Daily Debate: Which Unexplored Zelda Timeline Era Deserves Its Own Hyrule Warriors Game?

Since Hyrule Warriors’ initial debut in 2014, Nintendo’s partnership with Koei Tecmo has brought me hundreds of joyous hours. Indeed, some of my fondest gaming memories involve mowing down hordes of enemies in that original Wii U title, along with Fire Emblem Warriors and Age of Calamity. At this  point, these games appear to be such a mainstay of Nintendo’s modern portfolio that I often theorize what their next collaboration will be. Given last week’s unveiling of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, this sub-series has crept its way back into my psyche.

Up to this point, Nintendo’s Warriors spin-offs have focused mostly on bringing pre-existing, fan-favorite characters together — characters you wouldn’t ordinarily see fighting side by side. Such fan-service has been a core component of these games’ appeal, after all. That said, for a hypothetical third installment, it’d be bold of the team to tackle an era of Zelda history that had previously only been alluded to.

Of course, as far as the playable roster is concerned, this would require the developers to start almost entirely from scratch. On the other hand, this could prove to be a refreshing experience for not only the people making these games, but also us fans. I mean, it’s crazy to think that Tingle remains the only character other than Link and Zelda to star in their own spin-off game. Let’s give some more folks a chance, even if they’re brand new! Hyrule’s history is rich with untapped potential, and given how important many of those grand-scale, off-screen conflicts were, a Warriors title would be an excellent means to explore those time periods.

Personally, I’ve longed to delve deeper into the Interloper War from  Twilight Princess. Who exactly were the Interlopers? Which other factions were involved in this conflict? What all transpired before the Light Spirits intervened? These questions and more have plagued my thoughts these past 15 years. And considering how otherworldly — even by Zelda standards — the Twili’s magic is, there are few better ways to showcase their ancestors’ abilities than with Koei Tecmo’s over-the-top grandeur.

What about you, though? Which of the Zelda timeline’s foggier eras — based on what we do know about them — would you most like to see captured in a new Hyrule Warriors entry? Perhaps the Hyrulean Civil War as described in Ocarina of Time? What about A Link to the Past’s Imprisoning War? Share your thoughts in the comments below!