What Nintendo has announced about upcoming Zelda games

Nintendo has not officially announced a new mainline Legend of Zelda game beyond Tears of the Kingdom, which released in May 2023. The company typically keeps major game announcements under wraps until they are ready to show gameplay or release dates, so the absence of an announcement does not mean nothing is in development — it usually means Nintendo is not ready to talk about it yet.

What you will find instead are occasional hints from Nintendo executives in interviews. In 2023, series producer Eiji Aonuma mentioned that the team was taking time to think about what comes next for the franchise, rather than rushing into the next project. That statement suggests work may be underway, but Nintendo has given no timeline or details.

The most reliable way to learn about upcoming Zelda games is to watch Nintendo Direct presentations, which the company holds several times a year. These are live video presentations where Nintendo announces new games, shows trailers, and reveals release dates. If a new Zelda game is coming, Nintendo will announce it there first.

Key Takeaways

  • Nintendo has not announced a new mainline Zelda game since Tears of the Kingdom released in May 2023.
  • Producer Eiji Aonuma said the team is thinking about the franchise's future rather than rushing the next project, suggesting development may be early.
  • Nintendo announces major games during Nintendo Direct presentations, which happen multiple times per year.
  • You can watch Nintendo Direct live on Nintendo's official YouTube channel or website without signing up or paying.

Where Nintendo announces new games

Nintendo Direct is the official channel where the company reveals new games and updates. These presentations are typically 30 to 45 minutes long and cover multiple games across Nintendo Switch and sometimes other platforms. A new Zelda announcement would almost certainly happen here rather than on social media or in a press release.

You can watch Nintendo Direct presentations live on the Nintendo YouTube channel or on Nintendo's official website. The company usually announces the date and time a few days in advance through its social media accounts — Twitter, Instagram, and the Nintendo Switch News app. If you miss a live presentation, the full video stays on YouTube afterward, so you can watch it anytime.

Nintendo also holds smaller presentations called Nintendo Direct Mini, which focus on a single game or a few specific titles. A Zelda announcement could come through either format, though a major new game would likely get its own full Nintendo Direct.

How long Nintendo typically waits between Zelda releases

The gap between major Zelda games varies widely. Breath of the Wild came out in March 2017, and Tears of the Kingdom arrived in May 2023 — a gap of six years. Before that, Twilight Princess (2006) and Skyward Sword (2011) were five years apart. Going further back, the gaps have ranged from three to seven years depending on the game.

This means there is no set schedule. Nintendo works on each game until it feels finished rather than releasing on a fixed timeline. The company has also released remakes and remasters of older games between major new entries — Link's Awakening (2019) and Skyward Sword HD (2021) both came out during the long wait for Tears of the Kingdom.

If the pattern holds, a new mainline Zelda game could arrive anywhere from 2025 onward, but that is speculation based on past timing, not an actual prediction. Nintendo will announce when it is ready.

What to expect from the next Zelda game

Nobody outside Nintendo knows what direction the next Zelda game will take. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom both emphasized open-world exploration and player freedom to solve puzzles in multiple ways. The next game could continue that approach, return to a more linear structure, or try something entirely new.

Eiji Aonuma has said in past interviews that the team thinks about what players want and what feels fresh for the series. After two open-world games, the developers might explore a different style. However, this is reading between the lines of public statements — the actual direction remains unknown until Nintendo shows it.

One thing is certain: the next game will release on Nintendo Switch or whatever Nintendo's next console is. The Switch launched in 2017 and is now in its seventh year, so a new console could arrive within the next few years. If Nintendo releases new hardware, Zelda games often launch on the new platform.

Zelda games and remakes currently available

While waiting for a new game, you can play several Zelda titles on Nintendo Switch right now. Tears of the Kingdom is the newest and most recent. Breath of the Wild is still available and remains one of the most acclaimed games on the system. Link's Awakening (2019) is a full remake of a 1993 Game Boy game. Skyward Sword HD (2021) is an enhanced version of the 2011 Wii game.

Nintendo also released Cadence of Hyrule, a rhythm-puzzle game set in the Zelda world, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, an action game that serves as a prequel to Breath of the Wild. These are different genres from the main Zelda games but let you explore the Hyrule setting in new ways.

The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service also includes access to older Zelda games from the NES and SNES libraries, including the original The Legend of Zelda (1986) and A Link to the Past (1991).

How to stay updated on Zelda announcements

The most direct way is to follow Nintendo's official social media accounts on Twitter and Instagram, where the company posts about Nintendo Direct dates and new game announcements. You can also enable notifications on the Nintendo Switch News app, which shows official Nintendo announcements directly on your console.

YouTube is another option: subscribe to the official Nintendo channel and turn on notifications so you get an alert when Nintendo Direct goes live. Gaming news sites like IGN, GameSpot, and Polygon also cover Nintendo announcements immediately, so checking those sites a few times a week will keep you informed.

Avoid relying on rumors or leaks from unofficial sources. While some leaks turn out to be accurate, many are false or misleading. Official Nintendo channels are always the first and most reliable place to learn about real announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a new Zelda game coming in 2024 or 2025?

Nintendo has not announced anything for those years. Based on past release gaps, a new game could arrive anytime from 2025 onward, but that is an estimate, not a confirmation. Only Nintendo knows the actual timeline.

Will the next Zelda game be on Nintendo Switch?

The next game will likely be on Nintendo Switch or Nintendo's next console, depending on when it releases. If a new console launches before the game is ready, Nintendo may release it on the new hardware instead. The company has not announced plans for either scenario.

Can I play Zelda games on other platforms like PlayStation or Xbox?

No. All Legend of Zelda games are exclusive to Nintendo platforms. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are only on Nintendo Switch. Older games are available through Nintendo Switch Online or on their original hardware.

What does Eiji Aonuma's statement about "thinking about the future" actually mean?

It likely means the team is in the early planning stages rather than actively developing a game ready to announce. Game development takes years, so a statement like that usually indicates the next project is still being designed, not built. It does not tell us when an announcement will come.

Where can I watch Nintendo Direct if I miss it live?

The full video stays on the official Nintendo YouTube channel after the live broadcast ends. You can watch it anytime at your own pace. Nintendo also sometimes posts clips and highlights on social media if you want a shorter summary.