Let me start with what actually set this off: Jim Norman watched the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake teaser and had an existential crisis about Link's sleepwear. Okay — that's a wild place for a game trailer to land you. But he did his homework because there are exactly forty years of Link being terrible at bedtime attire, and I need you all to see it with me. In the OoT original on N64, we watch Link toss and turn in bed during the Deku Tree intro while wearing calf-height leather boots — literally! The boot thing alone should be a crime punishable by three dungeon runs. And now the remake's got him bootless but he's replaced them with a full chestplate AND skirt over his nightclothes. So even when they remove the shoes, they add metal instead. That's Nintendo consistency at its finest and I can't stop laughing.
But it goes deeper than just OoT! Let's talk Link's Awakening where he's knocked unconscious — no sleep choice to be made there — and Wind Waker Link who naps on Outset Island wearing a long-sleeved tee and soft shoes, which is honestly maybe the most reasonable bedding ensemble in any game ever. The Minish Cap version gets a win because at least this Link takes off his hat before bed with Ezlo, even though he keeps the belt and boots (I'll allow it). But then we have to talk about Skyward Sword where things go from bad to worse — Link has on long sleeves WITH a rigid chestplate underneath AND snowboots PLUS earrings. He later returns for another nap in full chainmail and his tunic. The man is committed! Imagine waking up after a nightmare and needing that many layers of armor just to feel safe. I keep thinking about the post-Christmas dinner kip where you wear your paper crown to bed — Wind Waker Link has been doing that since 2002.
The real genius, though, is Norman's final twist because it explains everything we know about this character. If all these outfits are actually what Link considers pajamas — which would explain why he NEVER takes off the hat during battle and how he stays calm facing Ganondorf for the thousandth time — then the problem isn't that he needs pyjamas, it's that nobody has asked him when he plans on changing into real clothes. You can't feel stressed after a week in nothing but your Pikachu-branded pajamas! So no, Link doesn't need new sleepwear; he deserves a fluffy bottom, an oversized tee, and maybe a Goron plushie to cuddle at night instead of his iron chainmail. This is the kid who re-pens farmers' chicken pens daily — let him have some comfort. I love this piece; it makes me want to go back and watch every sleep scene again just to laugh harder.
Source: https://www.nintendolife.com/features/back-page-after-40-years-its-high-time-link-got-some-pyjamas
But it goes deeper than just OoT! Let's talk Link's Awakening where he's knocked unconscious — no sleep choice to be made there — and Wind Waker Link who naps on Outset Island wearing a long-sleeved tee and soft shoes, which is honestly maybe the most reasonable bedding ensemble in any game ever. The Minish Cap version gets a win because at least this Link takes off his hat before bed with Ezlo, even though he keeps the belt and boots (I'll allow it). But then we have to talk about Skyward Sword where things go from bad to worse — Link has on long sleeves WITH a rigid chestplate underneath AND snowboots PLUS earrings. He later returns for another nap in full chainmail and his tunic. The man is committed! Imagine waking up after a nightmare and needing that many layers of armor just to feel safe. I keep thinking about the post-Christmas dinner kip where you wear your paper crown to bed — Wind Waker Link has been doing that since 2002.
The real genius, though, is Norman's final twist because it explains everything we know about this character. If all these outfits are actually what Link considers pajamas — which would explain why he NEVER takes off the hat during battle and how he stays calm facing Ganondorf for the thousandth time — then the problem isn't that he needs pyjamas, it's that nobody has asked him when he plans on changing into real clothes. You can't feel stressed after a week in nothing but your Pikachu-branded pajamas! So no, Link doesn't need new sleepwear; he deserves a fluffy bottom, an oversized tee, and maybe a Goron plushie to cuddle at night instead of his iron chainmail. This is the kid who re-pens farmers' chicken pens daily — let him have some comfort. I love this piece; it makes me want to go back and watch every sleep scene again just to laugh harder.
Source: https://www.nintendolife.com/features/back-page-after-40-years-its-high-time-link-got-some-pyjamas