Soul Calibur 2 - Zelda Central

Link Storms the Stage of History in Soulcalibur II!

Remember late 2003? A truly legendary moment occurred in the world of fighting games! Namco (famous for Pac-Man) released the highly anticipated Soulcalibur II for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube. While each console received an exclusive guest character (Heihachi on PS2, Spawn on Xbox), Nintendo fans were treated to something truly special: the Hero of Hyrule himself, Link, joined the roster on the GameCube version!

It was a dream match-up – seeing Link step out of Hyrule and onto the stage of history, trading blows with knights, ninjas, and warriors using his iconic arsenal adapted beautifully into the Soulcalibur fighting system.

Link’s Fighting Style

Link in Soulcalibur II is a well-rounded fighter with fantastic range thanks to his projectile items. He blends swordplay familiar to Soulcalibur veterans with unique attacks drawn directly from his Ocarina of Time / Majora’s Mask adventures. He can pressure opponents from afar with his Bow, Bombs, and Boomerang, then close the distance for devastating combos with the Master Sword (or one of his other powerful blades!).

Link’s Arsenal: The Hylian Armory

Before battle, you can choose which sword Link will wield. Each has unique properties affecting damage, range, and sometimes even Link himself!

Master Sword: The Blade of Evil’s Bane! This is Link’s default, balanced, and iconic weapon. A reliable choice for any encounter.
Soul Edge (Complete): A corrupted, immensely powerful sword. It significantly boosts Link’s attack power but constantly drains his health. High risk, high reward!
Great Fairy Sword: Often considered Link’s most powerful unlockable weapon. As the game says, “Wield it for true power.” It boasts impressive damage and good reach.
Razor Sword: A shorter blade reminiscent of its Majora’s Mask counterpart. What it lacks in reach, it makes up for with surprisingly high damage output.
Biggoron’s Sword: This massive two-handed sword grants Link incredible reach, making it the longest sword available to him. Perfect for keeping opponents at bay.
Magic Sword: This blade possesses the ability to chip away at an opponent’s health even if they block, but it lowers Link’s own defensive capabilities.

Alternate Costumes: Tunics of Courage

Link wouldn’t be complete without his signature tunics! These are cosmetic changes, letting you battle in style:

Hero’s Tunic (Green): Link’s classic and default look.
Goron Tunic (Red): Fight with the fiery spirit of Death Mountain.
Zora Tunic (Blue): Battle with the fluid grace of the Zora.
(Dark Link Variant): Typically available as the Player 2 color, offering a shadowy alternative.

Iconic Items in Link’s Moveset

Many of Link’s special moves incorporate familiar tools from his adventures:

Bow & Arrow: Lets Link shoot arrows straight ahead, great for zoning and interrupting opponents.
Bombs: Link lobs a bomb in an arc, perfect for catching opponents off guard or controlling space.
Boomerang: A curved projectile that can hit opponents on the way out and on its return trip!
Megaton Hammer: Used for specific, powerful crushing attacks that can inflict heavy damage.
Mirror Shield: Not just for blocking! Link uses his iconic shield (looking very much like the Mirror Shield) for standard guards and potentially specific parries or reflections.
Joke Weapon – Butterfly Net: Yes, you can unlock the Butterfly Net! It deals minimal damage but offers maximum humiliation if you manage to defeat an opponent with it.
Cane of Byrna: This item’s power manifests during Link’s “Soul Charge” (charging up energy). When activated, Link’s defense increases, and he gradually recovers health!

Signature Moves (Using GameCube Controller Buttons)

Soulcalibur II uses a system where A is Guard (A button), B is Horizontal Attack (B button), G is Vertical Attack (Y button), and K is Kick (X button). Here are a few of Link’s notable moves (Note: Inputs may vary slightly based on stance/situation, check an official guide for exhaustive lists!):

Spin Attack: ↓↙← + B (A classic whirlwind slash)
Bow and Arrow (Straight Shot): ← + G+K
Bomb: ↓↙← + G
Boomerang: →→ B+G
Hylian Rush (“Rocket Attack”): ↑ + G (A quick forward thrust)
Low Stab (“Grass Cutter”): ↙ + B or ↖ + B (A quick poke hitting low)
Hammer Attack: Part of various strings/moves, often involving G.

Unlocking Link’s Extras

Most of Link’s extra weapons, costumes, and other goodies are unlocked through the single-player Weapon Master Mode. In this mode, you travel across a world map, completing missions with specific conditions, earning gold to purchase items in shops, and unlocking content.

Extra Weapons: Purchased from shops in Weapon Master Mode.
Alternate Tunics: Purchased from shops or unlocked by completing specific missions.
Extra Missions: Become available after completing Weapon Master Mode once, offering tougher challenges.
Museum Content: Link’s profile, artwork, and endings can often be unlocked here too.