The end of Zelda as we know it?

[QBert]

i don't know how credible this is but.....

Eagerly-awaited Gamecube title The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will mark the end of an era for the hit series, according to a transcript of a recent radio interview with Shigeru Miyamoto.

"This will be, without a doubt, the last Zelda game as you know it in its present form," Miyamoto is quoted as saying.

He declined to reveal any more details as to how the series will be reborn, but did go on to assure fans that Twilight Princess will be absolutely aces: "Our goal was to make the best Zelda game ever. The most rich, satisfying and [melancholic].
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"I worked on it personally, moreso than Wind Waker. I haven't invested as much into any game as I have this one," Miyamoto said.

"We've really improved it in just a few months. Everything's coming together, much quicker. We may have some last minute ideas," he added.

And it's not just Zelda who'll be getting a next-gen makeover - everyone's favourite Italian plumber is set to star in a new game that will "surprise many people," according to Shigsy.

"Mario is and always has been a concept title from his birth. We are always looking for new ways of playing with him, manipulating him, to create something new and unique. We're in the midst of preparing something special for his future, something never before seen.

"Give us the benefit of the doubt. I think we'll present you with a new way to have fun."

Miyamoto also revealed that Mario is getting a brand new sidekick, but kept firmly schtum on the details. However, he did confirm that Mario 128 is simply a working title for the forthcoming game.

"Of course we will rename it, obviously. That won't be the only surprise of next year though.

"Mario 128 played a large role in the Revolution's conception, much like Mario 64 in its time. But we won't just be focusing on Mario. We're working on some very impressive games which push interactivity to the max. Games of a new era," Miyamoto said.

"We will be revealing many details soon... While our gamers are sleeping, we're busy thinking up new ideas. But while they're playing, we're playing as well," he concluded.

Let's just hope they're not too knackered to finish Twilight Princess - the game was recently delayed until next year, with a Nintendo bigwig saying it won't appear until April at the earliest. Roll on 2006...

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=60754

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

I think this just means that after this game, the Zelda series will be aimed at a more grown-up market, like GTA and Manhunt.


<snickers and runs away>

[Blanka789]

They may be changing it to take advantage of the Revolution's new abilities. I have full faith in Miyamoto.

[Flack]

Zelda "as I knew it" ended when it went from 2D to 3D.

[The_Kodiak65]

good point, Flack....

I mean, I played the newer ones(64-on), but they were never good as the prevoius ones...

[njiska]

Zelda "as I knew it" ended when it went from 2D to 3D.

Not entirely Flack. Zelda did vastly change, but the story and style was still very much the same. A lot of people think OOT was the paek, others think LTTP and still others think the original was the pinicle of the series.


I think this just means that after this game, the Zelda series will be aimed at a more grown-up market, like GTA and Manhunt.

Dear god i hope not. To me Zelda always seemed suited to be a teen rated fantasy which, judging by the general view on Windwaker, is what most people think. Making it more M rated would just be insane. I'm inclined to beleive it will more of a change in control and presentation then more adult content.

[Jumpman Jr.]

Almost every line from the post gets me excited and sad at the same time.

I can't even begin telling you how much this gets me excited:

"Our goal was to make the best Zelda game ever. The most rich, satisfying and [melancholic]."
And where Miyamoto says that he has spent alot of his time with the game is tickling me in a way as well.
I've got really big hopes for this game.
As for it being the end of an era... I can't even fathom what they could be doing. Some goes for the Mario Franchise. I can't really see what they'll be doing differently. It makes me sad knowing that things will change. But it gets me excited knowing the possibility that things might change for the better.

[MegaDrive20XX]

With Miyamoto, you never know what to expect. The man is Willy Wonka pretty much...."We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream."

Whatever he says, goes. Just like Yuji Naka and many others like him who have created what we love so much now. The bottom line is, never tell a professor how to do his job, just nod and accept the test before you.

[SlayerOfFurbies]

maybe they are thinking off making it turn based. LOL
might be interesting


change is always good look what it did to metroid

[njiska]

With Miyamoto, you never know what to expect. The man is Willy Wonka pretty much....

No, i'm pretty sure Miyamoto doesn't look like a pedophile. LOL

[MegaDrive20XX]

With Miyamoto, you never know what to expect. The man is Willy Wonka pretty much....

No, i'm pretty sure Miyamoto doesn't look like a pedophile. LOL

Actually the P-C term is a "Micheal Jackson" :D

[njiska]

With Miyamoto, you never know what to expect. The man is Willy Wonka pretty much....

No, i'm pretty sure Miyamoto doesn't look like a pedophile. LOL

Actually the P-C term is a "Micheal Jackson" :D

Oh right Wacko Jacko. Got ya.

[junglehunter]

/me eagerly awaits a myriad of new games in the Legend of Zelda universe, including Legend of Tingle and also Legend of Epona... :love:

[njiska]

/me eagerly awaits a myriad of new games in the Legend of Zelda universe, including Legend of Tingle and also Legend of Epona... :love:

The Legend of Tingle? Christ now i have to fall on my own sword.

Oh wait you were joking. Well too late now. Crudelius est quam mori semper timere mortem

[dreamcaster]

Zelda "as I knew it" ended when it went from 2D to 3D.
I personally feel that Zelda didn't become a decent, epic and enthralling piece of interactive entertainment until it went 3D.

I know this may sound shallow, but 3D games are (in the context of Zelda) more visually stunning, cinematic and theatric.

Zelda has always been strongly focused on story, and I feel that 2D graphics don't do it justice.

What I would like to see is the introduction of voice acting for the next Zelda. In Wind Waker, it seemed like an obvious short-cut to not bother with voice samples - for which there is no excuse not to on an optical format.

[dreamcaster]

double post

[Buyatari]

****************************************
WARNING SPOILER ALERT
****************************************

After princess toadstool and princess Zelda managed to get kidnapped for the 1000th time Link and Mario meet at the bar over a drink and deceide THE HELL WITH THEM and finish the night out at the local whorehouse.

[QBert]

Zelda "as I knew it" ended when it went from 2D to 3D.

Touche` (or however you spell it) Flack.
I never really got into the 3D ones like I did, and still do with the classics. :)

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

****************************************
WARNING SPOILER ALERT
****************************************

After princess toadstool and princess Zelda managed to get kidnapped for the 1000th time Link and Mario meet at the bar over a drink and deceide THE HELL WITH THEM and finish the night out at the local whorehouse.
Now this gives a new meaning to Mario's hammer.

[Raedon]

I've loved every Zelda game.. 2 was the lamest of the lame and WW was visually amazing but so easy a small child could finish it. I would love a Zelda game with a little more T rated material.. at least a little more romance and maybe some evil plot twists... more chicken abuse.. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/willy_nilly.gif

[Nesmaster]

I can only hope this means that nintendo is getting thier shit together. Now i want to play tTP even more :) :D

[Li Wang]

Zelda has always been strongly focused on story

IT'S A SECRET TO EVERYBODY.

[Griking]

I wonder if this means that there won't be any more 2D GBA Zeldas.

[studvicious]

Zelda "as I knew it" ended when it went from 2D to 3D.

I couldn't agree more. To me, Zelda IS 2D. So far the only 3D Zelda game that I've liked is Wind Waker.

But I guess this article really sums up what the rumors have been saying about the Revolution. It's going to be *DIFFERENT*. How different? Who knows.. I just hope that it's not so far out there that they lose everybody. I do have faith in them though.

[Nes]

IT'S A SECRET TO EVERYBODY.

Eastmost Peninsula is the secret.

[hezeuschrist]

Was it at all necessary for that article to refer to him as "Shigsy"? Christ.

[HyrulianHedgehog]

Zelda has always been strongly focused on story...

Oh. My. God. Have you been playing the same Zelda series as I have? 'Strongly focused on story'?! Nope, not the way I see it. The story has always been pretty tame stuff, just a way to link one boss fight or location to another. Don't get me wrong, I love Zelda, it's my favorite series ever, but come on! The only game that has more than a semblance of story is LTTP.

[njiska]

Zelda has always been strongly focused on story...

Oh. My. God. Have you been playing the same Zelda series as I have? 'Strongly focused on story'?! Nope, not the way I see it. The story has always been pretty tame stuff, just a way to link one boss fight or location to another. Don't get me wrong, I love Zelda, it's my favorite series ever, but come on! The only game that has more than a semblance of story is LTTP.

What about Ocarina of Time? There's clearly a story there. Same goes for the Bastard Windwaker.

[JJNova]

Ummm... The person who wrote this interview, claimed that the conversation took place over the phone, and the interview has not been accepted as really happening. Just glancing over the translations of Miyamoto's words shows that he is talking in a way that he normally doesn't. The only part that really had me thinking it was Miyamoto was when they added (laugh) part into the interview. Still, Miyamoto tends to lauch more than once in a an interview (Because he's laughing at the journalist for asking questions that only he shall know the answer to.)

ALso, when speaking of the LoZ series, Miyamoto is known to say "we'll have to wait and see" more times than he gives riddle answers.

[WanganRunner]

I think this just means that after this game, the Zelda series will be aimed at a more grown-up market, like GTA and Manhunt.


<snickers and runs away>

I can't imagine that's what they intend to do with it.....there's no way Zelda, or any other first-party old-line Nintendo franchise for that matter, will every be a blood n guts franchise like GTA or Manhunt is. Just won't ever happen, and I'm happy about that.

Anyway, I just imagine that they'll totally reinvent what makes up a Zelda game. Thus far, they've been remarkably similar, go to different dungeons, defeat bosses, get pieces of the Triforce (or whatever the hell you collected in Link's Awakening), and defeat final boss. I imagine that formula will go away. The structured puzzles that make a Zelda game a Zelda game might go away too, or change substantially somehow.

[Slimedog]

Maybe it means they are going to start whoring Zelda like Mario. "Zelda Golf: The Adventure of Links"

[Lord_Magus]

All this can only be good news :D

I too have full faith in Miyamoto, and I'm really interested to see what these new changes will be. I don't really think it will be a change in style though, but most possibly a change in substance.

Although I know that PDF was semi-joking about it, I honestly don't expect to see Zelda becoming another Manhunt or GTA, and this is because Miyamoto is a serious enough gamer to not take gaming too seriously. Zelda will never turn into an "adult-oriented" game, as such a shallow approach would only destroy the identity of the franchise. Moreso, an adult in the sense I see it should be mature enough to see through a kiddy\adult surface and appreciate the quality gameplay underneath, and in this sense, I find that every Zelda has been a "mature gamer" oriented game. Manhunt? I honestly can't imagine anyone over 14 getting excited about it... :/

And I can't understand why the Zelda franchise changed so much when it jumped from 2D to 3D. The structure of the game was pretty much the same, the genius level designs and puzzles were there, and overall the high-quality gameplay remained intact. Personally, I see games such as Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time as being monuments to quality game design either way, and whether they're represented in two or three dimensions makes little to no difference for me.

end_rant()

[poloplayr]

Zelda "as I knew it" ended when it went from 2D to 3D.

HEAR! HEAR!

[le geek]

I would love a Zelda game with a little more T rated material..
Add some A rated material and you've got yourself a happy meal!


...and for the unofficial poll LOZ=OOT>LTTP

Cheers,
Ben

[SegaAges]

The way I see it, they always wanted Zelda to be 3D. The only exception would be zelda 2. If he wanted a truly 3d game, lttp would have been more like zelda 2, but it was pushed for the more 3-dimension movement.

The next step for zelda will be awesome, and I can't wait to see what they bring out.

There are so many storie ideas to choose from. If you are talking about gta style, i actually thought it would be awesome if they made a game where a person on this planet during this time was somehow chosen to be the next link. it would not have to be "gta-style", but we could relate to this version of Link more than we could the fantasy one. Let's face it, you have to be on some pretty heavy drugs to have skeletons popping out of the ground when nightfall comes around.

Think about that story, we would be more involved with the character itself, because we could relate to it. Of course, just like other hero stories, it would be the classic "you have been chosen to save the earth whether you like it or not" scenario. A turn like that would be cool.

Either way, it will be awesome to see what Nintendo pushes out after twilight princess

[googlefest1]

mabey they will make a more phantasy star III ish zelda game

link saves zelda - they go thier seperate ways, story splits - they both have kids and name them link and zelda - the new zelda gets kidnaped and link saves her - they go thier seperate ways and they both have kids -- the twist in this generation is that this time link has a daughter and zelda has a son and they both get named link and zelda -- zelda gets kidnaped and link saves her -- this time they get together have kids and they both get kidnaped -- game ends with introduction of a new hero third generation GANON's kid - new series will be called legend of ganon - a more risque storyline of a "good bad guy" remeniscient of the dragon knight games

[HyrulianHedgehog]

Zelda has always been strongly focused on story...

Oh. My. God. Have you been playing the same Zelda series as I have? 'Strongly focused on story'?! Nope, not the way I see it. The story has always been pretty tame stuff, just a way to link one boss fight or location to another. Don't get me wrong, I love Zelda, it's my favorite series ever, but come on! The only game that has more than a semblance of story is LTTP.

What about Ocarina of Time? There's clearly a story there. Same goes for the Bastard Windwaker.

Yeah, there was a story. A stupid story. The best part about that game's story was the small self contained characters that you met throughout the game.

Oh yes, and about refering to Wind Waker as 'the...Windwaker', you've been GANNON-BANNED (www.gannon-banned.com). Booya! :P In yo face!
He's one bad mother f-
Shut your mouth!
I'm talkin' 'bout HyrulianHedgehog!

[Slimedog]

mabey they will make a more phantasy star III ish zelda game

link saves zelda - they go thier seperate ways, story splits - they both have kids and name them link and zelda - the new zelda gets kidnaped and link saves her - they go thier seperate ways and they both have kids -- the twist in this generation is that this time link has a daughter and zelda has a son and they both get named link and zelda -- zelda gets kidnaped and link saves her -- this time they get together have kids and they both get kidnaped -- game ends with introduction of a new hero third generation GANON's kid - new series will be called legend of ganon - a more risque storyline of a "good bad guy" remeniscient of the dragon knight games

Well, if every generation the Zelda and Link siblings got married and had kids, it might explain the pointed ears. By the third generation, you don't need the zora flippers anymore.

[Joker T]

I think this just means that after this game, the Zelda series will be aimed at a more grown-up market, like GTA and Manhunt.


<snickers and runs away>

Not sure Zelda will ever be that Violent.......Or will it LOL

[HyrulianHedgehog]

Although I know that PDF was semi-joking about it, I honestly don't expect to see Zelda becoming another Manhunt or GTA, and this is because Miyamoto is a serious enough gamer to not take gaming too seriously. Zelda will never turn into an "adult-oriented" game, as such a shallow approach would only destroy the identity of the franchise. Moreso, an adult in the sense I see it should be mature enough to see through a kiddy\adult surface and appreciate the quality gameplay underneath, and in this sense, I find that every Zelda has been a "mature gamer" oriented game. Manhunt? I honestly can't imagine anyone over 14 getting excited about it... :/

And I can't understand why the Zelda franchise changed so much when it jumped from 2D to 3D. The structure of the game was pretty much the same, the genius level designs and puzzles were there, and overall the high-quality gameplay remained intact. Personally, I see games such as Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time as being monuments to quality game design either way, and whether they're represented in two or three dimensions makes little to no difference for me.

Agreed! This mofo is on the trolly. He's the bees knees and he answers to no man. He's one bad dude. I'd have his child if I were a woman...

...wait, forget that last one.

[lendelin]

Miyamoto's statements are further indicators that the "Revolution" won't be a traditional console and traditional console games won't be developed for the new system. Something that doesn't come as a surprise.

Nintendo will go in the direction of handheld markets. Statements by Nintendo over the last year about game content and gaming habits and sparse information about the Revolution indicate that.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

I think this just means that after this game, the Zelda series will be aimed at a more grown-up market, like GTA and Manhunt.
Not sure Zelda will ever be that Violent.......Or will it LOL
Who cares about the violence? I'd pay good money to see the new Zelda have a Hot Coffee-style mod that makes use of the line "Well, EXCUUUUUUSE ME, Princess!"

[GameSlaveGaz]

****************************************
WARNING SPOILER ALERT
****************************************

After princess toadstool and princess Zelda managed to get kidnapped for the 1000th time Link and Mario meet at the bar over a drink and deceide THE HELL WITH THEM and finish the night out at the local whorehouse.

LMAO, I was discussing practically the same thing with my boyfriend and his friend Dave. We were talking about how Zelda keeps getting kidnapped by Ganon, and Dave said the next Zelda should start out w/Link getting woken up by a fairy saying "The usual..." and Link just sighs and rolls over. LOL. I mean, I love Mario and Zelda and I've played practically every game in each franchise, but honestly, you'd think by now those Princesses would be able to avoid being caught by their respective kidnappers. I mean, at least Link had some different quests like in Link's Awakening and the Oracle games (although there was a sidequest where you had to save Zelda from Moblins). I think Minish Cap has a different storyline too. It's one of the few games (besides the CD-I ones) that I haven't played yet.

I dunno how I feel about Zelda drastically changing. Sometimes change is good, like w/Metroid Prime. But sometimes it's good to follow the adage, "If it's not broke, don't fix it" I mean, look at Wind Waker. Despite a lot of people loving it, a lot more didn't. Many downright HATED it. Maybe Zelda's not meant to change. It all depends on the direction. I wouldn't mind it getting more mature, but I don't think it has to be so mature that it's actually M rated and full of blood and gore and Link going "FUCK YOU YOU FUCKING MOBLIN! EAT SHIT AND DIE!" That would be too extreme. I love where they're going w/Twilight Princess, I think that's how all Zelda games should look from now on.

I dunno...only time will tell.

[Tron 2.0]

It means to me more, Zelda style games with a LOTR flavor to it ;)

One Triforce to rule them all :D

[NintendoMan]

Almost every line from the post gets me excited and sad at the same time.

I can't even begin telling you how much this gets me excited:

"Our goal was to make the best Zelda game ever. The most rich, satisfying and [melancholic]."
And where Miyamoto says that he has spent alot of his time with the game is tickling me in a way as well.

It does the same thing to me too! I really get excited over the part where he says the goal is to make the best Zelda game ever, which is exaclty what I want. I am waiting for a game to take my mind out of everything like OOT did for the N64. No game has done that to me yet. Yet.

[GrandAmChandler]

I will be dissapointed if they decide to go to a turn-based or card-based system of play. I hope they retain the current trend or (God Forbid!) go back to 2-D or Isometric type view.
We can only hope.

Some other Ideas:

Sim Hyrule - Build Your Kingdom from scratch! Don't forget merchant shops and adequate housing for the Gorons!

OR

Legend of Zelda Dating Sim:

"You approach Princess Zelda. What do you say?"

A. "Excuseeeee me Princess!"
B. "So, How about those Moblins?"
C. "What will 30 Rupees get me?"
D. "Would you like to sit on my magic wand?"

[studvicious]

Some other Ideas:

Sim Hyrule - Build Your Kingdom from scratch! Don't forget merchant shops and adequate housing for the Gorons!

Actually, that would be pretty cool. :D

[Push Upstairs]

D. "Would you like to sit on my magic wand?"

LOL LOL

This is almost as good as the fine tradition of Excel Saga having "put it in" always a choice.

[Wavelflack]

I think I know what this means.
"The end of Zelda as we know it" means that future Zelda games will be released on schedule and not delayed over and over and over.

[Lothars]

Zelda "as I knew it" ended when it went from 2D to 3D.

I agree fully Flack

I've never liked the 3d Zelda games they don't hold a candle to a link to the past and links awakening.

[rbudrick]

Well, maybe since the Mario Bros had Superstar Saga and other RPG games, Link will get a platformer!!!! LOL LOL Before you cry, remember how good all the Mario RPGs have been.

-Rob

[Daria]

Well, maybe... Link will get a platformer!!!! LOL LOL

Like the CDi Zeldas? :P

[blissfulnoise]

Zelda "as I knew it" ended when it went from 2D to 3D.

Without going into another longwinded "Wind Waker is Zelda as Miyamoto originally intended it" speech, I'll just say I respectfully disagree and remain disheartened that most fellow Zelda fans are too * to realize that.

* Please Select Your Choice:

A) Skeptical
B) Jaded
C) "Retro-Passionate"
D) Nostalgic

[studvicious]

Or maybe they think the games were just plain 'ol better when they were 2D. What a concept!!! Honestly, I truly prefer Zelda in 2D. When I first played Four Swords for Gamecube I was quite excited. That is exactly what I would want out of a current-gen Zelda game (as far as the graphics go).

I must say that I liked Wind Waker A LOT. To me, it really captured the feeling of a 2D Zelda and I really got into it. However OoT and MM I can't. No matter how many times I start up a new game, it doesn't take me long to get bored and lose interest. To me, they redeemed themselves with WW and I simply can't wait for Twilight Princess.

I have a theory that people that prefer the 3D Zelda's (more than likely) grew up during the N64 era or either their first Zelda game was OoT or MM.

I guess you can compare it to Mario. To me a Mario game is running horizontally, breaking blocks and stomping on things. It worked for Super Mario Bros 1,2,3, Lost Levels, Super Mario Land 1,2,3, and Super Mario World. That's a lot of games. And when they switched to 3D it just felt different, not "bad" but a step in a different direction - a break from the mold. And I guess that's all people are really saying... "Zelda as I knew it ended when it went from 2D to 3D."