Kid Icarus Uprising was recently released and with it came several cool Easter Eggs. Nintendo games always seem to reference one another in some form or another and this one is no different. In Kid Icarus Uprising there are 2 different Zelda references that have been spotted so far.
The first reference is the chime that is played when solving a puzzle in the Wish Seed Level. After completing a puzzle the chime that plays is similar to the puzzle solving chime from the Zelda series.
The second, and most glaring reference is to Navi of Ocarina of Time. The Fairy Orbitars idol description states, “Tired of pixies asking you to listen?” This is of course referencing the famous and vastly annoying “hey, look, listen” alerts of Navi.
Have you spotted any other Zelda references in Kid Icarus? If so let us know in the comments.
With Skyward Sword being out for just over two months it may be a bit premature to start thinking about the next Zelda title. However, after the incredible E3 tech demo for Zelda Wii U I just can’t help but think of what potential that game has. Nintendo took a gigantic step forward with Skyward Sword and progressed the series in ways unseen since Zelda went 3D in Ocarina of Time. And judging by comments made by Zelda developers, during the entire process, this was just the beginning.
The Zelda Wii U tech demo has left fans wetting their mouths wanting more. Seeing Zelda in stunning HD visuals was an incredible feeling, and a vastly improved Twilight Princess style graphics only helped to bring out its beauty. This graphical representation of our favorite green-garbed hero combined with the innovative new technology of the Wii U, helps to bring the anticipation for the next Zelda to an extraordinary level.
With such a high level of anticipation I cannot help but think of ways that Nintendo can continue to advance the Legend of Zelda series.
HD Zelda
This may bring out some rage with hardcore gamers, but I personally did not like the graphical style of Twilight Princess. Though I appreciated the effort from Nintendo to create a realistic Zelda, I just felt as if it was improperly executed, and did little to provide support to the overall game. In my opinion The Wind Waker was an overall much better game, and the cartoon visuals helped to propel the game in many different ways. For the first time in series history, Link and his counter-parts were emotionally expressive thanks in part to the graphics which allowed characters to express emotions in a rich and vibrant way.
With all of this in mind, I could not help but get excited after seeing the Zelda Wii U tech demo. I am a believer that graphics should be used to enhance a game, like it did with The Wind Waker, and with Zelda Wii U I think this realistic style of graphics could do so. The realistic graphics of Twilight Princess served no purpose beyond being a way to please the fans. With Zelda Wii U, realistic graphics, albeit upgraded, could really bring out elements never seen in the Zelda series.
The Wii U is of course Nintendo’s first HD console which brings out tons of visual possibilities. One of my biggest complaints with Skyward Sword is how dated the game looked. Graphics normally play a minute role in my reviews, but with Skyward Sword I could not help but feel that the Wii did not give the game what it truly deserved. In Skyward Sword edges were rough, scenery from afar blurry, and textures were all over the place. For a game in which Nintendo touted graphics as being a major role in the game-play, it was sort of a letdown.
However, with a HD console Zelda can finally get the visuals it deserves. At CES of this year, the Zelda tech demo made another appearance. This time however the presenter had much more control over what was happening as it was more than just a prerecorded video. Using the Wii U controller he was able to change the scenery from night to day, change angles, and switch the view from television to tablet. During the demo every aspect of the environment stood out in some way. The lighting and attention to detail was by far one of the most impressive bits I have ever seen on any console.
If Nintendo is able to give its best franchise a game with a superior attention to details like this, then I totally support this visual style and hope to see it put into place. With this in mind, I would also like state that I would be open to any other graphical style pending it can bring something to the Zelda series. The Wind Waker’s created a vibrant expressive world. Skyward Sword’s highlighted and improved the use of the Wii Motion Plus controls. And perhaps a realistic Zelda Wii U can finally bring the fantasy to life in ways that Twilight Princess failed at doing.
Downloadable Content
Maybe this will be part of the upcoming Nintendo Network
Word on the street is that Nintendo is finally warming up to the idea of allowing downloadable content for their games. Japan has already received a game that supports this feature and it would be insanity for Nintendo not to follow through and bring DLC to America as well.
The Wii and 3DS eShop have all been good starts to Nintendo’s virtual services, but a fully supported DLC platform on the Wii U would be icing on the cake. Every other console on the market has embraced downloadable addons to their games, and gamers eat this additional content up as fast as they can. The potential is there and enabling downloadable content only brings forth another platform in which Nintendo can make some money.
Now Zelda on the Wii U could be the perfect cash cow for Nintendo’s DLC market. Zelda games always score highly in reviews and despite the open exploration that the series provides, fans are often left begging for more. Skyward Sword was just released and fans are already highly anticipating Zelda on the 3DS and even on the Wii U.
Typically speaking Zelda games have a very long development cycle which leaves a large gap in series releases. This problem could be fixed by offering simple extensions to the games via downloadable content. The lore and history of Hyrule itself offers up tons of side-quest possibilities alone. Developers could add on new game modes, new areas to explore, extra dungeons, extra content similar to what we saw with the Oracles (via game linking), and much more. To get an idea for what I mean just look at the Fallout series. For a fairly low price, gamers are able to acquire several more hours worth of game-play brought via new quests and areas to explore.
I know I would love to see some downloadable Legend of Zelda content. Matter of fact just say the word and I will throw ten dollars towards the download now.
Nintendo Needs to Get It Right
Fail!
When the Wii’s motion controls were announced many envisioned immersive 1:1 gameplay that would innovate the series for the first time in many years. The Wii was released in 2006 and little did fans realize it would take 5 years for the Wii’s first Zelda game to even be released. Yes Skyward Sword ended up being a wonderful entry to the Zelda series and yes one could say it was worth the wait. However, when looking back one can realize all the wasted time and potential. The Gamecube saw 2 full-length Zelda adventures and Four Swords Adventures. Both The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess were fantastic games that changed the series in their own unique ways.
On the Wii, Skyward Sword was supposed to be the game that would innovate the Zelda series. There was going to be a drastic overhaul of the overworld to dungeon formula and many other staple elements from the series were supposed to be revolutionized. However in the end Skyward Sword was not able to bring this change to the level that was expected.
The motion controls were almost flawless and I cannot imagine playing a 3D Zelda game without them anymore. However, Skyward Sword has taken its fair share of criticism for the small overworld, its abundance in fetching quests, and for not pushing the envelope far enough.
With Zelda Wii U, I would like to see things done right. Nintendo cannot take 5 years to push out a product that was barely better (up for debate) than the two previous Zelda games. Nintendo needs to use the Wii U’s unique tablet controller to its advantage and get things done right, the first time.
Have another idea for Zelda Wii U? Something else you would like to see? Let us know in the comments. Also do not forget to check out our latest video from our Skyward Sword Walkthrough.
Earlier today we made an update on an interview with Miyamoto in regards to the difficulty of Skyward Sword. In that same interview with Miyamoto the interviewer asked him on the origins of the famous Hand in the Toilet guy.
Miyamoto stated that it is based off of Japanese horror stories , “There are some ghost stories in Japan where — when you are sitting in the bathroom in the traditional style of the Japanese toilet — a hand is actually starting to grab you from beneath. It’s a very scary story.”
How cool is that? Let us know in the comments what you think.
As we recently reported, Nintendo revealed theofficial Zelda Timeline when the Hyrule Historia Book was released in Japan.
With the official Zelda Timeline finally putting the debate to rest many fans began to dive into the timeline and noticed a variety of mistakes and things that just did not make sense. The reason for this? The simple answer is that its because the timeline is far from perfect and Zelda developer Aonuma confirms this fact.
A recent statement from Aonuma seems to hint that admission, “from the very beginning, Zelda games have been developed with the top priority of focusing on the game mechanics rather than the story.” He goes on to comment about some of the glaring issues, “While reading over “The Full History of Hyrule,” it’s possible that some parts may look contradictory,” he said. “For instance, the Mogma race or the beetle item that appear on the very first story do not appear on any other game that takes place in the future. I’d like to ask everyone just to enjoy the book and to be broad-minded, and to think that those parts are the way they are because of the way Zelda games are developed.”
So what problems have you seen with the Zelda timeline? Comment and discuss them below.
More Skyward Sword Sidequest and Beedle Shop Details
Skyward Sword December 7, 2011 Noah Glaser 0 Comments
More and more Skyward Sword details are rolling out. As part of a discussion on NeoGaf from earlier today I have the following information to provide you all with. To avoid spoiling the game for any of you all click the title to get the details after the jump.
Beedle’s Shop floats around Skyloft in the market area. However it is not a balloon like in Spirit Tracks. It is actually a house that floats by the means of propellers. To gain entry into Beedle’s house shop you must ring a bell and a rope will be dropped that you can climb up on. Inside of his shop is a bed where you can sleep to change day to night.
If you do not buy anything from Beedle he will open a hatch and literally dump you out of his shop.
You can get a Life and Bug Medal from Beedle’s shop. The Life Medal gives you some kind of power and the Bug Medal allows you to see the locations of bugs on your map.
At night-time Beedle lands his shop on a remote island. On that island is a treasure chest that is locked until you find its respective Goddess Cube.
After clearing the first dungeon you can start a lot of sidequests. One of them is found by going to the graveyard at night. Ram yourself into a headstone to reveal a passage. This leads to the demon who wants to become a man. If you bring him enough Gratitude Crystals you will be rewarded.
So what do you think of these rumors? Are you excited for the side quests in Skyward Sword? Let us know in the comments.
Zelda 3DS Confirmed
Nintendo DS November 5, 2011 Noah Glaser 0 Comments
Although most of us have not even played Skyward Sword, with the game launching in a matter of weeks, Nintendo is apparently already making plans for a new Legend of Zelda game. Aonuma, the Legend of Zelda series producer, has recently confirmed that a new Zelda game is in production for the Nintendo 3DS.
Aonuma has stated that Zelda for the 3DS will be more closely related to the console Zelda games that the previous ones for the DS system.
“We are already preparing a new game, a game in the series for the Nintendo 3DS, but don’t think that it is a direct sequel to the Zelda titles released on DS. We are talking about a new game, but it takes much of what has been done on previous consoles.”
So there we have it. What kind of Zelda game would you like to see on the 3DS? A game like Link’s Awakening or a full on adventure like Ocarina of Time 3D? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Popular gaming site IGN has recently been holding a top 100 countdown of the best games to ever be released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or the SNES. The list included many of my childhood favorites including all 3 Donkey Kong Country Games, Tetris Attack, Super Mario World, and much more.
However, topping all of these games was the Legend of Zelda‘s only entry onto the SNES console. This game is of course A Link to the Past. Coming in at number 1 on such a big list is a high honor and just goes to show how great Zelda has always been.
Do you agree with ALttP coming in so highly? What was your favorite SNES game? Let us know in the comments.
Several months ago I was in the car with my mother driving down the highway in Kentucky when I saw a license plate that caught my attention. First of all, it was a horse themed plate which is not the default option where I love, but more importantly it was a custom plate that said Epona. Being a huge Zelda fan I of course had to get a picture. I asked my mom to get closer so I could get a snapshot but my cell’s horrible camera quality would not allow me to capture this moment.
However, here we are, many months later, and I got a second chance. Two days ago I was driving my girlfriend to the grocery store when I noticed the Ohio plates with “number” of Epona. I got close and my girlfriend was able to get a pretty nice snapshot of their plate so I could post it up here for you guys.
So, have you ever seen a Zelda themed license plate? Have any pictures? Share in the comments below.
Skyward Sword is the Turning Point in the Zelda Series
Skyward Sword January 27, 2011 Noah Glaser 0 Comments
With 2010 over for almost a month now we can now comfortably say that it is 2011. Most of our New Year Resolutions have failed and we have gone back to our everyday life. 2011 is now underway and when this year ends 2012 and the Doomsday will begin. With the Mayan’s apocalyptic ending to our lives fast approaching Nintendo has finally decided it is time to give us Legend of Zelda fans what we have all been waiting for.
In 2011, we have 3 different Zelda titles to look forward to playing. The first two are a remake and re-release with Ocarina of Time 3DS coming sometime this summer and Link’s Awakening being released on the virtual console to be available on the 3DS’ launch date.For years we have long been clamoring for a real remake to the highly acclaimed classic that is The Ocarina of Time, and more than a decade later Nintendo has followed through and granted our wish. Ocarina of Time 3DS will feature vastly improved graphics, a better user interface, and improvements on overall gameplay which will further improve on what was a nearly perfect game to begin with.
The mere re-release and re-creation of such a game would be enough to satisfy the fans of most other series. However this is not the case for Legend of Zelda fans. We are a picky bunch. Impossible to satisfy and always longing for more. A couple of years ago Nintendo teased us Zelda fans with the release of a single piece of art for a Zelda game that was in development. That piece of art led us fans into a furor of speculation and theorizing. Who was that girl in the picture? Why does Link have no sword? Does the girl look like the Master Sword?
All of these questions and more were spreading throughout the Zelda fan-base as we wanted, nay needed, more information about this upcoming Legend of Zelda title. Yet to our dismay it would be another full year before anymore news was announced. Now many of us assumed that the next Zelda game would look similar to that of Twilight Princess. After all, the concept art did seem to resemble the style of Link’s last outing on a home console. However this was not the case as we all found out at last years E3 conference.
Nintendo kicked things off right for us Zelda fans. Their conference started with a trailer for what we now know as Skyward Sword. This short couple minute presentation changed everything that we thought about Nintendo’s direction towards the Legend of Zelda series. Some fans were quick to dismiss Nintendo’s decision to return to a form of cartoon like cel-shading claiming Nintendo was again targeting younger kids and ignoring the desires of the hardcore fans. However nothing could be further from the truth. Skyward Sword is exactly what we as Zelda fans have long been asking for. Everything that we have seen about Skyward Sword so far conveys the message that Nintendo has been listening to our desires. We all love the Legend of Zelda series but many of us have also recognized that the formula has grown old and tiring. Link and Zelda needed a little kick-start and that is exactly what Nintendo has provided.
From first glances one can tell that this is not going to be your ordinary Legend of Zelda adventure. The art style is like nothing we have ever seen before in the series. The best way to describe the style is like a blend of The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. Nintendo has of course gone in just about every direction for graphics when it comes to the Zelda series, but this unique blending is something totally new. So why was this style chosen upon? Wouldn’t it just be easier to re-use Twilight Princess’ graphics? Yes it would be, but we have all been asking for something new. No more of this repetitive bland same old same old formula. That is something we have heard for ages. So the best way to get out of a rut is to just start fresh and from the beginning.
So Nintendo is working with a brand new canvas. That’s great but what are they going to do with this canvas? The answer to that is to re-invent the entire way the Zelda series plays. In past games enemies were simply disposed of by swinging your sword any which way with very little strategy involved. However, Nintendo has gone on the record and stated that this new art style was chosen in part to help enhance the gameplay traits associated with engaging enemies. As we saw in the E3 demo, certain monsters must be slashed with your sword in a specific motion. This graphical style allows for enemies traits to be exaggerated to express the methods to their vanquishing. This feature allows Nintendo to get creative with monster development to create an experience that will be like nothing we have ever experienced before. That alone makes the toon-like art style justifiable in itself.
Fire Temple? Who saw that coming?
Next on Nintendo’s palate was the need to change the mindless over-world to dungeon to over-world to dungeon formula that we have all grown tired towards. The formula is so predictable that its borderline offensive towards us Zelda gamers. We all love getting to the next dungeon and completing the challenge but why can’t things be mixed up a little? Now we all know that there is going to be a Forest, Fire, and Water Temple coming up but can’t Nintendo put forth some effort to change things just a little? Well with Skyward Sword they are. According to interviews, the entire temple and dungeon scheme is being redone for us. There will be times when we are in a dungeon and not be aware of this. We may end up losing our sword and having to complete a dungeon and we may be fully outside the entire time and be in what feels like your typical Zelda temple. All of these things would be very refreshing towards the Zelda series. These changes, while overall pretty minor, shows that Nintendo is at least listening and is willing to experiment with the formula to give us a new gaming experience.
And speaking of gaming experiences, Link now has the ability to run (no Bunny Hood required) and has several other abilities that are linked to a power meter. I find this to be a great new addition that will add some depth to the series. Link will also be able to access his items on the go without the need to pause the game and swap things out. This addition is an excellent move by Nintendo to once again provide us with something that seems pretty petty but has the capability to vastly improve gameplay. For a comparison we can look at Resident Evil 4 and 5. In 4 we had to pause the game to equip a new gun or to heal ourselves. In Resident Evil 5 there was no pausing of the game to change anything. This improved the gameplay in several ways. First of all everything was streamlined. Nobody likes having to pause in the middle of action to equip an item. It just throws off the flow of the game, but the best part is that it can add to the challenge a bit. Say you are in the middle of an intense boss fight and you are running low on health. You have that potion in your inventory and in the past you could simply pause, drink it up, and be good to go. However with this new method you cannot take the easy way out. You will have to man up and equip it while avoiding attacks and then find the time to take a drink. The Zelda series after all has been gradually getting easier and easier for years now. The last Zelda title that provided any degree of real difficulty was Majora’s Mask so I welcome this change with open arms. Now if only Nintendo can guarantee that the bosses will provide that challenge. I know that in Twilight Princess the hardest part of the bosses was finding a way to actually die.
Now speaking of dying, we have all been dying for orchestrated music to works its way into a Zelda game for years now. Yes we have had compositions here and there but we have never had the full pleasure of a completely 100% orchestrated soundtrack. According to a round table discussion with Shigeru Miyamoto, Skyward Sword will be fully orchestrated. A sigh of relief was heard around the world when this was announced as a simple thing like music quality can go a long way in improving a gaming experience.
Lastly, the plot of Skyward Sword needs to be addressed. Us old Nintendo fans like me (being 20 years of age here) remember the good old days of Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World. These games were a hug part of my childhood and still stick out as some of the best games I have ever played. So while Nintendo needs to advance the games they also need to bring things back to their roots. As we all know, Nintendo has done just that with New Super Mario Bros Wii (a game I was not expecting much of) and Donkey Kong Country Returns. Both of these games took their respective series back to their roots while expanding on things. As a result both scored very highly in reviews and were best sellers. Nintendo needs to mimic this concept with Skyward Sword. and go back to the roots of the Zelda series. The game has already been confirmed to be the first in the series being before Ocarina of Time. This plot placement brings a lot of promise to the notion of bringing Zelda back to its roots. Maybe we can see the return of some of our favorite Zelda races like the Kokiri or Sheikah. Since the plot focuses on the creation of the Master Sword we already know that we can expect some twists in the game that will most likely cause us to look back and remember the past Zelda games and look back saying “so that’s why this happened.” Returning to the roots is not only hugely profitable for Nintendo at the moment, but us fans love being able to connect the dots and return to our glory days.
So no matter how one looks at things, Skyward Sword is shaping up to be the turning point in the Zelda series. Nintendo has shown us that they finally care and respect our desires, so as long as they stick on course then we will have 2011′s game of the year on our very own Nintendo Wii. As long as they stick on course we then we will have a brand new Zelda experience with an exciting new formula. And as long as they stick on course, us Zelda fans will have something entire fresh and new to nitpick about. More for us to ask for and more above expectations for Nintendo to try to meet.
Sadly however we still have several more months of waiting. Recent rumors have the game pushed back to a late 2011 release date but that’s fine with me. That just leaves Nintendo more time to put more of our dreams into Skyward Sword.
Skyward Sword: Game of the Year?
Skyward Sword October 10, 2010 Noah Glaser 0 Comments
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is not even set to be released until 2011, and with 5 months still remaining in 2010, I think it is safe to predict that Skyward Sword will be 2011′s game of the year across all platforms.
Twilight Princess was released at the end of the Gamecube’s life on an already near dead console, and on the Wii which was not full in the market yet due to supply shortages. Still, with such disadvantages in its release period, it managed to sell near 7 million copies. When expressing feelings concerning low sales of Twilight Princess (despite being number 2 all time in the series), Miyamoto said, “a lot of the people who would want to play it can’t find a Wii!” As of June of this year, nearly 71 million Wiis have shipped, giving Skyward Sword a much larger market base than Twilight Princess had at its prime market life. Making a conservative estimate, I think it can be safe to say that Skyward Sword will, by the end of its life, sell a minimum of 8-9 million copies, even surpassing sales of The Ocarina of Time.
Sales is not all that determines a games place in the market however. While it is safe to assume it will sell quite well, it will also bring new things to the Zelda and gaming community alike. Every time a Zelda game is released it comes to much acclaim, but as Retro Studios fine tuned Metroid’s gameplay to the Wii’s emersive controls, the Wii-motion plus will do the same for Zelda. Gone will be the simple methodology of wailing on a fallen or unguarded opponent, and for the first time in the series will come true precision combat. As demoed at E3, the player will literally control Link’s Sword using the wii-mote. From precision attacks, to how Link yields the Sword, where he aims and strikes, the player will be in full control. No more will we only pull the sword out and swing wildly, this will be all about stepping into Link’s shoes and being in control.
Behind the game play will also be a brand new storyline that ties into the other Hylian myths already presented in past titles. While bringing out the nostalgia side in all of us through giving the origins of the Master Sword, and of course returning characters such as Zelda and presumably Ganon, we will also be seeing a new side of the myth and perhaps the very beginning of it all.
Nintendo has been known to make some controversial choices in graphics concerning The Legend of Zelda franchise, ranging anywhere from cartoons to the first ever T rated Zelda portrayed in realism. New to the series will be this surrealistic style that mixes vibrant colors and a rough palette with realistic designs. And to accompany the new graphics will of course be a fully orchestrated soundtrack, bringing new depth and excitement to the Zelda world.
On a final point, Nintendo always puts advertising dollars into its Zelda series and game critics have consistently rated the games in the high 8′s. 9′s and almost 10/10′s. Just adding good publicity to an already excited fan base, new graphics and soundtrack style, and brand new game play and controls and we are looking at the top selling and critically acclaimed game of the year, Zelda Skyward Sword.
