More swords/shields/costumes/etc

I was playing Elder Scrolls Oblivion today, and I was wondering why Zelda lacks the amount of choosable swords/shields/etc. Not that there should be 100 different weapons and armor and stuff, but you should gain some for some sides quests and things, or as an upgrade to your current weapon. Maybe a blacksmith can make you a new sword if you give him a certain amount of items, like in Majora's Mask. Or maybe you can join Hyrule's guards, and they give you special chainmail that's better then your current. Little things like this to keep me playing, because Wind Waker and Majora's Mask lacked this and it sucked (They were still good though). And am I the only one who thinks there should be an arena in TP? Like you'd fight great Hylian Knights or maybe monsters for money and items (Like a Heart Peice or new sword). That'd be neat and it'd fit the game well.

Um... they have already had an arena like are in TMC, it was a simulated dungeon thing.... and you did get a heart piece out of it...

See, zelda is no morrowind, while I have had wonderful dreams of extreme link cosumization, I think the limited range of customizable features present in OoT was nice.

Now, regarding swords, link is a sword fighter, andI feel it necesarry to leave the sword options really simple.
Master/balanced sword, Large two handed sword, and perhaps a fast low damage sword.

Tunics would be the same, fire earth and water, but I would rather the actualy appearance fit other cultures, what if the goron tunic was worn by other gorons? what if the sewing was really screwy, what if the goron tunic had small pads to protect from lava. What if the zora tunic looked a tad more like traditional arabic or grecian clothing.

If anything were done, we'de probably simply see a mirror sheild and permanent upgrades to link's chainmail, seeing how it's already bronze, I think perhaps iron or a shiny gold would be next, then finally we'de see a super gllimmering platinum or mythril chain mail.

I think a new level of customization would be a great fit.

When you described an arena type setting, one word came into my mind:
Fable.
Fable has an arena practicall just like what you described. And seeing as Fable is pretty much Zelda with moral choices, an arena could translate very well.

Imagine an arena, just like you described, where you can fight the toughest members of the Hyrulian races/cultures, as well as many various enemies as well.

An idea i'd like to see is be able to fight Bosses in the arena. Whenever you clear a big boss or even a miniboss in a dungeon for the first time, that boss/mini boss will be available to fight you in the Arena.

Back to customization, i think some more swords would be a good edition. Imagine being able to weild 3d versions of swords from past Zelda games, such as the Wooden Sword (it would inflict low damage but be very fast), or the Noble Sword from the Oracle games(it could be like a rapier-style sword).
BigGoron's sword would have to be more balanced, though. In Ocarina of Time, it swung just as fast as your other swords. It should be much slower.

That idea of the different tunic sets appearing different would be a good idea as well. I can see the Goron Tunic looking like a hard, leather like armor, or the Zora tunic having kind of a robe or vest like appearance.

I'd like to see the Pegasus and Hover boots make a return. The pegasus boots could double Link's running speed, and replace Link's spin attack with a straight-forward charge. The Hover boots, i believe, instead of being separate boots, could be more like attachments (imagine crozzing long gaps by charging across it with the hover boots attached to your Pegasus boots.

Which reminds me, item combination would be rather cool. Think the Grappling hook and the Hookshot, combine them to make a Grapple Shot, that lock the chain in place while it's out. You can then use it to swing across longer gaps, or (if you're into that sorta thing) whip your enemies into submission.

There's a whole lot of customization that would be great for Zelda, in my opinion.

yeah, i think that could be good if there were more options, but only for swords. For example: the extra swords 'could' be kept at ur house and you could choose one extra sword to bring with you at a time. But meh, zelda had good enough options in oot so im not fussed either way

maybe more things like the cane of pacci, not that I want the game to be all magical, but wands that can do other things like cut throught special entrances. Or cause earthquakes with a new kind of hammer.

Zelda has never been that sort of game. Its based more on the storyline, and the gameplay, rather than the character and his equipment. If you're searching that stuff out, go play Diablo 2, and name your character Link.

It wouldn't hurt to add more swords, they added the Biggoron sword in Ocarina of Time and everyone liked it. There can be a secret uniqe sword or two in TP to add to the replay value, they can in no way harm the game.

I think that having a few swords and tunics and such, as in OoT, was fine, and all the customization Zelda really needs. It's just not that type of game for more.

As for the arena, the monsters are enemies of the Hylians, too, so why would they have them there? It wouldn't make much sense, really...

I like the idea of an arena, and I'm 100% for the whole customization thing. You start off with your ordinary green tunic or whatever, and then as you procede through the game you have chances to buy better equipment, or find/win even better items from side quests, etc. That would be so cool, especially because customization is usually what buys me into a game.

Yeah, Oblivion is a great game. But it's not Zelda.

I don't mind a little more variety of swords, tunics, items, etc. But I wouldn't want Zelda to go into the whole "customize your own [insert item here]" thing. It'd be too much of an RPG then. Go play Oblivion or something if you want that. Yes, there should be a more variety of items (but not something like an FF game, where there are 100's of items and you could carry all of them around). No, you should not be able to choose what color they are, size, shape, etc. "Pimp my Link"....

I prefer gameplay over customizable items.