Exclusive: Zelda Twilight Princess to miss 2005
Key GameCube title slips into distance
SPOnG believes that this morning Nintendo will make a global announcement that will see the key GameCube title Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess miss its 2005 launch date, sliding into the early part of 2006.
This disaster for Nintendo's Christmas killer-app will no doubt devastate fans who have salivated over the title since it was debuted at E3 2004, at which it must be stated, people started crying with happiness. It also worth noting that the somewhat downtrodden GameCube platform will have little on offer to compete with Xbox, an expected price cut on PlayStation 2 hardware and of course, Microsoft's Xbox 360, destined to occupy a massive amount of shelf space this Yule.
We have no reason for this slip at time of press, other than the game simply isn't finished. We have been told by Nintendo representatives for some time that LOZ:TP aims to deliver the deepest, richest and, perhaps crucially largest Zelda world to date, so our best guess is that the development team simply ran out of time.
Of course, this isn’t the end of Zelda or the GameCube by any means. It's worth bearing in mind that with the street price of the GameCube as low as it is, a game of this calibre will shift units all day long.
And of course, you can always play it on your brand-new Revolution…
We’ll bring you confirmation on this as we get it, expected later on today. SPOnG will update this news accordingly.
Update: Nintendo contacted us with the following statement:
Nintendo also sent us some nice new screens, included with this article.
This disaster for Nintendo's Christmas killer-app will no doubt devastate fans who have salivated over the title since it was debuted at E3 2004, at which it must be stated, people started crying with happiness. It also worth noting that the somewhat downtrodden GameCube platform will have little on offer to compete with Xbox, an expected price cut on PlayStation 2 hardware and of course, Microsoft's Xbox 360, destined to occupy a massive amount of shelf space this Yule.
We have no reason for this slip at time of press, other than the game simply isn't finished. We have been told by Nintendo representatives for some time that LOZ:TP aims to deliver the deepest, richest and, perhaps crucially largest Zelda world to date, so our best guess is that the development team simply ran out of time.
Of course, this isn’t the end of Zelda or the GameCube by any means. It's worth bearing in mind that with the street price of the GameCube as low as it is, a game of this calibre will shift units all day long.
And of course, you can always play it on your brand-new Revolution…
We’ll bring you confirmation on this as we get it, expected later on today. SPOnG will update this news accordingly.
Update: Nintendo contacted us with the following statement:
Our development team has decided to take extra time to add some incredible new elements to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. As a result, the game will now launch in 2006 globally. We recognize there may be some disappointed fans, however we firmly believe this additional time will result in a much more enjoyable gaming experience. GameCube fans will have a variety of Nintendo games to choose from this Christmas, including Mario Smash Football, Battalion Wars, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.
Nintendo also sent us some nice new screens, included with this article.
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Comments
Joji 16 Aug 2005 08:36
1/7
New it would be something like this. We are so used to Nintendo disappointing us it's almost become a national gaming hobby.
Mind you there's plenty of other stuff to bag on DS and GC, import or official. It's gonna be another xmas gaming blow out for me but my DS is gonna feel the most of it.
Shold be interesting to see if this Zelda delay effects it's high sales potential after 360 is out. That £300 price doesn't looks too bad for what you are getting and once some hook up to Xbox Live they might not return for Zelda TP. I'll still bag a Zelda though.
One weird question though, we don't mind games being held back for improvements, so why is it Nintendo have this for attitude GC Zelda, but DS Metroid Hunters gets pushed out without the online functions that we wanted and would have waited extra time for so badly? What are you playing at Nintendo?
Mind you there's plenty of other stuff to bag on DS and GC, import or official. It's gonna be another xmas gaming blow out for me but my DS is gonna feel the most of it.
Shold be interesting to see if this Zelda delay effects it's high sales potential after 360 is out. That £300 price doesn't looks too bad for what you are getting and once some hook up to Xbox Live they might not return for Zelda TP. I'll still bag a Zelda though.
One weird question though, we don't mind games being held back for improvements, so why is it Nintendo have this for attitude GC Zelda, but DS Metroid Hunters gets pushed out without the online functions that we wanted and would have waited extra time for so badly? What are you playing at Nintendo?
TigerUppercut 16 Aug 2005 08:54
2/7
It's a totally valid question. I think Zelda is true top level IP developed in house in Kyoto. Remember that Metroid is made by white devils in the US and was all but dead until Prime...
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OptimusP 16 Aug 2005 09:43
3/7
Well... now it's for sure... this will turn out to be the best game for this generation (and probably another contender from Nintendo for the title Best Game Ever), partly because it's frikkin Zelda (and their working so long on it) and partly because MS is jumping the gun with their X360 (giving developers not the chance to push both GC and Xbox to the very limit).
Or....Aonuma and Shigsy have been smoking to much crack for their own good.
Or....Aonuma and Shigsy have been smoking to much crack for their own good.
soanso 16 Aug 2005 11:46
4/7
I knew this would happen. always does.
I'm wondering what the real reason for holding Zelda back is. I read a comment from Perrin Kaplin of nintento of america where she says about the delay "it will absolutely enrich the game and make it a multi-million seller."
Well I don't believe that. The fact that it's Zelda and a proper Zelda at that, means it would be a multi million seller and as for enriching the game, I don't think that amount of time is going to be enough if you want to add something that is going to make it THAT much better a game.
Of course the Euro release of most big GC games has always been in March which is always a pretty quiet time for games. It also means that your game won't get lost in the christmas rush, which maybe is the real reason to delay Zelda. Maybe they are scared of being in the middle of an XBOX360/PSP sandwich.
It's a shame, they might have picked up some more sales due to the SHORTAGE of other consoles. (come on there always is a shortage)
I'm wondering what the real reason for holding Zelda back is. I read a comment from Perrin Kaplin of nintento of america where she says about the delay "it will absolutely enrich the game and make it a multi-million seller."
Well I don't believe that. The fact that it's Zelda and a proper Zelda at that, means it would be a multi million seller and as for enriching the game, I don't think that amount of time is going to be enough if you want to add something that is going to make it THAT much better a game.
Of course the Euro release of most big GC games has always been in March which is always a pretty quiet time for games. It also means that your game won't get lost in the christmas rush, which maybe is the real reason to delay Zelda. Maybe they are scared of being in the middle of an XBOX360/PSP sandwich.
It's a shame, they might have picked up some more sales due to the SHORTAGE of other consoles. (come on there always is a shortage)
ohms 16 Aug 2005 15:11
5/7
If it's delayed till next year, I'll be surprised if we see it before the summer, in which case to release it now on GC would be foolish.
I was doubtful about the timing of this release before, but after this delay, forget it.
Unless they're planning to delay Revolution to late 06/early 07, which I wouldnt put past them, the best thing for Nintendo would be to make Twilight Princess a Revolution launch title. They're really gonna need some killer apps for the launch to compete with 360 and PS3, so Zelda TP side-by-side with Mario 128 (if it exists), would be a good start.
Dont get me wrong, I'd much rather have had it on my 'cube. It's probably the last game I'm going to play on GC, but with this delay now, it would be foolish to release it so late in the console's life, and so close to Revolution launch.
I was doubtful about the timing of this release before, but after this delay, forget it.
Unless they're planning to delay Revolution to late 06/early 07, which I wouldnt put past them, the best thing for Nintendo would be to make Twilight Princess a Revolution launch title. They're really gonna need some killer apps for the launch to compete with 360 and PS3, so Zelda TP side-by-side with Mario 128 (if it exists), would be a good start.
Dont get me wrong, I'd much rather have had it on my 'cube. It's probably the last game I'm going to play on GC, but with this delay now, it would be foolish to release it so late in the console's life, and so close to Revolution launch.
kid_77 16 Aug 2005 15:30
6/7
LOZ:TP as a Revo launch game is something I've been championing for a while. There aren't many other games that'd have the same impact.
Ditto 17 Aug 2005 11:51
7/7
kid_77 wrote:
LOZ:TP as a Revo launch game is something I've been championing for a while. There aren't many other games that'd have the same impact.
Or would cause a serious loss of consumer confidence in Nintendo.
They won't put it back to Rev. Too many of the Rev's other launch titles (Mario 128), and after commiting to Gamecube, Nintendo would be foolish to release it on Rev.