Will There Ever Be a Final Zelda Game? Exploring the Future of the Legend
The question of whether there will ever be a last Zelda game is complex, and the short answer is: highly unlikely. Despite the apparent finality of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK), the franchise’s immense popularity, innovative spirit, and Nintendo’s commitment to it make it practically impossible for the series to conclude. While TotK might mark the end of a specific storyline and perhaps the last mainline title for the Nintendo Switch, the legendary saga of Zelda is set to continue on future consoles and through new narratives. The Zelda universe is far too rich and beloved for Nintendo to simply abandon it. The question isn’t if, but when and how the series will evolve.
The End of an Era, Not the End of a Legend
Tears of the Kingdom serves as a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild (BotW), seemingly concluding the current overarching storyline. It was announced at E3 2019 and released in 2023, after a delay. Both titles are confirmed by Nintendo to stand at the very end of the Zelda timeline, which spans thousands of years. However, this doesn’t signal the end of the franchise; it merely closes the door on the Breath of the Wild saga.
The game’s narrative sees Zelda stranded in the distant past, having used a Secret Stone to travel back to the founding of Hyrule. This significant plot point, alongside the resolution of Link’s battle against Ganondorf and Zelda’s return to her human form after her transformation into the Light Dragon, suggests a conclusive end to the storyline established by Breath of the Wild. However, this ending is far from final for the franchise.
Nintendo itself has hinted that Tears of the Kingdom contains all of the elements the developers wanted to achieve in this particular story, thus ruling out any DLC. But this doesn’t equal an end to the franchise. The success of both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have proven that the Zelda franchise remains a significant player in the gaming world. A Switch successor is anticipated, and the next mainline Zelda is likely to be either a dual release on the current Switch and the new system or an exclusive title for the new hardware. This transition indicates that Nintendo is planning to take the franchise into the future, not to shelve it.
Looking Towards the Future
The immense popularity of the open-world gameplay introduced in Breath of the Wild suggests that this format is likely to be a continuing staple. However, Nintendo has proven time and again their ability to surprise fans with new ideas and fresh gameplay innovations. We can expect that the future Zelda games will innovate on current formulas and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the fantasy genre. It is improbable that future games will ignore the lessons learned from the massive successes of BOTW and TOTK.
The finality of the TotK story does not mean the end of the franchise. Instead, it provides a fresh start for new stories, characters, and gameplay mechanics. There are limitless possibilities within the Legend of Zelda universe. With each new console generation, Nintendo is presented with opportunities to reinvent their beloved franchises. The Legend of Zelda will almost certainly continue to be a flagship franchise for Nintendo, as it has been for several decades.
The story of Zelda has always been about cyclical themes, rebirth, and the constant struggle between good and evil. These themes provide ample ground for future games to explore, offering fans new and engaging content for many more years to come. Instead of a definitive “last” game, we can anticipate that The Legend of Zelda will continue to evolve and remain a cornerstone of gaming for the foreseeable future.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Future of Zelda
1. Is Tears of the Kingdom the final Zelda game ever?
No, despite the conclusion of its specific storyline, Tears of the Kingdom is not the last Zelda game. The immense success of the franchise and Nintendo’s long history with it make it highly likely that new games will continue to be developed.
2. Will there be another Zelda game after TotK?
Yes, the expectation is that another mainline Zelda title is in development, likely for a future Nintendo console. Nintendo has not indicated any intention to end the franchise, and given the ongoing success, that is highly unlikely.
3. What happens to Zelda after Tears of the Kingdom?
In Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda is initially sent to the past. However, after Link defeats Ganondorf, she is able to return to her human form in the present. The resolution of the story indicates a significant end to this era of the Zelda timeline.
4. Is Breath of the Wild the last game in the timeline?
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are currently positioned at the end of the Zelda timeline, representing the furthest point into the future. However, the timeline’s placement doesn’t limit future games, as it leaves room for either prequels within the same established timeline or perhaps a new timeline to be created.
5. Will Zelda turn back into a human in TotK?
Yes, while it’s stated that draconification is irreversible, Zelda returns to human form after Link defeats Ganondorf. This is a key part of the game’s ending.
6. Is TotK a prequel to Skyward Sword?
No, Tears of the Kingdom is a sequel to Breath of the Wild, and both are set far after the events of Skyward Sword in the Zelda timeline. Skyward Sword is considered the beginning of the Zelda timeline and this new era ends up at the opposite end of the timeline.
7. Can you play TotK after beating Ganon?
Yes, players can reload a save file created just before the final boss encounter. This allows them to return to the game and continue exploring, completing side quests, and finishing shrines.
8. Is there any post-game content in TotK?
While Tears of the Kingdom doesn’t feature new story content after beating Ganon, you can explore the map and complete any remaining side quests, shrines, and other collectibles. This is where the player can unlock a map completion percentage.
9. Will there be DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?
Nintendo has confirmed that there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom, stating that they were able to implement all the desired elements within the game itself.
10. How many endings does Breath of the Wild have?
Breath of the Wild has two endings, which vary by a short scene. They are considered negligible and will not change the outcome of the story.
11. Is Nintendo making a BotW 2?
Technically, Tears of the Kingdom is Breath of the Wild 2, having been teased in 2019 before being fully revealed in 2021. It is the sequel to the highly successful 2017 title.
12. Is Zelda the Light Dragon?
Yes, Princess Zelda becomes the Light Dragon by swallowing her Secret Stone, making her powerful and immortal. The Light Dragon plays a significant role in the story and the restoration of the Master Sword.
13. What counts as completion in TotK?
Completion is denoted by a star on your save file after defeating the final boss. The game also tracks your map completion percentage, indicating the places you’ve visited and collectibles you’ve found. It is not a standard checklist as many other games use, but more of a tracking of what you have already experienced.
14. How many shrines are there in TotK?
There are 152 Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom, with 120 on the surface of Hyrule and 32 scattered across the Sky Islands.
15. What is the reward for completing all the shrines in TotK?
Completing all 152 shrines will unlock the Ancient Hero’s Aspect armor, which consists of head, body, and leg gear, at the Temple of Time. This is considered the primary reward for all of your efforts.