Is Nintendo Planning to Try the “Returning to the Roots” Formula With the Legend of Zelda Series?

The Legend of Zelda series has come a long way since its original release back in 1986. What used to be a dungeon-based format, now has transformed into a full-scale action RPG. This definitely is a good sign as Nintendo knows how to keep their games relevant with time. While games on other consoles might find it hard to emulate the style of the first game in the series, Nintendo can pull this off with ease.

With Nintendo, most players, at least the long time, seasoned players started their journey by playing games like Zelda and Mario on the NES. And it seems like the nostalgia factor is strong among Nintendo fans. The company has revisited its roots with the new 2D side-scrolling platformer Super Mario Bros. Wonder. This game was a massive success and fans from all over have said nothing but good things about the game. A similar thing can be noticed with Metroid Dread which came out in 2021. This begs the question of whether Nintendo has similar plans for The Legend of Zelda series.

Will the Legend of Zelda derive inspiration from the original game?

During an interview with Inverse, Doug Bowser, the President of Nintendo of America, discusses the lasting success of the Nintendo Switch. While the elaborate conversation covered various Nintendo-related topics, fans were intrigued by a question about the Zelda games returning to their roots. Although Doug didn’t give a definite answer, he said, “I think what’s important is that the development teams have that opportunity to really understand what they want to build and the type of game they want to create.”

He continued to add, “Whether that’s a reinvention of a classic game or going in a whole new direction, we really do give our dev teams a lot of leeway to decide where they want to go with future game development.”

By stating this, Bowser has left the crowd in suspense. Although there is no definite news for the next installment.

Video Games have been evolving with long gameplay hours, elaborate stories, and upgraded graphics. While other consoles are running a race, Nintendo’s Switch goes by a different approach. With more and more AAA titles entering the market with PlayStation and Xbox, Nintendo plays a different game. Fans of Nintendo don’t need much more than a new Zelda or Mario game to keep them going. While it’s not entirely true that Nintendo doesn’t develop high graphics games, most of its users purchase the console to enjoy games with a unique “Nintendo style.”

Doug Bowser on the state of Nintendo today

When asked about the process of making Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Bowser mentioned how producer Takashi Tezuka initially gave the game’s development team the freedom to explore various ideas without the pressure of a deadline.

In another recent interview, producer Takashi Tezuka talked about the development of Super mario Bros. Wonder, where he told Inverse, “Midway through development, the only character that actually transformed into the elephant was Mario. But from there we created the Peach elephant transformation, the Toadette transformation, and the artwork started to catch up to the idea.”

Nintendo allows its teams the time they need to ensure the quality that players expect. During the interview, Doug was asked about the upcoming Nintendo Museum. To this, he said, “We really do consider ourselves to be more of an entertainment company than just a dedicated video game company.” Further, he added, “It does allow us to ensure that people understand the history of Nintendo, before and after video games were introduced, and through that process, absolutely preserve some of the content.”

Read More – Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Player Makes a Perfect Tony Hawk Level Skate Track and Then…Skates Away

The Nintendo Account system will facilitate a smooth transition to a successor of the Switch console, minimizing the dip between generations. Nintendo of America currently does not have unions, focusing on creating an inclusive, balanced work culture with high employee satisfaction. Nintendo is always open to worker feedback and improvement. As for a Nintendo property he’d like to see make a comeback, he mentioned “Bowser’s Inside Story” as a title that could receive some love.

Meanwhile, Bowser didn’t directly mention The Legend of Zelda getting back to the roots game. While it is likely that it might happen one day, Nintendo has no comment on it. Considering how Nintendo has worked over the years, fans might get a game that follows a dungeon-clearing style of gameplay. However, until there is an official statement, nothing can be confirmed.

Watch this story: The Best Games to Play On Xbox One