Zelda Franchise Celebrates 40 Years of Evolution

The Legend of Zelda franchise is commemorating its 40th anniversary this year. Over the past four decades, the series has explored diverse art styles and designs, each defining a unique era for the beloved games.

Recent Stylization and Fan Reactions

Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom introduced a highly stylized aesthetic that resonated with many fans. However, the franchise has a history of distinctive looks, from the cel-shaded style of Wind Waker to the more realistic approaches of Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. All of these styles have garnered appreciation from the fanbase.

Reddit Discussion Sparks Debate on Link's Future Design

A recent discussion on Reddit initiated a conversation about the potential design direction for Link in the next Zelda game on the Switch 2. One user expressed a desire for a change, stating, “Honestly, I really hope the new Link design won’t follow the same style used in BOTW and TOTK. Link looks too plain and boring there, in my opinion. I’d love to see a design closer to TP or Ocarina of Time — something more realistic, but still keeping that unique artistic style.”

Calls for a More Detailed Link

Other fans echoed this sentiment, suggesting designs inspired by Hyrule Warriors. “Maybe they could design Link more like his Hyrule Warriors version. He actually looks amazing there, even though it’s from a spin-off game,” one commenter added. Some also expressed a desire for Nintendo to revisit the ambitious painterly style of Skyward Sword, hoping that newer hardware could fully realize its potential.

“I’m sad they attempted that beautiful impressionist painting style for Skyward Sword on the Wii, where it couldn’t be fully realized. It was an ambitious style and I don’t believe that hardware was up to the task. I wouldn’t mind another attempt at a similar painterly style with beefier hardware,” a third user shared.

A Return to the Classic Green Tunic?

Many fans also expressed a longing for Link’s iconic green tunic. While acknowledging the appeal of his blue outfit in recent games, some believe a return to the classic aesthetic would be a welcome change. The upcoming remake of Ocarina of Time also offers potential for nostalgic satisfaction.

Zelda Franchise Details

  • Created by: Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka
  • First TV Show: The Legend of Zelda
  • First Episode Air Date: September 8, 1989
  • Cast: Jonathan Potts, Cyndy Preston