Evolution

Link's gone from brunette to blonde...worn brown leggings, white leggings, no leggings...been 10, 16, and 17 years old. ...Well, maybe that last one doesn't count, because we all age, right? ^^;

 

The Legend of Zelda, 1987

The first design was chibi-ish, kinda cartoonish. (how many other -ish words can I fit in here?) His hair in the picture looks brown to me but was more reddish in the actual game. (probably due to the fact the NES was only an 8-bit system) I think it's interesting that in the early games, Link's shield had a cross on it. Now the Triforce is used, which makes more sense.

 

Adventure of Link, 1988

Brown leggings take over, but the "interesting" hair stays. (The "interesting" hair stays for quite a long time in the series. Then it goes away. Then it returns. We're doomed.) It looks like he's thinned out a bit and gotten taller. This version of Link is based mostly on the original.

 

A Link to the Past, 1992

Though it's hard to tell from the picture, this is the beginning of the blonde era, yet his hair was a pinkish-brown in the actual game. o_O Apparently someone stole his leggings again and he's running around with just his tunic and undershirt on. ^^; Link greatly resembles the Links from the first two games, but his shield has a new design.

 

Link's Awakening, 1993

As far as I can tell, the same character design from LttP is used. ^^

 

Ocarina of Time, 1998

With a new system, comes a new look. I think this change is the most drastic, for Link now has a more modernized style and actually looks like he can pick up the sword he wields. ^^; He's kept the cap, but it has lost the yellow band. Looks like Link finally bought himself a pair of gloves, which is good if he's going to be shooting off that bow. He now wears white leggings, which makes Emi sigh in relief. The lack of "pants" in some of the previous games scared me. ...C'mon, admit it. It scared you, too.

 

Majora's Mask, 2000

Link is a child in MM and the same model is used as in OoT.

 

Oracle of Ages/Seasons, 2001

Taking a step back in time, the Link's Awakening look returns, but with some modern touches. The style is more cartoonish and chibi, making Link's character cuter. And for people that cringe at that word, substitute for "spunkier"...because that's the only other way I can explain it. Link's grabbed some white leggings again and has traded in the classic brown belt for a red one.

 

The Wind Waker, 2003

His hair is basically the same as all of the older original designs. He wears a light green shirt and white pants under his traditional green tunic, but the belt buckle has a unique design. It's a swirl, reminding me of the Kokiri's Emerald. Link's shield is now a light brown color, with the white Hylian bird stationed on the bottom and the Triforce hung over it.

 

The Twilight Princess, 2006

Almost a more mature version of Wind Waker Link, the Link in the upcoming Zelda game sports a similar hairstyle to the older Link designs. He is holding the Hylian Shield seen in Ocarina of Time, though the sword does not appear to be the Master Sword. Link now sports chainmail and his belt contains various pouches. His boots are more form-fitting and while he wears a white undershirt, his leggings are beige.