Daily Debate: Would You Play a Multiplayer Side-Scroller Zelda Game?

My introduction to Castle Crashers was during summer vacation when I was in middle school. I played it with my brother and vividly recall the crude humor, fun gameplay, epic title theme, and collectible companions. I don’t remember if we ended up beating it, but my strongest memories are all associated with the experience of playing it with someone else and the sheer fun and insanity that followed. I revisited the game again recently on the Nintendo Switch, and while it was still as colorful and hilarious as I remember it being, it wasn’t quite as fun without a friend to play it with. But I enjoyed the side-scrolling multiplayer quality of it, and it got me thinking: what if the Zelda series introduced a multiplayer side-scroller?

Zelda is no stranger to either side scrollers or multiplayer campaigns, with successful entries like Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures in their lineup, so developing a new game with modern mechanics like Castle Crashers would make a lot of sense. Nintendo’s history with revolutionizing side-scrolling platformer games could be expanded and challenged with a 3D Zelda game. Imagine four Links (or Zeldas, I’m open to new and more characters altogether) running around, cutting down Bokoblins while leaping across cliffs in a Tal Tal Heights-inspired level, or swinging from ropes to outrun the Helmaroc King in a Forsaken Fortress-style escape. I’d also love to see some of Castle Crasher‘s customization, like recruiting animal companions that offer various boosts and abilities, added to the mix to change things up. What do you think? Would you play a multiplayer side-scrolling Zelda game? Let us know in the comments!

Michaela El-Ters

Michaela El-Ters is a Senior Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She is also an Senior Writer for Boss Rush Network, and writes blogs and streams games on Objection Network. Her favorite Zelda game changes with the seasons, but the series as a whole is near and dear to her heart.