Echoes of Wisdom UI Critiques Spark Creative Fan Redesigns on Nintendo Switch

Since its launch, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has been celebrated as one of Nintendo Switch's most satisfying adventures, combining fresh gameplay with the charm and depth expected from the iconic franchise.

Developed by Grezzo, long renowned for its thoughtful contributions to the Zelda series, this 2024 release has achieved both critical and commercial success.

However, the otherwise stellar title has faced substantial criticism for one aspect: its user interface design, especially the system for managing and selecting "echo" abilities. Echoes of Wisdom presents players with a single, expanding row of echo abilities, which becomes increasingly cumbersome as power-ups accumulate throughout the journey.

The horizontal bar can quickly grow unmanageable, turning the process of locating a desired ability into a test of patience.

While the game allows sorting and the creation of favorites to improve accessibility, many players and critics argue that the UI falls short compared to the series' usual standards of elegance and intuitiveness. Addressing these persistent concerns, the YouTube channel Game Maker's Toolkit recently took the initiative to prototype alternative UI solutions using the Unity engine.

The redesigned concepts aim to streamline the echo selection process, making gameplay smoother and more user-friendly.

As described in their in-depth video analysis, the Toolkit’s first proposal enhances the original horizontal layout by applying acceleration, allowing users to scroll more swiftly. Expanding beyond speed, the Toolkit explores a cross-media toolbar reminiscent of the PlayStation 3 interface.

This design categorizes echoes by type—such as enemies or items—offering vertical submenus that branch off from the main bar.

For those seeking even greater flexibility, a grid system with tabs and pages is proposed, enabling players to visually scan and sort through their abilities with ease. Perhaps the most intriguing concepts include a dynamic radial menu, ideally suited for instant access to a few favorite echoes, and a spiral-style selector inspired by Ubisoft's Beyond Good and Evil.

The spiral layout elegantly accommodates a large inventory without overwhelming the player, offering a visually distinctive option absent in the official game. While Grezzo and Nintendo have not announced any official updates to Echoes of Wisdom’s UI, players eager to experiment can experience these community-driven designs for themselves via itch.io, as highlighted by Game Maker's Toolkit.

The Zelda and Nintendo Switch communities have largely praised these inventive efforts, acknowledging the passion and technical skill required to envision and build improved interfaces. The ongoing dialogue around Echoes of Wisdom’s UI underscores the importance of accessibility and ease of use in modern game design.

As the Zelda series continues to set industry standards, fan-driven innovation serves as a compelling reminder of the vibrant collaboration between players, creators, and developers across Nintendo’s enduring legacy.

Zelda Nintendo Game Maker's Toolkit Nintendo Switch The Legend of Zelda Legend of Zelda Switch The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom