*Editor Note: This article contains one spoiler for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. You are warned. However, I’m pretty sure if you are reading this, you have already played Ocarina of Time. If not, I just shake my head and say, ‘Please go play it now.’
During the Nintendo Digital Hour at E3, The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that the company is working on the next installment of the iconic fantasy game for the Wii U. The game is slated to release sometime in 2015.
He also showed us the gorgeous reveal trailer which you can view above.
However, one may notice that the hero Link looks a little off. Upon closer inspection of the protagonist, we can see that Link has some feminine features which make him look more like a girl. While this is not a bad thing (Link has always been a little bit feminine in every game), it seems at first glance that Nintendo has gone for more of a unisex appearance.
Take a look at this screenshot roaming the internet:
Now take a look at this screen from Skyward Sword:
Notice how Link’s features have shifted toward the feminine side?
Now notice his side bangs and then take a look at this picture of Princess Zelda:
Do you see how Link’s hair and ears now resemble Zelda’s?
While this may be done intentionally by the developers to draw in more women to the series, I have a theory that this is actually a crucial bit of information about the plot of the game.
To understand my theory, we need to go back to the N64 classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. In that game, Zelda, in order to stay hidden from Ganondorf and protect Link, disguises herself as the Sheikah, Sheik. In this alter ego form, Zelda is quite a ninja-like protector of the innocent. She is very athletic and knows how to get around the dangerous world of Hyrule with ease.
So my theory is this: The person we saw in the trailer is actually Princess Zelda, in disguise as Link.
Nintendo did not make Link into a girl, rather, they purposely hid the identity of Zelda. Link doesn’t even have his trusty Master Sword with him. He has a bow that shoots magic arrows. In previous games it was Zelda, not Link, who used the bow as her primary weapon. In fact, Link is not carrying a sword at all; and any fan will tell you that Link is a sword master first, bow master second.
Does this mean that something happened to Link? What reason does Zelda have to be, once again, in disguise?
What if we will play as Zelda for the first time ever in a Legend of Zelda game? What happens if along with the true, open world setting promised by Aonuma, we also are not in control of Link himself? Would series fans relish in delight to be able to play as the Princess, or would they revolt against Nintendo like Demise against Hylia?
What are your thoughts on the new design of “Link” and do you agree or disagree with my theory? Comment below!
