‘The Legend of Zelda’: 3 Times When Link and Zelda Dated as Boyfriend and Girlfriend, and if ‘BOTW 2’ Could Make Them an Official Couple Again
The Legend of Zelda series can turn complicated regarding Link and Princess Zelda’s relationship. Almost every game follows a different incarnation of Hylia’s chosen hero and the princess. However, several games feature a Link and Zelda that canonically become romantically involved, but many more where they barely know each other. Here are three times Link and Princess Zelda dated as boyfriend and girlfriend.
#1: ‘The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword’ established the strongest relationship where Link and Zelda dated
In the earliest game in the Zelda Timeline, Skyward Sword, Nintendo included the most explicit example of Link and Zelda dating.
Even though Nintendo named the series after Zelda, she often does not have the most development in games. However, Skyward Sword gives her a strong personality, a mission of her own (that Nintendo considered making playable as a ‘Second Quest’), and a tight bond with Link.
Link and Zelda in Skyward Sword grew up as childhood friends in Skyloft. The hints of romance start early in the game, though. Zelda affectionately talks to Link and even defends him from the bully Groose.
During the game’s midpoint, Zelda seals herself away to prevent the revival of an ancient evil called Demise. During the cutscene, Link appears outright distraught. He sets up to become more powerful to rescue Zelda.
The ending sees Zelda asking Link to stay with her on the Surface, presumably dating. This has led many Zelda theorists to speculate that Link from Skyward Sword actually became the first king of Hyrule.
#2: In the sequel to the 1987 ‘Legend of Zelda,’ the princess gives the Hylian hero a kiss
While the first Legend of Zelda game from 1987 did not feature much story, the sequel, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, gave a little more motivation to players.
Princess Zelda’s nursemaid Impa tells Link the Tragedy of Zelda I. A wizard cast a spell on her, and she fell into an eternal slumber. Anyone who has heard the story of Snow White might find the story familiar.
However, instead of kissing her to awaken her, Link rescues Zelda I another way. And when she wakes, she kisses Link behind a curtain.
While the original Legend of Zelda did not hint at Link and Zelda II dating, the sequel gives at least some romantic connection between the hero and Zelda I.
However, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires even more reading between the lines. And fans hope that BOTW 2 clears up Link and Zelda’s relationship more.
#3: While Link and Princess Zelda did not date in ‘Breath of the Wild,’ ‘BOTW 2’ might continue their beginning romance
While The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword featured more romance between Link and Zelda, Breath of the Wild featured their most dynamic relationship.
Breath of the Wild starts with Link having lost his memories. As Link ventures across a destroyed Hyrule by horse in BOTW, he can come across Captured Memories. They reveal that while he and Zelda started with purely a professional relationship, Zelda gradually fell in love with Link.
While Nintendo did not outright confirm that Link and Zelda were a couple, all the evidence points to the two dating as boyfriend and girlfriend in the very near future after defeating Calamity Ganon and his Malice.
With BOTW 2 coming directly after Breath of the Wild, fans hope to see more from Link and Zelda. The trailer shows the two adventuring together, so it seems likely that players can expect a little more from the two heroes.
