The Legend of Zeldais one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises, so it’s no surprise that fans would love to see even more games featuring Link and Zelda. AfterEchoes of Wisdom, it’s clear thatThe Legend of Zeldais exploring new avenues when it comes to gameplay, and more spin-off games could be the perfect way to experiment.
After the massive successes ofBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, theLegend of Zeldaseries has reclaimed its place at the top of the lists when it comes to adventure and fantasy games.Echoes of Wisdom, the followup to the open-worldZeldatitles, did its part to showcase the unique types of gameplay that can be explored in a smaller setting, but fans are still yearning for more. Because of the time it takes to make a game worthy of the series, the wait between mainlineZeldagames can feel agonizing for fans. So, in the meantime, a select few spin-offZeldagames have been made to help fans pass the time. After what must have been a tiresome development cycle of mainlineZeldagames, it’s about time for Nintendo to revisitZelda’s spin-off potentialwith some smaller games.
The Legend of Zelda Deserves More Spinoffs
Nintendo is known for breathing new life into its major franchises in unexpected ways. Spin-off games give players a chance to join their favorite characters on new adventures that stray from the gameplay styles associated with their respective series. With the wealth ofMariospin-off titles likeMario KartorMario Party, it’s surprising that there areonly about 9Zeldaspin-offs. Surely a franchise with so many memorable characters, locations, and side quests is fertile ground for creating spin-offs with unique gameplay mechanics.
Zelda’s Best Spinoff Potential
In the decades since the originalZeldatitle was released, gaming has grown to encompass dozens of new and exciting genres for players to explore. By taking inspiration from the indie game scene,Zeldawould feel at home in many genres. It’s no secret that fans have been drawn to characters like Sidon or Paya inBreath of the Wild, so a dating sim feels like it would give players an opportunity that they’re longing for. Hyrule would be the perfect setting for an RPG or strategy game. The possibilities are endless, but by far the most fitting genre to explore would be theroguelike dungeon crawler.
A Zelda Dungeon Crawler is Long Overdue
ManyZeldafans would agree that the best part of any outing in Hyrule are the dungeons. Because oftheZelda’s iconic dungeons, the series is just waiting to be adapted into the roguelike genre. The typical roguelike experience involves selecting gear, embarking into the randomly-generated environments, dying, and trying again. For fans ofZeldadungeons, cutting out the overworld and side quests would cut right to the heart of the gameplay they desire. Not to mention that the series’ memorable items would make perfect unlockables. The bow, hookshot, and boomerang would ensure players have plenty to unlock to improve their next runs.Cadence of Hyruledid explore the idea of roguelike dungeons, but the mechanics of the game may have scared some players away. A true roguelike would be the perfect match for the nextZeldaspin-off.
Cadence of Hyrule is a spin-off of bothThe Legend of ZeldaandCrypt of the Necrodancer, meaning that the rhythm-based movement was implemented into theZelda-like dungeons, which may not be the right fit for some players.
Recently, players have been more vocal than ever about their love of dungeons. From the outcry of disappointment at their removal inBreath of the Wildto the persistent wishes for a dungeon-maker game, it’s clear that this is a part of theZeldaformula that needs more attention. ALegend of Zeldaspin-off has all the makings to become one ofthe best roguelike games of all time, if Nintendo is open to taking the risk.
