Miyamoto: GameCube Zelda graphics finalised, and Mario Sunshine for Europe in 2002

At last, the speculation is over. Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto recently confirmed that the final version of the wildly-anticipated Zelda game for GameCube would remain cell-shaded.

“The rumours about a more realistic style of graphics on the Internet are incorrect. The version that will be playable at E3 will be practically identical to the version we first showed you at Space World 2001. However, I have made some adjustments to Link's eyes.”

“I find the discussions on the Internet very interesting," he continued. "You've actually started experiencing the game - talking about videogames is also part of the gameplay these days. I won't show any more of this game, because you can only truly understand it once you play it. At E3, everyone will be able to play it, and gamers will be able to decide for themselves if they do or don't like it. I see it this way: if the game is interesting, you might start to value the graphics as well."

The Nintendo demi-god also had some words of encouragement for European Mario fans regarding Mario Sunshine. “I don't want to say much about it yet, only that that thing on his back is indeed sort of a water gun. The controls are actually largely based on Super Mario 64's. I'm only really showing this to prove that Mario's ready to go; he'll definitely be launched in Europe this year."

Both games will be playable at the upcoming E3 Expo in Los Angeles in May this year, from where you can expect live, uninterrupted coverage.