Art of Nintendo Power | 353 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 I've been showing this around on social for a couple days, but thought ya'll would like to see it This is an early painted cel of Link during the lifespan of the original Legend of Zelda game. So early in fact that it pre-dates Nintendo Power 1, as it is found on the last page of the Tips and Tactics guide. This might be the most historically significant piece I've ever held. I'm so excited to have found it! 14 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeldaFreak | 3,600 Events Team · Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 Wow... yeah, that is really cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drxandy | 3,225 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 (edited) Siiiiiick dood, it's beautiful! Love that white Yoshi tooooo! Edited August 12, 2020 by drxandy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art of Nintendo Power | 353 Posted August 12, 2020 Author Share Posted August 12, 2020 1 hour ago, drxandy said: Siiiiiick dood, it's beautiful! Love that white Yoshi tooooo! SO many people comment on the yoshi. i had no idea he was rare. I have a few of them! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefaultGen | 5,401 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 This is OK but can you take a better pic of the white Yoshi? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jicsan | 589 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 4 hours ago, Archon 1981 said: This might be the most historically significant piece I've ever held. I'm so excited to have found it! That is so awesome!! I'd bet anyone here would be proud to have that. Your whole collection is amazing. Are you planning to frame it up like your Nintendo Power pieces? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nintegageo | 582 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Amazing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.A. | 1,139 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 I've always liked that rendition of Link. Very nice! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiSlice | 3,089 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Epic piece. Also I can't get over how he's holding the sword at the base of the blade. Isn't that painful??? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePhleo | 2,184 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Even in HD I still can't tell if he's wearing tights or just walking around half naked. I agree with B.A. though, this is my favorite rendition of Link. Brown Hair Link is always superior to blonde hair Link. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePhleo | 2,184 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 2 minutes ago, MiamiSlice said: Epic piece. Also I can't get over how he's holding the sword at the base of the blade. Isn't that painful??? It's in its sheath 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiSlice | 3,089 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 6 minutes ago, ThePhleo said: It's in its sheath OK I clearly need to get more sleep 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH | 4,903 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 I'll be honest, to me, this is probably the most significant piece of art I've seen show up here or on NA. Considering it's age, Nintendo hadn't really formed an exact Link style when they were drawing him, and Mario was kind of in that camp to. Nintendo (or at least NOA) was still in the process of solidifying the look of their characters. This is an early rendition of link that looks like link. I know it's not iconic box art, but this is part of the early-genesis of the character we know and love today. @Archon 1981 Thank you so much for sharing this. Is there a story behind how you got this item, or is it simply people reached out to you through what I am sure is an amazing network of contacts? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art of Nintendo Power | 353 Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 49 minutes ago, RH said: I'll be honest, to me, this is probably the most significant piece of art I've seen show up here or on NA. Considering it's age, Nintendo hadn't really formed an exact Link style when they were drawing him, and Mario was kind of in that camp to. Nintendo (or at least NOA) was still in the process of solidifying the look of their characters. This is an early rendition of link that looks like link. I know it's not iconic box art, but this is part of the early-genesis of the character we know and love today. @Archon 1981 Thank you so much for sharing this. Is there a story behind how you got this item, or is it simply people reached out to you through what I am sure is an amazing network of contacts? I agree! I dont care about most box art cause I didn't stare at that shit for hours like I did with magazines. No real story id like to share. Just layers upon layers of networking. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH | 4,903 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 22 minutes ago, Archon 1981 said: No real story id like to share. Just layers upon layers of networking. Hey, I get it, but with a piece like this I have to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link | 2,709 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 I completely forgot about this picture. But I remember I drew something very similar and had it printed on a t-shirt as a birthday present for my best friend in grade school. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link | 2,709 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 2 hours ago, RH said: Considering it's age, Nintendo hadn't really formed an exact Link style when they were drawing him, and Mario was kind of in that camp to. Nintendo (or at least NOA) was still in the process of solidifying the look of their characters. This is an early rendition of link that looks like link. Can you point me to something earlier that doesn’t look like him? They went through way more of that weirdness /different interpretations with Mario, especially with arcade machines and 3rd party consoles. And there was a lot more time for Mario to develop as Nintendo found its footing in a new industry, from Jumpman to the SMB1 manual. I’d love to see similar stuff for Link but I’m not aware of much if any. Legend of Zelda pretty much came out of the gate with the first game and that art was on par with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH | 4,903 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 9 minutes ago, Link said: Can you point me to something earlier that doesn’t look like him? They went through way more of that weirdness /different interpretations with Mario, especially with arcade machines and 3rd party consoles. And there was a lot more time for Mario to develop as Nintendo found its footing in a new industry, from Jumpman to the SMB1 manual. I’d love to see similar stuff for Link but I’m not aware of much if any. Legend of Zelda pretty much came out of the gate with the first game and that art was on par with this. I can't place it but I feel like I've seen some official "odd" looking Link's. This was from photos and stuff and nothing I've owned. I think it was shortly after this period (maybe a year or so) they made the Topp's cards. Link in those sticker images is actually a bit more squat and "tubby". I think that artist drew a bit more inspiration from the fact that his LoZ sprite is square. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorEncore | 3,691 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Wow! I think this is my favorite piece that you've shared. Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foochie776 | 1,051 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 13 hours ago, B.A. said: I've always liked that rendition of Link. Very nice! I’ve always like you BA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art of Nintendo Power | 353 Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 Scanshttps://www.dropbox.com/sh/g92zq42jvvrwi1u/AADdXdqAtoC-o8_unddnL91va?dl=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH | 4,903 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Didn't take long for the photoshoppers to arrive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art of Nintendo Power | 353 Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 39 minutes ago, RH said: Didn't take long for the photoshoppers to arrive. Cool guys don't look at explosions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiSlice | 3,089 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, Link said: Can you point me to something earlier that doesn’t look like him? They went through way more of that weirdness /different interpretations with Mario, especially with arcade machines and 3rd party consoles. And there was a lot more time for Mario to develop as Nintendo found its footing in a new industry, from Jumpman to the SMB1 manual. I’d love to see similar stuff for Link but I’m not aware of much if any. Legend of Zelda pretty much came out of the gate with the first game and that art was on par with this. Zelda Game & Watch: He’s really stubby here, elf-like but also leprechaun-like. Yeah maybe he’s a child but he seems impish. Zelda Game Watch by Nelsonic: Maybe this isn’t Nintendo’s fault but to me the face is nothing like Link. Again, too elfish. In both examples it’s the nose that really sticks out, pun not intended. Edited August 14, 2020 by MiamiSlice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH | 4,903 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Those images on the watch look like Link was dropped into a Dragon Quest game. (It's the crossed eyes.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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