The Legend of Link

[Mases]

Why was the original Legend of Zelda called Legend of ZELDA and not Legend of LINK. Seriously, you play as Link the whole time and if you don't read the booklet or the prologe, then you don't see Zelda until the last scene of the entire game.

What's even weirder about this, is the second title is called the Adventure of Link, yet it is the game where we really hear the full 'Legend' of Zelda.

How does this make any sense. Seriously, the games just have opposite names.

[Onilink89]

i know what you mean, some zelda games are Non-related to zelda.
like "The legend of zelda - Marjora's mask"
we only see a scene of zelda and its a flashback. what has majora's mask to do with zelda?
but then if you change all zelda games based on the storyline it would be screwed up. like for instance, "The legend of the happy mask salesman - majora 's mask"

but games like OOT and other games its a fitting name.
the zelda games where princess zelda takes a huge part of the storyline, then its logical.

anyway my conclusion is, its good enough for me with the title "the legend of zelda" it may sounds unlogical sometimes, but who cares. i mean the timeline is also unlogical, but still who cares. the title "legend of link" would be a bit strange. think about it, link always starts as a boy finding weapons and going deeper in the stroyline. and the storylines are not about link, but he plays a huge part in it.

[linkman8]

And actually the whole "Legend of Zelda" vs "Legend of Link" thing actually causes for confusion with alot of very new people to the games or those who haven't played at all. So many people in my school have confused Zelda and Link that it's not funny.

[zeypherlink]

Well the whole series pretty much revolves around Zelda...but I think the real reason was a lack of thinking on Nintendo's part, like with the Magical Sword and it later being called the Master Sword.

[Onilink89]

Well the whole series pretty much revolves around Zelda...but I think the real reason was a lack of thinking on Nintendo's part, like with the Magical Sword and it later being called the Master Sword.

i was thinking that the master sword and magical sword are two different swords.
i mean, even in soul calibur 2 they where 2 seperate swordt that you could select.

[MoonCheese]

I've thought of that too! Back when we only had a NES (so 1989-1999, as my parents hated buying new technology...we still had records in the 90s!) we only had the first two Zelda games. We called the first one "Zelda" and the second one "Link"! For example, "I want to play Link, but I lost the Link cartridge." or "How to you find Palace 6 in Link?" Also, we called Link (the character) "Zelda" for a while, until I found out what his name actually is.

[Mases]

The Adventure of Link is also the only official Zelda title without the 'Legend of Zelda' within the title. What really doesn't make sense to me is that Adventure of Link IS THE GAME where you are told the 'Legend of Zelda'. If you read the prologue and the booklet. The game that tells the Legend, yet it is the only game with Legend of Zelda.

Although Adventure of Link is an okay title, since it is his adventure, but... every Zelda game is an Adventure of Link. Heck if they really wanted to, the whole series could be titled Adventure of Link.

It could make sense, with sub-titles for the games.
Zelda1 = Adventure of Link
Zelda2 = Adventure of Link II - The Legend of Zelda
Zelda3 = Adventure of LInk III - A Link to the Past
Zelda4 = Adventure of Link IV - Link's Awakening, etc....

Although I'm sure that name just wouldn't catch on like Zelda has. Can you imagine, ya, I run a Link website, Link Dungeon. Lol, that just doesn't work at all. Thinks of all the big sites, Link Universe, Link Elements, AdventureOfLink.com. Okay, that's enough.

[Alder Dragon]

And actually the whole "Legend of Zelda" vs "Legend of Link" thing actually causes for confusion with alot of very new people to the games or those who haven't played at all. So many people in my school have confused Zelda and Link that it's not funny.

Oh my gosh, I know. So many people think "oh I thought Zelda was the green man!!"

I just ignore them, before I end up hurting someone.

[linkman8]

That's when you GANON-BAN them. Heheh.

And along with what Mases said, it would just sound too wierd to be Legend of Link. Think of the puns people could make!

[Avenged]

The Adventure of Link is also the only official Zelda title without the 'Legend of Zelda' within the title. What really doesn't make sense to me is that Adventure of Link IS THE GAME where you are told the 'Legend of Zelda'. If you read the prologue and the booklet. The game that tells the Legend, yet it is the only game with Legend of Zelda.

Although Adventure of Link is an okay title, since it is his adventure, but... every Zelda game is an Adventure of Link. Heck if they really wanted to, the whole series could be titled Adventure of Link.

It could make sense, with sub-titles for the games.
Zelda1 = Adventure of Link
Zelda2 = Adventure of Link II - The Legend of Zelda
Zelda3 = Adventure of LInk III - A Link to the Past
Zelda4 = Adventure of Link IV - Link's Awakening, etc....

Although I'm sure that name just wouldn't catch on like Zelda has. Can you imagine, ya, I run a Link website, Link Dungeon. Lol, that just doesn't work at all. Thinks of all the big sites, Link Universe, Link Elements, AdventureOfLink.com. Okay, that's enough.

Actually Mases, it isnt...It called The Legend of Zelda 2 : Rinku no Boken (Adventure of Link) originally.

But its called The Legend of Zelda due to Zelda being the Princess of Hyrule (Legend of Hyrule would be better, hell LoZ is actually called The Hyrule Fantasy....), Link isnt anyone until he goes on his quest.

[Mases]

Ah okay, must have been yet another Japan-US Mistranslation, since in US it is just simply known as Zelda II: the Adventure of Link.

I stick to my idea that a much better title would have been...

Adventure of Link II - The Legend of Zelda

Zelda1 = Adventure of Link
Zelda2 = Adventure of Link II - The Legend of Zelda
Zelda3 = Adventure of LInk III - A Link to the Past
Zelda4 = Adventure of Link IV - Link's Awakening
Zelda5 = Adventure of Link V - Ocarina of Time


It would be cool if they were numbering them, would eliminate all confusion on what exactly is part of the 'main' series and what it is now. At the site, I have the sections based on Zelda01, Zelda02, etc... with Phantom Hourglass being Zelda12.

[Alder Dragon]

The only problem with that Mases, is that the games werent meant to be direct sequels, or part of a series, they were all (for the most part) their own seperate adventures. With obvious exceptions to OoT and Majora's Mask, WW and PH, you know.

But yes I Like the numbering system.

[Avenged]

Personally, I think ALttP was made to retell the tale of LoZ. It was at this time the third Zelda released and expanded on the story greatly.

[Onilink89]

Personally, I think ALttP was made to retell the tale of LoZ. It was at this time the third Zelda released and expanded on the story greatly.

now that you mention it, Alttp and oot storylines were also a little samiliar

[Plasma]

One thing you have to remember is that the main character is never called Link in the games themselves (aside from Zelda2's title and mabye a few pre-game introductions), but always with a user-inputted name.

.but I think the real reason was a lack of thinking on Nintendo's part, like with the Magical Sword and it later being called the Master Sword.
I would've said they're two different swords as well. Especially as, IIRC, the sword you get in the first game's second quest was actually called the Master Sword instead of the Magical Sword.

[Mases]

Ya, like Plasma said, other than the title, 'Adventure of Link', and reading the game manuals, there really is no reference to the name 'Link'. I suppose that gives some support to why it isn't called 'Legend of Link', since well, if it really was, Nintendo would probably have to eliminate giving you a choice to rename your character.

I think almost every single Zelda fan at one point or another mixed up Link and Zelda. Heck, I used to think Link was Zelda when I first started playing a link to the past. Without the knowledge of the internet, the game manual, or in some of the games, taking the time to read the in game intro, the gamer really has no idea who Link is. So just based on the title of the game, they have to just assume that the hero is Zelda.

[firebunnies123]

I think we've all come to agree "the legend of Zelda" sounds a lot better then any other title with link's name in it. Even if it makes more sense. the name "Legend of Zelda" just has that ring we all love. also their really isn't a legend to link as stated before.

[Avenged]

One thing you have to remember is that the main character is never called Link in the games themselves (aside from Zelda2's title and mabye a few pre-game introductions), but always with a user-inputted name.


I would've said they're two different swords as well. Especially as, IIRC, the sword you get in the first game's second quest was actually called the Master Sword instead of the Magical Sword.

Maybe not so much in game, but in the storylines and the game's manual it was.

I hate how the GBA remakes are, they are a disgrace to the classics. In the AoL remake the fire breathing dragon from the three eye rock palace was renamed to Volvagia, yet his true name is Barba. How they thought Volvagia would be in AoL and how it survived for so many years is beyond me.

[dark_link01]

The first Zelda game I had ever played was Link's Awakening. And I still remember calling Link, Zelda. I don't remember at what point that I learned his real name. But it was kinda weird like, cause if you named yourself Zelda, you got this different music.

But the Legend of Zelda as a title sounds better than the Legend of Link. I think the reason this was done is because, even though Link is his universally known name, the character actually is meant to be called whatever you want to call him. Hence the whole naming your character part in each game.

[Avenged]

As stated above the name came to life from AoL's story.

[Powerbracelet]

also their really isn't a legend to link as stated before.

If I may point out, all of the Zeldas have been descendants of the last, whereas all of the Links just happen to share a name and a taste in garments.

Therefore there is more of a tie between Zeldas than Links.

[El Bagu]

Maybe the Nintendo staff had different plans (for future releases) when it all started in the 80´s. (I do not believe so though)

[Leix]

I think it's because Link is THE Link between the player and the game, and therefore dosen't always have the name 'Link'. If it did, we could skip the name entry.
And Zelda is already a girl's name. I'd slap anyone who thought Zelda was a boy name compared to 'Samus'.
Also, 'Legend of Link' or 'Adventure of Link' dosen't sound as appealing [as a game series] as 'Legend of Zelda'.
It was more like, the first games had to do with Zelda, and then the next games were less and less Zeldaey but still had her in it, along with a green hat person and a sword.
Even though most of us name Link 'Link', alot of people name it their own names.

[Powerbracelet]

Even though most of us name Link 'Link', alot of people name it their own names.

I actually start games on all three files (normally), one named Link, one named Mark (my name), and one named Walkthru (I don't actually *start* this one until I've already beaten the game once, and you can guess why).

Either way, I think you're right.

[Twili123prince]

Oh my gosh, I know. So many people think "oh I thought Zelda was the green man!!"

I just ignore them, before I end up hurting someone.

Yeah all my friends say "zelda is the green guy" its so dang annoying!

[Mases]

If I may point out, all of the Zeldas have been descendants of the last, whereas all of the Links just happen to share a name and a taste in garments.

Therefore there is more of a tie between Zeldas than Links.

This is a very valid point and it really makes sense, however, the biggest flaw would have to do with... the games that do not have Zelda in it. All of the characters who are 'Zelda' are descendants, true, but they aren't always there. Where on the contrast, the 'Link' characters are more or less completely unrelated, yet they are in every game.

[Mike Pothier]

The reason its called the Legend of Zelda and not the Legend of Link is because Zelda IS the name of the princess, but Link's name isn't necessarily Link. Every game allows you to change his name, and it was only recently that Link was the default name. The first several games, there was no default name.

The name Link only came about because its symbolic of the connection between the gamer and the game.

So The Legend of Zelda sounds much better then The Legend of "Insert Name Here".

[Glided Sword]

I wonder the same thing. It's called Legend of Zelda but the only thing legendary about her is the number of times she gets kidnapped by Ganondorf.

I don't get it but not everything in life makes sense and sometimes, not everything in Zelda makes sense--like how switches, doors, and treasure chests end up in Jabu-Jabu.

[MajoraKing12]

Well even know your playing as link and it's called legend of ZELDA you are trying to save her and her kingdom.And it's kind of her Legend of Hyrule.


But in Minish Cap what makes no sense is.......Does Vatti kill princess zelda or does she turn to the dark side if you run out of time?

[Glided Sword]

But in Minish Cap what makes no sense is.......Does Vatti kill princess zelda or does she turn to the dark side if you run out of time?

If I remember correctly, when the bell rings a third time (which it can if you BS around enough), Vaati gains enough power and is unstoppable. Something like that but if that happens, the screen just goes black and says, "Game Over."

[blackice_cc]

Well, as someone said before, Zelda is the one with the royalty connections, where as Link is just some green clad guy who is sent to save her and Hyrule, in a bit of the games. But, it still doesn't make sense, because if you were telling someone a story of one of the games, say 100's of years after the last one on the timeline (if you were in the story of the game of course) and you were telling someone the story of the green clad hero saving Hyrule and Zelda, you'd say it would be about the hero, right? I would. Well, nothing has to make sense in Zelda I guess....

But in Minish Cap what makes no sense is.......Does Vatti kill princess zelda or does she turn to the dark side if you run out of time?

Well, I remember that when one of the bells rings at the end of MC, Ezlo says something like "hurry, or Vaati will drain all of Zelda's power, and she will just be cold lifeless stone!". This is a little off topic though MajoraKing12.

[Mases]

The name Link only came about because its symbolic of the connection between the gamer and the game.

So The Legend of Zelda sounds much better then The Legend of "Insert Name Here".

Well, I think they broke that in Adventure of Link. I mean, ya, his name was directly labeled as Link and it was even in the title. Sure you were able to rename it, but I think at the time of the release, they had no intent of calling every future game 'The Legend of Zelda'.

Even in the Cartoons, Link is referred to as Link. Ya, it wouldn't make much sense at all for it NOT to be Link, but I think they clearly meant him to be known as Link.

The only reason that I think Nintendo made it so that you can change the main characters name, is to make you feel like you are in the story. Gives it more of a fantasy feel if you can actually see your name being said within the game.