Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment may still have its skeptics, but its creations highlights an interesting path forward for the franchise: a deeper look at the lore.

For the most part, Nintendo has opted not to explore much of the Zelda lore outside the Link, Zelda, and Ganon dynamic. This makes sense given that they are key to the overarching story. Skyward Sword sets up the three to be intrinsically linked for all eternity.

In the course of telling their story, Nintendo has created some interesting side plots that many fans beg for a deeper examination. Though, the mainline games have not spent as much time on their plot thread.

This is where games like Hyrule Warriors could enter. Age of Imprisonment has allowed Nintendo to explore the Imprisoning War, making the events of the game canon to Tears of the Kingdom.

I do find the argument over what is canon a bit exhausting though connected media certainly does have a fun place in the world. I think this debate can take away from the fun of having unique stories within an established world.

This is the space more crossover games could occupy. They could help tell the stories of these unexplored corners and allow different perspectives on them.

One area I’ve always found fascinating is the dark history around the Shadow Temple from Ocarina of Time. We learn the Sheikah played a sinister role in the history of the kingdom, using the Shadow Temple to utilize “enhanced interrogation techniques” on enemies of the kingdom.

We don’t learn much past that, but a crossover game could fill that void. I would love to see an Assassin’s Creed-type game that has you controlling the Sheikah as they hunt down the enemies of the crown.

Of course, this may be too bloody for Nintendo’s liking, but would still provide a unique exploration of this time, regardless of if it’s canon or not.

Besides, fans largely determine what they accept as canon anyway. To me, whether it is canon or not is inconsequential. As long as it makes sense within the larger sense of the story, I would be happy.

Collaborations can also provide a way to scratch an itch regarding genre-swapping with in the franchise.

Many wonder what it would be like to have a Zelda RPG game. Having a crossover with Final Fantasy or another major RPG franchise could provide a preview. It doesn’t have to be an entire game, but rather a DLC or unlockable reward.

While these types of crossovers within Zelda have yet to break the proverbial wall down completely, they do indicate an interest within this realm. Furthermore, the possibilities are endless.

Nintendo has showed a willingness to do full crossovers with the likes of Hyrule Warriors, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, and Pokken Tournament. There have also been smaller crossovers such as Link being playable in 2002’s Soul Calibur II.

The possibilities and interest are there. It just needs the right approach to ensure this doesn’t become a cash grab. So far, Nintendo seems to have been judicious with their crossovers so I think we’re heading on the right track.

What about you? Would you like to see more The Legend of Zelda crossovers? What franchises would make for a good crossover? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.

Featured Image: Nintendo (via GameTyrant)

Nintendo Pow Block – A Nintendo Podcast by Boss Rush

Nintendo Pow Block is a weekly Nintendo podcast hosted by Edward Varnell, Corey Dirrig, and their friends from around the internet. Each week, they dive into the latest Nintendo news and rumors for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, new and upcoming releases, updates to Nintendo Switch Online and the Nintendo Music app, and discuss what they’ve been playing in the Playing with Power segment.

Nintendo Pow Block Podcast – Now your Podcasting with Power!

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Splatoon Raiders Rated by PEGI – Nintendo Pow Block Podcast – Now Your Podcasting with Power!

Email your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠questions to the podcast here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. As the industry continues to struggle with budgets, delays, and restructuring, Nintendo seem to be the only company who's figured it out. This week on Nintendo Pow Block, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward Varnell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are back to discuss what they've been playing and the news of the week. They get into Capcom's new IP Pragmata, news of a new round of layoffs at Iron Galaxy Studios, massive leaks tied to the Indonesian Ratings Board and 007 First Light, and what it means for game development. They also discuss Nintendo’s growing 2026 lineup with Splatoon Raiders and Fire Emblem ratings updates, the huge box office success of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, progress on The Legend of Zelda live-action film, Starfield rated for Switch 2, the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced release date, Pragmata performance, and Telltale’s The Expanse launch, alongside a discussion on Bungie, Marathon vs. Destiny 2, content creation, and the launch of the Pow Block YouTube channel.They end the podcast as always with community questions and topics. This and more on Nintendo Pow Block!Join our Communities:Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow Nintendo Pow Block on Social Media: Nintendo Pow Block Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitch.TV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the Boss Rush Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitch.TV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow our Hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward Varnell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Cofounder of Boss Rush Media and host of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nintendo Pow Block⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Cofounder and CEO of Boss Rush Media and host of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nintendo Pow Block⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Xbox Casuals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Boss Rush Network:Support Boss Rush on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and buy merch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website at BossRush.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more great content.Thanks for Your Continued Support!Thank you for supporting Nintendo Pow Block! If you’re listening on podcast platforms, leave us a five-star rating and a review. If you’re watching on YouTube, subscribe, like, comment, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. Your support means the world—see you next time on Nintendo Pow Block!

1. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Splatoon Raiders Rated by PEGI 03:49:10
2. Monolith Soft is More Involved in Zelda's Story Than We Thought 03:35:23
3. EXP: Are We Getting a Xenoblade Warriors Game? 32:08
4. PAX East, Mario Galaxy Movie Impressions, and Fresh Leaks 04:39:42
5. Super Mario Galaxy Movie Adds Star Fox, Epic Layoffs, & Ocarina of Time Remake 02:34:48

Listen to Nintendo Pow Block on Podcast Services
Apple Podcasts + Spotify + Goodpods + Amazon + More Links

Follow and Connect with Nintendo Pow Block: A Nintendo Podcast
X/Twitter + Bluesky + Instagram + Threads + YouTube

Thank you for watching or listening to Nintendo Pow Block, the Nintendo podcast from Boss Rush Network! If you enjoyed the show, be sure to subscribe to the channel, give the video a Like, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review—it really helps! For more great content, visit our website at BossRush.net. Thanks for your continued support of Nintendo Pow Block and our independent endeavor with the Boss Rush Network!