Based on everything announced so far, 2027 is sure to be the end of an era for The Legend of Zelda franchise. The Legend of Zelda franchise has enjoyed incredible longevity partly because of its willingness to reinvent itself and make dramatic changes from one entry to the next, all the while retaining the adventeruous spirit that sits at the core of each game.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, for example, are quite different from the 3D Zelda games that proceeded them. Whereas those older games use a more linear structure, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are massive open world adventures with an unprecedented level of player freedom for a Zelda game. It’s likely that one day this style of Zelda game will also be replaced, and while it remains to be seen exactly when that will happen, it does appear as though Nintendo will largely be moving on from TOTK starting next year.
Nintendo is Moving on from Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the latest 3D Zelda release, but it will soon be replaced by the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. Even though Tears of the Kingdom is over three years old at this point, Nintendo has continued to support it with things like its substantial Switch 2 upgrade and supplementary releases, like prequel game Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and the Mineru’s Construct amiibo that just dropped in September. However, Nintendo is starting to wrap things up when it comes to Tears of the Kingdom, with what may very well be the game’s last official release on deck for 2027.
The Zelda: Secrets of the Zonai book from Dark Horse was originally supposed to release in October, but its release date has been pushed back to April 2027. Secrets of the Zonai features interview with Tears of the Kingdom developers, art from the game, and a lot more spread across its 472 pages. Considering the fact that the book was originally supposed to release in October, it does seem that Nintendo was gearing up to move on completely from Tears of the Kingdom ahead of the Ocarina of Time remake’s launch, but its plans were ultimately pushed back thanks to the book’s delay.
The Legend of Zelda movie will also be releasing in 2027.
Future Zelda releases are going to be themed after the Ocarina of Time remake until further notice. The next Zelda series amiibo are based on the game, with Young Link and Young Zelda confirmed for 2027. And while the accessories releasing for the Zelda 40th Anniversary are more themed after the franchise in general, they do have Ocarina of Time vibes, like the special Switch 2 console releasing at the end of October and the the various other accessories that are on the way.
With 2027 potentially marking the last major release for Tears of the Kingdom in the form of the Secrets of the Zonai book, it will mark the end of an era for the Zelda franchise. Rumor has it that a new 2D Zelda game starring Ganondorf is also coming in 2027, and while that has yet to be confirmed, it would mark the first time he has been a main playable character in a Zelda game. If the rumors are true, 2027 will be the end of an era for the Zelda franchise in more ways than one.
- Released
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May 12, 2023
- ESRB
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Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
