If you’ve spent any time wandering through the woods of Faron or scaling the peaks of Death Mountain, you’ve probably noticed something a little weird. Everyone in Hyrule seems to have a lot to say—Zelda won’t stop worrying about her destiny, the Zora are busy mourning their princess, and the local shopkeeper is practically begging you to buy some swift carrots.
But Link? He just stands there. Maybe he gives a little nod. Maybe he lets out a "Hyaaah!" when he swings his sword.
It’s one of the biggest memes in gaming. People joke that Link is basically a human-shaped brick wall that occasionally screams. But honestly, if you look closer at the games—like, really look at the text and the lore—the idea that Link is totally mute is actually a bit of a myth.
So, does Link ever talk? Technically, yeah. He does. But it’s not exactly what you’d expect from a typical hero.
The Secret Words You Might Have Missed
Most fans think Link’s vocabulary is limited to grunts and the sound of breaking pots. But there are a few moments in the series where he actually "speaks" in the sense that we see his words on the screen.
Back in the 8-bit days, things were a bit more direct. In The Adventure of Link (the 1987 sequel on the NES), Link actually has a dialogue box. He finds a mirror under a table in the town of Saria and literally says, "I found a mirror under the table." It’s not Shakespeare, sure, but it’s a full sentence. He’s communicating!
Then you’ve got The Wind Waker. This version of Link is easily the most expressive one we’ve ever seen. He’s got those huge cartoon eyes and a lot of personality. When you’re in a dungeon and need to lead a statue or a partner like Medli, you hit a button and Link audibly shouts, "Come on!" It’s a real human voice. It’s a real word.
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He also makes a "meow" sound at one point if you’re messing around. Does that count as talking? Maybe not, but it shows he’s got a voice box that works.
Why Breath of the Wild Changed Everything
For decades, we just assumed Link was quiet because, well, that’s just how Nintendo does things. Shigeru Miyamoto and Eiji Aonuma have said for years that Link is a "link" between the player and the game. If he talked too much, he’d have his own personality, and you wouldn’t be able to project yourself onto him.
But then Breath of the Wild happened, and they actually gave us a lore reason for his silence.
If you sneak into Zelda’s room in Hyrule Castle and read her diary (which is a bit rude, honestly, but great for lore hunters), she explains it. She writes that she finally got Link to open up to her. It turns out, the dude is just incredibly stressed.
"With so much at stake, and so many eyes upon him, he feels it necessary to stay strong and to silently bear any burden."
Basically, Link is a classic overthinker. He’s so worried about living up to the "Hero of Hyrule" title that he’s decided it’s safer to just keep his mouth shut. He’s not mute; he’s just choosing his words extremely carefully. Or, you know, not choosing them at all.
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What’s even cooler is that in the original Japanese version of Breath of the Wild, the quest logs are actually written from Link’s perspective. Instead of saying "Go find the Master Sword," the Japanese text says something more like "I need to find the sword." It makes the whole journey feel a lot more personal. You realize he’s got a whole internal monologue going on; he’s just not sharing it with the rest of the class.
The "Silent" Conversations
Even when we don't hear a voice actor, Link is constantly talking to NPCs. Think about every time you get a choice in a dialogue tree.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Link can be surprisingly sassy. You can choose to tell people things that are pretty blunt or even funny. When you pick a dialogue option, the screen usually fades for a second, or Link gestures with his hands, and the NPC reacts as if he just gave them a full explanation of how he flew down from a sky island on a wing made of fans and batteries.
He’s clearly explaining things. We just aren't invited to the conversation.
The Recent Controversy with Echoes of Wisdom
Interestingly, Nintendo almost broke the "no talking" rule very recently. When they were making Echoes of Wisdom, they initially had Link talking to Zelda.
Eiji Aonuma mentioned in an interview that it felt "really wrong." They tried to write lines for him, but because he’s been silent for almost 40 years, the developers realized they didn't actually know what he would say. Every line they wrote felt like it didn't fit.
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They eventually decided to give him a magical reason for being quiet in that game—he literally lost his voice after falling into a rift. It’s a neat way to turn a game design choice into an actual plot point.
What This Means for You
So, where does this leave us? Is Link a silent protagonist or just a shy guy with a lot of pressure?
Honestly, the fact that he doesn't talk is what makes him work. Because he stays quiet, you get to decide if your Link is a serious warrior or a weirdo who spends all day cooking "dubious food."
If you’re looking to get the most out of the "verbal" side of Link, here is what you should do:
- Read the Diaries: In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the journals of other characters (like Zelda or Paya) give you the best insight into who Link is when he’s not being watched by the player.
- Play the Japanese Versions (if you can): Or at least look up the translations of the quest logs. It’s the closest we get to hearing Link’s actual thoughts.
- Pay Attention to Animations: Link’s face in games like Skyward Sword or The Wind Waker tells you more than a ten-minute monologue ever could.
The Legend of Zelda has always been about the feeling of adventure. By keeping Link quiet, Nintendo makes sure that the "Hero of Time" is whoever you want him to be. He might not have much to say, but his actions—and the occasional "Come on!"—are more than enough to get the job done.
If you want to dive deeper into the lore, your next best move is to head back to Hyrule Castle in Breath of the Wild and find every single memory. Seeing how Link reacts to Zelda’s frustration in those cutscenes tells you everything you need to know about his character without him ever saying a single word.