Next Zelda Game Could Draw Inspiration from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma has dropped a tantalizing hint about the future of the franchise, suggesting that the next mainline entry could be influenced by the recently released spin-off, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

In a new interview with Japanese publication 4Gamer, Aonuma discussed the collaboration with Koei Tecmo on the third Hyrule Warriors title, which launched last month as the first Zelda game on the Nintendo Switch 2. While acknowledging a tinge of jealousy that a spin-off beat the mainline team to the new console, Aonuma emphasized the creative value of the partnership.

A New Direction for Combat?

“The inspiration we’ve gained from collaborating with Koei Tecmo like this may be reflected in the next Zelda we create,” Aonuma stated. “As you play Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, we hope you’ll imagine those possibilities and look forward to our Zelda.”

Age of Imprisonment is noted for its fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat and the ability to switch between multiple characters—a departure from the solitary, methodical exploration of traditional Zelda titles. Aonuma’s comments have sparked speculation that the next mainline game might adopt more action-oriented mechanics or perhaps even a multi-character system.

Looking Toward the 40th Anniversary

The timing of these comments is significant as the franchise approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026. While a completely new mainline game might be unlikely so soon after 2023’s Tears of the Kingdom and the 2D entry released in 2024, fans are eager to see how the series evolves on the powerful Switch 2 hardware.

With a live-action movie slated for 2027 and other projects in the pipeline, the future of Hyrule looks busy. For now, players can dive into Age of Imprisonment not just for its own story, but for clues about where Aonuma and his team might take Link next.