"Nintendo Ready to 'Re-Think' Zelda"

[Redstar]

In the most recent issue of Game Informer magazine, Zelda director Eiji Aonuma was interviewed on his history with and contribution to the series. Within this interview, he also expressed an interest in retooling the series and evolving it further than most installments have in the pass.

He says, "I started working on the series not at the beginning but part-way through its history. I think because of that, early on I was more looking objectively at the series and how we could change small, individual elements within it, rather than looking at how the series should evolve."

He continues: "As time has passed—particularly in the last few years—I've started to think a lot more about how I can take the series and really make it my own Zelda and evolve it further. As [Nintendo's head of game development] Mr. Miyamoto has allowed me to take the reins of the Zelda series, ultimately that's what I need to do. Perhaps some people will think it's a little bit late for me to start thinking about that, but as time goes by, that's becoming more of a theme in how I'm approaching the series."

Finally, he shares his thoughts on introducing voice-acting to the series, but continues to have mixed feelings towards that.

[Redstar]

I'm sure if that was asked Kotaku and other sites would have picked up that angle and played it deeply towards "Surely it'd be better than the 1993 attempt of Super Mario Bros."

I haven't read the article myself, but I know several people who subscribe and can list out everything covered once I reach them.

[Wesr]

I'd be happy if they'd simply get the timeline worked out so they didn't have the two universes with Link in them after it splits off when he time traveled. Though a reboot of the series might not hurt, famous last words I know.

[Redstar]

I personally like the idea behind a split timeline. It's a fascinating concept for any media, though particularly for the constantly re-inventive video game. What I would like to see, however, is each timeline explored with different themes and gameplay mechanics. Really play up two different worlds.

[Serum]

I'm going to get flamed for this, but I've never played any of the Zelda games in my life.

[oldskoolplayer86]

Don't feel bad, me either.

My Mom played Zelda, does that count? lol

[Redstar]

One indication that Nintendo/Aonuma is now willing to "re-think" the Zelda series is the release of what could be the franchise's actual long-guarded timeline in the recent art book.

According to a translation by GlitterBerri via Kotaku, the timeline depicts the various eras of the series from beginning-to-end with each game slotted before or after another.

Additionally, it seems that the split in the series resulted not just from Link's time-traveling in Ocarina of Time, but also from possible outcomes not explicitly explored. This means that there are actually three timelines rather than two, with each one exploring a different reaction to events seen in OoT.

Aonuma is listed as the book's supervising editor, so this may mean that the timeline offered within is entirely canon. Thoughts?

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

I'm quite happy the timeline is finally available, though I do wonder if that will have any influence on what they do with the series...

[Wesr]

I started the series with the SNES game and just ordered the gamecube special edition that has the NES versions, i think the snes one, and majora's mask on it. I just find it funny that they never say who link reproduces with to have all these other links (ironic the name never changes) or that Hyrule never becomes any more advanced technology wise.

[Redstar]

I just find it funny that they never say who link reproduces with to have all these other links (ironic the name never changes) or that Hyrule never becomes any more advanced technology wise.

Medieval Stasis, according to TVtropes.

The series is pretty inconsistent on technological advancement, though the Gorons are alternately either really dumb mountain golems or experiencing an outright industrial revolution. The "Hyrule is flooded" timeline featuring Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks did feature cameras, steamboats and trains.

[Wesr]

I find it odd that the original NES games are an alternate timeline when I always figured those came first in the timeline since they were the first games. Poor Link has to be getting tired of being reincarnated only to fight Ganon again lol.

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

I find it odd that the original NES games are an alternate timeline when I always figured those came first in the timeline since they were the first games. Poor Link has to be getting tired of being reincarnated only to fight Ganon again lol.

Nah; after Zelda II, LttP was stated to be Link and Zelda's ancestors. Then we got Link's Awakening, which was clearly a follow-up from LttP.

THEN we got Ocarina of Time, which was before THAT Link and Zelda (LttP), then Majora's Mask, the third direct sequel, and then things just got crazy from there.

[Wesr]

I can't believe i didn't notice that but then again I rarely ever read the instruction manuals. Nintendo's done this with Metroid too, there is no real defined timeline so it's been up to fans to come up with one. Like Zelda the games bounce all over the place.

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

...Metroid's is pretty well defined, especially compared to Zelda's.

[Redstar]

I find it odd that the original NES games are an alternate timeline when I always figured those came first in the timeline since they were the first games. Poor Link has to be getting tired of being reincarnated only to fight Ganon again lol.

Nah; after Zelda II, LttP was stated to be Link and Zelda's ancestors. Then we got Link's Awakening, which was clearly a follow-up from LttP.

THEN we got Ocarina of Time, which was before THAT Link and Zelda (LttP), then Majora's Mask, the third direct sequel, and then things just got crazy from there.

I'm curious how much of this post still holds up following the release of the timeline.

[ultimateemail5000]

I think they re-tooled it plenty with Skyward Sword. Though I read on a site who has a source the new game for WiiU will be huge, like dungeons the size of Hyrule Field.

After beating Skyward sword I figured out that Link and Zelda stayed on Hyrule to repopulate, Link became King, zelda was Quee, they had kids, so in future games theyre actually brother and sister.

[ultimateemail5000]

In my opinion the games should have stopped at Link To the Past, to me that was a good wrap up for the Zelda series. The games are kinda repetitive nowadays.

Yeah because everyone knows that Ocarina of Time was a terrible game, just like SM64 and onward...

[ultimateemail5000]

How could Link to the Past be a good wrap up for the series, if anything it opened doors for prequels, and new time lines. Besides, Zelda II is the official last of the series which is where it ends in Timeline A.

Have you even played Ocarina? Or even Wind Waker? I'll admit I haven't played it but I really would like to. Twilight Princess is awful, but Skyward Sword is amazing.

[Redstar]

In my opinion the games should have stopped at Link To the Past, to me that was a good wrap up for the Zelda series. The games are kinda repetitive nowadays.

What you call "repetitive" many other people call a formula that works. Nintendo is very good at developing a formula that lasts throughout each iteration of a series while also introducing new elements that make it feel fresh. The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros. and Pokémon are all good examples of this.

What do you personally think Nintendo should do to revitalize The Legend of Zelda? What would they have to do to make you both want to come back and stay?

[ultimateemail5000]

I don't think he'll ever be happy with Nintendo's decisions, because he won't play, buy, or try out the new games. He never specificly says why he hasn't tried them out. It's just annoying when people say they don't like the games when they never even touched them.

[ultimateemail5000]

I remember reading sometime ago Nintendo had an idea of making Zelda set in a WWII era, does anyone recall this article? How would this play out in a Zelda game?

[1upmushroom]

I think a game set in the future could work out very well if they stick to many of the same gameplay elements.

[ultimateemail5000]

I think a game set in the future could work out very well if they stick to many of the same gameplay elements.

They should do something like that, where a technology exists like in Final Fantasy games, or even Crono Trigger. It could even set up a new time line D, to make everything even more complicated.

[1upmushroom]

Believe it or not, I did write a pitch for a anima/cartoon series based around the concept of a futuristic Zelda story, it was mostly based around the first 3 games with A link to the past being a sequel instead of a prequel and basically making a couple alterations to the first game's story. It was ok, nothing great but an interesting pitch.

Anyway does anyone remember the futuristic Zelda hoax? You know that april fools video where it looked like the next game was going to be set in the future?

[ultimateemail5000]

Believe it or not, I did write a pitch for a anima/cartoon series based around the concept of a futuristic Zelda story, it was mostly based around the first 3 games with A link to the past being a sequel instead of a prequel and basically making a couple alterations to the first game's story. It was ok, nothing great but an interesting pitch.

Anyway does anyone remember the futuristic Zelda hoax? You know that april fools video where it looked like the next game was going to be set in the future?

No I haven't seen it, where I'll have to search for it.

[Redstar]

I remember reading sometime ago Nintendo had an idea of making Zelda set in a WWII era, does anyone recall this article? How would this play out in a Zelda game?

I don't recall a WWII-era Zelda game ever being an actual premise, although I do know of the rumor for a future-set one in which Epona would be a motorcycle. There was another rumor about Hyrule being flooded, which did happen in Windwaker but was handled much more lightly.

[ultimateemail5000]

I don't recall a WWII-era Zelda game ever being an actual premise, although I do know of the rumor for a future-set one in which Epona would be a motorcycle. There was another rumor about Hyrule being flooded, which did happen in Windwaker but was handled much more lightly.

The WWII era game didn't exist, but I think it was on a Iwata asks with Miyamoto or something along that. Maybe the director of the Zelda games now.

I like that idea of Epona being a motorcycle, a futuristic Zelda game sounds awesome.

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

I'm curious how much of this post still holds up following the release of the timeline.

Well, all of it, more or less. I didn't go too deep into things but for the first few generations.

The one exception is that Majora's Mask does not precede LttP, as it's on a different timeline. Meanwhile, OoT only precedes LttP in part.

Still a bit odd in parts, but at least it makes some sense. My only big hangup is Four Swords Adventures, which shows how Ganon got his evil trident, which he wielded in LttP... which is now on a different timeline for no good reason I can tell. =P