The Legend of Zelda The series has always been an integral part of almost every Nintendo console, from the NES to the Nintendo Switch. Whether it's the impact and legacy left by the original Legend of Zeldaor the characteristics that define the Breath of Naturethere is a magic in Zelda franchise that has never been replicated by any other game. So, it's completely understandable that fans not only want more Zelda but I believe it's important for the Switch 2 to replicate that of its predecessors BOTH moment.
Of course, many players want to see a Zelda remake on Switch 2 at launch, while others want a new one Zelda experience similar to those that defined the Switch era. However, no matter what type of Zelda The game eventually comes to the Switch 2, there are many reasons why it would have to be released alongside the console for it to be a success. In the end, the best-selling Nintendo consoles had a Zelda game at launch.
New Zelda games are console sellers
Breath Of The Wild is one of the best-selling Switch games
There were many phenomena Zelda games on the Switch, with many of them even managing to surpass the classics in both critical and commercial reception. Breath of Nature proved that the Zelda franchise is a system sellerbeing the fourth best-selling game of all time on the Nintendo Switch after Super Smash Bros., Animal Crossing: New Horizonsand Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The Zelda franchise has sold 152,520,835 copies across all games and platformsaccording to Statistwith several titles surpassing the 10 million mark. It's fair to say that, like many other Nintendo franchises, The Legend of Zelda earns a lot of money. On N64, Ocarina of Time it sold 7.6 million copies and later sold an additional 6.4 on the 3DS, making it the fourth best-selling N64 game of all time.
Similarly, Twilight Princesswhich was a Wii launch title, sold nearly 8.9 million copies on the Wii and an additional 1.1 million on the Wii U. It ended up being the 13th best-selling Wii game of all time, even despite fierce competition such as Wii Sports and Mario Kart Wii and being a change of direction for the series. To put into context how surprisingly well the Zelda franchise was sold, both the Ancient Scrolls and Precipitation series combined sold just over 100 million copies, leaving 50 million copies behind.
Breath of Nature and, by extension, Tears of the Kingdom are often cited as some of the best Switch games of all time – if not the best Switch games – and probably the reason many people picked up the console in the first place. Then, It's no surprise that players are hoping to see a Zelda game on Switch 2 at launchespecially considering the series has proven to be a huge systems seller. However, while it would be great to see Hyrule's hero appear on Switch 2, he almost certainly won't be at launch.
The Switch 2 may be missing a Zelda game at launch
Not enough time between releases
Pretty fantastic Echoes of Wisdom released on September 26, 2024, meaning it will be just six months old from the last time Nintendo said it will announce the Switch, March 31, 2025. Of course, it was a smaller title in the series, likely taking less time and resources to develop than Tears of the Kingdom. However, it was only released on May 12, 2023, two years before March 2025. The chances then of a new Zelda the game's release at launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 is incredibly small.
It is important to remember that there was a six-year gap between Breath of Nature and Tears of the Kingdom – which could have potentially been shorter if not for COVID-19, but probably not much shorter. Likewise, there was a six-year gap between Sword to the Sky and Breath of Nature. So unless Nintendo has another spin-off that's in development before Echoes of Wisdom and is much smaller in scale than BOTH, there is little to no chance that the Switch 2 will get a Zelda game at launch.
Of course, the Switch 2 will certainly have one Zelda game eventuallyas there is one on practically every Nintendo console since the NES. However, fans won't see this for a year or so, especially if it's on the same scale as BOTH. What is more likely is that there will be a long-awaited Zelda remake – potentially at launch, but almost certainly later – in the same vein as Sword to the Sky remaster on Nintendo Switch, or maybe even a full remake of Ocarina of Time as fans have wanted for a long time.
Can the Switch 2 survive a launch without Zelda?
It may not suffer as much as fans think
It's easy to think that the Nintendo Switch 2 might suffer without a BOTH or any style of Zelda game at launch. However, only two of Nintendo's consoles had a Zelda launching games alongside it, including the Nintendo Switch and Wii. Most other Nintendo consoles have had a Zelda release of the game eventually, but not at launch. Then, although it is fair to say that Zelda games are system sellers, they don't necessarily need to be released alongside those systems to sell them well.
While it would be great for the Switch 2 to launch with a Zelda game, it doesn't have to be a success.
Of course, one can easily point out how the Switch and Wii are some of the best-selling consoles and have had a Zelda game at launch. However, there were many other factors and, notably, games that made both consoles a success. The Wii was aimed at families and children in a way that no other console on the market did. It also had exclusive peripherals that people wanted to try, a number of great games at launch such as Wii Sportsand a phenomenal advertising campaign behind it.
Likewise, the Switch was the first hybrid console, which was naturally going to bring a lot of buzz, and in its first year it had a strong lineup of great games. Simply put, although it would be great for the Switch 2 to launch with a Zelda game, it doesn't have to be a success. In fact, there are plenty of other major first-party games the Switch 2 could get at launch that would also help it sell well.
It's hard to bear the thought of losing one Zelda game at the beginning of the Switch 2's journey, especially since if it was released alongside the console that showcased its new technical capabilities, it would likely make sales soar. However, its absence also opens the door for other IPs to perform well in its place. ONE Legend of Zelda the game would sell well on the Switch 2, but perhaps Nintendo has other games it wants to try first before giving fans what they want.
Source: Statist