This LEGO project was built for a website called LEGO Ideas, where a fan-made LEGO model has a chance to become a real set. If 10,000 people vote to support a project LEGO will review it and consider turning it into an actual set. Click the "SUPPORT HERE!" tab of the navigation menu to open up the LEGO Ideas page and then create an account to pledge your support. Supporting puts you under no obligation and you can create a LEGO Ideas account using your Facebook, Google+, or Twitter account. Although this project was made with LEGO Ideas in mind, I have also developed a parts list and set of instructions so that—even if this project never makes it on store shelves—the pieces may be sourced from Bricklink and an individual can build his or her own copy of the project.
I know there is some skepticism over the possibility of a LEGO Legend of Zelda set because this isn't the first Legend of Zelda project to be put up on LEGO Ideas. So far, a total of four Legend of Zelda projects have reached 10,000 supporters and all have been rejected. I have had a difficult time drawing in supporters because of the general pessimism surrounding the possibility of a LEGO Legend of Zelda set. However I designed this set from the start with the goal of making it as likely of a candidate for production as possible. I will highlight exactly why I think this project stands a chance and further down the page I will lay out why I believe the four previous Legend of Zelda projects may have had difficulty passing review due to reasons other than unwillingness from Lego and/or Nintendo.
​
Introduction
This Project
This project is around 1000 pieces in its current form. With a few design changes and using pieces that I do not currently have available, the piece count could likely be taken down to around 800 pieces. Since the vast majority of the pieces are smaller pieces I imagine the price of the project, if it ever reached store shelves, would be around $60. This is in line with most LEGO Ideas sets. Also, the set could easily be launched without the shield, bringing the price and piece count down even further, or even without the sword and shield, which would could potentially bring the price down to around $40.
​
The Link model stands around 5.25 inches tall. The pedestal is about 2.25 inches tall and 3.75 x 3.75 inches. Combined with the pedestal, Link stands 9 inches tall. The Master Sword is 7.5 inches from end-to-end and the pedestal for the sword is 3 inches wide, 1.5 inches deep, and 1.75 inches tall. The Hylian Shield in the stand is 3.75 inches tall, 3.75 inches wide, and 1.5 inches deep.
This set relies on no new molds and can actually be built using pieces that are already available. That means LEGO wouldn't even be required to produce pieces in new colors for the set. The only printed pieces required would be the torso, face, and shield for a Link minifigure, which also reduces costs and helps with the project's chances. Even in the current state the model is very stable and structurally sound.
As far as the possibility of getting the license is concerned, Nintendo has been far more receptive of partnering with other companies than they were when the original four Legend of Zelda projects went through review. The other projects also came at a time when LEGO had no good piece to represent Link's hat/hair. Japan, where Nintendo is based, tends to be fond of small figurines and I believe the nature of this set as a small figurine/display model would be an excellent fit. We know for sure that previous projects did not fail due to licensing conflicts because once LEGO knows of a licensing conflict they no longer allow those projects on LEGO Ideas until the license expires.
Legend of Zelda was a series that was created to capture the feeling of exploration and discovery, something that is very much in line with LEGO's philosophy of encouraging creativity and imagination. The most recent Legend of Zelda game, Breath of the Wild, did an excellent job of encouraging exploration, discovery, imagination and creativity. Both Legend of Zelda and LEGO help to develop kids' imaginations and encourage creativity and a sense of curiosity, because of this I think the Legend of Zelda series would be an excellent brand fit for the LEGO company and that a partnership with LEGO would be a perfect brand fit for Nintendo.
Currently the model features a generic Link inspired minifigure, but if the project became an actual set LEGO would be able to include a specially designed minifigure that more accurately captured Link's appearance. Depending on what Nintendo and LEGO felt was best it could be inspired by any of the various incarnations of Link. Maybe the project could even include multiple figures of Link representing his various incarnations?
Previous Projects
Four Legend of Zelda projects have already reached 10,000 supporters on LEGO Ideas and every single one has been rejected. Why is that? When LEGO Ideas first came about the rules were still being refined. In the time since those Legend of Zelda projects reached 10,000 supporters the scope of projects allowed on LEGO Ideas has become much narrower and not a single one of those projects, in their original submitted forms, would be allowed on LEGO Ideas today.
Please do not misunderstand me, I believed in and supported previous LEGO Legend of Zelda projects. I think the creators of those projects did a wonderful job and the work they put out is excellent. I have no intention of downplaying their projects or implying that they were poor projects—they are all fantastic and it is unfortunate none were able to become sets—but I am going to lay out possible reasons that none of these projects passed review and why it very well may have been due to reasoning other than licensing issues or a lack of willingness on Nintendo's or Lego's behalf.
The first LEGO Legend of Zelda project to reach 10,000 supporters was from a user by the name of mingles. The project focused heavily on Link's various items and suggested numerous new parts to represent Legend of Zelda in Lego form. As cool as the project was, unfortunately it stood little chance in review and it is easy to see why. LEGO Ideas will not put out sets that require new pieces to be made because new molds are expensive. At the time of mingles project LEGO Ideas had not put that out as an official rule. However, every project requiring a new piece to be developed was failed and because of that it is easy to see why mingles project never stood a chance in review.
​
The next project to reach 10,000 was by Ragaru. This project focused a lot less on new pieces and instead focused on the different areas and environment in Legend of Zelda games. Unfortunately, though it was later edited, the original project required a new mold. Additionally when the project was first added it did not suggest an individual set, but rather a variety of different Legend of Zelda sets that LEGO could make. Today, not only are projects requiring new pieces not allowed on LEGO Ideas, but also suggesting a project that has no clear individual set is not allowed. Although the project was later amended so that it didn't require new pieces and suggested a single set, most of the support was achieved before the project was refined to its final form. I believe the fact that the project did not take its final form until it was close to 10,000 supporters hurt the project's chances during review. Today projects on LEGO Ideas can be updated after being submitted, but not edited.
​
The third project to reach 10,000 supporters was by WesTalbott. This project, in my opinion, had the best set design yet. Unfortunately the death sentence for the project was that WesTalbott absolutely insisted on the need for a new mold. Considering what we know about LEGO Ideas' rules today, it is very clear that that alone was enough to prevent the project from passing through review.
​
The final Legend of Zelda project to reach 10,000 supporters on LEGO Ideas was flailx's. This project was based on the 2002 Legend of Zelda game, Wind Waker. Like Ragaru's project, flailx's project was originally created requiring a new mold. Although flailx updated the project so that it did not require a new mold, it was not until a large chunk of support had already been achieved. Additionally the project was based on a game that had come out over a decade ago—one that sparked controversy over its art design at release. Wind Waker is one of my favorite Legend of Zelda games, however many fans do not feel the same way. It is entirely possible that LEGO simply did not consider Wind Waker a good candidate for a LEGO set.
Every since those four projects reached 10,000 supporters, Legend of Zelda projects have had a difficult time getting support from the community. Even though there is a substantial amount of desire for such sets, there is abundant pessimism surrounding the possibility. It is unfortunate because with newer pieces LEGO has made and Nintendo's recent openness to partnering with other companies I fully believe the chance for a new Legend of Zelda set is greater than it has ever been. I hope you consider supporting. Supporting only takes a minute or two, puts you under no obligation, and at the very least it gives us a chance at finally seeing Legend of Zelda get turned into an official LEGO set.