Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • GTA 6 pre-orders
  • Black Flag Resynched
  • New Games 2026
  • Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule
  • Best gaming gadgets
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Action
  3. The Legend of Zelda

12 reasons Link is kind of a jerk

Features
By John_Learned, Matt Bradford published 1 December 2013

Taking a hard look at Hyrule's beloved "hero"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Are we really in good hands?

To put it bluntly, Links really kind of a dick, and with the new Legend of Zelda on Wii U on everyone's minds, the truth has to come out about Hyrule's savior. What follows is a list of personality quirks that are more fitting for a sociopath than a mythical superstar. Maybe this is what we get for letting small, elfin children play with explosives. Or, maybe hes just born a jerk. Follow along and decide...

He gives everyone the silent treatment

Seriously, a lot of problems in the Legend of Zelda games could have been easily solved with a simple inquiry about how to, say, complete the Water Temple. Instead, Link's idiotic, aloof nature cost you both hours that youll never get back trying to solve it on your own.

He'll ditch his hero duties for pretty much anything

Link isn't the only hero that has trouble prioritizing. Not by a long shot. Side quests have led adventurers astray since the dawn of the adventure genre. But where other heroes have whole armies to pick up the slack in their absence, Link usually carries 99.9% of the responsibility in any given Zelda title. Surely he's aware of the stakes. He must know he's kind of a big deal. Given this, you'd think he'd stop farting around and get to business. But he won't. Why? Is it merely undiagnosed ADHD?

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot Challenges in emulating Zelda titles demonstrates the series' knack for reinvention
  • Photo of one of the Zelda Effectones sitting on a Zelda heart plate. The top 5 pieces of Zelda merch I wish I could still get my hands on
  • Link in The Legend of Zelda movie Link's leaked look from The Legend of Zelda movie is Twilight Princess-coded, with a bold new design choice

He has no concept of personal space

--AHHH WHO IS THAT KID IN THE GREEN TUNIC AND WHATS HE DOING BARGING IN HERE? No, I dont know him! AND NOW--oh, hell--NOW JUST THROWING ALL OF MY POTS AGAINST THE WALLS AND TAKING MY MONEY! Ok, go ahead, you little elf snot, take the cash! LORD KNOWS THAT SEXY BEAR RUGS ARE JUST LAYING AROUND AND...

...oh, where you going, baby?

He'll rob you blind without a second thought

True, heroes need money as much as regular folks. But judging by his habit of completely ignoring important quests for days, he could at least pick up a part time job to earn his rupees honestly like everyone else. At the very least, he can stick to slicing grass or exploring dungeons for cash like a respectable adventurer. All in all, there's no good reason Link needs to terrorize the good people of Hyrule for rupees. Unless... oh yeah... he's a dick.

Photo: WoodenNickelShorts

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Hell burn your roof just to see if youre inside:

There are other ways to satiate your domestic curiosity, Link. First step: knocking.

Photo: Legendary Elf Quest: Burning Bush

He'll terrorize your livestock for kicks

There is the odd time Link that legitimately needs to borrow a cucco to help snag an item or complete an impossible jump. That's when his chicken abuse is warranted. At least it's for the greater good and blah, blah, blah. But where a gentleman might take a few seconds to return said chick--er, cucco to their rightful owner, Link prefers to toss them aside willy-nilly and hope they find their way back home. What's that Link? Cuccos are fed up with your crap and finally attacking you en masse? Good. Dick.

You may like
  • The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot Challenges in emulating Zelda titles demonstrates the series' knack for reinvention
  • Photo of one of the Zelda Effectones sitting on a Zelda heart plate. The top 5 pieces of Zelda merch I wish I could still get my hands on
  • Link in The Legend of Zelda movie Link's leaked look from The Legend of Zelda movie is Twilight Princess-coded, with a bold new design choice

Hes probably macking on your girlfriend right now

Now, look, there's nothing wrong with flaunting it if you got it, and if two consenting adults want to rock the sheets, then que sera sera. But do you think for one second that he cares about the repercussions of those actions? Not a chance, friend. The dudes left Hyrule a sea of broken homes and crushed relationships, and all for the sake of a little siesta. World savior? Maybe. Dirt bag lothario? Absolutely.

He'd rather blast your wall then fix it

We get it; Link is saving the world and sacrifices have to be made. What we don't get is why Link can't peak in first to see if the damage is worth it, or at the very least chip in for repairs. After all, given his habit of chucking bombs wherever he damn well pleases, we're pretty sure Hyrule's insurance companies don't cover acts of Link. And heaven help you if you've invested in Goron real estate because you might as draw a target on every wall.

Hes always screwing with your sleep schedule

Found in the Ocarina of Time, the time-shifting tune freely grants Link the ability to change night into day whenever he feels like it. In his mind, our Alaskan brethren have it best with bright, constant sunlight for six months in a row, and if he can make it this way all the time, you can be damn sure he will. So what if the average Hyrulian farmer is unlucky enough to live through any sort of Ganondorf-led crisis? If Link cant sleep while saving the kingdom, neither will any poor schmuck residing in the same hemisphere. Sure, lack of sleep may explain a lot of Tingles hallucinogenic dialogue. Still, dick move, man.

He treats children like collectable trophies

No, Link picks him up by his feet and presents him to whatever god is controlling the whole shebang. He then deftly stuffs the child into his inventory sack like a burrito that he found in a dumpster. A class act, this guy.

He has no respect for the dead

Link's blatant disregard for the dead even extends to crypts and underground caverns. Again, Hyrulians have a weird habit of storing extremely useful items inside sacred places, but you'd think a "hero" would seek a family's blessing before desecrating Uncle Fitzroy's grave (or at the very least pay to bury him again). But not el-dicko, here. Frankly, we're surprised he doesn't spit on their corpses while he's at it.

But hes a smug, whiney child

Yes, the weekly animated Legend of Zelda television show existed, and essentially personified the worst offenders on this entire list making them horrifyingly manifest. Possibly the most terrible offense is that they took our largely mute hero and turned him into a person you wouldnt mind punching in the mouth during even your most Zen-like meditative states. Constantly whining and complaining while swiping what was once a legitimately funny catchphrase from Steve Martin makes us miss Link's blank stares. Even as dumb kids we could tell this show was bad, while today Link's annoying, animated characterization makes his other, more sociopathic flaws seem a lot more forgivable.

It's time to make a stand

Think about it.

This feature is paid for by the Moblin Foundation for the Return of Ganon. For more information, visit The Legend of Zelda memes: The best Zelda jokes and images we've seen.

CATEGORIES
Wii-u Nintendo Platforms
PRODUCTS
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Matt Bradford
Social Links Navigation

Matt Bradford wrote news and features here at GamesRadar+ until 2016. Since then he's gone on to work with the Guinness World Records, acting as writer and researcher for the annual Gamer's Edition series of books, and has worked as an editor, technical writer, and voice actor. Matt is now a freelance journalist and editor, generating copy across a multitude of industries. 

Read more
The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot
The Legend of Zelda Challenges in emulating Zelda titles demonstrates the series' knack for reinvention
 
 
Photo of one of the Zelda Effectones sitting on a Zelda heart plate.
Toys & Collectibles The top 5 pieces of Zelda merch I wish I could still get my hands on
 
 
Link in The Legend of Zelda movie
Live Action Movies Link's leaked look from The Legend of Zelda movie is Twilight Princess-coded, with a bold new design choice
 
 
Crimson Desert screenshot of Kliff cooking with a frying pan, with an orange On the Radar overlay
RPGs Crimson Desert is a questionable RPG but an excellent medieval life sim, and I fed Kliff bugs for 5 hours to prove it
 
 
Link rides Epona into battle in artwork for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda Zelda: Twilight Princess did what the N64 couldn't because Miyamoto really wanted horseback combat
 
 
Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers / Quack Attack promotional screenshots
Platforming Games Disney's forgotten Donald Duck PS2 game is harder than any FromSoftware title I've ever played
 
 
Latest in The Legend of Zelda
Link rides Epona into battle in artwork for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda Zelda: Twilight Princess did what the N64 couldn't because Miyamoto really wanted horseback combat
 
 
Official art for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda Eiji Aonuma tried to "graduate" from Zelda after Wind Waker, but Shigeru Miyamoto said otherwise
 
 
Linkle and Midna appear together in a modded version of Dusklight, the Zelda: Twilight Princess PC port
The Legend of Zelda Zelda: Twilight Princess PC port forced to change its name, and Nintendo has nothing to do with it
 
 
the legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time
The Legend of Zelda Nintendo is "obviously" having a meltdown over Ocarina of Time remake says ex-marketing lead
 
 
the legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time
The Legend of Zelda As The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time remake rumors swirl, Nintendo boss teases "titles beyond those already announced"
 
 
Link is shocked in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.
The Legend of Zelda WWE Champion Cody Rhodes "got a cease and desist from Nintendo" over using Zelda's Triforce on his gear
 
 
Latest in Features
GTA 6
Events & Conferences Wildcard Wishlist: 14 games we're desperate to see at Summer Game Fest 2026
 
 
Lego The Mandalorian's N1 Starfighter outlined in white against a plain background
Toys & Collectibles I review Lego for a living, and I think these are the best new Lego sets in May 2026
 
 
Edward Kenway wields his flintlock pistols on a ship in key art for Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, with the GamesRadar+ orange Big Preview frame
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced actor "just played the game" to return to Edward Kenway
 
 
A destroyer from Marathon looking head-on, with a pale blue sky behind
FPS Games Killing Marathon would be self-sabotage for Sony
 
 
Bob Odenkirk as Ulysses in Normal
Action Movies Bob Odenkirk and John Wick creator's new movie isn't just an action flick – it also has a surprising amount of heart
 
 
Cities of Sigmar Cogfort box on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming If you miss weird old Warhammer, the new Cities of Sigmar models are for you
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Subnautica 2 character with shocked expression
    1
    Valve veteran's suggestion for Krafton CEO as Subnautica 2 goes to the moon: maybe try ChatGPT again
  2. 2
    The next 25 years of Xbox will see "more change" than "the 25 years that got us here"
  3. 3
    PlayStation reportedly confirms end of PC support for major single-player games
  4. 4
    Spectre star Lea Seydoux was "sad" Bond was bought by Amazon, but had a change of heart when Denis Villeneuve signed on
  5. 5
    Duffer Brothers debunk Stranger Things theory, joke they'll reveal Eleven's fate "20 years from now"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...