The Evolving Partnership: Monolith Soft’s Growing Influence on Zelda
For years, Monolith Soft has been the silent powerhouse behind some of the most ambitious entries in The Legend of Zelda series. What began as a supportive role in creating the distinctive art style of Skyward Sword has evolved into a deeply integrated partnership.
During the development of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Monolith Soft contributed significant creativity and development muscle to help realize these massive open-world adventures. This collaboration has fundamentally changed how Nintendo approaches the scale of Hyrule.
According to Daiki Iwamoto, general manager of the Zelda series at Nintendo, the goal is for Monolith Soft to play an increasingly core role as a strong partner in creating new Zelda titles from scratch. This shift suggests that future entries may leverage Monolith Soft’s expertise in large-scale RPG design, similar to their work on the Xenoblade Chronicles series.
The Switch 2 Era: Remakes and Technical Leaps
The transition to the Switch 2 is already bringing familiar experiences to new hardware. Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have made their debut on the system, promising enhanced performance for the series’ most expansive worlds.
Beyond existing titles, the community is buzzing with rumors regarding a remake of the legendary The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. While not officially confirmed, leaks suggest Nintendo may be preparing this classic for the Switch 2 to celebrate the franchise’s legacy.
The involvement of Monolith Soft in these upcoming projects is expected to “expand the scale” of the experience. By utilizing the increased power of the new console, Nintendo can explore unique directions that were previously limited by hardware constraints.
For more on how the new hardware impacts gameplay, check out our guide to Switch 2 enhancements.
Decoding the “Bernard” Rumors: A New 2D Adventure?
While the industry focuses on open-world scale, insider reports suggest Nintendo is not abandoning its 2D roots. Recent leaks from insider Nash, later supported by ATB, point toward a potential new 2D Zelda title slated for 2027.
The rumor stems from a series of codenames used for previous projects:
- “Richard”: Linked to the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.
- “Edward”: Associated with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
- “Bernard”: Allegedly the codename for the next 2D entry in the series.
This pattern indicates a strategic oscillation between massive 3D experiences and focused 2D adventures, ensuring the franchise appeals to both fans of exploration and those who prefer traditional top-down gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
While Monolith Soft has traditionally assisted Nintendo, Daiki Iwamoto has expressed a desire for them to play a more core role in creating future Zelda titles from scratch.
It is an unconfirmed report from insiders suggesting that “Bernard” is the codename for a new 2D Zelda game potentially arriving in 2027.
We find strong rumors and leaks suggesting a remake is in development, though Nintendo has not officially confirmed the project.
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