Daily Debate: Which Version of Link is the Most Heroic?
Posted on November 23 2023 by Nick Miller
What does it mean to be a hero? What qualities make someone heroic? In a broad sense, a hero is someone with courage — someone who is willing to put the interests of others or the greater good ahead of themselves, even unto their own demise. A hero not only has the willpower to do what’s right but also the physical means to follow through and conquer evil.
Another point to consider is why someone would act heroically. Are they compelled by a personal stake in the conflict or are they acting on their own volition? Is the greater hero the person who acts on their own freewill or the person who is compelled by a vested interest?
So, this brings us to our hero, Link. Link has appeared in many iterations with varying interests and motivations, with a wide range of stakes from world-ending threats to something as simple as waking up a fish. Which version of the hero, in your opinion, is the most heroic?
My vote for most heroic Link is the hero from A Link Between Worlds. This Link starts the game as nothing more than a blacksmith’s apprentice running an errand. He winds up in the wrong place at the wrong time and for no reason other than to do what’s right, he sets off on his journey. There’s no sister or village children to save. He hasn’t been summoned by a deity or a disembodied voice. He isn’t the princess’s bodyguard acting out of a sense of obligation or duty. He takes on the hero role despite having every opportunity to say “no”, and because of that, not one but two kingdoms were saved.
I’m not saying the other Links aren’t heroic, because they all are, but I feel A Link Between Worlds had the most heroic Link because he had the courage to do what’s right with almost no vested interest. He embodies everything that makes a hero — overcoming his own shortcomings in the process — and as a result, he accomplished more than any other hero has in a single game by not only saving Hyrule but by restoring Lorule to its former glory.
So, what do you think? Which version of Link do you think is the most heroic? What qualities make Link a hero? Let us know in the comments.
Nick is a writer for Zelda Dungeon and a longtime fan of the Zelda franchise. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, archery, skateboarding, and some good ol’ fashioned family time. He’s an advocate for physical media and an avid video game collector. His favorite Zelda game is Ocarina of Time, though Breath of the Wild and the Link’s Awakening remake are close contenders.
