There's No Reason Link Can't Be A Girl

[WolfOD64]

When it came to Link, I was mainly thinking of things like Mass Effect or Halo Reach which allow you to choose the gender for your character.

I'm totally open for a Zelda game starring Zelda herself, and even a Gannondorf spinoff.

I'd be compelled to agree with you, except that Nintendo has gone out of their way by saying that Link was never intended as an avatar in later games like Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker. Each Link was supposed to bring something unique to the table, demonstrating traits that would give each version his own look/feel.

And that crashes headlong with the idea in RPG's like Mass Effect, which offer a chance to the player to shape not only Shepard, but his entire world: his armor, his story, his relationship with his shipmates....etc.

Until we get a Zelda that has the depth and customization of an actual RPG, we have to settle with playing as characters...and our options boil down to either Zelda or Link. Personally, I'm voting for Zelda.

 

[ArabPikachu]

I'd say it's better for Nintendo to make a reincarnated Link that keeps their original sex while wearing facial hair in a new LoZ game; After all, it was sufficient for Ganon.

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

 

[Exejpgwmv]

I'd be compelled to agree with you, except that Nintendo has gone out of their way by saying that Link was never intended as an avatar in later games like Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker. Each Link was supposed to bring something unique to the table, demonstrating traits that would give each version his own look/feel.

And that crashes headlong with the idea in RPG's like Mass Effect, which offer a chance to the player to shape not only Shepard, but his entire world: his armor, his story, his relationship with his shipmates....etc.

Until we get a Zelda that has the depth and customization of an actual RPG, we have to settle with playing as characters...and our options boil down to either Zelda or Link. Personally, I'm voting for Zelda.

That maybe so, but making Link a female for a game or two, or giving us the option to choose between genders, is not a inherently bad idea.
It's certainly not on the level of FemaleThor, since it actually makes sense that Link could be a female every reincarnation or so.

And the "unique" thing Link brings to the table wouldn't need to be gender specific either.

 

[WolfOD64]

It's certainly not on the level of FemaleThor, since it actually makes sense that Link could be a female every reincarnation or so.

Technically, Link could reincarnate as a female...since Skyward Sword outlined the prerequisites for being reincarnated as the next Link, which is to posses the "spirit of the hero".

 

[Chancey289]

Technically, Link could reincarnate as a female...since Skyward Sword outlined the prerequisites for being reincarnated as the next Link, which is to posses the "spirit of the hero".

It works within canon like I said. There is no reason he couldn't happen to be born female for once. Link is pretty androgynous already.

 

[KRSkull]

If they can reincarnate Princess Zelda as Petra in Wind Waker. I don't see anything wrong with Link reincarnated as a girl.

 

[King-Sess]

If they can reincarnate Princess Zelda as Tetra in TWW, I don't see anything wrong with Link being reincarnated as a girl.

Except she was still a girl. :/

Tbh, they should just leave Link's gender alone entirely.
A better idea would be to have a gender option where the female character is like Link, but isn't actually him.

Hyrule Warriors had a similar idea, but it was scrapped unfortunately.

Also, like the OP said, Link is already pretty androgynous, so what would be the point in changing his gender?

That was a rhetorical question, there isn't a point.

 

[Chancey289]

My point is just allowing the option to change Link's gender if the player so wished. It all still fits within canon, and could still totally work.

 

[King-Sess]

My point is just allowing the option to change Link's gender if the player so wished. It all still fits within canon, and could still totally work.

And my point is that they shouldn't change his gender because he's already established as male.

Would a option to pick a male protagonist (Link) and a female protagonist that is essentially the female equivalent to Link not be enough to satisfy you?

And don't take this as me being sexist, I just don't think that we should be altering the genders of established characters.
(even if we're still giving an option)

 

[Chancey289]

And my point is that they shouldn't change his gender because he's already established as male.

Would a option to pick a male protagonist (Link) and a female protagonist that is essentially the female equivalent to Link not be enough to satisfy you?

And don't take this as me being sexist, I just don't think that we should be altering the genders of established characters.
(even if we're still giving an option)

There is no rule stating he's always going to be a male. And that Hyrule Warriors character was a female version of Link they wanted to include at last minute.

Like Pokemon, Mass Effect, etc. Just allowing this kind of option is nothing but an extension of the concept Link was created upon, and it would be a nice change of pace. I also wouldn't mind a steampunk or cyberpunk like Zelda title. I love Zelda, I really do, but the series needs to change up more often.

 

[King-Sess]

There is no rule stating he's always going to be a male. And that Hyrule Warriors character was a female version of Link they wanted to include at last minute.

Like Pokemon, Mass Effect, etc. Just allowing this kind of option is nothing but an extension of the concept Link was created upon, and it would be a nice change of pace. I also wouldn't mind a steampunk or cyberpunk like Zelda title. I love Zelda, I really do, but the series needs to change up more often.

But my question is why do you want to change his gender so badly?
It doesn't make any sense and seems like some sort of garbage that Tumblr would spit out.

Yeah, your point? Why can't they do the same with the main series?

Except in Pokemon you have two different protagonist to choose from, not two different genders of the same character.

If the series had two different protagonist, then the pace would be changed.

And does Zelda Wii U not ring any bells?

 

[Chancey289]

But my question is why do you want to change his gender so badly?
It doesn't make any sense and seems like some sort of garbage that Tumblr would spit out.

Yeah, your point? Why can't they do the same with the main series?

Except in Pokemon you have two different protagonist to choose from, not two different genders of the same character.

If the series had two different protagonist, then the pace would be changed.

And does Zelda Wii U not ring any bells?

I do love the fact Zelda is going open world for once.

And I just simply think it would be cool and a nice change of pace I don't see the big deal. Yet some people are so viciously against it. I got this article featured on the website, and the comments were just filled with cancerous stupidity.

 

[King-Sess]

I do love the fact Zelda is going open world for once.

And I just simply think it would be cool and a nice change of pace I don't see the big deal. Yet some people are so viciously against it. I got this article featured on the website, and the comments were just filled with cancerous stupidity.

I'm certainly looking forward to it.

- - -

I'm not necessarily "viciously" against it, rather that I don't see the point or reasoning in altering the gender of an established character regardless of an option or not.

As I've said before, I'm perfectly fine with a gender option between a male protagonist (Link) and a similar female protagonist because you'd still essentially be getting a female Link, just not actually "Link" himself.

Also, I do apologize if I came off as rude or condescending at any point during this discussion.

 

[Chancey289]

I'm not necessarily "viciously" against it, rather that I don't see the point or reasoning in altering the gender of an established character regardless of an option or not.

As I've said before, I'm perfectly fine with a gender option between a male protagonist (Link) and a similar female protagonist because you'd still essentially be getting a female Link, just not actually "Link" himself.

Also, I do apologize if I came off as rude or condescending at any point during this discussion.

Not you, I was talking about the comments on my article on Gamenesia.

 

[King-Sess]

Not you, I was talking about the comments on my article on Gamenesia.

Oh, okay. My bad. XD

But if I did seem rude at any point, I do apologize.