Support NeoGAF

[Jarmel]

When has Link ever been in a relationship?

They don't let Link be in straight relationships. Or relationships in general.

Ok fine, so do you think they're going to let female NPCs flirt with female Link?

 

[Loco4Coco]

Make Ganondorf female too.

 

[Sn4ke_911]

Voice acting? I'm out.

bookmarked

 

[takriel]

While I have no idea how Aonuma is gonna write the story or even if is rumor will pan out, I will say that there is a worry that it's just gonna be the same story for either gender with just the pronouns flipped.
I'm of the opinion that I would've liked to see a story tailored to a female link.

That's what that extra year was for, maybe.

 

[Trago]

Zelda Williams as Zelda

Clancy Brown as Ganondorf

 

[Zalman]

so if i can choose between both Versions or get both, that means Zelda U will release at or after NX release?

We don't know for sure yet.

 

[10k]

Choo choo!

 

[SolidSnakex]

so if i can choose between both Versions or get both, that means Zelda U will release at or after NX release?

It'll be the same situation as Twilight Princess. Although this one will probably be day and date.

 

[hughesta]

Being able to choose a female Link would he outstanding. Really hope this is true.

 

[Angry Chair]

The man-children are already mad over femLink, it will be glorious when this is confirmed.

 

[Jarmel]

You were never going to be able to get that regardless.

They've sort of dabbled in it and I was hoping they were going to progress at some point.

 

[Joelstinton14]

The link character is about 'character' being worthy of the green tunic. There is no real criteria for gender to be an issue.

 

[Kouriozan]

Thankfully we won't hear Link excusing himself to the princess.

 

[OneUh8]

If BC is still a thing with the NX, it will 100% solidify me purchasing it, but also will mean the Wii U will be the first Nintendo console I never own.

 

[ramparter]

Personally I am a big nerdy Zelda fanboy and to me Link is a character, not an avatar. I'd love a female character playable, I just don't want it to be a simple toggle. Either make link female only, or make a different playable character. I just don't want a toggle because to me link is a single character.

I understand what you say but you could always choose the name so the same goes for the sex imo. He / she still has a story, in wind waker is a child living with sister and grand ma etc. So you have a predetermined background but you choose what you are. Personally I'm ok with the toggle.

 

[SUPERJEM94]

It's cool we get to choice between male/female. Will probably still play as the male during my first run.

 

[DNAbro]

Ok fine, so do you think they're going to let female NPCs flirt with female Link?

wouldn't that be exciting. Or maybe male npcs will flirt with female link. Or maybe male npcs will flirt with male link as well

Let's just let everyone flirt.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Why is flirting suddenly such an important thing about zelda now

 

[Mashing]

I'm really surprised they are giving the player a choice of Link's gender. That makes the game design harder does it not (you'd have to change how character react to Link for instance--not just him vs her either)? I hope we don't get another delay.

 

[Nesther]

Female Link would make my day. Really excited to see the design.

 

[DrROBschiz]

Im just happy about getting real NX news lol

 

[Scientist Supreme!]

Why not go the whole hog and just make Link a create-a-character then? Because you know there'll be "why no black Link tho?" articles day and date.

That's a good suggestion but you make it seem articles like that would be bad.
Which is odd.

 

[petethepanda]

Why is flirting suddenly such an important thing about zelda now

Just wait til they announce the petting minigame.

 

[akidnamededdy]

Playable Zelda, Impa, Linkle (maybe rewritten though), new awesome female character: HELL YES

Female Link (which would also represent a push more towards Link being an avatar): Big fat Meh

Spoiler

People who want to play as Female Link rather than let fucking Zelda get her time to shine are terrible people

Agreed. Taking an established character (yes, Link is every bit as established a charcter as Mario) and swapping their gender has always been the laziest way to tick off the "diversity" checkbox in my opinion. Especially in a series positively drowning in great female characters already.

But whatever. Let them pick girl Link if it gives them warm fuzzies. I can still pick the real Link.

 

[Ad0ve]

How does Link gender affect his characterization?

His relationship with his family would be the same, with his friends as well. His relationship with Zelda doesn't have to be romantic, it could purely respectful or friendly. I don't see how his gender would affect his relationship with Ganondorf either.

Or what, did you guys expected deep male gender issues to be pivotal to Zelda U's story?

 

[Like the hat?]

It's implied link has a relationship with ilia in twilight princess. Then there's princess ruto

 

[rokero]

yeeesss to all three, plz be true, need a Nintendo direct soon

 

[ThirstiestGamer 2.0]

She's a (former?) journalist who apparently has contacts within NOA and just recently leaked the Paper Mario wii u game, and an international release for Mother 3 which was backed up by Eurogamer.

Other people are vouching for the rumours she's said here too.

oh ok, thanks for the info.

 

[kiguel182]

Why not?

I don't know. I like to imagine the voices of all the quirky characters. Gives the game a certain charm to me.

 

[TheDinoman]

Voice acting? I'm out.

Too used to people making mumbling sounds, are we?

 

[LegendofLex]

While I have no idea how Aonuma is gonna write the story or even if is rumor will pan out, I will say that there is a worry that it's just gonna be the same story for either gender with just the pronouns flipped.
I'm of the opinion that I would've liked to see a story tailored to a female link.

Given the way Link as a character and Zelda stories have been handled up til now, there's no reason to think that the character or story benefits at all from this, unless they've decided at last to go with a narrative-driven game (which I think is unlikely as it's not an approach taken in any of the successful games Nintendo is probably looking to for inspiration).

In particular, I don't think there's any reason to think that making the story change substantially for either gender will have any kind of payoff.

 

[Angry Chair]

Just wait til they announce the petting minigame.

Don't even joke about that.

 

[Xiao Hu]

Why not?

This is something that buffles me the most about the very hardcore Nintendo fans. Change is rarely appreciate and there is very little room for industry standarts for them.

 

[mysteriousmage09]

Voted for Zelda. Female Link is nothing more than a lazy way to hit a quota they never had any intention of hitting in the first place until internet reaction to Link's model in the reveal footage. It's just going to be the exact same character no matter what, there will be no special treatment or unique dialogue for choosing to play as female Link.

If you went with Zelda, you would actually have a unique female character that would play completely different than Link. With Zelda specifically with the Sheik persona has unique magic and ninja like characteristics with great speed and acrobatics, etc.

I've said in the past how cool it would be to have a plot in which the 3 wielders of the Triforce (Link, Zelda, and Gannondorf), had to actually team up to take out a different threat. 3 unique characters with 3 unique play styles right there and plot wise, it wouldn't be any different than say, Super Mario RPG with Mario, Peach, and Bowser all fighting alongside each other.

 

[Garrett Hawke]

But whatever. Let them pick girl Link if it gives them warm fuzzies. I can still pick the real Link.

The "real" Link will be a woman too tho. Bow down to canon.

 

[dcx4610]

In before complaints of not having a transgender Link.

A female Link is a big step for Nintendo and doesn't hurt the lore or cannon.

 

[cw_sasuke]

Great if true.

 

[Inferno313]

wouldn't that be exciting. Or maybe male npcs will flirt with female link. Or maybe male npcs will flirt with male link as well

Let's just let everyone flirt.

Hear hear!

 

[yoonshik]

Female link?

Best Zelda game ever.

 

[Calm waterfall]

Playing as Zelda in the legend of Zelda game would be nice.

 

[wbEMX]

Voiced NPCs would be amaaaazing.

 

[Kouriozan]

Oh wait, Aonuma said he want to challenge Zelda convention like playing dungeons in order or playing alone, maybe you can really switch between the male and female playable character.
This brought that : what if the female character really is Zelda?
It's The Legend of Zelda afterall x)

 

[kiguel182]

Link can have relationships with the same people regardless of gender.

Also, he can have no relationships.

Either way it's the exact same character.

 

[shortsFortallPeople]

Why would you want the worst looking option?

how do we know if there's even a difference visually?

In before complaints of not having a transgender Link.

A female Link is a big step for Nintendo and doesn't hurt the lore or cannon.

why say this? no one has complained about it and you're only going bother people by saying that with such a dismissive tone.

 

[oti]

she leaked Paper Mario Colour Trash

Interesting title.

 

[Kinsei]

In before complaints of not having a transgender Link.

A female Link is a big step for Nintendo and doesn't hurt the lore or cannon.

Why are you making a straw man of an alien?

 

[EmSeta]

Cool. Since Link is a hero reborn (like the idea behind the Dalai Lama right), it's a great character to make gender customizable.

And great news with VO for NPCs (not Link).

That is, if any of this is true.

 

[TheCongressman1]

Why is flirting suddenly such an important thing about zelda now

Romantic interests have been a part of Zelda since at least OoT. They even originally wanted to include a dating sim mechanic.

 

[PtM]

Why not go the whole hog and just make Link a create-a-character then? Because you know there'll be "why no black Link tho?" articles day and date.

It might happen.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

I'm starting to feel the HYPE. Shit.

she leaked Paper Mario Colour Trash

Reported