Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have helped push The Legend of Zelda to another echelon, being arguably the two biggest titles on the Nintendo Switch, even though BOTW launched on the Wii U. Still, it is known widely as a Switch title, and the Switch's run has largely been very generous toward the Zelda series, with two Hyrule Warriors games, two Wilds era games, and Echoes of Wisdom. Outside the Wilds era games, Princess Zelda has been playable, something fans have wanted for a long time, and there's a chance this trend could continue.

Princess Zelda seems to be the protagonist of the next Hyrule Warriors game, The Imprisoning War, hot off the heels of being the main focus of Echoes of Wisdom, and it certainly seems that fans are lapping it up. The Wilds era version of Princess Zelda has been a fan favorite, with her short hair reveal for TOTK breaking the internet alongside a dehydrated Ganondorf and the idea of getting a hunky, hydrated version in the full game. Still, this won't stop Link from getting the spotlight he's held since the series' inception, although BOTW's producer has hinted at another version of Link.

BOTW Rumors Suggested A Female Link

Linkle Could Make A Mainline Return

When players first got a look at Breath of the Wild and its open world, there were rumors that Link could have been a woman, and this wouldn't have been as bizarre as many believed at the time. There is already an official, female version of Link called Linkle, appearing in Hyrule Warriors Legends. Although a counterpart of Link, she fights quite differently, utilizing twin crossbows and swift kicks in Hyrule Warriors. This design resonated with many fans, her green cloak and brown boots taking elements of Link's iconic design and integrating them well.

There was a concept to make Linkle Link's sister, but it was scrapped for fear of her being confused with Aryll, his sister in The Wind Waker.

Linkle would actually find herself in Breath of the Wild, although not officially. A popular mod replaced Link with Linkle, remaking all the armor to fit this female version. It managed over 300 thousand s on Game Banana, an impressive tally considering that the Switch isn't the most receptive to mods, showing a desire to play a female Link. Linkle could make a proper debut in the main series, becoming more than a fun side character, considering that she already has a concrete design that fans seem to like. It isn't as though the market isn't there.

Eiji Aonuma Says Female Link Could Happen Someday

Or Perhaps Link Could Be Someone Completely Different

In an interview with Vice, BOTW producer Eiji Aonuma discusses the possibility of a female version of Link, having made comments before BOTW's release that Link didn't necessarily have to be male. This was after initial trailers showed an androgynous-looking Link with a bow, although it should be noted that Link has always looked quite feminine, due to his youth and fairy-like design. Still, the idea of playing a female Link got people talking, and Aonuma isn't opposed to the idea of Link getting gender-swapped, as he explains in the interview.

Aonuma stated in 2017 that the idea of Link being someone completely different, or the protagonist being 'radically different from what we’ve seen before' was 'a possibility' in the future, yet it isn't something that has happened as of April 2025. This is largely due to Nintendo staying in the Wilds era with the Zelda series since the release of BOTW, which makes sense given its success. BOTW took the series in a new direction, and when Nintendo eventually leaves the Wilds era behind, it could go in another direction, which Aonuma has already mentioned.

The Next Zelda Game Should Have A Different Kind Of Link Protagonist

BOTW Proved That Changing The Formula Can Work

Although many look at Wilds era Link as though he is normal now, back in 2017, his new design was a big deal. The blue tunic was a massive talking point, losing the traditional green garb and floppy hat that he had worn since his debut in the 80s, but this proved to be the right move. This version of Link is well-loved, as is Wilds era Zelda, making the pair distinct compared to their many counterparts. Nintendo could do this again by introducing a different kind of Link, whether that be a female variant, like Linkle, or an older, adult version.

Link tends to be either 10 years old or 17, and was both ages in Ocarina of Time, but is roughly 117 in BOTW after his 100-year nap.

This doesn't have to be for a mainline Zelda title, since the series is pumping out spin-offs at a faster rate than the main titles. There will be three Hyrule Warriors games soon, two set in the Wilds era, and as popular as the era has been, an experimental title in a different period of Hyrule's history would be a nice change of pace. This is exactly what Echoes of Wisdom did, presenting an entirely different aesthetic and gameplay style with Princess Zelda as the protagonist. Another title could do the same with Linkle at the helm.

A Female Link Seems Possible After Zelda In EoW

Nintendo Has Been More Experimental Since BOTW

Echoes of Wisdom was a massive deal for the Zelda series, and similar to Princess Peach: Showtime! it allowed the usual damsel to shine without their hero. To be fair to Zelda, many versions of her often help Link just as much as he helps him, but that didn't result in the princess as the protagonist until EoW. With Hyrule Warriors making more of Zelda's female cast playable too, it seems that Nintendo is more willing to let the women of Hyrule shine on the big stage. It could be a way for the company to experiment more with the IP.

Breath of the Wild was very experimental for the Zelda series, introducing an open world, climbing, a hilariously exploitable physics engine, different weapons types, and much more. Tears of the Kingdom added constructs, Hyrule Warriors brought the IP to the Musou genre, and EoW made Princess Zelda the protagonist. These have all been risky decisions that have paid off for Nintendo, pushing the IP to new grounds while turning heads. There isn't a reason for Nintendo to stop experimenting, since the Zelda series is yet to be burned after 2017.

Given Linkle pre-established existence, her fighting style, powers with her com, and a liking from fans, which resulted in a massive mod, perhaps this experimentation will make her The Legend of Zelda's next protagonist. There have already been signs and with Echoes of Wisdom's reception, it doesn't seem impossible. If Eiji Aonuma's words still hold true to the future of the series, another experiment seems more like an inevitability than a minor possibility, and it will be exciting to see where the franchise ends up in the coming years.

Source: Gamebanana, Vice.com