Want the lowdown on a new Zelda game? You're in the right place. Zelda fans are, without a doubt, some of the luckiest in the world. Since its debut, the franchise has churned out frequent instant classics, from Ocarina of Time to the most recent Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom. Alongside Pokémon and Mario, it's one of Nintendo's biggest juggernauts. So, what's next for the franchise?
Here, we uncover all the latest news and speculation about the next Zelda title, including a release date estimate, platform predictions, and gameplay speculation. For more Nintendo news, see our guide to the Nintendo Switch 2, and our picks for the best Nintendo Switch games. Or, for a retrospective, read our Tears of the Kingdom review.
Is there a new Zelda game in 2025?
Yes, there is a new Zelda game releasing this year, with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment due to release on the Nintendo Switch 2 in Winter 2025. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment takes place during the Imprisoning War that we learn about in Tears of the Kingdom.
Besides Age of Imprisonment, Zelda fans with a Switch 2 finally got access to Wind Waker, though it's not a port, but rather the GameCube version of the game via the GameCube Collection on Nintendo Switch Online.
Nintendo is also working on a live-action Zelda movie. Following in the footsteps of the animated Mario movie (and its Bowser-sized commercial success), the Zelda movie is set to bring the adventures of Link and Zelda to the big screen. Directed by Wes Ball, the project aims to have a tone similar to a Studio Ghibli movie from Hayao Miyazaki, which sounds perfect to us.
New Zelda game gameplay predictions
Nintendo has hinted that the next mainline Zelda game will not be a direct sequel to Tears of the Kingdom. This is a break from recent form, as we've seen Tears of the Kingdom continue on from Breath of the Wild almost exactly in terms of gameplay. So, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the next Zelda game, suggesting that the format could change completely.
Throughout Zelda's long history, the series has transitioned through multiple gameplay styles. We've had top-down games, side-scroller platforming games, 3D open-world games, games with multiplayer elements, and much more. So, where the Zelda franchise goes next is anyone's guess. Maybe it will continue in the same style as Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, perhaps another in the same styles as the Link's Awakening remake and Echoes of Wisdom - be it a remake or new game, we're happy with either.
New Zelda game release date speculation
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will release on November 6 2025 as announced in the September Nintendo Direct. You can pre-order it from Amazon now.
For now, that's everything we know about what's next for Zelda. If you want to read more fun Nintendo articles, check out our guides to the new Pokémon game and new Mario game. You can pre-order Pokémon Legends Z-A now. Or, if you enjoy Zelda you might like Genshin Impact, in which case you should see our list of Genshin Impact codes and Genshin Impact tier list.