The Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma has told Kotaku that he is completely open regarding playable female characters in the next Zelda game for Wii U. Aonuma says there’s already female playable characters in the form of Zelda and Midna in Hyrule Warriors, but if that entices more females to play the game then it’s something he may consider for the next Zelda title. Aonuma concluded by saying that his ultimate goal is to have as many people as possible enjoy Hyrule Warriors as possible and then he will take things from there.
Aonuma: Is it that simple—that creating a female character means bringing more female users into the world?
Schreier: I guess what I mean is, when I’m playing and I see a man—in response to what you said about Link being a representation for the player, and the player being the main character—when a man is playing, he can feel more represented by the player character than a woman playing might.
Aonuma: So there are actually many female characters you can play as in Hyrule Warriors. We’ve introduced Midna, we’ve introduced Princess Zelda, and Impa as well. So if that connection needs to be there—I’m not saying that it does—let’s see what happens with Hyrule Warriors, if as a result of there being more female protagonists, more women pick up the game, I’m all for it, so I’ve decided to see what happens with this title.
Schreier: So I know that you can play as Zelda and Midna in Hyrule Warriors. A lot of people have been looking at that and saying, ‘Hey, I would love a game where I could play as Zelda, or Sheik’—have you ever thought about making a game where you get to play as Zelda and Sheik as the main character or hero?
Aonuma: I mentioned this earlier, but there are female characters in Hyrule Warriors, and I’d like to see what the result is of people actually being able to do all these things they want to, and if we get the results that in fact do say if people are given the opportunity to play as a female character, then more people will start playing, my ultimate goal is to have as many people as possible enjoy a game so I’d like to see what happens with Hyrule Warriors.
first
congratulations
*Warning!
Brainless argument taken out of proportion about females being in video games below!!
(and some random fetish vid ó_ó)
I wish I could smell Links feet ooh…. Good god that would be amazing
http://youtu.be/qEwSU1Y1guA
I’m so sick and tired of the feminazi’s infesting games with their bullshit.
Me too, i mean, if they want to play as a woman, go play bayonetta, super princess peach or metroid…
You are an idiot. There are thousands of games where you play as a man, but I can only name about ten where you play as a woman. We need more diversity in video games. Telling women “Go play these ten or so games where you play as a woman.” Is just stupid
Just because there’s a limited amount of female games doesn’t mean we should change a classic series to appease people. Come out with new IPs with female characters leading. I have no problem with a female character protagonist, but when you try to change an existing series, then I do.
I completely agree. Changing a game that has been being made for almost thirty years should not have a fundamental change like that. There’s nothing wrong with Link not being a girl, it isn’t sexist, it’s just how the game is, and it’s fabulous the way it is. Besides, Link is effeminate enough to make it work both ways.
Considering how Link is usually reincarnated, or a descendant of previous Links, there is no reason why a female Link can’t be chosen to save Hyrule in newer games.
Why are you so opposed to there being a female Link? Just because Link has always been male? Please, if you have an issue with such a small change, that says a lot of very bad things about you.
Then go play Street Fighter IV to play as a tranny, you bitch.
That at like saying hey let’s change Tomb Raiders Laura croft to a man! Men need diversity in those female based games(just kidding). Link is the Main Character of the legend of Zelda, if you don’t like it, play something else.
You know guys, that sexual harassment. That’s saying basically “girls should serve me and do nothing else”. You need to think man, that can get you in a lot of trouble, specially with the law. Female gamers are gamers like us, so if you say “fuck girls”, then fuck you, I’d rather have girls around to enjoy what I love to do, not tell them to play certain games.
It’s nothing of the sort you nitwit.
Wanna bet asswhole…?
No one said fuck girls dipshit. The point is there’s no need to drastically change a 25 plus year established formula and meme simply because a few chicks and homosexuals feels left out.
That’s not my point, and further more why not watch where your replying too if that was not meant to me in the first place. I suggest you read who I replied too and what I said. Asswhole!
With so many games out there that present only male characters, the world could use a few more female leads. And if having more female characters insights more interest from women, then gaming won’t be a domain of solely men. We don’t need extremist levels of female empowerment. We just need some diversity every once in a while. I mean, I’m a guy and I even feel like all of these male-oriented games are getting stale and boring. When given the choice, I choose to play as female characters now, because it’s just simply different and more interesting. Just saying, a choice would be nice.
Yes, because those ladies, are so much more than Zelda ever could be.
Zelda was Nintendo’s first badass Lady, and yet has always been pushed aside. For some people, they don’t even have to be feminists to seriously want Zelda playable. As a character, regardless of gender, Zelda has much more potential than Nintendo has been working with.
Ninja? Check. Queen/sovereign of a country, with possibilities of leading an army? Check. Pirate? Yes. Oh, and then there is that whole thing about her being a Goddess? Yeah.
So take that and hold it next to, Peach, who although I love her, only fills out one of those roles, yet has had a much more active role as a playable. And Samus, who is the main character, though lacks character. The Metroid lore isn’t always nessisarily about her, which is fine, but with Zelda there IS story potential.
So before you agree with the ‘feminatzi’ bs card, take note that not all Zelda lovers are pushing for it for the sake of feminism in the first place.
They need to stop going to college for women’s studies degrees and instead go for game design if it matters to them so damn much. All they do is complain.
Dude, just because there are female gamers doesn’t mean that they are interested in going into game design.
Feminazi’s will never be happy until men are extinct and woman can grow a penis.
This isn’t the feminazi’s doing, though. This is just Aonuma talking about how TLoZ franchise is changing..a lot. Adding a female playable character to the game has nothing to do with the feminazi agenda, it has to do with giving people more player options in games.
I’m sure there are lots of people that would play as a female character in a Zelda game. Also, how do you know that Aonuma isn’t talking about making Zelda playable?
I’m a guy & the idea of a few parts of the game allowing you to play as Zelda/Sheik would be awesome. Remember how Paper Mario had parts of the game where you played as Peach? Imagine that but with Zelda as she’s being held captive in the main villain’s lair. In fact, Zelda could open up certain areas in the villain’s lair for Link for when he finally arrives there.
Just no. I’d love a game where the main character is Zelda/Sheik, but a customizable or female Link, just no…
Why not?
A female Link sound pretty okay.
Where’s the problem?
I like female playable characters, but I feel like customization and gender selection would kill Link, we’ll talk about the game’s avatar instead of Link. So if you use a female avatar every statue and thing about past heros will need to be shift to female… So female character in Zelda world should be princess Zelda and not female Link
My thoughts exactly it would kill the entire Zelda mythology, but it would be so fucking nice to play as Zelda or Shiek besides Link, Anouma must make a game where Link and Zelda are playable characters and each one has their own Story.
Same story, but different perspectives, that’d be awesome
“It would kill the entire Zelda mythology” I have read some stupid bullshit in my time on here but that takes the piss. Well done dickhead you’ve said possibly the stupidest ever thing on this website. What a tool.
If that’s the stupidest thing you’ve read, you probably haven’t been here long.
Plus, he’s right. You have an entire mythology starting with the Goddess Hylia, and Link killing Demise, starting the cycle of Demise’s reincarnation.
The mythology is the hero and the princess are constantly reborn, along with Demise (in the form of Gan
If that’s the stupidest thing you’ve read, you probably haven’t been here long.
Plus, he’s right. You have an entire mythology starting with the Goddess Hylia, and Link killing Demise, starting the cycle of Demise’s reincarnation.
The mythology is the hero and the princess are constantly reborn, along with Demise (in the form of Ganondorf).
You’d have to be really dumb to not realize how a female Link would screw up this timeline.
Look at the Zelda games. Each one features a male Link as the protagonist. Each game is enveloped around this fact.
So when you’re trying to say that a female Link wouldn’t screw this up, you probably haven’t played many Zelda games, or you just don’t care about the franchise.
TL;DR Shut up and think before you post stupid shit.
No, each Zelda story features a princess and a hero. There is no mention of the hero being a male at all. Try actually playing all the games yourself before criticising what I wrote and making yourself look thick and unknowledgeable, like you claim I am.
Miyamoto said years ago that a lot of the games are a retelling of the same legend, hence why a lot of areas are constantly used or changed dramatically – because it’s like a story told in Chinese whispers which changes until it’s nowhere near the original. It’s like in 300 where elephants were used in the fight but as the Spartans had never seen them they described them vastly different to how they actually are. There is absolutely nothing to stop them giving the option of Link being a woman as the Hero Of Time and to try and use the “mythology” of the series as an argument just shows up how little people actually know of the games as that all these stories are meant to be, myths and legends passed down through Hyrule. The only constant is that it is a Princess Zelda. A female Ganondorf could easily happen as well as he could be reborn as a Gerudo woman with the spirit of Demise inside her. Do I want that? Not personally as I think he’s the most interesting video game character there is. Would I whine like a child if I did happen? No. I wouldn’t pass judgement until I’d played the game for myself. Same with a female Link, I would pick a male but why shouldn’t the option be there? Amusing how it’s just the immature runts on here moaning…
I agree. Link is supposed to be an avatar for the player. That’s why they named him Link.
Thank you, finally someone who understands from a Zelda fan’s pov. <3
Besides, in a way Zelda's got more hero potential than Link. Nintendo should stop pushing her aside as a barely there support character…
The problem is THIS IS FREAKING ZELDA! That would be just like saying that Tomb Raider games should have the option to change the ENTIRE concept to be a male character! That’s not the formula. No one asks for men to be playable in Tomb Raider so why here??
Tomb Raider is about a girl named Lara Croft. Legend Of Zelda is about a Princess and a reborn hero who is never stated to be a boy or girl. The venom some people on here are spouting – not you, by the way – shows just how petty and childish most gamers are. No wonder we constantly get bad press.
He makes it seem like only girls want to play as Zelda…I’m a guy and I’d like a game where you play as Zelda =/
People like the option though
For real… Does Aonuma really think that girls play games to be girls? Dude Nintendo’s creators are really old-school. :/
I really don’t care about their sex, but playing another perspective in the story and seeing more of Zelda’s side and the whole Shiek thing would be really cool.
Even Peach is getting playable roles. Which is good. I strongly believe having competent playable female characters sends a positive message to younger audiences. I’m really struggling why Aonuma thinks it’s such a big deal…
please no. whats next? playing as a male samus?
Sounds like blackmail to get female character option in next Zelda game. He’s really pushing for hyrule warriors to do well..
Though it is understandable to wait and see how people react, with a smaller test of including female characters in what I understand is a non-canon game. Problem is hyrule warriors is a different genre game from the main series, so it might not be the best test for this. Maybe if it was a main series game being used for the test it’d be more accurate as to whether it’d attract more players to the series.
You people do realize you’d probably be playing as zelda or a new character that basically takes over the role of link, they aren’t gonna have a female link that’s just dumb
Not to be sexist…….but NO!!
Don’t fix what isn’t broken and Link being the hero still sells millions.
It’s not about fixing what’s not broken, it’s about changing something up that might be BORING to other people or making something that’s already good even BETTER.
Playing as someone other than Link in a Legend of Zelda series would not be better for people like me. I don’t want the series messed with in that manner. New gameplay options, sure. But character change, NO.
But the character doesn’t have to be link, it’s supposed to represent you and having a female option would only help that, hell go full x and y and allow different skin and hair colours as well as the option to change clothing, I mean he doesn’t even wear the green tunic as far as we know
The character isn’t a “representation” of the player. At least not in a Zelda game. It’s like a book. You’re simply the person that’s watching the story take place.
That’s like asking for a female version of Harry Potter because since I’m reading about this kid, he’s a representation of me.
Yes
And if it’s a representation of “us” why is he “Link” in Smash bros or anywhere else they name him. Because that is who he is. They did the whole timeline of Link (a male) going to save Zelda (princess) and to stop Ganondorf (Demon King). And after all these years filled with 10+ games in the series, people now want another person other than Link? Nah
I don’t play GTAV and say “hmm this game sucks because it doesn’t give me the option to make Trevor Black or Franklin a girl.” You people need to stop pestering developers with ridiculous remarks. The game has a set story with specific characters, if you can’t handle this idea then go play sims or something, I don’t care what.
AJay has spoken world. All bow to him. Moron. Just because you don’t want it doesn’t mean others don’t either. Why can people like you never understand your opinion isn’t gospel? If someone wants to play as female in Zelda they should be allowed to. You don’t like it? Play as the male Link and stop crying like a child about it. Simple.
Amen.
I really don’t get what peoples problem is with having an female option, like pokemon it helps appeal to more people and potentially increasing sales
If I had the option to customize Link in this game, I wouldn’t. Simple as that. He’d still be Link.
Do you name him “Link” too or do you name him your name? I find that most people don’t actually name Link “Link.”
^With that being the case, why does it matter if Link is “Link” if people are trying to personalize the main character to themselves? It would actually make MORE sense if a female main character was available to choose if you would like.
Maybe they should set the default character as Link and let the player decide whether or not they want to customize him to their liking. You can pick normal Link, or choose your own boy or girl version. That way, people can be satisfied. I usually like Legend Of Zelda games mainly because Link is my favorite character and if that character in the reveal trailer is Link, I wouldn’t even dare change him. He’s just absolute perfection. Lol.
Exactly.
The same could be said for the Pokemon games as well.
You are given the option to play as either a male or female trainer, and a name of your choosing.
I’m fairly certain the majority of people use their own names and not the
default given ones.
In a game like this the lead character is supposed to represent “You” the players themselves.
Pokemon and Zelda are different kind of games, while in Pokémon the gender option is more appealing due to it’s RPG nature, in a Zelda game would modify the entire Zelda mytholgy, because since the beginning, Link was a male. But it would be cool if we could play as another already established female character (Zelda, Impa, etc) or as a new Female character besides Link.
It’s not like Zelda mythology can’t change. Nothing in the mythos says that Link can never be reincarnated into a female or that Zelda can’t be reincarnated into a prince…. just saying.
Using the mythology as an excuse is actually not as sound as you think. When you try to use the mythology, it sounds more like you are trying to stick with what YOU have known, personally, all your life regarding the Zelda franchise.
People have to be more open to change. Everyone is so couped up and resistant to little differences.
Zelda 2, Princess Zelda is cursed and put into an eternal sleep, her brother then deemed every first born female in the Royal Family be named Zelda. Zelda isn’t reincarnated nor is Link. We know the Royal Family has their blood line so all Zelda’s are related. I have no idea if every Link is related but I’m going to doubt that. Regardless, the Mythology is solid and you can’t just change it all Willy Nilly.
That would be like the Jewish people disregarding the Old Testament and switching over to the Talmud.
Still doesn’t mean Zelda or Sheik couldn’t be playable.
I personally think with the Zelda game’s adventure orientation having another perspective could add a lot of variety to the same maps. Plus, playing as Sheik and exploring new areas, crawling, climbing up walls, and infiltrating areas would be fun as hell and way different than playing as Link. Obviously playing as Link would be fun and he’s a staple, but including more characters could flesh out the story so much more and add whole new dimensions to existing maps and greatly increase playability
Let link be gay as well lol
Link being a girl is a big difference like it or not.
Because it’s not that kind of game! Want options, go play Mass Effect or some shit game like it.
This isn’t pokemon, this is Zelda. Gender Customizations make no since to long term fans.
Playable female characters would be awesome.
I never really felt excluded when playing as (male) Link. I don’t need to play as my own gender to feel included, really. But whenever there is a choice, I always play as a girl. That being said, it would be interesting if Link were to be a girl in this game. I’d enjoy it. :)
The only way I can see this happening if it were kind of like Paper Mario, where in that game after certain key events you play as kidnapped Peach for a short period of time. Anyone remember this?
I loved those parts in the game! This also would be the only way to keep the storyline/mythology in check without destroying it or recreating it. As a female gamer I see nothing wrong playing as Link, similar to how I play as Mario or any other male character.
I told that same idea to Snowman somewhere near the top of the article. That’s one of the reasons I loved Paper Mario for the N64. I’m glad I’m not the only one thinking of Paper Mario for Zelda U.
Sounds sweet to me
How does including a female playable character option = feminazi? Idk what’s worse these days, feminazi or idiots who think anything related to female inclusiveness = feminazi. I don’t see how adding in a female playable character being playable is bad at all. The more options the better.
People complains about the possibility of customizing Link from gender to looks. The inclusion of a playable female character would be really cool.
I don’t see how being able to customize Link’s gender or looks is a bad thing either. He’s supposed to represent the player and his gender and looks have little to no siginificance in the plot anyways, so why not allow people to modify it to their liking?
IDK, Mike, I was thinking the same thing as you.
Let’s give mario the option to shave his mustache and grow boobs! Cuz that’s what all the kids want right?!?!
Nope! Not at all. If you look around the majority of female gamers are and always will be fine with male link ( just like I’m fine with female samus). I’m all for Zelda being playable ( she doesn’t even need to be a helpless bitch who gets kidnapped all the time ). Maybe Link and Zelda could team up and fight side by side with Zelda having a legendary secret giving her a really cool backstory (hell might even give us a fun multiplayer option)
But I SWEAR TO JESUS If Link is a girl and Zelda has a dick, I’m done.
Each Zelda game is told like a story being passed on by someone to someone else. It’s never been said, ever, the Hero WAS A BOY. It’s just what people have said. Like Chinese whispers – or the film 300 to an extent – stories get changed as they’re told time and time again. There’s no reason Link couldn’t be a girl, or we could pick to play either as a male or female.
Interestingly, the majority of girls that I know who play games actually do so because of Zelda’s and they fancy the arse off of Link.
There is absolutely no possible way that adding a female playable character to the Zelda franchise is a bad thing. More options ALWAYS equals “better game.”
If you don’t want to play as a female character or a female version of Link then you DON’T HAVE TO.
Yes, we know that Link’s origins have him as male. We get that, but we aren’t debating changing Link’s whole history. We are entering the future, where changes will happen to the Zelda franchise in order to get as many people into the game as possible.
More character options does NOT always equal better. If a game sucks, character selection doesn’t change that. In regards to this topic, adding characters is not wanted by many people. Just because you think they should doesn’t make it right. A lot of people don’t want the character aspect to change in the Legend of Zelda. Why should they change an already incredible series? Link has always been male, and should remain that way. I’ve never wanted to play as any other character in the series, at least not in the main series. Smash Brothers is a different story. Some of the commenters on here say people who don’t want the changes are close minded. Well they should look in the mirror. They slam anyway who disagrees, so they are in fact close minded themselves. And I’ve never wanted customization either. This series has been doing great without all this stuff and I have no desire to change Link’s appearance or gender or role. And every time I play a Zelda game for the first time, I do name him “Link.” Because that’s who he is. Should we change Mario to Maria? The Legend of Zelda is a one player action adventure that is amazing. I for one don’t want these changes made. Surely you can respect my opinion at the very least.
Well said. I completely agree.
I agree with staying Male, but why not play as Zelda too?
More options = more spoiledass gamer.
Feminazis – Plqy as Zelda
Everyone who appreciates a game for what it is – Play as Zelda and Link
None will get the options to play as Female Link or Male Zelda
Sorry but it ain’t gunna happen :3
Plus if you give the option to make Link a girl, then HER name couldn’t even be Link (as it is a guys name). Therefore it wouldn’t even be link anymore.
I’m telling everyone now..
Link WILL be a guy. Zelda WILL be a girl. We WILL get to play as both. Now shut up and face the facts.
Thank you all and goodnight.
I was hoping for some character customization for the Zelda U, but oh well.
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Personally, I find it bizarre that something as tiny as the character’s gender and appearance making it hard for people to enjoy. Link is not a self-insert character like the Pokemon series, but rather he is his own character with his own story.
Also, as evidenced by many polls over the years, more gamers name him “Link” above any other name.
In my opinion, if they want a female option, then it should be different than just a “Female Link”. Perhaps a brand new character with her own skills or something to that effect.
What a freaking idiot. As someone mentioned, Hyrule Warriors is not the same as the main series. This game should NOT be a referendum on whether or not to add a female character to the main series. That makes absolutely no sense.
Link still needs to be the protagonist. If there is a segment or a dungeon where you play as someone else, fine. But don’t make Zelda the main character who saves Link. That’s just stupid.
Oh come now, imagine a game where for once Gannon gets smart and realizes that if he takes out the Hero of Time rather than Zelda, he can actually ensure his victory, so he captures and neutralizes Link first. Now, in order to defeat Gannon, Zelda has to undertake a quest to somehow free Link so that Link can do his Hero of Time business.
Is it really so repugnant to imagine a scenario where a woman saves a man without emasculating him for you?
Imagining is fine. Playing a Zelda game where Link isn’t the protagonist is not for me, AKA my opinion.
Same here. Don’t want it.
Honestly I agree, I want the same Link it’s always been. I have nothing against female lead characters really. But as a young man, personally I want to play the role of Link. If they let people choose Link or Zelda then that’s fine by me, I’ll just pick Link as always. Because he’s the main character…
Yes I think that would be terrible. Messing with TLOZ formula just so offended people will stop complaining is tacky. If they make a game like this, I want the main focus to be gameplay not because you’re 25years butt hurt over not being able to be a girl.
You know, given how reincarnation generally works, it would be completely possible for the Hero of Time to be female in a given incarnation. it would not Ruin Everything Forever. The only arguments against having a female version of Link that can be made are very similar to the ones that say that a given character cannot be black, or cannot be played by a short person, or otherwise cannot be altered because it’s always been some other way.
Link is a member of a bloodline destined to confront evil. The gender of Link is literally a non-issue, as it bears no impact on whether or not they belong to this bloodline that has to fight the badness.
This really isn’t a matter of femininity infiltrating and defiling that which is traditionally male, which seems to be the viewpoint of a good number of posters here. Frankly, when you make your argument about such things you betray your own insecurity and immaturity.
I don’t wouldn’t mind with the option of male and female, but like I said in many other posts. Link is already a iconic figure of Nintendo. He does not really need a gender change just for some fans to be happy. Playing games to me, has nothing to do with representation and superiority, all I ever care in a game is the fun aspect. As long as I have fun in the game, I don’t care what gender I play as.
Also for reincarnation, in dmc 5 Dante is reincarnated, yet still male, just because there is the reincarnation logic for the hero of time, still does not mean Link is not an iconic figure.
I find that a lot of people are not seeing Link as a figure of NIntendo, since he has no set charcter, yet he still looks generally the same. Aonuma never stated that Link can’t be anyone. If you are a female, then you can be one, it doesn’t matter if Link has a gender change or not. Link is stoic, he has no set personality because the player makes who he is. Link can be anyone, he doesn’t have to have the look for it.
I have no problems with Zelda taking an active role, I think its about time. I’d love to see a game where we take on the role of several characters, not just the hero. Link, Zelda and Ganondorf, I think it’d be interesting.
I’m a girl myself, yet I never really cared about this female protagonist controversial crap. I just play the game how it is, and only complain about the important stuff, nothing like
“Why does the character look like this?”
“Why is the art not to my liking?”
“Why is the intro to the game so loud and obnoxious?”
“Why isn’t everything pink or blue as fuck?”
“How come fucking bananas and apples grow on the same tree in this game?”
“Can I smack myself and jump off a cliff?”
“Why does this pixel look like a dick!?”
“Is Tingle the next savior to defeat Ganondorf?”
I’m fine with there being female characters, just not a “female” link, make a new character. This way, everyone’s happy!
That’s fine and all, But I don’t think you should change the core of Legend of zelda gameplay after 25 years of games. I’m not saying women don’t deserve to be mains, but if you’re working on something for that long, why change the character? that’s like changing Mario to an American plummer after being Italian for 25 years. or making samus into a guy after all this time. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If people want more female leads, ask for a new IP or focus on games that have female characters who are playable from the start and ask for them to have their leads. Don’t ruin it for everyone else because you feel otherwise.
Great points and great suggestions!
The core of the legend of zelda gameplay is that link is male…
i didn’t know the engine had dong mechanics.
Exactly
A female… playable… character… in Zelda… O_o Dayum… Please don’t do that. The Legend of Zelda is about Link, and should always be about Link…
Femanist are ruining life as we know it. They want everyone to cater to them and they make issues out of stuff that is childish. I dont mind of they do but if they take link out as a main character I will not buy another Zelda game again prolly.
I don’t what why people are still so upset with Aonuma. He is open to a lead character with Zelda, and he never suggested for people to play the any game to represent as their ethnicity or gender. He just wants people to have fun while playing LoZ. I just don’t get this whole controversy….
I would be pleased if Aonuma-san incorporated a male/female dynamic like Resident Evil 2, where there are two sides to the story & one playable character happens to be female (in RE 2’s case, Claire Redfield, but in a new LoZ’s case, Princess Zelda/Sheik/Tetra, Impa, or a new female character in the Zelda franchise).
Or a single-player co-op dynamic like RE Ø. Switching between Rebecca Chambers & Billy Coen on the fly–having one tag along or splitting them up–was fun & offered a great deal of strategy & character depth . Then again, since Zelda U’s puzzles might be more intuitive & less abstract, I’m not sure how well that dynamic would work. However, this dynamic would be much deeper than Spirit Tracks & still preserve LoZ canon & Zelda herself (instead of esentially being replaced by a Phantom Guardian).
There are many ways to preserve the integrity of what’s already been established & yet still add something new. Incorporating a playable female character into LoZ’s formula doesn’t have to be drastic, but could go a long way to adding depth & revitalizing the experience. But a simple avatar change would drastically alter LoZ canon. While dialogue interaction could fit either gender, it would still sends ripples all the way to LoZ’s core. Like Finn & Jake vs. Fionna & Cake: both are Adventure Time, but things ain’t the same. I enjoy them both, but the only way to have my cake & eat it too would be a spin-off or dream scenario.
I actually would love to play as more than one character in the next huge title for LoZ. It will add a nice enough twist for the fans, without causing anymore damage.
I won’t be so sure of changing Link’s gender altogether though. He already represents Nintendo as a mascot, while also representing the player. Link can be anything doesn’t mean he must have the look for it.
Oh yeah, the co-op idea was also incorporated into Twilight Princess, just not as deep or prevelant as I suggested w/ my RE2 & Ø examples. Still, there are hints in LoZ that a female character could have a bigger, even playable role w/ out damaging what’s already been established.
I’m all for having more variety re gender & ethnicity in games, & life in general. But to incorporate that kinda change @ the expense of something as innocuous as playing as a male lead would be dangerous for & disrespectful to everyone. Eventually, history would be white-washed & distorted (even further than it already is) & there’d be complete androgeny, one race, one religion, & a global dictatorship. It’s bad enough that, as David Bowie sang, “Nobody needs anyone, they don’t even just pretend.” Yes, let’s all be completely independant like reptiles instead of mammals.
Er, uh, I mean…video games, yeah, something-something, Nintendo.
Exactly, so if they add in a playable Shiek or a new character, LoZ can create a co-op for the gameplay. One player controls the other while the other plays as Link, sort of like how Tingle interacted in Wind Waker.
I am not really saying it’s harmful in that sort of way. What I meant is that, since Link is an iconic figure is there a need to change him? Will most fans be happy with this change? LoZ existed in Japan way before NA, and I can guarantee that this change will not be taken lightly. Even though to me, Link already represents the player. He does not need to look a certain way for fans to identify as Link. Link is the player, he is you, fans can still enjoy LoZ without immersing themselves entirely. LoZ is still a fun game, regardless of this.
As usual people are blowing it all out of proportion when the ones mostly doing these “feminist” things are the guys themselves…
Just like when there is a racial debate, it’s always the non affected ones that argues all the time…
In my experience over 2 decades of gaming, straight “manly” guys and men are the ones that often plays as female characters whenever there are options to play as them while girls/women and many gay men often plays as male characters…
I realised that people plays as characters most of the time NOT representing themselves but representing their often ideal partner in some way…
I’m tired of this old ideology that women would be a lot more interested in a game if they could play as women…
When it comes to Nintendo games it doesn’t matter, there are so many women and Girls that loves Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda etc etc…
If anything, it’s the other 2 misguided options that are the ones discriminating women in games most of the time while in our empire it’s the developers thinking in old ways…
That does tend to be the case more than not. Even when there are people picketing TV shows with a young female lead being half naked, you see more guys in those crowds than you do women. >.< One guy I saw on Miiverse was complaining about how the Great Fairy in Hyrule Warriors had big, fully exposed cleavage & that it was detrimental to women. And that he lost interest in the game & won't get it because of that even though he was pretty hyped for the game.
Yes, it is always the ones that should not be complaining that complains…
But on the other hand, many japanese guys are perverts…
And wouldn’t that be a whole new case of misogyny then? lol If Link becomes a female, I am sure that a lot of guys (not all) will view her as a object and easy on the eyes *shrugs*
@tallon ridley: I agree with everything you said, and I think that was what Aonuma hinted on in this interview. He might create another playable character aside from Link, since Link is still the iconic mascot of LoZ. Unlike his first interview, where he became interested in making a game where Zelda will be the main character but he will just have to adjust the title.
To those overreacting, I think Aonuma is talking about adding a 2nd hero to the game that is female, not change Link himself into a female hero. There are three ways I can see this being pulled off. (*Note: Two, or maybe even three, of these ideas were also thought of by two others on this article posting in the comments.)
1. This is inspired by the first Resident Evil. Before the game starts, you choose between either Link or a female character. The gameplay is then changed depending on which one you chose. If you picked Link, the gameplay is the same as all other Zelda games. If you picked the girl, depending on who she is, the gameplay is different from Link’s version of the gameplay. At the end of the game, whoever you didn’t choose has to be saved.
2. This is inspired by Paper Mario. You play as Link, as always, throughout the game. At certain key points in the game, the game shifts to the female character as she does some stuff that would help Link on his quest. Maybe she can provide Link with the items he needs to progress through the game or provide him with items that will help him in his quest.
3. This is inspired by Resident Evil 0. You basically play as both characters throughout the game as you can switch between them at will. To mix things up, as in the 1st way, the gameplay changes depending on who you play. Certain points of the game would also force you to play a certain character either because the heroes got separated or you can only progress at this point by switching to a specific character.
I get what he’s saying, but at the same time I think it’s really sexist for a woman to not enjoy a game simply because the playable character is male.
How is it sexist? He clearly stated that he wants everyone to enjoy playing the game, not by having a gender represent them as a person. LoZ was never about representation, it was about having fun playing the game.
I’m pretty sure Groose is referring to the women complaining about having to play a man. Women that constantly complain about that do come off as a bit sexist.
Oh I see, I read it wrong, I am sorry Groose.
Only the sexist women themselves don’t appreciate link being male. The girls that play zelda I know are perfectly fine with it. (Just like I’m fine with Samus)
I would LOVE to have a Zelda game where Princess Zelda is the main playable character throughout the game instead of the damsel in distress. I’m sick of women always getting captured in games. Let them be the badass for once.
Wasn’t there something like this in Spirit Tracks?
Yes, thank you…
You could play with both Link and Zelda (her spirit) and she was better than Link in some areas, like The final battle against Malladus…
I never played Spirit Tracks because I heard it had the same play control as Phantom Hourglass. And I HATED the play control in that game! Totally wore my hand out.
I’ve been playing video games for about 20 years. I’m used to playing as a guy by now! Besides, most the games are in third-person view and most of the guys have a cute butt. I’m ok with that continuing. (But Link has to wear a shield, covering up part of that cute butt, darn it!)
As long as I can choose Link 100% of the time, im for a femail playable character! But, it can just be put in there! This will change the main story a lot.. you know, the one about the boy being born destined to save the world.. it seams a bit though to get away from that without it being stupid in some way or another! ..and if there is a female playable character, it can NOT be Zelda!
They could just have another playable character for a co-op. Doesn’t mean it has to be Zelda, it can be someone else who accompanies Link like Midna and Navi etc Except this time, another player can control that character along side Link. I think this was what Aonuma was hinting at.
Actually, it can be Zelda. She doesn’t always have to be the princess that needs saving. As Aonuma said, he’s waiting to see how Hyrule Warriors does before he makes any big decisions for Zelda U.
That will be cool, instead of waiting for the cpu, you can just get your friend or sibling to control Zelda or someone else during boss fights.
As I stated in a previous article, the game could work like Paper Mario in that at certain story points of the game, you switch to Zelda, who’s been kidnapped, doing stuff at the villain’s lair that will assist Link when he finally arrives there to save her. Only difference would be Zelda doesn’t sneak around but instead can actually fight enemies.
I read you statement in the above post already, and I agree with the second theory more so than the first, it just seems more likely. And as you stated, people can finally control Zelda instead of relying on the cpu.
*facepalm* Just realized this is the same article I posted that. >.<
Seriously…? There are some things that you just don’t change. Changing the gender of an iconic character who has been male for almost 30 years is not going to work. Making Link customizable would kill him as a character and doing the same with the story or making Zelda the main protagonist of a non-spinoff game would kill the story and timeline.
Link, Zelda and (possibly) Ganondorf are defined by their role in the legend. Making Zelda a sword-wielding badass is not “better” than keeping her as who she is, a wise princess. Zelda already is a good character. We don’t need any of these cliché role reversals. They aren’t THAT empowering, they’re just boring for most parts.
As a female and a Zelda fan, I really enjoy the mythology and story of the Zelda games and all the characters tied to it. If I wanted to have representation I would just play a different game.
The Zelda games are great the way they are and there is no reason to change something so significant like the gender of the protagonist or the protagonist itself, other than to make SJWs, who don’t even play the games, shut up. Also, girls who weren’t interested in Zelda games before, will not just start to buy them because there’s a female protagonist. This is not how it works and hopefully, Nintendo realizes it. Nobody complains about Samus being a girl and most actual Zelda gamers like Link. (Heck, it’s one of the reasons why I even play Zelda)
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hmmmmmm. i’m open to the idea of having a female link, but i would hate it if they tried to shoehorn a second female character in just to be more diverse. if its something like how pokemon has it where you just choose at the begining then i’m all for it, however switching characters or briefly controlling them would be just stupid