Summary

• Zelda is the protagonist in the new Echoes of Wisdom game, teasing that more spin-offs with different protagonists could happen.
• Past spin-offs like Hyrule Warriors & the Tingle games prove different characters can lead their own Zelda titles.
• With a Switch successor coming, Nintendo may create more spin-offs to entice players with new exclusive titles.

announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for the Switch. With its reveal, there will now be multiple questions about where the franchise will go from here and who might star in the many spin-offs that could come out of this.

The game's announcement during the latest Nintendo Direct definitively turned the franchise on its head by removing Link from the equation entirely and instead making Princess Zelda the protagonist. A mysterious rift has consumed parts of Hyrule and swallowed up people like Link, leaving Princess Zelda as the only one who can fight off this threat. With a new partner in Tri and a magical staff that can create echoes or copies of items, including monsters that aid Zelda in battle, this will feel like a truly original Legend of Zelda game.

The Unique Spin-Offs Of The Legend Of Zelda

A Complicated History

The history of The Legend of Zelda is far more complicated than one might expect. Its in-universe timeline alone is incredibly hard to understand. However, the key thing here is that it's very rare for people to play anyone other than Link. The first title where Link wasn't the only playable character was the Wand of Gamelon, in which Zelda was also playable. That game is considered non-canon by Nintendo, as were the other titles made in collaboration with the team at Animation Magic. Zelda later became a spirit that could possess phantoms in the DS title Spirit Tracks.

Another memorable instance in which people could use Zelda, and other characters for that matter, was in the two Hyrule Warriors titles made by Omega Force. In the original title for Wii U and 3DS, a classic version of Zelda was used, but it gave her a rapier, bow, and light magic to wield. Then, in the Age of Calamity sequel, her form and talents from Breath of the Wild were recreated, including her knowledge and abilities with the Sheikah Slate. Numerous other playable characters were also included in those titles, including Impa, Midna, Ruto, Mipha, Revali, and even Ganondorf.

Outside of those games, there was a line of titles that were released mainly in Japan starring Tingle. These titles included Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle's Balloon Fight DS, Too Much Tingle Pack, and Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love. While odd, it does prove that Nintendo isn't afraid to give some of its more unique characters games if it feels that people would buy them. So, with Zelda's canon solo title, the Hyrule Warriors games that could easily return, and past spin-offs starring Tingle all setting a precedent, the potential is there for more games with new leads.

Other Potential Protagonists In Legend Of Zelda

Multiple Characters Have The Ability To Step Out On Their Own

A rather easy set of characters to point to are the Four Champions from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. They've already made an impact in two different variations, and all eight of them were put into Age of Calamity for people to play as. It wouldn't be that much of a stretch to see them get their own title with a unique adventure all their own. A simple plot device could mimic Zelda's adventure where the Champions must protect Hyrule as they search for a missing Link and Zelda.

Nintendo has said the next mainline game wouldn't be set in the BOTW or TOTK timeline, but a spin-off starring the champions could still happen.

Diving further into the series' history, a game featuring Midna would likely get much attention. Midna was a key character in Twilight Princess, as she fought alongside Link against Zant and Ganondorf to try and reclaim her lost kingdom. At the end of the game, she revealed her true self, which has been replicated by cosplayers many times over, and shattered the way to her realm so that it wouldn't cause more problems for Hyrule. A game featuring a playable Midna within the Twilight Realm or trying to get back to Link would likely bring people to the table.

Then, as the Tingle-starring games prove, one could easily go in an entirely different direction or genre. For example, Nintendo could have another developer make a game starring the salesman Beedle and give people a chance to manage a shop through him. Or, for something a bit darker, a team could make an RTS-style title where people play as Ganondorf. Sheik is another character worthy of a solo game. It also should be noted that The Legend of Zelda has some of the best musical scores ever, so a music-based title is possible.

The Potential Through The Switch 2

Nintendo Might Use Spin-Offs To Bring More People To Its Next Console

The arrival of the Nintendo Switch successor might make these spin-offs potentially viable right now versus before. The Switch is one of the best-selling hardware platforms ever, and Nintendo will want to try and sur that with its next console. Hardware can only go so far. Thus, Nintendo will want to create as many exclusive 1st-party titles as possible to get people to buy the new system. It's already been confirmed that the follow-up to Tears of the Kingdom is in development, but that leaves plenty of room for spin-offs to happen and to star new protagonists.

In the end, The Legend of Zelda franchise is arguably in its best place right now. The Nintendo Switch had new games, remakes, HD remasters, and, as shown in the Echoes of Wisdom reveal trailer, serious wish fulfillment. The series has never had higher sales numbers, which proves that people want more from this franchise. Whether Nintendo decides to bank on that remains to be seen. However, if nothing else, it knows that it can make multiple Zelda titles at once and that people are open to ideas that diverge from the norm. The series' future has many possibilities.