As the launch of the Switch 2 steadily approaches, many fans will wonder what the company has in store for one of its flagship franchises,The Legend of Zelda. The success of theZeldaseries' major 3D titles on the Switch has set a higher standard for future entries moving forward. While the next big 3DZeldatitle may be a ways off, there will be huge expectations for Nintendo to continue the success that the series saw during the Switch era.
An easy solution to ensure theZeldaseries continues its success on the Switch 2 would be to develop a directsequel toTears Of The Kingdom. This title and its predecessor,Breath of the Wild, are two of the best-selling games in theZeldaseries. With that in mind, a direct sequel will surely draw in a huge number of players from recognizability alone. However, if Nintendo does head down this path,it would be detrimental to the quality of the next 3DZeldagame, limiting its potential to push the series in a new, ambitious direction.
Why The Next Zelda Game Shouldn’t Be A TOTK Sequel
Direct Sequels Of Zelda Games Are Rare
A new 3DZeldagame should create its own identity if it wants to avoid becoming redundant. With a series likeZeldathat’s home to a number of inventive and game-changing titles,direct sequels are rare and are usually only developed if a previous game’s core ideas or mechanics can still be utilized in unique ways.Majora’s Mask, for example, was developed at series creator Shigeru Miyamoto’s request to make use of the game engine made forOcarina of Time(viaNintendo), whileTOTKstarted life as DLC forBOTWbefore becoming a fully-fledged title, according toKotaku.
That’s not to say these specificZeldagames aren’t as creative or enjoyable as the rest of the series.TOTKhas been so well-received precisely because ofhow it builds on the foundations established inBOTW.TOTK’s more inventive mechanics, its larger scale and ambitious narrative come together to create a fully realized version of Hyrule, while making BOTW feel bare-bones in comparison.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review - Building Excellence
Tears of the Kingdom takes Legend of Zelda into mostly familiar ground, but it remains an excellent, must-play title with plenty of innovation.
TOTKfully realized the potential shown inBOTWand, in doing so, has become the complete and definitive game for this iteration of theZeldafranchise. That’s not saying a direct sequel couldn’t refine the world and gameplay mechanics further, butit’s hard to see how this would set the title apart whenTOTKhas already stretchedBOTW’s core ideas to their limits. By restricting the next 3DZeldagame to the world and mechanics ofTOTK, it would result in a title that lacks any sense of creativity and experimentation that the series is known for.
An Original Zelda Game Would Be Better For Switch 2
The Zelda Series Offers Something New With Each Generation
An entirely original 3DZeldagame would also be ideal to help broaden the appeal of the Switch 2. While official details on the console’s features remain scarce,it would be safe to assume that the Switch 2 will be a step above its predecessor in terms of its power and capabilities. With that in mind, there will be huge expectations from players for the new console to include a range of titles that take full advantage of the Switch 2’s capabilities, providing experiences that once seemed impossible.
TheZeldaseries has always been at the forefront of showcasing the capabilities of Nintendo’s consoles.Skyward Swordis a great example of this, taking advantage of the Wii’s motion controls to place greater emphasis on combat, making for a more immersive experience than theZeldaseries had provided up to that point. Subsequently,BOTW’s development on the Wii U and the Switch allowed the game to utilize the upgraded power of both consoles to take an entirely different direction, disregarding major elements of the traditionalZeldaformula to create a much larger adventure that placed emphasis on player freedom.
It’s within these originalZeldatitles where the developers gain the freedom to put Nintendo’s hardware to the test while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of the franchise as a whole.A direct sequel won’t have the ambition that the Switch 2 will need, since players know the console will be more than able to deliver aTOTK-like experience. If Nintendo keeps to what’s been done before, it won’t be able to prove to players that the Switch 2 is capable of offering something new and exciting, while the momentum of theZeldaseries quickly grinds to a halt.
There’s Still Room For Classic Zelda Games
Nintendo Has Made An Effort To Preserve The Classic Zelda Experience
Of course, as important as it is for the next major 3D title to head in a new direction, that shouldn’t be at the expense of more traditionalZeldagames. While the open approach toBOTWandTOTKwas a breath of fresh air,many of the series' most beloved entries make use of the well-establishedZeldaformula, while offering something new in terms of gameplay or presentation to make it stand out. There are many fans who prefer games that have heavier reliance on theZeldaformula, making the continuation of classic titles hugely important.
Thankfully, Nintendo has made an effort to balance more unique and experimental titles alongside traditional games. The latest title in theZeldafranchise,Echoes of Wisdom, adapted many classic series elementsalongside new ideas to make for a riveting, action-packed 2D experience. Moreover, the numerous rereleases on Switch through remasters, remakes, or Nintendo Switch Online means players always have easy access to some of theZeldaseries' most iconic outings, ensuring that classic games are a mainstay for the franchise.
However, alongside these more traditional games, Nintendo has continually establishedZeldaas a series that consistently reinvents itself with more ambitious and experimental titles, which is where the main concern lies heading into the Switch 2. The priority for many players will be how the next major 3D game pushes the series forward, and not even aTOTKsequel will be able to accomplish this, despite its refreshing contrast to classicZeldatitles. IfThe Legend ofZeldafranchise is to continue its success during Nintendo’s new era, then the next major 3D game must take a bold, new direction for the series.
Sources:Nintendo,Kotaku
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the anticipated follow-up to Breath of the Wild, released in 2017. A rare occurrence in Zelda titles, Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel instead of loosely connected. In Tears of the Kingdom, Link will take to the skies and learn about a mysterious kingdom in the clouds.
