There's one type of game that The Legend of Zelda should place priority over. There's no doubt that the mainline Zelda entries have always been a major success, proven by the monumental release of Tears of the Kingdom last year. With this in mind, it wouldn't be a surprise for Nintendo to focus its efforts on a sequel that builds on TOTK. Yet, Nintendo shouldn't lose sight of the experimentation and creativity that's provided by Zelda spin-offs.

Nintendo hasn't always been willing to push the Zelda franchise out of its comfort zone, mostly sticking to more traditional mainline entries. This isn't helped by earlier spin-off attempts, like Link's Crossbow Training or Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, which failed to capture the spirit of the Zelda series in a meaningful way. However, this attitude has changed in more recent years, and the success of the latest Zelda spin-off games shows the worth of exploring such titles, as they can provide unique experiences that not even the main series could accomplish.

Zelda Spin-Offs Are Some Of The Best In The Series

They Offer A Variety Of Gameplay Styles

The main appeal of Zelda spin-offs comes from their offering of unique gameplay that differs from the core series. The most popular example of this would be Hyrule Warriors. As a crossover between Zelda and the Dynasty Warriors series, Hyrule Warriors places greater emphasis on combat, as the player must face off against hordes of enemies, including Bokoblins or Lizalfos, that can be cleared using a variety of weapons and special moves. The multiple stages and constant onslaught of enemies make for a more intense and demanding experience than even the mainline Zelda entries could provide.

Cadence of Hyrule is another great example of the creative gameplay on display. As a spin-off to Crypt of the NecroDancer, Cadence centers on rhythm-based gameplay. Players must traverse a traditional Zelda overworld, clearing enemies and exploring dungeons, all while keeping their panic in check as they must stick to a perfect rhythm of movement. This is where the true worth of Zelda spin-offs lies: offering a variety of different gameplay experiences that make each game feel fresh while remaining true to the core of the franchise.

Why More Zelda Games Should Be Spin-Offs

The Zelda Series Needs That Variety In Its Library

These Zelda spin-offs are clear proof of how desperately the franchise needs a sense of variety that's been lacking for a long time. The traditional gameplay of the mainline Zelda entries works incredibly well, but it can become predictable. Spin-offs take a far more ambitious approach, and Nintendo should be willing to take these risks in the same way they have with the Super Mario franchise and its bevy of spin-off series.

There are several different genres and gameplay styles fitting Zelda's sense of adventure and discovery that have yet to be utilized. As an example, a Zelda roguelike would fit naturally into the greater franchise. The usual elements of combat and exploration are given an extra level of strategy, as players are challenged to take a more cautious approach with each journey to avoid losing all their progress.

Another spin-off could once again place greater emphasis on combat. The idea of an arena-style fighting game including multiple Zelda characters and villains, from Impa and Ganondorf to Skull Kid and Gant, is too exciting of a prospect to up and would provide a multiplayer experience that the franchise often lacks.

There is a wide breadth of Zelda characters worthy of spin-offs, too, including Robbie and Purah, for example.

The potential for the Zelda franchise to branch out in new ways has always been in plain sight. While Nintendo clearly wants to maintain the high status the series holds, that shouldn't prevent the possibility for spin-offs to add something new to the table. With the success of recent releases like Hyrule Warriors, this could be the sign for Nintendo to take the Legend of Zelda franchise in a bold new direction.