The Legend of Zelda remains one of Nintendo’s most notable franchises, and the release of Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, brought the series to new heights. These open-world chapters showcase The Legend of Zelda in an exciting new light, and the introduction of one NPC in particular has brought the franchise a great side character.
Hestu is an important NPC that players will run into in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. This music-loving Korok is quite skilled in the art of the maracas, and he will hopefully be making an appearance in future Legend of Zelda chapters. Even if he isn’t showcased again in a mainline game, Hestu would be the perfect character to star in a Zelda-based rhythm game.
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Hestu’s Maraca-Loving Ways Could Open the Door to a Great Rhythm Game
A Hestu Rhythm Game Could Take Inspiration From Another Rhythm Classic
For longtime gamers, a nostalgic reminder of the rhythm genre is found in Samba de Amigo. Originally launched for the Dreamcast back in 2000, Samba de Amigo is the perfect blueprint to help craft a fun-loving Hestu-starring rhythm offering. Hestu and titular protagonist Amigo have something very important in common, and that’s playing maracas. Such a fun instrument could pave the way for a unique rhythm experience, and the Switch seems primed for such a game.
Samba de Amigo was ported to the Nintendo Wii back in 2008.
Samba de Amigo’s Controls Were Essentially Joy-Cons Prototypes
The original Samba de Amigo was played with controllers shaped like maracas, adding even more depth to such a seemingly simple premise. This approach to the game’s controls is perfectly suited for the Switch and its iconic Joy-Cons. These two handheld controllers could easily be repurposed as Hestu’s maracas, if Nintendo ever wanted to approach such a concept.
There is no word on whether a Hestu-focused rhythm game is in the works or ever will be, but it could be a fantastic and lighthearted way to continue the legacy of both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Unfortunately, according to series producer Eiji Aonuma, Tears of the Kingdom is likely to be the last entry in this particular Legend of Zelda sub-series. Of course, this is disappointing news for those who found this series to be one of the strongest in the franchise, and Hestu is proof that the series could still live on in at least a small way.
In both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Hestu’s role is to expand Link’s inventory in exchange for Korok Seeds.
A hypothetical Hestu rhythm game wouldn’t draw the same crowd as Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, but it could at least serve as a fun offering that expands on the charming musical NPC. The Legend of Zelda‘s legacy has continued through plenty of mainline entries and spin-offs, and Hestu would be a shoo-in for the latter.
The Switch 2 Could Bring Forth Some Exciting Announcements
While the creation of a rhythm game starring Hestu is highly unlikely at the moment, the impending launch of the Switch 2 could still have exciting Legend of Zelda news in store. Nintendo’s brand-new console is set to have its own Nintendo Direct event airing on April 2, which is bound to hold some exciting reveals and announcements. Only time will tell if The Legend of Zelda‘s next chapter gets announced this year, but there is hopefully more on the horizon.
- Released
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May 12, 2023
- ESRB
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Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo