The Legend of Zelda series has featured numerous different iterations of Link. Here are the eight strongest versions of the Hylian hero.
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.
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. 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).
