It is! (in the early 2d games) To save on cartridge space, Link only had sprites made facing one direction. When facing the other direction, the sprite was simply flipped. The manual had a lore blurb about a superstition regarding keeping your shield facing Death Mountain to handwave it.
Starting with Ocarina of Time, Link was given a (mostly) consistent handedness, typically being left-handed but sometimes doing a few things, like archery, right-handed.
The Wii version of Twilight Princess flipped the entire game, including the character models, left to right, making Link a righty to make the motion controls more intuitive for most players. Skyward Sword was then built with a right-handed Link for the same reason.
With Breath of the Wild, Link was made right-handed despite the game not using motion controls for swordplay. The top-down games have kept Link as a lefty, though.
sometimes doing a few things, like archery, right-handed
I’m a lefty as hard as they come. My right hand is basically fancy decor. For some reason I intuitively used a bow the right-handed way. I couldn’t hit a barn from two meters. Somebody then asked me “why don’t you draw with your strong arm?” and suddenly I could hit targets 😅. Still feels weird to hold a bow that way, muscle memory from years of playing Robin Hood as a child, I guess.
Link used to be left handed. Kids are growing up not knowing he is left handed.
Link is lefthanded unless he is facing West.
I have no clue if this is accurate but take my up vote
It is! (in the early 2d games) To save on cartridge space, Link only had sprites made facing one direction. When facing the other direction, the sprite was simply flipped. The manual had a lore blurb about a superstition regarding keeping your shield facing Death Mountain to handwave it.
Starting with Ocarina of Time, Link was given a (mostly) consistent handedness, typically being left-handed but sometimes doing a few things, like archery, right-handed.
The Wii version of Twilight Princess flipped the entire game, including the character models, left to right, making Link a righty to make the motion controls more intuitive for most players. Skyward Sword was then built with a right-handed Link for the same reason.
With Breath of the Wild, Link was made right-handed despite the game not using motion controls for swordplay. The top-down games have kept Link as a lefty, though.
Archery isn’t left or right handed. The direction you face depends on which eye is dominant.
I’m a lefty as hard as they come. My right hand is basically fancy decor. For some reason I intuitively used a bow the right-handed way. I couldn’t hit a barn from two meters. Somebody then asked me “why don’t you draw with your strong arm?” and suddenly I could hit targets 😅. Still feels weird to hold a bow that way, muscle memory from years of playing Robin Hood as a child, I guess.
Anyway…maybe Link just doesn’t know?