One of The Legend of Zelda’s signature features would be offered new life by the Nintendo Switch 2. The console promises plenty of improvements over its predecessor, which in turn means that Nintendo’s games should be better to play than ever. Naturally, the Zelda franchise is one of those that should take advantage of everything that the console will have to offer, with one enduring concept being a particularly notable fit.

Although the precise next Legend of Zelda game to make use of a long-absent feature once more.

The Switch 2’s Joy-Cons Would Enhance Zelda’s Music

There Has Not Been A New Instrument In Zelda For Many Years

Musical instruments with magical abilities have a long history in Zelda, with the most notable example arguably being Ocarina of Time’s titular artifact. Music can be a powerful force in Hyrule, at least when playing the correct songs on a suitable instrument, and many Zelda titles give the player the ability to control Link as he plays his instrument of choice. The Switch 2’s Joy-Cons, with their motion controls, would be the perfect way to provide an immersive instrument experience in a future title.

Of course, it is worth noting that Skyward Sword HD has already proved the ability of Joy-Cons to Zelda’s musical mechanics, with it being possible to play the Goddess Harp through their motion controls on the original Switch console. However, it is also worth noting that this game is an updated port of the Wii’s own version of the title. None of the Zelda titles released for the Switch have truly added to the list of Zelda’s various musical instruments, meaning the series is arguably due for a new incarnation.

The Switch 2, therefore, is perfectly placed to capitalize on this. Its Joy-Cons appear to be more advanced than their initial incarnations and have even been teased to be able to act in a similar way to computer mice. If true, the additional method of game control would naturally expand the limits of what instruments are possible to adapt into Zelda items. But even without this likely, albeit unconfirmed function, it is clear that the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons could give rise to an incredibly fun new musical feature.

The Next Zelda Game Could Use A Two-Handed Instrument

The Feature Would Make Use Of The Joy-Cons’ Full Range Of Features

With two Joy-Cons, perhaps the most obvious avenue to explore in a Switch 2 Zelda game is that of a two-handed instrument for Link to play. Examples of such instruments include guitars and drums, both of which have precedent for appearing in The Legend of Zelda due to their appearance in Majora’s Mask. While the classic game allowed people to experiment with these instruments and create their own small tunes, motion controls would immediately elevate this experience into something greater.​​​​​​​

Any motion-controlled instrument should have an alternative button-only mode for accessibility reasons, but the underlying possibilities of a two-handed instrument remain intriguing.

Another instrument previously used by the Legend of Zelda that could receive new life with Joy-Cons is the Pan Pipes, previously seen in Spirit Tracks; the controllers could be used to imitate holding either end of the pipes, allowing the to mime playing them as Link mirrors their actions. Of course, it is also perfectly reasonable for Link to pick up a new instrument entirely, such as a simplified violin with one Joy-Con responsible for pressing strings whilst the other represents the bow. Alternatively, the prospective mouse mode could even be used to present a piano or organ.

Switch 2 Could Make Zelda’s Music More Immersive Than Ever

Motion Controls Can Put The Player In Link’s Shoes

Of course, advanced motion controls can make playing a digital instrument extremely immersive, something that Skyward Sword and its remake have already demonstrated to a degree. However, the paired Joy-Cons can offer a far more refined control scheme than the Wii Remote, which would naturally have an immensely positive on any future instrument designed with them in mind. Being able to control an instrument more freely would be a huge benefit to a future Zelda title, especially if people are able to play it at any point and compose their own simple tunes to record and share.

As music has not been a major feature of the Nintendo Switch’s Zelda games, the potential of the Joy-Cons has gone largely unused in bringing it to life so far. However, the Switch 2 could now easily rectify this. Moreover, not only would countless people be enthused at the return of this classic feature, but the improved Joy-Cons should also allow for more detailed instrument-related gameplay than anything that the franchise has been able to provide in the past.

Although Zelda games can break tradition to great effect, as technology advances it can be just as effective to revisit more classic concepts with the latest console’s expanded capabilities. The Switch 2 offers this precise opportunity to the franchise in several ways, but reintroducing music is undoubtedly one of the most significant. Despite its importance to the franchise as a whole, music has not been utilized by a new game in years. The Switch 2 offers the perfect chance to change this, and its controllers should make such a feature immediately memorable for The Legend of Zelda.