Dark Link (also known as Shadow Link in Oracle of Ages and Four Swords Adventures) is a recurring boss in the series, and is a doppelgänger of Link. Also known to Zelda as a twisted echo in the Four Swords manga, Dark Link is usually solid black with red eyes but is white with purple hair in the Four Swords manga plus. In general, Dark Link just copies Link's swordplay, but in some games he is able to use Link's full arsenal of weapons.

He is formed in various ways between the games, though always involving some sort of magical summoning. When he first appears in The Adventure of Link, he is the final boss of the game, and was created by a mysterious wizard as a test for the Triforce of Courage. In Oracle of Ages, Shadow Links are summoned by the sorceress Veran during the final battle. These Shadow Links do not directly attack and quickly die from repeated sword blows, but they mimic Link's movements so as to impede his ability to target Veran herself.