New Link Incoming? Zelda Producer Hints at Series Evolution

The Legend of Zelda franchise has seen incredible success with *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom*, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Nintendo Switch. While Princess Zelda has recently taken center stage in titles like *Echoes of Wisdom*, fans are also wondering if Link might undergo a significant transformation in future installments. Could we see a female Link, or perhaps a completely new type of hero emerge in Hyrule?

Aonuma's Hints: A New Kind of Hero? The possibility of a female Link isn't just wishful thinking. Eiji Aonuma, the producer of *Breath of the Wild*, has previously mentioned that Link doesn't necessarily need to be male. This idea gained traction after early trailers for *Breath of the Wild* showcased an androgynous-looking Link. While Link has always possessed a somewhat feminine appearance due to his youthful design, Aonuma's opened the door to the idea of a gender-swapped hero. In a 2017 interview, Aonuma even suggested the possibility of the protagonist being "radically different from what we’ve seen before." While this hasn't materialized yet, Nintendo's continued on the Wilds era makes sense given its overwhelming success. However, as the series evolves, a departure from the traditional Link could be on the horizon.

Linkle: A Fan-Favorite Waiting in the Wings The concept of a female Link isn't entirely new. Linkle, a female counterpart to Link, already exists within the Hyrule Warriors universe. Armed with twin crossbows and a unique fighting style, Linkle has resonated with many fans. Her design, incorporating elements of Link's iconic look, has proven popular. While a concept to make Linkle Link's sister was scrapped, she even unofficially appeared in *Breath of the Wild* through a popular mod. The mod, which replaced Link with Linkle and adapted the armor to fit her, garnered over 300,000 downloads on Game Banana, demonstrating a significant desire to play as a female Link.

Experimentation and the Future of Zelda *Breath of the Wild* itself was a significant departure from the established Zelda formula. The introduction of an open world, climbing mechanics, and a physics engine revolutionized the gameplay experience. Similarly, *Tears of the Kingdom* added constructs, *Hyrule Warriors* brought the IP to the Musou genre, and *Echoes of Wisdom* made Princess Zelda the protagonist. These experimental choices have paid off for Nintendo, pushing the franchise to new heights. With Linkle's pre-existing design, fighting style, and fan base, she could be the perfect candidate to lead the next chapter in the Legend of Zelda. Given Aonuma's past and the positive reception of *Echoes of Wisdom*, a more experimental approach to the series seems increasingly likely. The future of Zelda is bright, and the possibilities for its iconic hero are endless.