For the first time in nearly 40 years, Princess Zelda is finally taking center stage as the main hero in Nintendo’s newest game, “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.” Launching this Thursday, the game is directed by Tomomi Sano, the first female to lead this beloved franchise. In an exciting twist, Link has been captured by evil forces, and it’s up to Zelda to save the kingdom of Hyrule.

Zelda’s Time to Shine

Equipped with a magic wand that helps her summon different objects, Zelda is ready for the adventure of a lifetime. While she has appeared in other games, like “Super Smash Bros.”, this is the first time she’s the main character in a core Zelda title. The game’s visuals even bring back the nostalgic charm of “Link’s Awakening,” which fans will surely love.

Fans are Loving the New Hero

Longtime series producer Eiji Aonuma shared that this was the perfect opportunity for Zelda to finally take the lead. Gamers are thrilled, too! “It’s so cool to see Zelda as the brave and strong hero,” said Saki, a 24-year-old student from Japan. Abby Murphy, a tourist from New York, added, “I’ve always wanted to play as Zelda, and now we finally get to do it. It’s awesome!”

Zelda’s Growing Role in the Story

Fanny Rebillard, a musicologist who studied the game series’ music, mentioned that Zelda’s role has been evolving for a while. “She’s no longer just the princess who needs saving. She has her own story now,” Rebillard explained. When “Tears of the Kingdom” launched in 2023, it sold over 10 million copies in just three days. With those kinds of numbers, fans are expecting big things from “Echoes of Wisdom.”

Testing the Waters for Bigger Adventures?

Some believe this game is a way for Nintendo to experiment with new ideas before launching an even bigger Zelda adventure. Florent Gorges, author of “The History of Nintendo,” explained that this smaller, more experimental title fits between the franchise’s bigger releases. “Nintendo isn’t trying to push any agenda. They’re just offering different experiences for players,” Gorges said.

This isn’t the first time Nintendo has given a female character her own spotlight. Earlier this year, Princess Peach from the Mario series starred in her own adventure, “Princess Peach: Showtime.”