Daily Debate: Should the Zelda Movie Have a Tie-In Game?
Posted on February 27 2024 by John Piland
The upcoming Zelda movie could be the first Zelda project in years not related to a game. Aside from the infamous 1989 television show and obscure 90s comic, the closest Zelda has come to an original story outside the games is with the manga adaptations. As such, the prospect of a brand-new Hyrule, a brand-new Link, and so on completely independent from a game feels strange.
The prospect of a Zelda movie has me thinking about how Nintendo will try to capitalize on its release. Other than merchandise, The Super Mario Bros. Movie released with very little accompaniment. It would be easy for Nintendo and its partners to call it a day and say that it will be the same with the Zelda movie, but I don’t think that’ll be the case. The Legend of Zelda runs rich with lore, while Super Mario focuses mostly on gameplay, giving the coming film far more to run with.
As a live-action motion picture, the Zelda movie is likely to be quite larger in scope than Mario’s animated adventure. Considering that, I feel that it’s a fair bet that the marketing campaign will bear at least a comic of some variety. But, even if that’s the case, it would be a missed opportunity if there was not also a game to accompany the film.
Given the average production rate of movies, The Legend of Zelda‘s silver screen debut could land within the next three years — hardly enough time for Nintendo to produce a major 3D installment like Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. I find that unlikely anyway, though, as I imagine the film producers would want such a game to focus on the world and narrative seen in the film itself. Nevertheless, the situation presents the perfect opportunity for a return to Zelda‘s top-down roots. A 2D tie-in game to the film would be great for ushering in new fans to the franchise while expanding upon the film. Experiencing the dungeons and battles from the movie first-hand would make re-watching the movie that much more of an immersive experience.
Would you like to see a tie-in game for the Zelda movie? What should it look like? Let us know in the comments below!
John has been a Zelda fan for over 10 years now and is proud to say the series has had a major impact on his life (and wallet). After years of going to Zelda Dungeon for guides or the latest news on the series, John achieved their dream when they joined the writing team in 2019; John can hardly believe how long it’s been. A librarian, he loves meticulously arranging his library of Zelda games and collectibles. After what felt like an eternity of waiting for Tears of the Kingdom, John looks forward to the future of the Zelda franchise with enthusiasm, whether that’s the upcoming movie, a new spin-off/remake, or the next big game.
