Link

Lore & Background

In the world of Hyrule, Link is a recurring hero whose name is actually a title rather than a personal name, passed down through generations of young men called to defend the land from the encroaching darkness of Ganon. He is characterized by his green tunic, pointed cap, and the legendary Master Sword, a blade forged to cut through the evil that threatens the Triforce. Across dozens of adventures, he has navigated the vast wilderness of Hyrule, delved into ancient dungeons, and repeatedly stood as the final bulwark between light and shadow.

His presence in Super Smash Bros. is a natural fit: a hero defined by his sword, his resilience, and his quiet determination. He does not monologue, does not boast, and does not speak a single word in the Smash arena. He simply draws his blade, reads the wind, and strikes. Fans have embraced this stoic, action-first identity as one of the most recognizable silhouettes in gaming, and his inclusion in every mainline Smash title cements him as a pillar of the franchise.

In the broader Smash narrative, Link stands alongside heroes from Mario, Metroid, and beyond as a representative of Nintendo's rich history of action-adventure. His quiet presence among the louder, more talkative fighters gives him a grounding, almost mythic quality, as though he has always been there, waiting with his sword at his hip.

In Their Own Story

The wind over the Great Bay carried the faint scent of ozone and old stone. Link stood at the edge of the crumbling platform, his boots scuffed from a hundred rounds, the Master Sword resting across his back. Across the arena, a thunderous figure roared and charged. Link did not flinch. He simply shifted his weight, let his guard drop a fraction, and waited for the opening that every overconfident swing eventually gives. When it came, the blade sang through the humid air in a single, clean arc, and the battle was decided before the dust settled. He sheathed the sword, turned, and walked off the platform without looking back. The crowd's roar was, to him, just another wind.

Reader's Guide

Name: Link Source Franchise: The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo) Unlock Method: Available from the start in all mainline Smash titles; no unlock required in Smash Ultimate.

Neutral attacks: A three-hit sword combo (forward, back, overhead). The forward jab has good range; the overhead is a strong finisher that can pop opponents out at low-to-mid percentages.

Specials: Side Special is Fire Arrow, a fast, piercing projectile with good range and slight upward trajectory. Down Special is Spin Attack, a short-range, high-speed spin with a brief active window. Up Special is Bomber, a short, quick upward boost with limited horizontal drift, making recovery tight and risky. Neutral Special summons the Master Sword as a large, stationary platform that can be repositioned once.

Aerials: Forward Aerial has long reach and strong knockback, making it a reliable kill move. Back Aerial has a shorter range but good speed. Up Aerial is a quick pop with modest knockback. Down Aerial is a short, fast kick.

Smashes: Forward Smash is a long, horizontal slash with a slow startup but massive range and kill potential. Up Smash is one of the most powerful in the game at low percentages, launching opponents very high with a wide hitbox. Down Smash is a fast, horizontal slash with good range but lower damage.

Grabs: Short-range grab with a quick forward throw and a back throw. Ledge grab is standard.

Alternate Costumes: Multiple tunic color variations (greens, reds, blues, golds) and minor cap/accessory changes.

Unique Mechanics: Bomber recovery is short and offers minimal horizontal control, making it one of the tighter recoveries in the roster. The Master Sword platform can be used for extended aerial combos or as a defensive tool. His up-smash has a very wide hitbox and high base knockback, making it a dangerous low-percentage kill option. His overall kit rewards spacing and punish play over extended combos.

Did You Know?

• Link is one of the original twelve fighters in the 2001 N64 debut of Super Smash Bros., making him one of the longest-running roster members in the series.
• True to his source material, Link is completely silent in every Smash title—he has no spoken dialogue, only sound effects and battle cries.
• In The Legend of Zelda games, 'Link' is actually a title passed down through generations of heroes rather than a single person's name, a detail that fans often highlight when discussing his identity.
• Link's Up Special, the Bomber, is one of the shortest and least controllable recovery moves in the entire Smash roster, making him highly punishable on his way back to stage.