Legend Of Zelda: 8 Strongest Versions Of Link
There are many recurring elements in The Legend of Zelda, but there’s only one element that has appeared in every game: Link. Of course, there hasn’t been a singular Link across the franchise’s three timelines. However, the spirit of the Hero ensures that each Link is a familiar, easily recognizable figure. That figure is also defined primarily by his seemingly never-ending supply of courage.
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That said, not all Links are created equal, and some have a harder time-saving Hyrule than others. Like the strongest versions of Princess Zelda, the strongest Links can carve through Ganon like he’s butter, but not all of The Legend of Zelda’s champions are cast in the same mold.
Updated on June 18, 2023, by Sophie McEvoy: With the recent release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, a new Link has been added to the franchise canon. While he carries on his journey from Breath of the Wild, events quickly unfold that transform him into something far more powerful. With that in mind, this Link has changed how fans may think of previous incarnations of the Hero and how they square up to Link in Tears of the Kingdom with his Zonai abilities and the powers of Hyrule’s sages. While there are weak versions of the Hero across the Zelda franchise, it’s the most powerful incarnation of Link that will be remembered among players.
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8 Hero Of Time
Determining the Hero of Time’s strength is trickier than any other Link. Canonically, he loses to Ganon in one of the three timelines and more than likely dies, but he’s also shown to be highly skilled in Twilight Princess and is in complete control of his situation in Ocarina of Time. Likewise, Majora’s Mask gives him the Fierce Deity’s Mask while showcasing how much he has grown since OoT.
The Hero of Time may have died in one timeline, but everything else indicates that he is an incredibly competent warrior. Unfortunately, he never seems to do anything of note after Majora’s Mask, failing to pass off his sword skills until it’s too late. This forces him to linger as the Hero’s Shade.
7 A Link Between Worlds Legendary Hero
A Link Between Worlds is one of the best Legend of Zelda handheld games, and it features one of the most skillful versions of the Legendary Hero. This particular Link is tasked with setting out on an incredible journey to collect multiple pendants and awaken the Sages of Hyrule (similar to what Link in Ocarina of Time and Tears of the Kingdom go through).
Along the way, he collects many useful items, including the Master Sword and the Triforce of Courage, but what makes this Link special is the "big bad" he tangles with in A Link Between Worlds. Players must contend with Yuga, a powerful magic user bent on reviving Ganon. Once the villain does manage to revive his "master," he then fuses with him to create an even more powerful entity called Yuga Ganon. It was impressive to see A Link to the Past's Link take down Ganon, but there's no denying that the fused version is even stronger.
6 Legendary Hero
The average Link gets to go on, at most, two adventures. This fact leads to the Hero of Time dying with regrets, but it’s not guaranteed. While some Links only ever get their one adventure, one Link, in particular, has made a career of exploring the world and liberating overrun kingdoms: the Legendary Hero.
First introduced in A Link to the Past, the Legendary Hero is the same Link present in Link’s Awakening and the Oracle games. Said Link has killed (not sealed or defeated) Ganon twice, one of whom had the full Triforce at his disposal. The Legendary Hero also has access to some of the most potent magic in the series, including all three of his Medallions & both elemental Rods. On top of that, he also wielded a fully tempered Master Sword. If there was one Link who never stopped adventuring, it’s likely the Legendary Hero.
5 Hero Of Twilight
The Hero of Twilight is the first 3D Link who can’t use any of his own magic whatsoever. He makes up for this by arguably being the most skilled swordsman in the series. Not only is he personally trained by the Hero of Time, but Link is also physically strong enough to sumo wrestle Gorons (albeit with some help). On top of that, he can transform into a divine beast due to the Twilight. Link’s senses are enhanced as a wolf, and he can violently attack enemies with powerful bites.
The Hero of Twilight is even the first Link equipped with an actual killing move. Unlike other Links who need to be more passive in combat, the Hero of Twilight can afford to fight as aggressively as he likes. He’s, so far, the only Link to kill Ganondorf in a proper one-on-one duel. Fans hold out hope for a Nintendo Switch release of the game or a full-on remaster.
4 Goddess’ Hero
Tears of the Kingdom shares similar imagery with Skyward Sword, and both take their cues from mythology to drive the game’s story and series’ lore forward. However, their incarnations of Link are vastly different. In Skyward Sword, the Goddess’ Hero demonstrates his power by being the first to use the Master Sword and completing the entire Triforce himself.
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The Goddess’ Hero also defeats Ghirahim and Demise - two of the absolute strongest villains in the franchise - multiple times. He may not have access to magic, but the Goddess’ Hero hardly needs more than just his sword.
3 Dark Link
Dark Link is, by definition, still a version of Link. He is also canonically extremely powerful (even if he isn't that great of a bounty hunter). He is made of shadow magic but has the same powers and strength as Link himself.
With this in mind, Dark Link's power rivals that of the Hero of Twilight and the Hero of Time. Dark Link also differs from Shadow Link; they don't appear in the same games. However, combined with his overall power and the added metaphorical bonus of "conquering yourself," Dark Link stands out as one of the supremely strong versions of Link.
2 Hero Of The Wild
The Hero of the Wild has some of the most impressive in-universe feats attributed to previous incarnations in the franchise. Not only did this Link canonically deflect a Guardian’s attack with a pot lid, but he’s been strong enough to best Hylian knights in armed combat since a young age. He’s also strong enough to go directly to the final boss and kill Calamity Ganon on the spot (though this exact sequence likely isn’t canon).
Link also traverses around Hyrule for most of Breath of the Wild without the Master Sword or a Hylian Shield but can still beat some of the kingdom’s most powerful enemies like Lynels and the four Malice-inflicted Blight Ganons.
1 Hero Of The Kingdom
This is the latest Link and the only one to keep the Master Sword on his person following the events of their game. However, after awakening the mummified corpse of Ganondorf beneath Hyrule Castle, the weapon is almost damaged beyond repair. Link doesn’t fare too well either, nearly losing his arm in the process. However, he soon is given the arm of the Rauru, which provides Link with a myriad of Zonai abilities.
On top of that, the Master Sword is also given a boost in Zonai power, having been bathed in sacred light once Link finds it again. As the Hero of the Kingdom faces off with Ganondorf once again, he not only has his only abilities but the power of the Seven Sages coursing through his right arm, too. This Link is the closest to being God-like that he’s been in the franchise and, therefore, the strongest.
MORE: The Complete Chronological Order of Legend of Zelda Games
Source: GameRant
