What Nintendo Should and Shouldn’t do Regarding Mobile Gaming for the Zelda Series

Nintendo has dumped three large chunks of news on us today. We’ve heard the announcement of a brand new console design, code name NX. Nintendo has also teased their new membership program, which includes the 3DS, Wii U, the NX, as well as PCs and mobile devices.

The third announcement, which I have chosen to talk about, is Nintendo’s brand new venture into the world of mobile gaming. I will be explaining how I think Nintendo should approach their new endeavor with the Zelda series, and why. Keep in mind this is an opinionated editorial, and other opinions, I am sure, will be in the comments below.

What Nintendo Should Do

Let’s start out with what I think Nintendo should do. Years ago, Rockstar Games released a game in their popular series, Grand Theft Auto, on mobile devices. The controls weren’t that bad and it was received well by consumers and critics alike. I believe Nintendo should emulate Rockstar Games.

Before Nintendo starts releasing original mobile exclusive content regarding the Zelda series, they should re-release older Zelda games first. I believe games such as the Legend of Zelda for the NES, Phantom Hourglass, and Link’s Awakening, would control fairly well and sell hundreds of thousands of downloads on mobile.

A remake of the 1986 original, The Legend of Zelda would draw people in for its nostalgia. Phantom Hourglass would draw people in for its diversity among all other mobile games, and its cartoon-like art style would be received well by younger gamers. Link’s Awakening would also draw people in for it’s nostalgia, and any mobile game with pixelated 2D graphics instantly gathers interest. Look at games like 8bit Doves and Tiny Tower. They have had immense popularity and success in sales/in-app purchases, and they are both pixelated 2D games.

What Nintendo Shouldn’t Do

I’m afraid Nintendo is going to start making little mobile rip-offs such as Temple Run, but with Link as the runner. Something along the lines of Hylian Dash, Link’s Run, or Hyrule Mania. Nintendo should not start making little Zelda mini games in the style of mobile games, and here’s why.

Games such as those would only be bought by those who have never really played more than one Zelda game, and don’t know the franchise/lore too well. I’m not saying that it’s wrong for those fans to have only played one Zelda game, but it’s a little unfair to those who have a more vested interest in the series.

Those who are hardcore Zelda fans would laugh at these little mini games, and scoff at Nintendo. They would say “You’re ruining the franchise! Zelda is becoming a little kid’s game!”

What I’m trying to get at is, these little Zelda apps would be ridiculed by fans. They would go down in history as the new CD-i games, horrible in every way. While traditional mobile games for the Mario series may be acceptable, it certainly wouldn’t be for the Zelda series.

Do you agree with me? Should Nintendo start out by porting older Zelda titles to mobile devices, and work their way from there? Share your thoughts in the comments below.