I haven't played it either. Phantom Hourglass is the only Zelda game I ever outright quit playing. Spirit Tracks reminds me of that one. Are the controls different between the two?
@@trajectoryunowndo you mean the touch controls? Overall, Spirit Tracks hiked up the quality in every single area; music, story and world building, little graphical details, you name it. But, you do still have to control Link with a stylus. In my experience it was less cumbersome moving Link around without the implied controls assigned to a fairy tho.
@@trajectoryunownive played both, the spirit track controls were made to be a little easier but still use the touch screen. personally i like the phantom hourglass controls better lol
I think you missed the point of Zelda and Link's relationship in BotW. While they had a lousy relationship toward the beginning because of Link's silence and Zelda's insecurity, they soon developed a strong bond after realizing how much they had in common until they became each other's number one comfort. Heck, Kass even noted that Zelda was in love with Link, and in his Japanese Diary, Link mentions that his main reason for defeating Ganon was to see Zelda smile again. There are also other instances where Link mentions how much he wants to impress Zelda and thinks she's beautiful. On the subject of Paya and Mipha, though, the former mentions how she believes that Link is in love with Zelda and that if he is, he'll give her full support. Meanwhile, while not explicitly stated, it's hinted that Mipha's feelings are actually unrequited or Link, in the past, simply didn't know she felt that way for him. She even mentions how she feels like he's staring past her when they're together, and he denies talking about his fears with her when he did so with Zelda, according to her diary.
@@Llortnerof Having both BotW and TotK seperately doesn't make sense to me. HOWEVER, I think there's an argument to include Age of Calamity as its own entry, as the timeline shenanigans could seriously mess with the character dynamics (Mipha is still alive, Paya doesn't exist because we're still "in the past," Link and Zelda don't bond over all their loved ones dying, etc.) I don't have a strong argument for it, but personally I'd like to think Link & Zelda are a couple in the canon timeline, while Mipha finally works up the courage to get with Link post-AOC. -AOC Zelda only has eyes for the robot anyways-
@@DoctorFalchion I'm not sure Link would still accept in AOC since in that timeline the description of the Zora Armor is that it's probably okay to wear this which doesn't give me a lot of confidence that Link returned Mipha's feelings at all. Personally, I believe that Link feelings for Mipha are purely familial and he's only ever seen her as an older sister, given King Dorephan's quote about how growing up Mipha only saw Link as a little brother until he grew up.
OoT Link does not go off into the forest, dies, and becomes a Stalfos. The Hero's Shade is a literal shapeshifting specter, not a reanimated cursed skeleton. He's even translucent so I don't know why people are STILL parroting Matpat's stupid theory. On top of all of that, he has a descendant by blood (TP Link) but you're right, he probably ended up with Malon given TP Link's upbringing, Epona being a one of a kind horse canonically, and dirtier blonde hair compared to his ancestor OoT Link. There's a lot of subtle hints towards it.
Probably because the theory and the evidence don't contradict each-other. There's nothing stopping him from having a kid with Malon, then having a reason to, say, go to the Forest Temple, and die along the way.
@@CoralCopperHead There is no reason for him to ever go into the Forest Temple within the Child Timeline. The contradiction is pretty blatant. A Stalfos is a reanimated skeleton, the Hero's Shade literally has "shade" in his name.
@@wanko7130With the sages being awakened in Twilight Princess its highly likely that Link still went to all the temples, including the Forest Temple, during the time after Majoras Mask.
@@erikfaru9780 They're clearly not the same Sages as the ones from Ocarina of Time. In fact, they were probably the Sages from Rauru's era so I doubt there was even a need for the Hero of Time to even do that.
@@wanko7130 We never saw who the sages from Twilight Princess were supposed to be as they clearly left their bodies behind, just like the sages in the adult timeline did, becoming these white, faceless, ghost like figures. We also never saw if the sages from Twilight Princess were or were not awakened between Majoras Mask and Twilight Princess. But its highly unlikely that the sages from Twilight Princess are supposed to be the ancient sages and Rauru. This wouldnt even make sense because it would imply that the ancient sages are also still alive in the adult timeline, defeating the point of having to awaken new sages. And the game never states that Ganondorf killed the sages, like he did in Wind Waker, but only that he corrupted the temples which again sounds like there were no sages who could have defended them. To me it just sounds likely that when Ganondorf waged war on Hyrule, before they captured and executed him, he would have corrupted the temples, just like in the adult timeline, and this would mean that Link, or someone else, would have to awaken new sages again. They dont necessarily have to be the exact same ones as in the adult timeline but they would have to be awakened somewhere in that time for them to later appear in Twilight Princess. In the end all we both said are just speculations, we don't really know what really happened or who they really are.
I agree with this list. Weird how, on your reasoning for TotK, you neglected to mention the fact that Zelda moved into Link’s house! lol Also how she had a secret study built so she could plan a surprise present for him.
This is incorrect. Link does not live there in TotK. No one in Hateno recognizes him, not even the woman who regularly cleans the place. Also, Bolson, the guy who sold the house, does not recognize Link. In the canon version of BotW, Link does not buy it; it's just Zelda's house.
Quick personal headcanon for Spirit Tracks. I always rationalized that Link and Tetra got together, eventually giving us Zelda of New Hyrule, obviously. But that the Hero of Trains Link was also a descendant of Aryll (WW Link’s sister) and that they’re just like cousins that are also besties after the adventure is finished.
There's a considerable timeskip between them anyway, where the events of Wind Waker have faded into legend. So even if both were descendants of the Hero of Wind and Tetra, they may be distantly enough related that Link is not considered part of the royal family. Alternately, he's could be completely unrelated, since neither the Triforce nor the Master Sword have any relevance to the story.
@@Llortnerof I mean sure there’s been a timeskip but not anywhere near close to where it would have faded into myth. The events of The Wind Waker still exist within living memory because the character Nico, a member of Tetra’s crew, is still alive to witness the events of Spirit Tracks. Yes he could be completely unrelated, and due to the timeline that is the only way I can see that working out romantically.
@@Alpha121198 I don't think that's meant to be the same Nico. Just an identical descendant. New Hyrule is far to established for the timeline you suggest.
Hero's shade is not a stalfoes, OoT child Link even specifically returns to Hyrule alive and has a child because TP Link is his direct descendant. OoT Link likely gets together with Malon.
@lury1107 yeah, but again that's not what the Hero's Shade is, and two, most people who say OoT Link is a Stalfoe say he becomes one because of MM even though as a child Link would've became a skull kid, and I highly doubt a 10 year old Link knocked up some girl before MM.
As a zelink propagandist and romantic at heart, here’s why I believe your “absolutely nots” actually do have a lot of potential. TP: They both were the only two who knew Midna and would understand each other after everything. At the end of the game, we see Link leaving Ordon, presumably to become a knight under Zelda like every other Link before him. It’s kinda their whole thing, he’s Hylia’s protector and she’s the blood of the goddess. It’s why he struggles when Zelda is possessed, because even though they don’t know each other, he knows in his soul who she is. Now you bring up Ilia but I just think it’s friendship, nothing more. Next, people love to bring up Midna as if she didn’t sever the ties between Hyrule and the twilight realm at the end. It’s impossible that they ended up together, even if we assume they did have an attraction to each other (and that’s up to interpretation). Personally, I think Midna would be happy that her two friends found solace and company with each other. Then, the scene when Zelda bows to him is such an impactful scene because she’s the *princess*. Again, she knows him even if they’re strangers in this life. Obviously he could’ve ended up with anybody, their relationship is certainly underdeveloped in that game, yet I don’t believe that there’s nothing there. I just like them 💗 but you don’t have to, of course, just sharing my two cents! I know I’m not changing minds, especially about these two, but that’s my interpretation. OoT Zelink was my first ship, ever since I was like 7 so I do disagree with you there too. I know Malon x Link is a popular fan theory that people love to act like it’s canon when it’s not, there’s a lot of evidence against them. Like Hero’s Shade being a knight, his grave in the castle, TP Link isn’t the owner of the ranch, he’s the only Hylian in Ordon and him knowing Epona’s song just means he has ties to the past hero not Malon because that song was important to OoT Link because of Epona, not Malon #horsegirl. Like sure it could be but honestly even if it is, I don’t really care about them. Malon is a cute character, but she’s not a deep or interesting one. OoT Link spends his time looking for Zelda, interacting with her as Sheik, and caring about her. Their relationship is the one that matters there so even if theirs is a tragic love story, that’s the one I ship the most. Also, the fact that she shows up in Majora’s Mask only to say that she feels like she’s known him forever, will never forget him and can’t wait to see him again. Maybe they’re endgame, maybe they’re not but the game definitely points to how impactful they were to each other. Oh and for BotW, that whole game is about their love story. They go from duty bound to the only ones who understand each other to Link dying for her, Zelda sacrificing herself for him, her waiting 100 years and then Link wanting to see her smile once more. That’s why we got that “weird” Zelda smile at the end, because that’s what Link wished to see once more since the minute he understood what happened 😅 To me, Zelink was always real and SS and its manga made it even more canon that they are two souls bound for eternity to meet and love each other 😊 that’s why it’s called The Legend of Zelda and why Link does what he does every game. It’s all part of Hylia’s plan!
This was a well thought out argument. Kudos! Hearing your thoughts on OoT Zelink, I think you have a great point. I'd probably keep them kinda low personally, but probably one tier up. Thank you for the insightful discussion.
Zelink in OoT/MM is literally impossible for a very simple reason: The Hero of Twilight isn't royalty or even nobility. There's only about a hundred years between OoT/MM and TP so there's no way for the Hero of Twilight to have fallen that far in status. People headcanon that the Hero of Time hooked up with Malon simply because it makes the most sense. It's either her or some rando.
@@Zelenal Except we can headcanon a million and one reasons why they could have had children with different people and then come back together. Or we can even say someone stole a royal baby a la Rapunzel and that’s why TP Link is in Ordon. That’s just as valid. There’s also actually no real evidence in game that TP and OoT are related by blood. That came after in a book that is not actually canon (official =/= canon). They’re written by the same people who did the manga and only approved by Nintendo, which the mangas also are. It has it’s fair share of inconsistencies. OoT Link and Zelda have sweet moments together that sets them up for building a relationship. As Sheik eloquently puts it, “Time passes, people move. Like a river's flow, it never ends. A childish mind will turn to noble ambition. Young love will become deep affection.” Plus, they have their destiny and ancestors that bind them together forever. Malon x Link don’t have any of that. People who headcanon them usually had a crush on Malon themselves or think that Link deserves a “quiet life”, which is also a self fulfilling wish. It’s similar to the people who ship Sidon x Link. They self insert, rather than following through with the story. Nintendo wants people to come up with their own narrative, which is why we have the open world games now. You can interact with as much or as little with the story as you’d like. It’s completely valid. But Link and Zelda are canonically the couple since the 80s.
Tetra from WW it is cannon that she and Link became a thing. Sure they hang out a lot of go trough a lot, but WW Zelda/Tetra is the only Zelda that canonically has kids, because in Spirit Tracks, the Zelda there is a descendant of the WW Zelda. Still not solid proof, but by proses of elimination, all her other crew mates are accounted for with descendants of their own, except Niko who shows up to dump lore on you.
@@Cretaceous158 That doesn't necessarily mean anything. The games are a long time apart, many things can happen, especially with the entire Kingdom moving to a new land. On the other hand, since the Hero's soul doesn't exist in that timeline, it doesn't really matter anyway. There is no need for the two Links to even be related.
2:08 Wrong. He becomes a knight of Hyrule as an adult and has a child canonically. He is also not a Stalfos, he's a Big Poe. He literally has the same transparent rotting skin texture as the Big Poes in Arbiter's Grounds. But TP Link is canonically his descendant, and is very obviously NOT royal blood. In fact it's implied OoT Link marries Malon, and based on the location of Ordon Village compared to ToT, it may even be that Ordon Village was built around Lon Lon Ranch. 2:52 It's implied by the Royal Guard Trainee Uniform literally being WW Link's outfit that Link either married Tetra and became the First King of New Hyrule or became captain of the Royal Guard, though based on how only a handful of Hylians got to new Hyrule at that time and Link and Tetra are the only Crew Members other than Niko around the same age, it's almost guaranteed that WW Link and Zelda got together. I also suspect that Spirit Tracks Link is Aryl's grandson due to the fact he's not in the Royal Family (though does work closely with them), and the fact he's identical to WW Link. FS and Minish Cap Zelda I would put in Probably. "Absolutely" should only be for ones we have confirmation or heavy implications they start dating in some capacity. Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, and BotW are the only three we basically can guarantee get with their Zeldas. 5:17 I think the implications is that Link would have gotten with Midna if she kept the Mirror of Twilight in tact, but with her gone permanently I think Nintendo kinda pushed that he gets with Illia. 9:13 What's funny is that had Mipha survived the calamity Link almost certainly would have ended up with HER rather than Zelda, but TotK Zelda literally shares a bed with Link. 10:33 I'm pretty sure it's implied Cartoon Link and Zelda are married by their appearances in Captain N: The Game Master. 11:04 CDI Zelda would be in Absolutely Not, honestly. She's kind of a bitch and Link is really annoying about wanting a Kiss from Zelda. The relationship as a result is VERY one-sided, which could be said about Cartoon Zelda too, but she does have moments where she and Link have really cute moments, and are either Dating or Married by the time of Captain N.
I know this is like a year later - but Link's Adventure Link (Zelda 2), you actually can read the book and thus are the future King...so..good thing that sleeping Zelda likes him
Spirit Tracks is arguably the only game where any sort of romance is confirmed (or heavily hinted at). They have incredible chemistry, constantly blush when near each other, and then they hold hands at the end!!! That's not just a small peck on the cheeks or fluttering their eyes at each other, that is HARD FACTS! Best Zelda game for a reason.
Regarding Four Sword Zelda, I'm fairly certain the Zelda from the original Four Sword (the extra game was was in the cartridge of LtTP on the GBA) and the Zelda from Four Swords Adventure (the Gamecube game) are two different Zeldas. Because there's a huge gap between the two games according to the official timeline. Four Sword was chronologically the third Zelda (occuring after Skyward Sword and Minish Cap) while Four Swords Adventure officially occurs after the timeline split of Ocarina of Time in the Child Timeline. So while Four Swords Adventure Zelda, as you noted, does have romantic sounding dialogue, it doesn't directly determine if the original Four Sword Zelda looked at Link the same way. I actually reviewed Four Swords two scenes with Zelda just now (the opening and the ending), in that game she does seem to be someone Link knows as she brought him with her to investigate the shrine, but there really isn't a single line that indicates what their relationship is. (Is Link her friend? Bodyguard? The game doesn't specify anything like that.) My comment's a year late, but hey, you've been blessed by the algorithm.
2:01 dude don't say that as a fact. That's just a theory. I'm personally more so of the belief that he got together with Malon and nothing else happened. He lived his life, honing his skill, having regrets and all the sorts. Him getting with Malon would explain why TP Link has a ranch farm lifestyle and stuff, but still: Both are just theories.
Lol in Hyrule Warriors Zelda will only specifically compliment Link by name and in the beginning cutscenes was gawking at him in the training yard, and even in the scene where you Rendezvous with her she said “YOU! I SAW YOU IN THR TRAINING YARD!” So she gets excited every time she sees him lol I would place it on probably or absolutely
I feel like "absolutely not" should have been "probably not". And "probably not" should have been "maybe". Like, "They didn't interact a lot" doesn't mean they'll never end up together. That's like saying you would never end up with someone you have just met. You wouldn't know, you just met, there is no actual reason against it.
One of my biggest annoyances with Link is: Not only does practically every major female NPC fall head over heals for him (and some male ones, too, even if in more of a best buds/sworn brother kind of way), he seems almost incapable of acknowledging those feelings. I kind of get it's part of the whole "player as Link" blank slate, but it's kind of irksome that the player doesn't really get the choice in that case, or that Link just kind of acts confused, surprised, or (in Telma's case) grossed out. The one time they give the player the option to choose to profess love to a character is the Item Check girl in SS and even if you click all of the dialogue options to affirm your interest, she brushes it off as politeness. It's one reason why I'm glad TotK all but confirms a relationship between Link and Zelda.
I think most of the absolutely ones are more probably, Skyward Sword seems to the only one that suggests a romantic relation more than a heroic loyal friend. TP Zelda is a very official ruler of her government, Link is only a soldier or knight of her kingdom.
I agree with most of the list, but I don't get the rationale behind putting the kissers in "probably" while the childhood friends are in "definitely;" just because people are friends doesn't mean they're going to develop romantic feelings for each other, but a kiss is a romantic act in and of itself.
The weird thing is that NES Link is destined to become king after the events of Zelda II. So the question really becomes, does he get with Zelda 1 Zelda or Sleeping Zelda?
You were absolutely on point with the TOTK prediction. Yeah, I agree with most of these. The only one I'm not totally sure on, that is strictly from the games at least, is Wind Waker. Tetra and Link do have a strong connection, but idk, they never fully felt like they have something going on? At least to me. They could, yes, so that's why I'd put her at the bottom of "probably" or at the top of "probably not".
ALTTP Zelda and Link have been confirmed to be in a relationship. Look up the ALBW rumor guy. Also depending if you think the oracle games are the same Link and Zelda that's confirmation too as she kisses him with hearts over their heads. EDIT: Wait how do you know about the rumor guy but don't remember Zelda is swooning over her past ancestor getting together with her chosen knight? Zelda wants a romance with her own knight just like the previous zelda had a romance with hers (the Link and Zelda from ALTTP)
Hyrule Warriors story is based on Link always ending up with Zelda…Cia and Lana are canonically jealous of her, so how is Zelda in that game “probably not”, when the story hinges on it? 😂 They don’t have a ton of time together but the story revolves literally around them always ending up together, which means it’s implying strongly that they will as well. Should go in “probably”, though yeah, it’s not an “absolutely” And Breath of the Wild and Tears of The Kingdom are the same Zelda, so if it’s “absolutely” in one it’s the same in the other. Zelda only starts off indifferent to him but eventually falls for him, and will lead to her in TOTK. Maybe you can say “probably” in Age of Calamity since some things happen differently there and Mipha is still alive in that one, but BOTW and TOTK events follow each other directly in the same timeline. OoT Zelda should at least move to “probably not”….on the child timeline, anyway. 1st of all, Link does not die as a stalfos in the Losr Woods. While Malon is more likely, it’s not impossible either that Zelda and Link could’ve ended up together. Malon isn’t absolutely confirmed and we don’t truly know TP Links origins outside of him being blood related to OoT Link. It’s enough wiggle room where we can’t absolutely deny it and there is some romantic tension between OoT Link and Zelda there, which could imply they might get together in the child timeline eventually, and at the end of MM or later he could’ve returned to Zelda. In her one cutscene in MM, she does show a closeness with him and an obvious desire to see him again. OoT manga and even official OoT 3D promotional manga pages also point to Link and Zelda in those games. Even if we’re just talking about the games, it’s also endorsed and allowed by Nintendo. But of course, it’s impossible in the adult timeline, and I’d still give the edge to Malon. Also, a “maybe/could go either way” category would probably help a list like this. I’d put ALBW/ALTTP in categories like that. ALBW Link and Zelda parallel Ravio/Hilda, and the paintings and gossip as you said. ALTTP Link thought Marin was Zelda at first in LA, so there may be something there too.
Skyward Sword can have you make Link be "interested" in that shopkeeper lady, which makes Fi comment that you probably shouldn't tell Zelda. So it's actually a player agency thing where you can pick if it's "Absolutely" or "Absolutely Not." Also, Spirit Tracks is an amazing game. Go play it.
Honestly I'd have to say absolutely not to Wind Waker Link and Tetra/Zelda. In Spirit Tracks which takes place 100 years later Link and Zelda seem like complete strangers at the start of the game. True 100 years is long but still not long enough for their descendants to completely forget each other if Link and Tetra got together.
Plus the Link in Zelda 2 is the Link from Zelda 1, just later on. But the Zelda is a different Zelda. Seems pretty clear Link didn't get with Zelda 1. Though whether someone from so long in the past who will likely be mourning the death of her lover and everyone she ever cared about will be ready for a relationship is a bit more shaky. She may kiss him after just waking up. Still, I do think the rating is probably okay, since there's at least some sign of attraction. Plus maybe they "get together" right then and then break it off later.
If Wind Waker Zelda and Link became a thing, Spirit Tracks Zelda and Link would be cousins to some degree, right? I feel like most of the other Zelda games are un-related to one another or set far enough part they'd be more distantly related at most, but I swear Spirit Tracks is set a hundred or within a hundred years of Wind Waker.
You don't need semantics for Zelda 1... Zelda 2 is the same Link but a different Zelda, and that one ranking as Absolutely is sound (at those graphics, a mutual kiss is as good as a confirmation), so by definition Zelda 1 doesn't hook up.
8:28 i thought they were siblings? Or maybe the dark hair girl is Links surprise sister… im going to go dig out my AlttP manga brb After checking… ya probably gets with Zelda but dark hair isn’t Confirmed Sister but likely cousin or something.(if Link is last Knight decedent but she also Knight decedent they likely related)
I still liked to believe that Zelda and Link fall under the “reincarnated lovers” trope. They don’t always get together but they’re so intertwined that it’s inevitable that they do more than once And unpopular opinion, Twilight Princess Zelink is my favorite mostly because I was first introduced to the Zelda characters/franchise through Melee and Brawl, and after playing Subspace Emissary I really loved their interactions together. Followed after that, Twilight Princess was my first Zelda game and while they don’t interact much, their interactions always feel so genuine and intimate (not necessarily romantic) but it’s clear they have a sense of trust and respect for each other. Also, I do wanna mention at the end of the game in the post credits you do see Link leaving Ordon. So who knows, there’s an off chance that maybe, just maybe they got to interact with each other post game
Can I ask y’all in the comments why you believe TP Link is confirmed to be OoT Link’s descendant? Not that I disagree, but I don’t remember it being confirmed anywhere.
What about Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Zelda? Wasn't Mipha tots hot for Link, too? Would he have fallen for Mipha had she lived or wound up with Zelda anyways?
Mipha’s diary is pretty clear that the moment Link pulls the sword, he pulls away and doesn’t ever really open up with her and “looks past her”. She spends her time pining after him, implying she’s jealous of how much time he and Z are spending together, and then when making the “engagement” armor she kinda outright says that she doesn’t even know how he will take it. In Zelda’s diary, we learn he actually does open up to Zelda. These two are intertwined, I don’t think LinkxMipha was possible as long as the calamity happened.
That is actually a fan theory of mine. The identity of Link's parents is completely unexplored in the game, but I like to think that the non-romantic Link and Zelda relations are because of familial ties.
Ok this is one of the best ZeLink videos I've seen in a while good job! I also I have a lot to comment about each ship so here you go: Spirit Tracks: Ok so THANK YOU for putting this ship above Skyward Sword. A lot of people put Skyward Sword ZeLink above Spirit Tracks and while that ship is cute, Spirit Tracks actually has Zelda accompany Link on his journey and you get to see how they go from awkwardly smiling when meeting each other for the first time, to developing a close friendship and (possibly) a romance. Ocarina/Majora: Ok so I'm kind of split between this one. I personally ship Link with Malon but after reading the manga and watching "Hero's purpose," I'm not against the idea of them ending up together after Majora's Mask. Link to the past: While this ZeLink is cute in the manga, Marin exists. That's all I need to say A Link Between Worlds: I'm with you. Ravio and Hilda have way better chemistry than Link and Zelda in this game. Also I ship Link with Irene. BOTW/TOTK: I'm also with you on this one. I like Mipha and Link more than Link and Zelda pre-calamity but after Calamity, I can see them together. Twilight Princess: Yes, ZeLink makes no sense here and they're a lot more professional in this game, but you forgot my girl MIDNA! Midna's a lot more interesting than Illia, and Midna actually is with Link through out most of the game. Also Link and Midna kiss in the manga (I know it's not canon but I don't care). That's all I got to say :)
I'm glad you agree with most of my placements. Yes Skyward Sword is a "given" but Spirit Tracks does feel better developed. I know I forgot Midna but the Ilia relationship was such a massive part of the story I figured it took more precedence. Although Midna would've been next best ship. LinkxIrine in LBW is a good one! Manga LttP was such a good cute ship. Unfortunately wasn't really there in the game TL;DR thanks for enjoying the video.
@@Lady_ETHNE I think you meant Link's awakening instead of AlltP. And yeah OoT is.. difficult. I am a sworn ZeLink shipper for I think all games (yes even TP even if it doesn't make sense) but Malon is such a sweet girl and ... aaahhhh 3 way ship I guess it is. xD
that's not really it. kissing someone doesn't mean you'll get together, again zelda 2 link and zelda don't interact outside of that kiss, meanwhile spirit tracks link and zelda interact and bond with each other, and the cartoon links and zeldas also interact and bond with each other all the time, those almost kisses and handholding feel more romantic than zelda 2's kiss due to that reason, it was probably just as a thank you or something
Twilight Princess: Zelda and Link both have more chemistry with Midna and the only way Zelda and Link get together is if Midna runs a polycule and they definitely don't appreciate having to share.
I don't think WW Link x Zelda is canon considering in Spirit Tracks, Niko says that ST Link looks like an old friend of his. You'd think he'd have more to say about his former king ALBW Link definitely doesn't get together with Zelda considering it's confirmed that he screws off to Hytopia at some point after ALBW Oracle Link and Zelda are the same as ALTTP Link and Zelda
Remember, all Zeldas are descendant of each other, so, every Link who is descendant of other Link is a hell no, this is not Fire Emblem. So: - OoT is no, Link don't exist anymore for Adult Timeline, and died in Fallen hero, The only he's still alive is in child era, and also can't happen because of Twilight Link. For being a descendant of the hero of time, in the child era, Zelda didn't have much interaction with him in this timeline and Ruto never married him, but in Majora's Mask Link had Epona, to get her you have to interact with Malon in OoT, so TLink also having Epona and being a farmer boy, implies he is a descendant of Malon too. - Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass could be also a no, because Link has a special shield passed by generations, and what games that same shield appears? Minish Cap and Four Swords, meaning the Link from FS is a descendant from the Hero of Minish, and the Hero of Winds is a descendant of the Four Sword's Link. So if any of that two games Link has a relation with Zelda, the following games shouldn't have.
Zelda is his driving force. He's quite literally only fighting to find and save her, and even the Regional Phenemeonas are just a clues to finding her, so what are you talking about?
@@tarnw3301 He wasn't non-chalant about it. If you look closely at his expressions, he was on the verge of breaking down until he heard Zelda's roar which reminded him that crying will solve nothing. Zelda put all her faith in him and he needs to do everything he can to fulfill her wish and that's even in the Japanese Diary. We also see when after getting the Master Sword memory, Link is quiet and solemn, not triumphant. He even briefly stares at the blade before sheathing it. It also should be noted, that after she drops off, we aren't allowed to regain control for a whole 10 seconds for no real reason as Link just stares at the Light Dragon. In the ending, we also see Link is desperate to save Zelda and when he does, you can see he is still in shock over all that just happened, but he never once takes his eyes off Zelda. And remember even after finding out Zelda is the Light Dragon, the mission doesn’t change to her being found. It’s only changed when Zelda is Zelda again. Also, what pay? Zelda doesn't pay Link. He chooses to continue guarding her out of the kindness of his heart.
@@annieandelsieofarendelle3294 yep, totally the dude that gets sad about spoiled food is at the verge of a super subtle breakdown, sure. This is his face -_- He is probably wondering who is paying his next cheque.
@@tarnw3301 Again Link doesn’t get paid. He stays with Zelda because he wants to and by that same token he must not give a darn about any of the Champions, Ganon, or anyone he meets while on the road including his friends. Do I admit they could’ve made him more expressive? Yes. That’s honestly my main complaint about the Wild’s Era in general, but despite my feelings, I know he does care and even love Zelda from evidence in-game like his journals and his adventures. As for why he gets super sad about his spoiled food, that’s more for comedic purposes so that isn’t really a good argument.
Tbh I would put TotK at "absolutely not" solely for the way Link just dumps Zelda on the ground at the end of the game. I believe Zelda absolutely has romantic feelings for Link but that cutscene alone (and also all the times in BotW where it feels like Link is just straight up not listening to Zelda) convinced me that he protects Zelda because its his job, not because he has feelings for her in return. Like he can't even be bothered to help her sit up.
He doesn't dump Zelda on the ground. He's actually very gentle and if you look closely he's actually getting ready to grab her when she starts to stand up. Also, did you just miss the entire sequence beforehand of him diving to catch and holding her tightly against his chest before bridal carrying her to safety? As for why, he didn't help her up sit up, he's clearly still in shock that any of this is even happening and she was too quick. Also, I'll just copy what I put down for someone else that waste more time: At the start of their relationship, you might've been right. However, it's shown multiple times throughout both games, that overtime Link did come to care about Zelda as a person not a princess.
He was willing to risk death just to be comfort she needed when the world was falling apart around them. He was willing to throw away his duty as the Hero of Hyrule to protect her, despite her pleas for him to run. He was a comfort to her in the past, even neglecting his duties to be her friend and listen to her. He shared his deepest, darkest secrets to her when he wouldn't even do that with his best friend since childhood. The only reason he was trying to save Hyrule was to see her smile again. He was willing to search the four regions of Hyrule just to find any fain clue of where she could be. He remained by her side despite having no incentive to do so. There was no kingdom or king and Zelda is a princess by courtesy, so no one could bind him to her, and yet he continued to fight and stay by her side. Then there's just the little things, he's done for her that prove he's more thanjust a knight and this more than just a job. He mentions in his log how he thinks Zelda's beautiful and has a lovely voice. In the past, he taught her how to console her horse. Urbosa mentions that he came far quicker to Vah Naboris than she would've assumed and that his presence makes Zelda happy. Impa mentions how he's a comfort to her. He bridal carries her into an open field and looked ready to grab her in case she fell. Also Paya mentions how she thinks Link is love with Princess Zelda, so clearly he does have feelings for her. As for TotK: Link has never left Zelda's side despite him having no incentive to stay at her side. He only calms down with Rauru when Zelda's name is mentioned. He's called Zelda's Chosen Protector. Link goes everywhere to find the scarcest hint of Zelda. When Zelda is falling into the chasm, Link tosses aside the Master Sword to try and save her and loudly gasps when he doesn't. He jumps in front of her without another thought for himself when Ganondorf unleashes his gloom. He refuses to accept that Zelda is just trapped as a dragon. Link apparently gave Zelda his house with the implication they actually live together. It's mentioned that because he's always protecting Zelda, his tunic has started to deteriorate that Zelda had to get another Champion's Tunic for him. It's mentioned his only real reason for facing Kohga is so he can find any information about Zelda in Japanese Log. He's that one that Rauru and Sonia channel their power into to reverse Zelda's transformation that Zelda described as 'warm and loving' in English. Link dives to save Zelda without another thought for himself, and if you look closely you can see Link preparing to take a brunt of the fall damage and even holds Zelda against his chest. He bridal carries her to an open field and doesn't take his eyes off her once. His only reason for defeating Ganondorf is because it was Zelda's wish and even that's second to his want to find Zelda. The Zelda puppet was very seductive and while he was probably aware it was a puppet, he continued to follow it throughout the castle. Link admits to Ashai that he has found someone special and it's implied to be Zelda. Other evidence: Any potential alternate love interests have either been paired off or dead. The Dream House is said to be popular amongst newlywed couples or soon-to-be engaged ones. There's even a study that Link can add if the player chooses that hints at Zelda since it's said to be used for alone time which is what the Well is for. Zelda is still clearly in love with Link.
I get choosing to interpret their relationship as non-romantic (I like to headcanon it as a queerplatonic thing), but they are definitely friends at the absolute minimum. They very unambiguously care about each other! The fact that they have a close bond is hammered in repeatedly!
6:16 No context. Just click.
Fr
Yes
Best thing I’ve seen all day 😭
genius, ya got me
TOTK is a definitely.
TOTK is a new tier.. "they are already.. i think"
@@fabi3790"They absolutely already are, but Nintendo is terrified of alienating even a small part of their huge audience."
too long for a tier name?
I doubt Nintendo meant to do this on purpose, but I find it funny how every single version of Toon Link most likely ends up with Zelda in some form.
Like I said "4 Swords Era was wierd"
Ravio and Hilda being in a relationship would be cute.
When bro said he didn't play Spirit Tracks I died inside. It's so underrated and more people should play it.
I haven't played it either. Phantom Hourglass is the only Zelda game I ever outright quit playing.
Spirit Tracks reminds me of that one. Are the controls different between the two?
@@trajectoryunown you should they both are really underrated.
@@trajectoryunowndo you mean the touch controls?
Overall, Spirit Tracks hiked up the quality in every single area; music, story and world building, little graphical details, you name it. But, you do still have to control Link with a stylus. In my experience it was less cumbersome moving Link around without the implied controls assigned to a fairy tho.
@@trajectoryunownive played both, the spirit track controls were made to be a little easier but still use the touch screen. personally i like the phantom hourglass controls better lol
I think you missed the point of Zelda and Link's relationship in BotW. While they had a lousy relationship toward the beginning because of Link's silence and Zelda's insecurity, they soon developed a strong bond after realizing how much they had in common until they became each other's number one comfort. Heck, Kass even noted that Zelda was in love with Link, and in his Japanese Diary, Link mentions that his main reason for defeating Ganon was to see Zelda smile again. There are also other instances where Link mentions how much he wants to impress Zelda and thinks she's beautiful.
On the subject of Paya and Mipha, though, the former mentions how she believes that Link is in love with Zelda and that if he is, he'll give her full support. Meanwhile, while not explicitly stated, it's hinted that Mipha's feelings are actually unrequited or Link, in the past, simply didn't know she felt that way for him. She even mentions how she feels like he's staring past her when they're together, and he denies talking about his fears with her when he did so with Zelda, according to her diary.
Rating BotW and TotK seperately is rather silly anyway. WW and PH don't have seperate entries either.
@@Llortnerof True.
@@Llortnerof Having both BotW and TotK seperately doesn't make sense to me. HOWEVER, I think there's an argument to include Age of Calamity as its own entry, as the timeline shenanigans could seriously mess with the character dynamics (Mipha is still alive, Paya doesn't exist because we're still "in the past," Link and Zelda don't bond over all their loved ones dying, etc.)
I don't have a strong argument for it, but personally I'd like to think Link & Zelda are a couple in the canon timeline, while Mipha finally works up the courage to get with Link post-AOC.
-AOC Zelda only has eyes for the robot anyways-
@@DoctorFalchion I'm not sure Link would still accept in AOC since in that timeline the description of the Zora Armor is that it's probably okay to wear this which doesn't give me a lot of confidence that Link returned Mipha's feelings at all.
Personally, I believe that Link feelings for Mipha are purely familial and he's only ever seen her as an older sister, given King Dorephan's quote about how growing up Mipha only saw Link as a little brother until he grew up.
In skyward sword, when Zelda seals herself away and Link gets emotional… that was like a stab in the soul, man.
2:05 - 2:08 He doesn't die in the forest, otherwise, TP Link couldn't exist.
At the very least he would have had to breed first, before dying. Plus he loses an eye somewhere along the way.
@@WeeG-bwc77 Uh, Link with an eyepatch. Neat.
@@WeeG-bwc77 Wouldn't be hard, have you looked at adult link recently?
@@WeeG-bwc77 And grows into a giant.
Why tho? He could definitely have started a family and then died in the forest or even the Forest Temple.
In Hyrule warriors, it's outright stated Lana doesn't get Link because he's with Zelda so she'd be absolutely.
When you gave a shoutout to our boy Groose I knew I clicked on the right video
Should've been put to the sword, the man nearly (indirectly) _murdered_ Link.
OoT Link does not go off into the forest, dies, and becomes a Stalfos. The Hero's Shade is a literal shapeshifting specter, not a reanimated cursed skeleton. He's even translucent so I don't know why people are STILL parroting Matpat's stupid theory. On top of all of that, he has a descendant by blood (TP Link) but you're right, he probably ended up with Malon given TP Link's upbringing, Epona being a one of a kind horse canonically, and dirtier blonde hair compared to his ancestor OoT Link. There's a lot of subtle hints towards it.
Probably because the theory and the evidence don't contradict each-other. There's nothing stopping him from having a kid with Malon, then having a reason to, say, go to the Forest Temple, and die along the way.
@@CoralCopperHead There is no reason for him to ever go into the Forest Temple within the Child Timeline. The contradiction is pretty blatant. A Stalfos is a reanimated skeleton, the Hero's Shade literally has "shade" in his name.
@@wanko7130With the sages being awakened in Twilight Princess its highly likely that Link still went to all the temples, including the Forest Temple, during the time after Majoras Mask.
@@erikfaru9780 They're clearly not the same Sages as the ones from Ocarina of Time. In fact, they were probably the Sages from Rauru's era so I doubt there was even a need for the Hero of Time to even do that.
@@wanko7130 We never saw who the sages from Twilight Princess were supposed to be as they clearly left their bodies behind, just like the sages in the adult timeline did, becoming these white, faceless, ghost like figures.
We also never saw if the sages from Twilight Princess were or were not awakened between Majoras Mask and Twilight Princess.
But its highly unlikely that the sages from Twilight Princess are supposed to be the ancient sages and Rauru. This wouldnt even make sense because it would imply that the ancient sages are also still alive in the adult timeline, defeating the point of having to awaken new sages. And the game never states that Ganondorf killed the sages, like he did in Wind Waker, but only that he corrupted the temples which again sounds like there were no sages who could have defended them.
To me it just sounds likely that when Ganondorf waged war on Hyrule, before they captured and executed him, he would have corrupted the temples, just like in the adult timeline, and this would mean that Link, or someone else, would have to awaken new sages again. They dont necessarily have to be the exact same ones as in the adult timeline but they would have to be awakened somewhere in that time for them to later appear in Twilight Princess.
In the end all we both said are just speculations, we don't really know what really happened or who they really are.
I feel like you should have added a tier in between probably not and probably. Like a 'maybe IDK'. Overall an objectively correct list.
In retrospect yeah, that would've made it easier.
I agree with this list. Weird how, on your reasoning for TotK, you neglected to mention the fact that Zelda moved into Link’s house! lol
Also how she had a secret study built so she could plan a surprise present for him.
@@ml3starman386 I made this before TotK came out so I didn't know they moved in.
@@andyblargextra Would you put her higher up if you did this tier list after release?
@@wingwall7892 yes.
This is incorrect. Link does not live there in TotK. No one in Hateno recognizes him, not even the woman who regularly cleans the place. Also, Bolson, the guy who sold the house, does not recognize Link. In the canon version of BotW, Link does not buy it; it's just Zelda's house.
@@Celestia282 nobody in Totk recognizes link except for the main cast. People in hateno not recognizing him isn’t enough to debunk it
5:12 “She has a closer relationship with Midna than she does with Link”
So that means…TP-Zelda/Midna.
Black-and-blue Bollywood Actress x Princess Steelface!
All the cartoony links, (Minish cap, four swords, wind water, spirit tracks), pulls.
Quick personal headcanon for Spirit Tracks. I always rationalized that Link and Tetra got together, eventually giving us Zelda of New Hyrule, obviously. But that the Hero of Trains Link was also a descendant of Aryll (WW Link’s sister) and that they’re just like cousins that are also besties after the adventure is finished.
There's a considerable timeskip between them anyway, where the events of Wind Waker have faded into legend. So even if both were descendants of the Hero of Wind and Tetra, they may be distantly enough related that Link is not considered part of the royal family. Alternately, he's could be completely unrelated, since neither the Triforce nor the Master Sword have any relevance to the story.
@@Llortnerof I mean sure there’s been a timeskip but not anywhere near close to where it would have faded into myth. The events of The Wind Waker still exist within living memory because the character Nico, a member of Tetra’s crew, is still alive to witness the events of Spirit Tracks.
Yes he could be completely unrelated, and due to the timeline that is the only way I can see that working out romantically.
@@Alpha121198 I don't think that's meant to be the same Nico. Just an identical descendant. New Hyrule is far to established for the timeline you suggest.
@@Llortnerofhave you played spirit tracks? It is the same exact Niko lol.
Hero's shade is not a stalfoes, OoT child Link even specifically returns to Hyrule alive and has a child because TP Link is his direct descendant. OoT Link likely gets together with Malon.
Well, he could have had his kid and some time after that became a stalfos
@lury1107 yeah, but again that's not what the Hero's Shade is, and two, most people who say OoT Link is a Stalfoe say he becomes one because of MM even though as a child Link would've became a skull kid, and I highly doubt a 10 year old Link knocked up some girl before MM.
what? he just grew up, then died. and him being a stalfos is like, literally canon information
5:30 Translation: “You’re violating the restraining order! I’m calling the police!”
If you count the diaries Zelda writes in BOTW, you’d move that to Absolutely. Zelda develops a crush on Link later on
Hyrule Warriors does show Zelda admiring Link during his training, and the whole plot is Cia getting jealous about Link and Zelda being so close
yeah... this placement is probably the one I'd most likely change in retrospect.
As a zelink propagandist and romantic at heart, here’s why I believe your “absolutely nots” actually do have a lot of potential.
TP: They both were the only two who knew Midna and would understand each other after everything. At the end of the game, we see Link leaving Ordon, presumably to become a knight under Zelda like every other Link before him. It’s kinda their whole thing, he’s Hylia’s protector and she’s the blood of the goddess. It’s why he struggles when Zelda is possessed, because even though they don’t know each other, he knows in his soul who she is. Now you bring up Ilia but I just think it’s friendship, nothing more. Next, people love to bring up Midna as if she didn’t sever the ties between Hyrule and the twilight realm at the end. It’s impossible that they ended up together, even if we assume they did have an attraction to each other (and that’s up to interpretation). Personally, I think Midna would be happy that her two friends found solace and company with each other. Then, the scene when Zelda bows to him is such an impactful scene because she’s the *princess*. Again, she knows him even if they’re strangers in this life. Obviously he could’ve ended up with anybody, their relationship is certainly underdeveloped in that game, yet I don’t believe that there’s nothing there. I just like them 💗 but you don’t have to, of course, just sharing my two cents! I know I’m not changing minds, especially about these two, but that’s my interpretation.
OoT Zelink was my first ship, ever since I was like 7 so I do disagree with you there too. I know Malon x Link is a popular fan theory that people love to act like it’s canon when it’s not, there’s a lot of evidence against them. Like Hero’s Shade being a knight, his grave in the castle, TP Link isn’t the owner of the ranch, he’s the only Hylian in Ordon and him knowing Epona’s song just means he has ties to the past hero not Malon because that song was important to OoT Link because of Epona, not Malon #horsegirl. Like sure it could be but honestly even if it is, I don’t really care about them. Malon is a cute character, but she’s not a deep or interesting one. OoT Link spends his time looking for Zelda, interacting with her as Sheik, and caring about her. Their relationship is the one that matters there so even if theirs is a tragic love story, that’s the one I ship the most. Also, the fact that she shows up in Majora’s Mask only to say that she feels like she’s known him forever, will never forget him and can’t wait to see him again. Maybe they’re endgame, maybe they’re not but the game definitely points to how impactful they were to each other.
Oh and for BotW, that whole game is about their love story. They go from duty bound to the only ones who understand each other to Link dying for her, Zelda sacrificing herself for him, her waiting 100 years and then Link wanting to see her smile once more. That’s why we got that “weird” Zelda smile at the end, because that’s what Link wished to see once more since the minute he understood what happened 😅
To me, Zelink was always real and SS and its manga made it even more canon that they are two souls bound for eternity to meet and love each other 😊 that’s why it’s called The Legend of Zelda and why Link does what he does every game. It’s all part of Hylia’s plan!
This was a well thought out argument. Kudos!
Hearing your thoughts on OoT Zelink, I think you have a great point. I'd probably keep them kinda low personally, but probably one tier up.
Thank you for the insightful discussion.
Zelink in OoT/MM is literally impossible for a very simple reason: The Hero of Twilight isn't royalty or even nobility. There's only about a hundred years between OoT/MM and TP so there's no way for the Hero of Twilight to have fallen that far in status. People headcanon that the Hero of Time hooked up with Malon simply because it makes the most sense. It's either her or some rando.
@@Zelenal Except we can headcanon a million and one reasons why they could have had children with different people and then come back together. Or we can even say someone stole a royal baby a la Rapunzel and that’s why TP Link is in Ordon. That’s just as valid.
There’s also actually no real evidence in game that TP and OoT are related by blood. That came after in a book that is not actually canon (official =/= canon). They’re written by the same people who did the manga and only approved by Nintendo, which the mangas also are. It has it’s fair share of inconsistencies.
OoT Link and Zelda have sweet moments together that sets them up for building a relationship. As Sheik eloquently puts it, “Time passes, people move. Like a river's flow, it never ends. A childish mind will turn to noble ambition. Young love will become deep affection.” Plus, they have their destiny and ancestors that bind them together forever.
Malon x Link don’t have any of that. People who headcanon them usually had a crush on Malon themselves or think that Link deserves a “quiet life”, which is also a self fulfilling wish. It’s similar to the people who ship Sidon x Link. They self insert, rather than following through with the story. Nintendo wants people to come up with their own narrative, which is why we have the open world games now. You can interact with as much or as little with the story as you’d like. It’s completely valid. But Link and Zelda are canonically the couple since the 80s.
Tetra from WW it is cannon that she and Link became a thing.
Sure they hang out a lot of go trough a lot, but WW Zelda/Tetra is the only Zelda that canonically has kids, because in Spirit Tracks, the Zelda there is a descendant of the WW Zelda.
Still not solid proof, but by proses of elimination, all her other crew mates are accounted for with descendants of their own, except Niko who shows up to dump lore on you.
There is evidence that WW Link never got with anyone. Niko has Link's family heirloom, the Minish Cap shield, which WW Link inherited.
@@Cretaceous158 That doesn't necessarily mean anything. The games are a long time apart, many things can happen, especially with the entire Kingdom moving to a new land.
On the other hand, since the Hero's soul doesn't exist in that timeline, it doesn't really matter anyway. There is no need for the two Links to even be related.
2:08 Wrong. He becomes a knight of Hyrule as an adult and has a child canonically. He is also not a Stalfos, he's a Big Poe. He literally has the same transparent rotting skin texture as the Big Poes in Arbiter's Grounds. But TP Link is canonically his descendant, and is very obviously NOT royal blood. In fact it's implied OoT Link marries Malon, and based on the location of Ordon Village compared to ToT, it may even be that Ordon Village was built around Lon Lon Ranch.
2:52 It's implied by the Royal Guard Trainee Uniform literally being WW Link's outfit that Link either married Tetra and became the First King of New Hyrule or became captain of the Royal Guard, though based on how only a handful of Hylians got to new Hyrule at that time and Link and Tetra are the only Crew Members other than Niko around the same age, it's almost guaranteed that WW Link and Zelda got together. I also suspect that Spirit Tracks Link is Aryl's grandson due to the fact he's not in the Royal Family (though does work closely with them), and the fact he's identical to WW Link.
FS and Minish Cap Zelda I would put in Probably. "Absolutely" should only be for ones we have confirmation or heavy implications they start dating in some capacity. Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, and BotW are the only three we basically can guarantee get with their Zeldas.
5:17 I think the implications is that Link would have gotten with Midna if she kept the Mirror of Twilight in tact, but with her gone permanently I think Nintendo kinda pushed that he gets with Illia.
9:13 What's funny is that had Mipha survived the calamity Link almost certainly would have ended up with HER rather than Zelda, but TotK Zelda literally shares a bed with Link.
10:33 I'm pretty sure it's implied Cartoon Link and Zelda are married by their appearances in Captain N: The Game Master.
11:04 CDI Zelda would be in Absolutely Not, honestly. She's kind of a bitch and Link is really annoying about wanting a Kiss from Zelda. The relationship as a result is VERY one-sided, which could be said about Cartoon Zelda too, but she does have moments where she and Link have really cute moments, and are either Dating or Married by the time of Captain N.
I like how you put Spirit Tracks Zelda in "absolutely" because they held hands, but the two who literally kiss him onscreen are put in "probably."
It's like anime logic lmao
"Link already had a girlfriend in Twilight Princess"
I 100% thought you were talking about Midna.
I know this is like a year later - but Link's Adventure Link (Zelda 2), you actually can read the book and thus are the future King...so..good thing that sleeping Zelda likes him
Spirit Tracks is arguably the only game where any sort of romance is confirmed (or heavily hinted at). They have incredible chemistry, constantly blush when near each other, and then they hold hands at the end!!! That's not just a small peck on the cheeks or fluttering their eyes at each other, that is HARD FACTS! Best Zelda game for a reason.
Regarding Four Sword Zelda, I'm fairly certain the Zelda from the original Four Sword (the extra game was was in the cartridge of LtTP on the GBA) and the Zelda from Four Swords Adventure (the Gamecube game) are two different Zeldas. Because there's a huge gap between the two games according to the official timeline. Four Sword was chronologically the third Zelda (occuring after Skyward Sword and Minish Cap) while Four Swords Adventure officially occurs after the timeline split of Ocarina of Time in the Child Timeline.
So while Four Swords Adventure Zelda, as you noted, does have romantic sounding dialogue, it doesn't directly determine if the original Four Sword Zelda looked at Link the same way. I actually reviewed Four Swords two scenes with Zelda just now (the opening and the ending), in that game she does seem to be someone Link knows as she brought him with her to investigate the shrine, but there really isn't a single line that indicates what their relationship is. (Is Link her friend? Bodyguard? The game doesn't specify anything like that.)
My comment's a year late, but hey, you've been blessed by the algorithm.
2:01 dude don't say that as a fact. That's just a theory. I'm personally more so of the belief that he got together with Malon and nothing else happened. He lived his life, honing his skill, having regrets and all the sorts. Him getting with Malon would explain why TP Link has a ranch farm lifestyle and stuff, but still: Both are just theories.
Lol in Hyrule Warriors Zelda will only specifically compliment Link by name and in the beginning cutscenes was gawking at him in the training yard, and even in the scene where you Rendezvous with her she said “YOU! I SAW YOU IN THR TRAINING YARD!” So she gets excited every time she sees him lol I would place it on probably or absolutely
Not to mention every time some one else that isn’t Link, thanks her for the compliment she basically goes “GET BACK TO WORK”
Oracle Zelda and Link are same as A Link to the Past Zelda and Link. Oracles takes time after ALttP, Gannon's minions are trying to resurrect him.
I feel like "absolutely not" should have been "probably not". And "probably not" should have been "maybe".
Like, "They didn't interact a lot" doesn't mean they'll never end up together. That's like saying you would never end up with someone you have just met. You wouldn't know, you just met, there is no actual reason against it.
One of my biggest annoyances with Link is: Not only does practically every major female NPC fall head over heals for him (and some male ones, too, even if in more of a best buds/sworn brother kind of way), he seems almost incapable of acknowledging those feelings. I kind of get it's part of the whole "player as Link" blank slate, but it's kind of irksome that the player doesn't really get the choice in that case, or that Link just kind of acts confused, surprised, or (in Telma's case) grossed out. The one time they give the player the option to choose to profess love to a character is the Item Check girl in SS and even if you click all of the dialogue options to affirm your interest, she brushes it off as politeness. It's one reason why I'm glad TotK all but confirms a relationship between Link and Zelda.
"botw 2" had me dead
this video was made before TotK's official name reveal.
@@Rot8erConeX oh. lol. I thought he was making a joke about it being basically botw DLC
@@Rot8erConeX TOTK name was revealed during late 2022, this video was posted during early 2023.
I think most of the absolutely ones are more probably, Skyward Sword seems to the only one that suggests a romantic relation more than a heroic loyal friend.
TP Zelda is a very official ruler of her government, Link is only a soldier or knight of her kingdom.
Does he not know they live together in tears?
I agree with most of the list, but I don't get the rationale behind putting the kissers in "probably" while the childhood friends are in "definitely;" just because people are friends doesn't mean they're going to develop romantic feelings for each other, but a kiss is a romantic act in and of itself.
Yeah, in what world is hand-holding more romantic than a kiss?
The algorithm has blessed you.
The weird thing is that NES Link is destined to become king after the events of Zelda II.
So the question really becomes, does he get with Zelda 1 Zelda or Sleeping Zelda?
You were absolutely on point with the TOTK prediction. Yeah, I agree with most of these. The only one I'm not totally sure on, that is strictly from the games at least, is Wind Waker. Tetra and Link do have a strong connection, but idk, they never fully felt like they have something going on? At least to me. They could, yes, so that's why I'd put her at the bottom of "probably" or at the top of "probably not".
"In every game" (includes her appearance in the cartoons)
ALTTP Zelda and Link have been confirmed to be in a relationship. Look up the ALBW rumor guy. Also depending if you think the oracle games are the same Link and Zelda that's confirmation too as she kisses him with hearts over their heads. EDIT: Wait how do you know about the rumor guy but don't remember Zelda is swooning over her past ancestor getting together with her chosen knight? Zelda wants a romance with her own knight just like the previous zelda had a romance with hers (the Link and Zelda from ALTTP)
3:40 local play too, sync it to your smartphone
Hyrule Warriors story is based on Link always ending up with Zelda…Cia and Lana are canonically jealous of her, so how is Zelda in that game “probably not”, when the story hinges on it? 😂 They don’t have a ton of time together but the story revolves literally around them always ending up together, which means it’s implying strongly that they will as well. Should go in “probably”, though yeah, it’s not an “absolutely”
And Breath of the Wild and Tears of The Kingdom are the same Zelda, so if it’s “absolutely” in one it’s the same in the other. Zelda only starts off indifferent to him but eventually falls for him, and will lead to her in TOTK. Maybe you can say “probably” in Age of Calamity since some things happen differently there and Mipha is still alive in that one, but BOTW and TOTK events follow each other directly in the same timeline.
OoT Zelda should at least move to “probably not”….on the child timeline, anyway. 1st of all, Link does not die as a stalfos in the Losr Woods. While Malon is more likely, it’s not impossible either that Zelda and Link could’ve ended up together. Malon isn’t absolutely confirmed and we don’t truly know TP Links origins outside of him being blood related to OoT Link. It’s enough wiggle room where we can’t absolutely deny it and there is some romantic tension between OoT Link and Zelda there, which could imply they might get together in the child timeline eventually, and at the end of MM or later he could’ve returned to Zelda. In her one cutscene in MM, she does show a closeness with him and an obvious desire to see him again. OoT manga and even official OoT 3D promotional manga pages also point to Link and Zelda in those games. Even if we’re just talking about the games, it’s also endorsed and allowed by Nintendo. But of course, it’s impossible in the adult timeline, and I’d still give the edge to Malon.
Also, a “maybe/could go either way” category would probably help a list like this. I’d put ALBW/ALTTP in categories like that. ALBW Link and Zelda parallel Ravio/Hilda, and the paintings and gossip as you said. ALTTP Link thought Marin was Zelda at first in LA, so there may be something there too.
if skyward sword link and zelda get together, wouldn't minish cap link and zelda be cousins?
Skyward Sword can have you make Link be "interested" in that shopkeeper lady, which makes Fi comment that you probably shouldn't tell Zelda. So it's actually a player agency thing where you can pick if it's "Absolutely" or "Absolutely Not."
Also, Spirit Tracks is an amazing game. Go play it.
Totk is practically confirmed yes.
Also lttp and oracle zelda are the same zelda
Honestly I'd have to say absolutely not to Wind Waker Link and Tetra/Zelda. In Spirit Tracks which takes place 100 years later Link and Zelda seem like complete strangers at the start of the game. True 100 years is long but still not long enough for their descendants to completely forget each other if Link and Tetra got together.
Plus the Link in Zelda 2 is the Link from Zelda 1, just later on. But the Zelda is a different Zelda. Seems pretty clear Link didn't get with Zelda 1.
Though whether someone from so long in the past who will likely be mourning the death of her lover and everyone she ever cared about will be ready for a relationship is a bit more shaky. She may kiss him after just waking up.
Still, I do think the rating is probably okay, since there's at least some sign of attraction. Plus maybe they "get together" right then and then break it off later.
I see your reasoning for Skyward Sword Zelda
However
Item Girl
If Wind Waker Zelda and Link became a thing, Spirit Tracks Zelda and Link would be cousins to some degree, right? I feel like most of the other Zelda games are un-related to one another or set far enough part they'd be more distantly related at most, but I swear Spirit Tracks is set a hundred or within a hundred years of Wind Waker.
ST Link isn't related to WW Link
You don't need semantics for Zelda 1... Zelda 2 is the same Link but a different Zelda, and that one ranking as Absolutely is sound (at those graphics, a mutual kiss is as good as a confirmation), so by definition Zelda 1 doesn't hook up.
8:28 i thought they were siblings? Or maybe the dark hair girl is Links surprise sister… im going to go dig out my AlttP manga brb
After checking… ya probably gets with Zelda but dark hair isn’t Confirmed Sister but likely cousin or something.(if Link is last Knight decedent but she also Knight decedent they likely related)
I still liked to believe that Zelda and Link fall under the “reincarnated lovers” trope. They don’t always get together but they’re so intertwined that it’s inevitable that they do more than once
And unpopular opinion, Twilight Princess Zelink is my favorite mostly because I was first introduced to the Zelda characters/franchise through Melee and Brawl, and after playing Subspace Emissary I really loved their interactions together. Followed after that, Twilight Princess was my first Zelda game and while they don’t interact much, their interactions always feel so genuine and intimate (not necessarily romantic) but it’s clear they have a sense of trust and respect for each other. Also, I do wanna mention at the end of the game in the post credits you do see Link leaving Ordon. So who knows, there’s an off chance that maybe, just maybe they got to interact with each other post game
The Ruto engagement doesn’t, doesn’t count
I will make it count.
When you look at the trends. Toon link gets the girl and older link doesnt lmao
Can I ask y’all in the comments why you believe TP Link is confirmed to be OoT Link’s descendant? Not that I disagree, but I don’t remember it being confirmed anywhere.
It is confirmed in the game that TP link is the descendant of the Hero’s Shade who is OoT link
when you're the biggest zelda content creator I'll be able to say I was watching before it was cool
SPIRIT TRACKS LINK AND ZELDA MENTIONED
I love them, but since wind waker and skyward sword Link and Zelda are canon, shouldn’t those two be first?
in oracle link gets togerther with the maku tree
What about Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Zelda? Wasn't Mipha tots hot for Link, too? Would he have fallen for Mipha had she lived or wound up with Zelda anyways?
Mipha’s diary is pretty clear that the moment Link pulls the sword, he pulls away and doesn’t ever really open up with her and “looks past her”. She spends her time pining after him, implying she’s jealous of how much time he and Z are spending together, and then when making the “engagement” armor she kinda outright says that she doesn’t even know how he will take it.
In Zelda’s diary, we learn he actually does open up to Zelda. These two are intertwined, I don’t think LinkxMipha was possible as long as the calamity happened.
Triforce Heroes Zelda? :3
i used to tell everyone zelda and link were first cousins in ocarina of time just because the ship was so bad (i was like 10)
That is actually a fan theory of mine. The identity of Link's parents is completely unexplored in the game, but I like to think that the non-romantic Link and Zelda relations are because of familial ties.
oot child link didn't died. in tp it is stated he had descendants.
Ilia is not a piece of cardboard. She’s a great character. Anyone who doesn’t like her just doesn’t get her.
Ok this is one of the best ZeLink videos I've seen in a while good job! I also I have a lot to comment about each ship so here you go:
Spirit Tracks: Ok so THANK YOU for putting this ship above Skyward Sword. A lot of people put Skyward Sword ZeLink above Spirit Tracks and while that ship is cute, Spirit Tracks actually has Zelda accompany Link on his journey and you get to see how they go from awkwardly smiling when meeting each other for the first time, to developing a close friendship and (possibly) a romance.
Ocarina/Majora: Ok so I'm kind of split between this one. I personally ship Link with Malon but after reading the manga and watching "Hero's purpose," I'm not against the idea of them ending up together after Majora's Mask.
Link to the past: While this ZeLink is cute in the manga, Marin exists. That's all I need to say
A Link Between Worlds: I'm with you. Ravio and Hilda have way better chemistry than Link and Zelda in this game. Also I ship Link with Irene.
BOTW/TOTK: I'm also with you on this one. I like Mipha and Link more than Link and Zelda pre-calamity but after Calamity, I can see them together.
Twilight Princess: Yes, ZeLink makes no sense here and they're a lot more professional in this game, but you forgot my girl MIDNA! Midna's a lot more interesting than Illia, and Midna actually is with Link through out most of the game. Also Link and Midna kiss in the manga (I know it's not canon but I don't care).
That's all I got to say :)
I'm glad you agree with most of my placements.
Yes Skyward Sword is a "given" but Spirit Tracks does feel better developed.
I know I forgot Midna but the Ilia relationship was such a massive part of the story I figured it took more precedence. Although Midna would've been next best ship.
LinkxIrine in LBW is a good one!
Manga LttP was such a good cute ship. Unfortunately wasn't really there in the game
TL;DR thanks for enjoying the video.
@@andyblargextra You're welcome :)
@@Lady_ETHNE I think you meant Link's awakening instead of AlltP.
And yeah OoT is.. difficult. I am a sworn ZeLink shipper for I think all games (yes even TP even if it doesn't make sense) but Malon is such a sweet girl and ... aaahhhh
3 way ship I guess it is. xD
@@fabi3790 no I didn’t get them mixed up. the Link in alttp is the same one from la
@@Lady_ETHNE ohhh ok
Hold hands: absolutely
Kiss: probably
Almost kiss: absolutely
Wait what? Haha
that's not really it. kissing someone doesn't mean you'll get together, again zelda 2 link and zelda don't interact outside of that kiss, meanwhile spirit tracks link and zelda interact and bond with each other, and the cartoon links and zeldas also interact and bond with each other all the time, those almost kisses and handholding feel more romantic than zelda 2's kiss due to that reason, it was probably just as a thank you or something
Twilight Princess: Zelda and Link both have more chemistry with Midna and the only way Zelda and Link get together is if Midna runs a polycule and they definitely don't appreciate having to share.
I don't think WW Link x Zelda is canon considering in Spirit Tracks, Niko says that ST Link looks like an old friend of his. You'd think he'd have more to say about his former king
ALBW Link definitely doesn't get together with Zelda considering it's confirmed that he screws off to Hytopia at some point after ALBW
Oracle Link and Zelda are the same as ALTTP Link and Zelda
Not really since Niko knew Wind as Link first and I honestly doubt he'd be so formal about his former swabbie.
Remember, all Zeldas are descendant of each other, so, every Link who is descendant of other Link is a hell no, this is not Fire Emblem. So:
- OoT is no, Link don't exist anymore for Adult Timeline, and died in Fallen hero, The only he's still alive is in child era, and also can't happen because of Twilight Link. For being a descendant of the hero of time, in the child era, Zelda didn't have much interaction with him in this timeline and Ruto never married him, but in Majora's Mask Link had Epona, to get her you have to interact with Malon in OoT, so TLink also having Epona and being a farmer boy, implies he is a descendant of Malon too.
- Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass could be also a no, because Link has a special shield passed by generations, and what games that same shield appears? Minish Cap and Four Swords, meaning the Link from FS is a descendant from the Hero of Minish, and the Hero of Winds is a descendant of the Four Sword's Link. So if any of that two games Link has a relation with Zelda, the following games shouldn't have.
I love Malon too
epic
yaaay also someone who isn't a fan of Ilya
@@fabi3790 if Ilya has zero haters I'm dead
I also don't like her.
Midna all the way!
It's impossible for OOT Zelda because Malon is too powerful! lol Malink confirmed! 🤪
I agree with this list
ToTK to me killed Zelink.
That Link was soooo uninterested about Zelda losing her humanity that I believe he just saves her to get his payment.
Zelda is his driving force. He's quite literally only fighting to find and save her, and even the Regional Phenemeonas are just a clues to finding her, so what are you talking about?
@@annieandelsieofarendelle3294 his nonchalant attitude after finding she has lost all her person-hood.
He gets more emotional over spoiled food.
@@tarnw3301 He wasn't non-chalant about it. If you look closely at his expressions, he was on the verge of breaking down until he heard Zelda's roar which reminded him that crying will solve nothing. Zelda put all her faith in him and he needs to do everything he can to fulfill her wish and that's even in the Japanese Diary.
We also see when after getting the Master Sword memory, Link is quiet and solemn, not triumphant. He even briefly stares at the blade before sheathing it. It also should be noted, that after she drops off, we aren't allowed to regain control for a whole 10 seconds for no real reason as Link just stares at the Light Dragon.
In the ending, we also see Link is desperate to save Zelda and when he does, you can see he is still in shock over all that just happened, but he never once takes his eyes off Zelda.
And remember even after finding out Zelda is the Light Dragon, the mission doesn’t change to her being found. It’s only changed when Zelda is Zelda again.
Also, what pay? Zelda doesn't pay Link. He chooses to continue guarding her out of the kindness of his heart.
@@annieandelsieofarendelle3294 yep, totally the dude that gets sad about spoiled food is at the verge of a super subtle breakdown, sure.
This is his face -_-
He is probably wondering who is paying his next cheque.
@@tarnw3301 Again Link doesn’t get paid. He stays with Zelda because he wants to and by that same token he must not give a darn about any of the Champions, Ganon, or anyone he meets while on the road including his friends. Do I admit they could’ve made him more expressive? Yes. That’s honestly my main complaint about the Wild’s Era in general, but despite my feelings, I know he does care and even love Zelda from evidence in-game like his journals and his adventures.
As for why he gets super sad about his spoiled food, that’s more for comedic purposes so that isn’t really a good argument.
Tbh I would put TotK at "absolutely not" solely for the way Link just dumps Zelda on the ground at the end of the game. I believe Zelda absolutely has romantic feelings for Link but that cutscene alone (and also all the times in BotW where it feels like Link is just straight up not listening to Zelda) convinced me that he protects Zelda because its his job, not because he has feelings for her in return. Like he can't even be bothered to help her sit up.
He doesn't dump Zelda on the ground. He's actually very gentle and if you look closely he's actually getting ready to grab her when she starts to stand up. Also, did you just miss the entire sequence beforehand of him diving to catch and holding her tightly against his chest before bridal carrying her to safety? As for why, he didn't help her up sit up, he's clearly still in shock that any of this is even happening and she was too quick.
Also, I'll just copy what I put down for someone else that waste more time:
At the start of their relationship, you might've been right. However, it's shown multiple times throughout both games, that overtime Link did come to care about Zelda as a person not a princess.
He was willing to risk death just to be comfort she needed when the world was falling apart around them.
He was willing to throw away his duty as the Hero of Hyrule to protect her, despite her pleas for him to run.
He was a comfort to her in the past, even neglecting his duties to be her friend and listen to her.
He shared his deepest, darkest secrets to her when he wouldn't even do that with his best friend since childhood.
The only reason he was trying to save Hyrule was to see her smile again.
He was willing to search the four regions of Hyrule just to find any fain clue of where she could be.
He remained by her side despite having no incentive to do so. There was no kingdom or king and Zelda is a princess by courtesy, so no one could bind him to her, and yet he continued to fight and stay by her side.
Then there's just the little things, he's done for her that prove he's more thanjust a knight and this more than just a job.
He mentions in his log how he thinks Zelda's beautiful and has a lovely voice.
In the past, he taught her how to console her horse.
Urbosa mentions that he came far quicker to Vah Naboris than she would've assumed and that his presence makes Zelda happy.
Impa mentions how he's a comfort to her.
He bridal carries her into an open field and looked ready to grab her in case she fell.
Also Paya mentions how she thinks Link is love with Princess Zelda, so clearly he does have feelings for her.
As for TotK:
Link has never left Zelda's side despite him having no incentive to stay at her side.
He only calms down with Rauru when Zelda's name is mentioned.
He's called Zelda's Chosen Protector.
Link goes everywhere to find the scarcest hint of Zelda.
When Zelda is falling into the chasm, Link tosses aside the Master Sword to try and save her and loudly gasps when he doesn't.
He jumps in front of her without another thought for himself when Ganondorf unleashes his gloom.
He refuses to accept that Zelda is just trapped as a dragon.
Link apparently gave Zelda his house with the implication they actually live together.
It's mentioned that because he's always protecting Zelda, his tunic has started to deteriorate that Zelda had to get another Champion's Tunic for him.
It's mentioned his only real reason for facing Kohga is so he can find any information about Zelda in Japanese Log.
He's that one that Rauru and Sonia channel their power into to reverse Zelda's transformation that Zelda described as 'warm and loving' in English.
Link dives to save Zelda without another thought for himself, and if you look closely you can see Link preparing to take a brunt of the fall damage and even holds Zelda against his chest.
He bridal carries her to an open field and doesn't take his eyes off her once.
His only reason for defeating Ganondorf is because it was Zelda's wish and even that's second to his want to find Zelda.
The Zelda puppet was very seductive and while he was probably aware it was a puppet, he continued to follow it throughout the castle.
Link admits to Ashai that he has found someone special and it's implied to be Zelda.
Other evidence:
Any potential alternate love interests have either been paired off or dead.
The Dream House is said to be popular amongst newlywed couples or soon-to-be engaged ones. There's even a study that Link can add if the player chooses that hints at Zelda since it's said to be used for alone time which is what the Well is for.
Zelda is still clearly in love with Link.
I get choosing to interpret their relationship as non-romantic (I like to headcanon it as a queerplatonic thing), but they are definitely friends at the absolute minimum. They very unambiguously care about each other! The fact that they have a close bond is hammered in repeatedly!