Young Link is a distinguishing moniker for Link's child appearance from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask in spinoff and crossover games with multiple character iterations of the The Legend of Zelda series' main protagonist. This particular iteration is the younger form of the Hero of Time. In the Nintendo 64 games, he is called Child Link.
Spinoff appearances
Hyrule Warriors
Young Link appears as a playable Warrior in Hyrule Warriors. In this game, he is available in the Majora's Mask DLC Pack. His class of Weapon is the Mask, with which he can transform into the mighty Fierce Deity Link during his Focus Spirit and Special Attack, although he otherwise uses the Kokiri Sword to attack. He also wears the Keaton Mask over his head, which can be briefly worn by tapping the Strong Attack button when his Magic Gauge is full. Similarly to his Skyward Sword counterpart, Link, Proxi speaks on Young Link's behalf.
Young Link is initially weak compared to other Warriors, as the power and range of his attacks are merely adequate. To compensate for this, Young Link possesses a unique trait; the ability to convert his Special Attack Meter into his Magic Meter by playing the Ocarina of Time to empty his Special Attack Meter and fill his Magic Meter with the equivalent amount. By using Focus Spirit, Young Link can then transform into the Fierce Deity and utilize the Fierce Deity Sword, which fires sword beams. Fierce Deity Link also greatly improves his speed, power, reach, and grants him the typical bonuses from Focus Spirit. Young Link can keep restoring his Magic Meter with the Ocarina while using Focus Spirit, potentially allowing him to remain in Focus Spirit indefinitely if a sufficient amount of the Special Attack Meter is recycled periodically. If Young Link has two Fierce Deity Badges crafted and a full Special Attack Meter, he may fill the Magic Meter in one instance by playing the Ocarina.
Young Link's Strength VI Strong Attack allows his boots to momentarily grow wings that enable him to slide across the ground while performing repeated slashes, and execute a massive, Triforce-shaped explosion. They resemble both the Pegasus Boots and the Hover Boots.
In Hyrule Warriors, Young Link drops the same Materials as his adult counterpart does. However, in Hyrule Warriors Legends, Young Link drops his own unique Materials when defeated. He may either drop his Belt as a silver Material, or his Keaton Mask as a gold Material.
Crossover appearances
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Young Link is an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee.[1] There are two ways to unlock him: by playing 500 vs. matches, or by completing Classic Mode with 10 different characters, including Link and Princess Zelda, at any difficulty and stock. The player will then be challenged by Young Link, and upon defeating him, Young Link will become a playable character. His appearance is directly based on the young counterpart of Link as seen in Ocarina of Time, since he wields the Kokiri Sword and the Deku Shield during combat. Young Link is more agile albeit weaker than the older Link (who is the same incarnation as himself). He has most of the same weaponry and moves as his adult counterpart, but they are usually accompanied with a few changes, like his Hookshot and Boomerang having a shorter reach. Great Bay serves as the home stage of Young Link, referencing how the Hero of Time visited the Great Bay Coast in Majora's Mask (though his theme song is Saria's Song from its prequel). When he taunts his foes, Young Link drinks a bottle of Lon Lon Milk before wiping his mouth.
Young Link's alternate costumes each give him a differently colored tunic, like Link. Other than the default green, Young Link's alternate costumes recolor his tunic to red, blue, white, and black respectively. The red and blue costumes are ironically based on the Goron Tunic and the Zora Tunic, neither of which Young Link could never wear in Ocarina of Time, unlike his adult self. The white costume is based on the Blue Ring tunic as seen in the original The Legend of Zelda.
Young Link's special moves are the same as the adult version. He wields the Fairy Bow from Ocarina of Time as his neutral special move; however, Link couldn't use the Fairy Bow as a child in Ocarina of Time (despite having a similar one in Majora's Mask), and instead of it shooting normal Arrows like Link's, Young Link's Fire Bow shoots Fire Arrows like in Majora's Mask, although they do not travel as far as Link's and actually inflict less damage. Young Link's side special move is the Boomerang, and while it might not have a range as great as Link's, Young Link actually has more control over it. Bombs function as the hero's down special move, while the Spin Attack is his up special move as well as his recovery. Young Link's Spin Attack is weaker than Link's, but it can trap nearby foes in a cyclone of slashes upon performing this move.
| # | Trophy | First Game / Move | Description | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 |  Young Link |
The Legend of Zelda 07/87 |
Link's younger incarnation is often considered to be the true Link: he was a young boy in the very first Legend of Zelda game, and he has appeared as a youth in most of the subsequent games. Since his debut on the original NES in 1987, Link's appearance has changed over and over again, each time adding to the mystique of his incomparable story. | Complete Classic Mode as Young Link |
| 71 |  Young Link [Smash] |
B: Fire Bow Smash B: Boomerang |
Young Link is lighter and faster than his older self, and his Kokiri sword packs less punch. Even though his Boomerang has a shorter range, he has greater control over it. He's a smaller target, and while his Hookshot has less reach than older Link's, you can still use it in midair as a last ditch attempt to grab a ledge. | Complete Adventure Mode as Young Link |
| 72 |  Young Link [Smash] |
Up & B: Spin Attack Down & B: Bomb |
With a youthful spring in his step, Young Link can perform amazing wall-jumps. Once he hits a wall, tap the Control stick in the opposite direction to send him leaping upward; you can practice to your heart's content in Target Test. His Spin Attack can strike multiple times even on the ground, and although it's hard to discern, so do his Bombs. | Complete All-Star Mode as Young Link |
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
After being absent in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Young Link finally returns as a combatant in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. His newly acquired Final Smash is the Triforce Slash, like his counterparts Link and Toon Link. Young Link also appears as a Fighter Spirit that can be obtained by either clearing "Hyrule Smash!", Young Link's Classic Mode Route, or by purchasing it from the Shop for G 300.
Trivia
- As suggested by his Trophy description in Super Smash Bros. Melee, although the Hero of Time is technically Link's adult self, some fans considered Young Link to be the true version of the legendary hero, as he begins his adventures as a child at Hyrule and Termina, as well as the majority of other Zelda games in the core series have their incarnations being non-adults.
- In Spanish localization, Young Link is referred to as Boy Link.
Nomenclature
 Names in other regions  | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 | EnglishBR | Young Link (SSBU)[2] | |
 | Japanese | こどもリンク (Kodomo Rinku) (SSBU)[3] | |
 | ChineseSI | 幼年林克 (Yòunián Línkè) (SSBU)[4] | |
 | ChineseTR | 年幼林克 (Niányòu Línkè) (SSBU)[5] | |
 | Dutch | Jonge Link (SSBU)[6] | |
 | FrenchCA | Link (HWDE)[7] Link enfant (SSBU)[8] | |
 | FrenchEU | Link (HWDE)[9] Link enfant (SSBU)[10] | |
 | German | Link (HWDE)[11] Junger Link (SSBU)[12] | |
 | Italian | Link (HWDE)[13] Link giovane (SSBU)[14] Link bambino (SSBU)[15] | |
 | Korean | 소년 링크 (Sonyeon Lingkeu) (SSBU)[16] | |
 | Russian | Юный Линк (Yunyy Link) (SSBU)[17] | |
 | SpanishEU | Link niño (HWDE | SSBU)[18][19] | Boy Link |
 | SpanishLA | Link niño (HWDE | SSBU)[20][21] | Boy Link |
| This table was generated using translation pages. | |||
Gallery
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Young Link alternate costume from Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link alternate costume from Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link alternate costume from Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link alternate costume from Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link stock icon from Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link shooting a Fire Arrow in Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link firing the Hookshot from Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link performing the Spin Attack in Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link executing a Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link performing a Jump Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link in one of his winning poses from Super Smash Bros. Melee -
Young Link with the Kokiri Sword from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link transformed into Fierce Deity Link from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors -
Dark Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link Adventure Mode icon from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link Adventure Mode head icon from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link transforming into Fierce Deity using Focus Spirit from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link playing the Ocarina of Time next to Ganondorf from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link using winged boots from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link in his winning pose from Hyrule Warriors -
Young Link's Standard Outfit (Grand Travels) from Hyrule Warriors Legends -
Young Link's Standard Outfit (Lorule) from Hyrule Warriors Legends -
Young Link's Standard Outfit (Koholint) from Hyrule Warriors Legends -
Young Link's Standard Outfit (Great Sea) from Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition -
Young Link Mini Map icon from Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition -
Dark Young Link Mini Map icon from Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition -
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Stock artwork of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Stock icon of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate Stock icon of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate Stock icon of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate Stock icon of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate Stock icon of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate Stock icon of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate Stock icon of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Alternate Stock icon of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Closeup of Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link fighting Wario from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link with a Fairy from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link drinking Lon Lon Milk beside the Inkling Girl from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link in a Dark Link alternate costume from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link in an alternate costume using the Boomerang from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link with Toon Link in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link using the Fairy Bow and a Fire Arrow from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link performing the Spin Attack in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
Young Link throwing a Bomb in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -
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Young Link as seen from Ocarina of Time -
Young Link as seen from Majora's Mask
Video Gallery
| Young Link Gameplay trailer |
See also
References
- ↑ "Fast, nimble, and ready to roll, Young Link awaits you!" — Special Message (Super Smash Bros. Melee)
- ↑ "YOUNG LINK" — Fighters | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Official Site | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "こどもリンク" — ファイター | 大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ SPECIAL | 任天堂, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "幼年林克" — 斗士 | 任天堂明星大乱斗 特别版 | 任天堂, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "年幼林克" — 鬥士 | 任天堂明星大亂鬥 特別版 | 任天堂, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "JONGE LINK" — Vechters | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Officiële website | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "Link" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "LINK ENFANT" — Combattants | Site officiel de Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "Link" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "LINK ENFANT" — Combattants | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Site officiel | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "Link" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "JUNGER LINK" — Kämpfer | Offizielle Seite zu Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "Link" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "LINK GIOVANE" — Personaggi | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Sito ufficiale | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - All Fighters Announced in All Languages [HD 1080P], YouTube.
- ↑ "소년 링크" — 파이터 | 슈퍼 스매시브라더스 얼티밋 | 닌텐도, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "ЮНЫЙ ЛИНК" — Бойцы | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — Официальный сайт | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "Link niño" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "LINK NIÑO" — Luchadores | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Sitio web oficial | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ↑ "Link niño" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "LINK NIÑO" — Combatientes | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Sitio web oficial | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo, smashbros.com, published 2018, retrieved May 22, 2021.