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Wind Waker 2 was in development before Zelda lead Eiji Aonuma was told Toon Link "alienated" American teenagers, so we got Twilight Princess instead
The development of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was influenced by concerns that The Wind Waker's cel-shaded art style alienated North American teenagers. Eiji Aonuma revealed that The Wind Waker 2 was transformed into Twilight Princess to appeal to a more mature audience, a decision that also facilitated gameplay innovations like horseback combat. This shift in art direction was also influenced by the popularity of epic fantasy films.