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[touchfuzzy]

After 40 years and many games, it is a bit interesting to look back on the subtitle conventions Zelda games have maintained over the years, and also how there has seemed to be kind of a consistency and an ebb / flow with the conventions. Here, take a look at how things have gone:

"Something of Something"

The OG subtitle convention starting with Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987). This was also used in maybe the franchise's most iconic subtitle, Ocarina of Time (1998). It made an appearance again in the Game Boy's Oracle of Seasons / Ages (2001). That was the last time it was used in the mainline series, but it's made a comeback in recent spin-offs: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity & Imprisonment, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

"Link"

The titular protagonist of Zelda has had his name appear three times in titles: A Link to the Past (1991) and it's narrative sequel, A Link Between Worlds (2013), and Link's Awakening (1993). It seems unlikely that Nintendo will use this convention again unless going back to the 'A Link' narrative line. This has appeared in one spinoff as well, Link's Crossbow Training.

"Two-Word Nouns"

Nintendo loved the two words subtitles all throughout the early 2000's, so much so that we can break it down into two sub-categories:

• Alliterative Two-Words: Majora's Mask (2000), (The) Wind Waker (2003), Skyward Sword (2011)
• Non-alliterative Two-Words: (The) Minish Cap (2004), Twilight Princess (2006), Phantom Hourglass (2007), Spirit Tracks (2009)

There have been a few spinoffs with this convention as well, such as Tri-Force Heroes and Four Swords. Definitely the most abundant.

"Something of the Something"

For Zelda's big foray into open world/air adventures, a new naming convention was introduced: taking the iconic Something of Something, but adding the. Of course this includes Breath of the Wild (2017) and it's direct sequel Tears of the Kingdom (2023).

And that's it, for now at least. Which is your favorite? Where do you think they will go next?

 

[Deerock71]

Zelda: Cheeks of Clapping

 

[AJUMP23]

I need to reminded that Link is the main Character. Link me Zelda.

 

[Diddy X]

Zelda 2: Electric Boogaloo

 

[ResurrectedContrarian]

Non-alliterative Two-Words: (The) Minish Cap (2004), Twilight Princess (2006), Phantom Hourglass (2007), Spirit Tracks (2009)

These are great, and they're a little more structured than just "2 words." It's more like... [mysterious adjective] [noun].

The mysterious part sells it... phantom, spirit, twilight, minish. The noun gives you the main theme or the driving object to discover: tracks (it's a train game), cap (you'll have a living magical cap, cool!), hourglass (a mystery object, but also indicates the concept of repeating the main dungeon with time limits... something I actually liked even if it was unpopular).

So you can easy generate these and imagine the kinds of games they create. Or you could easily give all the other games a name in this style: Breath of the Wild --> The Legend of Zelda: Lonely Ruins, Tears of the Kingdom --> The Legend of Zelda: Shattered Landscape, Link's Awakening --> The Legend of Zelda: Lucid Mirage. Or something like that.

Works for me. Just give me [mysterious teaser word that sets the tone] [some object or key ingredient to the gameplay].

 

[Guilty_AI]

Zelda: press a to grab destiny

 

[Trilobit]

I think Wind Waker is the best title. Majora's Mask is also cool. Alliterative it is!

 

[ZoukGalaxy]

Link: Obiwan Kenobi

Sorry, seriously: no preference AT ALL

 

[JohnnyFootball]

Im replaying Tears of the Kingdom on Switch 2 right now and am having the time of my life.

I'm having the best gaming time of my life.

 

[ResurrectedContrarian]

Im replaying Tears of the Kingdom on Switch 2 right now and am having the time of my life.

I'm having the best gaming time of my life.

The Legend of Zelda: Time of your Life