Zelda Is Actually a Queen in Hyrule Warriors

The Legend of Zelda's blonde-haired leading lady earned a little time in the spotlight when we shared the latest trailer for Tecmo Koei's Hyrule Warriors earlier this morning. Strong and self-sufficient, she is no longer the princess in distress we've grown accustomed to over the years. In fact, she isn't even a princess this time at all!

Earlier today, Australian game site MMGN posted an interview with Hyrule Warriors producer Hisashi Koinuma and development producer Yosuke Hayashi from Tecmo Koei and general Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma from Nintendo. Among the details discussed regarding the upcoming hack-and-slash was news that this incarnation of Zelda is a queen, not a princess. Aonuma elaborates on her role:

With regard to Princess Zelda and her position in each story, we always position her where it's best suited for that story or theme. We always try to achieve her best position within the story with each game or iteration. Just because she's one way in one game, it doesn't mean she’ll be the same way in the next game. We definitely change how Zelda is used and position her where it's best for the experience. That's as Queen and one of the playable characters in Hyrule Warriors.

Zelda has typically been the sole royal figurehead in all her games, so she already possessed a massive amount of influence and power even without a "queen" moniker. That Hyrule Warriors has chosen to highlight the distinction demonstrates just how much more of a central figure she's become. Certainly, it's surprising just how many characters are given newfound purpose.

Read the rest of the interview for more nuggets, and be on the lookout for Hyrule Warriors on Wii U on September 26.