A common mistake non-gamers make regardingThe Legend of Zeldaseries is thinking the main character is named Zelda. This clearly comes from the fact that Zelda is the titular character. This isn’t the only series to do something like this, as a bunch ofgames are named after characters you don’t control. That said, Zelda is the most famous example.
What’s interesting, though, is that the actual playable character, Link, also features in some of the game’s titles. Typically, it is done in a subtle way, meaning people who don’t know his name is Link won’t even notice it. Here is every time he’s made it into the title.
This collection doesn’t include remakes or ports of the same name.
Release Date
Jun 23, 2025
Link became a titular character in the second game of the series and the only main entry not to be called ‘The Legend of Zelda.’ That is only one of several things that make this game different from the others. A few other differences include its visual style and the fact it’s a side-scroller.
The adventure Link goes on in this one, though, does feel similar to other instalments. It revolves around him going on a quest to save Princess Zelda, which was the case for the original game and many since. However, this one does involve her being a victim of a sleeping spell, which makes it a little different.
July 08, 2025
The second entry to feature Link in the title is more of a traditional Zelda game called A Link To The Past. His presence in the title is more subtle this time around. After all, if you had no idea that the main protagonist was named Link, you wouldn’t know that any character other than Zelda featured in the name.
It’s a smart play on words that would become common in the series going forward. Yet, it would be smarter if the game involved some sort of time travel. It involves parallel worlds, but you don’t actually go back in time. Therefore, the title is a little misleading.
June 21, 2025
It’s fitting that this game is one of the few to feature Link in the title, as the other titular character doesn’t actually appear in the game. It’s a rare entry without either Zelda or Hyrule. Instead, Link is stranded on an Island named Koholint. It’s a pretty standard island, except for the fact that it’s guarded by a deity-like Wind Fish that is currently sleeping.
To escape the island, Link must figure out how to wake the creature. This is where the game’s title comes from. So, it is not a reference toLink’s tendency to start games by waking up from his slumber. However, this is one of the games where he does that.
Jun 06, 2025
Zelda is nowhere to be found in the title of this spin-off game. Therefore, Link gets to be the only titular character for once. This is mainly because this game was released at the same time as Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon.
They’re basically a duo, as they were developed simultaneously by the same developer. In The Faces of Evil, Link is the protagonist, and he goes on another adventure to save Princess Zelda and defeat Ganon. So, Zelda still plays a significant role in the game despite not being in the title.
July 18, 2025
Link’s Crossbow Training is very different from traditional Zelda games. After all, it’s a shooter in which Link takes down targets and enemies with his trusty crossbow. It doesn’t really have a story or an adventure - it’s just a series of levels where Link shoots at things.
Therefore, it makes sense that Zelda isn’t included in the title, as this is all about Link sharpening up his crossbow skills, ready for the next time he needs to save her and Hyrule.
June 12, 2025
The main entries stopped including Link in the game titles for many years. Yet, he made a roaring return in 2013’s A Link Between Worlds. This time, it’s a classic play on words, as much of the adventure revolves around Link switching between different worlds. So, he is literally a link between worlds.
These worlds are Hyrule and Lorule. The former is a much nicer and brighter place of the two. It’s also the one that Link is trying to save during the game, which also means rescuing the kidnapped Zelda once again.
