The Legend of Zelda franchise has primarily been a singleplayer action-adventure series since its inception, and that will likely not change anytime soon. The success of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has shown Nintendo that there is a massive audience for these singleplayer titles, and it is easy to see why. The game has been a fantastic treat for fans of the franchise and has once again helped redefine the open-world genre. While the next chapter will probably follow Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's example, it may be time for the studio to attempt Zelda:Tri Force Heroes again.
Zelda:Tri Force Heroes was a multiplayer action-adventure game on 3DS set within the Legend of Zelda franchise. It was a unique experience that has not really been replicated since, but it might be time for that to change. Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has given players a massive sandbox to explore, and that sandbox could be made even better with co-op elements. While that game should remain singleplayer, Nintendo may want to emulate it for a future multiplayer adventure starring Link and his friends.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Seems Like the Perfect Place for Co-Op
Zelda: Tri Force Heroes launched in 2015 for the 3DS, and it brought players on a brand-new adventure alongside two of their friends. Three differently colored versions of Link were sent to the kingdom of Hytopia to help save Princess Styla from the evil Drablands Witch. It featured almost everything that players had come to expect from handheld Legend of Zelda titles, but with the addition of many brand-new co-op mechanics.
Zelda: Tri Force Heroes was met with mixed reviews at launch, and it was not a massive success for Nintendo. While the multiplayer was strong, the rest of the game proved pretty lackluster. Since its release, Nintendo has not really tried to make another multiplayer Legend of Zelda game. Instead, it has primarily focused on crafting exciting singleplayer adventures starring Link, and there is no reason that direction should drastically change.
Players want singleplayer Legend of Zelda games, and Nintendo seems committed to giving them that. However, a new multiplayer spin-off title should also be in the cards. Its development should not detract from the singeplayer adventures, but it could be a fun addition to the franchise. The studio already knows how to craft a massive sandbox for players to mess around with, and now it just needs to add a couple more players to the mix.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom feels like the perfect foundation for a new multiplayer adventure. Nintendo has given players the tools to go absolutely wild with their imaginations throughout Hyrule. They can build giant fortresses, massive mechanical beasts, destructive bombers, and even entire pirate ships if they want to. The various abilities fill Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's sandbox with potential, and being able to create things alongside other players could be a fantastic experience.
The Legend of Zelda would not be the only primarily singleplayer franchise with a multiplayer spin-off, and it will likely not be the last. While these types of spin-offs do not always work, they can be a great treat for fans of the franchise when they succeed. A Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom-like co-op game would probably not be able to launch on the Switch at this point, but hopefully something like it can shine on Nintendo's next console. If done right, it could lead to one of the most unique and exhilarating Legend of Zelda experiences to date.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on Switch.
