I hate Toon Link. Now, before things get too out of hand let me explain a few things. I love The Wind Waker, and I love the unique art style of the game. You probably know this by now, considering how much I write about it, as you can see here and here. A lot of people, however, didn't like the cartoon looking art style of The Wind Waker, completely resenting the game for it, but I can't imagine the game looking any different. It has taken a few years, but most players have grown to accept The Wind Waker for what it is, especially since Twilight Princess took the series back to the realistic style most players prefer.
Since I love The Wind Waker so much, why would I open this article with such a sinister statement? I refer to The Wind Waker as artistic, and try to dismiss any comments that suggest the game looks like a cartoon. Too bad someone over at Nintendo of America thought it would be hilarious if Super Smash Bros. Brawl could have one last smack at this legendary game.
Toon Link is the name of a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. This character is based on Link from The Wind Waker. Toon Link is accompanied by Link from Twilight Princess, so there is reason for differentiating the two, but why call him Toon Link? They didn't call the other character Realistic Link. It seems even Nintendo is trying to poke fun at their own product.
The worst thing is the Zelda series already does a nice job of differentiating each Link with individual titles. Hero of Time, Hero of Elements, and Hero of Winds are all separate titles given to distinguish these characters who share the name Link. Why couldn't they call him the Hero of Winds, rather than the demeaning name of Toon Link?
There lies yet another flaw of Twilight Princess. Despite Nintendo's progress in differentiating each Link in recent titles, Twilight Princess didn't give Link his own title, only a few mentions of Chosen Hero. Had the game given Link some title like Hero of Twilight, Super Smash Bros. Brawl could have omitted the name Link, and just presented both characters with their respective titles. This would distinguish both characters, and still give them equal respect that they both deserve.
Nintendo needs to stop supporting the Toon Link stereotype. With Spirit Tracks on the way, this will make six titles (The Wind Waker, Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, The Minish Cap, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks) using this art style. It's time to move on from the cartoon comments, and accept it as the legitimate art style it deserves to be.
I like the Hero of Winds, but I hate the name Toon Link.
Disclaimer: These views do not represent the viewpoints of ZeldaInformer itself, and are only those of the author.
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Why couldn't they name him Young Link?
And Why did they make him look different from WW Link (whose head is more proportional.)
WW was a great game that deserves more respect. + Young Cel-Shaded Link is so much better than Realistic Link
I appreciated WW, though maybe not as much as you have, but I don't find anything wrong with the name Toon.
It was the perfect way to put it. What's wrong with calling him Toon? There's nothing that suggest that Nintendo likes to make fun of the art style, it was just a way to name him.
Though I do agree, that giving titles such as Hero of Winds, and Hero of Light (Twilight Princess Link) would have been much better.
Rofl I was on the verge of raging... but then I actually read what you mean >w>
I guess they didn't call him Hero of Winds in Brawl because a some people would be like "whaaaaat?" having not played the game, I guess they were trying to make it fairer.... but they failed there.
so basically you just hate the name "toon" link and not the character himself?
fffffff half my post got cut off, stupid laptop.
Here's the bit that was missing:
I know what you mean.... it seems a step back from what nintendo should be trying to promote him as... but I still catch myself saying Toon Link when lumping games of that art style together >>
Me >> Yes, that's what he means.
I am glad I read further because now I can sleep at night knowing that Caseman only hates the name.
Good article, I agree.
i wish zelda wii would have a new art style or something
they should get the ed edd & eddy illustrators to draw it
Sorry to say this, but I can't believe I wasted my time reading this article.
There's nothing wrong with the title "Toon Link". He is toon Link afterall. And naming the Links in Brawl as Hero of Winds and Chosen Hero would be ridiculous. Then name Ganondorf King of Evil, of Bowser Koopa King.
There would be a strong sense of confusion throughout the entire video game world if they renamed both Link and Toon Link with their respective hero titles. Sure it would make sense to the core Zelda community that understand the significance, but to the majority of players, it wouldn't.
Even to myself, I wouldn't want to choose Link on the character select screen and hear, "HerO of TWIlight!"
By that logic, we'd have to call Ganondorf "King of Evil" and Bowser "King of Koopas". Admit that's goofy.
Though the "toon" title still bothers me slightly. It strips him of individuality and makes him a complete extra. Never once has the word "toon" been used within the Zelda universe, because - like you said - it's simply an art style. I think carrying on the name "Young Link" would have been the most appropriate move, since both Link and Young Link were in Melee. It would have aided the continuity while informing those who disregard the toon look as anything important to really see it for what it is -- an art style.
It's just a name to differiantiate. TP Link got 'Link' because he was and is the current. I understand where you're coming from, but it's just a name. Sometimes these things can be taken too seriously.
would you like to be called toon radox
So, you only hate the fact he's called Toon Link?
I understand whole heartedly, he's a Link like all the others... but what can you do? It's obvious to understand which art style of Link we're talking about when we mention Toon Link.
I love the WW art style and Link, but Nintendo needs to move on and make a new art style already. We've had so many games with the same artwork and Link it's getting pretty annoying.
What i dislike about Toon Link is that in Wind waker, Minish Cap and the Four Swords games they have that water colour/ink drawing style to their promotional and concept art. Look at the artwork for Spirit Tracks and Phantom Hourglass. It looks like someone did fan art in photoshop. What happened to my paper texture and thick contour lines?
They had this awesome art direction in Wind Waker aswell. It went downhill in PHG and even continuing in ST. The Koroks and Rito were awesome and fresh and had such an eloquent design. The Locomo, the new mail man and even the anouki are lame.
They should have continued with the Wind Waker storyline where the Deku tree sprouts would have rebuilt new land.
That would take a considerably long time to drain the oceans. I've a hunch that somewhere down the line, Ninty will develop a game where New Hyrule, Old Hyrule, and the outlying lands are reconnected after the Deku Trees succeed.
The Maku Trees in the Oracle games may have something to do with this.
i find "young Link" to be just as demeaning, as there have only been two non-"young" link games.
umm....I do believe "Toon" is kind of an art style. Would you rather him be "Manga Link" or something? "Shounen Link"? or something like that?
A name is a name. In America it is "Bowser", Japan has "King Koopa". It's either "DK" or "Donkey Kong". "Pokemon Trainer" or some people just gave him the name "Red".
It's true that not everyone would understand the origin of the name "Hero of Winds," but I don't see how that matters. The idea is to give both Links an identifiable name that differentiates the two while giving them both equal respect. A unique name won't deter casual players from using the character just because they don't recognize the name, so it wouldn't be a problem.
With names like Link and Toon Link, the game is telling me that this is "the Link" and this other guy is some cartoony imitation, which just isn't fair.
As for the comments about "King Koopa" and "King of Evil," these titles are completely irrelevant because there are only one of each character in Brawl. If there were two versions of Bowser or Ganondorf, then there would be a reason to differeniate, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Well I don't have any problem with the title "Toon Link", as for unique identifiable names well, I don't need a name so that I can tell this Link is from Wind Waker. I can pretty much tell the differences between Toon Link and Link just by looking at them. As for equal respect... respect is getting into Brawl hahahaha.
I always had a resentment towards that name as well and I wasn't too happy to find that that was his official name (before he was officially revealed, I thought it was some crap fans made up).
i think this is more a matter of opinion, for me, the name toon link is not a problem, in fact i love that name XD, is just show how amazing was that cartoony art style and still is "hardcore" or something like that, but that's my opinion of course
Yes JACK it is your opinion, and it's stupid
What I don't like about "Toon Link" is that he's not even cell-shaded in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.