A skilled Legend of Zelda fan has created an innovative Nintendo Switch game cartridge case inspired by Link's Hylian shield. Perfect for adventuring, the case is ideal for storing the newly-released Skyward Sword HD, and players looking to make their own version can do so at home thanks to the generous designer.
The Hylian shield is a staple of The Legend of Zelda franchise, and is seen across the series' 3D games spanning from Ocarina of Time to Breath of the Wild. The shield, used by the Knights of Hyrule, features the iconic Triforce symbol along with the Hylian crest. While the core design of the shield can differ across different games, it typically follows the same blue, red, and yellow color scheme. The Hylian shield remains recognizable no matter which game it features in, and its synonymity with the Zelda series even led to the shield becoming a Twitter emoji for Skyward Sword HD's launch.
Redditor and 3D printing pro Kickass3DPrints has shared a video of their Hylian shield Switch game cartridge case, revealing the painting process for their incredible creation. According to the user, the case securely holds 12 cartridges inside, six on the back of the blue piece and six inside the grey shell. The finished product also has slits where straps can be attached, meaning the case can actually be worn as a real miniature shield. Legend of Zelda fans looking to 3D print their own Hylian shield cartridge case can find the files for free at Thingiverse, though it appears the file download set is incomplete at the time of writing. Fans can also take a look at Kickass3DPrints' YouTube channel, or purchase pre-made 3D printed goods at their Etsy store, kDaesign.
Watch the 3D printed Hylian shield game card holder creation on Reddit here.
Players have been using the latest 3D printing technology to bring iconic gaming weapons and items to life for some time now, with other designers previously making pieces including Link's Master Sword, Geralt's medallion seen in CD Projekt Red's The Witcher series, and even Genshin Impact's Rust bow. A 3D printer is considered to be a must-have for professional cosplayers, who can use the technology to print the accessories needed to emulate specific characters' looks and styles.
The fan-made Hylian shield cartridge case makes a good project for any Zelda players looking to celebrate the series' 35th anniversary this year, with a notable lack of official celebrations from Nintendo. Other Nintendo franchises such as Super Mario and Pokémon have received multiple new games and special announcements to honor their anniversaries, including the release of 2020's Super Mario 3D All-Stars, and the upcoming release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. However, it seems Zelda has been left behind. Nintendo has confirmed that the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD and a Zelda Game & Watch will be the only celebrations planned for the occasion, which is disappointing for fans hoping to see the series expand.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is available now on Nintendo Switch.
Source: Kickass3DPrints/Reddit