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[Like the hat?]

I would love a playable Zelda. That would be so great, and give them a chance to pull a Mario 3d world and move the series away from the save the princess trope. They've already made some strides in that by making Zelda such a strong character in skyward sword

 

[Nightbird]

Sounds awesome. Everything I wanted

 

[ThanksVision]

manchildren reacting poorly to femLink is one of the many reasons I rarely admit to being into video games as much as I am

 

[Angry Chair]

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

What's your point?

 

[Griss]

Nintendo voice acting post-Other M has been on point.

Xenoblade and X, Kid Icarus, Fire Emblem Awakening and Fates, all done well.

It'd be awesome if this game was done by Side UK and had UK voice actors like Xenoblade did. That'd be such a good fit for Zelda.

I thought X had terrible voice acting. If that's the quality we can expect from Zelda then there'd better be a mute voices option or I'll be horrified.

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

Yeah, agree with all of this. I've wanted to play as Zelda since OoT. Come on, people! She's the natural choice!

Representation is important. People want to see themselves reflected in the stories they experience. Male isn't a default, and if Link is supposed to be a player's "link" to the gameworld, than I see this as only an improvement.

And yes, nearly every time I've tried to introduce a woman to the series, she'd remark with a comment like: "Ugh, I can't pick a girl?"

The argument is essentially between people who see Link as a 'mere link' and those that don't. That's the core underlying argument here.

lol link characterization.
Dude is a walking camera with a tunic

See, I don't agree with this. In the 2D games? Sure. In the 3D ones from Wind Waker on? Not at all. WW link, TP link and SS link were characters in a specific plot. They were very weakly sketched characters, but they were there. You couldn't self insert as them if you wanted to, imo. And many of us want them to become more fully sketched as characters, not less so. Having a full story operate around a blank slate is lame as hell.

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.

Yeah, I don't see the argument against this. If Link is 'just an avatar', and he can be male or female, then why can't he be black or asian? Short or tall?

 

[Warxard]

Female Link is the best thing I've heard of since the Wind Waker rumors way back when I was a kid.

I'm in.

 

[Akiller]

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

What if it Will be the other way round?

 

[LegendofLex]

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)

Or this game has a Souls-like online community where your hero can interact with other heroes.

I don't see the need for a female character at all. If they want to make Zelda playable that's fine. I don't get the female link though.

Maybe people like the way Link as a character is envisioned and executed in terms of gameplay, abilities, overall characterization, etc. and don't want to play as Zelda instead? And if Zelda's just going to be a Link-equivalent, then there's not much point in casting her in the role, is there?

 

[Instro]

Right, which is my issue. I want Link to be an actual character and if they're not going to do that then just let me have a character creator.

Well yes they should probably go full RPG and have a dialogue tree for Link. Regardless though, there being a gender choice doesn't make a difference as to whether they would do that or not.

Regarding the character creator, I wouldn't mind that, although I don't think it should be fully customizable. I think I'd rather have some preset designs that we can change the skin color and eye color for, or something.

 

[btrboyev]

I don't see the need for a female character at all. If they want to make Zelda playable that's fine. I don't get the female link though.

 

[Sami+]

All of these are exactly what I wanted to hear.

 

[impact]

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

That makes too much sense. I'd much rather just change the gender of an established character for no reason at all xD

Female Kratos must be an option or boycott!

 

[nckillthegrimace]

Zelda Williams as Zelda

Clancy Brown as Ganondorf

Clancy Brown as Ganondorf is such a good fit that it will never happen. It is too perfect for this world.

 

[ffdgh]

Finally some new info if likely true.

Looks like link is getting a female version in the next smash then.

 

[Mpl90]

What if it Will be the other way round?

Well, excuuuuuuuse me sir!

 

[mrklaw]

manchildren reacting poorly to femLink is one of the many reasons I rarely admit to being into video games as much as I am

There is a logic to the argument given that link had been male throughout the series and they all appear to be connected somehow.

 

[AntMurda]

This sounds awesome. Hopefully the Tokyo dev project is just as exciting.

 

[Dark Cloud]

I was like wait a minute where's the vote button for the poll...then I read it and it said I can't vote

 

[Jarmel]

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.

Do you think they're going to do that though as opposed to just ripping all that stuff out?

 

[diaspora]

A female character could be Link, or Zelda/Aryll. There are women in the universe that can be the hero.

 

[Like the hat?]

What's your point?

That link has had relationships implied in the series? People said link never had and sort of relationships and there had never been any sort of flirting or anything. They were incorrect.

 

[Kouriozan]

Well, excuuuuuuuse me sir!

Sold.

Or this game has a Souls-like online community where your hero can interact with other heroes.

Good point and that would reinforce a "make a Link" character creator.

 

[Bots are better than you]

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

This. (sans the last sentence, which i left out in the quote)

Saying Link is an avatar, that hasn't been the case since the 3D games. If Link is an avatar, then i'd want more things i'm able to change, see Commander Shepard.
Pokemon isn't a valid example, too. Because you choose between two different characters, and the not chosen char is added as an own character in the games.

Just because a character doesn't have a incredibly fleshed out personality and/or story, doesn't mean that there should be a gender option ... see Gordon Freeman, who'd call shallow in terms of characterization.

Therefore, if Nintendo wants a game with a playable heroine, give me a game where i play as Zelda, Impa or a new character.

 

[Lorcain]

I hope all 3 rumors are true. That's a big step in the right direction for Nintendo. Opening up the role of hero of time, with all of the iconic equipment, to any gender would be perfect.

 

[LeleSocho]

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.

What cannon? There's a cannon that can be hurt?
Unless you mean canon which is like another thing.

 

[PtM]

Well if they are not going to put that kind of work in, which I don't know why they wouldn't considering it doesn't require an huge effort, then they probably weren't going to do much with Link to begin with. The strength of Zelda writing, when it is good, comes from the characters surrounding Link anyway. Majoras Mask being the obvious highlight.

MM's tangential writing is on Koizumi, who has left Zelda for Mario.

 

[NinjaCoachZ]

I thought X had terrible voice acting. If that's the quality we can expect from Zelda then there'd better be a mute voices option or I'll be horrified.

Really? I'm pretty picky regarding "anime dub"-type stuff but X was better than most of the other stuff out there. Compared to a lot of the other JRPGs dubbed last year, it was the only one that actually left an impression on me.

I've heard lots of terrible voice acting and X was waaaaaay above terrible.

 

[TheDinoman]

Finally some new info if likely true.

Looks like link is getting a female version in the next smash then.

If that's the case, I have to say I really hope they give female Link its own eight additional palettes like Little Mac's wireframe costume.

Would hate to see regular Link lose half of his alts, like what happened to Olimar and Wario.

 

[mantidor]

Why is flirting suddenly such an important thing about zelda now

If this means flirting is completely removed I'm all for it. It's so cringe-y, I want it removed from Earth. If Link is now completely uninterested in romantic relationships I will be so glad.

In fact I really want Link to be back to be a child, which I know it won't happen with Zelda U.

 

[hurricanes]

I prefer to play as Zelda but options are good.
Also please speak gibberish language!

 

[foxuzamaki]

I thought X had terrible voice acting. If that's the quality we can expect from Zelda then there'd better be a mute voices option or I'll be horrified.

Firstly, the VA in X was far from horrible or you dont know what VA quality is.
Secondly he is talking about the original xenoblade, hence the british voice acting comment

 

[Nictel]

Why is flirting suddenly such an important thing about zelda now

Cause it's an immersive RPG! /s

Also Malon X Linkle is superior any way

 

[Aceshighhhh]

Even as a Wii U owner, they should've dropped the Wii U version and went NX exclusive tbh. The thought of potential content being cut due to the ancient hardware is pretty heart-rending

 

[Angry Chair]

That link has had relationships implied in the series? People said link never had and sort of relationships and there had never been any sort of flirting or anything. They were incorrect.

It's not the same Link though.

 

[Tricky I Shadow]

Voice acting!?!

FINALLY!!!!!!

 

[superNESjoe]

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

Despite getting tossed around nobody has any evidence to back this claim up. Am I missing something? People say it was in an interview but no one ever turns it up.

 

[Pinky]

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.

The option to choose between male and female could very well be the reason why the game didn't release in 2015. After the initial tease that Aonuma showed us in the 2014 E3 Digital Event, many started speculating about Link's gender in the footage we saw. No doubt this got back to Aonuma. Perhaps he decided to change things up and, as a result, the release was pushed back. Of course, this is all assuming the rumors are true.

 

[Waylon Drums]

I just realized that, if NX comes out this fall I won't be able to afford it AND PSVR. Oy.

 

[King Gilga]

Depends on the romantic interests.

Voice acting is a bout damn time though.

 

[MoogleWizard]

It says female "character" so I hope it's Link or an original character and not a lazy gender swap. And the voice acting should be Hylian with subtitles. I can't imagine Zelda with English voice acting.

 

[GuessMyUserName]

Why is flirting suddenly such an important thing about zelda now

Have you played OoT? Should've just been called The Legend of Zelda: Link's Harem

 

[NESpowerhouse]

If Nintendo does go ahead and do voice acting, what kind of people do you think they'll cast? Troy Baker, Nolan North, Chris Sabat, Johnny Young Bosh, Jennifer Hale, Wendy Lee?

Spoiler

Danny DeVito?

Or do you think they'll cheap out and just go with Treehouse staff or something?

 

[Timeaisis]

Woooooooooo all aboard

 

[PlatypusDude]

I don't understand the hostility towards voice acting, while it can be done poorly the last couple of Nintendo games with voice acting are a far cry from Mario Sunshine.

 

[LegendofLex]

That link has had relationships implied in the series? People said link never had and sort of relationships and there had never been any sort of flirting or anything. They were incorrect.

The fun thing about attraction is it isn't just limited to people of the opposite sex.

If Nintendo does go ahead and do voice acting, what kind of people do you think they'll cast? Troy Baker, Nolan North, Chris Sabat, Johnny Young Bosh, Jennifer Hale, Wendy Lee?

Spoiler

Danny DeVito?

Or do you think they'll cheap out and just go with Treehouse staff or something?

No lie, this is my biggest fear.

Good point and that would reinforce a "make a Link" character creator.

Just to be clear to people reading that comment: I don't think in practice it would actually be just like Souls.

I think it would probably be more like Hyrule Warriors co-op or Nintendo Land Zelda Battle Quest co-op, at least in terms of the dynamics.

 

[mattp]

i hope the female character is still just link

none of that linkle nonsense

 

[Like the hat?]

It's not the same Link though.

I just mean throughout the series. My post has nothing to do with link being male BTW.

The fun thing about attraction is it isn't just limited to people of the opposite sex.



No lie, this is my biggest fear.

Thanks for being pointlessly condescending. My post was solely clarifying that link has had implied relationships in the series. People said there were none. I was pointing out that it's happened. That's it.

 

[Toparaman]

"You can choose which one to get."

Thank God. I thought Reggie was going to hold a gun to my head and force me to get the version I don't want. This news is a megaton.

 

[what-ok]

Not sure why, but when given the option I always go with the female character.

 

[Ad0ve]

The option to choose between male and female could very well be the reason why the game didn't release in 2015. After the initial tease that Aonuma showed us in the 2014 E3 Digital Event, many started speculating about Link's gender in the footage we saw. No doubt this got back to Aonuma. Perhaps he decided to change things up and, as a result, the release was pushed back. Of course, this is all assuming the rumors are true.

lol they dont need to delay the game for a year to add tits and hips to Links character model