Zelda's Switch 2 Debut Setting And Era Leaves Gamers Split

The Legend of Zelda is celebrating its 40th birthday as a franchise this year, and there are plenty of fans asking just how Nintendo is planning to mark it, and move the franchise forward in the Nintendo Switch 2 era, when the console is more capable than ever before.

There’s no doubt that Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are two of the better games than Nintendo players have ever been able to enjoy, revolutionizing the open world formula and bringing new levels of storytelling to a series that already has some real high points in the narrative department.

Despite that obvious excellence, there’s always room for an exciting next step, and the community think that this is the perfect time to leave the Breath of the Wild era behind for good.

Zelda Fans Are Done With The BOTW Era

Over on Reddit, one user asked fans if they want the next major Zelda release to be a third instalment in the BotW/TotK series, or something entirely new, and most of the answers were pretty unanimous in their feedback.

“Fresh start. BOTW era has largely been the focus of Zelda since 2017. It’s time to move on,” one comment read.

“I need my more traditional Zelda formula back. I basically want another Ocarina or Twilight but with improved visuals and controls,” another added.

The return of true dungeons was also a big focus for many, with one saying, “Definitely a fresh start. I’d like dungeons, no shrines. Weapons that are upgraded and don’t break. Old school Zelda with modern graphics.”

While another added, “I don’t want another BOTW or TOTK. I didn’t like all the physics things and the lack of traditional dungeons. I want a game like OOT or Wind Waker or anything where your weapons don’t break after every 5 hits.”

What Will Zelda’s Switch 2 Debut Have In Store?

Link is on a sky island overlooking the horizon in The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom art.

The fact remains that Nintendo has been exactly as tight-lipped as they are usually on their plans for the franchise moving forward, particularly considering just how meaningful the year is for the franchise as a whole.

The most exciting element of all this is that the Switch 2 is easily the most powerful console the company has ever produced, so with that hardware in play, the potential for the next Zelda game is really off the charts. Whatever they do decide to do, let’s hope the final product is as exciting and groundbreaking as so many of the games in the series have been before.