Summary
OneLegend of Zeldafan has shared their idea for “Paper Zelda.” While most fans enjoy the success of modern entries such asLegend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildand itspositively-received sequelLegend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, there still exists a fan base that enjoys the simpler classic titles from the franchise. The last game which followed the original game style closely was 2019’sLegend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningfor the Switch.
The “Paper” concept was originally popularized by theMariofranchise. With a few games under thePaper Mariobrand, some fans have wondered whether a similar idea would work for other Nintendo properties. One of the titles being discussed by a few gamers would be a “Paper” take onThe Legend of Zelda.
Reddit user Separate-Painter-69 shared a photo of their conceptual take on Paper Zelda, which looks to be a remake inspired by NES’sLegend of Zeldatitle. While the background tiles are obviously still based on the original game, the sprites for Link and the enemies seem to be redone for modern times. Many comments praised the concept, with some even marveling at how amazing it looked, considering the work had only been done for three days. Some worried about the idea, sinceNintendo is known to be litigiouswhen it comes to copyright infringement.
Paper Zelda Could Be A Good Idea
The idea seems like perfect timing, especially as the previously mentionedPaper Marioseries just announced thatPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Dooris getting a remastered releaseon the Switch. While the two franchises are hugely different, the hype for a visually similar game might help theZeldafranchise.The Legend of Zeldagames have regularly experimented with varied art styles with each release. While the developers may have found the sweet spot in terms of looks withBreath of the Wild, some fans still vividly remember and miss art styles like those found inWind Waker.
Adding one more version of Link could help expand the rich lore of theLegend of Zeldaseries. While not necessarily interconnected, a paper version of Link could give a more comedic take that’s missing from the newer games in the franchise. Granted, each version ofLink has their own backstory and characterthat Paper Link could bring a new flavor to. PerhapsPaper Zeldacould introduce a fresh concept that could revive interest in top-down or side-scroller style RPGs that the old titles used to utilize.
The Legend of Zelda
The epic series The Legend of Zelda began here, with the heroic Link on a hazardous journey through the fantastic world of Hyrule. Using your sword, your shield and your wits, retrieve the eight fragments of the Triforce and save Princess Zelda.This groundbreaking game introduced innovative ideas that are still present in Zelda games more than 25 years later. Not only is Link’s original adventure action-packed, it also features puzzling dungeons to explore and a myriad of secrets to discover.
