If you’re hungry for details about the upcoming sequel to Breath of the Wild, you may find answers in discarded ideas from the last game.
Two years ago, Nintendo held a panel at GDC, during which they showed off concept art that didn’t make the cut for Breath of the Wild. One concept is particularly interesting after yesterday’s trailer; it shows Link with some sort of multi-purpose mechanical arm. Sketches show this arm acting as a hammer, part of a bow, shooting a hookshot, launching a bomb, and some kind of flying drone.
Both the mechanical design and multiple functions make me think this was a precursor to the Sheikah Slate, which serves a similar function in the final game. However, brief clips from the trailer show Link’s hand glowing, with the same tendrils of light that are holding the corpse of what we believe is Ganondorf in place.
Does this mean Link is getting a robotic, shape-changing arm in Breath of the Wild’s sequel? Nothing is for certain, but it wouldn’t be the first time old ideas were brought back. They also showed discarded art of Link riding a motorcycle, which was brought back in the Champions’ Ballad DLC.
There’s even more connecting these old drawings to the sequel. Another unused idea seems to be a floating island, with a caped figure standing at the top. This isn’t as close of a fit as Link’s hand, but since we do see Hyrule Castle lifting up in the trailer, it’s entirely possible the Zelda team are planning to bring some old ideas to life in this sequel.
