Zelda Needs a UI Overhaul: Time for a Fresh Start?

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For several years now, The Legend of Zelda series from Nintendo has been nearly unbeatable in terms of popularity. While it’s always been a significant and popular franchise, its cultural impact was revitalized following the release of Breath of the Wild in 2017. This trend has continued with subsequent releases such as Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom, further cementing its stronghold.

In essence, it’s fascinating to discuss the numerous aspects where “The Legend of Zelda” has maintained its artistic worth and continuous creative triumph. However, I can boil this down to a single key factor: innovation. Unlike many other AAA franchises that stick with an idea once it resonates with audiences, “Zelda” consistently changes and adapts with each new release. This approach allows it to lead and even set trends, rather than following the path of other popular series. However, this penchant for experimentation sometimes comes at a price, and in the case of modern “Zelda,” that cost is often seen in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design.

Better UI Design Should Be a Priority for the Next Zelda Game

The Problems with UI Design in Echoes of Wisdom, Tears of the Kingdom

In essence, Nintendo was creating something entirely new with Breath of the Wild, fundamentally changing the Zelda gameplay structure from its roots. A significant aspect of this transformation involved an inventory system that drew inspiration more from action-RPGs than the streamlined, compact, and non-interchangeable item economy of past Zelda games. To handle the array of weapons, arrows, shields, and consumables players would gather, Nintendo devised a simple and minimalist inventory management system. This allowed players to quickly switch between essential items using a sequential menu during gameplay.

For a game like Breath of the Wild, this system works well. However, in a more intricate game like Tears of the Kingdom, with its advanced inventory management and crafting mechanics, the usefulness of this straightforward menu began to diminish. Navigating through a sequential menu while on-the-go, even with filters, can become tedious and inconvenient when assembling an intricate, complex machine.

In a more relaxed and conversational style:

The user interface issues with “Echoes of Wisdom” might not be as problematic as those in “Tears of the Kingdom,” but for some players, it was the final issue that pushed them over the edge. The return of a linear menu in “Echoes” doesn’t seem to fit well with its extensive collection of abilities. More frequently than not, solving puzzles in this game involves figuring out which ability is suitable for a given task, and when locating the appropriate ability becomes a matter of scrolling through an increasingly long list, it can become tedious. It’s worth noting that, like “Tears of the Kingdom,” “Echoes of Wisdom” requires a fair amount of repetitive menu-browsing, which can quickly grow tiresome.

Points to Consider for the Next Zelda UI

It’s challenging to suggest ways to enhance the UI/UX design for the next Zelda game if we don’t know its gameplay concept yet. The reason being, the upcoming Zelda title could return to the traditional style of the series, potentially scaling back the intricate item economy that was introduced in games like Breath of the Wild and Twilight Princess.

If the upcoming Zelda game includes an inventory system like those in recent games, it’s crucial to have a user-friendly interface. One possible improvement could be a favorites feature that lets players quickly access their preferred items using shortcuts. This could be achieved through a radial menu instead of a linear one, making item selection faster and easier. Additionally, improving the organization of items based on their use or practicality would enhance navigation and overall gameplay experience by making it more intuitive.

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2025-03-10 00:39