Analysis: Skyward Sword proves that Zelda needs to evolve

[theRepublic]

Jumpin said:

theRepublic said:
I realize that the article doesn't mention sales at all, but that is what I am going to talk about. The thread title made me think of sales before I opened the thread.

I went looking for the sales data on the Zelda games. The first Zelda released on a platform always sells the best. Always. This is true for both consoles and handhelds. If there is a third, it always sells less than the second too. I guess what I am saying, is that Skyward Sword's sales do not worry me one bit about the Zelda franchise. I think Nintendo can keep doing what it has been with Zelda and be just fine.

However, I think Nintendo can do better with that second Zelda game in the generation. The way to do that is to completely change it up. Do one 3D and one 2D. It worked great with Mario, why not Zelda? You know the fans will eat it up, Nintendo. Do it. C'mon. Do it.

The problem is that while the gameplay is genuinely different with 2D and 3D Mario; when it comes to Zelda (Adventure of Link aside), it is just a more limited version of the same gameplay.

I don't think that is the case.  The 2D versions of Zelda were much more action oriented.  The 3D games have never had the same density of enemies, and they shouldn't.  Hyrule field would be packed as far as the eye could see if they did that.