Skyward Sword Could Be Nintendo's Last for Wii

Nintendo has indicated that the Legend of Zelda series could be the franchise to give its home console a swansong for a second generation running.

When asked at the Golden Joystick awards whether Skyward Sword would be the last Nintendo-published title to hit the Wii before the arrival of the Wii U, UK marketing manager James Honeywell told SPOnG, "To be honest, I don’t really know.

"Unfortunately, they don’t really let me into the development circle as such. We know certain things, naturally. I know that Skyward Sword is really tearing it up in the reviews - 10/10 from EDGE really surprised us. I know that there’s a lot of gameplay in there - hundreds of hours. I’m certainly looking forward to playing that across the Christmas period."

Previous entry in the Legend of Zelda series, Twilight Princess, was released right at the last minute of the Gamecube's lifecycle - so much so that it ended up seeing a release on the newly-launched Wii at the same time in 2006.

Whatever Nintendo itself decides, Honeywell did declare that software for the Wii would not dry out following the launch of its upcoming tablet-focused console. "But I’m sure - and there will be - games still developed for Wii right through into the next year as well, irregardless of the launch of the Wii U."

The exec was speaking to SPOnG after collecting a Golden Joystick for Nintendo in the "Innovation of the Year" category. It was accepted on behalf of the 3DS handheld, which Honeywell said had been selling "more units now than the original DS at the same point in its lifecycle. I think we’re quite confident with that." This was in response to concerns that the stereoscopic device had not been a sales hit with consumers.

SPOnG spoke to a number of winners at the Golden Joystick awards - we'll have more choice quotes for you soon.