If you've played a Legend of Zelda game, which is pretty likely if you're reading this right now, then you're probably aware of the Triforce, and what it represents. It's the order of the world, and though it's not always explicitly mentioned, it usually manifests in one way or another.
Take our beloved protagonist Link, for example. He's typically associated with the Triforce of Courage, giving our hero the fortitude he needs to succeed in his adventure. That said, he doesn't always have the literal Triforce, yet always is courageous. Though sometimes, he shows a bit more bravery than others.
9 ౠ The Minish Cap 🧜
One of a trio of Capcom-developed Zelda games, the Minish Cap has some of the most beautiful pixel art in the series and is one of the last times the series featured an antagonist that wasn't connected to Ganon. It also has Link without his iconic cap, at least at the beginning of the game.
In this world, Link is already close friends with Zelda, and bears witness to her kidnapping at the beginning of the game. To embark on a journey to save her must take great courage, surely? Well, when you're already friends with the King and he gifts you a powerful ceremonial sword, it takes a few notches of difficulty off the task.
8 A Link To The Past And A Link Between Worlds 🍨
In A Link To The Past, Link himself is nothing but a simple villager living with his uncle. One day, he hears a voice in his head claiming to be Princess Zelda requesting his aid in saving her. And he just accepts it. Truth be told, that's a pretty brave act, but at least he had some family alongside him to help and the literal Princess beckoning him along.
In A Link Between Worlds, it's a pretty similar situation. Though Link has less family, he does get to meet the Princess first and go right to Hyrule Castle, which is definitely a confidence boost. Plus the actual Triforce of Courage is supporting him in this game.
7 Breath Of The Wild And T🦹ears Of The Kingdom ♋
With the games so fresh in our memory, it's hard to say Link isn't brave in them. He literally gave up his life to save Zelda and Hyrule before Breath of the Wild even began! Yet we see through Zelda's own eyes that it's all just effortless. Courage usually comes with swallowing your fear - this Link doesn't seem to fear anything.
In many ways, Tears of the Kingdom is a reverse of its predecessor. Link is talented and entrusted with defeating the Demon King, yet it is Zelda's prowess on which he relies. If anything, that trust is more courageous than anything else, and a faith well-placed indeed.
6 Ocꦿarina Of Time
In many ways, Link is an outsider in Ocarina of Time. He was born a Hylian, yet raised as a Kokiri, only learning of his origins when he was thrust into being a hero. Ushered to Hyrule Castle by the Deku Tree to warn Zelda of Ganondorf's evil, he is split across two timelines.
As an adult, Link is blessed with the Triforce of Courage, the Master Sword, and the blessings of the Sages. It's a ruined world, though he has the power to save it. As a child though? There is no legendary sword and no one who will believe him. Yet still he pushes forward, the knowledge of the future fueling his courage.
5 Skyward Sword 𝓰
Skyward Sword was the series' first attempt to establish a firm timeline for Hyrule, sending us back to the earliest period of its foundations. Here, we see the Master Sword created, the tale of reincarnation, and the prominence of the Triforce itself.
There is no history to guide Zelda and Link this time around. Both of them showcase exemplary courage, though Link's stubborn refusal to leave Zelda out of his gaze puts him in considerable danger. He leaves his whole life behind just to keep her safe, and there's no way of saying that's not bravery.
4 ♋ 📖 Twilight Princess
For many, Twilight Princess is the ♚definition of what aღ Zelda game is meant to be. It's dark but heavily stylised. Packed with dungeons and engaging enemies, but also a healthy balance of exploration. It's also here we see the most extended version of Link before he becomes a hero.
Raised as a rancher in the Ordon Woods, he's a teen just living life, playing with friends. Yet tragedy strikes on a routine delivery, and he's transformed into a mythical wolf, saddled with an even more mysterious figure, and just told to go. He's given no guidance, no return to humanity, and yet he goes. It's either foolish or courageous, but we'll lean towards the latter.
3 The Legend Of Zelda An🍌d The Adventure Of Link
In a move that would define Zelda's primary means of communication with Link, she recruits him to save her rather indirectly. He is just a guy, yet when he's found by Impa and told to save Zelda and defeat Ganon, he just heads on out. Be it for pride or glory, it takes immense courage.
In The Adventure of Link, this same Link is tasked with waking the eternally slumbering Zelda, and needs to acquire the Triforce of Courage to do so. Deep within Hyrule Castle, with the threat of Ganon's revival looming, he chooses to move onward with courage all of his own making.
2 The Wꦑind Waker 🅠
The Wind Waker is 🦩a pretty funny game when 𒊎you think about it. Link, very blatantly told throughout his life that he seemed just like the hero of legend that saved Hyrule in the past, just doesn't care. He wants to spend his time resting on an island and just doing what he wants. Grand Legends mean nothing to him.
And what is it that actually gets him setting out? The promise of treasure, getting to live up to a legend? None of it, just saving his sister from pirates. The fact that he doesn't care about anything else but the protection of others, putting all his own interests aside to save them shows just how courageous he really is. And this is long before he even repairs the Triforce of Courage!
1 Majora's Mask
So an important point needs to be made here. Technically, the Link that appears in Majora'a Mask is the same child as in Ocarina of Time. However, the Triforce has dispersed and Zelda remains in Hyrule. Link is a child saddled with the weight of the future on his shoulders, one he can no longer do anything about. He will never be remembered for his acts because they haven't happened yet.
One day, he ends up mysteriously in Termina, with an ancient evil mask threatening to destroy the world by a collision with the moon. Every three days, Link is forced to see the world obliterated until he fixes it. There's no Master Sword, Sages, or even the Triforce to help him this time. Instead, he sets out the save the entire world all by himself. And succeeds. And none of it will ever be remembered. That's true courage.