Good news for Zelda fans who love the classic top-down style: The Legend of Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma, has revealed plans to continue creating Zelda games with the traditional top-down perspective. In a recent interview, Aonuma shared that while Zelda’s future will still include expansive 3D titles like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo also remains committed to making more 2D-style adventures. This news is a welcome confirmation for fans who cherish the classic feel of the series and had enjoyed the recent Echoes of Wisdom, which reintroduced this traditional format to players with fresh, innovative elements.
Reflecting on the success of Echoes of Wisdom, Aonuma explained that Nintendo and co-developer Grezzo had initially been hesitant about reimagining the top-down formula. However, the creative team ultimately crafted something unique by focusing on the game’s titular Echoes, or summons, which added a twist to the classic gameplay mechanics. This experience, Aonuma said, highlighted the untapped potential of top-down Zelda games, inspiring him to explore even more titles with a similar style.
Looking forward, fans are eagerly anticipating Nintendo’s next major Zelda release. Although details on a potential Switch 2 remain under wraps, Nintendo has indicated that the new console will launch sometime before March 31, 2025. While it’s unlikely we’ll see a new Zelda announcement immediately, Aonuma’s commitment to both 3D and classic styles suggests that Nintendo could mark Zelda’s 40th anniversary in 2026 with the announcement of another top-down installment. Meanwhile, fans can expect the next full-scale 3D Zelda game to be a few years off, given the extensive development time for AAA games.
In the meantime, Nintendo’s approach aims to offer the best of both worlds—modern, sprawling 3D adventures alongside beloved 2D-style games, ensuring that Zelda continues to resonate with longtime fans and new players alike.
