
Nintendo posts help-wanted ads for staff to work on upcoming Legend of Zelda game, and fluency in Japanese isn’t a requirement.
While certain video game series find far more success in one territory than another, Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda is a certified worldwide hit. Ever since the pioneering first installment in the franchise, Zelda has had a place in the hearts and imaginations of fans around the globe, and now here’s your chance to put your heart and imagination back into the series itself.
Nintendo of Japan has recently updated its online job listings, and they now include two project-based positions which are explicitly specified as being for the Legend of Zelda series. While the positions are being offered by Nintendo’s Japanese division, and successful applicants will be working out of the main office in Kyoto, the company has made it clear that it’s not necessarily looking for Japanese-born applicants, or even applicants who speak Japanese at a native level. Both job descriptions say they’re looking for someone with “a Japanese-language proficiency level that allows for collaborative activity with other team members,” and since that would be a low enough hurdle for native-speakers as to not even warrant mentioning, it’s pretty clear that Nintendo is welcoming of non-Japanese applicants.
The two positions Nintendo is hiring for are 3D CG Designer (Terrain) and Level Designer, with the listed requirements for each being:
3D CG Designer (Terrain)
Responsibilities: Creating field, dungeon, and other environments to be used in the game
Requirements:
● Experience making backgrounds with Maya、Adobe Photoshop
● Experience making environments for HD-era gaming hardware
● Special preference for candidates with an interest or desire to create Zelda environmentsLevel Designer
Responsibilities: Planning, implementing, and fine-tuning game events, overworld areas, dungeons, and enemies.
Requirements:
● Experience as a game planner for console video games
The specific salary for successful applicants (Nintendo hasn’t specified how many people in total it’s looking to hire) will depend on factors including experience, but Nintendo says the pay range for both positions is 3.8-8.1 million yen (US$34,200 to $73,000), with moving expenses and housing allowances of up to 66,500 yen per month also potential parts of the compensation package.
While being chosen wouldn’t make you the first foreign Zelda designer, this is still an opportunity to work on one of the most prestigious entertainment franchises ever to come out of Japan, and applicant can submit their applications through Nintendo’s website here.
Source: Nintendo via Jin
Top image ©SoraNews24
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he regrets selling his copies of the first two Zelda games.

Foreigners welcomed to apply for jobs as designers on Nintendo’s new Legend of Zelda game
The Legend of Zelda’s Link is here to help you navigate Google Maps’ dungeons today!
Downloadable content announced for new Legend of Zelda game before the game’s release
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie releases first on-set, in-costume images【Photos】
Legend of Zelda robe is perfect for relaxing after you step out of your master bath
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese convenience store Lawson now has stir-fried noodle-cooking robot chefs
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Over 400 titles of free translated manga from publisher Shueisha available for a limited time
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Resident Evil’s terrifying Licker becomes a bag in Japan that wants to feed you
Akita Kanto Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, gets an anime twist this year
Japan’s largest online flea market reminds users that selling used school swimsuits is prohibited
Starbucks Japan to open Shinkansen platform stores at Kyoto and Nagoya stations
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie reveals cast for roles of Link and Zelda
Nintendo’s new Zelda game has a female version of Link named Linkle 【Video】
The Legend of Zelda 2017 Game’s New Artwork Image Revealed
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Awesome “Zelda: Breath of the NES” fangame remakes Breath of the Wild NES-style【Video】
New Legend of Zelda Boss is a canned coffee, gives you a chance at awesome jacket loot【Pics】
Japan’s Zelda: Hyrule Lifestyle merch includes Master Sword umbrella, “secret” music sound sensor
Nintendo opens Art Gallery inside Nintendo Museum with concept art for Zelda, Mario, and more
Kid’s mom says video games are pointless, kid grows up to be part of new Zelda game’s soundtrack
Birth of new kusoge legend — Zelda wannabe has copied Zelda music, all-original crazy bugs【Vids】
Nintendo announces live-action Hollywood Zelda movie, co-financed by Sony
One Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask scene is less zany, much sadder to adults, salaryman learns
Gorgeous Legend of Zelda 3-D puzzle sets are on the way to test fans’ wisdom【Photos】
Practical Zelda Tears of the Kingdom merch is here to be Hyrule-helpful in your daily life【Pics】
Zelda isn’t the Nintendo anime adaptation Japanese fans want to see most, survey says
Nintendo launches new Nintendo Music service with decades’ worth of iconic game tunes【Video】