Has Nintendo Milked Zelda: Breath of the Wild Dry?

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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was an immense triumph for Nintendo and is undoubtedly the most beloved title in this series. Though some fans might favor Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker, it’s clear that this game has significantly boosted Nintendo’s success.

Could it be that Nintendo’s triumph with Zelda: Breath of the Wild has led them to over-exploit the franchise? Following the reveal of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for Switch 2, there’s a sense that the world of Zelda is being excessively mined. While we understand their decision to capitalize on a successful intellectual property, it seems that this setting has been revisited more than necessary.

Initially, the adventure commenced with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, offering a glimpse into the past events preceding The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Intrigued fans yearned to uncover what transpired during those years before Link entered a long slumber. Transforming this era into a Warriors game proved an astute decision.

In simpler terms, Nintendo disappointed some fans with their focus on an alternative universe instead, but the game itself was still well-made.

In Tears of the Kingdom, an official follow-up to Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nintendo scored another major success. Though Hyrule was revisited from Breath of the Wild, fresh territories in the sky and underground were introduced for players to discover. The introduction of a new fusion ability also resulted in intriguing puzzles that many enjoyed solving, making it a worthwhile addition to the game.

Currently, there’s Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which some fans might find superfluous. Those who engaged in a particular Tears of the Kingdom side quest are already familiar with the events unfolding in

Age of Calamity, it seems people are not eager to revisit such a concept.

Given the release of a sequel and two spin-offs for Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it seems that this is the extent of the series, unless Nintendo plans to produce another sequel, which would be challenging to surpass. This strategy mirrors how Atlus has continued the Persona 4 and 5 franchises, even with their exceptional spin-offs.

It’s important to note that just because Breath of the Wild has concluded its storyline, it doesn’t mean it won’t influence future Zelda games. For instance, we witnessed how Echoes of Wisdom successfully integrated innovative elements from Tears of the Kingdom with traditional Zelda gameplay. However, this segment of the Zelda universe may be nearing its end, which means there’s room for something fresh in Link’s next adventure.

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2025-05-01 16:12