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| Young Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate artwork | |||||
| First appearance | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) | ||||
| Latest appearance | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) | ||||
| Portrayed by | Fujiko Takimoto | ||||
| In-universe information | |||||
| Species | Hylian | ||||
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- “Young Link's launch power is the weakest of the Links, but that makes it easier to perform combos. He's quicker in the air, can unleash moves faster, and is less vulnerable when landing.”
- – Tips, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Young Link is the incarnation of Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. In Ocarina of Time, this child version of Link turns into the adult version of himself about midway through the game after pulling out the Master Sword, and becomes known as the "Hero of Time" for his courageous efforts. In Majora's Mask, the player plays as Young Link throughout its entirety as he inadvertently embarks on a quest to save Termina, a parallel world to Hyrule, from being destroyed by the eponymous Majora's Mask.
Young Link appears as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Melee, being treated as a separate character from his adult self. After being absent as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, he returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where he is treated as a separate character from Link and Toon Link.
History
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Melee
In Super Smash Bros Melee, Young Link is an unlockable character, unlocked by beating Classic or Adventure mode with 10 characters, including Link and Zelda/Sheik, or by playing 500 Melee matches, and he then must be defeated on Great Bay. Young Link's moves are similar to Link's, though while Young Link is faster and lighter, he is also weaker. As Young Link is shorter and wields the smaller Kokiri Sword, his attacks do not have as much range. Young Link's Deku Shield is also not as strong as Link's Hylian Shield, as it does not protect against stronger projectiles. Young Link, however, can Wall Jump, which Link is not able to do. Young Link is voiced by Fujiko Takimoto, who provided his voice clips for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Young Link is one of the five playable characters from Super Smash Bros. Melee who is no longer playable in this game (the other four being Dr. Mario, Pichu, Mewtwo, and Roy), possibly being replaced by Toon Link, who functions very similarly to Young Link. However, he does have a collectible Sticker, and is playable in a demo of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
While Young Link does not make any appearance whatsoever in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, he is referenced in the trophy "Adult Link (Ocarina of Time)". Young Link is also indirectly referenced via Link's eighth alternate costume, which is almost identical to Young Link's Fierce Deity transformation. Lastly, Toon Link's Hero Bow has a custom variation based on Young Link's Fire Bow.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Young Link, after being absent as a fighter in the previous two Super Smash Bros. games (the longest absence of any playable character alongside Pichu), returns as an unlockable playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Due to Link's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild-based changes, Young Link is now considered an entirely unique fighter from him, though his moveset shares a few similarities with Toon Link's. Young Link gains a Final Smash, the Triforce Slash, which he shares with Toon Link. Young Link gains his new on-screen appearance and two new taunts, and Young Link can give a battle cry during a victory animation. For his stage entrance, Young Link descends from a column of light, similar to the end-of-dungeon one in Ocarina of Time and Link's appearance in the original Super Smash Bros..
Young Link benefits from universal changes: his overall mobility is faster, his short hop timing is reduced, his aerials have less landing lag, and he can use ground attack out of a run and use his aerials on ladders. Young Link's recovery is better, since his double jump grants more height, while directionally air dodging does not leave him helpless anymore. However, Young Link's air and falling speeds are decreased, unlike fellow veterans; additionally, some of his moves deal less damage and knockback, or more startup and ending lag.
In the World of Light, Young Link's puppet fighter is fought in the Triforce of Courage section of the Sacred Land, referencing his home series. He must be awoken to progress the story, along with Ganondorf, Zelda, Sonic, and Cloud.
Classic Mode route
Young Link's Classic Mode route pits him against fighters from The Legend of Zelda series.
| Hyrule Smash! | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Opponent(s) | Stage | Song | |
| 1 | Zelda | Hyrule Castle | Hyrule Main Theme | |
| 2 | Young Link (dark costume) | Temple | Song of Storms | |
| 3 | Sheik | Gerudo Valley (Ω) | Gerudo Valley | |
| 4 | Toon Link ×4 | Pirate Ship | The Great Sea / Menu Select | |
| 5 | Ganondorf | Bridge of Eldin (Ω) | Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | |
| 6 | Link | Great Plateau Tower | Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | |
| Final | Ganon | Calamity Ganon Battle - Second Form | ||
Profiles and statistics
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Trophies
| Name | Image | Game/moves | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Link (Classic) | .png)
|
The Legend of Zelda 07/87 |
Link's younger incarnation is often considered to be the true Link: he was a young boy in the very first Legend of Zelda game, and he has appeared as a youth in most of the subsequent games. Since his debut on the original NES in 1987, Link's appearance has changed over and over again, each time adding to the mystique of his incomparable story. |
| Young Link (Adventure) | .png)
|
B: Fire Bow Smash B: Boomerang |
Young Link is lighter and faster than his older self, and his Kokiri sword packs less punch. Even though his Boomerang has a shorter range, he has greater control over it. He's a smaller target, and while his Hookshot has less reach than older Link's, you can still use it in midair as a last ditch attempt to grab a ledge. |
| Young Link (All-Star) | .png)
|
Up & B: Spin Attack Down + B: Bomb |
With a youthful spring in his step, Young Link can perform amazing wall-jumps. Once he hits a wall, tap the Control Stick in the opposite direction to send him leaping upward; you can practice to your heart's content in Target Test. His Spin Attack can strike multiple times even on the ground, and although it's hard to discern, so do his Bombs. |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Stickers
| Name | Image | Game | Effect | Usable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Link with Goron Mask | 
|
Zelda: Majora's Mask | [Slash] - Attack +17 | Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, Toon Link |
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Palutena's Guidance
- Pit: Is it just me, or has Link lost weight?
- Palutena: Yes and no. That's Young Link. He's the child version of the Hero of Time.
- Pit: The Hero of Time?
- Palutena: The Link who mastered the Ocarina of Time and faced Ganondorf. Link's actions as the Hero of Time created parallel worlds, and from there, many different legends were born.
- Pit: I don't follow. What do you mean?
- Viridi: If you were defeated by Medusa, Palutena wouldn't be here today, right?
- Pit: True, but what does that have to do with anything?
- Viridi: We may have triumphed over Medusa in this timeline, but in a different timeline, you lost that fight, leaving Medusa and Hades to rule the world. Every action and inaction creates infinite parallel worlds! You're only in one of them.
- Pit: Wait... I'm not the only me? And nothing I do matters because another me will do the opposite? THEN WHAT'S THE POINT OF DOING ANYTHING!
- Palutena: Breathe, Pit! Focus on Young Link's short reach. He may be fast, but try to outrange him and anticipate his movements.
Super Smash Blog bio
"He’s back after 17 years! Young Link is faster than Link but he’s also lighter, making him easier to launch."
amiibo
- Since his debut on the original Nintendo Entertainment System™ in 1987, Link's appearance has changed over and over again, each time adding to the mystique of his incomparable story. This younger incarnation is most often associated with the Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ game.
Audio samples
 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Young Link performing his Spin Attack. (Fujiko Takimoto, 2018; reused from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) | File info |
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | こどもリンク Kodomo Rinku |
Child Link His name is still announced as "Young Link" in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Ultimate when set to Japanese. |
| Chinese | 年幼林克 Niányòu Línkè |
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| Dutch | Jonge Link | Young Link |
| French (American) | Link Enfant | Child Link |
| French (Europe) | Link (Jeune) | Link (Young) |
| German | Junger Link | Young Link |
| Italian | Link giovane Link bambino |
Young Link Child Link |
| Korean | 소년 링크 Sonyeon Lingkeu |
|
| Russian | Юный Линк Yunyy Link |
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| Spanish | Link niño | Kid Link |
