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[Spring-Loaded]

I can't make a poll, but there's a GAFer who wants a poll about this, so here's the question, posed to all on GAF, for what it counts. Feel free to add your 2 cents to your answer, and even if you're on the fence, try to indicate which way you'd go if you absolutely had to pick.

For GAF reference

 

[213372bu]

I could go for a female Link.

Tinkle Linkle ain't it though.

 

[Chindogg]

I'd rather have a playable Zelda or Impa, but whatever. Sure I guess.

 

[Tyreese Victoria]

Yeah

The hero of x is a reincarnation of the embodiment of courage, there's literally no reason it cannot be a girl.

Link/Prince Zelda would be awesome.

 

[Flare]

Rather play as Zelda/Sheik to be honest. Kinda have wanted that for a while now.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Sure. Does it matter? Not in a "Why would people want that?" kind of way. But like... would that affect Zelda so fundamentally that there's an argument against a change like that?

I don't see it. Link is the vaguest portrayal of a personality you can have. If the lore lets you lean into some reincarnation story, then why not? Why not allow the option?

 

[Demoskinos]

Doesn't matter to me tbh. Whatever Nintendo decides.

 

[stuminus3]

Wait a minute... you're saying Link isn't a girl?

:O

 

[KingBroly]

Nope

There are many females in Zelda games that deserve a playable role instead.

 

[FlyingSaucer]

Make it a choice between boy Link and girl Link.

 

[theechrisfox]

I wouldn't mind either way, but playing as Zelda/Sheik in a mainline Zelda would be great.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

No. I'm not sure why some want a major change to an iconic character.

 

[ldcommando]

No

 

[Jigolo]

No.

 

[Saikyo]

No I want Linkle in a main game.

 

[OnADock]

I'd rather play as Zelda than a female Link.

 

[Nyoro SF]

For reference, I have beaten every Zelda game.... (except for those weird satellite-only Zeldas or some shiz and the CDi games) and I think it would be perfectly fine.

 

[Dennis]

Sure, but I don't know why you would do that over letting Zelda or Linkle take center stage.

 

[pizzacat]

only if we change everything. VO will come like it or not nerds

 

[OverturePT]

I say make Zelda the main character if you want to have a female lead.

 

[Mac the KNife]

Sure, why not.

 

[Marow]

Sure, I don't mind at all.

 

[Edzi]

No. This weird desire to gender swap established characters needs to go away. There are plenty of ways to empower women without having to heavily alter Link, like making new female characters or giving Zelda a more active role.

 

[-Horizon-]

Yes.

 

[BiggNife]

I don't see why not. It's not like Link's gender is a huge aspect of his character.

Alternatively a Zelda game with Zelda as the actual protagonist would be fine too.

Also to people just posting "No" I'm legitimately curious why you feel that way.

 

[dampflokfreund]

I don't care. Its all about the journey and how you grow up during it.

 

[Placktor]

I wouldn't be against it, but I would rather play as Zelda.

 

[PfantzyPantz]

Yes, Link isn't a set character so I don't get why people get upset at the thought, though I understand why people want a playable Zelda instead.

Just please, no Linkle.

 

[georly]

I did until we started getting gaf threads about it on a weekly or monthly basis since E3 2014. Or at least brought up in every single zelda thread, basically :/

This.

Would also be nice if the gender you chose also affected Zelda.

So pick a female link = save a prince Zelda.

Or not have the person you're rescuing be have their gender/sex determined by your own, especially if there is no romantic subplot.

 

[Kazerei]

Sure. I don't like Linkle though. Link already looks androgynous enough that they don't really have to change his design, just call him a girl.

 

[LegendX48]

I think the best possible thing to have would be to give the player the option of male/female Link before starting. It'd be a nice way to mix up more playthroughs. As others have said though, there is zero reason the hero could not be reincarnated as a woman.

Zelda though, she shouldn't change.

 

[Makonero]

Why not both?

 

[JordanN]

Make it a choice between boy Link and girl Link.

This.

Would also be nice if the gender you chose also affected Zelda.

So pick a Female Link = save a Prince Zelda.

 

[DrROBschiz]

Im with the Zelda being the main crew

That said they could always have you choose male or female link

It would literally not affect any of the Zelda games

 

[Sinfamy]

No, but I want Zelda to be a man like God intended.

 

[DigitalRicket]

Think this has been asked about a zillion times on here but Link's gender has never truly played any crucial role in the franchise, aside from a few jokes thrown his way about Ruto wanting to marry him.

Link's gender should be an option when you're entering your player name.

 

[maxcriden]

Of course. There is no good reason to change past games and there is no good reason future incarnations of link have to be male.

 

[-MD-]

I choose female characters often when given the choice but Link to me is a boy so no, I probably wouldn't.

 

[C.Olimar788]

Female and/or nonbinary Link please and thanks. No reason not to, would be an easy way to spice LoZ up just a tad and give the games a little more variety in their protagonist, not to mention representation in video gaming.

 

[Venfayth]

Sure. Linkle or some other incarnation of female Link. Linkle is pretty awesome sans the name though.

 

[captainpat]

you could always use strawpoll.

 

[axisofweevils]

I really hope they add a poll because it would be interesting to see the results.
For me, no, unless there is a legit plot reason. Zelda is 30 years old and Link has been male in all the games. Changing it purely because of representation makes as much sense as demanding Nintendo make Super Maria Sisters where the goal is to rescue Prince Mango.

I wouldn't be opposed to a Zelda game starring someone other than Link - Linkle, for example.

 

[TimmiT]

Go the Pokémon route: make Link's gender a choice.

 

[John Kowalski]

Yes.

 

[Tyreese Victoria]

This.

Would also be nice if the gender you chose also affected Zelda.

So pick a Female Link = save a Prince Zelda.

This is a move which I think makes most sense for the series given that the characters are reincarnations.

 

[Piers]

I want Zelda to secretly be Linkle.

 

[Zero-ELEC]

Yes, I'd love the option to play as a female Link. Most Links are different people completely, who's to say the next one isn't a woman.

 

[Iva Demilcol]

No, thanks. I'd prefer to control Zelda or another female character.

 

[Amory]

I mean, Link is kind of an established male character at this point.

No problem with a new main character being introduced, and it'd be cool if it was a female.

 

[Ferrio]

Yes, only because it's one of the few series you could do it and it totally makes sense. It'd be a real shame if they slept on that opportunity.