The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is an action-adventure game for the Nintendo Switch, developed by Nintendo and Grezzo. It marks the 21st main installment in the Zelda series, but this time, players control Princess Zelda as the main character. The story follows her quest to rescue Link and save the kingdom of Hyrule, with the help of a magical artifact called the Tri Rod, given to her by a fairy named Tri. The game features a similar visual style to the 2019 remake of Link’s Awakening and offers a new perspective by placing Zelda in the hero’s role for the first time in a mainline Zelda game.

In Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda uses the Tri Rod to create magical “echoes,” which are copies of objects and enemies she can summon to help her in battle. Each echo has a cost, limiting how many can be summoned at once. Additionally, Zelda can wield a sword and transform into a “Swordfighter” form that mimics Link’s fighting abilities, though this form is temporary and needs to be recharged using energy orbs. Zelda also has unique abilities like binding objects to move them or fast traveling across the map using Waypoints. Exploration is a key part of the game, with Zelda traveling on foot, on horseback, and through various magical means.

The game takes place not only in Hyrule but also in a mysterious parallel dimension called the Still World. Rifts connecting Hyrule to the Still World are causing people and objects to freeze in time, and Zelda must navigate through both realms to uncover the truth behind Link’s disappearance. Players will encounter familiar races from the Zelda universe, including the Deku Scrubs, Gorons, Gerudo, and Zora, as they help Zelda solve puzzles and defeat bosses in various dungeons.

The release of Echoes of Wisdom is significant because it is the first time Zelda has taken on the main protagonist role in a core Zelda title. While she has been playable in other spin-off games, this marks a milestone for the series. The game was first announced during a Nintendo Direct in June 2024, and it is set to be released in September 2024, with high anticipation from long-time fans of the franchise.