The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to arrive with several exciting new features for fans of The Legend of Zelda. One of the most eye-catching is ZELDA NOTES, a companion app designed to guide players through Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild in a more immersive and intuitive way.
Though the app has yet to launch, it has already stirred controversy over the possible use of artificial intelligence to replicate Princess Zelda’s voice.
Is ZELDA NOTES using AI?
ZELDA NOTES aims to enrich players’ understanding of the lore behind the franchise’s most recent games. It offers a wide range of texts on locations, history, and other key elements, which users can either read or listen to through the voice of major characters like Zelda, Link, and more.
But a recent video from Nintendo Europe demonstrating how it works sparked a heated debate. Fans noticed that Zelda’s voice sounded unusual when narrating a text about the Temple of Time, and suspected that the Japanese company used artificial intelligence to create this feature.
Some gamers went as far as contacting Nerea Alfonso, who voices Zelda in the European Spanish versions, to confirm whether she recorded new lines specifically for the app. But neither Alfonso nor Nintendo have provided any clarification, so the question remains unresolved.
Zelda fans speak out
Players in Latin America say Zelda sounds exactly the same as in the games, suggesting that their version of the app uses the same voice actress as the original titles. This only deepened frustration among Spanish fans, who quickly filled the post’s comments section with criticism:
“Honestly, if this is AI, out of respect for Nerea Alfonso, you should’ve just left it in English.”
“Compared to the English version, which sounds completely natural, this one feels AI-generated. The cadence is off. You’re rich, just pay your voice actors properly.”
“I love BOTW and TOTK, and the Spanish Zelda voice is amazing. Why use AI? It ruins it.”
Nintendo previously rejected AI use
Just months ago, Nintendo made it clear that it would not incorporate AI in its game development, citing legal and ethical concerns. The company also recently denied using AI in fictional ads within Mario Kart World for Switch 2.
Now, the company faces pressure to clarify whether AI was involved in ZELDA NOTES. Whether Nintendo crossed a line remains to be seen, but the controversy highlights just how sensitive the issue has become.
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