Legend Of Zelda Switch 2 Debut "Darker" Art Style Unites Gamers

As far as video game franchises go, very few have been through as many distinct iterations as The Legend of Zelda has over the years. They have all been pretty successful as well, with your own favorite likely dictated by which games you grew up playing and loving alongside friends and family members.

Whether it's the cel-shaded idylls of Wind Waker, or the classic approach in Ocarina of Time, there's plenty to love across the last 40 years. That said, one style in particular has seemingly been left a little by the wayside, and fans are absolutely desperate for it to return in the next game in the series.

Over on Reddit, one user shared a detailed post calling on Nintendo to bring back a darker aesthetic in the next release, and they have a really solid argument as to why they should do so.

"It has been TWO DECADES since Zelda had a more dark and somber art direction, and since then is just pure cell shading, cute 3D anime style or toy style (for 2D). I want them to at least try for the next game, that dark art style that was prevalent in the N64 era and TP. That Lord of the Rings, dark fantasy, folktale, and elegant type of tone and atmosphere with that particular art direction. I always felt it was the definitive look for Zelda," the post reads.

As you might expect, there were plenty of players and fans in the comments who were more than happy to agree, with one saying, "The original artwork for Ocarina of Time went so hard!"

"I think a mix of the two would be nice. It gives fans of either art style something to like. I’m imagining something akin to the original NES/SNES manual art, just in 3D," another added.

Others pointed out how difficult it is for Nintendo to strike a balance that pleases most of the fan base, saying, "FYI, people mercilessly mocked Twilight for being too dark and Wind Waker for being too bright, and then meh’d Skyward Sword trying to get the balance right."

With Zelda celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, fans have every right to be hopeful that there are some pretty big announcements on the way from Nintendo. The Ocarina of Time remake now seems very likely, given the Star Fox news, and we haven't yet had a new game in the series for the Switch 2, so hopefully there's some proverbial action in that department as well.