10 Ways Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Was Almost Completely Different
6. The Design That Would've Killed The Franchise (For A While)
Nintendo weren't kidding when they discussed how initial sketches were very 'radical', here changing literally everything about Link's aesthetic other than the base colour scheme.
The goofy teeth, bauble-topped hat, tracksuit top, fingerless gloves and motorcycle (that you can guarantee was called 'E-Pona' or something) were thankfully resigned back to the drawing board in the end. God knows what Zelda would've looked like too - some sort of 'Megan Fox in Transformers meets sexy Skyrim mod' perhaps?
There's definitely a time and a place for this sort of callback hilarity - something Crash Bandicoot's N. Sane Trilogy will attempt to profit from - but it does not come from overhauling a beloved aesthetic from top to bottom.
Yes, Link did drive a motorcycle in Mario Kart 8, but come on... a 90s-style "tubular, bro" faux-punk? Talk about ruffling feathers. This would've plucked them right off.