TGR Roundtable: What's Next for the Zelda Franchise?

TGR staff take a look at Nintendo's classic franchise, and discuss the sort of change they think it could use.

[Gue1]

I hope for something not too casual

[StephanieBBB]

And that they hold it off untill we can atleast get it in HD. My 50 Inch TV cries when I play in SD.

[HighDefinition]

But, I would love to see a PS3 exclusive Zelda, that looks as good as KZ2 or HeavyRain.

I fear that because Nintendo is going the way their going, I`m never gonna see a NEXT GEN Zelda game, ever again.

[ape007]

"ever again"

there wasn't any HD zelda game before

btw,don't worry,nintendo will someday do a next gen zelda

but let them remember us first

[HighDefinition]

I hope your right.

I really do.

[Smacktard]

Next-gen visuals don;t make a game. Why do people always forget that? When we first saw screenshots of the Link and Ganondorf sword fight way back in... hell, was it 2002ish? It looked AMAZING!

Then we got Twilight Princess, and it played... well...

[AAACE5]

I hope they make a Zelda game that I actually want to play! I bought a Wii primarily to play Zelda Twilight Princess, and when I finally got around to buying the game... I just didn't feel like playing it! I played it for about an hour and never touched it again.... What a waste!

@HD... I understand how you feel, but my opinion slightly differs from yours. I wanted a Zelda game on the 360! I don't know... 360's main color focus is green... Zelda games focus alot on green... seemed like a good match up to me! Plus, I hoped that when nintendo looked like they would have to do something drastic like Sega had to, and stop making home consoles and put their games on other systems!

Doesn't matter though... Zelda may probably never cater to the hardcore Zelda fans again!

[Smacktard]

Since when did it seem Nintendo was gonna pull a Sega? Though they sold less Gamecubes than Microsoft did Xboxes last gen, they pulled a profit while Microsoft didn't.

Also, I seem to remember Miyamato or Iwata or someone saying that, the day Nintendo stops making consoles is the day they quit the video game business for good. So good luck with that.

[Marceles]

"2.3 -
Next-gen visuals don;t make a game. Why do people always forget that? When we first saw screenshots of the Link and Ganondorf sword fight way back in... hell, was it 2002ish? It looked AMAZING!

Then we got Twilight Princess, and it played... well..."

That's because those screens were released around when the Gamecube was announced and yes..they were amazing, but then we were given Wind Waker instead...then when we finally got the game with identical visuals from the screens you mentioned, we had already seen games that destroy anything on Gamecube visually. To sum it all up, Twilight Princess didn't have next-gen visuals. It had better visuals than it's predecessors but by the time it was released, there wasn't anything jaw-dropping about it. Mostly Nintendo left it up to the consumer to try to figure out if the game looked better on the Wii, which by the time it came out, many found out it's the same game graphically just mirrored.

[ape007]

they should make it 100% next gen epicness,can you imagine how amazing graphics and humor,considering that zelda's ART DIRECTION is simply phenomenal

and put more difficulty to it,cause I heard many says that TP was easy

am not that big zelda fan,I admit it but no one can deny its print,name and quality in gaming

nintendo please,DON'T MESS IT UP or you'll lose all of your remaining reputation,please.
I have a strong feeling that it will be more easy,cause nintendo wants it to accessible to the casual crowd

F*** casual games

[gametheory]

As much as we love Zelda, there's never gonna be a next-gen zelda, because by the time a supposedly next-gen zelda arrives by today's standards, it won't be next-gen anymore. Nintendo has thrown the towel and decided they're not gonna raise the bar anymore in terms technology. We're probably gonna see a Zelda looking as good as Killzone in 10 years, but in 10 years we're gonna be playing with Crysis 4 graphics (now imagine that) on our PCs.

[Gue1]

@gametheory you almost make me cry with your comment. ;-(
you shouldn't play with people's feelings!

I'm just remembering when Zelda OOT came. It got the best visuals for its time, the gameplay was top notch! Everything was perfect! Then Majoras came and that was another amazing Zelda game. Then was the time for Windwalker, at first I got my doubts but it was another amazing tittle. Then we waited for the next Zelda and it came as a double release for the Cube and Wii, the game tried to fallow the footsteps of Zelda OOT but failed miserably. The Wii transformed into a casual machine and my hate for the Big N started.

very sad ending. ;-(

[ape007]

omg man,you just imagined the situation like nobody else

man you gave me an ereii,scary feeling man,just like you saw the future

let me tell you,your brain is a golden one,just write more comments like this that makes perfect sence,this site need guys like you,this site is full of fanboys,let's give a better image about gaming.

[gametheory]

And we need more people like you ape, who are true gamers =)

Anyway, let's just hope I'm wrong.

[italianbreadman]

THe series needs a change, because it's becoming stale.

[cain141]

(crosses fingers) No Cell Shading Please...

[ChickeyCantor]

I do hope it is Cell shaded, The artsyle in Windwaker was freaking awesome.
But you will disagree and say it's kiddy...>_>..
Anyone who finished knows how epic Windwaker is...stil is!

[gametheory]

But it was too short. I mean seriously, I was expecting another 8 dungeons in the submerged Hyrule. Instead I only got disappointment. The final battle was a joke too. And I would have rather had Twilight Princess instead of WW. Besides, WindWaker goes more hand in hand with the Wii... "Kiddy" graphics style, casual oriented and using the Wiimote to move the Wind Waker makes sense.

Had Twilight Princess come out on Gamecube instead of Wind Waker (well, on the year WW came out), I have no doubt that the gamecube would have outsold the first Xbox. Instead they shat on gamers as Nintendo loves to do.

[ChickeyCantor]

yes i was expecting 8 too,
But even then, the whole setting was just great.
The whole mood was just amazing.

And you say they shat on gamers,
But i don't think they did that.
Gamers werent open to the looks, and therefor missed a great game.
Nintendo delivered a great Zelda experience.
They didn't shat on anyone.

I think WW is better than TP.

[Cenobia]

I actually hope they do cell shaded. I didn't like the look of Twilight at all. It was very dark (from what I've seen, I haven't played it yet). I'd prefer the wind waker style. It's brighter and more cheerful, and the game could be bigger/more varied if they didn't push the graphics. I'd rather have a longer, more stylized game.

Hopefully they remove the whole sailing element though. That got pretty boring. Also, Epona definitley needs to be in the game.

[kesvalk]

i have a completely diferent opinion of you guys, i just loved the art srtyle of TP, i want it even more dark, with a depper story, and without the save the dansel in distress...

in fact, i would love a multiplayer game, like crystal chronicles or monster hunter (party of 4, cooperatvely trying to finish the game) with lots of side quests, a real leveling system (i am a grind whore) and great character customization...

[Shane Kim]

Nintendo: Let's milk this cow again.

[stewie32887]

I don't care about next gen graphics so much as just something DIFFERENT. The game is so stuck in it's "Link vs. Ganon" rut it just makes it feel like you're playing the same game over and over again. Something like Majora's Mask would be welcome, it took OoT's gameplay and used it to make something unique in the franchise.

The gameplay has to change though. I think it was mentioned in the article, but it is getting old just fighting one or two baddies at a time. I mean people call God of War a button masher, but really, in Zelda you can literally just smack things incessantly and get by.

[ChickeyCantor]

". The game is so stuck in it's "Link vs. Ganon"

you sure you have played a zelda game? cozz not all are about GANON.

"Something like Majora's Mask would be welcome, it took OoT's gameplay and used it to make something unique in the franchise.
"

okai now, how many did you play?
Because the gameboy/GBA games did stuff like that. Also Windwaker...

[Cenobia]

Ganon is definitley in Wind Waker. Well Ganondorf anyway (which I guess is the name for his human form). I think that's what he meant though.

But, yeah. I agree that a storyline like Majora's Mask would be welcome.

[ChickeyCantor]

I know it got Ganon, but it did do lots of things different.
But getting items and doing puzzles is what zelda is about.

[ThePimpOfSound]

Good riddance, I say.

[NMC2007]

whom is sick and tired of Nintendo's popular franchises, I couldn't care less for Link or Mario, given that Mario Galaxy seems good, it didn't hold my interest too long, and don't get me started on Zelda TP, holy cow, Wind Waker is still the best and the only way I will play another Zelda game is if it's another Wind Waker but without the time wasting boating, I want that boating time used on something fun, like exploration.

Just remake LttP with Wind Waker's visuals.

[Mikhal5569]

I think it's important to point out that not everyone played Ocarina Of Time before Twilight Princess. When T.L.P was coming out, I heard a lot of people talking about how happy they were that O.O.T was finally getting a spiritual sequel in T.L.P. They game came out, it got great reviews and the fans got exactly what they asked for. Now, everyone tries to dog the game and Nintendo for giving YOU (the fan base )exactly what you asked for.

Now, since completing T.L.P I have went back and downloaded O.O.T on the Virtual Console and I now realize how close the two games really are. It was hard for me to enjoy Ocarina as much because the element of surprise and the sense of adventure no longer existed. But, regardless it would be ludicrous to say that either game was not fun or well made.

The problem as many fans have already stated is that the franchise is getting too repetitious. Nintendo needs to stop retelling the same some story and let the characters evolve or simply begin to introduce new ones. The problem with that is that the same fan base will probably start kicking and screaming because they don't want their precious franchise altered. It's time to choose between nostalgia or innovation and it's basically a lose, lose situation for Nintendo.

[Cenobia]

They can alter the story line and still make a good Zelda game though. Majora's Mask has a very different story and is still an epic game. It also starred the same character from Ocarina.

The fans already got the regular Zelda story, so I think its fair to assume that Nintendo will change it up for the next game. They'll probably remove Ganondorf as the villain and do an original story.

[shadowfox6]

new setting & theme (close to majora's mask would be cool). needs new & different weapons. A great story & epic feeling (ex. SoTc).

Mostly zelda needs a new & different approach, but never do a casual zelda game it'll destroy the reputation of the series forever.

The next Zelda game on the next nintendo console (considering it will not be weaker than the competition by much) is their only hope for not ruining the zelda franchis, atleast thats my opinion.

[gidzilla]

They are definately going to have to mix it up for the next installment. Retro style, a more open world or multiplayer elements would be interesting.

I haven't given up on Nintendo yet, I just pray it doesn't involve Miis.

[Lukatoll]

i can't wait for the new zelda game