Often, when a new Zelda game is announced or released, one of the first fan reactions is to compare it to a previous Zelda title. When Tri Force Heroes was revealed at E3, it was quickly subjected to comparison with Four Swords, despite many differences in gameplay, style and focus. When we debate about how good any Zelda game is, we usually resort to comparing it to other Zelda games. Which is the best Zelda? Which Zelda is better? we frequently ask. Much less often do we compare Zelda to other series, even ones with similar styles, subject matter, or gameplay.

Obviously, all of us love Zelda, but perhaps, when we spend so much time comparing some Zelda games to other Zelda games, immersed in the quirky and unusual world of this franchise, we lose sight of the broader gaming community and market. Maybe this leads to a distorted perception of how well the series is doing or how good an individual Zelda game is. After all, when a Zelda game receives criticism, especially if it is considered an untouchable classic like Ocarina of Time, a good portion of the fanbase will hear nothing of it, assume the person is a troll and shut down discussion.

That said, perhaps there is good reason our fandom is like this. Many of us became enamored with Zelda as children, when something about its gameplay or world took hold of us and never let go. Maybe there’s that special something the franchise has to offer us, whatever its flaws, that keeps us hooked. Our fervent passion for this series may have resulted in a uniquely devoted community, for better or worse. The insularity of our community may thus stem from the fact the series offers us things we can find nowhere else. Perhaps this insularity, whether a blessing or a curse, is merely a mark of how profoundly passionate we are compared to other gamers.

So, is our fandom too insular, or is it no more so than other fandoms? Is our insularity, if it exists, a weakness or a strength? Let us know what you think.

Preview Image: Zelda Fandom by Grandfather-Kiba
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