Video Game Cosplay: Getting The Legend of Zelda Link Sword Right

Video Game Cosplay: Getting The Legend of Zelda Link Sword Right

Nov 8th 2022

                         Zelda Link Sword

Looking to complete that Link cosplay for Halloween or an upcoming convention? Besides Mario and Kirby, there's no one else more associated with Nintendo games than Link from The Legend of Zelda series. For that reason, both Link and Zelda have been the object of many cosplayer's desires.

That said, it's not entirely difficult to cosplay as Link from the series. After all, throughout most of the Legend of Zelda games, Link's appearance and costume has been pretty much the same save for Breath of the Wild.

However, one thing you should take into account if you're planning on dressing up as the iconic hero from The Legend of Zelda is Link's Sword, otherwise known as the Master Sword.

When Did the Master Sword Make its First Appearance?

It's important to note that while Link has been the hero of nearly every Legend of Zelda game, the sword he carried was not always the Master Sword.

Introduced in 1991 through The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, the Master Sword is a powerful, sacred weapon that is used to help defeat and banish the series' main antagonist, Ganon. After first appearing in A Link to the Past, the Master Sword has made several appearances in other Zelda games, as well as other Nintendo games such as Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart 8.

Origins of the Master Sword

The Master Sword wasn't always the Master Sword. In fact, before it became forged and thereafter known as such, it was originally the Goddess Sword, crafted by the goddess Hylia to aid the Chosen Hero to vanquish the evils that plagued Hyrule.

The Goddess Sword underwent several transformations and was eventually forged into the Master Sword by Link and Fi, the spirit that resided in the Goddess Sword.

Which Zelda Games Featured the Master Sword?

After A Link to the Past, the Master Sword was featured in several other Zelda games, wherein it was needed most of the time in order to defeat Ganon.

                                     Zelda Link Sword

Differences Between the Goddess Sword and the Master Sword

If you're planning on crafting Link's sword yourself for your cosplay outfit, it's important to know the differences in appearance between the Goddess Sword and the Master Sword.

The Goddess Sword

The Goddess Sword made its first appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. The Goddess Hylia created the sword as well the spirit that resided within it, Fi, to help guide and assist Link on his quest.

To eventually forge and temper the Goddess Sword into the Master Sword, the chosen hero would have to acquire and use three Sacred Flames: Farore's Flame, Nayru's Flame, and Din's Flame.

The Goddess Sword has a light green hilt with a blue gemstone outlined in gold at the point where the hilt and the blade connect. The blade also has a grayish green glow as well as a pattern engraved onto the blade itself.

The Master Sword

Compare that with the Master Sword, whose bluish purple guard somewhat resembles a pair of wings, and has a blade with a symbol of the Triforce engraved close to the edge of the guard, where a gold gemstone rests.

This rendition of the Master Sword was made clearer and more defined in Ocarina of Time, which then solidified its appearance. Because previously, when it was first revealed in A Link to the Past, the Master Sword was depicted as having a red grip and yellow guard in the artwork, and a red grip and guard in the game itself.

Getting the details right is important if you want to make sure that you're cosplaying a specific iteration of Link from a specific game from the Legend of Zelda series. After all, if you're an avid Legend of Zelda fan, you want to also be able to show off your in-game knowledge a bit more whenever you're at a convention.

What About the Rest of Link's Costume?

Now that you've gotten Link's sword covered, it's time to take a closer look at the rest of Link's getup. Thankfully, though, throughout most of the Zelda series, Link has always kept his signature green garb.

It was only in Breath of the Wild that the designers made a slight departure from Link's usual getup. Here, we find the hero dressed in a light blue tunic and pale trousers. In fact, Breath of the Wild is perhaps the only Zelda game wherein you're able to dress Link up in a wide variety of outfits and combinations of outfits.

Where to Get That Legend Of Zelda Link Sword?

No doubt, crafting and sculpting the Master Sword yourself for your costume takes a lot of skill and work. And if you're cosplaying merely for fun and don't want to put out as much effort into creating a costume from scratch, there are ways to acquire replicas of Link's Master Sword and Hylian Shield.

Usually a quick visit to your local video game or comic book store will have you ready and outfitted in no time. But if you're having trouble finding a faithful replica of Link's weapons, you can always try ordering online. Online shops like ours often carry high quality replicas that are perfectly suited either for display or for cosplay.