So can we expect 5 year cycles for Zelda (console) games from now on?

[dharh]

Honestly I think Nintendo needs to focus on getting games within the first or second year and 2 games within its lifetime, even if that means simpler games. Maybe even settle for 2 handheld games and 1 console game. As it stands currently the IP itself has had less and less significance.

Below is mostly main games, some of the really crap tertiary games (especially the Hyrule Warriors one which imo is not even close to a Zelda game are exlcuded).

NES NA releases in 1985 ( within 2 years, 2 games )
- Legend of Zelda 1987
- The Adventure of Link 1988
Game Boy NA releases 1989 ( 4 year drought, 1 game ) Not a good system for zelda
- Links Awakening 1993
SNES NA releases in 1991 ( 1 year, 1 game ) Best game, but the only game
- A Link to the Past 1992
N64 NA releases in 1996 ( within 2 years, 2 games )
- Ocarina of Time 1998
- Majora's Mask 2000
Game Boy Color NA releases 2000 ( within a year, 2ish games )
- Oracle of Seasons/Ages 2001
- 4 Swords 2002 (but is a remake so barely counts)
Game Boy Advance NA releases 2001 ( 4 year drought, 1 game )
-The Minish Cap 2005
Gamecube NA releases 2001 ( within 2 years, 3ish games)
- The Wind Waker 2003
- Four Swords Adventures 2004
- Twilight Princess 2006
DS NA eleases 2004 ( within 3 years, 2 games )
- Phantom Hourglass 2007
- Spirit Tracks 2009
Wii NA releases 2006 ( within a month, 2 games )
- Twilight Princess 2006 ( counts, but in reality it was meant for the GC )
- Skyward Sword 2011
3DS releases 2011 ( within 2 years, 1 game )
- A Link Between Worlds 2013
Wii U NA releases 2012 ( within 3 years no games )

Starting with consoles from the first game 1987.

NES: 1 year between games. Two games on the same system within 3 years of the consoles release.
SNES: 4 years till the next game. One game on the system within 1 year.
N64: 6 years till the next game. Two games on the same system within 4 years.
GC: 3 years till the next game. Three-ish games on the same system within 5 years. If you discount TP, 2-ish games within 3 years.
Wii: 5 years till the next game. Two-ish games on the same system within 5 years. If you discount TP, 1 game within 5 years.
Wii U: 4 years still still since last game.

Handhelds from the first game in 1993.

GB: One game within 4 years.
GBC: 8 bloody years till the next game. Two-ish games within 2 years.
GBA: 2-3 years till the next game (depending on if you thought 4 swords was an actual worthy game). 1 game within 4 years.
DS: 2 years till the next game. 2 games within 5 years.
3DS: 4 years still the next game. 1 game within 2 years.

This all leads me to believe that it is taking longer and longer for Nintendo to make these games, even if you discount blips like GBC and N64.