New Zelda Games Confirmed by Eiji Aonuma!

Summary

In this video, the future of *The Legend of Zelda* is discussed, with Producer Eiji Aonuma teasing new titles from both Grezzo and the Kyoto team. The focus is on the potential for more top-down 2D Zelda games, with Grezzo taking a key role in future releases, possibly as soon as 2027. There's speculation about a 4K *Ocarina of Time* remake for Zelda's 40th anniversary, alongside the possibility of remasters of *Wind Waker* and *Twilight Princess*. The 3D Zelda team is expected to take until 2029 for the next open-world title, while the Switch successor may offer a remastered *Breath of the Wild*.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eiji Aonuma confirms that we will no longer have to wait six years for a new *The Legend of Zelda* game.
• 😀 *Tears of the Kingdom* concluded the Zelda story in September, following the release of *Echoes of Wisdom*, a new top-down Zelda game developed by Grezzo.
• 😀 *Echoes of Wisdom* started as 'Zelda Maker', a full expansion of Link’s Awakening's Dungeon Maker, but was reworked into a new title after a key creative decision by Aonuma.
• 😀 Aonuma expressed his appreciation for Grezzo’s fresh approach, and indicated that the studio will play a key role in the future of top-down Zelda games.
• 😀 Grezzo is now seen as the main development partner for 2D Zelda games, similar to Capcom's role with *Metroid* in the early 2000s.
• 😀 Future top-down Zelda games could be more frequent, with Grezzo possibly releasing a new title by 2027 to help bridge the gap between major open-world releases.
• 😀 Speculation suggests that an *Ocarina of Time* 4K remake may be in development for Zelda's 40th anniversary, potentially launching in 2026.
• 😀 The next major open-world Zelda title (a 3D game) is expected to be released around 2029, after a likely 5-year development cycle.
• 😀 The 2D Zelda team in Tokyo, led by Grezzo, may release a new game in 2027, as their development time is shorter compared to the 3D team.
• 😀 Nintendo may release an upscaled 4K version of *Breath of the Wild* for the Switch successor, potentially including all DLC and new features, similar to the *Final Fantasy VII Remake* upgrade.
• 😀 There are rumors of more 4K Zelda remasters, such as *Wind Waker* and *Twilight Princess*, though these are not expected until after 2024.
• 😀 The 2020s could see a steady stream of Zelda games, with Grezzo handling 2D titles and the main 3D team working on open-world experiences, ensuring minimal gaps between major releases.

Q & A

What has Eiji Aonuma teased about the future of The Legend of Zelda series?

Eiji Aonuma has teased that fans will no longer have to wait six years for a new Zelda game, signaling more frequent releases in the future.

What was the original concept behind the game 'Echoes of Wisdom'?

'Echoes of Wisdom' started as 'Zelda Maker,' a full game expansion of Link’s Awakening’s Dampe’s Dungeon Maker, before being reshaped into its final form.

How did Eiji Aonuma describe the development of the remake for 'The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening'?

Aonuma expressed gratitude towards the development team, highlighting how Grezzo brought fresh perspectives and a 'Legend of Zelda-like' feeling under the leadership of Sano-san.

What does Eiji Aonuma's statement about 'top-down Zelda games' suggest about the future of the series?

Aonuma’s statement implies that Grezzo will continue working on top-down Zelda games, which might include new titles for the Nintendo Switch 2, alongside 3D Zelda games.

What is the significance of Grezzo's role in Zelda game development?

Grezzo has become a key development partner for the traditional top-down Zelda games, similar to how Capcom handled Zelda in the early 2000s, and is now positioned to contribute to more 2D Zelda games.

Why is there a suggestion that the next open-world 3D Zelda game will be released in 2029?

The next open-world 3D Zelda game might take longer to develop due to the need for a new map, characters, and villains, with the team likely beginning development in 2023 or 2024 and facing typical delays in such projects.

What is the predicted timeline for new Zelda games over the next few years?

The anticipated Zelda game releases include: 2024 - 'Echoes of Wisdom', 2026 - possible 'Ocarina of Time' 4K remake, 2027 - new top-down Zelda game, and 2029 - next open-world 3D Zelda game.

What role does art style play in the future of Zelda games, according to the script?

The art style will be a critical factor in the development of future Zelda games, with the possibility of either continuing the style established in 'Link’s Awakening' or adopting a new, more detailed approach.

How does the development cycle of top-down Zelda games compare to 3D Zelda titles?

Top-down Zelda games, like those developed by Grezzo, typically take half the development time of open-world 3D Zelda games, making them quicker to release and potentially filling gaps between major 3D Zelda titles.

What are the rumors surrounding 'Breath of the Wild' on the Nintendo Switch successor?

There are rumors that 'Breath of the Wild' may be remastered for the Switch successor in upscaled 4K, with some suggesting it could be a full re-release including all DLC, similar to how other remasters have been handled in the past.