The Legend of Zelda series has been going quite strong for the past 20 years, ever since The Legend of Zelda first debuted on the NES in 1986. Yet for all the enjoyment I’ve gotten over the series, I have to admit one thing: there’s not a lot of innovation. Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto even admitted that the new Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword wouldn’t be a radical departure for the series.
Nintendo kicked off it’s E3 press conference in style this year, cutting straight to the point and bringing out what we all wanted to see: the next Legend of Zelda title, now subtitled “Skyward Sword”. It will feature full 1:1 sword control through the use of the Wii Motion Plus.
Nintendo continues its ongoing crusade to turn more people over to gaming with the upcoming Zelda Wii. According to series creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the series has grown a little too complex over the years. The newest installment in the franchise will have a more “player friendly” control scheme.
“For us, it is important to the to optimise gameplay and make the controls easier,” says Miyamoto in an interview with GamingMedia, “We do our best to make the controls player friendly, since Zelda has become complicated.”
He also added that the game will be “surprising”, though he was reluctant to reveal in what way:
“For us, two things are important: to meet expectations and to surprise people. How we do it this time, I will not reveal. Normally, we create the video sequences, and these sequences are expanded. But this time we started with the game structure. And then with the video sequences. So this time it was reversed. Therefore, we have had little so far from the game to show. But will publish a lot close to the game’s completion.”
While I understand the philosophy here, I wouldn’t exactly call Twilight Princess a “complicated title”, but I guess that comes with being a gamer. I’m still hyped up for the upcoming E3 reveal, though.
If there’s one thing most of us quickly forgot after E3 2009 it was the Wii Vitality Sensor. You know, that little dongle you put your finger into and it registers your pulse and other body signatures. In short many of us were a bit underwhelmed by the announcement and since then no one has heard anything about it.
That is until now: Shigeru Miyamoto recently received the Bafta Fellowship award and before his acceptance speech he had a little chat with games™ in which the Vitality Sensor was brought up:
“Whenever we are going to use any new device it is possible to expand the appeal to those who are new to the videogaming world.
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Details on the upcoming Legend of Zelda Wii title are still scarce, but we’re slowly and steadily getting more and more information.
In a recent interview with Famitsu Magazine, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma said that the game would be Wii Motion Plus exclusive.
“After actually making it compatible,” said Aonuma, “it just feels so natural. Link’s sword and the controller that you’re holding become one.”
Aonuma also mentioned that he hoped to be able to show off the game in a playable state at E3, and that the Zelda team is hard at work on finishing the game, but no spesific release date was given.
“We’ll work hard in order to get you playing it as soon as possible. We’ve progressed in development since last year,” said Aonuma. “At present, the core areas have come into clear view.”
In an interview with Japanese newspaper the Asahi Shimbun, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata discussed Nintendo’s goals for this year, which includes Zelda Wii and quite possibly a new DS.
New versions of the Nintendo DS has been released since the original launch in 2004, but a completely new handheld has not been released. According to Iwata, an eventual successor Will have “highly detailed graphics, and it will be necessary to have a sensor with the ability to read the movements of people playing.” Iwata refused to discuss when said successor will hit the market, considering the DS’ sales record in the US during 2009.
Iwata also revealed, or let it slip, the specifics weren’t mentioned, that the newest Legend of Zelda will go on sale before the end of the year. Producer Eiji Aonuma has previously said he would like to show the game at E3 this year.
Since the reveal at last year’s E3 very few details about the game have surfaced, except for the odd mention of the Wii MotionPlus peripheral, so the months leading up to E3 will certainly be interesting.
In an interview with The Guardian Eiji Aonuma, the famed director behind the Legend of Zelda franchise hints that Link might get to fly in the next Zelda instalment.
He doesn’t want to spoilt the “pleasant surprise” he’s got cooking, but he was willing to reveal this little tidbit:
“I have an eight-year-old son myself at home, and quite recently he started playing The Phantom Hourglass for DS, because when the software first hit the market he was too young. When he started playing with the boat, I told him: ‘In the next Zelda, you are going to be able to ride on the train.’ He answered: ‘OK, Dad, first boat, and then train? Surely next time, Link is going to fly in the sky … ‘”
To which Aonuma answered: “I just don’t know. If many people make many speculations … some of them might be correct. Right now, I have to refrain from commenting on anything.”
Hit the link for the full interview where Aonuma, among other things, apologises for the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time.
Nintendo has slowly been giving out minor hints as to what the new Legend of Zelda game for the Wii is going to be like. Miyamoto has stated he wants to use the Wii MotionPlus peripheral in the game, and for more than simply combat.
Now Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma has jumped on the bandwagon and says the Wii’s first true Zelda game will be something fresh and unique; a complete overhaul that will break away from the established Zelda formula.
“It is something we used to talk about with Mr Miyamoto, and he and I agree that if we are following the same structure again and again, we might not be able to give long time Zelda fans a fresh surprise.
“So we have been trying something new in terms of the structure of the Wii version of the new Zelda game this time. I am really hopeful that people will be surprised with the changes we have implemented for this Wii version.”
Nintendo has planned for the game to be officially unveiled at next year’s E3, but we’ll bring you more news and information as it becomes available.
During Nintendo’s latest financial briefing Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto revealed during a Q&A portion that the next Zelda will not only have “gorgeuous graphics”, but that the team is doing their best to be as creative and possible.
“On developing the recent Zelda for DS, I found out that one of Zelda’s core appeals is its uniqueness,” he said. “Of course we are preparing gorgeous graphics for the sake of users’ anticipation for a grand role-playing adventure [on Wii].
“But what I believe is very important is the realistic, actual feeling players have experienced themselves; the feeling to have really been on an adventure, to have explored the unknown terrains, to have solved the puzzle through trial and errors, to have themselves grown through various experiences!
“In that sense, a personal sense of creativity is becoming important among us. We have assembled one of the most creative team for the recent Zelda for DS, and we want to be as creative as possible for upcoming Wii Zelda.”
To me that sounds pretty sweet. I can’t wait to see what the guys at Nintendo come up with for the new Zelda.
This little piece of concept art surfaced during Miyamoto’s round table conference at E3. It’s basically concept art for the new Legend of Zelda game currently in development for the Nintendo Wii.
As you can see, Link is holding his shield in his right hand, but is strangely missing a sword. And who’s that figure standing in front of him?
