Daily Debate: Which Zelda Game Were You Most Excited to Play Before its Release?

As much as I look forward to each subsequent Zelda game, some entries have generated more pre-release excitement than others. For instance, A Link Between Worlds was a game I casually anticipated. Breath of the Wild, on the other hand, had me counting down the days as we got closer to its launch.

Indeed, since becoming a fan of this series in the early 2000s, I’ve found that the games I look forward to most tend to be the mainline entries. Even so, it’s tough to say which game I walked into with the greatest set of expectations, as I remember being just so feverishly excited for Twilight Princess and Hyrule Warriors. The former spoke to that part of me that longed for a spiritual successor to Ocarina of Time, while the latter resembled a fan game in all the best ways.

Ultimately, however, that game would probably have to be Skyward Sword. Given that no other video game has impacted me quite as much as Twilight Princess, my Zelda fandom was at an all-time high throughout those five years leading up to Skyward Sword’s release. Additionally, the 2011 title had been touted as a prequel to the rest of the series — naturally, my pre-release theory-crafting went through the roof with that one. And though it didn’t answer all of my burning questions regarding Hyrule’s history, the game remains among my top five favorite Zelda entries.

What about you, though? Which Zelda game do you remember being the most excited to play before its release? Perhaps you’re experiencing that right now with Breath of the Wild 2? Let us know in the comments below!