GBA Zelda Minish Cap: Too little too late?

[Pantechnicon]

So I saw the ads for Minish Cap this week. Looks great from a semi-retro perspective, i.e. - the gameplay seems very similar to an SNES as well as GBC sort of feel. Gameplay aside, the graphics look nicely polished without sacrificing much of the old school feel.

And I guess this is exactly what bugs me; why have we had to wait until 2005 for a new GBA Zelda title? Link To The Past was pretty much a port of its SNES predecessor so it doesn't really count. It seems like in between the release of LTTP and now we could have had at least two or three GBA Zelda games for portable gaming goodness.

I've played through all the GB/GBC Zelda titles and am currently playing LTTP on GBA. I haven't played the NES or SNES Zelda games so I'm not a huge Zelda fan but I certainly appreciate the series. Maybe some of you hardcore Zelda fans can sound off and explain this one to me. Do you feel like you've been treated fairly by Nintendo here or deprived? To me it seems like releasing Minish Cap in the wake of the release of the DS is like throwing your loyal dog a gnawed bone. He'll eat it, but you've got something better on the table. Comments?

[poe]

Personally, I'd have been far more pissed if the new Zelda had been a DS exclusive. As is, anybody with a GBA or DS can enjoy it, not just the people who've shelled out $150 for a DS just because at the last minute some corporate turd decides "Let's add just one feature requiring the stylus to play the game so we can make people upgrade."

[MegaDrive20XX]

History does repeat itself, look at Zelda Orcale of Ages and Seasons. Released during the GBA. Giving them bonus GBA features (If you played them on a GBA)

I felt the re-release of LttP was just part of Nintendo's plan for making 16-bit come back for a new generation in 2001-2002. Which had a fuzzy warm feeling for a bit when it came to kids, especially when a kid comes up to you and ask "How do I get to the 3rd Dungeon in the Dark World?" Yet after a while, we got sick of it...we wanted new original ideas.

Still kind of makes me upset on why they didn't release Mario All-Stars for GBA and called it at that, instead of making us milk out $30 a pop for each one...and not even give us an updated Super Mario 1/ The Lost Levels..but that's a different story all together now

Yet, I feel, Nintendo always does these things lately, to test the waters before they dive in, give it a really simple task, add in a few new things and let it ride.

Then afterwards, build a new one from the ground up as a sequel

[Ed Oscuro]

History does repeat itself, look at Zelda Orcale of Ages and Seasons. Released during the GBA. Giving them bonus GBA features (If you played them on a GBA)
Replace GBA with GBC and I think you're all set.

But yes, I'm definitely thinking it's too little, too late. The re-release of LttP with Four Swords, which I can't play at all, has left a sour taste in my mouth in regards to new 2D Zelda games; I'm expecting Minish Cap to be great fun and I'll get it soon enough (I rarely get new games anymore, but I'll find the money somehow) but I'm not impressed at the previous botch job.

Now, the interesting thing is that the new title is completely Nintendo-done, correct? Both the GBC titles and the Four Swords game were done by Capcom...I'm willing for a change of developers now LOL

[soniko_karuto]

Actually, four swords is pretty cool, if you haven't played it.
No i don't mean teh cube version. But it's also cool as hell.

[ubersaurus]

History does repeat itself, look at Zelda Orcale of Ages and Seasons. Released during the GBA. Giving them bonus GBA features (If you played them on a GBA)
Replace GBA with GBC and I think you're all set.


Actually, no. You did get a few bonus features for playing the Oracle games on the GBA. Rings, mostly, if I remember correctly.

[Ed Oscuro]

History does repeat itself, look at Zelda Orcale of Ages and Seasons. Released during the GBA. Giving them bonus GBA features (If you played them on a GBA)
Replace GBA with GBC and I think you're all set.


Actually, no. You did get a few bonus features for playing the Oracle games on the GBA. Rings, mostly, if I remember correctly.
Hmm, I never knew that. Weren't the games released well before the GBA came out? I remember seeing the official site (long gone by now, I'm sure) back in 2000 or so and never read about GBA usage - but then again I didn't check out every feature of the page. Well, thanks for the correction!

[-hellvin-]

Cheated by nintendo? Nah. Windwaker was so damn good that I didn't mind a lack of a zelda title on the gba for so long. Minish Cap looks pretty cool and I'll probably pick it up in the near future I'm sure.

[Promophile]

http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/gbcolor/code/31269.html

yep its GBA

[Ed Oscuro]

Aha! My suspicions were right. The Japanese version of the game was released in Feburary 2001, while the GBA itself was launched on March 21st, 2001. So this was essentially a little bit of forward-looking on Nintendo's part (but really not that much) in programming forwards.

Sort of cool that you can have the game work differently across these sets of hardware: GB plus GBC or SGB (maybe both at once?) and GBC plus GBA (and maybe more?) - more involved than PlayStation games on the PS2. Alas, most folks never realized what Nintendo was doing with the forwards-compatibility. ;_;

[Gemini-Phoenix]

History does repeat itself, look at Zelda Orcale of Ages and Seasons. Released during the GBA. Giving them bonus GBA features (If you played them on a GBA)
Replace GBA with GBC and I think you're all set.


Actually, no. You did get a few bonus features for playing the Oracle games on the GBA. Rings, mostly, if I remember correctly.

You are right. I remember playing Oracle Of Ages and getting a ring for doing so!

Wonder if it works by using the GBA Player on the cube? Would it detect?

[classicb]

To me it seems like releasing Minish Cap in the wake of the release of the DS is like throwing your loyal dog a gnawed bone. He'll eat it, but you've got something better on the table. Comments?

I agree but it also seems like Nintendo is trying to pretend to believe in this three pilars thing they've got going. While I love the GBA I'd be kiding myself if I thought it's going to last into the next generation if the DS takes off. I feel that Nintendo realesed it now to show that their is still some must have titles for the GBA.

[Promophile]

I'm really suprised they released it with RE4. Talk about blowing an opportunity for two big releases. RE4 ate Minish Caps publicity.

[studvicious]

Now, the interesting thing is that the new title is completely Nintendo-done, correct? Both the GBC titles and the Four Swords game were done by Capcom...I'm willing for a change of developers now LOL

I hate to break it to you but Capcom developed Minish Cap too

[Icarus Moonsight]

I found Minish Cap last night at Target on sale for $25. I said to the Mrs., "Holy crap, I didn't even know this had been released yet." So anyway I bought it, while drooling and all. Took it to work with me last night and played it every down minute I had. Got through the opening, If you were hoping for a non-rescue Princess Zelda storyline I'm sorry to dissapoint, but yes. You are charged once again with her rescue... though this time around she's turned to stone... Yea! The best aspect I've discovered so far is the Micro-world and the Macro-world. The boss for the first dungeon (Micro-world) is a regular one-sword-swipe grunt monster (In the Macro-world) that just happens to tower over you by six or so times. Gotta love that Gust Jar! :)

Too little too late? Not for me :)

[NE146]

Yeah I really don't think about it too much. All I know is "ooh.. New Zelda!" 8-)

It kicks ass by the way.. but I've been done with it for a while.

[s1lence]

I'm just about finished with the game and I will say that its an excellent game. Fun game play, good story line, decent puzzles through out the game. I will say this that it is WAY to short, as I'm almost done and I havent played more then 5 hrs and thats doing side quests. :P

[Ed Oscuro]

Now, the interesting thing is that the new title is completely Nintendo-done, correct? Both the GBC titles and the Four Swords game were done by Capcom...I'm willing for a change of developers now LOL

I hate to break it to you but Capcom developed Minish Cap too
Ah. A saw a screenshot of one of the credits with Miyamoto's name on it...so did he actively help produce it, or is that just an acknowledgement?

Oh well, Capcom makes good stuff. I'll get it.

[studvicious]

He was probably just an executive producer on it. But I'm not 100% sure.

[gamegirl79]

I don't know about anyone else but I never get tired of 2-d Zelda games. :D

[studvicious]

To me Zelda IS 2-D, I love all of the games in the series but my favorites are the 2-D hands down.

[joshnickerson]

It's NEVER too late for a new Zelda title! :D

[Pantechnicon]

I'm not saying the game looks like it sucks. Quite the contrary it looks magnificent. I'm just saying that in light of the 2-D aspect, the development and release could have been a lot sooner. Why Nintendo farmed out the dev of a game involving one of their signature franchises as opposed to releasing a Zelda title earlier in GBA's life cycle just baffles me is all.

[Promophile]

Lets see how close Nintendo and Capcom are after the release of RE4 for the Playstation 2

[Bratwurst]

Zelda's not going away like Bloodrayne 2 or Vex after a month. Look at Mario & Luigi Superstars or Metroid Zero Mission, you can still get those games brand new at retail. It may not sell phenomenally in lieu of Resident Evil 4 but it'll sell very well over the course of a month or two.

[NintendoMan]

I think I understand what you are saying. Like why did nintendo decide to release such a great game when they just released their new handheld, like how the DS might OVERSHADOW the release of Zelda: Minish Cap.
I guess you are saying Nintendo should have released this game way earlier before the DS release.
I myself LIKE ALOT how nintendo doesn't release their own licensed characters games every year. I mean hell yes it would be great if they could release a high quality Mario game every year, but that is pretty much impossible. It would most likely be sorta crappy.

[jwl]

What i don't get is why they didn't add Four Swords to this version too. It would've made finding someone to play Four Swords with a lot easier because almost all my friends are getting Minish Cap but only one other friend of mine got LttP, because they already have it on SNES. They put the Mario Bros. arcade game into Superstar Saga as well, why not Four Swords in Minish Cap.

[jwl]

What i don't get is why they didn't add Four Swords to this version too. It would've made finding someone to play Four Swords with a lot easier because almost all my friends are getting Minish Cap but only one other friend of mine got LttP, because they already have it on SNES. They put the Mario Bros. arcade game into Superstar Saga as well, why not Four Swords in Minish Cap.

[Nesmaster]

well i can say that no 2d zelda has interested me up to this point, probably due to the fact that the first zelda i played was in 3d. however i am enjoying minish cap. just beat the first dungeon and cant wait to play it again! :) great game

[Nesmaster]

well i can say that no 2d zelda has interested me up to this point, probably due to the fact that the first zelda i played was in 3d. however i am enjoying minish cap. just beat the first dungeon and cant wait to play it again! :) great game

[Nature Boy]

Why Nintendo farmed out the dev of a game involving one of their signature franchises as opposed to releasing a Zelda title earlier in GBA's life cycle just baffles me is all.

The answer to that question is easy: Nintendo is trying to woo 3rd party developers into it's fold, and what better way than paying someone to develop a 5 star game? Otherwise the endless cycle of only Nintendo developed games succeeding on it's platform is doomed to continue.

To the original question. Am I disappointed it's taken so long: Nope. As far as I'm concerned they can take as long as they want to between releases as long as each game is of the same quality as what I've purchased so far.

(BTW: Have you seen the thread complaining about sequelitis?)

[soniko_karuto]

i haven't picked up my copy, but i've looked at the CC webpage, and it sez sold out. If i'm paying the standard 30 bux, then i can wait till it gets priceslashed or something.

[Lady Jaye]

Just got Minish Cap last week (woo! payday!). I love it. Even though the game does seem pretty short and sweet, I still love it. After all, I really liked the Oracle games made by Capcom, so I expected to be as entralled by this one. :)

[Daria]

This thread seriously confuses me. Nintendo releases a kick ass handheld 2D Zelda, doesn't make it a DS exclusive and people are complaining? O.o

I remember buying Oracle of the Seasons when I first bught my GBA, then sometime last year I picked up Ages. It wasn't all that long ago Four Swords was released (the cube version) and before that of course was Windwaker and the new 3D game's coming out this year. I haven't exactly been Zelda deprieved recently. The game have been coming out at a steady pace for some time now and they've all been different. What's there to bitch about?

[Jive3D]

I bought this game the week it came out (and I NEVER, EVER buy GBA games). This is one of my favorite Zelda games - it had excellent music, gameplay, characters, humor and all things that make a good Zelda game. My only complaint is that it was just a little bit on the easy side. Not once did I get REALLY stuck and had to think about something. Granted I still have 4 kinstone fusions left, but honestly, I don't think that I'm going to bother.

It was very odd timing on Nintendo's part to have this 'old generation' game released alongside the launch of the 'new gen' handheld (as well as alongside RE4). I say, hey they did a nice job releasing some great stuff. But I could have stood to have Minish Cap come out about a year ago when the GBA was still hot - it just would have made more sense from a marketing perspective.

Regardless, the game was excellent - so they could have released it alongside Mario 128 and I still would have enjoyed it. In fact, I bought RE4 and Minish Cap on the same day, and RE4 was the game that was put in the queue.

[Daniel Thomas]

Minish Cap is a great game. It's as good as any other 2D Zelda game in its own right. Anyone who wonders why these games take so long to be finished are clearly not appreciating the sheer amount of detail. Capcom's people were adding features and cramming in surprises right until the very end. They'd probably still be adding things if someone didn't set a final deadline.

It reminds me a lot of the original Zelda in its style (and you are even rewarded with the old sword blast), and there are nods to all the other games. It's also been said that it's short, which is just strange. I've found it to be a perfect length, and was suprised to find it quite challenging. I was actually stumped by many of the puzzles, and the action gets pretty tough in the final two dungoens.

The final dungeon has more of a Mega Man feel, with its reliance on all those extra weapons and boss fights. There must have been some MM designers on this Zelda team.

Zelda Ocarina was the last epic Zelda title; Nintendo decided to create games that were shorter, and thus more accessable. So here's a game that takes two weeks to complete and uncover everything, instead of four. I think it's much better this way; there's something to be said for leaving the audience wanting more.