I Hate Toon Link

No More Toon Link.jpg

I hate Toon Link. Now, before things get too out of hand let me explain a few things. I love The Wind Waker, and I love the unique art style of the game. You probably know this by now, considering how much I write about it, as you can see here and here. A lot of people, however, didn’t like the cartoon looking art style of The Wind Waker, completely resenting the game for it, but I can’t imagine the game looking any different. It has taken a few years, but most players have grown to accept The Wind Waker for what it is, especially since Twilight Princess took the series back to the realistic style most players prefer.

Since I love The Wind Waker so much, why would I open this article with such a sinister statement? I refer to The Wind Waker as artistic, and try to dismiss any comments that suggest the game looks like a cartoon. Too bad someone over at Nintendo of America thought it would be hilarious if Super Smash Bros. Brawl could have one last smack at this legendary game.

Toon Link is the name of a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. This character is based on Link from The Wind Waker. Toon Link is accompanied by Link from Twilight Princess, so there is reason for differentiating the two, but why call him Toon Link? They didn’t call the other character Realistic Link. It seems even Nintendo is trying to poke fun at their own product.

The worst thing is the Zelda series already does a nice job of differentiating each Link with individual titles. Hero of Time, Hero of Elements, and Hero of Winds are all separate titles given to distinguish these characters who share the name Link. Why couldn’t they call him the Hero of Winds, rather than the demeaning name of Toon Link?

There lies yet another flaw of Twilight Princess. Despite Nintendo’s progress in differentiating each Link in recent titles, Twilight Princess didn’t give Link his own title, only a few mentions of Chosen Hero. Had the game given Link some title like Hero of Twilight, Super Smash Bros. Brawl could have omitted the name Link, and just presented both characters with their respective titles. This would distinguish both characters, and still give them equal respect that they both deserve.

Nintendo needs to stop supporting the Toon Link stereotype. With Spirit Tracks on the way, this will make six titles (The Wind Waker, Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, The Minish Cap, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks) using this art style. It’s time to move on from the cartoon comments, and accept it as the legitimate art style it deserves to be.

I like the Hero of Winds, but I hate the name Toon Link.

Disclaimer: These views do not represent the viewpoints of ZeldaInformer itself, and are only those of the author.

Sorted Under: Editorials
Tagged With: