A free update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons arriving on January 15, 2026, adds amiibo compatibility, allowing players to invite characters from the Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series to visit their islands by tapping compatible amiibo figures.
The article discusses concerns about the potential sequel to Tears of the Kingdom, highlighting a desire for Nintendo to introduce new gameplay styles and visual aesthetics to keep the Zelda series fresh, as fans grow tired of the current open-world formula.
Nintendo has trademarked The Legend of Zelda Tri Force Heroes and Mario Tennis Ultra Smash, likely as a routine renewal, but fans hope for new developments, especially with anniversary celebrations for both franchises.
The article highlights the top five games on the Nintendo Switch 2, showcasing titles like Donkey Kong Bananza, Cyberpunk 2077, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and upgraded versions of Zelda games, emphasizing the console's enhanced features and capabilities for immersive gaming experiences.
Nintendo kept the Imprisoning War Sages mysterious in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to maintain the game's central theme and prevent story complexity, but they are given more focus in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. The Sages' faces and personalities were intentionally hidden to avoid overcomplicating the story, which is why they appeared unassuming in the game.
Nintendo's upcoming mainline Zelda game may incorporate gameplay influences from the musou-style Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which ties into Tears of the Kingdom, suggesting a potential evolution in the franchise's gameplay and storytelling, possibly reflecting collaborative innovations with Koei Tecmo, and marking the first Zelda title for Nintendo Switch 2.
Eiji Aonuma hints that the next mainline Zelda game may incorporate elements from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a collaboration with Koei Tecmo, potentially influencing future Zelda titles, with speculation about returning to previous Hyrule settings.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for Switch 2 features a cast of 34 English voice actors, including Patricia Summersett as Zelda and Matt Mercer as Ganondorf, with social media confirming the full voice cast. The game has received positive reviews for its gameplay and presentation, making it a strong entry in the Zelda spin-off series.
Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update introduces new villagers and items unlocked via amiibo, including characters from Zelda and Splatoon series, with flexible scanning options and additional rewards, launching on January 15th.
Nintendo announced the full list of Zelda and Splatoon amiibo that unlock new villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons with the upcoming 3.0.0 update and Switch 2 Edition, releasing on January 15, 2026, featuring characters like Tulin, Mineru, Cece, and Viche.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, released recently on Switch 2, will receive two free updates to enhance gameplay, though details and release dates are not yet known. The game is set before Tears of the Kingdom and is part of the Zelda crossover series. Additionally, a live-action Zelda film is in production, scheduled for 2027.
Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment, released on Switch 2, has planned two free future updates to enhance gameplay, following a recent patch that fixed issues and added a shortcut feature. Bonus content is available for players with Tears of the Kingdom or Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity save data, and the game has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay despite some map and co-op mode limitations.
An analytics firm suggests that The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Chrono Trigger are prime candidates for remakes, with the former potentially benefiting from a remake due to outdated design, and the latter possibly receiving a remaster or remake to celebrate its influence. The list also includes other games like Ocarina of Time 3D and various remakes and remasters across genres.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment serves as a complementary story expansion to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, offering a hack-and-slash gameplay experience that explores Zelda's story through engaging combat mechanics and character variety, enriching the overall Zelda universe.
Dan Houser compares the design of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom to Hitchcock films, praising their cinematic and systemic gameplay that uniquely speaks the language of video games, highlighting Nintendo's polish and storytelling style.