The Legend of Zeldais one of the few series lucky enough to have been represented in every iteration of Super Smash Bros. since it first launched on theN64. Since then, the number of Hyrulian characters in the roster has changed significantly, going from only one in the original to six in the latest version -Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Related:Ranking Every Fire Emblem Character In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate From Weakest To Most Powerful
While three of the characters are different variations of Link, each brings something unique to the table that sets them apart from each other and the rest of the fighters. Hyrule isfull of powerful heroes and villains, but how well do those skills transfer to Super Smash Bros.? If you want to play as a character from Zelda, these are the fighters from weakest to strongest.
6Ganondorf
In The Legend of Zelda series, Ganondorf is terrifyingly powerful, and his uncompromising evil usually steers Hyrule toward doom and misfortune. You might think that the Demon King would be a formidable foe in Super Smash Bros., but Ganondorf is widely considered not only the worst fighter from The Legend of Zelda but the worst in the entire game.
After making his debut in Melee for the GameCube, Ganondorf has always been viewed as a low-tier character due to his slow speed and awful recovery. Despite appearing in every follow-up game withminor changes each time, these attributes have made him essentially unplayable in competitive battles. He does hit hard, however. So if you time his attacks right, you can send your target flying off-screen after only a few hits.
5Zelda
While many of the Legend of Zelda fighters need to get close to their opponents to deal maximum damage, the titular Princess is best when she keeps a safe distance between herself and her target. As fun as it isto play as Zeldain Super Smash Bros., her light weight and slow mobility make her a punching bag for most of the other characters in the game.
Related:The Strongest Women In The Legend Of Zelda Series
Zelda has a few weaknesses that make her hard to rely on during tense battles. Most of her special moves either take a long time to wind up - specifically Phantom Slash and Farore’s Fire - or don’t deal enough damage to make using them worth it. Adept players can use Zelda effectively, but it can be risky getting too close to other fighters with how easily she can be knocked off the stage.
4Toon Link
Toon Link is technically the last Legend of Zelda fighter added to Super Smash Bros. vast roster after making his debut in Brawl for theNintendo Wii. This variation of the character possesses similar tools to his alternates - bow and arrow, bombs, and a boomerang - but his shorter stature makes him a bit weaker and floatier than them by a decent margin.
Toon Link might not be as strong as his counterparts, but he makes up for it with mobility that allows him to rush vulnerable opponents to unleash a flurry of attacks. When playing as Toon Link, the best strategy is to build up your target’s damage meter with ranged attacks while avoiding damage yourself, then devastate them with a powerful smash attack the moment they let their guard down.
3Link
Link is one of the few characters to appear in every version of Super Smash Bros., but he received a drastic update for Ultimate that significantly changed his moveset. Designed to resembleBreath of the Wild’stake on Link, this version can use remote bombs, fire two arrows at once, and has other subtle details that make him play much differently than Toon Link or Young Link.
Related:The Legend Of Zelda: Every Iteration Of Link, Ranked By Design
You might need some time to re-adjust to play as Link, but this newer version of the classic fighter has plenty of potential due to his flexibility. He’s lethal both at a distance and in close combat, and his versatility makes him great at knocking enemies off the stage and keeping them from ever getting back. Link’s biggest weakness is his speed, which can make closing extreme distances to attack a risk you must consider before taking.
2Sheik
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when Shiek wasn’t her own character in Super Smash Bros. In Melee and Brawl, the only way you could play as her was to select Zelda on the fighter screen and use her Down Special to transform into her alter ego. Shiek was always the better choice for combat than Zelda, so it was great when she got her own slot in Smash 4 and Ultimate.
If you like dazzling your foes with a series of moves faster than the eye can capture, Shiek is one of the fastest characters in Ultimate and can pounce and dash before anyone knows what hit them. She might not be considered as strong as her previous appearances in the series, but Sheik is still one of the best characters from Hyrule to enter the foray.
1Young Link
Out of every Legend of Zelda character that has appeared in Super Smash Bros., Young Link has been featured the least, making his debut in Melee and eventually returning with everyone else for Ultimate. Despite being considered a fairly low-tier character during his first appearance, Young Link returned to Ultimate with a vengeance that helped earn him the title of best Zelda character in the game.
While Young Link has the same tools as Link and Toon Link, slight variations make his weapons much better. His Fire Arrow, for example, burns foes and leaves them temporarily vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Another improvement over his counterparts is that, unlike Link, Young Link can stack his opponent’s damage up from a distance and close the gap before they can escape to send them flying off the stage. His only real weakness is the short range of his sword, but that doesn’t change how effective the Hero of Time is in combat.
