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‘Legend of Zelda’ E3 2016: Female Link Creates Mess To Triforce

Thomas Wang
First Posted: Jun 18, 2016 09:39 AM EDT

"Legend of Zelda" hero Link is not a female character, according to Nintendo. During the recent E2 2016, the Japanese video game company has shut down the rumors alleging that the Link that is seen in the new Wii U game is a male from the very start.

The "Legend of Zelda" producer Eiji Aonuma claims there might be some miscommunications that has led the fans to think that Link could be a female character. When the game was announced in 2014, Aonuma recalled providing less information which had left room for interpretation. But the producer said that he only intended to emphasize that the game was still being developed.

Moreover, Aonuma also explained that the main character Link should remain a male character because in the Zelda universe,  there is a Triforce balance formed by Link, Ganon and Princess Zelda. On the other hand, Nintendo recognizes that Princess Zelda must remain female, therefore causing a problem. As explained by Aonuma, turning Link into a female would create mess to the balance of the Triforce. The gamers who are familiar with the series are expected to object and to argue that this is inaccurate.

The Triforce is a synergy of three traits: wisdom, power and courage. All these were given from the three goddesses who created Hyrule, while Link, Ganon and Zelda are personifications of the traits, although Triforce may also manifest through other characters that make up the universe. However, there is no evidence that  the Triforce has been based on gender, BBC reported.

Meanwhile, Nintendo has released a game before, with a female Link character named Linkle that initially appeared in the 3DS version of "Hyrule Warriors." In the Wii U version in 2014, the players had an option to choose from a number of characters from Zelda lore. But a female Link is not included.

"Legend of Zelda" for Wii U's female Link concept has inspired "Hyrule Warriors" producer Yousuke Hayashi to take a new approach in the game title's 3DS installment. It should be noted, though, that the new character is not actually a female Link because her arsenal, fighting style and backstory are different from the idea of Aonuma, limiting only the similarities to the clothing and name of the character, according to Venture Beat.

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