Why is Link Not Left-Handed in Tears of the Kingdom?
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The simple answer is: Link is not left-handed in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (and Breath of the Wild) because he is designed to align with the primary control scheme of the Nintendo consoles, specifically the Joy-Cons, which most players hold with their right hand. Historically, Link’s left-handedness was a defining characteristic, but this changed to provide a more intuitive experience for players using the right-handed dominant control scheme. This shift, which began in Twilight Princess on the Wii, ultimately places gameplay experience over historical consistency. The need to match the player’s dominant hand with Link’s sword arm led to the mirrored version of Twilight Princess on the Wii. For the first time in the franchise, Breath of the Wild fully embraced this change with Link being exclusively right-handed throughout the game, which also continues in Tears of the Kingdom.
The Evolution of Link’s Handedness
From Left to Right: A History Lesson
For most of The Legend of Zelda history, Link was, iconically, a left-handed hero. This was consistent with the original design of the game and the way the characters interacted on screen. However, as gaming technology progressed, particularly the introduction of motion control on the Wii, a problem arose. Swinging a sword with a controller held in the right hand feels far more natural when that movement is mirrored on-screen. The Nintendo design team realized that players wielding the Wii remote would have a confusing experience if their right-hand movements translated to Link’s left-handed swings. Hence, Twilight Princess on the Wii was a mirrored version, switching Link’s handedness for gameplay purposes.
The Complete Shift in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
While Twilight Princess made the switch for Wii players, it wasn’t a full commitment to right-handedness for the series. However, Breath of the Wild marked a turning point. Link is exclusively right-handed in this iteration, using his right hand for weapons and items, and this trend continues in Tears of the Kingdom. This change was made for the same reason as the Wii version of Twilight Princess: intuitive gameplay. The player is expected to control Link with the right Joy-Con while swinging weapons, and having Link’s right hand mirror the player’s movement felt more natural to most players, and avoided confusion. Therefore, while some players may miss the old left-handed Link, the change was primarily driven by gameplay concerns rather than any narrative reasons.
Gameplay Trumps Lore
In essence, the decision to make Link right-handed in the modern games boils down to user experience. The designers prioritized creating a smooth and intuitive gameplay experience, and mirroring Link’s actions with the player’s movements was deemed essential to achieve that goal. Although a Reddit user theorized that Link may have been forced to train with his right hand since he was trained as a knight in Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom, it is not a valid reason for the change. Therefore, Link being right-handed in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is about how players engage with the game, not any changes in the Zelda lore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Link always a Hylian?
Yes, Link is always a Hylian throughout the Legend of Zelda series. This isn’t just for design consistency; his identity as a Hylian is deeply rooted in the series’ lore and the reincarnation cycle of the hero.
2. Why is Link called “Link”?
In the Hyrule Historia book, it’s explained that Link is named so because he “connects people together” and is meant to “spread the scattered energy of the world through the ages.”
3. What is Link’s full name?
According to Shigeru Miyamoto, Link’s full name is Link Link. This is a playful nod to the “Mario Mario” gag stemming from the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie.
4. Has Link ever kissed Zelda?
Despite strong romantic hints, especially in Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild, Link and Zelda have never officially kissed. The closest is the hand-holding at the end of Spirit Tracks.
5. Is Link in love with Zelda?
While no explicit romance is confirmed, Link and Zelda share a loving and caring relationship. They are always there to support each other, and their bond is central to the story.
6. Why is Link often depicted as mute?
Link is a silent protagonist to allow players to project themselves onto his character. While he doesn’t have voice lines, the games indicate he does communicate. This approach helps to give him both personality and relatability.
7. Why does Link have a Sheikah arm in Tears of the Kingdom?
It is theorized that Link’s arm is Sheikah technology. Like other Sheikah automatons, it may have been designed to combat Ganon, possibly not for Link specifically, but it is a powerful tool that Link needs for his adventure in Tears of the Kingdom.
8. Why does Link not have a hat anymore?
The classic green hat has been removed for visual reasons. As the games have become more detailed, the design team decided it was hard to make the hat look cool with the improved graphics.
9. Why is Link often portrayed as short?
Link’s height varies due to differing ages and different incarnations in the series. He is reincarnated in various forms throughout the timeline. Also, at his canonical height, Link is around 5’2” tall (158.5 centimeters).
10. How old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
Link is estimated to be approximately 122-125 years old in Tears of the Kingdom. He was around 117 in Breath of the Wild, and a few years passed between the events of the games.
11. Is Link canonically attractive?
Yes, Link is often described by both players and in-game characters as beautiful. This is a common trait among most of the incarnations of Link.
12. Does Link have a romantic interest in Mipha?
The Japanese version of Breath of the Wild‘s Adventure Log suggests that Link and Mipha shared a deep affection and could have potentially been romantic partners under different circumstances.
13. Will Link and Zelda ever marry?
They are never depicted marrying. Their relationship is often characterized by a deep bond of friendship and loyalty, rather than marriage. They are never depicted to have blood ties.
14. Is Zelda always taller than Link?
Link and Zelda’s heights do fluctuate throughout the series, but they are often depicted close in height, if not the same height, with Zelda sometimes appearing a little bit taller. The Champion’s Ballad scene in Breath of the Wild is an outlier, with Link being much shorter than Zelda, but in most cutscenes, Link is portrayed as shorter than Zelda.
15. What is Ganondorf’s full name?
Ganondorf’s full name is Ganondorf Dragmire, which has been reconfirmed by Nintendo on their official Zelda website.