Daily Debate: Should Nintendo Allow Another Developer to Make the Next Zelda Game?
Posted on August 20 2023 by Josh Wittmershaus
About a year ago, a Daily Debate was posed asking the community to share its list of favorite Zelda games that were developed by a company other than Nintendo.
With the recent release of Tears of the Kingdom, many people — myself included — worry that it may be half a decade, if not more, until we see another new title added to the franchise list. My hope is that developers like Omega Force, CAPCOM, Brace Yourself, or some other unsung hero rises to the challenge and fills the gap with fresh Zelda gameplay and story.
But these games tend to rank low on all-time lists… why? Is there something quintessentially Zelda that’s missed, forgotten, or unharnessed when the trust of development is placed into the hands of someone other than Nintendo? It’s understandable why they would gatekeep one of their most beloved and exclusive series, after all. Yet, the potential in the vast development world should another studio be allowed to take the reigns and create a story of our treasured hero… well, it really knows no bounds.
What do you think? Are you assuming I want to see “From Software presents: The Legend of Zelda?” Well… you’d be right. But the question still stands: Should another developer help fill the gap between titles? If so, what would you want to see? If not, why not? I’m excited to read your thoughts in the comments below!
Josh Wittmershaus is a writer at Zelda Dungeon. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, he now resides in Northern California. Aside from Zelda, Josh enjoys playing music, seeing live music, music history, and all other things music. He also enjoys skating, hockey, and the occasional political or philosophical thought exercise.
