The Legend of Zelda Reaches Grim Milestone, Players Desperate for Update

In just a few days time, it’ll be 1,000 days since The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the last mainline entry in the franchise, launched.

If you want to celebrate - or commiserate - the occasion, it falls on 5 February to be exact.

I’m quite astonished it’s been that long if I’m being perfectly honest; it feels like mere months ago that Tears of the Kingdom was in the GOTY conversation but alas, almost three years have passed. Did you know this is thelongest gap in 3D Zelda history between the release of a game and the announcement of its successor? Yeah, ouch. Here's what it could mean for a new game reveal.

Zelda Does Celebrate Its 40th Anniversary This Year, Perfect Time For a New Game Reveal

I’m sure at this point you’re hoping I’ll drop an update on said successor, but I’m afraid we’re totally in the dark right now.

While Tears of the Kingdom served as a sequel to Breath of the Wild, it’s widely assumed that the next 3D mainline Zelda entry may reinvent the franchise yet again.

Based on the small tidbits Nintendo executives have dropped in recent years, it doesn’t sound as if the next game will be set within those two aforementioned games’ world or timeline.

That’s not to say that the art style and gameplay will be totally left behind, but I think it’s perhaps safer that we expect something new.

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It is The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary this year, so I’d argue there’s no better time to announce a new 3D Zelda.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Credit / Nintendo

If one is announced, I doubt it would be for any time soon, but I suppose an announced game is better than an unannounced game.

The 40th anniversary falls on 21 February so let’s hope a special Nintendo Direct is announced, much like we received for Mario’s recent anniversary.

I think it’s far more likely that this anniversary year could see several Zelda games of yesteryear updated for the Nintendo Switch 2.

We have, of course, also got a trailer on the way for the upcoming The Legend of Zelda live-action film at some point.

Over on Reddit, fans of the franchise definitely appear to be thinking along the same lines as myself.

“Definitely helps that Echoes of Wisdom came out in between as well as the Switch 2 upgrades, but it’s definitely a little disheartening thinking about how we’re probably at least two years out from the next title,” wrote Doomas_.

“Don’t get me wrong here, I want a new game too, but in the grand scheme of development times these days Zelda fans have been super lucky. We are far less lucky in my fandom of Elder scrolls or GTA,” added FightingHellfish12.

“2026 is the 40th Zelda anniversary and the next week will be 1000 days since Tears of the Kingdom release as you said ... and NatetheHate said that next week there will be a Nintendo direct,” commented echoess84.

It is true that rumours of a Nintendo Direct have surfaced, although some claim this may be a partner-focused showcase. This remains unconfirmed.

I simply hope we’re offered a little crumb of news sometime soon. Zelda fans are hungry.