Release Of 'Zelda: Breath Of The Wild' Sequel Delayed, Prompting Renewed Speculation About Nintendo's 'Switch 2' Console

Nintendo announced earlier today that the sequel to The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild has been delayed until March 3rd, 2023, leading many fans of the franchise and video game industry commentators to speculate (yet again) that the delay could mean the Switch 2 will also be released on that date.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s sequel is delayed to spring 2023 https://t.co/kMkZglM2JP pic.twitter.com/vcztCQbD64

— The Verge (@verge) March 29, 2022

How to scare a Zelda fan with one image pic.twitter.com/4sulGToCHj

— onion (@onion_mu) March 29, 2022

The announcement video featured the game’s creator, Eiji Aonuma, against a dark backdrop with some early peeks at what the new Zelda game may look like.

Zelda got a new release date, but these two moments are the biggest news drops that I care about 👁👁 pic.twitter.com/DSyoLQLhnL

— TAHK0 ☕️ (@TAHK0) March 29, 2022

Many posters also noticed the change in Aonuma’s hair, which used to be long but was short in the latest video. The famed creator also described what the world of the BotW 2 will look like, leading to much excitement among fans.

"Leave me alone, you entitled pricks. I already gave you a masterpiece. Zelda is not a real person. I just want to see my family again before I die.." pic.twitter.com/oLLyitF5FM

— Jared Petty (@pettycommajared) March 29, 2022

huge zelda news today: aonuma's cut his hair pic.twitter.com/Rt2lmlnaPK

— yuuko from nichijou (@headfallsoff) March 29, 2022

Eiji Aonuma on BOTW 2:

"The adventure in this sequel will take place not just on the ground as in the previous game, but also in the skies above. However, the expanded world goes beyond that, and there will be an even wider variety of features you can enjoy" pic.twitter.com/8kqDs8jH8a

— Nibel (@Nibellion) March 29, 2022

Alongside the buzz over Nintendo's announcement, fans of Elden Ring pointed out that the lack of a Zelda game in 2022 will mean that Elden Ring could have a better chance of winning industry awards.

FromSoftware at Game of the Year Award shows with Elden Ring now that Nintendo delayed Zelda BOTW2 to 2023. pic.twitter.com/90TJ7Khka4

— Maku (@TropicalMaku) March 29, 2022

Others interested in the future of video games and the state of the art form speculated that the delay of the new Zelda game was planned to coincide with the rollout of the "Switch 2," a theoretical follow-up to the current Switch console, which has also been dubbed the "Switch Pro" amid speculation.

Here come the “BOTW 2 will launch with the Switch Pro in 2023” rumors and comments pic.twitter.com/YbCyWKIKSJ

— 💅🏾🦋SherbyChomps🦋💅🏾 (@SherbyChomps) March 29, 2022

"Insiders" and "Leakers" explaining how BOTW 2 being delayed means a Switch Pro is confirmed and it's going to be a launch title for it. pic.twitter.com/2CBJr38bnE

— Mark 🇱🇧 (@Mark1345_) March 29, 2022

A great number of memers online, however, responded to this speculation about the Switch 2 with reactions of fatigue and mockery, fed up with the massive ongoing discourse about the game that's occurred many times over the last year and beyond.

No Nintendo fans, BotW 2 getting delayed doesn’t mean it’ll be a launch title for a new Switch model. pic.twitter.com/Do0wFH0oa5

— Master Mango (@k1ng_mang0) March 29, 2022

the worst thing to come from a zelda delay is that now i have to be subjected to another 3 months worth of switch 2 speculation

— Poppy! (@FunnyRatPoppy) March 29, 2022

Delays are nothing new for fans of the Zelda series or other video game franchises, and as people settle in for another year without a new Breath of the Wild, they at least will have plenty of other games and memes to entertain them — not to mention wild speculation about Nintendo's next console.