Monster Hunter and Pragmata creators praise The Legend of Zelda as the series turns 40: "A source of inspiration in countless ways for so many game creators"

Monster Hunter series creator Kaname Fujioka has shouted out The Legend of Zelda series as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Speaking to GameInformer Fujioka – who directed the likes of the original Monster Hunter through to 4, and was most recently an Art Director on Monster Hunter Wilds – congratulated the developers on 40 years of Zelda, saying "As a fan, I have nothing but gratitude for the Zelda team, who, amidst the industry’s rapid changes, have never given up while carefully building upon a foundation of comfort and wonder."

He adds, "The gaming experience, where freedom gradually expands from small puzzles within vast worlds, is truly unique to the Zelda series." Fujioka says he believes "these past 40 years have been a journey of continually exploring what a Zelda game can be" and adds that he will "look forward to seeing Zelda continue its legacy and evolve in the years to come."

Elsewhere at Capcom, Street Fighter 6 director Takayuki Nakayama recalled working on The Minish Cap and called series creator Shigeru Miyamoto "a North Star guiding all game creators."

Meanwhile, Yonghee Cho – a former Platinum Games staffer who is stepping into the director's chair for the first time with the upcoming Pragmata – called the series "a source of inspiration in countless ways for so many game creators." He adds, "it’s a series that always delivers new discoveries and experiences, surprising us time and again." Cho also included a sketch of Diana from Pragmata donning a Link cap and holding a cake with a 40 on it, in the style of her drawings seen in trailers.

Of course, Zelda and Monster Hunter have had the chance to cross over multiple times during the series' history with a Link-themed armor set and weapons included in Monster Hunter 4, a Toon Link Palico skin in Generations and a Breath of the Wild themed collab for Generations Ultimate. Plus a selection of Zelda characters could scrap with a Rathalos in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake could be launching this year on Switch 2, prominent leaker claims.