Echoes of Wisdom was a bold step for the Zelda series. For the first time in a mainline title, we played Zelda — not Link. Armed with a magical staff and the power to summon echoes of objects and monsters, this wasn’t just a role reversal — it was a complete rethinking of how a Zelda game could play. Now that the dust has settled and the credits have rolled, one big question remains: where does the 2D Zelda series go from here?

Do we double down on Zelda as a protagonist? Go back to Link? Or maybe… do something completely new? Fans have had a lot to say about Echoes of Wisdom — from its creative mechanics to its controversial art style — and buried in those reactions are clues about what Nintendo might be planning next.

In this video, I’m going to take everything Echoes of Wisdom set up, everything fans are asking for, and everything we know about how Nintendo works — and try to predict what the next 2D Zelda game will look like. And by the end, I want to hear what you think too.

What Echoes of Wisdom Set Up

Echoes of Wisdom introduced a lot of fresh ideas — some that feel like one-time experiments, and others that could define the future of 2D Zelda. The most obvious shift was the protagonist: Zelda herself finally took center stage. That alone was huge. Her playstyle was slower, more puzzle-focused, and leaned into her title as the bearer of Wisdom. Whether fans loved or hated it, it challenged long-standing assumptions about what kind of hero a Zelda game needs to have.

The echo mechanic was another big swing. Rather than collecting traditional tools like a boomerang or hookshot, players could replicate objects and enemies from the world and summon them on command. It was a clever evolution of Nintendo’s new favorite design language: player creativity. It echoed — pun intended — the sandbox freedom of Tears of the Kingdom, but in a 2D puzzlebox format. It wasn’t perfect — fans complained about the clunky menus and how overpowered some echoes became — but it laid a foundation. It’s easy to imagine future games building on that concept in smarter, cleaner ways.

On the surface, the game seemed whimsical and simple — but it quietly experimented with structure. It balanced linear dungeon design with open exploration, included multiple ways to solve puzzles, and even played with story progression more than some recent entries. However, not everything landed. Critics of the game pointed to a lack of dungeon purpose, shallow NPC conflict, and a story that occasionally felt like it skipped steps. It’s clear that while Echoes of Wisdom was full of ideas, Nintendo may have been holding back — either to keep the game accessible or to test the waters before going deeper next time.

And then there’s the art style. Based on the Link’s Awakening remake, the toy-like, glossy visuals sparked mixed reactions. Some fans adored the charm and color. Others found it too plastic, too “cute,” or just not fitting for the tone they wanted from a Zelda game. If there’s one visual lesson Nintendo likely took from this, it’s that future 2D Zelda titles will need a fresh aesthetic — one that feels more timeless, and less divisive.

What Zelda Fans Want

If Echoes of Wisdom gave us a glimpse of what’s possible, fans have been loud and clear about what they want next — and it’s not just more of the same. Across dozens of responses, one theme stood out: players are ready for the next 2D Zelda game to be bolder, more complex, and more daring. While many appreciated the creativity of Echoes, it often felt like Nintendo was playing it safe — and that safety came at the cost of challenge and depth.

One of the most common requests? A harder game. Fans want puzzles that push spatial reasoning and combat that actually tests their skills. As @Romulus879 put it: “I would like a more difficult game than Echoes of Wisdom or A Link Between Worlds… my biggest complaint is the low level of difficulty.” @TamirMor-r8b echoed the sentiment, calling EoW “way, way, way too easy,” even while admitting it’s still a good game overall.

The dungeon design also came under fire — not because it was unfun, but because it lacked purpose. Players want dungeons to feel like real places with narrative weight, not just gameplay zones. @CoraMaria explained: “While its dungeons were fun to play through, there wasn’t really much of a reason for why those dungeons existed in the first place.” She praised other games like Twilight Princess for making their temples feel like they belonged in the world.

Then there’s the art style debate, which sparked some of the strongest opinions. While some loved the toy-like aesthetic carried over from the Link’s Awakening remake, others found it too childish or sterile. @TheRealPSKilla502 didn’t hold back: “Love that it exists, but hate the art style.” Another fan, @thierrys85, put it more diplomatically: “A gorgeous new art style. Nothing pixely or toy-like, but something really fresh and original.”

Fans also expressed a desire for more ambitious or innovative formats. One of the most interesting recurring ideas was a Zelda Maker — a custom creation tool in the spirit of Mario Maker. @darkdragonmedeus705 summed up the dream: “I’ve voiced a Legend of Zelda Maker where you can not only build dungeons but also build your own overworld maps.” Others asked for co-op gameplay, like @tyedupinsmokestacey2935 who imagined a dynamic where “Zelda takes on a more puzzle-based playstyle and Link is more combat and exploration.”

And of course, there’s the call for remakes of the Oracle games or even A Link to the Past. These requests come from both nostalgia and a desire to see those classics reimagined with modern polish. As @Lyan put it: “A remake of the Oracle titles is overdue and would be amazing to see.”

Whether fans are asking for challenge, storytelling, style, or creative tools, one thing is clear: people are ready for the 2D Zelda series to level up — and they’re not afraid to ask for it.

Nintendo’s Patterns & Possibilities

To predict what Nintendo might do next, it helps to understand how they operate — and when it comes to Zelda, there’s a pattern. Nintendo doesn’t like to repeat the same gimmick twice in a row, but they also rarely throw ideas away completely. Instead, they refine them, remix them, or carry their spirit into the next big experiment. Just look at how the open-ended puzzle solving of Breath of the Wild evolved into Tears of the Kingdom’s construction mechanics. It’s iteration, not duplication.

So when it comes to 2D Zelda, don’t expect Echoes of Wisdom 2 — but don’t be surprised if the next game builds off its core philosophy. Nintendo clearly wants players to express creativity, solve problems in multiple ways, and approach the world less like a checklist and more like a sandbox. The Echo mechanic may not return in its exact form, but something similar — like spellcasting, object manipulation, or even building custom dungeons — would fit right into that direction.

Another clue is in the development studios. Grezzo has been behind several of the recent top-down Zelda titles — including Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora’s Mask 3D, Triforce Heroes, and the Link’s Awakening remake. If they’re still involved, the next game could either be another remake (the Oracle games are the most requested by fans) or a new entry using an updated version of the same engine. This would also align with Nintendo’s usual strategy: recycle strong tech to reduce development time, while layering on a new twist.

And of course, we can’t ignore the Switch 2 on the horizon. A new system means new opportunities — like co-op play, better visuals, and maybe even a Zelda Maker–style game that encourages user-generated content. Nintendo loves giving players tools to be creative — from Mario Maker to Tears of the Kingdom — and Zelda’s dungeon-driven structure is a perfect fit for that. It wouldn’t be surprising if the next 2D Zelda includes a creation mode alongside a full single-player campaign.

Ultimately, Nintendo’s next move will probably feel familiar but surprising — just like Echoes of Wisdom. They’ll take what worked, listen to feedback, and remix it into something no one’s quite expecting. Whether that means a new art style, a new protagonist dynamic, or even a full creative suite, one thing’s for sure: they’re not done experimenting with Zelda just yet.

So where does all of this leave us? Echoes of Wisdom was a creative gamble — one that redefined who can be the hero, how puzzles can be solved, and what a 2D Zelda can look like. And whether you loved it or found it lacking, it’s clear that it’s already reshaping expectations for the future.

Based on Nintendo’s habits, the response from fans, and the possibilities that new hardware brings, the next 2D Zelda could go in a few very different directions. We might get a bold new game with smarter mechanics and a darker tone. We might finally see a remake of the Oracle titles. Or — if Nintendo wants to go all-in on creativity — we could even get a Zelda Maker.

Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: 2D Zelda is no longer just the “side series.” It’s evolving, it’s experimenting, and it’s carving out a future that’s just as exciting as the 3D games — maybe even more.

But now I want to hear from you. What do you think the next 2D Zelda game should be? A return to Link? Another adventure with Zelda? A dungeon builder? Drop your predictions in the comments — and if you enjoyed this video, give it a like and consider subscribing for more Zelda deep dives just like this one.