You can only go balls out or not at all.

Meaning if Link talked I would want it to be a amazingly complex Shakespearean novel with a massive amount of character development and themes combined with a great supporting cast of voice actors etc.

Not just "I would like to buy some items" whenever he goes to the store.

Well excuuuuuse me princess.

I think that Mario and Link pretty much have the same amount of vocal work IN GAME.
They both run around yelping and going HYAAAAA and OOOOOOOOOW and making noises.

It's just when the time arises Mario has the option to say an entire word or two but really how often do you hear him speak full on dialog?

I really want to hear Martinet's take on Link. Just to know what it sounds like.

Silent Link was ANNOYING. Then again, I find the whole concept of silent protaganists annoying. Especially in Modern Warfare when people get shy the minute you start controlling them.

Well, you're far up Dragon Age's ass, aren't you? Seems when Shepard did the Kayne thing in Mass Effect they went back to what they did in every previous Bioware game - let the character be a vehicle for the player's thoughts.

Nintendo's been doing it that way forever now. They've told some pretty impressive tales without the need to beat you over the head with pointless chattering.

And really, Toon Link's eyes these days seem to talk enough. He can do Implied Facepalm, Like Hell, This is Sad, Holy Shit and all kinds of things with those two eyes of his. Link has feelings, he expresses them. What could voice add beyond that?

I didn't like Jak when he started talking, he became an emo bitch. I didn't like Tommy Vercetti because he stole my main character slot. And do you know who worried people were about how Kefka would turn out in Dissidia? Very good thing they got someone that veered to Mark Hamill's Joker on that one, had they done anything else there would have been a shitstorm over it.

Taking a long-time beloved character and giving them voice is a big risk and hard to meet the expectation of others. If you don't agree with me, I'll just wait for someone to argue my Kefka example. Not everyone saw him as The Joker.

Thank god Miyamoto turned his offer down and what GamesAreArt said.

Nintendo can't make a decent story or dialogue anyway, so I guess it's really no loss that he's silent.

Hmm. I am disturbed by this.

Who needs any real dialog when you have....

HEY!! LISTEN!! HEY!! LISTEN!! HEY!! HEY!!


LISTEN!!!


HEY!

No keep the text. If we gamers complain about games being to easy yet we're telling them we're too lazy to even read then there's a problem somewhere.

And he's not really a kiss up because if you're talking about what someone wants to do with their game then it's probably better to say "it's his and he's right" then "my idea was better!"

Charles Martinet is a dick. True story.

I could go for a speaking Link, but only if they put good focus on the story... i mean, he should only talk if he NEEDS to talk, and he only NEEDS to talk if his talking somehow adds to the story and really reflects on how he interacts with characters.

3 words about why Link shouldn't speak: "Excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess"

My ideal voice actor for Link would be Cam Clarke. The man has nearly 200 credits to his name, some of which include the Metal Gear Solid series, He-Man (2002), Grandia 2, and even 1980s Ninja Turtles. He's a real pro, and he can do very convincing voices for plucky young heroes like Link.

Anyway, if Link does ever speak, when he actually starts talking it should be a major shock moment like in Jak 2. And as Eiji Aunomi said, when he starts talking it should be because he's got something important to say!

I like how Martinet respecting Miyamoto and realizing that Miyamoto probably knows his own games better than Martinet does is "being up Miyamoto's ass*". *eyeroll*

* - oh excuse me, "arse".

I CAN'T WAIT TO BOMB SOME DODONGOS.

Link shouldn't talk because it's a fucking stupid idea, but I don't mind him saying stuff like Mario does. Mario never really "talks", but he does say some phrases. In fact, I think Link actually does speak a word or 2 of English in Wind Waker.

I don't blame Charles for wanting to voice Link... I mean, Link is such an iconic video game character and I'm sure the extra notoriety and money wouldn't hurt.
By the way, the several times I met Charles he was nothing but super nice and welcoming. A real class act. Although, he is damn near schizophrenic with his characters, he'd go from Charles to Mario to Wario back to Charles in a matter of seconds. Creepy and cool. =) You can tell he really loves being the voice of Mario and meeting the fans.

That's the worst catch phrase I've ever heard.

Also, you forgot the CD-i games.

"GREAT! I'll grab my STUFF!"

As much as I'm loving NSMBW, Mario comes off as a bit self-absorbed with all his "It's Mario time!" and similar phrases of self-praise. Link seems a bit more level-headed, except for that whole fairy-in-a-bottle fetish.

As much as he's a great voice for Mario this guys sorta pushing it. He must be desperate for work. Honestly I don't think he's that beloved, The character is beloved. He just seems like the annoying aunt that comes along with the awesome uncle you tolerate just so you can see that uncle.

With him going on and leeking new games and stuff I'm sorta waiting for Nintendo to send the word down the pipe that he needs to shove a sock in it before they do it for him. And from his comments about his conversation with Miyamoto-san he seems to be very much the yappy puppy.. but that may come from the fact that Miyamoto puts bread on his table.

Frankly if they ever give Link a voice it wont be his. It'll be a younger man, or a woman. (many male anime characters are voiced by females for those giving that comment the stink eye)