As the Nintendo Switch generation slowly comes to a close, theLegend of Zeldaseries finds itself with a gap in its release schedule.The Legend of Zeldahas been very successful on the Switch, with blockbuster titles likeBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomand other impressive games like twoHyrule Warriorsentries and the recentEchoes of Wisdom. With the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, moreZeldagames, and more spin-offs likeHyrule Warriors, should be on their way, and fans may not need to wait that long to hear more about them.
Prospects of a third fullHyrule Warriorstitle look good, even if little more than speculation about such a game exists right now.Hyrule Warriors: Definitive EditionandHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamityare strong counterparts to theZeldafranchise andBreath of the Wild, respectively, and the ongoing resurgence ofDynasty Warriorslends credence to Nintendo and Koei Tecmo teaming up for anotherZelda-flavoredWarriorstitle on the second Switch. It helps that despite the amount of ground covered in eachHyrule Warriorsgame, there’s still more of theZeldauniverse left to adapt, and there is one character in particular that deserves theWarriorstreatment.
There’s Enough Zelda Characters Left For Another Hyrule Warriors
BothHyrule Warriorstitles have plenty of playable characters, but there are still some missing. For the franchise-orientedHyrule Warriors, fan favorites, like Groose fromSkyward Swordand Vaati fromThe Minish Capand theFour Swordsgames, could finally get their time to shine in a sequel.Age of Calamity, meanwhile, has done an admirable job of making almost every noteworthy character inBreath of the Wild’s present and past a playable hero. Some others, likeBotW’s Rito minstrel Kass andAoC’s original villain Astor, could have come as DLC, but there’s anotherZeldatitle that a thirdWarriorsgame can draw from now.
A Hyrule Warriors Adapting Tears of the Kingdom Could Work Wonders
Tears of the Kingdomis the third game set inBotWandAoC’s Hyrule, and it has plenty to offer anotherHyrule Warriorsiteration. Fans have alreadycome up withHyrule Warriors: The Imprisoning Waras a counterpart toAge of Calamity, and it could set its action in the distant past that is depicted inTotK’s Dragon Tear memories. If Link travels to the past alongside Zelda, a newHyrule Warriorsfeaturing the ensuing war against Demon King Ganondorf, alongside the ancient Sages, writes itself. The Sages could certainly use the extra screen time, but players might be more keen on unlocking their historical foe.
Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf Must Be In The Next Hyrule Warriors
Whether the nextHyrule Warriorsconcerns the Imprisoning War or is just a genericHyrule Warriors 2, it needs to includeTears of the Kingdom’s Ganondorf as a playable character. Regardless of one’s opinion onTotK’s story, it’s a widely-held opinion that this iteration of Ganondorf is a highlight of the game. From his multiple designs, to his voicework in multiple languages, to the looming threat of Phantom Ganon, and all the way toTears of the Kingdom’s epic final boss fight, the latest incarnation of the Gerudo king has earned his fans. Giving them his reins in aWarriorstitle just makes sense.
Regardless of how this newHyrule Warriorsis handled, Demon King Ganondorf should stand out. Not only could he wield multiple weapons to parallelAge of Calamity’s Link, his Demon King transformation could either be its own character or a unique power-up mechanic. TheSecret Stones thatTotKintroducedas the catalyst of said form could even influence a larger mechanic, either like the Fairy system from the firstHyrule Warriorsor the Sheikah Slate abilities from the second. Although a newHyrule Warriorsis just a fantasy right now, it can’t miss the chance to makeTotK’s Ganondorf playable when it comes around.
