Zelda Wouldn`t Be Great Without Its Wild 2D Experiments
(N4G GameCube)

1998s Ocarina of Time is a pivotal game in The Legend of Zelda series. For one, its where the series timeline splits into three different branches. Its also when Nintendos long-running adventure game franchise split into two major styles: 2D and 3D. The 3D games have come to be viewed as the main event, the big-budget, 50-hour affairs that come around once every 5 or 6 years. Meanwhile, the 2D games have taken on a bit more of a filler role, in that they typically enjoy a shorter turnaround time and help keep the series active while the next 3D game is in development. Given the shorter development times and lower budgets of the 2D games it makes sense that Nintendo is more prone to experimenting with different ideas while creating them. Whether that experimentation comes in the form of touch controls, or multiplayer, or non-linear structures, very few 2D Zeldas are alike. This works out in everybodys favor because it helps keep things interesting, and also because t...