link is left-handed
Link's left-handedness has been a notable characteristic throughout the series. The decision to make Link left-handed was a deliberate choice by the legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto during the character's development.Miyamoto himself is left-handed, and he wanted to incorporate his own experiences and perspective into the game. This unique feature added depth and authenticity to Link's character, making him more relatable to left-handed players. By having a left-handed protagonist, players who are left-handed can fully experience the game from a perspective that aligns with their own.In a departure from the character's established history and design, some of the more recent games have portrayed Link exclusively as right-handed. This change has been met with disappointment and frustration from fans, especially those who appreciated the original left-handed representation.The decision to silently rewrite Link's history and alter his character design to be right-handed has caused a disconnect for left-handed players who had previously felt a sense of identification and inclusion. It can feel disheartening when one of a beloved character's defining traits, one that provided a unique perspective and relatability, is altered.Representation is essential in media, including video games, as it allows players to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the characters they admire. By removing Link's left-handedness, an opportunity for diverse representation and inclusivity has been missed.Right-handed players have an abundance of representation in gaming, with the majority of characters designed to be right-handed. Left-handed players, unfortunately, have very limited representation. The recent shift towards right-handed portrayals, including the altered versions of Link, further diminishes the already dwindling number of rare left-handed designs in the gaming world. This disparity highlights the need for more diverse and inclusive character designs that can cater to the experiences and perspectives of left-handed players, allowing them to feel seen and represented within the gaming community.Below is a chronological list of every The Legend of Zelda release (excluding remakes and ports) of every Link that is left-handed. Included are the links to their Wikipedia pages:
1986
1987
1991
1993
1998
2000
2001
2003
2004
2004
2006
2007
2009
2013
2015
2024
Three out of nineteen games (excluding ports and remakes) in the series, namely Skyward Sword (2011), Breath of the Wild (2017), and Tears of the Kingdom (2023), have right-handed protagonists. Skyward Sword, developed with a focus on motion controls, unfortunately lacks left-handed support, thereby favouring right-handed players. While Breath of the Wild initially intended to incorporate extensive motion controls, this feature was ultimately omitted prior to release. Consequently, its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, follows suit in design.It is worth emphasizing that Link's character, originating as left-handed, underwent a conspicuous transition to right-handedness seemingly without substantial justification, particularly when considering the absence of motion control-related constraints. Even in the hypothetical scenario of extensive motion control integration, both Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild notably lack support for left-handed options, a situation echoed in the Twilight Princess Wii port. This abrupt departure from the original design proves undeniably disheartening, bereft of any discernible rationale behind the change.It is never too late to correct past missteps and restore the left-handed representation that was once an integral part of Link's character, allowing left-handed players to once again feel acknowledged and empowered.
