Link and Sheik playing music together
File:OoT3D Link vs Ganondorf.jpg|OoT3D cover of Link and Ganondorf fighting
File:MM3D Artwork.png|MM3D artwork featuring the Hero of Time (holding the Mask of Truth) with many other characters including his various transformation
File:Ootlink12.jpg|MM3D artwork featuring the Hero of Time (holding the Mask of Truth) with many other characters including his various transformations
File:Ootlink2.jpg|Adult Link concept art
File:OoT Link Concept Artwork 2.jpg|Adult Link concept art
File:Early Oot Link concept.jpg|Adult Link concept art
File:OoT Link and Ganon Concept Artwork.jpg|Adult Link concept art, with an early design of Ganon
File:Oot Young and Adult Link Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Hero of Time in both age stages
File:Oot Link facial expression concept.jpg|Adult Link face concept art
File:Ootlinkexpressions.png|Adult Link facial expressions concept art
File:OoT Link with Hylian Sheild concept.jpg|Adult Link concept art
File:MM Link concept art 3.jpg|Early sketch
File:Link with navi concept.jpg|Concept art of Link with Navi
File:MM Link concept art 2.jpg|Child Link, Majora's Mask sketch
File:MM Link concept art 4.jpg|Adult Link concept art, for Majora's Mask
File:MM Link concept art.jpg|Adult Link's concept sketch, for Majora's Mask
File:OoT Link Concept Render.png|Adult Link OoT concept model render
File:OoT Deku Tree Sketch Artwork.png|Sketch of Link entering the Great Deku Tree
File:OoT Link Sheik Concept Artwork.png|Early artwork of Link fighting a group of monsters with Sheik
File:OoT Ganondorf Fight Sketch Artwork.png|Sketch of Link vs. Ganondorf
File:OoT Character Concept Artwork.png|Early sketch of the Hero of Time and the main cast of Ocarina of Time
File:MM Concept Artwork.png|Concept artwork of Link, his transformations, and Skull Kid of Majora's Mask
File:Link YoungLink.png|Ocarina of Time Child Link model with Kokiri Sword and Deku Shield
File:OoT Link Model.png|Ocarina of Time Adult Link model with Master Sword and Hylian Shield
File:Link OoT.gif|Adult Link checking his Hylian Shield
File:Link Goron Tunic.png|Wearing the Goron Tunic
File:Link Zora Tunic.png|Wearing the Zora Tunic
File:MM Link Model.png|Majora's Mask Child Link model
File:OoT3D Link Render 2.png|Adult Link Ocarina of Time 3D model, standing
File:OoT3D Link Run Render.png|Adult Link Ocarina of Time 3D model, running
File:OoT3D Link Render.png|Adult Link Ocarina of Time 3D model, battle stance
File:OoT3D Link Render 4.png|Adult Link Ocarina of Time 3D model, attacking
File:OoT3D Link Shielding Render.png|OoT3D Adult Link defending with the Hylian Shield
File:OoT3D Link Playing Ocarina of Time Render.png|OoT3D Adult Link playing the Ocarina of Time
File:MM3D Link Model.png|Majora's Mask 3D Child Link model
File:OoT Child and Adult Link together.png|The Hero of Time's child and adult models together in Ocarina of Time
File:Deku Mask Transformation.jpg|Link transforming into Deku Link in Majora's Mask
File:Deku Link 3D.png|Deku Link Majora's Mask in-game model
File:MM3D Deku Link Shrugging Model.png|Majora's Mask 3D Deku Link model
File:MM Link Transform into Goron.jpg|Link transforming into Goron Link from Majora's Mask
File:Goron Link 3D.png|Goron Link Majora's Mask in-game model
File:MM3D Goron Link Model.png|Majora's Mask 3D Goron Link model
File:Zora Mask transformation.jpg|Link transforming into Zora Link in Majora's Mask
File:Zora Link 3D.png|Zora Link Majora's Mask in-game model
File:MM3D Zora Link Model.png|Majora's Mask 3D Zora Link model
File:OoT Deku Shield.png|Child Link defending with the Deku Shield in Ocarina of Time
File:Spin Attack MM.jpg|Child Link performing a Spin Attack in Majora's Mask
File:MM Link Playing the Ocarina of Time.png|Playing the Ocarina of Time in Majora's Mask
File:OoT Link in Hyrule Field.jpg|Child Link at Hyrule Field, in Ocarina of Time
File:Oot reed whistle.jpg|Link blowing a whistle in the beta version of Ocarina of Time
File:Beam Attack Beta.jpg|Link performing the Beam Attack from an early build of Ocarina of TIme
File:OoT Sage Medallions Concept.jpg|Adult Link, with Navi, as he appears in an earlier build of OoT
File:OoT Early Tech Demo.gif|The Hero of Time's earliest appearance, from the Zelda 64 1995 SpaceWorld demo
File:Zelda 64 Early Screenshot.jpg|Early Adult Link design for Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Triforce Concept.png|Link finding the complete Triforce in the beta version of Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link Fishing.png|The Hero of Time fishing in the Fishing Hole in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link Catching Fish.png|Link catching a fish in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link Riding Epona Developmental.jpg|Link riding Epona in an earlier build of Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Oxygen Gauge.jpg|Adult Link swimming underwater in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT3D Ingo Race.jpg|Link horse racing against Ingo from Ocarina of Time 3D
File:MM Riding Epona.png|Child Link riding Epona in Majora's Mask
File:Oot3d4.png|Link meeting Navi in Ocarina of Time 3D
File:Tree.jpg|Link listening to the Great Deku Tree about his destiny to meet Princess Zelda, in Ocarina of Time
File:Link runs from the Gorons.png|Link running away in fear from Darunia's Gorons attempting to hug the young hero, from Ocarina of Time
File:OOT3D GanonEncounter.png|Link encounters Ganondorf from Ocarina of Time 3D
File:OoT Door of Time.png|Link placing the three Spiritual Stones in order to open the Door of Time, in Ocarina of Time
File:OOT3D Sword Pedestal 2.png|Child Link attempting to pull the Master Sword out of its pedestal in Ocarina of Time 3D
File:Older Link.png|The young hero has grown-up and awakens as the Hero of Time, after being sealed for 7 years, in Ocarina of Time
File:Link Time Travel OoT.jpg|Link returns the Master Sword back to its pedestal, reversing time back seven years to the past, in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Giant's Knife breaking.png|The Hero of Time breaking a Giant's Knife
File:OoT Biggoron's Sword.png|Link carrying the powerful Biggoron's Sword
File:OoT Link fighting a Wolfos.jpg|Link fighting against a Wolfos via Z-Targeting at the Forest Temple, in Ocarina of Time
File:Forest Temple interior OoT.jpg|Link walking through the twisted corridors of the Forest Temple in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Phantom Ganon Battle.png|Link fighting Phantom Ganon, the Boss of the Forest Temple, in Ocarina of Time
File:Link in front of Mirror.jpg|The Hero of Time pushing a mirror in the Spirit Temple, in Ocarina of Time
File:Nabooru Chamber2.png|Link meeting Nabooru, in Ocarina of Time
File:Prelude of Light.png|Link playing the Prelude of Light with Shelk in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Ganon's Castle intro.png|Link arriving at Ganon's Castle in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link entering Ganon's Castle.png|The Hero of Time using the Rainbow Bridge to enter Ganon's Castle in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link lifting giant stone with Golden Gauntlets.png|A large pillar of granite being lifted by the Hero of Time via the Golden Gauntlets within Ganon's Castle in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link in Ganon's Castle.jpg|Link inside the inner sanctum of Ganon's Castle in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link in Ganon's Tower.png|The Hero of Time running up the staircase in the tower section of Ganon's Castle, in Ocarina of Time
File:Triforce of Courage in OoT.webp|The Triforce of Courage resonates on the Hero of Time's left hand, in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Ganondorf Dead Man's Volley.png|Link's in-game final battle with Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Ganon's Castle escape.png|Link, Zelda, and Navi escaping Ganon's Castle as it is collapsing, in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Ganon's Castle destruction.png|The Hero of Time and Princess Zelda standing before the destroyed Ganon's Castle in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link and Zelda startled by sudden noise made by Ganondorf.png|The Hero of Time defending Princess Zelda from danger upon hearing the ominous noise from Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Ganon roaring at Link.png|The Hero of Time standing face-to-face against his archnemesis, Ganon, in Ocarina of Time
File:Ganon OoT battle2.png|The Hero of Time's Final Boss showdown in Hyrule, where he must fight Ganon in a climactic duel, in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Master Sword Power to Repel Evil.png|The Master Sword glowing with Power to Repel Evil in the Hero of Time's hand, In Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Ganon's Defeat.png| Ganon brutally defeated by the Hero of Time with a violent blow, in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Link's final blow on Ganon (side view).png|Another view of Ganon's defeat immedately after the Hero of Time stabs him in the beast's mouth in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Triforce of Courage on Link's hand (ending).png|Child Link with the Triforce of Courage in his hand during the ending cutscene of Ocarina of Time
File:MM Opening large.png|An annoyed Link meets the Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael, after the former steals his Ocarina of Time, in Majora's Mask
File:MM Skull Kid Stealing Epona.png|The Skull Kid steals Epona from Link, in Majora's Mask
File:MM Link and Skull Kid.jpg|Link caught off-guard by the Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael's presence, in Majora's Mask
File:Deku link reflection.jpg|The young Hero of Time cursed by the Skull Kid to transform into a Deku Shrub, in Majora's Mask
File:MM3D Nintendo Direct 7.png|Link violently picked up by the Happy Mask Salesman in Majora's Mask 3D
File:Skull Kid Drawing.png|Link and Tatl sees a drawing of the Skull Kid in Majora's Mask
File:MM Keaton.png|Link meeting a Keaton in Majora's Mask
File:Rosasisters.jpg|Link dancing with the Rosa Sisters in Majora's Mask
File:Scarescrow(MM).jpg|Link with Pierre the Scarecrow in Majora's Mask
File:MM Link joining Cremia.png|Link helping Cremia delivering her special milk to the Milk Bar, in Majora's Mask
File:MM Ballad of the Wind Fish.png|Link, in all of his Mask forms, playing Ballad of the Wind Fish at the Milk Bar, in Majora's Mask
File:Link using the Mirror Shield.png|The Hero of Time using the Mirror Shield to reflect light into a Sun Switch in Majora's Mask
File:MM Link Facing Floormaster.jpg|Link facing a Floormaster in the Ikana Castle in Majora's Mask
File:MM Kafei and Link.png|Link meets his semi-counterpart Kafei
File:MM TimeWarp.png|Link falling into an abyss of time as he returns back to the First Day using the Song of Time, in Majora's Mask
File:Majora Rises.png|Link watching the Majora's Mask detaching from the Skull Kid before heading to the Moon in Majora's Mask
File:MM Moon Hide-and-Seek.png|Link giving the Giant's Mask to a Moon Child in Majora's Mask
File:6 MajorasWrath2.jpg|The Hero of Time's Final Boss showdown in Termina, where he must destroy the evil entity behind Majora's Mask, in Majora's Mask
File:MM Fierce Deity vs. Majora's Wrath.png|Fierce Deity Link easily damaging Majora's Wrath in Majora's Mask
File:MM Link Map Icon.png|Link's map icon in Majora's Mask
File:OoT Dark Link Model.png|As Dark Link
File:OoT3D Dark Link Model.png|Dark Link's model in Ocarina of Time 3D
File:OoT3D Dark Link Model 2.png|Dark Link attacking in Ocarina of Time 3D
File:Dark Link OoT.jpg|The Hero of Time facing his evil mirror image in a brutal duel inside the Water Temple, in Ocarina of Time
File:DarkLinkOoT3D.png|Link vs. Dark Link in Ocarina of Time 3D
File:MM Fierce Deity Transformation.png|Link transforming into Fierce Deity Link, a highly powerful form, in Majora's Mask
File:MM Fierce Deity Link Model.png|Fierce Deity Link in-game model in Majora's Mask
File:MM3D Fierce Deity Link Model.png|Fierce Deity Link Majora's Mask 3D model
File:OniLink Clocktown.jpg|Fierce Deity Link in Clock Town, in Majora's Mask
File:OniLinkSwordBeam.png|Fierce Deity Link firing a Sword Beam in Majora's Mask
File:OniLinkSpinAttack.png|Fierce Deity Link performing a Spin Attack, in Majora's Mask
File:OoT Fierce Deity Link next to Adult Zelda (Hack).png|The Ganondorf-like size of Fierce Deity Link compared to Adult Princess Zelda in a modified gameplay of Ocarina of Time
File:MM all Link forms size.png|The young Hero of Time compared to all of his Mask transformations in Majora's Mask
File:OoT Game Over.png|The Hero of Time defeated, in Ocarina of Time
File:MM3D Game Over.png|The Hero of Time fails to stop the Moon from crashing Termina, in Majora's Mask 3D
File:Link and Saria.png|Saria congratulating Link for finally having a Fairy companion, in Ocarina of Time
File:Link with Saria.jpg|With Saria, in Ocarina of Time
File:OOT3D LinkwithSaria.png|Link and Saria in Ocarina of Time 3D
File:Castle Courtyard OoT.png|The Hero of Time listening to young Princess Zelda about Ganondorf's plan, in Ocarina of Time
File:Zelda with the Ocarina of Time.png|A proud Princess Zelda takes the Ocarina from Link, who now saved Hyrule, in Ocarina of Time
File:MM Princess Zelda Model.png|Link's flashback of Princess Zelda in Majora's Mask, moments before departing Hyrule
File:MM Link Zelda.png|The Hero of Time and Princess Zelda's model renders in Majora's Mask
File:LinkRuto2.jpg|A young smitten Princess Ruto almost kisses the young Hero of Time after rescuing her, in Ocarina of Time
File:LinkRuto.jpg|The Zora princess swims toward Link to reward him with her "engagement ring" (Zora's Sapphire), in Ocarina of Time
File:Ruto Chamber1.png|Adult Link meets an equally grown Princess Ruto in the Chamber of Sages, in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Adult Link With Fairy Ocarina.jpg|Link talks to adult Malon in an earlier build of Ocarina of Time
File:LinkCremia.png|Cremia giving the young Hero of Time a much deserved hug after helping her deliver her Chateau Romani, in Majora's Mask
File:TP Hero's Spirit Concept Artwork.png|As the Hero's Spirit
File:TP Hero's Spirit Model.png|Hero's Shade model from Twilight Princess
File:TP Hero's Spirit Model 2.png|Performing a battle stance as the Hero's Shade in Twilight Princess
File:TP Hero's Spirit Sparring.jpg|The former Hero of Time (right) teaches his descendant, the Link of Twilight Princess, the Hidden Skills, in Twilight Princess HD
File:TPHD Hero's Shade talking to Link about his lack of skills.png|The Hero's Spirit disappointed at his descendant's skill level, in Twilight Princess HD
File:TPHD Helm Splitter.png|The Hero's Shade demonstrating the Helm Splitter, narrowly missing the The Hero of Twilight's head, in Twilight
File:TP Mortal Draw.png|The Hero's Spirit teaching the lethal Mortal Draw, in Twilight Princess
File:MNPTP Hero's Shade Sprite.png|Hero's Spirit icon in My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess
File:TP Hero's Shade Wolf Artwork.png|Hero's Spirit's white wolf form, in Twilight Princess
File:TP White Wolf Model.png|Hero's Spirit white wolf in-game model in Twilight Princess
File:TPHD White Wolf Howling.png|The Hero of Time as the White Wolf howling from Twilight Princess HD
File:Hero of Time Legend.png|The Hero of Time's legend art in The Wind Waker's intro
File:TWW Scroll of the Hero of Time 3.png|The Hero of Time fighting and defeating Ganon with the power of the Master Sword and Triforce of Courage, in the intro of The Wind Waker
File:TWW Scroll of the Hero of Time 4.png|The Hero of Time, on Epona, departs Hyrule, before Ganon breaks from his seal hundreds of years later in The Wind Waker
File:TWW Hero of Time Intro.png|The Hero of Time's attacking pose in the opening cutscene of The Wind Waker
File:Link SW2000.png|Link from the 2000 SpaceWorld tech demo
File:Link and Ganondorf Fight SW2000 2.png|Link fighting Ganondorf from the 2000 SpaceWorld tech demo
File:Link and Ganondorf Fight SW2000.png|Link dueling Ganondorf from the SpaceWorld 2000 tech demo
File:SSB Link Artwork.png|Artwork from Super Smash Bros.
File:SSB Link Spin Attack.png|Artwork of Link attacking from Super Smash Bros.
File:SSB Link intro.png|Link in the intro cutscene of Super Smash Bros.
File:SSB Link Model.png|Standard model render in Super Smash Bros.
File:SSB Fighting Polygon Link Model.png|Fighting Polygon model render in Super Smash Bros.
File:SSB Link playing Ocarina of Time.png|The Hero of Time playing the Ocarina of Time in a nighttime Hyrule Field, as seen in the intro cutscene of Super Smash Bros.
File:Link Taunt.png|The Hero of Time performing his taunt in Super Smash Bros.
File:SSB Link Character Icon.png|Link's character icon in Super Smash Bros.
File:SSB Link Green Stock Icon.png|Stock icon in Super Smash Bros.
File:Link-Front.png|Link in the intro cutscene of Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:Fire Bow.jpg|Young Link preparing to shoot a Fire Arrow in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:Bow (SSBM).jpg|Adult Link drawing his Bow in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:Up Thrust 2 (SSBM).jpg|Young Link performing a Jump Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:Down Thrust (SSBM).jpg|Adult Link attacks with a Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:SSBM Young Boomerang.jpg|Young Link throwing the Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:Hookshot (SSBM).jpg|Adult Link firing the Hookshot in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:Spin Attack (SSBM).jpg|Adult Link performing the Spin Attack in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:Link throwing Bomb SSBM.jpg|Adult Link throws a Bomb at Captain Falcon in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:SSBM Dark Link.png|Link facing Dark Link in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:Link's Adventure Dark Link.png|Adult Link fighting his shadow self in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:SSBM Young Link win.png|Young Link in one of his victory poses in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:SSBM Link win.png|Adult Link in one of his victory poses in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:SSBM Young Link Alternative Costume 4.png|Young Link black tunic SSBM render
File:SSBM Link Alternative Costume 3.png|Adult Link black tunic SSBM render
File:SSBM Young Link Icon.png|Young Link stock icon in Super Smash Bros, Melee
File:SSBM Link Icon.png|Adult Link stock icon in Super Smash Bros. Melee
File:OoT FR Manga Volume 1.jpg|Ocarina of Time manga (Himekawa)
File:OoT FR Manga Volume 2.jpg|Ocarina of Time manga
File:MM FR Manga.jpg|Majora's Mask manga (Himekawa)
File:OoT DE Perfect Editon Manga.jpg|OoT manga
File:ALttP MM IT Perfect Edition Manga.jpg|MM/ALttP manga
File:OoT manga Young Link sitting in field with all Spiritual Stones.png|Child Link sitting in a field with all three Spirtiual Stones in the OoT manga
File:LinkSaria.png|Link and Saria in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Saria awakens as a Sage.png|Link discovers his close friend Saria is the Sage of Forest, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:LinkZeldaManga.png|Link shy from Princess Zelda in OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link kissed by Zelda.png|Young Princess Zelda kissing Link after he agrees to help defeat Ganondorf, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link sees Princess Ruto and Barinade.png|Child Link sees Princess Ruto in danger in front of Barinade, in the OoT manga
File:OOT manga Link meeting Princess Ruto.png|Young Link meeting Princess Ruto for the first time in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link protecting Princess Ruto from Barinade.png|Link defeats Barinade and rescues Ruto, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link becomes engaged with Ruto.png|Link becomes engaged with Ruto in the OoT manga
File:OoT Adult Link and Princess Ruto swimming.png|Adult Link and Princess Ruto swimming together in the Water Temple, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Link fighting Morpha.png|Link and Ruto fighting against Morpha in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ruto awakens as a Sage.png|The Hero of Time discovers his fiancee Ruto is the Sage of Water, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT Link meets Malon.png|Link meeting Malon for the first time in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link protecting Malon.png|Link protecting Malon in the OoT manga
File:Link and Malon OoT Manga.jpg|Link with Malon and Ingo in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Kaepora Gaebora tells Link he's popular with girls.png| Kaepora Gaebora teasing the young Hero of Time for having multiple girlfriends after meeting Saria, Zelda, and Malon (but not yet Ruto) in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link and Darunia celebrating.png|The young Hero of Time celebrating with Darunia in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link meets Ganondorf the first time.png|Child Link meets his archenemy Ganondorf for the first time in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Young Link tries to fight Ganondorf.png|Young Link attempts to defeat Ganondorf but proves no match for the Evil King, in the OoT manga
File:Young Link pulling the Master Sword (OoT manga).png|Link pulling the Master Sword in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:HeroofTimeAwakens.png|The Hero of Time awakens in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link learns he is the Hero of Time.png|The Hero of Time learns his destiny, from the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link as the Hero of Time.png|The Hero of Time ready for battle, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OOT Himekawa - Deku Babas.jpg|Link fighting Big Deku Babas in OoT manga
File:OoT manga Adult Link meets Impa.png|The Hero of Time reunites with Impa after seven years, in the OoT manga
File:Shadowlinkootmanga.png|Link encounters Dark Link in the OoT manga
File:Link vs. Dark Link OOT manga.png|Link challenged by his shadow self in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Dark Link fighting Link.png|Link vs. Dark Link, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Link gifted his earrings by Impa.png|Impa giving the Hero of Time his blue earrings as a gift, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link kills Volvagia.png|The Hero of Time killing Volvagia with a single slash to the neck, in the OoT manga
File:OOT Manga-Koume and Kotake's Fortune Teller Disguises.jpeg|Link encounters Koume and Kotake in Fortune Teller disguises in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link vs. brainwashed Nabooru.png|The Hero of Time defending himself against a brainwashed Nabooru, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Sheik helping Link stop Twinrova.png|Link and Shelk working together to defeat Twinrova, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:LinkZeldaOoTManga3.jpg|Princess Zelda reuniting with the Hero of Time in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Nabooru tells Link about Ganondorf.png|Nabooru telling the Hero of Time who and what Ganondorf is, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Nabooru agrees to help Link stop Ganondorf.png|Link and Nabooru joining forces to stop Ganondorf at his Castle, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Nabooru awakens as the last Sage.png|The Hero of Time discovers Nabooru is the final Sage before entering Ganon's Castle, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Rainbow Bridge.png|Link crossing the Rainbow Bridge to enter Ganon's Castle in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Link running up Ganon's Castle.png|The Hero of Time running through the inner staircase of Ganon's Castle, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Ganon's Castle throne room.png|The Hero of Time arriving before Ganondorf's throne room in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Triforce of Wisdom and Courage.png|The Hero of Time's Triforce of Courage resonating alongside Zelda's Triforce of Wisdom, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link challenges Ganondorf.png|Ganondorf being challenged by the Hero of Time before the final showdown, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganondorf attacks Link.png|Link dodges Ganondorf's magic attack, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganondorf battling Link.png|Ganondorf punches at Link but misses, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link vs. Ganondorf.png|The Hero of Time and Ganondorf clashing with their swords in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Ganondorf injuring Link.png|Ganondorf injures Link with his magic, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganondorf trying to finish off Link.png|The Hero of Time cleverly deflects Ganondorf's finishing attack with a Spin Attack, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link defeats Ganondorf.png|The Hero of Time finishes Ganondorf with a mighty slash in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganondorf mortally wounded.png|A wounded Ganondorf in disbelief by his defeat by the Hero of Time, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganondorf defeated.png|Ganondorf seemingly defeated by the Hero of Time, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganon's Castle collapsing.png|The Hero of Time and Princess Zelda escaping the collapsing Ganon's Castle with moments to spare, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganon's Castle destruction.png|The Hero of Time and Zelda believing they achieved victory upon the destruction of Ganon's Castle, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganondorf transforms into Ganon.png|Link and Zelda in shock as Ganondorf furiously rises and transforms into Ganon via the Triforce of Power, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Ganon appears.png|The Hero of Time faces the vicious Demon King Ganon, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Link vs. Ganon.png|Ganon violently knocks the Hero of Time down as he tries to fight back, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Princess Zelda and Navi assisting Link against Ganon.png|Princess Zelda and Navi take their opportunity to help the Hero of Time get back into action, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link getting back up to fight Ganon.png|The Hero of Time gets back up to resume fighting Ganon, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link striking Ganon's tail.png|Link discovers Ganon's weakness - his tail, upon slashing it, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Link preparing to slash down Ganon.png|The Hero of Time powerfully tackles Ganon down to the ground before jumping high into the air, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link wounds Ganon.png|The Hero of Time delivers a powerful Jump Attack onto Ganon's face and body, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Ganon injured before the final blow.png|With Ganon weakened, Princess Zelda tells the Hero of Time to deliver the final blow, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga The Final Blow.png|The Hero of Time ultimately defeats Ganon by thrusting the Master Sword onto the beast's forehead, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Seven Sages begin to seal Ganon.png|The Seven Sages begin to seal Ganon to the Evil Realm upon Link defeating the monster, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link rescues Hyrule.png|With Hyrule at peace, Zelda tells the Hero of Time they must part ways, in the OoT manga
File:OoT Link attempts to stop Zelda from sending him back to his childhood.png|The Hero of Time tries to prevent Princess Zelda from sending him back to his childhood, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga Link accepts his fate.png|The Hero of Time accepting his fate for Zelda, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga Link enters the Child Timeline.png|The Hero of Time sent into the Child Timeline before Navi says goodbye, in the Ocarina of Time manga
File:OoT manga ending.png|Child Link returns to the Castle Courtyard to meet Princess Zelda at the end of his Hyrule adventure, in the OoT manga
File:OoT manga adult chapter 1 artwork.png|Ocarina of Time manga artwork, with Zelda and Navi
File:OoT manga Link vs. Link chapter artwork.png|Ocarina of Time manga artwork
File:OoT manga Hero of Time is born chapter artwork.png|Ocarina of Time manga artwork
File:MM manga Link ambushed by Skull Kid.png|Link ambushed by Skull Kid in the Majora's Mask manga
File:LinkDekuMM.png|Skull Kid transforming Link into Deku Link in the Majora's Mask manga
File:MM manga Link angry at Tatl.png|Link angrily captures Tatl for her hostile behavior in the Majora's Mask manga 
File:MM manga Happy Mask Salesman begging Link.png|The Hero of Time reluctantly agrees to help the Happy Mask Salesman recover the Majora's Mask, in the MM manga
File:MM manga Link defeating Odolwa.png|Link defeating Odolwa with a Spin Attack in the Majora's Mask manga
File:Majoras mask links memories of ocarina of time.png|A flashback memory of the Hero of Time fighting Ganondorf in the Majora's Mask manga
File:MM manga Link watches the Moon.png|The Hero of Time looks up to the sinister Moon at Snowhead, in the MM manga
File:Kafei transformation.png|Link learns how Kafei turned into his age by the Skull Kid in the MM manga
File:MM manga Link defends against Majora's Mask.png|Link defending himself against Majora's Mask in the MM manga
File:MM manga Majora's Mask giving Link the Fierce Deity Mask.png|Majora's Mask gives Link the Fierce Deity's Mask for a game of "tag", in the MM manga
File:MM manga Link prepares to battle Majora's Mask.png|Link decides to "play" with Majora's Mask and ultimately puts on the Fierce Deity's Mask, in the MM manga
File:MM manga Link transforms into Fierce Deity.png|The Hero of Time transforms into the ferocious Fierce Deity Link, before going after Majora for the final showdown, in the Majora's Mask manga
File:OniLinkManga2.png|Link as Fierce Deity Link in the Majora's Mask manga
File:MM (Himekawa) Fierce Deity Link scares Tatl.png|Fierce Deity Link destorying Boss Remains with one slash in the MM manga
File:MM manga FD Link fighting Majora's Mask-Incarnation.png|Fierce Deity Link fighting against Majora's Mask and Incarnation forms, in the MM manga
File:MM manga FD Link fighting Majora's Incarnation.png|The Hero of Time dueling against Majora's Incarnation in the MM manga
File:MM (Himekawa) Fierce Deity dominates Majora.png|Fierce Deity Link easily overpowering Majora in the Majora's Mask manga
File:MM manga Fierce Deity Link destroying Majora.png|The Hero of Time as the Fierce Deity delivers the final blow against Majora's Wrath in the MM manga
File:MM manga Majora defeated.png|Majora ultimately killed by the Hero of Time before the Happy Mask Salesman tries to sneak around, in the MM manga
File:MM (Himekawa) Fierce Deity attacks Happy Mask Salesman.png|Fierce Deity Link trying to slash the powerless Majora's Mask in half while threatening the Happy Mask Salesman to leave, in the MM manga
File:MM manga Link removing Fierce Deity Mask.png|Accomplishing his mission of destroying Majora, the Hero of Time returns to normal upon removing the Fierce Deity Mask
File:MM manga Link leaving Termina.png|The Hero of Time says goodbye to Skull Kid and Tatl as he prepares to leave Termina, in the MM manga
File:MM manga ending.png|The Hero of Time seeming returning back to Hyrule at the end of his Termina adventure, in the MM manga
File:MM manga 9th chapter artwork.png|Majora's Mask manga artwork
File:MM manga Link, Anju, and Kafei artwork.png|Majora's Mask manga artwork, with Kafei and Anju
File:SCII Box Art.jpg|Link (top) on the Gamecube box art of Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link.jpg|Soul Calibur II render
File:SCII Link Artwork.png|Artwork of Link's fighting pose in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Artwork 3.png|Artwork of Link attacking in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Artwork 2.png|Artwork of Link in an alternate fighting pose in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Artwork with Link.webp|Official artwork of Link in Soul Calibur II with several main characters
File:SCII special art with Link.webp|Official artwork of Link in Soul Calibur II with a few main characters
File:SCII Link intro.png|The Hero of Time in the intro movie of Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link profile angles.webp|Multiple angles of Link in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link forward thrust.png|Performing a forward thrust in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link weapon exhibition profile view.png|Link in a battle stance in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Using Bow.png|Using the Bow in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Using Boomerang.png|Using the Boomerang in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Throwing Bomb.png|Using the Bomb in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Using Dash Attack.png|Executing the Dash Attack in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Performing Spin Attack.png|Executing a Spin Attack in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Using Up Thrust.png|Performing a Jump Thrust in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Using Down Thrust.png|Executing a Down Thrust in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link with Purple Tunic Model.png|Link in the Blue Ring tunic in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link forward view.png|Front view of Link in Soul Calibur II
File:SC II Link fighting Mitsurugi.webp|Link fighting Mitsurugi in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link fighting Sophitia.webp|Link vs. Sophita in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link Arm Buster.png|Link performing the Arm Buster on Raphael in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link before fighting Inferno.png|Link preparing to battle against Inferno in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link vs Inferno.png|The Hero of Time's Final Boss showdown in Soul Calibur II, where he must destroy Inferno
File:SCII Link defeats Inferno.png|Inferno exploding due to his ultimate defeat by Link's hand, in Soul Calibur II 
File:SCII Soul Calibur sword near Link.png|The Soul Calibur sword landing near the Hero of Time after killing Inferno
File:SCII Link Biggoron's Sword.png|Link holding the Biggoron's Sword with only one hand, in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link mirror match.png|Link in a mirror match in Soul Calibur II
File:SSBU Young Link.png|Young Link in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link Fairy Bow and Fire Arrow.png|Young Link preparing to shoot a Fire Arrow in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link Tip 2.png|Young Link throwing the Boomerang in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link 3.png|Young Link with a Fairy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link Lon Lon Milk.png|Young Link drinking Lon Lon Milk in Super Smash Bros, Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link Tip 5.png|Young Link executing his Final Smash, Triforce Slash on Mario in SSBU
File:SSBU Young Link 5.png|Young Link in the Dark Link costume performing a Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link Render.png|Young Link standard render in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link Render 8.png|Young Link's Dark Link alternate costume in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link Stock Icon.png|Stock icon in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:SSBU Young Link Stock Icon 8.png|Dark Young Link stock icon in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
File:HW Young Link Render.png|Young Link's standard outfit in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Young Link Sword Alt.png|Young Link with the Kokiri Sword in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Young Link Sword.png|Young Link attack render in Hyrule Warriors
File:HWDE Young Link Icon.png|Young Link portrait in Hyrule Warriors
File:HWDE Young Link Portrait 4.png|Young Link portrait in Hyrule Warriors, with Navi
File:HWDE Young Link Portrait 3.png|Young Link portrait in Hyrule Warriors, with Navi
File:HWDE Young Link Portrait 2.png|Young Link protrait in Hyrule Warriors, with Navi
File:HW Dark Young Link Icon.png|Dark Young Link portrait in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Young Link - Fierce Deity Form.png|Young Link as Fierce Deity Link in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Young Link Adventure Mode Icon.png|Young Link Adventure Mode icon in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Young Link Head Adventure Mode Icon.png|Young Link head Adventure Mode icon in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Young Link - Ocarina of Time.png|Young Link playing the Ocarina of Time next to Ganondorf in Hyrule Warriors
File:Young Link Transforming HW.png|Young Link transforming into Fierce Deity Link in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Fierce Deity Link (Vengeful).png|Fierce Deity Link in his more powerful Vengeful state in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW - Fierce Deity Link Screenshot.png|Fierce Deity Link performing his Focus Attack towards the Skull Kid and Moon in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Fierce Deity Link slicing Moon in half.png|Fierce Deity slicing the Moon in half with his Focus Attack in Hyrule Warriors
File:HW Young Link victory.png|Young Link in his victory pose from Hyrule Warriors
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 3.png|Link meeting Navi and the Great Deku Tree in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 5.png|Link defeating Queen Gohma in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 4.png|Link learns about the Triforce and Ganondorf in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 6.png|Link meeting Princess Zelda before encountering Ganondorf in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 7.png|Child Link defeated by Ganondorf in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 8.png|Link pulling the Master Sword in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 9.png|Link awakens as the Hero of Time in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 12.png|Princess Zelda being captured in front of the Hero of Time in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 14.png|Link's, Princess Zelda's, and Ganondorf's respective Triforce pieces resonating in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 15.png|Link battles Ganondorf, in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 2.png|Link and Ganondorf fighting, simultaneously delivering hits, in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 13.png|Ganondorf and Link injured from their sword blows in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 1.png|Link wounded in his mortal duel against Ganondorf, in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 11.png|Link rejoicing with Princess Zelda after Ganondorf's defeat in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:OoT3D Himekawa Promotional Manga 10.png|Link, filled with dark regrets, transforming into the Hero's Spirit in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
File:3DS OOT 1.png|Link riding Epona across Hyrule Field in the Ocarina of Time 3D opening screen
File:MM Link Mask Model.png|The planned but cut Link Mask in Majora's Mask
File:Link's House.png|Link's House in Ocarina of Time
File:Links drawing.jpg|A drawing of Link fighting a monster on his house in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Adult Link next to Impa.png|Adult Link's height next to Impa's
File:Unused Fairy Bow waiting position.png|The Hero of Time in an unused waiting position with the Fairy Bow
File:Unused Biggoron's Sword defense block.png|The Hero of Time in an unused defensive position with the Biggoron's Sword
File:OoT Arwing.png|Link fighting against an Arwing from the Star Fox series, in Ocarina of Time
File:OoT Comic 11.jpg|Nintendo Power comic
File:OoT Comic 24.jpg|Link as a baby orphaned to the Great Deku Tree by his mother in the Nintendo Power comic
File:OoT Comic Link & Zelda.png|Link talking to Princess Zelda in the Nintendo Power comic
File:OoT Comic Child-Adult high five.png|Child Link lands a high-five with his adult self, with Saria, in the Nintendo Power comic
File:LH MM3D 1.jpg|Link in a special volume based on Majora's Mask 3D in Link's Hijinks
File:LH MM3D 2.jpg|Link in a special volume based on Majora's Mask 3D in Link's Hijinks
File:Akira Himekawa Super Moon Artwork.jpg|Akira Himekawa artwork
File:Akira Himekawa Nintendo Dream Artwork.jpg|Akira Himekawa artwork
File:Akira Himekawa New Year Link Artwork.jpg|2016 Akira Himekawa artwork
File:Akira Himekawa Famicom 20th Anniversary Artwork.jpg|Akira Himekawa artwork
File:Akira Himekawa Game Magazine Artwork.jpg|Akira Himekawa artwork, with the Hero of Time meeting his Adult Timeline descendant, the Hero of Winds
File:Akira Himekawa Coming-of-Age Day Artwork.jpg|Akira Himekawa artwork
File:Akira Himekawa Christmas Artwork.jpg|Christmas Akira Himekawa artwork
File:OoT Nintendo Power Guide Shigeru Miyamoto Signature.png|Shigeru Miyamoto's signature and drawing of the Hero of Time from the 1998 Nintendo Power
File:OoT Nintendo Power Guide.png|The Hero of Time drawing his Bow in the OoT Prima offical strategy guide
File:SCII Link JP commercial.png|The Hero of Time in a Japanese commercial for Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Link wallpaper.webp|The Hero of Time's wallpaper in Soul Calibur II
File:SCII main cast artwork plus Link.webp|Artwork of the Hero of Time with the main cast of Soul Calibur II
File:SCII Artwork.png|Artwork of the Hero of Time's silhouette from Soul Cailbur II
File:Atomic Purple Nintendo 64 Link.png|Nintendo 64 bundle featuring the Hero of Time
File:MM Collector's Edition Cartridge.png|The Hero of Time in the Collector's Edition Majora's Mask N64 cartridge
File:OoT Link and Epona Figure.jpg|Official merchandise
File:OoT Link Collectible Action Figure.jpg|Official merchandise
File:OoT Link in Goron Tunic Figure.jpg|Official merchandise
File:OoT Shadow Link Figure.png|Official merchandise, as Dark Link
File:OoTLinkJoyRideStudiosNintPower.jpg|Official merchandise
File:OoTLinkandEponaJoyRideStudiosNintPower6in.jpg|Official merchandise
File:OoT Link amiibo JP Box.png|Ocarina of Time amiibo
File:TLoZ Series Link amiibo JP Box.png|Majora's Mask amiibo
File:SSB Series Young Link amiibo NA Box.png|Super Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo
File:MM3D Nendoroid Link 4.jpg|Official merchandise, with Tatl and drinking a Red Potion
File:MM3D Nendoroid Link 6.jpg|Official merchandise, wearing Majora's Mask
File:MM3D Ultra Detail Link.jpg|Official merchandise, holding the Mask of Truth
File:Zelda ocarina of time-e3 1997-promotional statue.jpg|Official merchandise
File:OoT Ultra Detail Link.jpg|Official merchandise
File:MM F4F Fierce Deity Link.jpg|Official merchandise, as Fierce Deity Link
File:OoT (Himekawa) 17th anniversary Artwork.png|Ocarina of Time 17th anniversary (2015) artwork
File:Majora's Mask by Lihya.png|Special artwork of Majora's Mask
File:Link MM 25Anny.png|Series 25th anniversary (2011) artwork
File:Link OoT 25Anny.png|Series 25th anniversary artwork
File:Deku Link 25 aniversary.png|Deku Link series 25th anniversary artwork
File:Fierce Deity Link 25 aniversary.png|Fierce Deity Link series 25th anniversary artwork
File:OoT Downfall Timeline Game Over.png|The Bad Ending of the Hero of Time's adventure if defeated by Ganon
File:SSB64 Link Ending.png|The Hero of Time's ending screen in Super Smash Bros.
File:SCII Link at Ending.jpg|The ending of the Hero of Time's adventure in Soul Calibur II
File:OOT Ending.jpg|The ending of the Hero of Time's adventure in Hyrule in Ocarina of Time
File:MM End Credits.jpg|The ending of the Hero of Time's adventure in Termina in Majora's Mask
==See Also==
* Young Link
fr:Héros_du_Temps
zh-tw:時之勇者