Why a Zelda Launch Title for the Switch 2 isn’t Off the Table

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 31, 2024 6 Views 5 Min Read
Why a Zelda Launch Title for the Switch 2 isn't Off the Table

Though there’s still no confirmed announcement date, the Nintendo Switch successor’s reveal is getting closer by the day. And the closer the Switch 2’s reveal gets, the more rampant speculation among fans is becoming. Many fans have a long list of dream games they’d love to see on the Nintendo Switch 2, and a new Legend of Zelda usually appears near the very top.

When it comes to Nintendo’s flagship franchises, few have become quite as prestigious or prolific as The Legend of Zelda, with the franchise releasing at least one entry every 1–2 years or so since 1998. It’s only natural that fans would want a new Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch line-up, especially given the quality of the series’ last few releases. But while it seems a bit unlikely the Switch 2 will release with a new mainline Zelda entry, getting some kind of Zelda game on Nintendo’s next console at launch is not impossible.

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There’s a Chance The Nintendo Switch 2 Will Launch With a Legend of Zelda Game

A New Mainline Zelda Is Unlikely for The Switch 2’s Launch Line-Up

Both the Wii and Nintendo Switch’s launch line-ups included a new mainline Legend of Zelda entry, with the Wii shipping with Zelda: Twilight Princess and the Switch launching with Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem likely that the Nintendo Switch successor’s launch will ship with its own mainline Zelda title.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom released last year, and Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom only came out in September. With the latest Switch 2 rumors suggesting the console could launch as early as March 2025, it seems very unlikely that Nintendo would have a new mainline Zelda game ready to go at launch, given that Tears of the Kingdom took around six years to develop, and Echoes of Wisdom probably took around five.

There Are Plenty of Other Zelda Games That Could Come to Switch 2 on Day One

But while a new mainline Zelda release is unlikely for the Nintendo Switch successor’s launch, that doesn’t mean other Zelda games couldn’t appear in the line-up. For over three years now, rumors have circulated the internet suggesting that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess both have remastered ports waiting in the wings, and the Switch 2’s launch could finally be their time to shine.

Towards the end of last year, it was also rumored that a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake was in development, likely for the Switch 2. Even rumors of a Zelda: Breath of the Wild remaster for the new console have popped up over the last year or so.

Aside from possible remakes and remasters, the Nintendo Switch successor could look to The Legend of Zelda‘s past spinoffs for a new launch title. Omega Force’s Hyrule Warriors series would be a solid pick for a revival given that it’s been four years since the last entry. Alternatively, Nintendo could partner with Brace Yourself Games once more for a Cadence of Hyrule sequel.

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