Nintendo at GDC: New Zelda Video Confirmed! Online Announcement Expected

New Link dusted off – Revolution ‘Net plans mooted.

Posted by Staff
Nintendo at GDC: New Zelda Video Confirmed! Online Announcement Expected
SPOnG can confirm that a brand new extended video of the new Zelda game for GameCube will be shown on March 10 at around 11AM Pacific time.

The lengthy feature will follow Nintendo president Satoru Iwata’s keynote speech at this year’s Game Developers’ Conference and will be the highlight of what is increasingly evolving into a consumer interest show.

The revised video sadly replaces the extended version of the E3 2004 roll which wowed (to the point of tears in some cases) attendees at Nintendo’s pre show warm-up. SPOnG was shown that version behind closed doors last May, and despite our best efforts, were unable to secure further access to it. We can confirm that this version will now pass into videogame folklore and will never be seen again.

In other news, several sources published over the weekend are expecting Iwata-san to unveil some kind of tangible online plans during his keynote address. Some publications have claimed Internet plans for both the DS and Revolution will be fully outlined, with Nintendo this morning refusing to outline specifics or issue a denial.

We will bring you updates in the coming days.
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Comments

Ditto 7 Mar 2005 13:15
1/12
I still wish Nintendo had kept with the idea of releasing a Wind Waker II rather than going back to the dull style of OoT.

So what will Mr Iwata reveal? I'm guessing very little. He'll probably do a lot of talking up Nintendo without any real interesting facts behind what he's saying. The gaming press will read far too much into his speech and we'll all be left no better off.

Oh, and by the way, Microsoft can throw it's monopoly money around as much as it wants, but if it's still the only console company supporting XNA it won't get far.
YenRug 7 Mar 2005 13:45
2/12
Adam M wrote:
I still wish Nintendo had kept with the idea of releasing a Wind Waker II rather than going back to the dull style of OoT.


Because, quite frankly, it didn't sell well enough. Yes, the cel shading was very artistic and gave it a certain charm, but I wanted to see something more realistic. So did casual-gamers, who didn't buy it in their droves. It also didn't exactly help that it was released at a time when Nintendo really, really did need to be working on disspelling it's "kiddie" image. As to Wind Waker II, this is apparently using a modified version of that game engine and chronologically seems to be the the direct sequel to WW, from what has been commented.
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whiffer 7 Mar 2005 17:50
3/12
I think we are in for a big surprise... I think whatever Nintendo reveals with Zelda is going to knock our socks off.

With all of the big announcements that are anticipated, it is a great time to be a Nintendo fan period!
Pandaman 7 Mar 2005 19:37
4/12
Online play for the Revolution? Well, as obvious of a move as it is, I'm still curious to see the interface for such a common thing for a system claiming to be completely different from what we know.
shearDS 7 Mar 2005 21:12
5/12
"quite frankly, it didn't sell well enough"

it sold over 2 million copies worldwide not sure about exact figures so i think it did sell well but i don't agree with the other guy about staying with the cel shading.

OoT was far from dull, its one of the best looking games on the n64 and is one of the greatest games of all time!
Newtynho 7 Mar 2005 21:53
6/12
Wind Waker's graphics were mostly fantastic; the only thing I didn't like was Link's model. I mean, was the powerpuff style really necessary?!

Pandaman 7 Mar 2005 21:59
7/12
Newtynho wrote:
Wind Waker's graphics were mostly fantastic; the only thing I didn't like was Link's model. I mean, was the powerpuff style really necessary?!



That's how Link has looked like in every single Zelda game outside of Link's Adventure, Ocarina of Time, and Majora's Mask.
Ditto 8 Mar 2005 08:58
8/12
shearDS wrote:
OoT was far from dull, its one of the best looking games on the n64 and is one of the greatest games of all time!


Says something about the quality of games on the N64... ;) :p

OoT suffered from all the normal N64 faults - shoddy graphics, clunky and unsensitive controls.

The storyline was unimaginative, you spend far too much time walking aimlessly around. Yes, there are some good bits, but's not as fluid and enjoyable as the Wind Waker. TWW also had a touch of humour that was, except for Tingle, missing in OoT.

I actually think that everything improved somewhat in Majora's Mask, which would have been good if they hadn't put the time limit on. The Wind Waker for me was without a doubt the best 3D Zelda with it tying with A Link to the Past for best Zelda game.
YenRug 8 Mar 2005 13:44
9/12
shearDS wrote:
"quite frankly, it didn't sell well enough"

it sold over 2 million copies worldwide not sure about exact figures so i think it did sell well but i don't agree with the other guy about staying with the cel shading.

OoT was far from dull, its one of the best looking games on the n64 and is one of the greatest games of all time!


I think you'll find the only console Zelda game that has sold worse (barring the godawful 3DO versions) is Zelda Four Swords on the GC. OOT sold more copies with a smaller installed userbase, this is the problem that Nintendo found and is why they've accepted that mainstream acceptance of the next game requires a more realistic style.
Ditto 8 Mar 2005 16:42
10/12
YenRug wrote:
I think you'll find the only console Zelda game that has sold worse (barring the godawful 3DO versions) is Zelda Four Swords on the GC.


I thought the only non-Nintendo console to get a Zelda game was the CD-i. I'm pretty sure Ninty never released anything on 3DO - it was a competing format.

OOT sold more copies with a smaller installed userbase, this is the problem that Nintendo found and is why they've accepted that mainstream acceptance of the next game requires a more realistic style.


Nintendo's userbase has been decreasing generation on generation. The Gamecube userbase if definatly much smaller than the N64 userbase, therefore I don't understand how your statement works.
Zeo [banned] 9 Mar 2005 00:10
11/12
Alan is my first name wrote:
Newtynho wrote:
Wind Waker's graphics were mostly fantastic; the only thing I didn't like was Link's model. I mean, was the powerpuff style really necessary?!



That's how Link has looked like in every single Zelda game outside of Link's Adventure, Ocarina of Time, and Majora's Mask.


No, it isn't. At all. Don't pull that.

Adam M wrote:
I still wish Nintendo had kept with the idea of releasing a Wind Waker II rather than going back to the dull style of OoT.


Dull? What the hell? You're crazy.

And Nintendo has to change back because the cartoony look hurt sales.

YenRug wrote:
shearDS wrote:
"quite frankly, it didn't sell well enough"

it sold over 2 million copies worldwide not sure about exact figures so i think it did sell well but i don't agree with the other guy about staying with the cel shading.

OoT was far from dull, its one of the best looking games on the n64 and is one of the greatest games of all time!


I think you'll find the only console Zelda game that has sold worse (barring the godawful 3DO versions) is Zelda Four Swords on the GC. OOT sold more copies with a smaller installed userbase, this is the problem that Nintendo found and is why they've accepted that mainstream acceptance of the next game requires a more realistic style.


Foru Swords on GC is one of the best multiplayer games in years. It's a pain in the ass with the whole Game Boy thing but the GAMEPLAY is amazing.

Adam M wrote:
YenRug wrote:
I think you'll find the only console Zelda game that has sold worse (barring the godawful 3DO versions) is Zelda Four Swords on the GC.


I thought the only non-Nintendo console to get a Zelda game was the CD-i. I'm pretty sure Ninty never released anything on 3DO - it was a competing format.

OOT sold more copies with a smaller installed userbase, this is the problem that Nintendo found and is why they've accepted that mainstream acceptance of the next game requires a more realistic style.


Nintendo's userbase has been decreasing generation on generation. The Gamecube userbase if definatly much smaller than the N64 userbase, therefore I don't understand how your statement works.


First off, yes, it was CDi, not 3DO. Second off, the GameCube has been more of a success for Nintendo than N64, especially gamewise.
Ditto 9 Mar 2005 08:53
12/12
Zeo wrote:

Foru Swords on GC is one of the best multiplayer games in years. It's a pain in the ass with the whole Game Boy thing but the GAMEPLAY is amazing.


I found it good multilayer but as boring as hell single player. I really wasn't impressed with this game at all. Don't come close to the likes of Smash Bros.

Adam M wrote:

First off, yes, it was CDi, not 3DO. Second off, the GameCube has been more of a success for Nintendo than N64, especially gamewise.


How? I don't have solid figures, but if you look at GC sales I expect you'll find they're approaching 25 million. If you look at N64 sales you're probably looking at 35-40 million.

Gamewise is a hard one. In terms of "classic" games, I'd say that the Gamecube has at least, if not more than the N64. In terms of third party support the Gamecube has probably enjoyed a lot more sustained support. However in terms of unit sales, and I suspect profit, the N64 was probably miles ahead of the Cube. When the N64 was around it was a two horse race - not a three horse one.
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