Princess Zelda Takes the Lead in a New ‘Legend of Zelda’ Game
The trailer for the new "Legend of Zelda" game begins with Link navigating a castle and rescuing Princess Zelda, as in many past games since 1986.
However, after freeing Zelda from captivity, Link suddenly disappears into a mysterious rift, leaving Zelda to fend for herself.
Eiji Aonuma, the producer, announced that Princess Zelda will take on the role of the main character in this upcoming game, a departure from the series norm.
Fans have long debated why the series is named after Zelda when Link has traditionally been the playable hero.
"The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom" marks the first Nintendo-produced title where Zelda is the sole protagonist, set for release on the Nintendo Switch in September.
Unlike Link's sword and shield, Zelda will wield a rod that can conjure copies of objects like tables and rocks to aid in combat and puzzle-solving.
This game introduces Tri, Zelda's fairy companion, as she embarks on a quest to save Link from the dark rifts spreading across Hyrule.
Eiji Aonuma explained that the gameplay style in "Echoes of Wisdom" breaks away from past Zelda conventions.
Previously, Link has been the central figure in best-selling titles such as "Breath of the Wild" and "Tears of the Kingdom."
The series was named after Zelda by Shigeru Miyamoto, inspired by the name of novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda Fitzgerald, as revealed in "The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia."