There Never Really Was a “Dark Link,” Link and the Zelda Series Are Just Racist

It's dangerous to go alone. Someone might spread racist legends about you.

Dan Van Winkle

Published: Jul 30, 2014 05:28 pm

This article is over 10 years old and may contain outdated information

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Gaming has a big problem with gender, race, and white saviors. Maybe that’s because Hyrule’s historians got it all wrong, and there was never any such thing as Dark Link; the other Zelda characters are just horrible bigots. Here’s the real story behind Link’s xenophobia and a surprisingly accurate critique on the representation of minorities in a classic game series.

Previously in The Legend of Zelda

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Author

Dan Van Winkle

Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct Geekosystem (RIP), and then at The Mary Sue starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at Smash Bros.