It’s been revealed that Metroid Prime series developer Retro Studios was apparently working on a Legend of Zelda spin-off pitch that saw players rescue Link for a change. The Legend of Zelda is one of gaming’s most popular and long-running franchises, with 19 main entries in the series along with several remakes and remasters. Along with many of the Zelda games that are currently known to be in development, such as Breath of the Wild 2, there are also rumors that Wind Waker & Twilight Princess HD Switch ports are in the works as well.

Nintendo has been slowly bringing more classic Zelda titles to the Switch over the past few years, with the most recent being The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening in 2019 and Skyward Sword HD last year. The franchise has also released a number of spin-off titles, including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity in 2020. While Age of Calamity is considered canon, even though it takes place in an alternate timeline before the events of Breath of the Wild, many of the franchise’s spin-offs aren’t recognized as part of the series’ canonical timeline. Some of the Zelda spin-off games that aren’t canon interestingly include the original Hyrule Warriors and the CD-i Zelda games from the ‘90s.

Related: The Legend Of Zelda Spin-Off: Is Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland Canon?

YouTube channel DidYouKnowGaming? (via Nintendo Everything) recently released a new video that revealed that Retro Studios was actually working on a pitch for The Legend of Zelda. The game was supposed to be named Heroes of Hyrule and featured gameplay similar to games like Final Fantasy Tactics. It would have focused on three main characters - a Goron, Zora, and Rito - who set out to rescue Link, who has been captured by Ganon. The plot eventually concludes 100 years later where Link is an old man who owns an antiquities shop.

This isn’t the first Zelda game concept that Retro Studios has worked on. It was also revealed last year that the studio was also working on a prototype for a post-apocalyptic Zelda game starring a Sheikah sometime between 2005 and 2008. According to that report, the protagonist of the ultimately canceled game would have centered around the last surviving Sheikah as well as an origin story for the Master Sword, among several other narrative points.

It’s not uncommon for video game pitches, concepts, or prototypes to not progress into actual development and release. However, it’s always interesting to see and hear about the ideas developers come up with for some fan-favorite franchises, while also lamenting what could have been. This particular Legend of Zelda concept is no exception, as it sounds like it could've been a unique entry in the franchise.

Source: DidYouKnowGaming?/YouTube (via Nintendo Everything)