hyrule warriors
Latest
Miyamoto stopped Hyrule Warriors from being more Zelda than Dynasty Warriors
Crossovers must be tricky to develop – which fanbase do you cater specific mechanics to, and how much of each series' flavor do you implement while still making a coherent experience that can stand without its fanfare? Early talks concerning Hyrule Warriors certainly covered these questions, but more interestingly, Nintendo Life's interview with Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and Metroid: Other M producer Yosuke Hayashi revealed that Hyrule Warriors was initially meant to be more Zelda than Dynasty Warriors. When Hayashi approached Aonuma with hopes of collaborating on a Zelda project, he suggested the pair rethink what's possible for a Zelda game. He still intended to create something that resembled the mainline Zelda series more than the Dynasty Warrior games, however. When Zelda series creator Shigeru Miyamoto heard, he stepped in: Rather than adding Dynasty Warrior mechanics to a traditional Zelda game, Miyamoto insisted that Hyrule Warriors should focus on "grafting Zelda onto the Dynasty Warriors experience," the opposite of what Hayashi originally envisioned. We'll see how the unexpected blend turns out later this month. If you're curious enough to unwaveringly brave the adventure regardless of reviews, there's still time to pick from Hyrule Warriors' pre-order costumes. [Image: Nintendo]
Launch day DLC coming to Fantasy Life, Hyrule Warriors
Among Nintendo's swath of announcements this morning is word that both Legend of Zelda-themed musou brawler Hyrule Warriors and open-world fantasy adventure Fantasy Life will receive downloadable additions at launch. According to Nintendo, once players fire up Hyrule Warriors they will find an eShop download that adds a new weapon, new gameplay mode and the option to select your own background music to the Omega Force-developed Hylian melee. Fantasy Life, on the other hand, will receive new geography. Specifically, a place called "Origin Island," which is described as "a new area that is home to an ancient culture and powerful enemies, additional story content, new ranks to achieve in Life Classes, access to even more powerful equipment and two new varieties of pets to adopt: birds and dragons." While the Hyrule Warriors DLC will be available at no cost to players, pricing details on Fantasy Life's Origin Island are currently lacking. Nintendo states that the DLC will be "available for purchase" at the time of the game's launch, but makes no mention of how much it might cost. [Image: Nintendo/Koei Tecmo]
Amazon: Wii U game pre-orders up following Gamescom
With all the news that surfaced last week during Gamescom, it makes sense that video game pre-orders would increase at retailers like Amazon. As it turns out, the biggest winner coming away from the show is Nintendo, as Wii U games saw the biggest boost in pre-orders on Amazon (8.67 percent). By comparison, pre-orders for PS4 games rose 5.16 percent and Xbox One games increased 2.81 percent. The largest increase for a single game was 42.3 percent for Slightly Mad Studios' Project Cars. Bandai Namco announced a limited edition version of the game last week, which likely spurred new pre-orders. Rounding out the top five are Rise of the Tomb Raider (30.25 percent), Bloodborne (16.08 percent), Hyrule Warriors (11.77 percent) and Quantum Break (10.77 percent). You'll find the full list of the top ten games whose pre-orders increased on Amazon after the break, courtesy of MCV.
Best Buy, Amazon offer Hyrule Warriors pre-order costumes
GameStop won't be the only retailer with special costumes for Link and friends when Hyrule Warriors battles for control of your Wii U on September 26. Best Buy and Amazon have also opened some special chests and ... Dun-dun-dun-DUN! ... have pulled out some exclusive costumes as well. Fans of the latest Legend of Zelda game should head over to Best Buy, where you'll get Skyward Sword-themed costumes for Link and Zelda when you pre-order the game. Those who prefer their Hero of Time to be a bit darker should opt for Amazon, which has Twilight Princess-themed costumes for the tunic-wearing swordsman and Hyrule's most-kidnappable princess. And don't forget, no matter where you pick up the game, if you're a Club Nintendo member who registers your copy before October 23, you'll receive two costumes for Zelda baddie, Ganondorf. [Image: Nintendo/Tecmo Koei]
GameStop nabs Ocarina of Time-themed Hyrule Warriors costume pack
GameStop appeals to nostalgia-addled N64 kids with an exclusive Hyrule Warriors costume pack, allowing pre-order customers to dress Link and Zelda up in costumes originally featured 1998's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Pre-order Hyrule Warriors at GameStop and you'll receive a DLC code for the costumes at purchase, while online customers will receive a code via e-mail after the game ships. Club Nintendo members who register Hyrule Warriors by October 23 will also receive a code for a matching Ganondorf outfit. [Image: Nintendo / GameStop]
Hyrule Warriors EU special edition keeps your neck toasty
The European special edition of Hyrule Warriors comes with the game and a scarf, which is basically the No. 1 item on our "in-box bonuses that are also snuggly things" list. The scarf is bright blue and orange, matching the one Link wears in Hyrule Warriors – when you're fighting off hordes of bad guys, you don't want to also be fighting off a cold, after all. Japanese special editions come with the scarf and a rad Triforce clock. There's no word on North American special editions yet, but our fingers are crossed for some fuzzy slippers. [Image: Nintendo]
Hyrule Warriors' adventure mode has NES Zelda appeal
Nintendo offered new details on Hyrule Warriors during a Nintendo Direct livestream last night dedicated to spilling new beans on the game. The Tecmo Koei-developed offering will include an adventure mode that features a NES-style map inspired by the original Legend of Zelda. In it, players hack through levels with unique victory conditions, such as "defeat 300 enemies in 10 minutes," acquiring and using classic items from the Zelda series to find rare goods like heart containers. Additionally, Zelda fans will appreciate the familiar ability to chop away at grass in Hyrule Warriors and attack the chicken-like Cuccos, which will attack players after enough unjust damage has been done to the creatures. The livestream also touched on the game's leveling and skill/equipment crafting system; we've embedded the full Hyrule Warriors Direct stream for your viewing pleasure. Hyrule Warriors will launch September 26 for Wii U, and those that register their copies on Club Nintendo by October 23 will receive two Ganondorf costumes. [Image: Nintendo]
Hyrule Warriors in the club get two legendary Ganondorf outfits
Nintendo introduced Ganondorf as a playable character for Hyrule Warriors during last night's Nintendo Direct livestream dedicated to the game. As it turns out, Club Nintendo members will have access to two special outfits for Ganondorf in the game as well. Those that buy Hyrule Warriors and register the game with Nintendo's loyalty program between September 26 and October 23 will receive a download code for the DLC, which features costumes inspired by Ganondorf's appearances in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. As the primary villain of the Legend of Zelda series, "The Demon King" Ganondorf will annihilate hordes of enemies with dark magic-like moves and his great sword. Hyrule Warriors will launch on September 26 for Wii U and will feature local cooperative multiplayer and some form of online play, though it won't have an online campaign. [Image: Nintendo]
Zelda villain Ganondorf playable in Hyrule Warriors
Ganondorf, often depicted as the Big Bad of The Legend of Zelda series, will be playable in Hyrule Warriors, out September 26. This particular rendition of the Triforce of Power-wielding villain features a long mane of red-orange hair and holds a large, wicked-looking broadsword. Nintendo announced the news during its special Hyrule Warriors-themed Nintendo Direct stream, which we'll have more information on soon. In the meantime, you can view the stream in its entirety on the official Nintendo site. [Image: Nintendo/Tecmo Koei]
Hyrule Warriors has couch co-op, no online campaign
Nintendo's upcoming Zelda-themed brawler Hyrule Warriors will not support online co-op campaign gameplay, a Japanese-language promotional Twitter account revealed this week. A local team of players can still play through Hyrule Warriors' campaign in an offline co-op multiplayer mode, which assigns one player to the Wii U GamePad's screen while the television displays their partner's character and viewpoint. Hyrule Warriors will feature online play in some capacity, but its core campaign is strictly offline-only. News of Hyrule Warriors' lack of online play comes shortly after publishing partner Koei Tecmo confirmed that the upcoming Samurai Warriors 4 will feature cross-platform online multiplayer gameplay for the PlayStation 4, PS3 and PS Vita. Online play has been a standard feature for Koei Tecmo's Warriors series and its spinoffs since 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7. Hyrule Warriors launches in North America on September 26. [Image: Nintendo / Koei Tecmo]
Hyrule Warriors gets its own Nintendo Direct stream next week
Nintendo is bringing Hyrule Warriors directly to you in another idiosyncratic broadcast on August 4, with an English version confirmed courtesy of Nintendo of America. The game's Nintendo Direct airs on YouTube and the company's site, and the Zelda-themed carnage is set to begin at the not-so-friendly time of 8PM PT/11PM ET. The news follows confirmation Ocarina of Time's Sheik, Darunia, and Princess Ruto join the Wii U game's cast of heroes - you can see all the playable characters unveiled so far in the video up top. However, there's one must-have inclusion we're still waiting on... Hyrule Warriors hits Europe on September 19 and North America on September 26. In the interim, check out our E3 preview to see why Joystiq's Danny Cowan describes the game as the Zelda beat-em-up you never knew you wanted. [Image: Nintendo]
Zelda conducts an orchestra of pain in Hyrule Warriors
Proving once again that the most powerful force in Hyrule is a lilting melody, Princess Zelda dispatches hordes of Hyrule Warriors foes using only pent up rage and a conductor's baton. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Fi cuts through hundreds in latest Hyrule Warriors trailer
First introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Fi is the latest character torn from Nintendo's verdant fields to appear in Koei Tecmo's musou beat' em up, Hyrule Warriors. Though Fi is technically not a person - Fi is actually the living embodiment of the Goddess Sword - she has no trouble dispatching enemies en masse. Most of the time, Fi floats through battle, using attacks that are largely magical, though the trailer also includes moments where the character drops the bipedal act in favor of being the aforementioned sword and cutting a Rupee-spattered swath through her foes. Far from the only Legend of Zelda character in Hyrule Warriors, Fi joins perennial protagonist Link, Midna, Impa, Agitha and Lana, among others. Hyrule Warriors is currently scheduled to make its North American Wii U debut on September 26. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Midna lends Link a hand in new Hyrule Warriors trailer
Twilight Princess' lovable imp Midna headlines the latest gameplay trailer for Koei Tecmo's Zelda-fied brawler Hyrule Warriors, showcasing an array of powerful attacks using gigantic phantom hands and summoned creatures. Midna is the latest in a string of Hyrule Warriors character profiles, following up on previous trailers featuring Link and Impa. Hyrule Warriors launches as a Wii U exclusive in North America on September 26. [Video: Koei Tecmo / Nintendo]
Report: Japan's Hyrule Warriors gets version-specific outfit DLC
Link, Impa, Zelda and a few others will introduce fields of foes to a world of hurt in Hyrule Warriors, but Nintendo Life reports that Japanese fans will earn extra tunics and dresses by ponying up for non-standard editions of the game. The official website appears to offer three different editions of Hyrule Warriors, with courage, wisdom and power-themed costume sets serving as rewarding DLC. Nintendo Life links the courage set to the standard edition of Hyrule Warriors, with the Premium Box version bundling the courage and wisdom sets together. Nintendo Life describes both as three-piece sets, which each feature a Twilight Princess-themed outfit for Link or Zelda, but notes that the Treasure Box edition of Hyrule Warriors will bundle both sets with two additional power-themed costumes. Considering the series' traditional splitting of Triforce pieces, we'll try and curb hopes that those are for a playable version of Ganon ... No DLC announcements have been made for Hyrule Warriors' Western launch, but it's interesting to see Nintendo approaching what feels like a standard practice for high-profile releases from other publishers. [Image: Nintendo]
Agitha, Lana join Hyrule Warriors' playable cast
Nintendo and Tecmo Koei have revealed a pair of new playable characters featured in the upcoming Zelda-themed beat-'em-up Hyrule Warriors -- newcomer sorceress Lana and previously announced Twilight Princess veteran Agitha. Lana wields powerful lightning spells in combat, while Agitha enters battle with a deadly parasol at her side. Also appearing in Hyrule Warriors are Twilight Princess boss Argorok and Usurper King Zant, among many other cameos and callbacks to previous series entries. [Image: Nintendo / Tecmo Koei]
Impa takes center stage in latest Hyrule Warriors gameplay trailer
Princess Zelda's loyal bodyguard Impa enters the fray in Tecmo Koei's latest Japanese-language Hyrule Warriors trailer, showcasing an array of devastating ice-element attacks. Impa seems like an ideal pairing for an agile co-op partner (like pyromaniac Link, for instance), as her gigantic sword is able to cleave through dozens of enemies in a single swing. Hyrule Warriors will hit store shelves in North America on September 26. [Video: Nintendo / Tecmo Koei]
Link discovers pyromania in new Hyrule Warriors trailer
The defining feature of each of Tecmo Koei's "musou" games is the ability to destroy legions of enemies with a few massive strikes, and in that regard, the Legend of Zelda-themed Hyrule Warriors lives up to its pedigree. Above you'll find the latest footage released by Tecmo Koei. It depicts Nintendo icon Link using one of the game's bigger weapons. "Bigger," in this case, refers both to the size of the staff, and the damage it inflicts on enemies. Standard attacks fire a barrage of rings that blast foes unlucky enough to stand in front of Link, while more powerful strikes create flaming whirlwinds, explosive blasts and even summon meteors to crush Link's enemies to bits. In related news, the latest issue of Famitsu (courtesy Siliconera translation) claims that Hyrule Warriors will feature Agitha as a playable character. It's unknown what the self-described "Princess of Bugs" will bring to the large-scale brawler, but it's nice to the see that the oddball character has a life beyond her origin in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Hyrule Warriors is slated to appear in Japan this August, with a European launch following on September 19, and the game's North American debut on September 26. [Image: Tecmo Koei]
Conan 'Clueless Gamer' O'Brien luges through E3
Conan O'Brien may have not been the only clueless gamer at E3, but the TV star's take on gaming's annual LA-palooza is always worth a watch. After talking and playing Entwined, Forza 5, Sunset Overdrive, Project Morpheus and Kevin Spacey In Your Face, things get a bit creepy when 100 Nintendo ladies watch Conan firestorm Hyrule Warriors. There's more Clueless Gamer below the break with Conan playing Super Smash Bros Wii U.
Hyrule Warriors is the Zelda beat-'em-up you never knew you wanted
The next Zelda game coming to the Wii U is anything but traditional fare for the series. Instead, it follows a different set of traditions, basing its core mechanics on Tecmo-Koei's Dynasty Warriors franchise. Rather than putting players in the midst of history-inspired battles in ancient China, the upcoming Hyrule Warriors for the Wii U takes its cast and settings from Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series. Choosing one of nine characters (including series mainstays Link, Zelda, and Impa), players embark on a quest to save Hyrule from vast enemy armies. In the context of the Dynasty Warriors series, this amounts to mashing the attack button and slaughtering thousands of weaklings who dare to get in your way.
