# Fantasy-Inspired Smartphone Games Nintendo is Releasing 'The Legend of Zelda' as a Smartphone Game By Mary Van Puymbroeck | Published 2017-05-16 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zelda-smartphone-game References: [theverge](https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/15/15639978/zelda-smartphone-game-nintendo-wsj) & [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2017/5/nintendo-zelda-smartphone-game) 'The Wall Street Journal' has just announced that [Nintendo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adventurebased-game-console) will be releasing a 'Legend of Zelda' smartphone game. Last month, Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima announced the Kyoto-based company would be releasing a series of mobile games from now until the end of 2018's financial year. The Zelda smartphone game is likely to follow Nintendo's mobile release of 'Animal Crossing' set for later this year. In recent years, Nintendo has been hard at work releasing its classic game in mobile formats. The Legend of Zelda is known for its complex game controls which could prove a challenge when converting the game to smartphone format. While the WSJ didn't offer any game details or pricing options, a one-time-fee approach or [free-to-play formats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/squid-game-unleashed) are likely possibilities for the Zelda smartphone game that follows Nintendo's two most recent mobile releases. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 44% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fantasy-themed Mobile Games:** Companies could explore development of fantasy-themed mobile games in response to Nintendo's release of 'The Legend of Zelda' as a smartphone game. - **Mobile Console Crossover:** The release of classic console games in mobile format presents opportunities for crossover appeal between mobile and console gaming. - **Enhanced Control Interfaces:** The challenge of converting complex console controls to mobile devices presents opportunities for innovative control interfaces in mobile gaming. ### Where This Applies - **Mobile Gaming Industry:** Companies in the mobile gaming industry could explore the development of classic console games in mobile format. - **Console Gaming Industry:** Console gaming companies could explore opportunities for increased revenue through the release of classic games in mobile formats. - **Software Development Industry:** As console game companies continue to move toward mobile gaming, the software development industry must adapt to meet the challenges of converting complex controls to mobile interfaces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Adventure-Based Game Consoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adventurebased-game-console.md) - [Branded Gaming Hardware Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nintendo-phone-concept.md) - [Classic Adventure Title Releases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oracle-of-seasons.md) - [Open-World Adventure RPGs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tears-of-the-kingdom.md) - [Gaming Console Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nintendo-switch-phone-concept.md) - [Action Game-Branded Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-legend-of-zelda.md) - [Expansive Series Mobile Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monster-hunter-series.md) - [Mobile Tactical Strategy Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fire-emblem-shadows.md) - [Relaxed Interactive Mobile Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pikmin-finder.md)