Link gets some lovin' from Out magazine
by Ross Miller 
{ May 29th 2006 at 4:55PM }
GameSpot is reporting that Legend of Zelda protagonist Link was named "Hottest Video Game Character" by Out magazine, purported to have the "highest circulation of any gay monthy publication" in the US. According to the magazine, "when darkness enshrouds the land, Nintendo's sexy farm-boy-turned-wolf sets out to save the day in this upcoming game. His weapons: a sword, a bow, arrows, and kick-ass grooming skills."So often we hear about how hot game vixens like Lara Croft are, it's refreshing to see a male character get some props for their looks.
Zelda fans of all sexual prefences will be able to play with Link using their Wii's when Twilight Princess is released at the end of this year.
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
LOL @ Jun 5th 2006 11:30AM
I've even heard rumors that there are strippers that start of dressed as Link (green tunic, sword, shield, everything) in Japan. And by the way, Link is not gay. DOWN WITH HOMOPHOBIA!
Junior @ Jun 5th 2006 3:17PM
I don't know why...but when I see Ryu fighting, my pants get tighter..
steffen12324 @ Jun 5th 2006 3:45PM
OMG that is so not true- i mean seriosly. i think that it will be a great game. im not gonna listen 2 you morons. i agree with people thinking the same thing, but u guys r gay that think the opposite way. and people, don't care about wat some stupid fancy-pants retarted newspaper people say. Steffen-OUT!
Lyco Rogue @ Jun 5th 2006 4:02PM
Ok.... This may take a while but I'll try to be brief...
First: Props to Link for being named "Hotest Video Game Character"! I've been saying that since I was like 6 and had a little Link figurine and watch the Legend of Zelda cartoons after the Super Mario Brother's Super Show. (Oh, and for you homophobics... I'm a female. Egads! Females and gays like video games?) Anyway... I've told my fiance flat out that if Link were real I'd be in trouble ;-)
Second: Who cares if gays think Link's hot? I'm sure you "homophobics" wouldn't mind if a lesbian magazine named some female game character the "hotest" because it's females thinking females are hot.. now THAT is a double standard... Point being, it's just a character and it's just a game. No one is going to think YOU are gay because you play LoZ, get over your egos please!
Third: Why did the whole gay thing ever come up as an issue? It was just a playful article, if it bugs you then don't play the game or read the articles. If you're mature or a true fan than this shouldn't matter. Get over yourselves and just enjoy the game for pitty sake!
Chris @ Jun 5th 2006 4:45PM
I think most of you are missing the point. The only person I've seen get it is "Threnody." This person understands that there are gay people, there are people of other races, there are people of other belief systems in all walks of life. If you start creating sub-classes and really breaking it down there are gay people in all of them including video gamers. Does it truly offend you so much that there is an article that has some slight gay content in it about a game you might enjoy? Perhaps you had better re-evaluate why you play games in the first place. I wasn't aware you were playing for the sake of changing world legislation or making clear your stance on world politics and belief systems. I know I certainly don't stop for one second to consider these things when I'm playing. It's more about "yah get that damn octorok!" You feel me?
jake @ Jun 5th 2006 5:00PM
ok whether the nintendo was weird enough to name their system "wii" or not, they still have everything any game company could dream for. I mean they have a plumber collecting cash and chasing chicks, a monkey that captures chicks,some cool thing named yoshi and then the kick ass Link. I mean playstation has what? Jak?
jake @ Jun 5th 2006 5:32PM
and i think LOL is right. there is nothing wrong with gay people and they shoudnt be made fun of. and besides they are wicked funny. i mean who else could make us laugh. HOMOPHOBES ARE STUPID!!!!!!!!!
Harumi @ Jun 5th 2006 5:41PM
Oh please.
I'm female, and me and us other girl gamers have always thought Link was the hottest game character on earth. Shallow as it may sound, that was half the reason why I got into the Zelda series.
I can't wait for some Link ass...mmmm...
Machi @ Jun 5th 2006 5:47PM
I think it's great that Link is the sexiest guy character. I had a crush on him when Ocarina of time came out when I was... 12, I think. O.o It's for publicity, and if not, then he's hot! Who cares? People can say whether or not they think a guy is sexy... and I think Link is the SMEX and I don't even LIKE guys...
So hands down. Link, despite my taste for females, is THE SEXIEST CHARACTER. And then Sheika. Hot damn.
Besides, in the end, you're not going to be paying attention to what this magazine said. You're gonna be kicking butt on your Wii with Link and his kick-ass self. So shove it aside, and get over it.
NinendoGirl4Life @ Jun 5th 2006 6:35PM
"Theres a difference between the lara croft comments and the link comments. The link comments are coming from men, and the croft commets are also coming from men."
I'm sure there are women out there who find Lara Croft attractive too. There just isn't an article here that says so.
Anyhoo, why would any of this have an effect on your opinion of Zelda games? Think of any attractive male game character, actor, professional athlete, etc. No doubt there's some gay guy out there who finds him attractive. But does that stop you from playing the games, watching the movies, etc? No. You're just making a big deal out of it in this case because you know about it now thanks to this article.
Add console wars to that list. It's all well and good to have a friendly debate about the finer points of each system, but that doesn't usually happen. I for one am sick of being flamed by Xbox and Sony fanboys. Unless people can learn to accept the fact that we all have different console preferences, I think the subject should be forbidden.
Dez @ Jun 5th 2006 6:46PM
I actually found this articue entirly by accident and after reading it, reading the comments, and glancing at the picture. I have to say it was quite enlightening, just the fact that a magazine would be able to say those things was mind-boggling.
1)Im a girl, a girl who's played both nitendo 64 Zelda games, and loved him for it. The game-cube zelda games were sorta a let down so I owe no alligence to them. But in general, I have to agree, Link would have to be rated as the hotest video game character.
However, weither people play it or not, should have nothing to do with the fact of him being hot or not, or being attractive to both the male and female sexes. In my point of view appart from the game-cube serious (no bashing intended), the Zelda games have always ranked in my top 5 favorite video games.
I recomend people putting aside their homophobic feelings, if any, and just trying the game. And weither your attracted to the character has nothing to do with the intensity of the game.
-:)Dez
Fayelin @ Jun 5th 2006 7:26PM
I agree with Harumi...who cares if a some gay guys think Link it hot, cause well he is! I'm female, and while I'm totally looking forward to playing the game, I won't mind staring at the pretty main character. If Link happened to be named the "Hottest videogame character" for any other magazine then we wouldn't be having this problem. I'm sure there are tons of fangirl sites out there that fawn over him. As for Link being gay...pssh..what about Zelda!?
DC @ Jun 5th 2006 7:58PM
Thank you, Joystiq.
Thank you for taking one of the greatest video game franchises,
Searching for a controversial article about it,
And leaving intolerant bible beaters to describe, in detail, their disgust for gay people.
And leaving militant liberals to describe, in detail, their disgust for prejudice.
I admit, I chuckled.
Silly, silly teens with no lives.
Reedon @ Jun 5th 2006 10:29PM
Who gives a crap on gay people liking Link! It's a good game and wow he's hot, big deal. If all the gay guys in the world started thinking all the base ball players were hot then would all the guys start hating base ball? I think not.
Stella @ Jun 6th 2006 12:20AM
Honestly, I hardly play video games but I always play Zelda games cause they're my favorite. And nothing anyone does or says is gonna change that for me. And p.s. if you're gay and getting the hots over a f**king video game character go home and rethink your sad life. and if you're straight and getting the hots for a video game character go home and rethink your sad life. Honestly you people must be the people that buy that Japornimation crap we sell in locked cases at my video/music store. The people that actually do buy that are usually really fat ugly and seriously pathetic people. Oh yeah and all the f**king 30 + yr olds who are not even commenting on the game but arguing as if they're on a secular world crusade to possibly 10 yr olds, go home and rethink your sad pathetic life. Hey while we're at it let's talk about what everyone thinks about abortion or maybe the death penalty, or you know something lighthearted like that, which will go absolutely nowhere fast! Cheers everyone!
perry @ Jun 6th 2006 12:59AM
Squall Leonhart is so much hotter.
myopinion @ Jun 6th 2006 1:49AM
1. I am a straight woman and yes, I can find video game character attractive. Yes, Link is attractive. Yes, Squall is attractive. Yes, even certain cartoon characters are attractive. However, that does not mean I would jump into be with them. I CAN be realistic. But, the appreciation is still there.
2. So WHAT if a gay magazine appreciates Link's physique. Personally, I think the fact that a gay magazine is the magazine that labeled Link as hottest is irrelevant. No matter where the votes are coming from, appreciation is appreciation.
3. the "Wii" innuendos are funny and wrong...which makes them more funny...if anything, the innuendos would add amusment to my gameplay not resentment...
that's it for now
a friend @ Jun 7th 2006 4:42PM
That person that wrote the 113th comment is kinda right you know, but still sounds like some stuck-up, ingnorant, asshole/bitch
[quote] "I admit, I chuckled"
Keep posting whatever you like people, it's a free country, homophobes (even though I don't stand for them), gays, lesbians, the so called "lifeless" people with a crush on a video game character
SuicideNinja @ Jun 7th 2006 4:45PM
"Homophobia is gay."
That pretty much sums it up. The Link designers should take the compliment no matter who it comes from.
"Zelda fans of all sexual prefences will be able to play with Link using their Wii's"
Ross, if that was intentional...that's just bad. LOL