The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most popular and beloved game series. It’s often one of the reasons people buy a new Nintendo system. That’s why it’s surprising that the Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t launching with a brand-new Zelda game. So far, the only Zelda games confirmed for launch are updated versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, with a new Hyrule Warriors game slated for later in 2025.

The original Switch launched with BOTW. It gave players a huge open world to explore and helped make the console a hit from the start. Then came TOTK, which added even more to that world. Now, fans are ready for something new. Simply improving the graphics and performance won’t be enough. If Nintendo doesn’t announce something soon, frustration could grow. There’s a lot of excitement about the Switch 2, but it needs to offer new games, especially Zelda. Without that, Nintendo might have a harder time maintaining the same success it had with the original Switch.

Switch 2 Has Updated Versions Of BOTW & TOTK

Updated Versions Promise Better Performance And Quality

The Nintendo Switch 2 is launching with updated versions of BOTW and TOTK. These versions are made to run better on the new system, with faster loading, smoother gameplay, and nicer graphics. For fans who already love these games, it’s a good chance to play them again with improvements.

Still, not everyone will be excited. Both games were made for the original Switch, and most people have already played them. Unless the upgrades are a big step up, spending more money on the same games might be hard. Even though the upgrades are just $10 for those who already own the games, even a small cost might not feel totally worth it.

Another problem is timing. Breath of the Wild came out in 2017, and Tears of the Kingdom was released in 2023. That’s a long time for an audience to already be familiar with both properties. Making them look better is nice, but it doesn’t change the fact that most Zelda fans have played them already. It's not really the new Zelda game at launch many were hoping for.

Releasing older games might not be enough to get everyone on board with the Switch 2, especially for a big series like Zelda.

These upgraded versions could still be great for people who never played the originals, or for fans who want to explore Hyrule again. Still, people usually expect something new and exciting for a new console launch. Wind Waker will be included with the NSO GameCube library, but even that is a game many fans have already played. Releasing older games might not be enough to get everyone on board with the Switch 2, especially for a big series like Zelda.

Switch 2 Needed New, True Zelda Games At Launch

The Nintendo Switch 2 Should Have Launched With A New Zelda Game

Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most popular series, so fans were understandably hoping for a new Zelda game when the Nintendo Switch 2 launched. When the first Switch came out in 2017, Breath of the Wild launched with it. That game helped sell the console and gave people a big reason to buy it. Now with the Switch 2, there is no new Zelda to bring the same excitement. Mario Kart World looks great, but it's not on a level with BOTW.

Breath of the Wild did exceptionally well at launch and has sold 34.32 million copies since December 2024. It has been hailed as one of the greatest video games ever.

A new Zelda game would have helped the Switch 2 stand out and feel more exciting. Without it, some prospective buyers might hold off on getting the new console. If they wait too long, they might lose interest or choose to spend their money on something else. There is a chance Nintendo is saving a new Zelda game for later, but launch time is important. Big, new games help boost sales and give players a reason to buy consoles early. Right now, the lack of a fresh Zelda is a missed chance.

Age of Imprisonment Isn't Enough to Fix the Zelda Issue

Hyrule Warriors Is Not A True Zelda Experience

Nintendo has another Zelda-related game coming, called Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. However, it’s not exactly a mainline Zelda game. It plays like any other Hyrule Warriors game, with fast battles and lots of enemies similar to the Dynasty Warriors series. While it can be fun, it’s not the mainline Zelda game with puzzles, exploration, and a deep story that fans have come to expect.

Age of Imprisonment won’t be available at launch either. It’s expected later this year, with a release window of 2025, which means there will be a long wait after the Switch 2 is released. This wait could end up being a problem. The first months after a console launch are important, and right now, Zelda fans don’t have much to look forward to. And that wait will only get worse as time goes on. The longer the Switch 2 takes to get a new mainline Zelda game, the bigger the console's problems will get.

Nintendo might have plans for a new Zelda game later, but the longer fans wait, the more frustrated they could become. A new Zelda game often drives people to buy a new console. Without one, some fans might skip the Nintendo Switch 2 or wait for a bigger release. Age of Imprisonment might be fun, but it won’t fix the bigger issue: it’s not the true Legend of Zelda experience fans have been hoping for.