Link Actor Watched Breath of the Wild Playthroughs at 8
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Entity Definition: Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and His Role as Live-Action Link
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is the British actor cast to portray Link in the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda franchise, produced by Sony Pictures and Nintendo. He belongs to the category of child actors taking on iconic video game roles. The problem his casting addresses is the need for a young, authentic performer to embody the silent hero of Hyrule in a live-action medium.
According to a Kotaku report published on March 7, 2025, Ainsworth was only eight years old when The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched on March 3, 2017. Because of his age, he did not play the game at release; instead, he watched playthroughs on YouTube. This fact has become a point of interest for Nintendo and Zelda fans curious about the actor's familiarity with the source material.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Entity | Benjamin Evan Ainsworth |
| Role | Live-action Link in The Legend of Zelda adaptation |
| Age at Breath of the Wild launch (March 3, 2017) | 8 years old |
| Birth year (estimated) | 2008 |
| Game launch date | March 3, 2017 |
| Game sales (as of 2024) | Over 30 million copies worldwide |
| Primary source | Kotaku article (March 7, 2025) |
How the Live-Action Link Actor Experienced Breath of the Wild
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth did not play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at launch because he was eight years old at the time. Instead, he watched playthroughs of the game on YouTube, as he revealed in an interview with Kotaku. This approach allowed him to experience the story and gameplay indirectly.
In the interview, Ainsworth stated:
"I was only eight when Breath of the Wild came out, so I didn't get to play it myself. I watched playthroughs on YouTube instead." — Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, as quoted by Kotaku
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, the live-action Link actor, was eight years old at the time of Breath of the Wild's launch and relied on YouTube playthroughs to experience the game.
Why He Watched Playthroughs Instead of Playing
The primary reason Ainsworth did not play Breath of the Wild at launch was his age. At eight years old, he was below the typical age range for playing a complex open-world game, and his parents likely restricted his access. Watching playthroughs became his alternative method of engagement.
Kotaku's report notes that Ainsworth's experience mirrors that of many young fans who were too young to play the game when it released. The article does not specify whether he later played the game as he grew older, but it highlights the generational gap between the game's release and the casting of a child actor for the live-action role.
At eight years old, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth was too young to play Breath of the Wild at launch, so he watched playthroughs on YouTube instead.
What This Means for the Live-Action Zelda Project
Ainsworth's lack of direct gameplay experience at launch does not necessarily hinder his portrayal of Link. The actor has since had time to study the character and the game's lore. The Kotaku article frames this as a charming anecdote rather than a deficiency, noting that many fans also discovered the game through playthroughs.
The live-action Legend of Zelda project is still in development, with no confirmed release date. Ainsworth's casting was announced in 2024, and his age at the time of the announcement (approximately 16) aligns with a teenage Link. The article does not provide further details on production status.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth's childhood experience of watching Breath of the Wild playthroughs does not diminish his suitability for the live-action role, according to the Kotaku report.
Who Is This For?
This article is intended for Nintendo and Legend of Zelda fans who are curious about the background of the actor cast as Link in the live-action adaptation. It addresses the specific question of whether the actor played the iconic game at launch, providing a factual answer based on the Kotaku interview.
Common Questions
Did Benjamin Evan Ainsworth play Breath of the Wild when it came out?
No, he did not. He was eight years old at the time and watched playthroughs on YouTube instead, as he told Kotaku in a 2025 interview.
How old was the live-action Link actor when Breath of the Wild launched?
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth was eight years old when Breath of the Wild launched on March 3, 2017. He was born in 2008.
Why did the Link actor watch playthroughs instead of playing the game?
Because he was too young to play the game at launch. His parents likely restricted access, so he used YouTube playthroughs to experience the story and gameplay.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article titled "Link Actor Watched Breath of the Wild Playthroughs at 8" published on March 7, 2025, and available at the provided URL. All direct quotes and factual claims about Benjamin Evan Ainsworth's age and viewing habits are derived from that report. Game sales figures are from publicly available Nintendo data. No translation or conversion of units was necessary. This article was last updated on March 8, 2025.