Looks like Link is playable in Echoes of Wisdom after all

It looks like Zelda won’t be alone when The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom launches this fall.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was a surprise drop during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct. A brand-new adventure reimagined in the style of 2019’s Link’s Awakening remake, fans were stoked to discover players would control the franchise’s titular Princess Zelda rather than longtime hero Link.

But Link may not be completely out of the picture. The game’s ESRB rating has been revealed, and while it is not a surprise rating (a fairly standard E 10+, for Fantasy Violence), the description does seem to reveal that Link will be playable after all.

“This is an adventure game in which players assume the role of Zelda as she attempts to dispel rifts throughout Hyrule and rescue Link.” the ESRB summary reads. “From a ¾-overhead perspective, players explore various environments while fighting stylized enemies (e.g., humans, creatures). As Link, players use a sword and arrows to defeat enemies; Zelda can use a magic wand to summon creatures (e.g., wind-up knights, pig soldiers, slime) for battle. Some enemies can be defeated by being set on fire; other creatures dissolve into mist when defeated. Battle sequences are somewhat frenetic, with several enemies attacking/fighting at once.”

It’s a bit disappointing for fans who were looking for a Zelda-centric adventure. Despite being one of the most recognizable and popular characters in the history of gaming, Zelda herself has only starred in two games, both of which are part of the infamous Zelda CD-i trilogy.

There is some glimmer of hope for fans in that we don’t know how much Link will be in Echoes of Wisdom, though. It may be closer to a cameo or even just controlling him for the intro before Zelda takes the lead. The trailer shows Zelda stepping up after Link’s efforts to save her get him trapped in another dimension.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch on September 26. You can pre-order the game and its gorgeous Switch Lite tie-in now.