10 Ways Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Was Almost Completely Different

6. The Design That Would've Killed The Franchise (For A While)

zelda breath of the wild bike
Nintendo

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.

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Gaming Editor
Gaming Editor

WhatCulture's Head of Gaming.