Toon Link is the alternate "toon-shading" version of Link, that originated in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, and has since appeared in The Wind Waker, Four Swords Adventures, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks. In the games, this version of Link is a legendary hero and swordsman who saves the Great Sea from Ganondorf after the flooding of Hyrule. Toon Link makes appearances in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as a playable fighter, and a separate character from Link, with a similar moveset to him.
History
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Link was originally supposed to cameo in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga as one of the many Nintendo characters (all of whom were replaced by Professor E. Gadd in the final) who would appear at the Starbeans Cafe to test out Mario and Luigi's latest coffee creation.[1] His sprite seems to have been modeled after the incarnation of Link as he appears in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap[2]. Meeting Link would award the player the Triforce, which was replaced with the Great Force for the final version.
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
In WarioWare: Smooth Moves, there is a microgame called The Wind Waker which involves Link using his Deku Leaf to land on an island. This game uses the form "The Mohawk".
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Main article: SmashWiki:Toon Link (SSBB)
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Toon Link is a secret playable character. His statistics and move set are based on Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Melee, most likely replacing him because Young Link comes from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is an older game than Wind Waker. Link and Toon Link are very similar characters in the game, having almost the same move set in and the same Final Smash.
Solid Snake Codec conversation
- Snake: Mei Ling, who is this kid with the cat eyes...?
- Mei Ling: Oh, they call him Toon Link. Doesn't he look familiar?
- Snake: Yeah, he looks just like Link.
- Mei Ling: But you know there've been several people who've gone by that name, right? They all have certain things in common--green clothes, a sword, a shield... But they all came from different lands and lived in different eras. And yet the spirit of the hero of the Triforce is timeless. It's an essence that transcends history.
- Snake: I think I can relate to that.
- Mei Ling: Huh? What do you mean?
- Snake: There's been more than one "Snake," too, you know...
The Subspace Emissary
After beating The Subspace Emissary, in the forest stage, if the player enters the first red door in the beginning of the level, he or she will be taken to the Pirate Ship. There, Toon Link will be looking out to the sea. However, once he sees the player, he's surprised. Thinking the player is an enemy, he attacks the player. The player then fights Toon Link, and if he is beaten, Toon Link is unlocked as a playable character.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
- Main article: SmashWiki:Toon Link (SSB4)
Toon Link is set to return as a playable character in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
Another rendition of Toon Link, reflecting his appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks also appears as a background character. This Toon Link appears on the Spirit Train stage, in the Nintendo 3DS version. He is replaced with Alfonzo if Toon Link or Link is involved in the battle.
Special Moves
Hookshot
- Main article: SmashWiki:Hookshot and Clawshot
The Hookshot is Toon Link's grab move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It now automatically targets the edge of the stage when preforming a Tether Recovery, which is now used by many characters. This version of the Hookshot is styled after its appearance in The Wind Waker. Aside from its appearance and auto targeting, it is seemingly unchanged from Young Link's version of the Hook shot.
For Link the move is replaced by the Clawshot to fit his Twilight Princess look.
Hero's Bow
- Main article: SmashWiki:Hero's Bow
The Hero's Bow is Toon Link's and Link's standard special move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Bow can be used by Kirby as well, but only if he sucks up Link or Toon Link's powers.
Once done, Toon Link will pull a bow and arrow out of nowhere, and start aiming. The attack can be charged up by holding the button. It will not increase the power of the move, but the arrow will be able to go farther if the move is charged. The attack can be done in mid-air as well, but it is harder to control the firing.
Boomerang
- Main article: SmashWiki:Boomerang
Boomerang is a side special move used by Toon Link in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is also Link's and Young Link's Side B move in Melee. Link's Boomerang gets replaced by the Gale Boomerang in Brawl however.
Once the move is executed, Link, Young Link or Toon Link will throw a Boomerang sideways, which will hit a nearby opponent and then hit them again on the way back. The attack can also be moved slightly upwards and downwards. There are a few differences between Link's, Young Link's and Toon Link's versions of the attack. Link's can be thrown farther and does more damage, but lacks control. Young Link's cannot go as far as his adult counterpart's attack, nor can it do as much damage. However, Young Link is able to control it better, being able to tilt it up or down easier than Link. The difference between Link and Toon Link's attacks in Super Smash Bros. Brawl are the same as Link and Young Link's differences from Super Smash Bros. Melee, with the added effect that Toon Link's Boomerang doesn't wrap opponents up in a small twister.
Spin Attack
- Main article: SmashWiki:Spin Attack
Spin Attack is an attack that can be used by Link, Young Link, and Toon Link in the Super Smash Bros. series. It is their Up Special Move. This move may be based on the Hurricane Spin move that can be executed in both games.
Toon Link will spin around with his sword held out, severely damaging anyone who gets hit. The attack can also be used while jumping, acting as Toon Link's third jump. When an opponent is hit by Toon Link's ground attack, the attack will last longer. The move can be charged up for a stronger hit. If used in the air, it will put Toon Link into a helpless state.
Bomb
- Main article: SmashWiki:Bomb (Link)
Bomb is Link's, Toon Link's and Young Link's Down Special Move. They will pull out a Bomb with its fuse lit. They hold the Bomb until it is thrown. Once thrown, the Bomb will either stay at the spot it was thrown to and explode a few moments later, or it will explode on impact. The former is more common in Super Smash Bros. However, the Bomb will explode even if Link, Toon Link or Young Link are holding it. Additionally, the two will be unable to pick up items while holding the Bomb. Young Link and Toon Link can not throw their Bombs as far, and it does not do as much damage, but he is able to run away from the explosion quicker. Toon Link's blast radius, however, is twice as big as Link's blast radius, and the Bomb's are harder to see. When using this bomb however, the player must be careful not to get caught in the blast.
Although the Bombs do decent damage, their knockback is minor compared to the Bob-omb item.
Triforce Slash
- Main article: SmashWiki:Triforce Slash
The Triforce Slash is Link's and Toon Link's Final Smash move in the game Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Once the Smash Ball is collected, the Triforce on Link's hand starts to glow. He will then use a Triforce to trap another player. He will then slash away furiously, severely injuring the player. The final blow is the strongest, and has a high chance of KO'ing an opponent. However, an opponent can survive, if they are lucky enough to land on solid ground. This attack is easily done in midair as well. Toon Link's Final Smash is a slightly modified version of this move, as well.
Attack origin
In The Legend of Zelda series, every Link gets a Triforce on the back of his left hand, except for in the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess where he has it on the back of his right hand due to the game being flipped (the GameCube version is in the original orientation). Sakurai mentions that for this Final Smash, Link releases the Triforce he has in his hand and traps his opponents inside of it. This move hasn't been seen in any Zelda game, however Puppet Zelda in Twilight Princess used the Triforce as an attack similar to this.
Differences
- When Link hits with the Master Sword, it makes a slash sound, but when Toon Link swipes with his sword, it makes a 'slosh' sound.
- Link can shoot from far away, and the Triforce will make contact, but with Toon Link, the player has to be right next to him.
- The Triforce does not hurt foes when they are in the Triforce Slash target's launching range when Link fires, but when Toon Link fires, it does 10% damage.
- Toon Link's triforce is smaller in appearance.
- Link's Triforce is a light gold, while Toon Link's is a bit darker.
Profiles and statistics
Trophies
| Name | Image | Game | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toon Link | 
|
GCN The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Link as he appeared in The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass, with big eyes and an expressive face. He lived peacefully on Outset Island until a bird captured his little sister, and he came to her rescue. In The Wind Waker, he had to crawl, press up to walls, and the like. His green clothes were worn on his 12th birthday and are the lucky outfit of the hero of legend. |
| DS The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass | |||
| Triforce Slash (Toon Link) | 
|
Wii Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Toon Link's Final Smash. Hit an enemy with the light emanating from the Triforce mark on his hand to initiate the move. The enemy will be trapped within the Triforce and be unable to move--Toon Link will then rush in close and carve up his foe at lightning speed. The final blow will break the Triforce prison and send the opponent off the screen. |
| Outset Link | 
|
GCN The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | Link in his traditional clothing. He wears a blue, V-neck, long-sleeved top with a shrimp pattern, coordinated with slender orange pants. It makes you think that, even on his home, Outset Island, Link was quite the fashion leader, and suggests that he may have changed into his green hero's clothing somewhat grudgingly. |
Stickers
| Image | Game | Effect |
|---|---|---|
|
Zelda: The Wind Waker | [Explosive] - Attack +20 |
|
Zelda: The Wind Waker | Sticker Drops +40 |
|
Zelda: The Wind Waker | [Flame] - Attack +31 Usable by: Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, Toon Link |
Mario series appearances
| Title | Description | Release Date | System/Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Konga 2 | Cameo, as his face appears on a badge | 2004 | Gamecube |
| WarioWare: Smooth Moves | Cameo in microgame. | 2006 | Wii |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Unlockable Playable Character | 2008 | Wii |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | Starter Playable Character | 2014 | 3DS |
Names in other languages
Trivia
- In an interview, Shigeru Miyamoto described toon-styled Link as "Cat-eyed Link".[3]
- Coincidentally, Solid Snake describes Toon Link as having cat eyes during his codec conversation.
References
- ^ The Mushroom Kingdom (Accessed on 12-13-09)
- ^ Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga: More Beta Sprites (Accessed on 12-13-09)
- ^ Miyamoto comments Toon Link's style. Miyamoto addresses Link-eyed cat[sic]
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