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39 Years of Zelda: Reflecting on the Past, Anticipating the Future

POSTED ON: April 10, 2025

It seems unbelievable that the Legend of Zelda is 39 years old. Looking back on the franchise it is one with a rich, deep history and diverse collection of games. So much time has passed. Zelda has been a beloved franchise to many and that sentiment extends to myself. Considering it all feels personal. Some of my first video game memories involve Zelda. Being able to enjoy Zelda's influence though consoles, crossover games, comics, and other media is wonderful. Its influence has cemented itself in pop culture. Zelda is deeply in video games past, it is in the present video game landscape and as video game culture continues Zelda will surely into the future. The ever growing outpouring of support in transformative works and general nerd discussion is vast.These games truly stand the test of time.

Zelda as a whole is an unforgettable franchise. It’s filled with colorful characters, fun game play, puzzles, catchy music and a story that makes you feel like you've saved the world. Looking at Zelda games in the past feels like looking at video game history. I could spend hours talking about why I love the Zelda Games that I’ve played individually and how excited I am to play the ones I haven’t played. When I was a kid wanting to find adventure everywhere Zelda seemed like the perfect franchise to me. I remember asking my Mom for the Wii points to buy the Digital version of the first game. I was obsessed with watching little 8-bit Link run around. I remember reading the Hyrule Historia and making up theories with friends. I would rock the graphic T cargo shorts combo at times. I loved Wolf Link, being able to sail through the seas, climbing mountains and entering puzzle filled spaces. Being a music, story and art lover Zelda was a treasure trove to me. I’d love it if they released another symphony. I would see Link in gaming magazines, talk at length about the games and explain to my family how Link was not Zelda and how they had pointy ears but weren’t elves. As I played the games agonizing over puzzles I didn’t have guidebooks to solve and was too prideful most times to ask for help, my family was just as confused at Link’s constant shouting and green tunic wearing self.

Artwork by Tavitay

The first Legend of Zelda game was The Legend of Zelda. It was straight to the point. It came out in 1986 for the Famicom. Ever since then Zelda games have been coming out in some shape or form. Most recently The Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom was released on the Switch in 2024. It feels revolutionary playing as Zelda in a mainline game. The Zelda movie is apparently on the horizon. I would have preferred an anime style. For as infamous as the animated tv show and CGI games are, they're very fun to think about. I’m sure no matter what happens we’ll have the memes. With the Switch 2 announced a new Zelda game has to be on the horizon. Even as we look to the future for many, the past is going to be their future. The vast amount of games means that for many there's completely new older games to explore. As I’m writing this various Zelda games sit on my shelf waiting to be played. To many fans these games I haven’t played are their favorite games. For me, the unplayed games are as much as my future as they are other people's pasts. In the past, present and surely the future, Zelda has gotten me through some hard times.

Zelda as a franchise has always played around with themes of the past, present and future. Many of the races in Zelda can live a long time. The Sheikah and Zora seem especially as if they are living their present through what are many shorter beings' pasts and futures. Some have lived a long time or are passing history down from generation to generation with the hope they can defeat evil. Characters peer into the past or future to solve problems. They might transcend the barriers of time to save the world. The Song of Time aids Link on his quest. Most times Link is sent through time because it’s the Goddesses will. Sometimes Zelda needs to get things done which means traveling around or being in suspended animation herself. Whether they’re fighting Ganondorf or someone else, it makes me hopeful that good marches on. I’m trying to finish Tears of the Kingdom now and that’s fun. Tears of the Kingdom is the future of Breath of the Wild where the past of the characters and Hyrule is explored. Often Link goes to the future, or a Link to the Past.

Artwork by Tavitay

For the future of Zelda video games, I’m hoping for a Zelda with a traditional feel. Breath of the Wild appearing on the Switch and also the Wii U were able to take advantage of the Switches and Wii Us main gimmicks. The Sheikah Slate functioning in the game and mirroring your console is a very fun idea. Tears of the Kingdom uses the Sheikah Slate less but it differentiates itself. For the Switch 2, a different concept than an open world thing would be fun. The type of game that’s linear and requires you to complete puzzles and make it through dungeons in a specific order. There’s such a diverse amount of Zelda’s but I’d love a beautiful, voice acted new game. One that introduces more characters and lore that has fans in Zelda’s future falling in love with the franchise all over again. I hope the Zelda fandom continues to be a fun and bustling place for old and new fans alike.

Overall, for myself I’m hoping I have more time to play Zelda games in general. The franchise is wonderful whether it’s playing one for the first time, replaying or learning new ways to explore the Legend of Zelda together.

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