2008: First Zelda-less Year In A Decade

As 2008 draws to an end, one can take the time to reflect on the year as a whole. One might think of all the good and bad things that happened throughout the course of the past 365 days. One might then feel a strange emptiness. Why? It might have something to do with 2008 being the first year since 1999 that hasn’t had a Legend of Zelda title released. If you don’t believe me, then check this chart:

1998 – Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX

1999 – No releases

2000 – Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

2001 – Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

2002 – Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (GBA) and Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

2003 – Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/Master Quest

2004 – Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

2005 – Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

2006 – Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

2007 – Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and Link’s Crossbow Training

It almost doesn’t seem true. Phantom Hourglass still feels somewhat new, but that can be explained by its release date being in the end of 2007. And then there was Super Smash Bros. Brawl, released in March of this year, which had us all distracted for a while.

But hey, if you ask me, the folks at Nintendo should take their time with this one. The last time they took a year off we ended up Majora’s Mask—one of the best games in the entire series. I don’t mind waiting a little longer for a quality product. And besides, we’ve seen what can happen when they rush things. It’s not pretty.

Source: TheGameReviewers