Dark Link
- This article is about the enemy in multiple Zelda games. For the enemy in Four Swords Adventures, see Shadow Link.
First appearing in The Adventure of Link, Dark Link is the representation of the evil inside Link and usually possesses some of the same abilities and moves as Link.
Appearances
The Adventure of Link
Dark Link, also known as Link's Shadow, first appeared in The Adventure of Link as the final Boss who guards the Triforce of Courage inside the Great Palace. He serves as the final test created by the King of Hyrule before Link can obtain the Triforce of Courage. He is considered the hardest Boss in the game. Before the battle begins, the lights in the room go out, Link's shadow jumps away from him, and the duel against himself starts. His main weakness when it comes to mimicking all of Link's moves is jumping. This flaw can help defeat Dark Link. To defeat Dark Link, Link could run all the way to the left of the screen, crouch, and just keep stabbing towards Dark Link. Link will eventually defeat him without taking much damage this way. After Dark Link is defeated, Link obtains the Triforce of Courage and then proceeds to awaken Princess Zelda.
A Link to the Past
Ocarina of Time
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Dark Link serves as the mini-boss in the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time. Unlike his predecessor and successors, the Sword isn't the only weapon that can deal damage to Dark Link such as Din's Fire and the Megaton Hammer. Dark Link also has many abilities that Link doesn't have such as him jumping up on Link's Sword. With each hit, Dark Link will fall through the floor and spring back up afterwards. Interestingly, Dark Link and Link have the same amount of health due to Dark Link having the same amount of Heart Containers Link has at the point, making the him harder to kill if the player has collected more hearts. At the beginning of the battle, Dark Link is nearly transparent, but will gradually become opaque as Link damages him. As the battle progresses, Dark Link will also become more aggressive.
There are many ways for Link to defeat Dark Link. Link can use the Deku Nuts to stun Dark Link and attack with the Megaton Hammer or the Sword. Din's Fire is the most powerful item Link can use against Dark Link, so he should stock up on Green Potions. Once Dark Link is defeated, Link is rewarded with the Longshot.
Oracle of Ages
Dark Link has a very minor role in this game. In the second stage of the battle with Veran, she summons 4 Dark Links, and they are far weaker than Link. They move in the opposite direction to the one Link is walking in, much like Arm-Mimics. They cannot attack save for bumping into Link, and always drop a heart upon defeat. They serve merely as distractions for Veran, and can be defeated easily.
Twilight Princess
Dark Link is not fought in Twilight Princess, but it appears in a cutscene narrated by the Light Spirit, Lanayru. He tells Link the tale of how the Twili race was banished to the Twilight Realm. Dark Link is used to represent the Dark Interlopers in the cutscene. In the cutscene, three Dark Links destroy Link (representing a civilian) with their dark magic, resulting in them getting banished into the Twilight Realm by the Light Spirits.
Spirit Tracks
Dark Link also appears in Spirit Tracks as the final boss of the mini-game found in Hyrule Castle Town called Take 'Em All On. In this game, Dark Link can perform a Spin Attack, throw Bombs, and shoot arrows. Unfortunately, while in battle with him, Link cannot use any of his items except the Sword. As Link begins to defeat him, he slowly becomes more and more transparent unlike his predecessors. Once defeated, Dark Link will fall on his back and disappear while Link is rewarded with High-value Treasure.
Trivia
- Dark Link is an alternate costume for Link in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
- Dark Link is a Boss battle in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Gallery
Dark Link Sprite in Adventure of Link
The Dark Links in A Link to the Past
The Dark Links in A Link to the Past
- Shadow Link.jpeg
Dark Link shown in Ocarina of Time
Dark Link shown in Oracle of Ages
- Dark-Link-TP.png
Dark Link shown in Twilight Princess
Dark Link shown in Spirit Tracks
Artwrk of Link Fighting Dark Link in Adventure of Link
Fan Artwork of Dark Link from Spirit Tracks created by timoteilol
