Poll: Should Link be female in the next Lengend Of Zelda

[NightmareExpress]

I don't see how it couldn't work, and it would be interesting to say the least.
Each Link is different from one another (a different person taking on the role of a predecessor), but is said to essentially be a reincarnation of "the embodiment of courage". Who is to say that it always has to be a male?

Though I think it would be equally interesting if there existed a game where Zelda was the protagonist and Link appeared periodically, after adventuring off-screen, to serve as a more side character. Him being mute could be a big issue, though...but before thinking of that, let's look at what Zelda can apparently do.

She knows how to use a sword, magic, bows and can take on a more bad-ass form if need be (Sheik)...why did Princess Peach get a game before her again (unofficial CD-I monstrosity excluded)?

 

[Something Amyss]

At this point, I'm rather indifferent.

I want to see more women in new franchises, but care little about whether old ones feature female leads.

I wouldn't be against it, and Link could certainly be a girl (given little actual continuity), but I'm not exactly going to hope for or demand it. However, it's fairly disheartening to see complaints against it or reasons why.

 

[Somebloke]

I never played any of the Zelda games and it took many many years, before I learned that "Zelda" wasn't that-girl-with-the-green-nightcap-from-the-adverts.

So... Was this prompted by this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmMQJMFL_I

 

[WanderingFool]

Well, seeing as its been mostly agreed upon that the Games in LoZ universe are not actual sequals (unless they actually are), but simply the same story being told in a different generation, I dont see why there shouldnt be a generation where Link ends up being a girl just once, just like I dont see a problem with there being one generation where Link can actually talk.

The only difficulty I see in this being a reality is the fan base. Fucking fans ruin everything...

*Edit*

I never played any of the Zelda games and it took many many years, before I learned that "Zelda" wasn't that-girl-with-the-green-nightcap-from-the-adverts.

So... Was this prompted by this?

Fixed because seriously, people have to watch this, its awesome

 

[TheRookie8]

How about a new protagonist? While I'm all for a strong female lead (more and more each day), have it be someone NEW. Give them a new background, a new quest, and some new weapons!

Have this new protagonist interact with other notable characters in the universe. This way, we can still tie it together with previously established games in the series.

Heck, if you pick a new character, you can even give them a VOICE! Because if it isn't Link, you won't squash people's interpretation of him.

I don't know if it can be done, but it would be interesting.

 

[Gearhead mk2]

How about optional gender choice? I mean, Link is a silent protagonist, so it shouldn't make a difference in the narrative.

This is a good idea, but then they are flirting with having romance in the Zelda series, and that might make things complicated. If they were going to do that they would probably remove all hints of romance to avoid controversy. Also there are a lot more models to make.

Still, I think it's the most interesting way to do it.

That's a good point, didn't think of that, but I'm sure they would find a way about it.

I'm all for this, actually. The romance thing, there's three options:
1) Have no romantic stuff at all.
2) Have Link's romantic subtext be with a new character that changes their gender dependent upon Links (eg Link is male and that character is female or vice versa).
3) Introduce LGBT characters and themes.

Personally, I would go with the third option, because we need more LGBT characters. Not counting player characters like Shepard, I can only think of two important bi characters off the top of my head, and even then one of them isn't offically out of the closet. I would love to see more of them.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Not really, having the gender switch alone doesn't really bring anything new to that game.

 

[Zeldias]

]I'd actually liked to see a Zelda game with Zelda as the main character. She has proven herself to be a capable fighter in several of the games, at least more so than someone like Princess Peach. Instead of items she could gain different spells to get around dungeons and solve puzzles. Just as Link has to face several trials to prove that he's a true hero, She should also be facing several trials to prove herself as well, or perhaps a more traditional setting where Link's the one in trouble and Zelda has to save him instead. I think this would be more of a breath of fresh air than just simply genderbending Link.

This. Zelda can be the adventurer, Link can be some prince, male damsel-in-distress type. Just making Link a woman is gonna feel a bit like a cop out, since it's still Link. Plus Zelda was pretty bad ass at the end of Twilight Princess.

 

[saintdane05]

]I'd actually liked to see a Zelda game with Zelda as the main character. She has proven herself to be a capable fighter in several of the games, at least more so than someone like Princess Peach. Instead of items she could gain different spells to get around dungeons and solve puzzles. Just as Link has to face several trials to prove that he's a true hero, She should also be facing several trials to prove herself as well, or perhaps a more traditional setting where Link's the one in trouble and Zelda has to save him instead. I think this would be more of a breath of fresh air than just simply genderbending Link.

There was. it did not end well.

<youtube=9mHw5g55oC4>

OT: YES! Finally, my fanfic, "Zelda/Link: Great Dildo adventare" will come true!

 

[malestrithe]

I'd rather see a game from Zelda's perspective than a gender reversed one. Zelda is a competent enough fighter and it would be nice to see the Wisdom part of the Triforce gets some play instead of courage all the time.

 

[Palademon]

"Should" is the wrong word. But I wouldn't mind.

Surely using Zelda as a main character sa others have suggested would make more sense canonically, but honestly I don't think Zelda ever cared about canon. It'd be fun either way.

 

[DustyDrB]

]I'd actually liked to see a Zelda game with Zelda as the main character. She has proven herself to be a capable fighter in several of the games, at least more so than someone like Princess Peach. Instead of items she could gain different spells to get around dungeons and solve puzzles. Just as Link has to face several trials to prove that he's a true hero, She should also be facing several trials to prove herself as well, or perhaps a more traditional setting where Link's the one in trouble and Zelda has to save him instead. I think this would be more of a breath of fresh air than just simply genderbending Link.

That's actually the point people seem to be missing. Sure, she's known for being captured and having to be saved. But she's usually put in danger because she was double-crossed, caught off-guard, or because she sacrificed herself (or at least fought bravely against inevitable defeat). She's capable. And putting her in the lead would mean we wouldn't have to have a rather cringe-inducing gender swap for Link (and I don't care if he's a different hero in a different time for most of the games. It's a gender swap).

Yeah, I'd be OK with that.

(Also: CDi Zelda games do not count for anything)

 

[Palademon]

How about a new protagonist? While I'm all for a strong female lead (more and more each day), have it be someone NEW. Give them a new background, a new quest, and some new weapons!

Have this new protagonist interact with other notable characters in the universe. This way, we can still tie it together with previously established games in the series.

Heck, if you pick a new character, you can even give them a VOICE! Because if it isn't Link, you won't squash people's interpretation of him.

I don't know if it can be done, but it would be interesting.

Ooooh! Ooooh! Ooooh!
I wanna be a skull kid!

Imagine the story possibilities. Skull kids are children that got lost in the forest afterall. More dark Zelda with possibly artsy connotations.

 

[Dead Seerius]

Nah. It just seems kinda, you know, pointless?

I mean, Link is already a silent protagonist with next to no character development. If they were to switch the gender all of a sudden people would probably just over-analyze and wonder what the point of it was.

On the other hand, people would finally stop asking 'why is Zelda a boy?' (Even though they'd still be in the wrong frame of mind.)

 

[GloatingSwine]

Make "Link" in the next Zelda game the disguise Zelda puts on so she can go and save the world, like Sheik was in OoT.

Problem solved.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

I'm not opposed to a female Link at all, but I as noted, it doesn't seem like it would really contribute anything besides fanart (not creepy fanart, just actual, good fanart).

Zelda as the main character would be amazing.

This. Zelda can be the adventurer, Link can be some prince, male damsel-in-distress type.

I don't know about that. Link-in-Zelda's-role would probably be kinda silly, like it's highlighting how dumb Zelda's damsel-in-distress role already is (although she usually contributes to at least some degree). Anyway, they could have some kind of parallel adventure, or be partners. Like Spirit Tracks except in reverse and less clumsy.

Honestly I just want to take the Bow of Light from Brawl and blast some boss in the face.

 

[Faux Furry]

Princess Peach has already had her turn at being the main character,so why shouldn't Zelda be given a go as well?
Two different Zeldas have even had separate 'Warrior Modes'(Sheik and Tetra),so the power-ups/upgrades in the next game can be largely disguise based like they were in Majora's Mask(or Sailor Moon/Cutey Honey,for that matter).
Maybe the game could be named "The Queenly Mask"?
If they absolutely insist upon having Link in the next game,her could play the Tuxedo Mask role,helping Zelda out every now and then before entering a state of perpetual distress himself.

She could show Peach how it is done while retaining her composure rather than weaponizing mood swings.

 

[gazumped]

Although it's a nice idea, I do worry there'd be a backlash along the lines of 'THESE FEMINISTS RUINING OUR BELOVED GAMES FRANCHISE WOMEN BOOOOO'.

And if we're just genderbending for equality's sake ('cause Link's such a blank canvas character it's not really going to change anything other than the pronouns people use for him) arguably we should also have a Link who is a different race (Gerudo? Goron?), maybe who is LGB or even T, or perhaps even a Link with a disability.

As someone whose first experiences with Link and Zelda was through Smash Brothers, I've been slightly disappointed when playing LoZ games that you can't ever actually play as Zelda, although I always get super excited on the rare occasions when she's taking part in the action. I'd make a vote for a game where she's not necessarily the main character, but a playable one still. Maybe a tag-team system? Or two story modes?

EDIT: I've just remembered that I think Zelda's more prominent in Spirit Tracks, but I haven't played it yet so I guess I can't say much about that...

 

[BlumiereBleck]

No. I don't see it as progressive at all. So Is Zelda going to be a boy? Is Ganondorf going to be a girl? I don't see how this would work.

 

[Andy Shandy]

I wouldn't particularly care if the next Link was female, but I think it would be better suited with Zelda as the main character. We now that she has certain powers of her own, so it would be neat to play a game based around what her abilities are.