She even wrote Link explained his reasoning. I can't remember exactly but it mentioned something about Link has his responsibilities in mind all the time so he chooses to stay quiet.
@@JustAPrinnyDood "With so much at stake and so many eyes upon him, he feels it necessary to stay strong and silently bear any burden." Is the line ur thinkin of probably. He basically only talks in botw cause he’s lost his memory after waking up n forgotten that feeling of stoic burden and guilt. That’s probably how he was before being the goddess’ chosen hero bogged him down w responsibility, so big oof
@rafael Perez well, I also think he needs one, maybe for just a little scene at BOTW 2, Although Link has his reasonings why he doesn't talk, it still felt strange his lack of speech, maybe just for a moment when he breaks up
My favorite instance of his sassy dialogue is when he’s talking to Bolson after he’s completed his house. Bolson is being his typical goofy self, and Link’s responses include “are you ok??”
My interpretation of the Mido scene is that Link didn't actually say anything at all, and that Mido is so insecure that he felt the need to respond to an argument that was never made.
Yeah that's my understanding too. It's implied through the game that Link does talk though, since characters ask him questions and get answers from him at certain points, although we can only see the NPC's dialogue.
I really like Link’s internal monologue in Breath of the Wild. It just seems so strange to only use it twice, and one of the instances being over random fish is even stranger.
2:15 obviously this was Mido, but he's responding to Link. It is implied Link noted the lack of sword and shield equipped by Mido, and this is Mido's retort.
Yeah there are multiple instances in oot where Link obviously says something but the player doesn't see it, so i don't see a reason as to why this single line of dialogue would be Link
I love how skyward sword and botw have options to make sassy remarks. Botw Link’s dialogue options are mostly always sassy so my head canon says Link is a sassy little man in botw
I think that dialogue with Mido implies Link telling Mido (without dialogue of course) that he also isn't well equipped. Resulting in that kind of response. Most of the characters respond to link implying he's talking to them. Link's dialogue is usually in the form of dialogue choices
@@azure4622ow is it "unnatural since he's just guarding the area" The whole point of guarding would require he's able to stand up to the dangers he's guarding against. Are you thick?
“A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage.” In my opinion, this is the coldest quote to come from the Zelda franchise, and it’s spoken by none other than Link himself
@@zionthedragon8866 Twilight Princess. It was said by the Hero's Shade, which is the lingering spirit of the Link from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
he's essentially just knocking down his Twilight Princess incarnation a peg much like how a stern guardian would to a cocky kid. Guy literally lived his life twice, he's seen some shit in both Hyrule and Termina. He probably just doesn't want TP Link to end up messing up or ending up paralyzed in fear because he knows the kind of shit that's coming ahead
In the BOTW memory where Link and Zelda are riding horses next to each other, Zelda quotes Link and says “Be sure to take the time to soothe your mount, that’s the only way it’ll know how you truly feel.” and continues with “You’re advice was quite helpful, thank you.” I don’t understand why no one mentions this. It’s not even implied, the subtitles literally have quotes around it signifying that she is quoting him. That was him that said that.
I assume it’s because we didn’t hear him saying it with a voice actor and all. It robs the (already innocuous line) of a lot of nuance and the possible layers the specific line delivery would give. We also already knew this information about link from playing the game and taming the horses, literally soothing the mount. It’s like if zelda quoted him saying “I will protect you.” Like yeah we know, where’s your personality. That’s why these mentions get more attention, we learn something new from the delivery.
@@xspeedyer Do you mean living family? Wind Waker and A Link to the Past are the only ones that come to mind. OOT, BotW, TP have deceased family. I could be missing some since I haven't played every game.
I think Mido is repeating Link’s line. My impression is that Link does talk, and NPCs react as if Link did say something, but you never see him say anything.
I always thought of it as Mido's response to Link calling out his hypocrisy. Since Mido doesn't have a visable sword or shield yet he's telling Link to get one.
Exactly. Like. It doesn’t show but link probably says, you don’t have a sword and shield. Causing him to react like link said something to him. They do that in later zelda games a lot. Where they show link explaining stuff but no sound or words are said. And the characters react as if he said something
Exactly. Like in MM when Koume is injured and you go back to Kotake, Link clearly explains in detail what happened, even telling her Skull Kid is using Majoras Mask. The player just doesnt see what he says, only the NPC reaction to what he says
theres a theory that the reason link is more talkative in dialogue in botw is because he lost his memory, so he also doesn't follow the "i got responsibilities so i dont waste time on talking" rule
I like to imagine years of slumber as well as not talking much before slipping into a coma caused him to kinda forget how to use his voice on a neural level. Hence why still no voiced lines for my boy lol Im totally on board with that idea tho, especially cause he's got such a sass to him in BoTW.
@@marymystery4427 He talks. Whenever you finish a quest and report back to the NPC, he will tell them what happened and such with obvious hand movement.
I always interpreted Link's little dialogues like "what? Illusion?" Or "Those grilled fished look really good, I wonder if they were caught locally" as his thoughts instead of him speaking by himself
@@eduardoflores1503 Except Garfield is apparently psychic since Jon and Odie can clearly understand him, while Link is just in his own world most of the time.
In Tears Of The Kingdom there are a few more of those “Expressing his thoughts” moments, like when you find some crops and he says something to the effect of “Someone worked hard to grow these. I’d best not just take one.”
in the dlc for botw (where you get a bunch of gear referencing old Zelda games) when you have to read journals inside old ruins, the dialogue says 'Has this always been here?'. You can see this as Link's thoughts too which is a honestly very valid question to wonder seeing as no one's really around except guardians
@@youtubecat3809 toon link dose show some personality in the games it just not as frequent as most people like it to be he's a lazy but good hearted kid and spaces out alot
Love how every instance of Link talking is either text or possibly him talking or someone else but it was confused- then you get his dead spirit training his other self how to wield a sword to protect Hyrule again. Like only DEATH made this dude talk in full sentences
Over the games I’ve noticed that he has a pretty distinct personality, imo anyway. He’s a big goofball that gets along with pretty much everyone, as shown in early in-game scenes when he’s in his hometown/childhood stage. Then when shit hits the fan he becomes really focused on his goal to save his friends, his partner, and the world. Passionate, determined, and brave. He doesn’t need to speak much to do what he needs to do, he’s a man of action, and knows he’s just gotta keep fighting with everything he has. In the darker Zelda games, he’s older and more mature. He may not goof around much anymore due to the heavy weight of responsibility, but you can tell he’s amused by other goofy characters he meets along the way. Honestly, If he never had to be the hero, he’d probably live a really happy, wonderful life doing whatever passion he has, like maybe owning a ranch
How could we ever forget the greatest lines in the history of gaming such as: "We all make choices in life, but in the end our choices make us." "The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world." "Great, I cant wait to bomb some dodongos" tear jerkers
@@LucianCanad Too true. Plus, at least the TV show gave their interpretation a character that doesn't come across as a complete dumbass. The CD-i version sounds like he's half asleep.
That ocarina of time line was definitely said by Mido. The implication is that Link would have said something along the lines of “you’re helping the great deku tree by standing guard here and you don’t have a sword and shield” prompting Mido to reply the way he did. It never once crossed my mind that Link would be the one saying that.
@@whawhawhawhaaaait’s not just the “but”, it wouldn’t make sense anyway, because Link doesn’t talk, at least not in full lines of dialogue. Didn’t those m people think it would be very strange that Link would talk in this one very specific dialogue and then never again in the entire game?
@@davion4777in my opinion the whole thing sounds like a debate started by kids who misunderstood the petulant tone mido was talking in there. not saying that as a bad thing but it kinda seems like it in any case
Link, throughout his bloodline, is shown to be a good person, a simple man, or an innocent child. It really makes his worthiness legit Well… except for CDI Link
@@seretith3513 I've always liked the idea that Link comes from someone who has the blood of the original Link from Skyward Sword. As time passes and as his posterity gets to include more people it ends up that he could be born as the child of just about anyone in Hyrule. Conversely I like to think that Zelda can only be reincarnated as a member of the royal family because the bloodline of the goddess is continually renewed by each incarnation of Zelda.
According to Nintendo, the reason of why Link isn't so talkative is because they want the player to feel like they're Link while playing the game. And making him talk would kinda break this "illusion".
I understand why they did but I desagree with their methods, I mean, I play a bunch of games with voiced main characters and still imagine myself in they're shoes
It’s true, you feel more immersed as a character when their thoughts are your own, rather than just reading what they say and think. It’s part of what made Undertale so emotionally impacting for most people
@@NeroTP Yeah. Although I've only played botw, it felt like something was missing whenever I would hear the other characters speak but Link just 🤐. Especially when Zelda asks if Link remembers her after defeating Dark Beast. It felt like he should've said something rather than leave her waiting for an answer, even if it's implied he answers. And yeah there are so many games where characters are fully voiced but you can still relate to them if not by the main protagonist's perspective then by other characters' perspectives. It feels a bit lazy to have silent protagonists tbh.
You may have missed one. In Skyward Sword when Link falls into lava and jumps up. He yells something like "Ite-te-te-te", which I believe translates to "Ouch" or "Ow" from Japanese.
I swear in Wind Waker, he says something like "Big!" when he lifts a rock. He also does that kind of "ahhhtata!" noise if he's on a slippery surface like ice.
The Link-Mido dialogue was actually Link calling out Mido for not having his equipment either, and Mido saying "What? You're right--I don't have my equipment ready, but....If you wanna pass through here you gotta at least equip a sword and shield!"
so if you're saying that you using the mic counts as link speaking in the famicom zelda, does that mean link has canonically bruhed a room of enemies to death
The Ocarina of Time scene was absolutely Mido responding to some silent response from Link that we didn't get to hear. Link was likely saying something like "Well you don't have equipment either" and Mido was acting embarassed about being called out.
The way Toon Link tried to snatch a donut before being stopped by Link though, and the look of disappointment at 9:05 when Link said “They promised me you wouldn’t be here”. I feel that.
The four Links in Four Swords Adventures also say, “Hey,” when the player changes which Link they are controlling. The Links also exclaim, “Yay,” when picking up large force gems. Each Link has their own unique voice as well, just pitched up or down from Green Link.
Addition: in OoT, when adult Link falls from a high place and doesn't break his fall with a roll, he very clearly says「いてっ!!」which is the Japanese equivalent of "ouch!!"/"ow!!" ;) Found out about it the other day during my first playthrough lol
@@tionodese8110 Ok, thank you. This is exactly what me and every single one of my friends have always heard. I'm pretty sure this is the official dialogue.
During Dialogue in BotW, Link may sometimes start explaining something. However, whenever this happens, the screen either turns black or you can straight up not hear him, even though the Npcs can.
i interpret that as him talking in signal , witch would not have been strange considering that a lot o people stop talking cuz of ptsd (ganon in this case) so it would be normal for everyone to know it
I feel like link has always been sort of a silent-sassy lad. His pose when he talks to people is either crossed arms, or a hand on his hip. Not to mention he does a lot of odd and questionable things with no explanation. I feel as if link doesnt want to be bothered to do anything, but he does it to protect people he loves. Long story short hes done with everyones shit.
I think the Link from TP was the nicest ironically because it's the edgiest game. If you talk to one npc she says, "your innocent face is giving me heartburn." Also you can play with all sorts of cats in that game.
CD CD-I FACES OF EVL FACES OF EVIL LAMP OL LAMP OIL YOU WANT T YOU WANT IT RUBES RUBIES(why didn't morshu say rupees) CAN'T GVE CREDT I CAN'T GIVE CREDIT COME BACK WHEN YOU'RE A LTTLE MMM RCHER COME BACK WHEN YOU'RE A LITTLE MMM RICHER
There is one more in Twilight Princess with a clear textbox from Link: Link is able to talk to animals in this game, while being a wolf. Later in the game, you need a golden chicken to go to the lost woods. So, once you can transform to wolf-link anywhere in the world, Link is able to talk to said golden chicken. When you try, a textbox pops up where he says something along the lines "I don't want to talk to that chicken", looking like it's to arrogant for him. Sadly I can't remember his exact words.
In Skyward sword there's also the scene where he faints right after zelda gets kidnapped. When he gains back conciousness he explains to the headmaster what happened. You cant hear him, but he's clearly explaining the whole story.
The Link in Twilight Princess does a similar thing with Mayor Bo right after Ilia gets kidnapped. Link talking to others without having audible or visible dialogue is extremely common throughout the series.
In Majora's Mask, when speaking with Romani for the first time, there are dialog options for when she asks for your name, either saying your file-name or "I won't say."
Breath of the Wild is probably my favorite Link, that's where he feels more of a character to me than the other games, instead of a avatar. Stuff like the reason of his vow of silence are some of the things I really liked and I hope in BotW 2 there will be more subtle things like that to develop his character further
Not so much a "vow of silence" as much as just keeping to himself. One of Zelda's diary entries even says that when they get to know each other better later, he becomes a bit of a chatterbox at times. It came across to me that Link just doesn't talk much when he's nervous or upset because he's too busy mulling over his thoughts to think of what to say.
Link actually speaks a little in that game too. When he and Zelda are facing Byrne at the top of the Tower of Spirits, the short talk they have the camera pans to Link who moves his lips and a text beneath shows up and it can't be Zelda or Byrne otherwise why isn't the camera focused on either of them.
@@derrickdaniels3955 - I know what you mean, but no, that's Zelda talking. Link does have the option to reply with either "Yeah!" or "Mmm!" but that's about it.
Oot Link also famously says „Yes“ everytime someone asked him „if he wants to hear again, what’s just have been said“. Or „No“ everytime someone asks him „If he understood that“.
The flashback cutscene were Zelda says Link told her how to rid a horse is the most important yet bizarre thing ever said in an official Zelda game. He can talk, just not on screen.
And they even give a reason why he doesn’t talk much in botw, if you read zeldas diary it says link stopped talking because of all the pressure on him and he feels that he needs to stay strong because everyone is looking to him to save them
@@FTQuake Right, and that's also why we see him being way more cheerful and having personality-driven dialogue options during the game, since he lost his memories and all the responsibilities that came with them.
@@SophisticatedGoat222 I never thought about it before but damn…that hurts. they let him have a brief moment of peace and then they were like “jk here’s your memories of all your friends dying and you still have to save everyone by yourself” I wonder though: in botw it’s rare that an NPC actually believes you’re the champion resurrected, with the exception of course of the leaders of the various cities. maybe that’s why he’s more talkative (with dialogue options)? like it’s easier for him to talk to people who think he’s just a regular traveler with an extra-cool sword. still makes me sad though. I like that they really humanized him in botw. it must really suck having that kind of pressure and it’s cool to see that it does affect him.
Gotta love Ocarina of Time Link, Even when he was no longer the Hero of Legend, He still went the extra mile to return even in death just to teach his successor his powers and remain loyal to the tradition of passing down the secrets only known to The Hero Bloodline. Always will be my first & favorite hero.
@@NavaracVolare well, not a direct bloodline anyway. none of the Links are blood related or anything, but they are reincarnations of the same person (for the most part, there are some exceptions...). one could argue that the reincarnation line could be considered a bloodline of sorts, albeit a loose one. edit: completely forgot that TP Link is meant to be a distant relative to The Hero of Time, like a great great grandson or something. But other than those two, the Links aren't all part of the same family tree.
Another time the game tells you Link's thoughts in BOTW is when you interact with a pumpkin in Olkin's patch while he's not there. It says "That's a mighty fine pumpkin! I'd probably get in big trouble if I took it without permission." Another BOTW instance is how in Zelda's diary, it mentions that she got Link to talk.
I always assumed link was a selective mute so he talks as little as possible and most of what you interpreted as outward dialogue is actually inner dialogue like his comments about the fish and island. I also assumed that he can get most of his intentions across by gestures and facial expressions so when he's talking to mido he gives him a "I don't see your sword" look and that's mido's rebuttal. That's why often times people in the games can interpret link as being judgmental or rude when he talks to them
Well, that's basically how it is on BotW. The hero of the wild has a vow of silence, and if I remember right, it's because he's so nervous that he thinks his voice will waver if he talks, and that might give people a bad impression. Is sorta implied that he talks again after waking up without his memories (hence, the dialogue options and people replying as if you said something in a few dialogues) but he doesn't exactly seem to be the most talkative person even then. As for the other games, not much clear canon on this regard. Though, I do like the headcanon of all Links being selective mute, or just overall preferring not to talk whenever not strictly necessary.
There's the belief that when Link first encountered Zelda in OoT, and she asked for his name, the text that reads whatever name the player gave to him was actually being said by him (one of the reasons being that the text is green, like the answers you can give to some questions)
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He talks in Phantom Hourglass through using the mic, saying things like "HEY, UP THERE!", and in the final cutscene, Link and Tetra are alone on the Ghost ship, but the dialogue says "...hey!". When the camera shifts, we see Link wide awake, with Tetra still passed out, and nobody else around.
I don’t know why people ever thought Link was a mute. Yeah he may not always have dialogue lines to be read, but people react to things he says. It’s just a product of the writing. (Granted some of the responses are things like “No words are needed. I can see the answer in your face.” Though that is often not the case.)
Selective mute is a thing. You can make noise, and possibly ttalk, but you just don't. People that subscribe to Link being selectively mute think he's weighed down with so much, that he finds it easier to just not say anything.
I mean, sign language is an option. It's fair to point out that Link has never been animated using recognisable signing in any games, but it's also fair to point out that it's not unusual to see him use silent gestures which could be interpreted as sign.
There are couple of dialogue options in Ocarina of Time. There’s one where you tell Nabooru “I hate Ganondorf.” Pretty sure there’s another one when you’re talking to the guard who stands by the gate leading to Death Mountain
3:00 I had no idea what that sound was before this video. As a kid, I thought that it was either an audio glitch or the girl making a weird sound of distress.
I think that when Link is talking to Mido, even though we don’t see it, Link says something similar to, “You don’t have your equipment either!” And Mido was responding to that.
I think Link’s best vocal portrayal from here is from his guest appearance in Captain N. As for his in-game stuff, I’m divided between BOTW and skyward sword because he loves puns and he isn’t afraid to get a little snarky or sassy.
*I have a simple 2-item checklist:* - Must be absolutely clear: - _that_ Link is speaking *out loud;* - _what_ he is saying (plain text would be allowed) - Same format as other NPCs’ usual lines of dialogue in the rest of the game/mainline series around that time (this includes a necessity for translation) - When you think about it… using these rules, he never actually truly talked.
Actually an another good piece of evidence lies in Twilight Princess when Link comes back from the goat farm and goes to Mayor Bo with Illia and Epona. He can be seen clearly speaking to Ilia, flapping his lips and all, you could perhaps even read on his lips. Also in BoTW, in her diary, Zelda mentions that she asked Link why he wasn't much talkative and he actually gave her an answer, implying he can talk, explaining that he feels overwhelmed by his responsibilities, thus being too focused and broody to talk much.
CD-I is DEFINITELY not(i know you said Zelda II BOTW and LA but still), I mean, after he says "Gee, it sure is boring around here" King Rhoam literally responds with "This peace is what all true warriors strive for"
Unfortunately, most of these are just translation issues, for you see, Japanese tend to omit subject in its sentences. For example, the sentence "I found a mirror under the table" can actually mean "you found a mirror under the table" as in Japanese, it should be "(subject) found a mirror under the table." Similarly, "Looks like I can get in the fireplace" can actually mean "Looks like you can get in the fireplace." It's the narrative that talks, not Link, and it's a very common mistake. As for the conversation with Mido, it's a completely avoidable mistake and anyone who did it should be fired. Mido's line is "ま、オイラも 持ってないけどナ…" which should mean "Well, I don't have a sword and a shield too, though..." Mido uses oira (オイラ), a variation of ore (俺), to refer to himself. Link doesn't. Lastly, Japanese has a weird tendency of narrating inner dialogue from third person perspective. Both the realization in Koholint Island and the communication options in BoTW can actually be the narrative that speaks of Link's inner thought in behalf of Link. If you read enough Japanese narration, like I do, you'll understand what I mean. Translating Japanese text is a nightmare.
I picked up on this too- funny, since I wouldn't have noticed at all a year, or even 6 months ago. Never realized how much more understanding you can get from media when learning the source language, even when it's already well localized.
I feel like this is meant to be similar to when you read Manga, the text you're reading could be a thought bubble OR a dialog bubble, and considering that most games, including Zelda are developed in Japan, where this semi-meta third person commentary popular in Anime & Manga would also likely crossover to video games.
Exactly that. Especially the way english and japanese (i mean other languages too like finnish) are formatted completely differently. Translation becomes hell.
i think a good overlooked mention would be the dialogue options in spirit tracks! there's a lot of personality driven ones, and some of my favorite come from when you can cheer up zelda in some parts of the game
Worth mentioning in ocarina of time when you talk to princess Zelda as a kid for the first time your selection options are you talking. Like how you can say you don’t believe here and she gets all sad, or you agree and she gets all happy.
Didn't know Link was supposed to be meowing to sound like a cat, but then again I don't think I've heard that sound effect while playing the game before.
@@futurehistoryarchaeologist4480 That is a fair point, specially with how expressive Toon Link is. Though I’m still surprised that some people didn’t realize he was meowing
Ocarina of Time I highly doubt with how random it would be to have Link talk once and never again across the entire game (except when NPC's imply He talks) The point of the dialogue to me is pointing out how biased Mido is towards Link. making up random rules out of immature jealousy towards seeing Link receive such a high honer, being summoned by The Great Deku tree himself.
To take it farther, I'd go as far as to say the Hyrule Historia with its many dubious claims, should probably be heavily questioned about the Skeleton being OOT link especially for how talkative he presents himself. I'd say OOT link has no words that can be definitively linked to him.
@@legatomodi3522 Aonuma had to approve everything in Historia, Hero's Shade is the Hero of Time, even his text in game evidences this. It's Aonuma's word.
@@ArceusDX there were zelda games before Aonuma took over. One was OOT. There will be zeldas after he is gone. Nothing that's canon is canon forever. I've fully rejected much more from this historia and time is proving its absurdities undone all the more all the time.
@@car4128 what rubs me the wrong way is one thing. Things too absurd to be correct given everything I must take at fact fundamentally in practice is another thing altogether, and a much bigger conversation than I'm willing to launch here. Just take this kernel for retrospect in the decade or two, history will trivialize and mock the historia and Nintendo will be hoping you forget they endorsed it when the product becomes something different.
2:30 yeah that's Mido talking. Link says something to him -- presumably something like "but YOU don't have any equipment ready" -- and Mido replies "yeah, true, but still"
I think that Milo is the one who says he doesn't have the equipment ready. He is responding as if Link pointed out that neither of them are wielding a sword or shield.
There's one in Ocarina of Time, when you are talking to Zelda as a kid she asks your name, and your name is displayed in green in a separate dialog, it's the only time this happens despite a lot of people call you by your name during the game, so it's most likely Link's voice
Definitely not. OoT dialogue highlights key terms in green all the time. Zelda uses the words "forest" earlier in that same conversation in green. In the line you're referring to she asks Link's name and then says "...Link...it sounds somehow...familiar" she is 100% saying it back to herself.
@@connormartin1618 you're definitely wrong, this is Link saying his own name. 'Link' is not highlighted green at any other point in ht e game, plus the camera pans to be behind link on this line. you are 100% wrong
@@codemastertalon6439 Zelda says several words that are highlighted green in that conversation, notably when emphasizing things from the forest. The ellipses on it communicate the same tone she uses in the following lines. As long as you aren't completely brain dead, it's obvious that it's Zelda talking there and not Link.
@@connormartin1618 if you weren't a moron, you would notice the specific angle that is used when the line comes up is from behind link, the only time that angle is used just so happens to coincide with the one line where link is speaking. his name isnt green in the very next sentence that zelda speaks, why bother making it green if she says it 2 sentences later and it isnt green? because they are trying to emphasise that when it was green it was link saying it. why the pause with the three dots? why the separate text box for just links name? just accept your wrong
I love how in botw when link is asked to explain something to someone he just gestures outwardly with his hands which is funny but also gives me more of an incentive to assume that link uses sign language to speak to others, even though he's just waving his hands around
I HAVE THE SAME HC, when he’s explaining what happened to Zelda’s dad in skyward sword he ages his hands around like that similarly in place of audible voice acting or text
I'm not sure that BotW Link using sign language actually makes sense though. The whole seal puns thing and all. I don't think that translates very well. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if there were ways to do puns in sign language (I don't know sign language so I couldn't say for sure, but puns are pretty common in spoken languages, so why not silent ones too?), but they would be different, wouldn't they? A play on shapes rather than a play on words, if that makes sense. Some of the other Links talking in sign language, though, I am 100% behind. Not Skyward Sword Link, seeing as one of his dialogue options involves him addressing Impa while he has his back to her and his hands are full. But A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time Link? Absolutely.
Dialog in OOT always focused the camera on whoever was speaking. Their sprites also have subtle animations to indicate they are in fact speaking. Mido is very clearly saying everything there
@@ryder98307 Sometimes Link's speech is implied through responses. Characters simply respond as if he had said something, without a text box or animation showing any speech, in Windwaker they would add "..." when doing this. This happens many times throughout the n64 games.
I haven't seen anyone mention Phantom Hourglass. There are a few moments in the game where you have to use the mic. Here are the times I can think of off the top of my head: -When looking for Astrid, Link will shout something like "Is anyone on the other side of that door?!" -Link has to shout to a young Goron to activate a bridge on the other side of a gap -When purchasing the Salvage Arm, the player has to "shout with gusto", and how loud it was will determine how expensive it is. However, it should be noted that there is no onscreen dialogue from Link, and a character tells Link to snap in order to drop the price down to its lowest, meaning Link technically doesn't have to shout at all.
The ending is ambiguous tho, when Tetra and Link wake up on the ghost ship, there's on screen dialogue of someone talking but then it shows both of them and Tetra is still unconscious, while Link is just waking up. It's possible it's meant to be that Tetra, but it certainly doesnt seem like it.
2:11 the internet has ruined my mind to the point where i hear Mido in my head saying "sheesh" in a high pitch while putting two fingers on his other arm
Something extra I always love to mention on this topic: Besides the player's dialogue options in Skyward Sword, Link can be seen talking to Headmaster Gaepora as he explains what happens after waking up from Zelda being whisked away. On another note, if I recall, you also have multiple dialogue responses in Spirit Tracks. Could be mistaken. Also, the ALtTP Look-alike is called "The False Hero".
Yes most of the time Link does speak, just not directly. It’s like in a book where the narrator will explain what the character is saying without using actual dialogue. That’s how Link’s interactions and dialogue are most of the time. Sometimes he will have some straightforward dialogue but most of the time we have to guess exactly how he is saying/wording his unseen/unheard dialogue. His words are unseen to us the player, not so much to the people he’s speaking to in his world. Unless he’s actually not saying anything at all and it’s obvious when he is as the characters around him will usually comment on him not replying.
“I’m only counting instances of Link uttering understandable words”
Link: “mreeeow”
That is pretty much the English word for a cat's most common vocalization.
Meow is a word
You forgot. Come on
999th like
@VoltDenatsu hello fellow mgs bro on a zelda video
Something I like about BotW is how it actually addresses that he doesn’t talk much, Zelda writes about it in her diary
She even wrote Link explained his reasoning. I can't remember exactly but it mentioned something about Link has his responsibilities in mind all the time so he chooses to stay quiet.
He needs an English voice actor and he is long overdue for one.
@@JustAPrinnyDood "With so much at stake and so many eyes upon him, he feels it necessary to stay strong and silently bear any burden." Is the line ur thinkin of probably. He basically only talks in botw cause he’s lost his memory after waking up n forgotten that feeling of stoic burden and guilt. That’s probably how he was before being the goddess’ chosen hero bogged him down w responsibility, so big oof
I mean that's not unique to BotW. They address it as a gag in most of the open world games
@rafael Perez well, I also think he needs one, maybe for just a little scene at BOTW 2, Although Link has his reasonings why he doesn't talk, it still felt strange his lack of speech, maybe just for a moment when he breaks up
I love how the example used for breath of the wild is the one part where link literally cannot resist making a pun
My favorite instance of his sassy dialogue is when he’s talking to Bolson after he’s completed his house.
Bolson is being his typical goofy self, and Link’s responses include “are you ok??”
@@kanda5324 I don't think you know what sassy means
Seal you later
@therealgirl3295 It's one of my top 5 lines of dialogue in the entire game.
@@kanda5324i think a more appropriate word would be “sarcastic”
Link saying "come on" and meowing in Wind Waker is actually adorable.
He is absolutely the best and most expressive Link
@@M_Alexander might not be the actual link though just some kid who looks like him
@@MGrey-qb5xz I don't know what you mean
@@M_Alexander THE LOOOOOOOORE
@@M_Alexander I think he meant Wind Waker Link isn't canon on the storyline
My interpretation of the Mido scene is that Link didn't actually say anything at all, and that Mido is so insecure that he felt the need to respond to an argument that was never made.
I had the same thought but didn’t know how to articulate it. It really adds to Mido’s character.
I just thought Link said at the end of all that "WTF Mido?"
Yeah that's my understanding too. It's implied through the game that Link does talk though, since characters ask him questions and get answers from him at certain points, although we can only see the NPC's dialogue.
Mido definitely strikes me as a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of "leader".
i always thought that mido was just responding to some silent comment link made that he didn't have his equipment ready either
I really like Link’s internal monologue in Breath of the Wild. It just seems so strange to only use it twice, and one of the instances being over random fish is even stranger.
Boy loves food
@@alexandercollins5704 *seafood
Well Zelda does mention in her diary that Link really likes food...
Link loves fishing in all games
He does also talk to himself over the crops in Kakariko.
2:15 obviously this was Mido, but he's responding to Link. It is implied Link noted the lack of sword and shield equipped by Mido, and this is Mido's retort.
Yeah that's what I got out of it too. Mido says the line but he's responding to Link speaking. We just don't hear Link doing it.
I'm pretty sure he says that because he's saying that he doesn't have a sword and shield either.
Yeah there are multiple instances in oot where Link obviously says something but the player doesn't see it, so i don't see a reason as to why this single line of dialogue would be Link
yeah. if you emphasize on the "my" it sounds even more like mido says it
I was about to say that too.
I love how skyward sword and botw have options to make sassy remarks. Botw Link’s dialogue options are mostly always sassy so my head canon says Link is a sassy little man in botw
g i m m e t h e b o o t s o r i ' m g o i n g t o k i l l y o u r w h o l e f a m i l y
And in BotW you also get to make seal puns with the two sand seal rentals
@@lepurpleboi3266 Yeah!
It's kinda like how in Persona 4 you can make Yu the biggest smartass possible by picking the right responses. Those are the ones I always pick
I mean. Seems logical. He just awoken from a long sleep without much memory. I'd be sassy too
I think that dialogue with Mido implies Link telling Mido (without dialogue of course) that he also isn't well equipped. Resulting in that kind of response. Most of the characters respond to link implying he's talking to them. Link's dialogue is usually in the form of dialogue choices
I scrolled way to long to find this. This is most definitely what is going here with the Mido interaction.
Absolutely how I have understood it since I was a kid
It just feels a little awkward to me, it's not like mido is heading to the tree, he's just blocking it
@@azure4622 God damn, you're everywhere.
@@azure4622ow is it "unnatural since he's just guarding the area"
The whole point of guarding would require he's able to stand up to the dangers he's guarding against. Are you thick?
“A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage.” In my opinion, this is the coldest quote to come from the Zelda franchise, and it’s spoken by none other than Link himself
Well, he HAS most definitely seen some shit, enough to know what he's talking about there.
i agree
Which game did he say this?
@@zionthedragon8866 Twilight Princess. It was said by the Hero's Shade, which is the lingering spirit of the Link from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
he's essentially just knocking down his Twilight Princess incarnation a peg much like how a stern guardian would to a cocky kid. Guy literally lived his life twice, he's seen some shit in both Hyrule and Termina. He probably just doesn't want TP Link to end up messing up or ending up paralyzed in fear because he knows the kind of shit that's coming ahead
"Well excuuuuse me, Princess." Will forever be a great meme
Always has been
That line is from the zelda cartoon from 1986
Ya beat me to it...
Beat me to it.. dang
@@sansibit4706 And I beat you to saying "beat me to it"!
In the BOTW memory where Link and Zelda are riding horses next to each other, Zelda quotes Link and says “Be sure to take the time to soothe your mount, that’s the only way it’ll know how you truly feel.” and continues with “You’re advice was quite helpful, thank you.” I don’t understand why no one mentions this. It’s not even implied, the subtitles literally have quotes around it signifying that she is quoting him. That was him that said that.
I assume it’s because we didn’t hear him saying it with a voice actor and all. It robs the (already innocuous line) of a lot of nuance and the possible layers the specific line delivery would give. We also already knew this information about link from playing the game and taming the horses, literally soothing the mount. It’s like if zelda quoted him saying “I will protect you.” Like yeah we know, where’s your personality. That’s why these mentions get more attention, we learn something new from the delivery.
Strange you missed out in Wind Waker when he clearly says ”Hi” to his grandmother during the first encounter with her.
He actually has family in a game,nice!
@@hawkfeather6802 there are many instances of a link having a family
@@xspeedyer Do you mean living family? Wind Waker and A Link to the Past are the only ones that come to mind. OOT, BotW, TP have deceased family. I could be missing some since I haven't played every game.
I'm fairly certain that was one of his grandma's voice clips.
@@TheDeanofLean Minish Cap
I think Mido is repeating Link’s line. My impression is that Link does talk, and NPCs react as if Link did say something, but you never see him say anything.
I always thought of it as Mido's response to Link calling out his hypocrisy. Since Mido doesn't have a visable sword or shield yet he's telling Link to get one.
@@jamesmccloud1002 same
Yep, I think that's right. Link talks, it's just the player doesn't hear it. The in-game characters do though.
Exactly. Like. It doesn’t show but link probably says, you don’t have a sword and shield. Causing him to react like link said something to him. They do that in later zelda games a lot. Where they show link explaining stuff but no sound or words are said. And the characters react as if he said something
Exactly. Like in MM when Koume is injured and you go back to Kotake, Link clearly explains in detail what happened, even telling her Skull Kid is using Majoras Mask. The player just doesnt see what he says, only the NPC reaction to what he says
theres a theory that the reason link is more talkative in dialogue in botw is because he lost his memory, so he also doesn't follow the "i got responsibilities so i dont waste time on talking" rule
Link reads Zelda's diary and is like "oh shit I'm supposed to be mute?"
I like to imagine years of slumber as well as not talking much before slipping into a coma caused him to kinda forget how to use his voice on a neural level.
Hence why still no voiced lines for my boy lol
Im totally on board with that idea tho, especially cause he's got such a sass to him in BoTW.
@@marymystery4427 He talks. Whenever you finish a quest and report back to the NPC, he will tell them what happened and such with obvious hand movement.
That's not just a theory, it's actual canon stated in the creating a champion book
Link was so embarrassed of the CDI games he never talked again
This is the only explanation I will accept
"i just wonder what ganon up too"
@@JoThNoMi
“Oh boy I’m so hungry, I could eat an entire octorock!”
@@Yolo-nk7zb "Great, I'll grab my stuff"
@@Yolo-nk7zb golly
I always interpreted Link's little dialogues like "what? Illusion?" Or "Those grilled fished look really good, I wonder if they were caught locally" as his thoughts instead of him speaking by himself
So Link talks like how Garfield does in the comics, threw thought balloons.
Me too.
this makes more sense than him noting out loud to an empty room that he found something
@@eduardoflores1503 Except Garfield is apparently psychic since Jon and Odie can clearly understand him, while Link is just in his own world most of the time.
@@partyinthecloudkingdom exactly
In Tears Of The Kingdom there are a few more of those “Expressing his thoughts” moments, like when you find some crops and he says something to the effect of “Someone worked hard to grow these. I’d best not just take one.”
He does that too in botw! I'm not sure which village it is, but if you try to nab some of the crops, he says the same thing.
@@shatterme_sm kakariko village with the carrots!
hateno village!
in the dlc for botw (where you get a bunch of gear referencing old Zelda games) when you have to read journals inside old ruins, the dialogue says 'Has this always been here?'. You can see this as Link's thoughts too which is a honestly very valid question to wonder seeing as no one's really around except guardians
@@spangebred328and the pumpkins!
I love that the manga gives Link so much more personality
The manga is great honestly
I have manga 1-8
just got the four swords manga yesterday, actually
can confirm that the links have a lot of personality
@@youtubecat3809 toon link dose show some personality in the games it just not as frequent as most people like it to be he's a lazy but good hearted kid and spaces out alot
@@lordcthulhu4303 Dude same. Except for me its 5-8. I lost volumes 1-4
Love how every instance of Link talking is either text or possibly him talking or someone else but it was confused- then you get his dead spirit training his other self how to wield a sword to protect Hyrule again. Like only DEATH made this dude talk in full sentences
Lmfao
he only talks when either dead or poorly animated.
@@blackironwalterkus3851 Except the E3 one. I think that was great! (Second to last one in the video)
Notnonly death, old age too
He had time to fully recharge the speech ability.
Over the games I’ve noticed that he has a pretty distinct personality, imo anyway. He’s a big goofball that gets along with pretty much everyone, as shown in early in-game scenes when he’s in his hometown/childhood stage. Then when shit hits the fan he becomes really focused on his goal to save his friends, his partner, and the world. Passionate, determined, and brave. He doesn’t need to speak much to do what he needs to do, he’s a man of action, and knows he’s just gotta keep fighting with everything he has. In the darker Zelda games, he’s older and more mature. He may not goof around much anymore due to the heavy weight of responsibility, but you can tell he’s amused by other goofy characters he meets along the way.
Honestly, If he never had to be the hero, he’d probably live a really happy, wonderful life doing whatever passion he has, like maybe owning a ranch
Also gets sassy when he's annoyed. One of the best parts about him to me.
Let him cook! In peace!
So basically a prototypical protagonist
In other worrds he's not very far from the "Excuuuse me, Princess!" Link.
How could we ever forget the greatest lines in the history of gaming such as:
"We all make choices in life, but in the end our choices make us."
"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world."
"Great, I cant wait to bomb some dodongos"
tear jerkers
ThAt LaSt OnE ThOuGh..
@@33pandagamer That one hit me the hardest.
I didn't know G-Man is in Zelda
Ahhh, the last one alone makes me cry
“What is better ? to be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great effort ?” - Paarthurnax
Really loved when the creator called the dialogue ‘unholy’. That was so on point.
When I read that and "Pair of Games", I could only say "Oh my god.....Not those......"
@@darkhunter5293 Honestly, they're unworthy of being placed in the same section as something so iconic as the "Excuuuse me, princess!" line.
@@LucianCanad Too true. Plus, at least the TV show gave their interpretation a character that doesn't come across as a complete dumbass. The CD-i version sounds like he's half asleep.
@@LucianCanad ok, but he can bomb some dodongos
To be honest, it's terrible but I kinda enjoy it just to laugh at.
That ocarina of time line was definitely said by Mido. The implication is that Link would have said something along the lines of “you’re helping the great deku tree by standing guard here and you don’t have a sword and shield” prompting Mido to reply the way he did. It never once crossed my mind that Link would be the one saying that.
Yeah, the "but..." wouldn't really make sense if Link was the one saying it.
@@whawhawhawhaaaait’s not just the “but”, it wouldn’t make sense anyway, because Link doesn’t talk, at least not in full lines of dialogue.
Didn’t those m people think it would be very strange that Link would talk in this one very specific dialogue and then never again in the entire game?
@@davion4777in my opinion the whole thing sounds like a debate started by kids who misunderstood the petulant tone mido was talking in there. not saying that as a bad thing but it kinda seems like it in any case
Link, throughout his bloodline, is shown to be a good person, a simple man, or an innocent child. It really makes his worthiness legit
Well… except for CDI Link
Incarnation Cycles.
We don't know if OoT-TP was a one case or an almost Physical Law.
@@seretith3513 I've always liked the idea that Link comes from someone who has the blood of the original Link from Skyward Sword. As time passes and as his posterity gets to include more people it ends up that he could be born as the child of just about anyone in Hyrule.
Conversely I like to think that Zelda can only be reincarnated as a member of the royal family because the bloodline of the goddess is continually renewed by each incarnation of Zelda.
@@thomasp.1533 no Zelda is a incarnation of Hylia so far as we know. But then we know that the Golden Goddesses can reincarnate.
CDI link is not innocent
@@TheCursedClover Ok I’ll edit it
According to Nintendo, the reason of why Link isn't so talkative is because they want the player to feel like they're Link while playing the game. And making him talk would kinda break this "illusion".
Same for Hat Kid
I understand why they did but I desagree with their methods, I mean, I play a bunch of games with voiced main characters and still imagine myself in they're shoes
It’s true, you feel more immersed as a character when their thoughts are your own, rather than just reading what they say and think. It’s part of what made Undertale so emotionally impacting for most people
@@NeroTP Yeah. Although I've only played botw, it felt like something was missing whenever I would hear the other characters speak but Link just 🤐. Especially when Zelda asks if Link remembers her after defeating Dark Beast. It felt like he should've said something rather than leave her waiting for an answer, even if it's implied he answers. And yeah there are so many games where characters are fully voiced but you can still relate to them if not by the main protagonist's perspective then by other characters' perspectives. It feels a bit lazy to have silent protagonists tbh.
@@DantheManZ-wn6zg totally agree
You may have missed one. In Skyward Sword when Link falls into lava and jumps up. He yells something like "Ite-te-te-te", which I believe translates to "Ouch" or "Ow" from Japanese.
Oh shit I remember this one lol
I swear in Wind Waker, he says something like "Big!" when he lifts a rock. He also does that kind of "ahhhtata!" noise if he's on a slippery surface like ice.
Thank you random internet person for this wonderful info!
@@ericalawler8702oh my god, wind waker link legit says come on whenever you had to call the sages to come over!
The Link-Mido dialogue was actually Link calling out Mido for not having his equipment either, and Mido saying "What? You're right--I don't have my equipment ready, but....If you wanna pass through here you gotta at least equip a sword and shield!"
Yeah, that's what I saw it as.
I just saw it as mido roasting link.
Either way, it does imply Link talking in a way. Sort of.
@@jesvincoulse7809 Didn't see it ourselves but Mido would NOT react that way if Link didn't speak.
They should've added a "either at the end of the sentence so we wouldn't get confused
so if you're saying that you using the mic counts as link speaking in the famicom zelda, does that mean link has canonically bruhed a room of enemies to death
bruh moment
Yes, true
Yup
Hypothetically he's said the f word by that logic then right?
@@TheSuperPiks 100%
The Ocarina of Time scene was absolutely Mido responding to some silent response from Link that we didn't get to hear. Link was likely saying something like "Well you don't have equipment either" and Mido was acting embarassed about being called out.
Who would’ve thought Link would’ve been so talkative.
Just like quiet
@@stellaronaccel from Metal Gear?
Me
In Animal Crossing he always boast about himself as wolf link
@@irienhamzah5250 Wha- Ho- Bu- I- What?
When you go to sleep tonight, I want you to remember the first thing link has EVER said is “I found a mirror under the table.”
Damnit now I can't sleep
Chronological wise, not timeline wise. Timeline wise the first thing he is known to have said is the first thing he says in skyward sword
What about in the first Zelda game when he enters a shop and the text "Boy, this is expensive!" shows up?
The way Toon Link tried to snatch a donut before being stopped by Link though, and the look of disappointment at 9:05 when Link said “They promised me you wouldn’t be here”. I feel that.
Honestly suprised that this video was only 9 minutes and 30 seconds.
This video is very long
Honestly it didn't really feel that long when you realize this was all dialogue that's happen in all appearances, including cameos.
@@cryoverspilledmilk4546 links not supposed to talk much
I was surprised it was this long. 😏
I was surprised THAT it was longer than like two minutes
The four Links in Four Swords Adventures also say, “Hey,” when the player changes which Link they are controlling. The Links also exclaim, “Yay,” when picking up large force gems. Each Link has their own unique voice as well, just pitched up or down from Green Link.
FINALLY someone that recognizes this!
Love to see Four Swords Adventure getting some love!
Same it’s an underrated game. I loved it since I was a kid!
Would be excellent for switch
While in Mario kart it sounds like Link is saying “HELL YEAH”
My favorite Link quote: “Hiya!” Goosebumps
Addition: in OoT, when adult Link falls from a high place and doesn't break his fall with a roll, he very clearly says「いてっ!!」which is the Japanese equivalent of "ouch!!"/"ow!!" ;)
Found out about it the other day during my first playthrough lol
I always interpreted it as grunting, while also trying to not sound too pained
@@kirbywithaknifeisawesome6028 It basically is, it's less of an "ouch" and more of a "gah!" or "oof!"
I always heard a pained "watch....it.." when he took massive fall damage.
I always heard it as ooo! Sht!
@@tionodese8110 Ok, thank you. This is exactly what me and every single one of my friends have always heard. I'm pretty sure this is the official dialogue.
Every single one of Link’s lines in the accursed game is sarcastic.
In a lot of the manga versions, he's a sarcastic little shit who needs to learn humility
I like the idea that link is a sarcastic guy and not only a Marye sue who never talk
@@BJGvideos That last part is literally a plot point in Hyrule Warriors.
@@TimedRevolver Where, exactly? It's been a while since I last played it.
@@Chaos89P When Link gets the Master Sword, he gets cocky and arrogant. Ends up having to be rescued and is fully slapped off his high horse.
During Dialogue in BotW, Link may sometimes start explaining something.
However, whenever this happens, the screen either turns black or you can straight up not hear him, even though the Npcs can.
i interpret that as him talking in signal , witch would not have been strange considering that a lot o people stop talking cuz of ptsd (ganon in this case) so it would be normal for everyone to know it
I feel like link has always been sort of a silent-sassy lad. His pose when he talks to people is either crossed arms, or a hand on his hip. Not to mention he does a lot of odd and questionable things with no explanation. I feel as if link doesnt want to be bothered to do anything, but he does it to protect people he loves. Long story short hes done with everyones shit.
Agreed.
I think the Link from TP was the nicest ironically because it's the edgiest game. If you talk to one npc she says, "your innocent face is giving me heartburn." Also you can play with all sorts of cats in that game.
So basically the same reason Chell is mute in Portal
@@Ash-nh6li And dogs! You can pick up and carry dogs too. You can even play with them. Honestly one of my most favorite parts in that game
my favourite type of mc
It's amazing how just a letter "I" can make such a big difference, especially in Zelda games.
CD
CD-I
FACES OF EVL
FACES OF EVIL
LAMP OL
LAMP OIL
YOU WANT T
YOU WANT IT
RUBES
RUBIES(why didn't morshu say rupees)
CAN'T GVE CREDT
I CAN'T GIVE CREDIT
COME BACK WHEN YOU'RE A LTTLE MMM RCHER
COME BACK WHEN YOU'RE A LITTLE MMM RICHER
There is one more in Twilight Princess with a clear textbox from Link:
Link is able to talk to animals in this game, while being a wolf.
Later in the game, you need a golden chicken to go to the lost woods.
So, once you can transform to wolf-link anywhere in the world, Link is able to talk to said golden chicken. When you try, a textbox pops up where he says something along the lines "I don't want to talk to that chicken", looking like it's to arrogant for him. Sadly I can't remember his exact words.
Wolf Link : "what's with this sassy, lost chicken?"
My dad a long time Zelda fan since the beginning: *"Link had never talked ever"*
This video: I'm about to end this man's whole career.
Did he have any thoughts on the matter?
@@velvetbutterfly I haven't showed him this video yet I'll show him once I get the chance
@@Skylerthebean you’ll never get a chance because he left you to get a pack of cigarettes
@@SCP--oz6oz Actually no. My dad hasn't returned till I was 7 years old and now it's been 5 years and tbh I rarely see him due to his job so hehehe 😎
@@SCP--oz6oz stop deflecting
5:56 Link's sense of humor is 100 years old too, apparently
Love the seal puns.
It's sounds very SEALly
I don't agree but i can seal where you're coming from.
Hey don't knock the guys puns, they're SEALly funny
These puns are sealiously funny
IM SO GLAD YOU INCLUDED THE SAND SEAL DIALOGUE OPTIONS. Those were my favorite to come across and really shows how goofy this little guy is
In Skyward sword there's also the scene where he faints right after zelda gets kidnapped. When he gains back conciousness he explains to the headmaster what happened. You cant hear him, but he's clearly explaining the whole story.
The Link in Twilight Princess does a similar thing with Mayor Bo right after Ilia gets kidnapped.
Link talking to others without having audible or visible dialogue is extremely common throughout the series.
@@OtakuUnitedStudio It's a purposeful decision so as not to put words in the player's mouth.
I always like to imagine he’s doing some kind of hyrulian sign language in scenes like those
@@alexandercollins5704 he’s not deaf he can hear
@@Gucocdyrs people who aren’t deaf can use sign, especially mute people/ characters
In Majora's Mask, when speaking with Romani for the first time, there are dialog options for when she asks for your name, either saying your file-name or "I won't say."
Either way, she calls you "Grasshopper"
Maybe Tatl is the one who answered XD
Link : Man, I'm so hungry.
Epona : *...How hungry ?*
Breath of the Wild is probably my favorite Link, that's where he feels more of a character to me than the other games, instead of a avatar. Stuff like the reason of his vow of silence are some of the things I really liked and I hope in BotW 2 there will be more subtle things like that to develop his character further
Not so much a "vow of silence" as much as just keeping to himself.
One of Zelda's diary entries even says that when they get to know each other better later, he becomes a bit of a chatterbox at times.
It came across to me that Link just doesn't talk much when he's nervous or upset because he's too busy mulling over his thoughts to think of what to say.
Yeah but when he’s talking to other people he talks a lot
Worth noting that Link was *designed* as an avatar. Not giving him (many) lines was (/is) a purposeful decision by the creator.
He's designed to be like Avatar why do you think you can name Link in other games but not in Botw
@@BhargavN10 Because he was designed before BotW...
I'm surprised they didn't come up with a simple whistle for Wind Waker.
I'm guessing they were as well, since that's what they used in Spirit Tracks.
Link actually speaks a little in that game too. When he and Zelda are facing Byrne at the top of the Tower of Spirits, the short talk they have the camera pans to Link who moves his lips and a text beneath shows up and it can't be Zelda or Byrne otherwise why isn't the camera focused on either of them.
@@derrickdaniels3955 - I know what you mean, but no, that's Zelda talking.
Link does have the option to reply with either "Yeah!" or "Mmm!" but that's about it.
That was the most frustrating thing in Spirit Tracks!
Oot Link also famously says „Yes“ everytime someone asked him „if he wants to hear again, what’s just have been said“. Or „No“ everytime someone asks him „If he understood that“.
The flashback cutscene were Zelda says Link told her how to rid a horse is the most important yet bizarre thing ever said in an official Zelda game. He can talk, just not on screen.
And they even give a reason why he doesn’t talk much in botw, if you read zeldas diary it says link stopped talking because of all the pressure on him and he feels that he needs to stay strong because everyone is looking to him to save them
@@FTQuake Dang. Now I feel bad for him.
That’s not exactly groundbreaking. Link is implied to speak countless times throughout the series, we just almost never see or hear it.
@@FTQuake Right, and that's also why we see him being way more cheerful and having personality-driven dialogue options during the game, since he lost his memories and all the responsibilities that came with them.
@@SophisticatedGoat222 I never thought about it before but damn…that hurts. they let him have a brief moment of peace and then they were like “jk here’s your memories of all your friends dying and you still have to save everyone by yourself”
I wonder though: in botw it’s rare that an NPC actually believes you’re the champion resurrected, with the exception of course of the leaders of the various cities. maybe that’s why he’s more talkative (with dialogue options)? like it’s easier for him to talk to people who think he’s just a regular traveler with an extra-cool sword.
still makes me sad though. I like that they really humanized him in botw. it must really suck having that kind of pressure and it’s cool to see that it does affect him.
Gotta love Ocarina of Time Link, Even when he was no longer the Hero of Legend, He still went the extra mile to return even in death just to teach his successor his powers and remain loyal to the tradition of passing down the secrets only known to The Hero Bloodline. Always will be my first & favorite hero.
Isn't that was just a theory?
@@NetBattler Nope, Nintendo themselves confirmed that the Heroes Shade was indeed, The Hero Of Time.
link "EVEN IN DEATH I STILL SERVE"
There is no hero bloodline
@@NavaracVolare well, not a direct bloodline anyway. none of the Links are blood related or anything, but they are reincarnations of the same person (for the most part, there are some exceptions...). one could argue that the reincarnation line could be considered a bloodline of sorts, albeit a loose one.
edit: completely forgot that TP Link is meant to be a distant relative to The Hero of Time, like a great great grandson or something. But other than those two, the Links aren't all part of the same family tree.
Another time the game tells you Link's thoughts in BOTW is when you interact with a pumpkin in Olkin's patch while he's not there. It says "That's a mighty fine pumpkin! I'd probably get in big trouble if I took it without permission." Another BOTW instance is how in Zelda's diary, it mentions that she got Link to talk.
I always assumed link was a selective mute so he talks as little as possible and most of what you interpreted as outward dialogue is actually inner dialogue like his comments about the fish and island. I also assumed that he can get most of his intentions across by gestures and facial expressions so when he's talking to mido he gives him a "I don't see your sword" look and that's mido's rebuttal. That's why often times people in the games can interpret link as being judgmental or rude when he talks to them
Thats exactly how I see it too
Well, that's basically how it is on BotW. The hero of the wild has a vow of silence, and if I remember right, it's because he's so nervous that he thinks his voice will waver if he talks, and that might give people a bad impression. Is sorta implied that he talks again after waking up without his memories (hence, the dialogue options and people replying as if you said something in a few dialogues) but he doesn't exactly seem to be the most talkative person even then.
As for the other games, not much clear canon on this regard. Though, I do like the headcanon of all Links being selective mute, or just overall preferring not to talk whenever not strictly necessary.
@@gabrielabatista6016 Where's that mentioned?
@@Crispman_777 the vow of silence is mentioned in diary entries. i believe it's actually mentioned in Zelda's diary, but i may be misremembering.
There's the belief that when Link first encountered Zelda in OoT, and she asked for his name, the text that reads whatever name the player gave to him was actually being said by him (one of the reasons being that the text is green, like the answers you can give to some questions)
@Ryan Reffert why did I know the one reply would be "slurmp.."
In the same encounter, Link asks Zelda if she told her father about her dream. We don't read his words but Zelda repeats them.
The Best Link of All Hyrule 7:07
C D I LINKU
Koridai*
Gee, iT sUrE iS bOriNG aRoUnD hErE...
Here's how to bake a cake!!
* 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 ¼ cups sea salt Cultured Butter - 82% Butterfat, softened 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar ¾ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips fleur de sel
Now the instructions!!!! :
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Set aside.
Place butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in bowl of stand mixer fixed with paddle attachment. Beat on high speed, scraping sides occasionally, 4 minutes or until mixture is light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture gradually, beating at low speed just until combined. Add chocolate chips; beat on low speed until well distributed.
Scoop slightly underfilled 1/4 cupfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 15-17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown.
CDI Link still has the most memorable dialog.
Golly!
Second only to Excuuuuuse me princess and Smoochin time.
He also has pretty much the only dialogue.
I like how the three personalities one can assign Link in the dialogue options of Skyward Sword are confident, reserved, and snarky.
And for the hero of time, sassy.
He talks in Phantom Hourglass through using the mic, saying things like "HEY, UP THERE!", and in the final cutscene, Link and Tetra are alone on the Ghost ship, but the dialogue says "...hey!". When the camera shifts, we see Link wide awake, with Tetra still passed out, and nobody else around.
YEAH I WAS HOPING SOMEONE WOULD MENTION THE "HEY! "
I don’t know why people ever thought Link was a mute. Yeah he may not always have dialogue lines to be read, but people react to things he says. It’s just a product of the writing. (Granted some of the responses are things like “No words are needed. I can see the answer in your face.” Though that is often not the case.)
@@spaghetti3406 same
Selective mute is a thing. You can make noise, and possibly ttalk, but you just don't. People that subscribe to Link being selectively mute think he's weighed down with so much, that he finds it easier to just not say anything.
@@CloudyAster that’s pretty interesting. I don’t believe I’ve heard of that before, but that would be a cool character trait for Link to have
I mean, sign language is an option. It's fair to point out that Link has never been animated using recognisable signing in any games, but it's also fair to point out that it's not unusual to see him use silent gestures which could be interpreted as sign.
He's just shy.
imagine if the hero's spirit was like: Now that I'm not the protagonist anymore, I can finally speak!
I like the last one, it makes sense if his voice has the power to kill, that's why he's always silent
In Breath of the Wild when Link is talking to a certain npc you could actually see his lips moving
Can we just talk about how much of a savage the heros shade is
He looks like the Chariot Master from Kid Icarus.
Well, when he was the Hero of Time he was a hothead. Quick to anger alot.
@@theacademictaskmaster6481 hmm... I don't seem to remember him getting too angry but I played ocarina of time like... 5 years ago at least
@@jordanrobshaw1406 In the manga he is. I sure, Nintendo has made them canon.
@@theacademictaskmaster6481 oh never read it but I really want to
There are couple of dialogue options in Ocarina of Time. There’s one where you tell Nabooru “I hate Ganondorf.” Pretty sure there’s another one when you’re talking to the guard who stands by the gate leading to Death Mountain
CDI Link's all like "Golly! Wow! Thanks! Wow!" He's just so super positive.
You know we all stood there shouting ‘Come on!’ in Windwaker as he actually spoke and it was so surprising and beautiful at the same time!
3:00 I had no idea what that sound was before this video. As a kid, I thought that it was either an audio glitch or the girl making a weird sound of distress.
2:43 When I first played Wind Waker this caught me by total surprise. I was in complete shock.
(Btw, turn on subtitles)
Yeah I noticed that and it was really unexpected that auto-generated subtitles could pick that up!
"Come on"
5:31 "What? Don't you have any Friendly Tokens, chum? Aha! Guess you're not a real hero like ME!"
Sad, but true for most of us...
[well until they became available at the shop]
Jesus, the Hero of the legend was a bitch.
Canonically, that's not a real Link, just a good cosplayer.
You're playing as Link between Worlds Link.
I honestly thought they would at least mention the old man link
I think that when Link is talking to Mido, even though we don’t see it, Link says something similar to, “You don’t have your equipment either!” And Mido was responding to that.
I think Link’s best vocal portrayal from here is from his guest appearance in Captain N. As for his in-game stuff, I’m divided between BOTW and skyward sword because he loves puns and he isn’t afraid to get a little snarky or sassy.
It's actually the VA from the animated series.
@@newguy371 excuse me princess
*I have a simple 2-item checklist:*
- Must be absolutely clear: - _that_ Link is speaking *out loud;* - _what_ he is saying
(plain text would be allowed)
- Same format as other NPCs’ usual lines of dialogue in the rest of the game/mainline series around that time
(this includes a necessity for translation)
-
When you think about it… using these rules, he never actually truly talked.
Actually an another good piece of evidence lies in Twilight Princess when Link comes back from the goat farm and goes to Mayor Bo with Illia and Epona. He can be seen clearly speaking to Ilia, flapping his lips and all, you could perhaps even read on his lips.
Also in BoTW, in her diary, Zelda mentions that she asked Link why he wasn't much talkative and he actually gave her an answer, implying he can talk, explaining that he feels overwhelmed by his responsibilities, thus being too focused and broody to talk much.
The Zelda Ii, BOTW (examining the diary), and Link’s Awakening could just be him thinking thoughts and not speaking though.
It’s still from his own perspective
CD-I is DEFINITELY not(i know you said Zelda II BOTW and LA but still),
I mean, after he says "Gee, it sure is boring around here"
King Rhoam literally responds with "This peace is what all true warriors strive for"
7:38 take a shot every time he says ‘wow thanks!’ challenge
Unfortunately, most of these are just translation issues, for you see, Japanese tend to omit subject in its sentences.
For example, the sentence "I found a mirror under the table" can actually mean "you found a mirror under the table" as in Japanese, it should be "(subject) found a mirror under the table." Similarly, "Looks like I can get in the fireplace" can actually mean "Looks like you can get in the fireplace." It's the narrative that talks, not Link, and it's a very common mistake.
As for the conversation with Mido, it's a completely avoidable mistake and anyone who did it should be fired. Mido's line is "ま、オイラも 持ってないけどナ…" which should mean "Well, I don't have a sword and a shield too, though..." Mido uses oira (オイラ), a variation of ore (俺), to refer to himself. Link doesn't.
Lastly, Japanese has a weird tendency of narrating inner dialogue from third person perspective. Both the realization in Koholint Island and the communication options in BoTW can actually be the narrative that speaks of Link's inner thought in behalf of Link. If you read enough Japanese narration, like I do, you'll understand what I mean. Translating Japanese text is a nightmare.
Thanks a lot for letting us see the original language with eyes unclouded!
I picked up on this too- funny, since I wouldn't have noticed at all a year, or even 6 months ago. Never realized how much more understanding you can get from media when learning the source language, even when it's already well localized.
I feel like this is meant to be similar to when you read Manga, the text you're reading could be a thought bubble OR a dialog bubble, and considering that most games, including Zelda are developed in Japan, where this semi-meta third person commentary popular in Anime & Manga would also likely crossover to video games.
Bruh, how you are not in hadvar?
Exactly that. Especially the way english and japanese (i mean other languages too like finnish) are formatted completely differently. Translation becomes hell.
i think a good overlooked mention would be the dialogue options in spirit tracks! there's a lot of personality driven ones, and some of my favorite come from when you can cheer up zelda in some parts of the game
Worth mentioning in ocarina of time when you talk to princess Zelda as a kid for the first time your selection options are you talking. Like how you can say you don’t believe here and she gets all sad, or you agree and she gets all happy.
Didn't know Link was supposed to be meowing to sound like a cat, but then again I don't think I've heard that sound effect while playing the game before.
I always thought it
was the girl making a nervous sound I never even identified it as a cat sound, let alone Link being the one that made it.
But he opens his mouth?
@@LooneyLei Link opens his mouth constantly even without making sounds. It easily could have just been a surprised face.
@@futurehistoryarchaeologist4480 That is a fair point, specially with how expressive Toon Link is. Though I’m still surprised that some people didn’t realize he was meowing
It's more a Japanese "Nyan" than a "meow"
7:26
Link: it'sa gohma
*Gets sword from thin air*
Link: Thanks
The exchange between link and mido is link calling him out via unwritten and unspoken dialogue and mido responding
6:40
Link: “must not look”
Me: “I’ll make you look at it everyday”
Is that in the NTSC version? I don't remember seeing that particular line of dialogue at all.
Ocarina of Time I highly doubt with how random it would be to have Link talk once and never again across the entire game (except when NPC's imply He talks)
The point of the dialogue to me is pointing out how biased Mido is towards Link. making up random rules out of immature jealousy towards seeing Link receive such a high honer, being summoned by The Great Deku tree himself.
To take it farther, I'd go as far as to say the Hyrule Historia with its many dubious claims, should probably be heavily questioned about the Skeleton being OOT link especially for how talkative he presents himself. I'd say OOT link has no words that can be definitively linked to him.
@@legatomodi3522 Aonuma had to approve everything in Historia, Hero's Shade is the Hero of Time, even his text in game evidences this.
It's Aonuma's word.
@@ArceusDX there were zelda games before Aonuma took over. One was OOT. There will be zeldas after he is gone. Nothing that's canon is canon forever. I've fully rejected much more from this historia and time is proving its absurdities undone all the more all the time.
@@legatomodi3522 so you dont take it as canon because YOU dont like it?
@@car4128 what rubs me the wrong way is one thing. Things too absurd to be correct given everything I must take at fact fundamentally in practice is another thing altogether, and a much bigger conversation than I'm willing to launch here. Just take this kernel for retrospect in the decade or two, history will trivialize and mock the historia and Nintendo will be hoping you forget they endorsed it when the product becomes something different.
The real prize of defeating ganon isn’t saving the kingdom but gaining the ability to speak full sentences 😭
2:30
yeah that's Mido talking. Link says something to him -- presumably something like "but YOU don't have any equipment ready" -- and Mido replies "yeah, true, but still"
I think that Milo is the one who says he doesn't have the equipment ready.
He is responding as if Link pointed out that neither of them are wielding a sword or shield.
There's one in Ocarina of Time, when you are talking to Zelda as a kid she asks your name, and your name is displayed in green in a separate dialog, it's the only time this happens despite a lot of people call you by your name during the game, so it's most likely Link's voice
Definitely not. OoT dialogue highlights key terms in green all the time. Zelda uses the words "forest" earlier in that same conversation in green. In the line you're referring to she asks Link's name and then says "...Link...it sounds somehow...familiar" she is 100% saying it back to herself.
@@connormartin1618 you're definitely wrong, this is Link saying his own name. 'Link' is not highlighted green at any other point in ht e game, plus the camera pans to be behind link on this line. you are 100% wrong
@@codemastertalon6439 Zelda says several words that are highlighted green in that conversation, notably when emphasizing things from the forest. The ellipses on it communicate the same tone she uses in the following lines. As long as you aren't completely brain dead, it's obvious that it's Zelda talking there and not Link.
@@connormartin1618 if you weren't a moron, you would notice the specific angle that is used when the line comes up is from behind link, the only time that angle is used just so happens to coincide with the one line where link is speaking. his name isnt green in the very next sentence that zelda speaks, why bother making it green if she says it 2 sentences later and it isnt green? because they are trying to emphasise that when it was green it was link saying it. why the pause with the three dots? why the separate text box for just links name? just accept your wrong
@@codemastertalon6439 lmao
3:05 that ‘meow’ is too cute!
I love how in botw when link is asked to explain something to someone he just gestures outwardly with his hands which is funny but also gives me more of an incentive to assume that link uses sign language to speak to others, even though he's just waving his hands around
I love the all of the headcannons that link uses sign!! Such a great idea :)
I HAVE THE SAME HC, when he’s explaining what happened to Zelda’s dad in skyward sword he ages his hands around like that similarly in place of audible voice acting or text
I'm not sure that BotW Link using sign language actually makes sense though. The whole seal puns thing and all. I don't think that translates very well. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if there were ways to do puns in sign language (I don't know sign language so I couldn't say for sure, but puns are pretty common in spoken languages, so why not silent ones too?), but they would be different, wouldn't they? A play on shapes rather than a play on words, if that makes sense.
Some of the other Links talking in sign language, though, I am 100% behind. Not Skyward Sword Link, seeing as one of his dialogue options involves him addressing Impa while he has his back to her and his hands are full. But A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time Link? Absolutely.
Dialog in OOT always focused the camera on whoever was speaking. Their sprites also have subtle animations to indicate they are in fact speaking.
Mido is very clearly saying everything there
Yes but what warrants him saying "What?" He clearly is answering something Link said
@@ryder98307 Sometimes Link's speech is implied through responses. Characters simply respond as if he had said something, without a text box or animation showing any speech, in Windwaker they would add "..." when doing this. This happens many times throughout the n64 games.
I haven't seen anyone mention Phantom Hourglass. There are a few moments in the game where you have to use the mic. Here are the times I can think of off the top of my head:
-When looking for Astrid, Link will shout something like "Is anyone on the other side of that door?!"
-Link has to shout to a young Goron to activate a bridge on the other side of a gap
-When purchasing the Salvage Arm, the player has to "shout with gusto", and how loud it was will determine how expensive it is. However, it should be noted that there is no onscreen dialogue from Link, and a character tells Link to snap in order to drop the price down to its lowest, meaning Link technically doesn't have to shout at all.
Yes! And when he shouts at Astrid you can hear him also say “hey!”
*no sounds*
"WHO SAID THAT?!"
When you yell at Astrid there actually is text on the top screen that says something like “Hey back there!”
The ending is ambiguous tho, when Tetra and Link wake up on the ghost ship, there's on screen dialogue of someone talking but then it shows both of them and Tetra is still unconscious, while Link is just waking up. It's possible it's meant to be that Tetra, but it certainly doesnt seem like it.
I've played Phantom Hourglass a bunch of times recently, and never considered that it was Link talking. It seemed like Ciela, the fairy.
2:15 it's definitely Mido that says that line, but it also definitely means that Link responded to him.
"link better not talk in the movie" mfers after watching this single video: 💀💀
2:11 the internet has ruined my mind to the point where i hear Mido in my head saying "sheesh" in a high pitch while putting two fingers on his other arm
oot predicted the sheesh
@@Detura Miyamoto be predicting the future lol
9:15 I can just imagine the dude playing it being like "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
The true link voice
5:13 Mipha's theme
Something extra I always love to mention on this topic:
Besides the player's dialogue options in Skyward Sword, Link can be seen talking to Headmaster Gaepora as he explains what happens after waking up from Zelda being whisked away.
On another note, if I recall, you also have multiple dialogue responses in Spirit Tracks. Could be mistaken. Also, the ALtTP Look-alike is called "The False Hero".
Yes most of the time Link does speak, just not directly. It’s like in a book where the narrator will explain what the character is saying without using actual dialogue. That’s how Link’s interactions and dialogue are most of the time.
Sometimes he will have some straightforward dialogue but most of the time we have to guess exactly how he is saying/wording his unseen/unheard dialogue.
His words are unseen to us the player, not so much to the people he’s speaking to in his world.
Unless he’s actually not saying anything at all and it’s obvious when he is as the characters around him will usually comment on him not replying.
7:31
This is the most genius transition
It was actually good lol
They dropped the filthiest, most egregious transition and thought we wouldn't notice
No the most dogshit