Now that the Nintendo Switch 2 has landed and is already showing just how much better Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom perform on their respective Switch 2 editions, all eyes are looking ahead to the next game in the Legend of Zelda series, whatever it may be. Before the launch of Breath of the Wild, the franchise was more iterative than innovative, although each entry still did its best to stand out as unique in the increasingly massive library of installments. However, now that Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and most recently, Echoes of Wisdom, have all capitalized on the innovative groundwork laid by BotW, curiosity has set in about what could possibly come next for the series.
It's clear that The Legend of Zelda has moved into territory it can't backtrack on now, but that doesn't necessarily mean it should stay put either. As such, the next mainline entry has its work cut out for it. Should the next big Zelda game on the Switch 2 be something other than a mainline installment, though, there are plenty of other ways the franchise could capitalize on the console's new hardware and growing popularity, with remasters, hd ports, and creative spin-offs being just a few.
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Hopes for the Next Big Zelda Game on Switch 2
An Open-World Zelda That Breaks Free From BotW's Legacy
At this point, it might be tough to go back on the open-world formula introduced by Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Sure, the series has almost always featured some form of open-ended exploration, but it has never been a truly open world until Breath of the Wild. Now, the immense success of this new era of Zelda suggests the series should continue trodding the path it has already laid before itself over the last few mainline entries. However, it should arguably do so in a way that breaks free from Breath of the Wild's legacy.
It's clear that The Legend of Zelda has moved into territory it can't backtrack on now, but that doesn't necessarily mean it should stay put either.
In other words, the next Zelda game shouldn't just be a reskin of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Instead, it needs to somehow retain the open-world formula that popularized those entries in the first place and still feel like a different game. Elements like a completely new map, revamped mechanics, better voiced dialogue and deeper storytelling, diverse biomes, more distinct bosses, and a better weapon durability system (or lack thereof) would all help the next Zelda game on the Switch 2 to distinguish itself.
An Ocarina of Time Remaster and HD Classic Ports Would Be a Dream Come True
Should the next Zelda game not be a new mainline entry, though, there is still plenty of room for remasters and HD classic ports to show themselves. At the top of many wish lists is an Ocarina of Time remaster. Despite being the most beloved Zelda game ever made, it is still over two decades old and it shows. Delivering a remaster for it on the Switch 2 would be the best thing since it was remastered to utilize the Nintendo 3DS' 3D capabilities.
One of the most popular things to do right now with Ocarina of Time is to remake it using Unreal Engine 5, and the footage that has dropped for it makes the game look stunning.
Even if Ocarina of Time weren't remastered for the Switch 2, Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess arguably should be. Countless rumors have swirled about Twilight Princess, in particular, being remastered, but that conversation has yet to manifest itself in reality. Then there are HD classic ports like The Wind Waker that would likely be received with open arms on the Switch 2, especially considering the GameCube port on there currently is in the game's original resolution for some reason.
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More Creative Spin-Offs
Last but not least, the next Zelda game on the Switch 2 could subvert expectations by being a more creative spin-off instead. Hyrule Warriors is moving forward with a new entry for its own series, but the Zelda franchise could do even more. A Zelda "maker" game similar to Super Mario Maker, for example, would be a great answer to one of Nintendo's best creative series, allowing players to potentially create their own Zelda dungeons or even entire worlds. Of course, launching a game like this ahead of the next mainline entry might lead to widespread disappointment among fans.
Whatever direction Nintendo decides to take, the next Zelda game on the Switch 2 has the chance to take the franchise to new heights in a way that feels fresh again, especially thanks to the console's improved power. Whether it's a new open-world Zelda game, a long-awaited remaster, or a creative spin-off, there are plenty of ways the series can continue to grow without losing what makes it special.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- May 12, 2023
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Cross-Platform Play
- N/A
- Cross Save
- N/A
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
