Why doesn't Link speak?

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  • Опубліковано 20 кві 2023
  • Link is famous for NEVER speaking in the Legend of Zelda games. But why not? Why doesn't Nintendo let Link say anything? Well, in this video I'll go through the entire Zelda series, from the NES to Breath of the Wild and beyond, to figure out why Link hasn't said a word!
    PATREON - / thomasgamedocs
    MERCH - teespring.com/stores/thomas-g...
    TWITTER - / thomasgdocs
    SOURCES
    Martinet wanted to be Link’s voice
    gonintendo.com/?p=104332
    web.archive.org/web/200911200...
    Aonuma didn’t want Link to talk in SS
    www.destructoid.com/zelda-sky...
    Aonuma knows fans want L to speak but feels L’s silence is important to his character
    nintendoeverything.com/aonuma...
    Link’s name origin
    www.nintendoworldreport.com/ne...
    mynintendonews.com/2012/11/04...
    www.gamekult.com/actualite/mi...
    Interviews with creators + cast of LoZ cartoon
    zeldauniverse.net/2019/09/03/...
    www.polygon.com/zelda/2354052...
    Interview with CDI Link voice actor
    web.archive.org/web/202102220...
  • Ігри

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,6 тис.

  • @youraveragegamer4604
    @youraveragegamer4604 Рік тому +3467

    Link actually does have one English spoken voice line, in the Wind Waker. In the Tower of The Gods, when calling one of those ancient statues to him, Link calls out ”C’mon!” in English

    • @tirvine9102
      @tirvine9102 Рік тому +339

      Yes, I came here to say this too. If I remember correctly he also says "Over Here!"

    • @jo.sevigny
      @jo.sevigny Рік тому +254

      He also speaks (in text) in Zelda 2. "I FOUND A MIRROR UNDER THE TABLE"

    • @AnAnonymousPenguin
      @AnAnonymousPenguin Рік тому +267

      Let's not forget his iconic 'meow'

    • @luksmuk
      @luksmuk Рік тому +119

      He also says "Meow"

    • @chrisandreas3142
      @chrisandreas3142 Рік тому +41

      Windwaker is my favorite Zelda game, i played it like 5 times and i never realised that 😅

  • @toanuva6178
    @toanuva6178 Рік тому +2798

    Gamers: “Why doesn’t Link talk”
    Link *In the middle of Hyrule field with not a sign of life that doesn’t want him dead:* “Who the *$&%#* I’m I supposed to talk to?”

  • @maikomarx
    @maikomarx Рік тому +674

    I always imagined link canonically talks, it’s just whatever you as a player imagine him to say during any given conversation. That paired with response options, it seems that link isn’t necessarily mute in universe, just outside the games.

    • @jokerlyzermedia6603
      @jokerlyzermedia6603 Рік тому +29

      Yes that is actually fact, confirmed by Nintendo! 🥰

    • @Tiny_24
      @Tiny_24 Рік тому +41

      Yeah I like to think that the reason we seem him talk to NPCs in botw is because his personality had changed due to him forgetting he is the hero. Also, almost everyone that knew him as the chosen knight is dead.

    • @sebasblos1
      @sebasblos1 Рік тому +9

      ​@@Tiny_24 except the zoras, those guys live a long life lol

    • @emz33
      @emz33 Рік тому +22

      Agreed, it especially shows in Tears of the Kingdom. He’ll talk to other characters about what had happened to him but we don’t need to hear it because we played it out

    • @sebasblos1
      @sebasblos1 Рік тому +9

      @@emz33 i always find funny how some people think that he is purely mute and that he talks in sign language... then we have things like in skyward sword where there is an entire section of link 'talking' and in totk where he speaks... way too much. like he spills all of the reason of why he is there to anyone who asks. this happens way too often

  • @HelicopterVr
    @HelicopterVr Рік тому +481

    I think not adding a voice to link, was a really good idea, it kind of gives him a unique personality.

    • @deadx0092
      @deadx0092 Рік тому +27

      No🤣.
      In recent games a little bit because you can see more face expressions but for the most time Link just looks like this "😐"
      And it ruins emersion when there is people having entire conversation's with Link and he is just staring and their soul

    • @wolfy3444
      @wolfy3444 Рік тому +20

      @@deadx0092 I think I know what Jack is trying to say. It adds some personal experiences that kept him silent. Link felt burdened with such a task and struggled to show emotion (lore wise). It adds a deep perspective.

    • @nuance9000
      @nuance9000 Рік тому +12

      ​@@deadx0092 Lolz. Do you wanna try writing dialogue for Link in a Zelda game: "Excuse me Ganon! I'm here to save the triforce with my 6 sage buds! Get wrecked, come on!"

    • @boodledemic6430
      @boodledemic6430 11 місяців тому +5

      I hope my coworkers think the same about me when I don’t talk

    • @neilds1240
      @neilds1240 7 місяців тому

      In auction he gets to shout for the price🤣

  • @Wolfiyeethegranddukecerberus17
    @Wolfiyeethegranddukecerberus17 Рік тому +1505

    Link actually does speak at least twice. In Zelda 2, he said "There's a mirror under the table", and in Windwaker, he screamed "COME ON"

    • @ArceusDX
      @ArceusDX Рік тому +249

      I mean if we're gonna talk about written dialogue, then Link is actually really chatty and surprisingly snarky and sarcastic if his dialogue options in Skyward Sword and breath of the Wild are anything to go by

    • @JamieElli
      @JamieElli Рік тому +73

      Yeah, at this point, Link is only silent in cutscenes.

    • @ska4dragons
      @ska4dragons Рік тому +9

      Also in A Link To The Past. Especially in the japanese text.

    • @makonede
      @makonede Рік тому +3

      @@PumpkinHead-jt3vx have you watched the video?

    • @autumnsprites488
      @autumnsprites488 Рік тому +3

      How about that time in A Link To The Past. When you try to open the big chest without a big key, a text box pops up. Saying that you need the big key, in oder to open it. Or is it just his thoughts?

  • @Pizzaetertje
    @Pizzaetertje Рік тому +1543

    He’s just too cool to talk 😎

  • @ShaOryDow
    @ShaOryDow Рік тому +140

    There's also a cutscene in BOTW where both Zelda and Link are riding on their horses, with Zelda repeating a line from earlier, followed by her saying "Your advice was quite helpful, thank you."
    There's also a few moments in BOTW where Link has to explain something, and you can see his hands move around, talking to Riju for example.
    I guess they forgot to unmute his voice during these scenes, :)

    • @ChrisLeeW00
      @ChrisLeeW00 Рік тому +26

      They forgot to mic him before filming the scene 🎬

    • @AAABatteries.
      @AAABatteries. 2 місяці тому

      Wait he was actually supposed to speak then? I thought he was just doing some weird hand signs

    • @lbud4092
      @lbud4092 Місяць тому +1

      @@AAABatteries. My head canon is that he uses Hylian sign language

    • @AAABatteries.
      @AAABatteries. Місяць тому +1

      @@lbud4092 that would make sense if his only gestures weren't just kinda holding his palms out and moving one hand. 💀

    • @lbud4092
      @lbud4092 Місяць тому +1

      @@AAABatteries. that's why it's a head canon and not canon lol

  • @TheseUseless
    @TheseUseless Рік тому +84

    BOTW link is stated to be a chatterbox in some companion material or other I think. But he’s selective mute pre-calamity and we know he speaks to Zelda atleast once. Post calamity he’s lost a lot of the baggage that stopped him from talking or being expressive, so he is now VERY expressive, and is implied to speak constantly within the game itself.

    • @WolfWriterL.P
      @WolfWriterL.P Місяць тому +1

      huh. Never thought of that... Good point!

  • @WideSmileOfficial
    @WideSmileOfficial Рік тому +358

    He takes energy out of talking and puts it into everything else

  • @Mazikeen2904
    @Mazikeen2904 Рік тому +920

    At this point it would be more strange to have Link talk on screen. Though it's clear that he can speak, I doubt there would be a voice that would suit him.

    • @That-girliscrazy
      @That-girliscrazy Рік тому +89

      The person who plays link already suits him but doesn’t speak English

    • @WasatchWind
      @WasatchWind Рік тому +61

      I think something we need to take note of however, is that seeing the success of the Mario movie, it is almost a certainty that they will make a Zelda movie. Besides my great concern that it will be a lot like the Mario movie and be lacking in story, which feels very incongruous for Zelda's tone, I'm afraid that they will have Link be a mute, or that even if he does, there will be a bunch of groan worthy Marvel jokes alluding to the fact that he doesn't have voice acting in the games.

    • @TheEtherny
      @TheEtherny Рік тому +21

      In the mangas they have him speaking and it feels okay because it's quite generic, I don't think this would work in the games without sounding cheesy tho

    • @bryanna72
      @bryanna72 Рік тому +17

      Use the 1989 link voice actor lol

    • @QnjtGWonQNqVsbYyzjx4
      @QnjtGWonQNqVsbYyzjx4 Рік тому +1

      @@WasatchWind maybe they try to have his voice be emotional as possible, having him cry or seems happy or something without him speaking out English

  • @Judgementfr
    @Judgementfr Рік тому +27

    7:44 I don’t know what it is but it just feels so wholesome of Mario for thanking you for playing his game

    • @Hollzilla
      @Hollzilla 11 місяців тому +2

      Let me rewrite that: I don’t know what it is but it just feels so wholesome of Mario for thanking you for to playing his game

    • @Judgementfr
      @Judgementfr 11 місяців тому

      @@Hollzilla yes

  • @DELTA50Q
    @DELTA50Q 2 місяці тому +30

    Its because hes mewing nonstop

  • @NekoTamer15
    @NekoTamer15 Рік тому +469

    Link is not entirely silent. In Windwaker, he yells "come on!" out loud. And in Breath of the Wild, there are moments where he speaks full sentences in the text. My favorite examples are when he's demanding the glider from Rhoam and the boots from the guy that has a crush on him. Zelda revealed in her diary that Link is a glutton but we can see for ourselves that he is also very greedy.

    • @lexinicole4317
      @lexinicole4317 Рік тому +39

      …what? Link is “greedy” in what instance exactly? With the paraglider he makes an agreed upon trade (in his mind, as that’s what Rhoam told him it was) and it gets backed out on. Not to mention you have dialogue options in this game, meaning either all of them can define Link’s character, or none of them can.

    • @NekoTamer15
      @NekoTamer15 Рік тому +66

      @Lexi Nicole In BotW, instead of saying just yes or no, Link has dialogue to represent yes or no. When talking to Rhoam about the paraglider, if you say yes to wanting the paraglider, Link says "hand it over!" And with the sand/snow boot guy, if you are initiating the side quest, the first 2 things Link says to the guy are "nice sand jogging" and "gimme the boots" Whenever Link is told yes by the player, his first instinct is to demand being given stuff. Getting it through a trade doesn't make him non-greedy. It makes him reasonable and hard working

    • @pocarisweat_jp
      @pocarisweat_jp Рік тому +34

      Those "full sentences" you're talking about are still silent, they're not _voiced_ like this video is talking about.

    • @NekoTamer15
      @NekoTamer15 Рік тому +10

      @@pocarisweat_jp You got me there. I could've worded it better. I should've said verbal.

    • @omglol8425
      @omglol8425 Рік тому +2

      He has text options in Skyward Sword too, right?

  • @paulstephens2861
    @paulstephens2861 Рік тому +408

    A thing I’d like to point out is that Wind Waker Link says things sometimes (like commanding people to follow him (Edit: when he has someone with him, if he walks far away enough he calls out “Come on!”)) and Breath of the Wild Link actually talks a lot in response to NPC dialogue, but never says anything in the cutscenes where you’d be able to hear his voice.

    • @Bulba413
      @Bulba413 Рік тому +46

      he says one line in the adventure of link too, interestingly enough
      "i found a mirror under the table"

    • @Roshuwah
      @Roshuwah Рік тому +2

      I was gonna say that too with wind Waker!

    • @pizzatron2010
      @pizzatron2010 Рік тому +5

      yay someone mentioned wind waker! I was waiting for Thomas to say something about it but I guess not oh well

    • @UBvtuber
      @UBvtuber Рік тому +4

      Ah yes, the genshin impact effect.... .except breath of the wild inspired genshin impact. And they actually have the MC talk a little in major story cutscenes.

    • @Link_1129
      @Link_1129 Рік тому +11

      @@Bulba413 He also says later in the same game "Looks like I can get in the fireplace."
      Though, in the cases of these two lines, they seem to work better as thoughts rather than actually being spoken. He does speak a lot as dialogue responses, and even says your file name in Ocarina of Time (the green text in the initial meeting with Zelda), but aside from the "C'mon!" spoken in The Wind Waker to the statues inside the Tower of The Gods, nothing with voice-acting.

  • @jessemunoz1
    @jessemunoz1 Рік тому +17

    Zelda's diary actually says that she got him to speak to her in breath of the wild. I guess he told her why he's so quiet all the time.

  • @TheBreadPirate
    @TheBreadPirate Рік тому +20

    This is a great recap on the history of Link's voice acting! Thanks for putting this together.

  • @NipplesTheEnchilada2323
    @NipplesTheEnchilada2323 Рік тому +259

    Fun fact: The only time they ever put words to Link's thoughts was in Breath of the Wild, but only in the Japanese version, via the the Quest Log, as it reads out like diary entries from Link himself.

    • @lexinicole4317
      @lexinicole4317 Рік тому +36

      Link also has dialogue options in Breath of the Wild, so he does speak, pretty regularly

    • @ghoulchan7525
      @ghoulchan7525 Рік тому +19

      there's also a few thoughts he has. when interesting with a few things. like wondering if some fish were caught locally in Lurlin.
      and i think there's also a few when you interact with books.

    • @That-girliscrazy
      @That-girliscrazy Рік тому +1

      @@ghoulchan7525 what do it say with books

    • @ghoulchan7525
      @ghoulchan7525 Рік тому +11

      @@That-girliscrazy "was this always here before' when you find the DLC books.
      and he has some when interacting with diaries

    • @Tiny_24
      @Tiny_24 Рік тому +17

      @@ghoulchan7525 "must not read...must not read" when interacting with miphas diary I think

  • @BloxxingDinosaurus
    @BloxxingDinosaurus Рік тому +108

    Link really took Stoicism to another level.

    • @christopherflux6254
      @christopherflux6254 Рік тому +8

      Stoicism is a philosophical attitude to life, it’s not necessarily about keeping silent

    • @ctrl_x1770
      @ctrl_x1770 9 місяців тому

      Kind of refreshing, what with all the talkative protagonists lately.

  • @slednix8215
    @slednix8215 Рік тому +33

    If link spoke too much he’d lose all his charm. My favorite is in OOT when he just stares at everyone like they’re crazy and runs away.

  • @infinite1up389
    @infinite1up389 Рік тому +35

    I much prefer the silent stoic approach to link than to have him be emotionally reactive to everything like a cartoon character would. It helps me take the story a little more serious.

  • @NigelThrashner
    @NigelThrashner Рік тому +82

    Link shows personality in his face now. It started with Wind Waker. He’s often a bit bubbly, even in TP and Skyward Sword. Or when he’s cooking in BOTW 🤭.

  • @Victini7472
    @Victini7472 Рік тому +217

    well the last time he spoke we got "Well, *_EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUSE ME,_* _PRINCESS!"_
    we need him to speak more (also i always wondered why he sounds so passive-aggressive when he says that lol)

  • @Little-Dude
    @Little-Dude Рік тому +11

    The question is definitely more of why _we_ don't hear him talk as opposed to why he doesn't "speak". We know because of dialogue options that he talks to the characters in-game. It's pretty straightforward until Breath of the Wild where we get a lot more personality in his response options. Even though we don't hear them spoken aloud, that already is a pretty big step forward in giving him a personality.

  • @turkostemicentertainment7821
    @turkostemicentertainment7821 Рік тому +9

    Every time Link interacts with someone, in game, he talks. He gets info pertaining to his quest, the local area(s) and about their personal lives. They just don't include any of his dialogue. We can use our imagination for Link's parts

  • @stevenbarker8864
    @stevenbarker8864 Рік тому +209

    There are several games where other characters speaking with Link have dialogue with him that makes it seem as though he’s responding to them. I think in A Link Between Worlds, you actually see Link telling a character a whole story as the scene cuts out. And then in other games, you’re given the option to chose one of 2 or 3 response options when talking to another character. I think that Link does actually talk, we as the player, are just not allowed to hear it or see it (with the exception of choosing his responses in a couple of titles).

    • @SoniXperias
      @SoniXperias Рік тому +27

      Yeah link has alot of dialogue in botw too

    • @stevenbarker8864
      @stevenbarker8864 Рік тому +24

      I do like the idea of him being 100% mute outside of his grunts and yells, but it does seem that he talks, it’s just not anything we get to see for ourselves.

    • @stevenbarker8864
      @stevenbarker8864 Рік тому +2

      Also, I love your videos, Thomas! You have such a delightful voice ❤

    • @Juan_blooms
      @Juan_blooms Рік тому +5

      He just straight up, says come on in wind Waker

    • @stevenbarker8864
      @stevenbarker8864 Рік тому

      Lol yes that’s true as well

  • @NaiveSteve
    @NaiveSteve Рік тому +152

    A funny omission to this conversation is that link does have written dialog. Especially in breath of the wild he has dialog options that npcs react to. So link does speak, just not for us

    • @monke7919
      @monke7919 Рік тому +35

      Exactly it follows the silent protagonists rule while still not being cannonicly mute

    • @IceBlueLugia
      @IceBlueLugia Рік тому +13

      I mean, silent protagonists do this all the time. Pokémon is an easy example. This isn’t really anything noteworthy

    • @WasatchWind
      @WasatchWind Рік тому +18

      @@monke7919 It really makes me groan whenever I see some comedy skit where people act like he is canonically mute. He is not. I'm afraid it will result in this actually happening in the inevitable Zelda movie, which will be the final nail in the coffin that I will not see it.

    • @ahypocriticalorange
      @ahypocriticalorange Рік тому +27

      not only does he talk in botw, he also shows off a particular enjoyment of puns. sand seals? sealiously?

    • @Tiny_24
      @Tiny_24 Рік тому +6

      @@ahypocriticalorange let's seal the deal!

  • @taemien9219
    @taemien9219 Рік тому +13

    Being that Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are the Zelda games Miyamoto always wished to produce, I think its safe to say that Link has always been meant to be the Silent Knight Protector that bears his burdens selflessly, alone, and without complaint.
    If there was any time he was to break this near oath of silence and say anything beyond a simple phrase (such as he has in previous games) it means his will is breaking and the fate of the world is in peril. I don't really see this happening anytime soon as Demise, Demon King Ganon, and Calamity Ganon have yet to make this happen.

  • @eljaminlatour6633
    @eljaminlatour6633 Рік тому +10

    There were also certain instances where Link does speak. In Wind Waker, when Link calls Medli or Mekar, he says "C'mon!". Another instance are the manga adaptations of the games by Akira Himekawa. The last thing I can remember regarding Link's voice was that Robot Chicken show.

  • @RazoE
    @RazoE Рік тому +178

    If you notice, up until BOTW/Hyrule Warriors, Link could always be renamed, so his name was never set in stone. It wouldn't make too much sense calling him by name in the games

    • @darrenmacqueen9884
      @darrenmacqueen9884 Рік тому +9

      I always liked that option. To me, it helped explain away the seeming coincidence that all the heroes have the same name. They really don't have the same name, their name is just whatever you choose to name them. Just like all the trainers in Pokemon. The royal family has the tradition of passing down the Zelda name, but I think each hero canonically has different names. I don't understand why BOTW removed that option. It's not like there's that much voice acting in the game, they could have easily avoided having his name spoken in voiced cut scenes.

    • @guywithdreads
      @guywithdreads Рік тому +25

      @@darrenmacqueen9884 cause he actually is link

    • @TheReZisTLust
      @TheReZisTLust Рік тому

      ​@@darrenmacqueen9884 There's probably set Links for certain big battles then. Set in stone that this individual is called link by parents.

    • @newbcakeful
      @newbcakeful Рік тому +14

      That made it funny when I first played Ocarina of Time and I thought that Link's name was supposed to be Zelda so I named him that, then when I met Zelda for the first time and she asked my name she replied something like, Zelda? Wow, that sounds so familiar! and I died laughing (I was a little kid)

    • @RazoE
      @RazoE Рік тому +3

      @@newbcakeful if you named Link "Zelda" in the first game, you immediately unlocked the 2nd quest, so it was worth a shot 😁

  • @hajimesenpai7996
    @hajimesenpai7996 Рік тому +19

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that Link does talk! My favorite line from Link in BOTW is when he spoke to NPC about being 100+ years old or something like that. It was funny 😂

  • @bukachell
    @bukachell Рік тому +12

    There's a pretty big error in the subtitles, just to let you know. At 3:58 the subtitles repeat from the beginning of the video until 7:20, where it picks up from where it should've continued at first, eventually speeding up to resynchronise with the video at 9:32. Made what you were saying fairly difficult with the mismatched subtitles, and it's probably worse for people that really do need them.

  • @surrenedyj8695
    @surrenedyj8695 Рік тому

    Awesome video man! I learned so much from this! Count me as subscribed. 😄
    I personally have always really liked the freedom that came with Link not having a voice/not speaking. There’s such a presence about him, that he doesn’t really need it. Although, I really appreciated how they integrated his lack of speaking into the story of Breath Of The Wild. It brought so much more depth! And although I always liked how he didn’t speak, I always felt that there should be a plausible reason within his character to explain it shown in the games. And now there is. 😊

  • @Kisarasart
    @Kisarasart Рік тому +57

    He speaks in Wind Waker when using the command to make statues follow him. He says, "Come on!" So, he has spoken before.

    • @kadelemonade
      @kadelemonade Рік тому +8

      He also meows haha

    • @yakushishi
      @yakushishi Рік тому +1

      @@kadelemonade Thanks, I was looking for someone to mention it

    • @Kisarasart
      @Kisarasart Рік тому +1

      @@kadelemonade Oh yeah! You're right about that! ☺

    • @KrimzonCasper
      @KrimzonCasper Рік тому +1

      I could’ve sworn Link said “come on” when he was patting the horse in botw

    • @boggle4763
      @boggle4763 Рік тому +1

      Well link does say “ha-ha” while pressing the attack button while shield surfing in botw

  • @realsalu634
    @realsalu634 Рік тому +27

    Well, in TP, the ghost soldier that trains Link and teaches him moves, he speaks an bunch, and he is the OOT/MM one...thus Link can speak full phases

  • @artsyebonyrose
    @artsyebonyrose Рік тому

    your videos are always so thorough, its so entertaining :)

  • @AnarchoTak
    @AnarchoTak Рік тому +5

    link does time travel in some of his games. so you can say he is still the "link" to the present and future.

  • @delreybaby
    @delreybaby Рік тому +91

    i mean if forespoken has thought us anything is that having a silent protagonist is a rare blessing

    • @lordecke
      @lordecke Рік тому +5

      has nothing to do with the fact that he never talks in cutscenes. and thats dumb in my opinion

    • @superbodoque7860
      @superbodoque7860 Рік тому +19

      "so let me get this straight, I'm somewhere I wouldn't call Hyrule, I'm seeing freaking Gleeoks and, oh yeah, I'm talking! Yeah ok that's something I do now, I do magic, kill jacked up beasts, I'll probably glide next"

    • @delreybaby
      @delreybaby Рік тому +7

      @@lordecke relax it’s a youtube comment

    • @Tomato.toothpaste
      @Tomato.toothpaste Рік тому +9

      I do like that Link speaks in the flavour text of items within the game. In Japanese, BOTW Link gives his own thoughts and insight on items you pick up. Also every dialogue option you choose could be seen as Link speaking. (Though, my head cannon is he uses a hyrulian sign language)

    • @chknrsandTBBTROX73
      @chknrsandTBBTROX73 Рік тому

      This is racist, sexist and homophobic

  • @weirdwaterboy8224
    @weirdwaterboy8224 Рік тому +25

    Fun fact he actually talks in all of the Zelda mangas and has his own personality in them

    • @spongefan6170
      @spongefan6170 Рік тому +2

      Joseph Joestar: *"OOOOOOOHHHHHHH NNNNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"*

  • @IamMonvi
    @IamMonvi Рік тому +6

    I like to imagine he doesn't speak, due to the ptsd he's acquired by repeatedly dying, while saving an infinitely resetting world

  • @TGOS-Official
    @TGOS-Official Рік тому +4

    In the Mario Movie, Charles Martinet actually voices Mario's dad.

  • @SoniXperias
    @SoniXperias Рік тому +9

    9:18 it worked. I always imagined myself as link when I was a kid.

  • @CuriousKey
    @CuriousKey Рік тому +59

    I'd argue Mario also counts as a silent protagonist - his utterances are more along the line of thematic vocalisations than actual statements. "Mamma mia!" and "haaa!" both serve the same purpose - to make the character feel more dynamic and present, and give a sense of their personality and character. In neither case is the character actually *saying* anything, like "I should go to the shops for milk".
    Both characters make *sounds*, but that's it. With the exception of the slightly questionable-sounding line Mario has at the ending of 64.

    • @cocoapowered
      @cocoapowered Рік тому +17

      yeah I thought it was a little strange that he made it seem like Mario talks all the time - said some people would argue Mario talks too much? i feel like it’s almost the total opposite, he speaks just slightly more than Link. he has his catchphrases, sure, but that’s about it.

    • @mrshmuga9
      @mrshmuga9 Рік тому +6

      @@cocoapowered One of the only ways you could get Mario to say an actual line (outside the ending) is if you… literally do nothing. Just leave the controller idle, he’ll fall asleep, and eventually talk in his sleep about spaghetti or something.

    • @HelpTheWretched
      @HelpTheWretched Рік тому +1

      That was made really clear in Super Mario RPG. He frequently "talks" by waving his hands around or acting things out, and other characters respond like he just spoke in full sentences.

    • @chrisandreas3142
      @chrisandreas3142 Рік тому

      Mario speaks a lot

    • @jkekbe4336
      @jkekbe4336 Рік тому +6

      “So long, gay Bowser!”

  • @maryam.m
    @maryam.m Рік тому +2

    9:00 Make him seem a little more human with noises like these. "HUP, HUT, HYAAAH!!"
    10/10 comedy 😂

  • @giby8866
    @giby8866 9 місяців тому +3

    8:04 god just imagine "SO LONG GAY GANON" simply perfection

  • @moonchild8105
    @moonchild8105 Рік тому +15

    Loved this video. Link's quietness is part of his character, as much as being talkative is Nathan's Drake distinguishing trait.
    Also, it gives a unique charm and warmth to the game, having this very stoic and brave warrior getting put into any kind of situation (ranging from epic fights to more clumsy moments) without ever feeling jarring. Truly a man for all seasons.
    Having Link talk/react at each new zone/encounter/situation would add an unneeded layer of cognitive complexity, instead we have a very close relationship between both the player's and Link's journey of discovery.

  • @ilive4retro
    @ilive4retro Рік тому +15

    “WELL EXCCCUUUUSSSSEEEEE ME THOMAS!”

  • @tuberobsessor
    @tuberobsessor Рік тому +4

    I remember watching the cartoon as a kid. Looking back, that voice is unironically a decent fit for (at least an older) Link. I watched another video a few weeks ago but I don't remember from who. It was about the journal entries in BotW. In English, it's written as "You did this, now you need to go do this". In Japanese, however, it's written in Link's perspective, and it actually gives a lot of insight's into Link's personality, and it can honestly be applied to almost every Link. Link loves opening chests and getting treasure (I think in almost every game, Link always looks incredibly happy to get treasure), and it seems like Link is actually a major foodie. There's also several times in BotW's dialogue choices where Link is shown to be a bit of a jokester (seals!). Post-amnesia BotW Link seems to have lightened up a lot now that a lot of the stress was lifted as a result of the amnesia.

  • @mikuubacteria
    @mikuubacteria 10 місяців тому +2

    6:58 YIPPIEEEE

  • @CyrilHul
    @CyrilHul Рік тому +4

    Thomas is seriously one of my favorite UA-camrs. I always get so excited when he uploads. I love learning about what went into creating my favorite games.

    • @wattsnottaken1
      @wattsnottaken1 Рік тому +1

      It’s amazing how much work goes into good video games like OoT MM and Windwaker. I should buy the new Zelda game and grind it

  • @cdreamworld
    @cdreamworld Рік тому +17

    I loved Link's cartoon series' voice.

    • @flytothemountains824
      @flytothemountains824 Рік тому +2

      same, i do think that his Link voice does have that courageous vibe.
      but it’s a really big shame that his Link was such an awful character

  • @TheNiggler17
    @TheNiggler17 Рік тому +1

    I would say Red is the most iconic silent protagonist cause he doesn’t even grunt

  • @ThroneViI
    @ThroneViI Рік тому +5

    I feel like the self projection idea aspect would be far better if he at LEAST was give choices that he would act upon on certain cotisations, I get that they’re going for a “whatever the players think of Link” idea but I feel like it’ll fit much better having choices as it will ACTUALLY give him personality just like the persona 4 and 5 protagonists they’re silent as well but they still have ALOT of personality

  • @TompaA
    @TompaA Рік тому +15

    In Zelda II, Link actually says: I FOUND A MIRROR UNDER THE TABLE. Surprised this was looked over.
    Nice nonetheless!

    • @KingX
      @KingX Рік тому +1

      I came here to post that. You could harmonise this by saying he was alone when he said that so has less issue thinking aloud than speaking in social situations - but I highly doubt they were thinking that deeply about it at the time. I would also add that he does speak a bit in Ocarina of Time whenever you answer with green text (such as when answering Zelda's questions).

  • @Royale..winx..club9
    @Royale..winx..club9 Рік тому +7

    Older Zelda games hold a special place in my heart (oot,mm,tp,ww,ss,lttp) so Link having a voice would change it too much

  • @tattertot8259
    @tattertot8259 Рік тому +4

    Link's first cannon voice acted line (that's not meow) will now be " Boy I sure do want to save Marin from being trapped as a seagull forever !" .

  • @yasserarguelles6117
    @yasserarguelles6117 Рік тому +3

    I feel like the fancy dialogue boxes in Skyward sword or the time he has to explain what happened to Zelda implied him talking, there's a variety of other places like sometimes you're talking to someone and there's no dialogue box but then that person reacts as if you're speaking... I'm like 99% sure Link is relatively quiet but implied to talk

  • @RetroCVBS
    @RetroCVBS Рік тому +4

    Speech was possible on the NES, and several original games did it. The only real limitation was it took a LOT of cartridge space, and quite a bit of CPU time so only a few specific actions could be done at the same time as playing the DPCM sample.

  • @David-dz1cb
    @David-dz1cb Рік тому +4

    Honestly, it'd be kinda fun to have Potts return in a Zelda game- not as Link, but as one of his relatives. He'd be a great sassy uncle or something.

    • @issanghessi5661
      @issanghessi5661 Рік тому +1

      similarly to how peach's voice actress from the super mario bros super show had a cameo in the mario movie, if nintendo ever does make a zelda movie i can see potts having a cameo

  • @jokerlyzermedia6603
    @jokerlyzermedia6603 Рік тому +5

    Nintendo has literally come out and said the reason Link doesn't talk in games is because they didn't want to break the immersive experience of you yourself being Link. Link is meant to be the player themselves, so you feel more involved and engaged. Capture that immersion magic. They also said he can in fact talk, but it's your own voice that's meant to be Link's voice. Again, immersion magic.

  • @Akirathehusky
    @Akirathehusky Рік тому +4

    Link does talk but you just don't hear him. If he's asked a question and you choose the answer he replies to the other person.

  • @King_Cisco
    @King_Cisco Рік тому +22

    I think it's clear why, but I wonder how Charles Martinet would voice Link?

    • @Austin-kt7ky
      @Austin-kt7ky Рік тому +7

      Link looked younger in the older games, so he probably would have gone with something you'd expect from a 90's young boy adventure protagonist.
      Something like the English dub Sonic X is what comes to mind. Or even SatAM.

    • @UBvtuber
      @UBvtuber Рік тому +2

      yeah he would not have been able to pull off an older twink link. lol

    • @pearlplayaa
      @pearlplayaa Рік тому +2

      He's got a lot of range, to be fair, I think he could pull it off

    • @Frrk
      @Frrk 6 місяців тому

      It's-a me! Linkio! Mamma mia, where is Zelda at?

  • @sleepy_existence
    @sleepy_existence Рік тому +4

    I for one am happy with Link being a mute protagonist. Opens up for more representation of a minority people dont usually think about. Theres also other valid ways of communicating that doesn't require someone to speak. I personally like to headcannon that Link knows sign language. ☺️

  • @wonkyslushgamer
    @wonkyslushgamer Рік тому

    I'm a big fan of you Thomas Game Docs!

  • @Sauraen
    @Sauraen Рік тому +7

    Have you noticed that in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, when an NPC asks you a question and you get a choice of the answer, the answer choices are in green text? Those are the responses that he is speaking to the NPC. It makes sense that they'd put them in green because Link is (usually) green.

    • @ple8379
      @ple8379 3 місяці тому

      But is it actually him speaking? Because he's using Navi to be able to talk to others, I always thought she's like his ventriloquist.

    • @Sauraen
      @Sauraen 3 місяці тому

      @@ple8379 He doesn't always use Navi to talk to others, only if he's targeting them. In fact Navi will "get put away" (fly into Link's hat and disappear) in the middle of conversations. Plus, Navi has screen text, and it's white.

    • @ple8379
      @ple8379 3 місяці тому

      @Sauraen Huh, I see. Thanks for the info. Dunno why I never noticed her "hiding" while having conversations with others :0. Thanks for correcting me.
      I honestly just think the green dialogue is nothing else than just highlighting the options to choose from, though. Like, if it stayed white, it could have "blended" a bit with the rest of the text, and some people maybe wouldn't notice they need to pick an option.. so I personally don't think it has much more of a purpose besides that, but that's a nice theory still :D.

  • @Antasma1
    @Antasma1 Рік тому +4

    I’d be perfectly ok if they went the Persona route where he’s still a silent protagonist with occasional voiced words and selectable lines so the player can still project themselves onto Link

  • @luckydawg257
    @luckydawg257 Рік тому +2

    Didn’t anyone see that one commercial for breath of the wild where link was like “I’ll do anything for you Zelda!”?

  • @reitairue2073
    @reitairue2073 3 місяці тому +2

    He is THE silent protagonist. No other character has done it better imo.

  • @zeromontalvan1514
    @zeromontalvan1514 Рік тому +6

    You can confirm this since in botw you can't change link's name, I think this isn't because it would make impossible the voice acting instead is to create link as a character, at the end link in botw forgets all its past so technically you can still use it as a blank page but probably in Tears of the kingdom link would have more defined its personality just like in age of calamity

    • @gamerdrache6076
      @gamerdrache6076 11 місяців тому

      tears of the kindoom link is litarry botw link

  • @The_Story_Of_Us
    @The_Story_Of_Us Рік тому +3

    It really is just part of the identity of this iconic video game character, just like Mario’s over the top italian exclamations.
    Breath of the Wild integrated it into the story a bit, yes… But you are also able to have conversations with NPCs where you pick and choose dialogue options, often the game shows that he is in fact quite chatty when he wants to be. The lack of spoken voice lines is just tradition.

  • @issanghessi5661
    @issanghessi5661 Рік тому +1

    to bring the "player immersion" thing a step further, in phantom hourglass and spirit tracks, you, the player, get to voice link! using the mic on the DS, the gsme prompts you at some parts of the story to speak (or really, make any sound you want) into the mic to do things like call out for an npc's attention or literally yell as loud as you can to beg for a discount on a cannon

  • @andressacruz6530
    @andressacruz6530 Рік тому +2

    2:11 His old design looks like hes wearing green eye shadow.

  • @PKshockwave
    @PKshockwave Рік тому +3

    I guess what makes it so extra interesting is that I'd like to hear him speak just to get a little taste of what he'd sound like in a conversation. I remember always wondering what Pikachu would sound like if he could say more than his name, then I found his VA in the dub is the same as Japanese, and she voices Chopper from One piece very similarly. Twas so cool to find out and hear.

  • @fatalwaffle1715
    @fatalwaffle1715 Рік тому +2

    Awesome video bro. There has been times when Link does talk. Like in the CDI games.

  • @matheusulisses5579
    @matheusulisses5579 Рік тому

    Great video!

  • @emmanuelmatchuca3871
    @emmanuelmatchuca3871 Рік тому

    I love how the videos are slowly becoming longer videos after the merry Christmas video

  • @christianmiller0192
    @christianmiller0192 Рік тому +3

    Link speaks in all the manga versions of LoZ. Almost everyone seems to forget about that. If a movie is ever made or a mainline game entry is made with a speaking Link, the manga is a good foundation to build upon.

  • @oni2662
    @oni2662 Рік тому +4

    he is very shy...

  • @devikjha4173
    @devikjha4173 11 місяців тому +1

    3:35 You're forgetting the best copmanion ever: Epona doesn't speak but is a major character
    (Also patricia)

  • @redstonecommander5190
    @redstonecommander5190 3 місяці тому

    1:15 I’ve heard some of the sound samples and legend of Zelda for the NES, and some of those noises mainly the sound effects for the monsters are actually quite terrifying and horrific almost sound like something you may hear of a nightmare

  • @verkhvo
    @verkhvo Рік тому +5

    the subtitles become mismatched from 3:59 onwards

  • @HelpTheWretched
    @HelpTheWretched Рік тому +2

    Some comments have mentioned "C'mon!" and "Meow!" from The Wind Waker, but there's another possible one in that game. Whenever someone makes a bid in the auction mini-game, the text box includes their name, like "Garrickson: 123 Rupees." It does this for Link too.
    I said "possible" because it could be argued that the auctioneer is actually saying the characters' names, but that would be weird because how often do we say things as if they're written with a colon? And also, it would be a bit disjointed if the auctioneer said their name and bid, and then gave a reaction in the next text box.

  • @idancharleslevine4094
    @idancharleslevine4094 Рік тому +2

    Link does actually talk when in a discussion with an NPC in botw.

  • @jacquelingriffin8899
    @jacquelingriffin8899 Рік тому

    We love your videos

  • @akisgeorgiadis3928
    @akisgeorgiadis3928 Рік тому +4

    Hi Big fan. Actually link talks in a way in one of the memories in botw. Zelda is talking to her horse and says thanks to link for his advise.

  • @jamesr6959
    @jamesr6959 Рік тому +2

    As a kid I always thought OoT Adult Link had a Scottish accent based on his grunts and yells.

  • @davesherman2096
    @davesherman2096 Рік тому +1

    Would be cool if the devs tied him being silent to something grander like the goddess giving him the triforce at the price of his voice

  • @dmcmusiclover2995
    @dmcmusiclover2995 Рік тому +2

    9:06 I think Link is saying "Here! Take that!"

  • @OlleWtn
    @OlleWtn Рік тому +4

    How does it take so long to explain a simple question

  • @glenngriffon8032
    @glenngriffon8032 Рік тому +8

    There's a Ganon x Zelda comic I read once, i think it's still going on, but a character in it once described Link as something of an immortal soul that has accumulated so much pain and trauma from centuries of fighting and reincarnating that it's rendered him basically mute.
    Which is fairly in line with BotW where he's someone who acts strong and stoic because he's the hero of legend and everything is riding on him.
    Which is a stark contrast to WW Link who is always yelling and never shies away from showing his emotions.

  • @colt5189
    @colt5189 Рік тому

    1989 Legend of Zelda cartoon on DVD was the first thing I rented from Netflix way back in the day on their DVD through mail service.

  • @megabolt5898
    @megabolt5898 Рік тому +1

    This is probably gonna be a major talking point amongst fans once a Legend of Zelda movie comes out for the NCU.

  • @tanemahutaa
    @tanemahutaa Рік тому +2

    link is unimaginable when he speaks

  • @deatheater810
    @deatheater810 Рік тому +4

    If link had a spoken voice, I think link should sound British because of the time period just like how Zelda sounds

    • @corruptedteka
      @corruptedteka Рік тому

      Actually not a bad idea ! I like that. I'd like if they got an actually British VA though if they were gonna do that.
      Ohhh if Link had a voice a little like Noah from Xenoblade 3... gosh I would love it. Soft-spoken but matter-of-fact and determined, and so full of kindness.

    • @buss1205
      @buss1205 Рік тому +1

      yeah i really hope they never do that. they gave ganondorf a British accent which makes no sense since hes a desert man, and link is just a dude, hes not royalty like Zelda is

    • @deatheater810
      @deatheater810 Рік тому

      @@buss1205 people in the UK have British accents and they're not part of the royal family

    • @buss1205
      @buss1205 Рік тому

      @Deatheater that's exactly my point, why does zelda have a british accent when almost no one else in hyrule does? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense since we develop our accents from our communitys. So my theory is that they wanted her to stand out more with her status as royalty compared to regular hyrule residents

    • @deatheater810
      @deatheater810 Рік тому

      @@buss1205 in a movie what accent do you think link would actually have

  • @geoffreyblakeley5601
    @geoffreyblakeley5601 Рік тому +1

    The only other time Link has ever talked regularly, was in the Manga adaptations of the zelda games.
    They are pretty fun adaptations. And link has a ton of personality and is a fun character.

  • @tricksterkitsune
    @tricksterkitsune Рік тому +1

    I’d like to think that an early Link suffered a throat injury at the hands of Ganon and it acted like a curse that sometimes afflicts his future incarnations with varied levels of severity which is why some can talk somewhat.

  • @logandulken163
    @logandulken163 Рік тому +9

    With the recent success of the Mario movie and the newly popular Zelda movie discussion. I see too many people speculate a celebrity voice actor for him but I feel letting him speak just goes against his whole character. Link is mute, his grunts are his charm, if it’s necessary for him to communicate in a film add sign language to his skill set, I feel a lot of people would really appreciate that because one it respects the character’s legacy and allows representation for people who aren’t able to verbally communicate

  • @greenleopard49
    @greenleopard49 Рік тому +3

    Ocarina of Time Link as the Hero's Shade spoke to Twilight Princess Link. I think it would be great to have past Links speak to their reincarnated selves and to give them advice., similar to how Aang could talk to previous Avatars in Avatar the Last Airbender.

  • @TheMusicMaster1994
    @TheMusicMaster1994 Рік тому +1

    Awesome Video Thomas Game Docs. Can You Do A Video On Why Does Wario Doesn't Sounds Like He Used To?

  • @ironicgaming1347
    @ironicgaming1347 Рік тому +1

    2:44 bro she doesn't even give you a "thank you" she says "thanks"😂

  • @Lord_CopperCrow
    @Lord_CopperCrow Рік тому +2

    There is one other example speaking, although not much. In windwaker and maybe some other games he says some english phrases, such as toon link yelling "Come on!"