has always been a series willing to experiment. With each new entry, the developers have made changes to the traditional Zelda formula that makes each game feel fresh and original. It's this experimentation and creativity that has resulted in the series' most successful and influential titles, whether it be and its jump to 3D, or and its expansive open world.
While these titles may have gone on to define subsequent entries in the series, not all game-changing ideas seem to stick. One of these ideas is multiplayer, which Nintendo has experimented with for only a few games in the series.
However, the idea of a multiplayer game arguably holds the most potential for future entries in the series. In fact, Nintendo's first attempt at a co-op game provides a great showcase for how the series could finally break into the multiplayer market, providing an entirely original experience in the process.
While multiplayer games have been around for quite some time, none of them have managed to find huge success. Starting with in 2002, which was released as a side mode alongside a port of, the series boasts only 3 mainline co-op entries, with the last title,, releasing all the way back in 2015.
Moreover, despite all three games being well-received, each title had some issues that hindered their overall potential.