Where and why modern Zelda fails or "Zelda. WTH happened?"

[theRepublic]

LordTheNightKnight said:

DeadEye said:

I didn't find Phantom Hourglass & Spirit Tracks easy at all. Just because you find Zelda easy and not challenging enough doesn't mean everyone does. I just want a more populated overworld, more sidequests (with meaning) and a realistic OoT/TP art style. The Zelda series is fine.

It's stupid to expect Zelda to have the growth and sales of Super Mario Bros anyway given that Zelda is a game for the core gamer (and so it should be and stay) and Super Mario Bros appeals to both the core gamer and expanded audience. Super Mario Bros will always have greater appeal. DWI.

Older Zelda games appealed to the expanded audience.

I disagree with that.  Zelda has never much appealled to the expanded audience.  It has always been core, first and foremost.