E3 2021 is little more than a month away now, and it looks to be the return to form that the event needs. The iconic games industry conference took a year off in 2020 after the ongoing pandemic disrupted many plans. This was hot off the heels of both controversy regarding the handling of confidential visitor information and leaks for E3 plans that were considered controversial. However, now that many of the industry leaders have decided to reconvene in a digital event once more (with Sony and EA presumably holding their own conferences at other points during the summer), game fans around the world can kick back and enjoy all the reveals coming their way.
One exhibitor that has a lot of people talking is Nintendo. After spending 2020 without many announcements and releases, it returned to the scene this February with a new Nintendo Direct. Rumors state that the E3 Direct is going to be even bigger, and that a number of big games that have been in limbo for several years will finally make an appearance. Chief among these is the anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. Theories on the true nature of this game have been flying everywhere since it was announced two years ago, and with the Zelda 35th anniversary going on in 2021, it feels like Nintendo needs to show BotW 2 at E3 in a big way.
A Proper Breath of the Wild 2 Reveal
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 has been a frustrating enigma for two long years. Analysts have picked apart every little thing in the cinematic reveal trailer, theorizing everything from the purpose of the mysterious glowing arm, to what the Malice emanating from the Gerudo corpse will do. Discussions and arguments about what roles Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf will play have been circulating, and many people would love some concrete answers. A new showing for the game would provide exactly that, and that alone would make gamers everywhere look upon Nintendo’s E3 2021 showing very favorably.
Nintendo’s traditional post-conference Treehouse stream could also share more information on the game, though more to ensure Breath of the Wild 2 doesn’t eat up too much time during the Direct than any other reason. There is also the distinct possibility that this E3 presentation reveals a release window alongside details about the game’s story and gameplay. A season, quarter, or even precise date could be nailed down for when this Zelda sequel will drop. Even with delays no doubt caused by the pandemic, there’s a good chance that it will be ready for the upcoming year, and the possibility of a holiday 2021 or spring 2022 release for BotW 2 cannot be ignored.
Ramping Up Nintendo’s News
As previously mentioned, Nintendo had a very weak 2020 news-wise. There were some Mini, Partner, and Indie Directs, as well as various news drops for Nintendo games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but the lack of a true Nintendo Direct was sorely felt. In contrast to Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo's silence was deafening. Despite ostensibly having a constant news presence, a big spring game with Animal Crossing, and a holiday release with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Nintendo didn’t feel like it had a pulse until its sudden return with a Nintendo Direct on February 17.
The February Direct had some decent highlights; including the reveals of Project Triangle Strategy, Mario Golf: Super Rush, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, and the distantly dated Splatoon 3. However, while this bulked up Nintendo's 2021 releases, many fans were hoping that after such a long silence, there would be plenty of updates on big games like Metroid Prime 4, Shin Megami Tensei 5, Bayonetta 3, and, of course, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. BotW 2 was mentioned, but it was only as an acknowledgement that more would be said on it later.
E3 2021 is “later,” and fans are really hoping to get a good handle on what the back half of Nintendo’s 2021 and 2022 look like. If Zelda shows up in a big way, all the better.
Celebrating All Things Zelda
Chances are, Zelda will show up in a big way. 2021 is The Legend of Zelda’s 35th anniversary, and thus far, only Skyward Sword HD has been announced as a Zelda game releasing this year. Not only that, but the anniversary itself hasn’t been given any focus yet like Mario’s 35th anniversary received last year. Chances are good that a bevy of Zelda-related announcements are coming at Nintendo’s E3 Direct. These could include more Skyward Sword details, a new Zelda collection, an Ocarina of Time re-release on the Switch, and even another, smaller Zelda title.
However, no matter what else Nintendo throws in, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 will take precedence. Even if it isn't released during Zelda’s 35th year, BotW 2 can still be a capstone for the celebration. The fact of the matter is that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild holds an important place in the Zelda series, and its sequel will definitely bring the thunder when it comes to the whole franchise's enduring popularity. A return to a more traditional Zelda formula may be in the cards for the future, and maybe even for Breath of the Wild 2 to a degree, but right now it’s the open world Zelda's time to shine.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is in development for Nintendo Switch.