no, because RPG is not a role-playing game as in actual role playing
So being Link does not make it an RPG.

Technically, every game could be considered an RPG as well if you include the "stat" raising stuff of heart tanks, upgrading weapons etc. That would qualify Ninja Gaiden as an RPG, because you upgrade weapons, increase health, and upgrade magic. But we all know Ninja Gaiden is not an RPG. Metroid could also be considered an RPG as you get different weapons, different armor, and in some games you can even choose to unequip certain upgrades.

There's a reason people classify all RPG's now as more than just RPG's. You have games like Fire Emblem, which are strategy RPG's. You have games like Oblivion, which is a Western RPG (probably the most like D+D of the RPG game categories). And then you have games like Final Fantasy, which is a Turn-Based RPG, or a Japanese RPG. And then the last big category is an Action RPG, like Kingdom hearts. Zelda is not an RPG in any of these terms. It's an action/adventure game which may have RPGish elements.

THE JACKEL