The Legend of Zeldahas always been a series willing to experiment. With each new entry, the developers have made changes to the traditional Zelda formula that makes each game feel fresh and original.It’s this experimentation and creativity that has resulted in the series' most successful and influential titles, whether it beOcarina of Timeand its jump to 3D, orBreath of the Wildand its expansive open world.
While these titles may have gone on to define subsequent entries in theZeldaseries, not all game-changing ideas seem to stick. One of these ideas is multiplayer, which Nintendo has experimented with for only a few games in theZeldaseries. However, the idea of amultiplayerZeldagame arguably holds the most potentialfor future entries in the series. In fact,Nintendo’s first attempt at a co-opZeldagame provides a great showcasefor how the series could finally break into the multiplayer market, providing an entirely original experience in the process.
Zelda Multiplayer Games Haven’t Been Very Successful
Nintendo Doesn’t Show The Same Ambition With Zelda Multiplayer Games
WhileZeldamultiplayer games have been around for quite some time, none of them have managed to find huge success. Starting withFour Swordsin 2002, which was released as a side mode alongside a port ofA Link to the Past, the series boasts only 3 mainline co-op entries, with the last title,Tri Force Heroes, releasing all the way back in 2015. Moreover, despite all three games being well-received,each title had some issues that hindered their overall potential.
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For starters,some of theZeldamultiplayer games had some huge barriers to entrythat limited their overall accessibility.Four Swords Adventuresis the most notorious example, with players requiring the game, a GameCube and 4 Game Boy Advance devices with their own link cables to enjoy the full experience, creating a logistical nightmare forZeldafans. Meanwhile, despite the gamestaking heavy inspiration from previousZeldaentriesin gameplay and presentation, each title opted for a more rigid, level-based structure compared to the freedom that other entries granted to players.
A Link to the Past andFour Swordswas added to the Nintendo Switch Online service in 2024, allowing players to experience the multiplayer mode online for the first time.Four Swords AdventuresandTri Force Heroeshave not yet been rereleased.
There was a clear lack of enthusiasm from Nintendo to push multiplayer further within theZeldaseries. The linear structure and reliance on elements of previous titles made for some generally funZeldagames that lacked the same sense of ambition that so many other entries have demonstrated. Add that to its lack of accessibility, and it becomes even more clear howthese titles are among the worst-selling games inZelda’s 39-year history.
Zelda Multiplayer Has A Lot Of Potential
Four Swords Is Proof Of What A Zelda Multiplayer Game Could Accomplish
The lack ofZeldamultiplayer games is a shame, as they bolster a huge amount of potential. The idea of a co-op adventure game fits perfectly with theZeldaseries' emphasis on experimentation and exploration, with the increased number of players adding an extra level of chaos to the traditional gameplay. Moreover,Zeldamultiplayer games could arguably elicit a greater sense of discovery and achievement, as these feelings are now part of a shared experience between multiple players at once, creating a sense of community that a single-player title couldn’t offer.
Four Swordsis a great example of the hidden potential withinZeldamultiplayer games, offering a great template for future games to build upon. While the side mode adopts the same basic structure for every playthrough, the dungeons that the players must traverse through are randomly generated each time, making each adventure different from the last. Players are not only given a constant sense of curiosity that comes with exploring the unknown, butthe constantly rearranging dungeons place greater emphasis on teamwork and communication in order to proceed.
WhenFour Swordsis at its best, the game captures that excitement and emphasis on exploration that other Zelda titles provide.
It’s that camaraderie required to succeed that givesZeldamultiplayer games a unique edge compared to other entries. WhenFour Swordsis at its best, the game captures that excitement and emphasis on exploration that other Zelda titles provide, while allowing it to be shared between multiple players at once. This singular side mode is proof ofthe potential for aZeldamultiplayer game to provide a truly special adventureif Nintendo is willing to put the same ambition it gives to the series' single-player offerings.
What A New Zelda Multiplayer Game Should Be Like
Future Entries Should Grant More Freedom to Players
There are many ways in which Nintendo could improve on its previous attempts to create an incredibleZeldamultiplayer experience. For starters, a newZeldamultiplayer game should abandon the linear level-based structure in exchange for a more open gameplay experience. While a world on the scale of a game likeBreath of the Wildcould be far too daunting,players should be granted more freedom to explore in the same way many single-playerZeldatitles allow, while emphasizing the need for teamwork and communication to avoid complete catastrophe.
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Moreover, a multiplayer game provides a perfect opportunity for theZeldaseries to explore certain other genresand playstyles. For example,Four Swords’s randomly generated dungeons could be utilized as part of a roguelike co-opZeldagame. Having players traverse a completely new world with each attempt maintains that sense of discovery and urge to explore while creating a unique challenge unlike what the series has seen before,once again demonstrating that level of ambition that previous multiplayer entries were sorely lacking.
Of course, futureZeldamultiplayer titles will seegreater success with better accessibility, something more accomplishable with online play, while a new entry should allow for multiple players on a single system. With a far more attentive and ambitious approach from Nintendo,theZeldaseries could see the same success with its multiplayer titles in the same way as its single-player offerings. It would not only elevate the series' status as a franchise willing to experiment and challenge conventions, but it would also deliver an entirely originalLegend of Zeldaexperience in the process.
