Old(er) Link?

So far, Link has been portrayed as a child and a young adult. Perhaps it would be interesting to see an older, wiser Link--someone who is already a veteran fighter, strengthened by a lifetime of experience, adventure, and combat.

I'd like to see him as a middle-aged man; older, wiser, but still just as quick witted and combat savvy.

Has anyone mentioned this before? Is the idea interesting? Terrible? What do you guys think?

well i think its terrible. i like the teenage link better. it just seems fitting to have someone young save hyrule instead of someone older. that and i am a teenager! i feel special being the same age as link! ha ha im a nerd! go nerds!!!! sorry off topic rant

but i agree with the veteran fighter and wiser and such. but how would they portray that part in a game anyway? he already seems like such a skilled fighter already

I don't think they should change his age that much. He needs to be young enough that Ganon can still refer to him as "boy," or we could have some rather awkward moments in future installments.

"It's been a long time' middle-aged man."

As for making him seem more skilled... That actually wouldn't be very hard to do. In almost every Zelda (baring sequels) Link has little-to-no experience with a blade when he first gets one. They could change this fairly easily -Just give him some background experience with them. Perhaps he could start off as a Squire of Hyrule nearing his Knighthood.

Lets just say. no.
Middle-aged hero, doesnt seem like a good idea.

It would be strange and different, but all together I'm sorry to say that I will also raise my hand to say no to this idea.

Most fans like the excitement of 'young love' in most of the Zelda games and who would be the perfect match for Link and to dream about his future. Having an old Link would turn a lot of fans around on this matter as Link has already out grown that phase in life. He would be looking forward to retirement... If you talking about being that old!

In his thirties... I don't know. It would be interesting, but still he will be in the stages of growing old a little and he may not be as agile as his younger self, but a lot more wise in which the way he thinks.

Interesting thread I must say, but I'm sorry that it is a no from me.

I'd say having a 23 year old link would be a good thing to have, that way he's still young, but a mature adult at the same time (in OoT he was probably 18, TP 16, MM 12) Plus if we did that we could give him a goatee =D, beards give people wisdom! POWER OF THE BEARDS!

I can see what you guys are saying. Link has always been a teenager or a young adult, and it may seem very awkward to suddenly have an older Link. Oh well, just an idea.

Originally Posted by LordSothe

"It's been a long time' middle-aged man."

I'd rather Nintendo just stuck with a younger Link. A young boy thrust into a huge adventure in a massive land is one of the main appeals of the Zelda series for me. Even TP Link was slightly too old in my opinion. It wouldn't exactly ruin the series and I do admit it would be quite interesting but still, I'd rather Link stayed at his OOT/MM/TWW age.

I think the central theme to the Zelda series is how a "young man" saves Hyrule. It would be weird and so very strange to see a grown man dressed up in Link's clothes and rolling around on the ground bashing into trees to grab items that fall to the ground. Not to rain on your parade of ideas, but I like how Link is young and not a seasoned, aged fighter.

I actually like this idea. It's time they gave Link some balls and making him a battle hardened old guy akin to John McClane would be the perfect way to do it.

Duh Duh Duh Duhhhhh!
You've obtained the Master Cane!
You've obtained the Hookdentures!
You've obtained the whip(persnapper whip)!

An older Link would seem kinda weird with the items too. Slingshot, Seed Shooter, and other weapons that are somewhat childish would look really strange on a grown man. A young Link would make most of Nintendo's gamers relate to Link, and so that's what brings 'em money.

Get off my property! Stupid whippersnappers!

Uh, no.
Have you considered that he goes randomly up to monsters and kills them for no reason while he coud have moved around them? Heros don't tend to live long. I'd be amazed if of them made it past 30...

A link in his 30's or older would have to be named Tingle...

Originally Posted by Xeves

I'd say having a 23 year old link would be a good thing to have, that way he's still young, but a mature adult at the same time (in OoT he was probably 18, TP 16, MM 12) Plus if we did that we could give him a goatee =D, beards give people wisdom! POWER OF THE BEARDS!

Yes to both ideas, and Ganon could still call him "kid" since he's a young guy still.

like MGS4's Old Snake?

an older Link is something I would like to see and not just a random Link, someone we've seen before like TP Link. I think it would be better if we get someone familiar because we can see how much he changed from TP to whatever game. I might be pushing it, but it might also be cool to see him have a family.

If you take some theoris to heart then we might have already seen an older Link in TP... The Hero's Shade.

Honestly though I could see an Older Linworking out quite well, though the garb would have to be altered somewhat but I think there is a look that could work somewhere.

I don't think I would like an older Link, however, if it were to be done, it would be interesting to play as old OOT/MM Link.

Uhmm... I say no. Playing as a young kid is fun.

I like playing as the 17 year old Link in TP and Oot. It also wouldn't look right if they gave him a beard.