Quick Links
Summary
Linkmight not say much, but his legacy speaks volumes. For nearly four decades, the green-cladHero of Hyrulehas wielded more than just a sword and shield; he’s also become one of gaming’s most recognizable icons. Link’s adventures aren’t just limited to his mainline quest to rescue Princess Zelda or battle Ganon. Nintendo’s silent protagonist has popped up in unexpected places; he’s slayed dungeons with friends, raced karts, solved puzzles, and even traded blows with Mario and Pikachu.
Whether he’s the lone swordsman or part of a team, playable or waving from the sidelines, Link has proven to be the hero who always shows up, sometimes even in places players least expect. For everyone who’s ever loved playing the Silent Hero, here’sthe definitive list of every game Link has ever shown up in.
Jul 05, 2025
NES
Hyrule is invaded by Ganon’s forces, and Link has to collect the 8 fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom to save the Kingdom and rescue Princess Zelda.
Jun 24, 2025
Link embarks on a journey to awaken Princess Zelda from a sleeping spell, restoring the Triforce of Courage and facing his shadow in the Great Palace.
Jun 19, 2025
SNES
Link travels between Light and Dark Worlds, claiming the Master Sword and rescuing Princess Zelda and the Seven Sages from Agahnim and Ganon.
Jul 15, 2025
Game Boy
Shipwrecked on Koholint Island, Link collects magical instruments to awaken the Wind Fish and escape (Remade for Switch in 2019).
May 13, 2025
Game Boy Color
An enhanced re-release ofLink’s Awakening, adding color graphics and a bonus dungeon, but keeping Link’s quest to awaken the Wind Fish intact.
Jul 18, 2025
Nintendo 64
Link becomes the Hero of Time, travels between childhood and adulthood, stops Ganondorf, and rescues Zelda using the Ocarina of Time (Remade asOcarina of Time 3Din 2011).
Jun 04, 2025
Link has 72 hours to prevent the moon from crashing into Termina, using masks to transform and reset time (Remade asMajora’s Mask 3Din 2015).
Jun 06, 2025
In the land of Labrynna, Link uses the Harp of Ages to travel through time and rescue Nayru from the sorceress Veran.
Link restores the disrupted seasons in Holodrum and rescues Din from General Onox, using the Rod of Seasons to change the environment.
Jul 15, 2025
Game Boy Advance
Link is split into four copies by the Four Sword, working together (through multiplayer) to rescue Zelda from Vaati.
Jun 15, 2025
GameCube
As the Hero of Winds, Link sails the Great Sea to rescue his sister, master the Wind Waker, and stop Ganondorf (Remastered asWind Waker HDin 2013).
Jul 13, 2025
Link is split into four by the Four Sword, battling Shadow Link and Vaati in a cooperative quest to save Hyrule.
Jul 30, 2025
Link teams up with Ezlo, shrinks to Minish size, and forges the Picori Blade to stop Vaati and save Princess Zelda.
May 17, 2025
GameCube, Wii
Link transforms into a wolf, partners with Midna, and battles Zant and Ganondorf to restore light to Hyrule (Remastered asTwilight Princess HDin 2016).
Jun 13, 2025
Nintendo DS
Link sets sail with Captain Linebeck, using the Phantom Hourglass to rescue Tetra from the Ghost Ship and defeat Bellum.
Jun 04, 2025
As a railroad engineer, Link teams up with Zelda’s spirit to defeat Malladus, drive magical trains, and restore the Spirit Tracks.
Jun 18, 2025
Wii
The origin story of the Master Sword; Link descends from Skyloft to rescue Zelda and forge the legendary blade (Remade asSkyward Sword HDin 2021).
May 07, 2025
Nintendo 3DS
Link gains the power to merge with walls and travels between Hyrule and Lorule, rescuing Zelda and the Seven Sages from Yuga.
Jul 07, 2025
Three Links join forces (solo or in multiplayer) to save Princess Styla in Hytopia, stacking up into totem formations and donning outfits with special powers.
Jul 18, 2025
Wii U, Switch
After a 100-year slumber, Link awakens in a ruined Hyrule, regains his memories, frees the Divine Beasts, and defeats Calamity Ganon.
June 14, 2025
Switch
Link explores new Sky Islands and The Depths, gains Zonai arm powers, and battles the resurrected Demon King Ganondorf to save Zelda and Hyrule.
Jun 15, 2025
Game & Watch
Link dives into dungeons, defeats dragons, and rescues Zelda in this LCD handheld adventure.
May 06, 2025
Philips CD-i
Link journeys to Koridai, defeating Ganon and his minions to rescue Zelda in an animated side-scrolling adventure.
Link is a captive in Gamelon, and Zelda sets out to rescue him from Ganon. Link appears in cutscenes after being saved.
1994
Link is again the captive, with Zelda as the protagonist who braves Tolemac to save him from Ganon.
Jun 21, 2025
Link hones his marksmanship in a shooting gallery, fighting monsters and targets post-Twilight Princess.
Jun 23, 2025
Wii U,
Link leads Hyrule’s forces in large-scale Musou battles, uniting warriors from across timelines to defeat Cia and Ganondorf.
Jul 13, 2025
Link is the subject of Picross puzzles; players revealTwilight Princessartwork by solving nonograms.
Jun 09, 2025
Link dances and battles to the beat, teaming up with Zelda and Cadence to defeat Octavo and Ganon in this rhythmic roguelike.
Jul 08, 2025
Link is Zelda’s appointed knight, leading troops and battling Calamity Ganon’s forces in an alternate take on Hyrule’s Great Calamity.
May 22, 2025
N64, GC, Wii, 3DS, Wii U, Switch
Link is a central playable fighter in everySmash Bros.game, wielding his sword, bombs, and boomerang against Nintendo’s best. Later entries add Young Link, Toon Link, andBreath of the WildLink.
July 01, 2025
Link joins the kart-racing mayhem, riding the Master Cycle and racing on Hyrule-themed tracks alongside Mario and friends.
May 15, 2025
Link makes his debut as a whimsical costume for Mario. When players collect the Mystery Mushroom inSuper Mario Bros. 8-bit style levels, Mario transforms into Link.
Jun 21, 2025
Link appears as a fully playable 8-bit character (with sword, shield, and bombs) inSuper Mario Maker 2.
Jun 30, 2025
Wii U
In “Battle Quest,” players’ Miis dress as Link to fight enemies with swords and bows in a theme-park-styleZeldaattraction.
May 10, 2025
Link appears in a specialZelda-themed Mission Mode, helping clear dungeons or celebrating on victory screens as an 8-bit cameo.
2003–present
GBA, DS, Wii, 3DS, Switch
Link stars in microgames: walk into a cave, deflect rocks, or swing a sword. These cameos are scattered throughout the series.
Jul 02, 2025
Link pops up on the “Video Game Heroes” podium in a fun cameo, showing Nintendo’s sense of humor.
Jul 25, 2025
Link is found sleeping at an inn. An unmissable Easter Egg complete with the iconicZeldajingle.
SoulCalibur 2
Jun 24, 2025
Link enters Namco’s fighting game, wielding the Master Sword and Hylian Shield with classic moves and alternate weapons.
Jul 29, 2025
Sonic wears Link’s tunic and meets Link riding his Loftwing, withZeldamusic and themed enemies. Link waves from above in a cameo.
Players can summon Link as an object; he’ll use his sword and shield and fight enemies, appearing in full “Toon Link” style.
