Young Link
- For fighter info, see Young Link (SSBM).
| Young Link | |
|---|---|
 File:ZeldaSymbol.png Official artwork of Young Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. | |
| Universe | The Legend of Zelda |
| Debut | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) |
| Smash Bros. appearances | Melee Brawl Ultimate |
| Most recent non-Smash appearance | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (2011) |
| Console/platform of origin | Nintendo 64 |
| Species | Hylian |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of origin | Hyrule |
| Voice actor | Fujiko Takimoto |
| Article on Zelda Wiki | Young Link |
Young Link (こどもリンク, Kodomo Rinku) is a common depiction of Link throughout The Legend of Zelda series; as such, there have been several incarnations of Young Link, as there have been several incarnations of the older Link.
Character description
The exact first appearance of "Young Link" is arguable. The first clear appearance of a prepubescent Link was in the beginning portion of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in which the "Hero of Time"[1] begins his quest as a young boy. Prior to this, all other Links appeared to be portrayed as being post-pubescent in each game's official artwork. However, the trophy description for Young Link in Super Smash Bros. Melee refers to the original hero from The Legend of Zelda as being a "Young Link" and indicated most subsequent titles feature Links as youths as well. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the first installment in the series to put the differences between the child and adult forms of a Link. The young Link in Super Smash Bros. Melee is based on the "Hero of Time" and is the primary protagonist in Majora's Mask. Though other kid incarnations of Links have appeared in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, The Wind Waker as well as its sequel Phantom Hourglass, and The Minish Cap, they are generally referred to as "Toon Link".
Kokiri Sword
The Kokiri Sword is the weapon that Young Link brandishes in Melee. It is generally weaker and has less range than Link's Master Sword, but can possess different qualities when Young Link is attacking. The Kokiri Sword was the only sword Young Link was capable of using in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and was his default weapon in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Young Link also carries the Deku Shield.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee
Young Link appears as a playable character separate from Link. In general, he is smaller and less powerful than Link, although he greatly makes up for it in terms of faster speed. He is ranked 15th on the tier list in the B tier, just one space above Link.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Young Link was one of the five playable characters in Melee who didn't return in Brawl, and he also does not appear in Brawl in any sort of other capacity. However, it appears Young Link was replaced by Toon Link, as both have an identical character design (both being younger, smaller, weaker, and faster versions of Link), and Toon Link retains most of the moveset differences Young Link had from Link (such as a forward smash where the first hit deals set knockback, a grounded Spin Attack that is multi-hitting, and a down aerial that can meteor smash), in addition to more changes that could be considered further decloning.
References
- ^ The term used to describe the Link featured in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
