Rumor: new Zelda game might actually feature Zelda as the main character!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/the-legend-of-zelda-nintendo-switch-2-new-game-link/

A new Legend of Zelda game is rumored to be making a huge change to the series that some fans may not like. Right now, there's no denying The Legend of Zelda as an IP is only second to Mario when it comes to importance to Nintendo. Whether it's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, or just about any other mainline Zelda game, you're talking about one of the greatest games of all time. Over the years, Nintendo has experimented with the formula, to an extent, but a couple things never change. For example, Link is always the protagonist, but this may be changing.

Over on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, occasional Nintendo leaker PapaGenos -- who built a reputation for scoops on the back of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -- seems to be hinting at a new Zelda game starring not Link, but Zelda herself.

More specifically, the YouTuber took to X and made the following post: "Tears of the kingdom Had a great zelda design I think we are Severely overdue for a game where zelda Is the main character. Seems to me A Hyrule adventure like that Is something fans want, Nows The time."

In addition to being very random, this post appears to be equally cryptic because when you combine all the capital letters in the post -- which seem scattershot, but are clearly deliberate -- it spells out "this is a hint." In other words, the YouTuber is hinting at Zelda game starring Zelda. Whether it is a mainline adventure, a spin-off, or a smaller release within the franchise, it is not specified. The blurb above is the extent of the hint.

There is also no word whether this will be the next release in the series, or just a future release in development. Whatever the case, whatever it winds up being, it will presumably be a Nintendo Switch2 game.

Thoughts, SW? Would you welcome this change in a mainline Zelda game? I think I would.. or better yet, let us play as both? Have us switch it up.

Id be keen for a shake up. I don't think there's much they could do with Link that won't feel stale.

Do anything but rehash BoTW for the third time in a row. I don't want Fromsoft bangers to be in another galaxy when compared to Zelda.

Shitpost article. Just assumes fans may not like it, to stir controversy.

Interesting. I’d certainly be open to something like that myself.

I'm all for a game starring Zelda. She tends to have an active and instrumental role in Zelda games, albeit behind the scenes in many instances.

It would be cool to have a game entirely from her perspective, and Link being the swordsman that comes and goes in the story.

That would be a great change.👍🏽

Edit: However, if they do that you will have the fragiles claiming it is an attack on men.😂

Usually Nintendo don't just switch the character and do the same gameplay. The games starring Luigi as a main are radically different than the Mario games. So a game in the Zelda universe with a new main character sounds super exciting to me!

Would it funny if the game with Zelda as protagonist was called The Legend of Link.

I always felt "The Missing Link" was a title just sitting there waiting to be a game.

That said, this rumor has come up several times in the past and never panned out.

That rumor again?

I'm not against it, nor especially for it. Just give me a neat game.

all Zelda fans would love this

@judaspete: Fan game The Missing Link was rather inventive, having solutions Nintendo would never dare put in their game.

I'm up for any Zelda game that isn't in the same style & design as BOTW/TOTK. We need smaller focused Zeldas too, like past games.

Sounds fun... And would he s great way to keep the franchise fresh.

Zelda saving link sounds good.

38 years later... Zelda finally gets to be the star of a Zelda game!

CD-i game doesn't count.

Sounds pretty lame, like done just because it can be. If we're going to play as Zelda for once, why do we need Link (or Ganon) at all?

Hasn't it always had Zelda as the protagonist?

With how poor Nintendo writers are, i don't see this being interesting in any way. Might get additional points from the likes of Kotaku/Polygon cuz womenz are powerfulz.

Swapping Zelda and Link roles would just be lazy writing. They need to come up with a different scenario for Zelda's story arc.

Is Princess Peach Showtime! a good idea to consider as Peach in that game does not play like a Mario platformer.

And make her gameplay more about Wisdom rather than Courage. Avoid combat altogether.

I don't know what that game is about.

They should have done it for Tears of the Kingdom where it made so much sense given that Link was already full powered and Zelda just came out of hibernation, but they were being as lazy and boring with the BotW sequel story as possible. Instead they did the rote "oops some random attack arbitrarily nerfed you back to 0 and stole your powers" thing like they always do in Metroid games, and then kept Link.

It sucks because honestly I want to see them try a LoZ game where you aren't using weapons most of the time. Zelda herself is more of a caster in all the games so having a game focus on spells instead of swordplay at the core level would be an interesting shakeup for a modern action adventure.

Yeah, I don't get the fascination. Yay, I'm Zelda now instead of Link. That's.. great. Or something.

Like, so? Is the game good? Fans pushing for a playable Zelda instead of something like more dungeons is super lame to me. If Nintendo made that true, it would just feel like they'd do it just because dumb fans have wanted it for a long time, for some reason I don't understand. And a Zelda without combat isn't Zelda. That's a spinoff. People want a spinoff more than real Zelda?

Sometimes I'm really glad Nintendo doesn't listen to their fans.

.....Nahhh

why bother we have plenty of female roles know. I feel like they are forcing these developers to have leed female. unless you can choose between male and female 99% its a female.

don't mind female roles but common they all feel and look the same. even act the same.

no more unique female roles any more. I feel its hurting female characters.

now its females with male jaw lines and features.

😂

Nuff said. lol :P

It seems to me like you mind female roles but are trying to buffer it by saying you don't mind female roles.

imo.

Because playing as Zelda, as opposed to Link opens up a lot of new gameplay opportunities. Namely a far greater focus on magic and spellcasting.

In D&D terms, Link might be a Fighter or Ranger (in games where he has some magical aptitude). But Zelda is a Wizard.

Cooking skill will go up.

Everything else down.

@uninspiredcup: So laundry, dish washing, and knitting will be dlc then?

Why not let us play as both and make them play completely different? Make Zelda more of a mage/sorc type and Link the fighter/ranger type.

This would be the best move. Would give us some move variety in combat. Could have dungeons made around both skill sets. Not to mention Zelda has the alter ego Sheik, so they could even do the agile ninja skill set with her as well. Doesn't mean you have to get rid of Link, but it would be cool to have a Zelda game with a more varied move set between protaganists.

that would be cool. but be nice to be able to switch between the 2 to open even more gameplay.

just weird being zelda instead of link.

no I don't but most of the time I picture being the character. kind of hard to do that when 90% of games now your female. only a few games now offer male and female characters.

am I the only one who pictures you being the character?

why is that so funny?

am I the only one who pictures being the main characters in games any more?

kind of hard to do that know when most major games are female characters.

so mcu are not forcing female super hero everything know?

You have a problem with discerning fact from fiction and reality from fantasy. Your world view is a fantasy fiction caused by chronic ignorance. Until you are capable of overcoming your handicap, there is no possible way of having a meaningful conversation.

Finally! The title will make sense!

Should gamers who had expected to play as Zelda get a refund in this case?

That would be amazing. We need more shine on our strong female warriors in the gaming industry.

You mean like Aloy, from Sony first party franchise, Horizon Zero Dawn?

How many video game titles even make sense anymore? Fire Emblem? Final Fantasy? Dragon Quest? Grand Theft Auto? Halo? God of War?

@gifford38: There are more female leads now, sure, but we ain't exactly lacking dudes in our games. You got Kratos, Master Chief, Leon and Ethan, two Spider Men, Kal Kestis, whoever was in the last Assassin's Creed...

You are correct.

Very few. Most video game titles are relic or legacy titles strictly for branding anyway