Highlights
- No plans for DLC for Tears of the Kingdom mean that a threequel in the Zelda series is unlikely, as the story has effectively been resolved.
- The next Zelda game may be very different from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, potentially returning to the series' roots in terms of design, mechanics, and story.
- Despite the potential for radical changes, players have shown an openness to different styles of Zelda games as long as they provide an engaging and enjoyable experience.
After series producer Eiji Aonuma said there are currently no plans for DLC for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, attention has now turned to the series' next game and how it might follow in the wake of its two Switch predecessors. Despite Breath of the Wild adding two Expansion Passes with new shrines, quests, dungeons, and more, the recent revelation there was little possibility for Tears of the Kingdom's DLC. But while some remain hopeful that Nintendo might reverse this decision, others are looking ahead to an already teased future Zelda game.
Though Breath of the Wild was a huge departure from the series, it launched to critical acclaim and quickly became a fan-favorite Zelda game rivaling the likes of Ocarina of Time and A Link To The Past. It was arguably due to this success that the next Zelda game was soon announced as its sequel, just as Majora's Mask had followed shortly after Ocarina of Time. But if Nintendo feels it has done everything it can with the world of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom as Aonuma says, then the next Zelda game faces the challenge of overcoming player expectations and innovating its own design.
No Tears of the Kingdom DLC Means No Threequel
While there are several direct sequels spread throughout the series, Nintendo hasn't yet made an official Zelda trilogy, with the closest attempt being a cut third game following Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. After Tears of the Kingdom successfully maintained its predecessor's momentum, there was hope that Nintendo might finally follow through on Zelda's first-ever threequel. However, a sequel seemed uncertain following Tears of the Kingdom's ending as the story started in Breath of the Wild had now been effectively resolved with the real Ganondorf's defeat, if only for the time being.
Moreover, alongside Aonuma's comments suggesting that there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom was the justification that Nintendo felt it had achieved everything it wanted for the sequel after already building on what Breath of the Wild had established. From this, it's possible to infer that Nintendo cannot see any more potential in the world or story following on from Tears of the Kingdom. Between this and renewed discussion surrounding the Switch's lifespan, if Tears of the Kingdom is complete without DLC, then the likelihood of Zelda's first threequel will have to come another day potentially on another console.
Zelda's Next Game Could Be Very Different
So despite the slim probability that the next Zelda game will share the design and mechanics of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the show will go on as director Hidemaro Fujibayashi has already hinted at another Zelda game. Arguably, it was always inevitable that Nintendo would eventually transition away from the style of these games just as it had done across the Zelda series. The next Zelda game is therefore probably going to look and play very differently from the recent Switch games, just as Twilight Princess had been a significant departure from the cartoonish style of Wind Waker or The Minish Cap.
A radical change might not be a bad thing, as prior to Tears of the Kingdom's launch, both Link's Awakening and Skyward Sword were released on the Switch with a positive reception. So even with Link's Awakening classic top-down perspective and toy-like visuals, players remain open to any sort of Zelda game so long as it delivers an engaging and enjoyable experience. Therefore, after straying so far from the franchises' traditions with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Aonuma's comments could suggest Nintendo might be returning to its roots for the next Zelda game in terms of design, mechanics, and story.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on Nintendo Switch.
