We’ve got the long-awaited The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild coming soon, but that’s certainly not going to be the only Zelda title for the system. Game Informer sat down with The Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma and talked with him about the possibility of the Nintendo 3DS Zelda team creating a new game for the Nintendo Switch. He said that he wants them to create something in a more evolved 2D-style approach.
When we asked point-blank if there was a possibility that the 3DS Zelda teams were working on a new game for the Nintendo Switch, Aonuma said, “Yes, there is definitely a possibility.”
This is good news for classic fans of the series or anyone who worry Breath of the Wild has strayed too far from the original Zelda formula. While we’ve enjoyed everything we’ve seen in Breath of the Wild, we’re sure many fans would also be excited by the idea of seeing a follow up to 2013’s A Link Between Worlds on their television screens.
“There are definitely good things about the 2D world and the playstyles of the 2D world,” Aonuma says. “There are a lot of fans who enjoy that style. This Nintendo Switch style, which is the evolved style of gameplay is not necessarily… I want you to think of it more as an evolved style of 2D style. For the 3DS team, I am trying to make them think in a more evolved 2D-style approach.”
“The handheld development team will not be phased out because of Nintendo Switch. Switch will allow the users to bring their home console on the go, but this doesn’t mean handheld game development like Nintendo 3DS will be discontinued.”
How about a Metroidvania game?
It’s been 13 years since we had one of those.
Nintendo will continue to ignore fans’ demands for one, but at least we’re getting Bloodstained.
Just to be clear I want a 2D Metroid title.
Metroidvania just came out lol.
But I’d love Konami to do a proper 2D Castlevania unlike the 3ds game from a few years back. Bloodstained looks good, I’m hoping it fares better than other Kickstarted games….
I’d kill for another 2D Metroid. I consider Prime a spin-off series.
How about a new Metroid?!
They speak as if BOTW is a 1-time spin off. This game is my new standard. I expect every entry from henceforth to be at least CLOSE to what this is. This is Coming from someone who holds Metroid Prime as the Metroid Standard.
Oh yeah Prime is by far the Metroid standard, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get a 2D game as well.
All of Nintendos main games have both 2D and 3D titles.
I’d like to see three Metroid games on the Switch.
1. 2D Metroid 5.
2. Metroid Prime Trilogy HD. All three games completely redone from the ground up with Unreal Engine 4 (the originals used a modified UE2).
3. Metroid Prime 4.
Then of course have the other games on Virtual Console or maybe even a “Metroid Saga” collection of HD remakes using the same engine as Metroid 5.
Good luck Mike
I know…
I never knew there were alternate Mario Karts, arguably Smash, Pikmin, etc.
Actually I hope there are less open world games. I didn’t liked Fall Out or others. I want a great story to be telled and challenging dungeons.
Yeah… a focused story can be, and has been proven to be, very engaging and can have its own pros vs an open world game… You can also develop more in the story as opposed to using so much energy and power on the “open world”… Either way, switching it up can be good and open world is likely the big reason BOTW took so long to come out, and was delayed as they developed for the Switch
Why not both? If Witcher 3 can do it, so can Zelda.
That last line just says so much. 3DS style games will still be made for Switch.
Is the Switch still not a successor Nintendo?
Market reaction will tell it. They clearly will release new content for the Nintendo 3DS until it will stay relevant in the market.
The Nintendo 3DS still retain it’s pros:
1. Form factor (clam shell, small size).
2. Low price of the console.
3. Low price of the games.
4. Exclusive games.
5. Stylus.
6. Dual Screen.
I like the Nintendo Switch, and I’ll be happy to have all Nintendo stuff on the Switch, but I don’t know if it is clever to let the Nintendo 3DS die. Better a customer on the 3DS than on a Vita/PS4/XB1.
If everything is on the Switch it’ll make it extremely appealing. We’ve already seen that not all games will be $60. Eventually people move on to new consoles even when the old ones are still on shelves being sold for cheap.
And really? Vita? XD
I would like seeing it selling 120 millions consoles but…
Anyway it’s important that Nintendo continue to be rich, so we Switch players can expect big investment in our side.
Vita is still very strong in Japan.
Not as strong as 3DS is and surely not as big as the Switch will be. Switch is going to destroy the Vita.
Definitely, no doubt about it. Still has outsold the Wii U, not bad. Sony is building its market and we don’t want a weak Nintendo 3DS until Nintendo sort out a Switch Pocket to cover all segments.
The Nintendo Switch is the focus of the company, that’s enough.
Sony’s all but abondoned the Vita with only indies and small japanese third parties hanging around. Each of those seem to be Switching over as well.
I’m going to miss 3D. :/ But onward and upward we go!
Looking back 3D was really nice but man was it a useless gimmick if there ever was one. Nintendo did a great job turning the 3DS around but you have to wonder what could’ve happened if it was just a “DS 2” or “DS Advance.” Basically the same exact thing minus the 3D. Maybe it could’ve been a bit more powerful and cheaper at launch too and not need the early price cut.
Also battery.
I personally don’t think it would have been as popular without the 3D. Even if only half of us loved it, that’s a lot of gamers!!
I mean… I love the 3D gaming. Love love love it. No bullshit. I can’t be the only one. I’m going to buy a N3DS at the next price drop… maybe a third used. I want to be able to play on it until I’m dead. XD
||The 3D makes the weapon in my 3 eyes, without it it looks boring and unappealing…||
Many of the games looked far better in 3D for sure. I feel bad for people who got sick, or physically couldn’t see 3D for physiological reasons.
Coolness is growing stronger more than regret for the N3DS though, Nintendo Switch is going to be the coolest console in Nintendo’s history, definitely. We have only to gain from it’s 2D/3D puissance combined and hybrid concept. It has everything. Better to Switch before than later. ^^
If you are trying to get me to buy a Switch at launch, you are going to fail as hard as the emperor failed to convert Luke to the dark side. :]
But I like you Mr. Agato! Nice try. ;D
I love the 3DS. So it will take a whole lot more then Switch has to offer to convince me.
Pretty much every major Nintendo game for the next 5-6 years isn’t enough?
Honestly, there is nothing on Switch I want to play.
If the next Steamworld game is a switch exclusive… that will be one.
I’m not suffering as an early adopter again. Not one more time. I’ll get the switch when I need it, and it’s fleshed out. Not a day sooner! :)
I’ve already got about 6-7 games I want this year so that’s good enough for me. 1 I already own and two I could get on Wii U instead but the Switch’s portability calls to me. Plus I got that sweet ass deal ;)
Very big assumption there.
Not really. A recent interview with Aonuma pretty much confirmed the 3DS Zelda team will move to Switch. Now, why would they do that, hmmmmmmmmmm?
I was responding to all major Nintendo IPs on Switch. Which I know won’t happen.
And where else would they put it? Seems the 3DS Zelda team would move to a 3DS successor, not the Switch. Unless Nintendo is doing exactly what people have said they would and are focusing on a single hybrid to put all of their development behind it.
Lol, just realized this is the blog post with that very interview. Read it and weap.
Again, remember what they did to the U by rereleasing games on 3DS.
I know… what are you getting at here?
If mobile sold well previously I can guarantee a 3DS successor in no time at all to start taking games off Switch.
Um, the Switch is “mobile.” Right fucking here they’re talking about a team that made Zelda for the 3DS moving on to the Switch. Not some “true 3DS successor.”
It’s ‘mobile’, not inherently mobile. Consumers will still want a truly mobile system in time which will once again take support away from Switch. Only time will tell.
Yeah. It’s not like you can put it in a bag or anything when going to school or on a big trip.
Way too cumbersome.
It’s not pocketable for everyone.
Where did I ever mention pocketable? And there are plenty of mobile devices that aren’t pocketable. That’s why bags exist.
I am. You can’t compare a foldable design to a block.
Funny because it worked just fine for years before the GBA SP.
People accustom to new designs. The industry and society as a whole praise portability.
And there’s plenty of incredibly popular portable devices such as iPads that cannot fit in a pocket.
That’s not a dedicated gaming device. It does a lot more than a Switch which only plays games on release.
It still proves that pocetibality isn’t as huge of a deal that you might think it is. If people want something they’ll get it.
Except that no portable gaming device has been as popular as the 3DS. You don’t leave that concept to gather dust.
And how do you know that people won’t embrace Switch the they embraced DS after the incredibly successful GameBoy line?
I don’t. Simply from Nintendo’s recent hardware releases.
Hahaha! I like all Nintendo consoles, so if you like your 3DS/Wii U it’s fine for me. Eat where you find the meat. Just wanna share my love for the Switch. ;)
Well, I do not like those consoles, in fact I didn’t bought them… but still I appreciate that are still consoles instead of masked PC (PS4, XB1). ;P
Pretty good news, looking forward to more 2D quality software on the Nintendo Switch.
The 2d Zelda games are among the best in the franchise, so yeah more are definitely welcomed.
Yes. But on the big screen. if the Switch gets one of those 2D Zeldas (a new one), it will nudge me toward getting a Switch. Still haven’t been given enough reason to buy one personally, but that would be a step in the right direction.
A Link Between World’s was amazing. I don’t know how you felt about it, but I felt it was every bit a main Zelda title as the home console versions before it.
So, I agree, I would really like to see a 2D Zelda. Of course the first one will get a duel Switch/ N3DS release. ;)
I love it as well. I consider it main line. It’s a direct sequel to Link to the Past, so I don’t why anyone would think otherwise.
I don’t SEE why anyone…
HD top down view Zelda is all I’ve ever wanted.
No thanks, the handheld Zelda’s have never been good aside from Minish Cap. Unless they really try and put a lot of effort into making it feel unique, big, and have a lot of variety I’ll pass. Link Between Worlds was just LttP Master Quest with dungeons that were largely the same as the original, the same secrets and overworld, and a horrible item system that stripped the rewards out of the dungeons and made the game way too easy. LA and the Oracle games are just really generic and feel like Zelda 1 mods, they also suffer greatly from the Gameboys limited controls.
Tl;Dr I don’t really think any of the 2D Zelda’s a very good besides the original 3 and don’t really want anymore unless they can do something really different.
I completely agree.
ALBW being a complete and utter rip-off of ALTTP doesn’t help my perception of it. They couldn’t even be bothered to make an original overworld in it.
Rip off? Try sequel.
Majora’s Mask was a sequel, and it actually did a lot of original things. What’s ALBW’s excuse?
Not every sequel needs to be different.
It’s excuse is it takes place in Hyrule where as Majora’s Mask takes place in Termina. Complaining about Hyrule in LBW being the same Hyrule from LttP is like complaining about Kanto in Gold/Silver/Crystal/HeartGold/SoulSilver being the same from Red/Blue/Green/Yellow/LeafGrean/FireRed: they can’t be drastically changed or else they cease to be that place. Since LBW is a direct sequel to LttP in a lot of ways, they had no choice but to use the design of Hyrule from LttP.
I loved A Link Between Worlds. My only complaint was that the game didn’t seem to last very long. And it didn’t feel nearly as challenging as A Link To The Past was.
How about we get some stuff that isn’t Zelda. I love Zelda but come on there’s a brand new one just releasing and there’s been a bunch on 3ds and Wii u with all the remasters. Move on to another franchise Nintendo theres others you can use besides Mario and Zelda
Please Nintendo, give us a new 4 Swords game! Mario 3D World was the only game on the WiiU my girlfriend played with me inside out and I’d just love to see something like that again. And after the next big Zelda might take a long while to come, a 4 Swrods game would be the perfect filler. Please, please, please!
I expect BotW to become the standard for all future 3D Zelda titles. Otherwise, it’s just taking a huge step backwards & shitting all over everything BotW evolved 3D Zelda into. Same goes for if GameFreak decides to go back to the old set up of past mainline Pokemon games by bringing back HMs after Sun/Moon changed it up to where HM moves aren’t holding one of the Pokemon in your party back because it has to be a damn HM slave. :/