It’s a symbolic gesture of growth, a sign she is able to move forward with an appearance that abandons the regal pretense of her namesake and the royal family she was born to serve no matter the cost. Zelda has long been bound by the shackles of her own lineage, and it’s something this iteration of the character will not be constrained by. She’s confident, bossy, and compassionate in a way that Zelda has seldom been before, and cutting ties with these other versions of herself through abandoning her golden locks is a fitting end to a character arc filled with misplaced doubt regarding exactly where she belongs in the world.

Princess Zelda is sporting a new haircut in Breath of the Wild 2 , which seemingly isn’t a subtle hint that she’ll end up as a playable heroine in the upcoming sequel. Instead, it’s a new look for a main character who has saved her kingdom, witnessed the loss of countless loved ones, and managed to survive and continue with a life she’s afraid isn’t deserved.

Men are already in positions of power in these scenarios, so women are left to comprehend the opposite gender’s mistakes and find a way forward of their own accord. It’s empowering to an extent, although the fact that women are made to throw away what is seen as conventional beauty purely to grow into something one would define as independent still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. On the flipside, this rejection of traditional femininity is equally as groundbreaking, showcasing that societal norms aren’t something these heroines have to abide by. Other characters are often left shocked and outraged at these changing tides, but that’s the whole point - it’s a statement that’s supposed to inspire.

Hyrule is safe once more, but so much was lost to acquire even a semblance of peace. Now, Zelda must emerge from the ruins of destruction and build something from the wreckage. It’s a heartbreaking conclusion to her destiny, and Zelda is left with so much emotional and physical baggage that it’s easier just to cut it all away - this detachment has been presented in a rather literal sense with her new hairstyle.

Technically, Luigi's Mansion 3 was not a first-party game when it came out since it was developed by Next Level Games. However, as the studio has been working exclusively with Nintendo for years and, in 2021, was purchased by the latter, Luigi's Mansion 3 is essentially a first-party ti

However, the recent gameplay trailer has me concerned about Princess Zelda’s exact role in the story, and whether she will once again act as a passive heroine who finds herself trapped in Hyrule Castle until Link can muster up the power to save her. Breath of the Wild saw Link venturing into Hyrule Castle to rescue Zelda, who had been holding the evil of Calamity Canon at bay for 100 years. Her power was fading, and she required Link’s help to prevent her kingdom from falling into an inescapable state of r

Splatoon 2 and 3 are both among the best multiplayer experiences on the Nintendo Switch , but the latter's healthy fanbase gives it the nod over its precursor. In comparison to its predecessor, which earned criticism for sticking too close to the first game's formula, Splatoon 3 offers a more substantial upgrade on what came bef

Princess Zelda’s new look could be little more than an aesthetic makeover, but that would cheapen what her character is capable of, especially given how much room she’s given to shine in Breath of the Wild. While she’s seldom seen outside of flashbacks and cutscenes, watching her initial reticence to Link ’s presence and how it evolves into a willingness to confide in the Hero of Time as a lasting companion is emotional to watch, especially once we become aware of everything Zelda has lost and seeks to regain while keeping Calamity Ganon at bay. She’s the integral fabric of this narrative, while Link is the weaver who joins all of these incoherent threads together.

Whether it’s Link, Zelda, or something completely out of left field like Waluigi - I just hope the Princess isn’t left to gather dust as a prisoner beneath Hyrule Castle. As I mentioned earlier, Breath of the Wild’s timeline now exists in the present, offering a level of dramatic agency that simply isn’t possible with flashbacks. Our emotions will react to an ongoing story we’re an integral part of, instead of pondering on flashbacks whose participants have long since met their end. Princess Zelda is the strongest character of the whole lot, and pushing her aside purely so Link has a passive damsel to save is woefully archaic writing this series could do without. Who knows, I still have a feeling she’ll be playable. Or there will be time travel. Screw it - do whatever you want, Ninte

The final moments still make me tear up, environmental Storytelling acting as the perfect distillation of why these characters are so excellent. Zelda is steadfast in her resilience, but willing to fall victim to her emotions when it really matters. She’s vulnerable, but in a way that simply serves to make her stronger as she moves proudly into the future. Breath of the Wild 2 presumably takes place in the present, with Link and Zelda exploring alongside one another as they rebuild the region into an image they can be proud of. This inevitably leads them to investigate some unusual occurrences beneath Hyrule Castle. Because they’re the unluckiest duo in the world, this releases yet another ancient evil as Zelda is yeeted into a pit and Link finds himself adorned with a bad case of neon zombie arm. Time to save the world again, I gu