How valid are the complaints of the Zelda fanbase?

While it's probably a vocal minortity, it seems as though a lot of the fans on these boards spend a lot of time complaining about the Zelda series. They constantly whine about whatever new direction that the series takes, and they whine that the series is supposedly "going downhill", and everybody seems to have their own often outlandish idea of how to "fix" the series.

But are their complaints actually valid, or is this just what fanbases do? Honestly, I think it's the latter, because pretty much every single fanbase I've seen does exactly the same thing. Every fanbase whines about their series, every fanbase thinks that their series is going "downhill", and every fanbase has people who think that they know where the series should go next.

I reckon that mindless complaining is the main reason why fanbases exist (well, that and drawing bad fanart). Fanbases exist to hate the thing they're supposed to enjoy.

I loves Zelda my purpose here is to hate only CD-i and convince people that the New games are not bad.... have I done any of that in my 2 days being a member... Well... I brought CD-i hate =]

It depends on who you ask. Some say TP was a masterpiece some don't. Some have hope for the series some don't. Really it's all opinionated. I think the series is not in a downward spiral and TP was a very good game. I also have high expectations for ZWii and it will very likely be the greatest Zelda ever. These people that complain and whine about how they hate the way things are should just not buy the games.

Or maybe games in general are just kidna going downhill. Either that or the people behind these large, expansive series that get these large fanbases you're noting are either growing weary and just getting bad ideas and adopting bad design philosophies, or going for cheap, addictive experiences that sell like mad because so many people don't really care if their games have x ammount of quality as long as they keep them busy, and they tend to go for names that they know because...they know them. And sometimes theses large franchises just stick too hard in their tracks and don't budge, resulting in stale, repetitive experiences.

For Zelda, I personally believe it's a kind of mix of all of the above, really, maybe sans the low effort implied in the "cheap, addictive" part of the paragraph, as they do put a lot of time and effort into the games, they just...allocate it wrongly.

But the whole "every fanbase *****es and moans about everything new" isn't true about all fanbases. As an example, the Castlevania fanbase was pretty ecstatic about the last two handheld outings, Dracula X Chronicles and Order of Ecclesia, both games that critics in general felt were decent, but nothing really special. On the other hand, most people, fans, general market and critics alike hated Judgment.

NEWSFLASH: Do you really think the industry cares about your whining complaints? You are still gonna buy their products no matter what. As long as they are swimming in money, they will never care.

No. The fanbase complaints are not valid. We are all a bunch of whiny *****es.
We will find anything to complain about because it's never good enough.

And, whining about it is only a waste of time. Its not like it going to make such a difference. Thats why i don't bother to complain about TP this or WW that.

I try my best to not compare Zelda titles to each other. I enjoy them each one at a time. When I beat Majora, I didn't say, "Ocarina of Time is better," I simply enjoyed MM as a seperate, very fun game. I look forward to all future Zeldas because they are quality games that I love playing, no exceptions.

As omiz144 said (kinda), go in with an open mind.

My biggest complaint is that each Zelda game is easier than the one before it. This may be because they seem to rush pushing these games out just to make some good Christmas sales. You can tell Twilight Princess was rushed in the end. It had all this potential to knock other games off the table and didn't live up to it. Sure, it had been delayed too many times, but a game shouldn't be released until it's finished.

I don't have complaints about the formula, though. The people are saying "I love this series except they need to change the characters, plot, graphics and location" and that is in no way an indication that they like the series. It's an indication that they need to find a new game to play, because they've outgrown this one.

Their complaints are only valid if they do two things.

1. Organize a large group of gamers to get an organized list of all the flaws in the game, and have them all send letters and e-mails to the Zelda Company.
2. Don't buy the game or threaten to not buy any more zelda games in the future unless if they fix up the next game.

Unless if you do those two things, your complaints are meaning less.
It's like buying some ice-cream, telling the owner you hate it, and ordering seconds.

Yes CDI games were the only bad Zelda games. All other Zelda games on any other console were awesome!!!

People just like to whine.

People in general want stuff to be perfect, Nintendo tries hard, but fans still complain... It's like a never ending cycle.
Like they say: you can't please everyone.
I barely find any flaws in TP, i think TP it's a good game and i still replay it.

Some complaints are quite valid, though obviously there are many different Zelda fans, with different complaints.

But some are very reasonable, like voice acting. Or orchestrated music, or deeper story.

I have never ever been dissapointed in any Zelda games. I have completely fallen in love with each and every single one I've ever played! I think the only complaint I've ever had was that they didn't last forever!

I look foreward to much more zelda-y goodness!

People moaning about the Zelda series is not different to people moaning about TV remakes, adults moaning about kids today, and old people moaning about supposed bad parenting and children. The human race has been moaning about everything from left to right since the dawn of time, and it has been continuing that way for centuries.

Nothing is perfect, most people are just stupid and need to grow up and and stop complaining... and actually appreciate the fact that a series such as Zelda even exists at all!

Originally Posted by TheBinxMonster

I have never ever been dissapointed in any Zelda games. I have completely fallen in love with each and every single one I've ever played! I think the only complaint I've ever had was that they didn't last forever!

I look foreward to much more zelda-y goodness!

This guy or girl speaks the truth!

With any fanbase of any sort there are gonna be people who complain about how something didnt go their way. Its a bit sad.
As for Zelda, there are only one or two games i didnt like in the series. I dont complain much about the series to be honest since theres really not alot for me to whine about.

I DO feel like the zelda-fan-base has a voice (sometimes too strong for its own good). I say this only applies to when the fan-base is united in a concept.....here are some examples:

Fans asked for Another OoT- like Zelda-----we got TP.
Fans asked for are realistic zelda after windwaker-----we got TP.
Fans were tired of Navi-----we got Midna.
Fans asked for a timeline-----we got Eiji Aonuma