The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel fans think there's two versions of Link

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Fans of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are already forming convincing theories about the sequel.

Just below, you can check out one post that emerged earlier today on the Breath of the Wild subreddit. The user in question notes that, in the brand new trailer for the Breath of the Wild sequel that debuted yesterday, the original game's design for Link is used while the character is seen on the ground, while the new design is used whenever the character is in the sky.

This discovery has lead to some interesting fan theories. Some are theorizing that the newly-designed Link we're seeing in the trailer isn't in fact Link at all, but is instead Princess Zelda. Others are positing that the Link we're seeing floating about in the sky is a much older version of the same character, meanwhile.

It's interesting that these two character designs directly coincide with where Link is during the new trailer. What's even more interesting is that at no point during the trailer yesterday did we see the face of the newly redesigned Link, which obviously raises the question of whether this character is even Link at all.

We reckon there's some character swapping hijinks from Nintendo at play here. It's pretty plausible that, to prevent the audience from seeing too much, Nintendo switched in the typical Breath of the Wild Link to stand in for another character during the gameplay sections of the trailer that premiered yesterday. But, just like all the other speculation, this theory will remain just a theory for a fair while yet.

Finally, after nearly two years of agonized waiting from fans, Nintendo showed a brand new look at the Breath of the Wild sequel yesterday during their E3 2021 Nintendo Direct. In the trailer, we saw Zelda falling into a big hole, Link skydiving in segments that seemed to be reminiscent of Skyward Sword, and much more. We even saw Bokoblins building a fort atop a moving Stone Talus.

Shortly after the presentation, it was revealed by a Nintendo Treehouse member that the company has actually settled on a final name for the sequel. However, it's not revealing this final name just yet, as they feel it'll give away parts of what's going to happen during the new adventure itself. So, the question is, what could this new name be? The Legend of Zelda: Hero of Time, anyone?

For some hidden details you might have missed from yesterday's new footage, head over to our Zelda Breath of the Wild gameplay breakdown for more.

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong developer teases us with a bunch of cryptic Nintendo Switch 2 clues including a cake, Imagine Dragons, and some Australian wine
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is at the front line of the debate over the Nintendo Switch 2's computing power, because if the Switch 1 can load three worlds at once, imagine what its sequel can do
A screenshot from Super Mario Odyssey showing Mario throwing Cappy in New Donk City.
As Nintendo remains quiet on Switch 2 lineup, retailer lists "New 3D Mario" and "Legend of Zelda Remake/Remaster" under 2025 games
A screenshot of Mario Kart 9, shown during the Switch 2 reveal trailer.
Nintendo Switch 2 fan notices musical Super Mario Bros Easter egg in reveal trailer, indicating just how badly everyone needs more details about the new console
Mario
As the wait for Switch 2 news continues, a possible leak has some Nintendo fans convinced a blurry image features our first look at the new console
Mario
As the Nintendo Switch 2 nears its big reveal, 'leaks' of the new console are at an all-time high - and they're more convincing than ever
Latest in The Legend of Zelda
A screenshot of the moon in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
Despite Zelda: Majora's Mask basically being a horror game, one of its key devs didn't think its creepiest features were scary at all: "People on the team were like 'whoa!'"
The Witcher 3 next-gen
Zelda and Star Fox legend Takaya Imamura would "love" to make a Star Wars game with The Witcher 3's CD Projekt Red – and now I'm desperate to make it happen
Botw
Legendary Zelda dev "wasn't too pleased" about working on A Link to the Past as it robbed his enjoyment of playing the finished game: "I still really don't want to play that game"
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is at the front line of the debate over the Nintendo Switch 2's computing power, because if the Switch 1 can load three worlds at once, imagine what its sequel can do
Majora's Mask
The biggest loser in Zelda: Majora's Mask finally ends its 25-year losing streak, as 30,000 brute-force attempts finally debunk the myth of Blue Dog
Lil Gator Game: In the Dark
The massive DLC nobody saw coming is an expansion for Lil Gator Game, a more adorable spin on Zelda and one of my favorite cozy indie games
Latest in News
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds' story is as divisive as expected: some players hate the "relentless on rails handholding," others love the build-up to "the best scene in Monster Hunter history"
The Last of Us season 2 first look
Pedro Pascal says "beautiful" scene that made him want to join The Last of Us got cut, but it’ll thankfully appear in season 2: "He was like, ‘That’s half the reason I’m here!’"
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds art director and 20-year series vet says the new game intentionally leans into a question fans have debated forever: "What is a hunter?"
Absolum
The other devs behind the best retro beat-em-up in recent memory are making a co-op roguelike brawler that "channels the spirit" of Capcom's classic D&D games
Battlefield Bad Company 2
"I am freaked out by how much might actually have been accurate": Battlefield Bad Company 3 writer unearths forgotten script
Skyrim
Skyrim is still an all-time great for asset reuse: this hunk of human flesh could be some poor guard's glute, or probably just a piece of repurposed beef