Zelda's Enduring Success: Gameplay First, Story Second Philosophy

Eiji Aonuma, the producer of the Legend of Zelda series, emphasizes that gameplay is prioritized over story in game development. In an interview, Aonuma explains that starting with gameplay allows for more flexibility and creativity, as the story can then be shaped around the gameplay mechanics. He finds it challenging to develop games the other way around, where the narrative dictates the gameplay. This approach has been a hallmark of Nintendo's game design philosophy, particularly in the Zelda series.