the legend of zelda
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This Majora's Mask-inspired Christmas carol is smashing
Yeah, so you played - or are at least familiar with the premise of - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and saw where this was going. The video is still smile-worthy! And hey, maybe you can make your own Majora music video when Majora's Mask 3D comes to 3DS in spring 2015. [Image: Nintendo]
Tour the open world of The Legend of Zelda on Wii U
Remember that Legend of Zelda game announced back at E3? You know, the one where Link is definitely not a girl? Well, Nintendo revealed a good chunk of gameplay during The Game Awards this weekend, showcasing a massive, open world as well as the new combat tricks such as slow-mo arrow firing after leaping from Epona's back. Your tour guides through this very, very green world are designer of the original The Legend of Zelda, Shigeru Miyamoto, and Legend of Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma. And while this Legend of Zelda game for Wii U is at the forefront of their discussion, the duo also discuss the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3DS and a Wii U entry in the Star Fox franchise. The Legend of Zelda: Subtitle TBA, as well as the Wii U Star Fox game and Majora's Mask 3DS are all due in 2015. [Image: Nintendo]
Zelda-themed Symphony of the Goddesses returns in 2015
The Legend of Zelda-themed orchestra Symphony of the Goddesses begins a new tour next month, the "Master Quest." The concert series will kick off at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee on January 21 and 22, wrapping its nine-month tour at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas on October 22. Symphony of the Goddesses will perform an orchestral score approved by The Legend of Zelda series composer Koji Kondo. The four-movement symphony features the stories of Zelda games such as Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess and Link to the Past. Head past the break for the full list of dates for the Symphony of Goddesses Master Quest tour. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask will receive a 3D remake for 3DS in spring 2015.
Joystiq Presents: A Zelda Story
Do you remember the first day you played your favorite game? What about the moment you bought that game; what lengths did you go to pick it up? Joystiq's own Reviews Content Director Richard Mitchell (@TheRichardM) recalls the story of the the day he bought The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo 64, and discusses the patience of his mother with our Community Manager, Anthony John Agnello (@ajohnagnello). Listen to the MP3
Aonuma: Majora's Mask 3DS won't be 'just another remake'
Between The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds' mask-shaped easter egg and Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma's hesitation to rule out a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, fans of Link's dark, odd journey through Termia might have seen this week's 3DS remake confirmation coming. While the news of another Zelda remake is interesting on its own, Aonuma's recent Miiverse post explains that Majora's Mask 3D won't be a simple, graphically-polished port. Though its development began "almost immediately" after 2011's Ocarina of Time 3D remake was completed, Aonuma and the team waited to talk about Majora's Mask 3D until he could say "this is not going to be just another remake and that it's going to be worth your time." He added: "We've spent a lot of time making sure the gameplay experience is smoother than in the original version without taking away form this unique world." Unfortunately, we'll have to let that moon creep a little closer before we learn the extent of Majora's Mask 3D's changes. Purists shouldn't be too surprised though – last year's Wind Waker HD received a few tweaks of its own, including Miiverse-compatible Tingle bottles, Link selfies and a simplified Triforce treasure hunt. [Image: Nintendo]
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D arrives in spring 2015
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask will get a re-release in spring 2015 for Nintendo 3DS and 2DS, Nintendo announced today during a Nintendo Direct livestream. The game's predecessor, Ocarina of Time, got its own 3DS remake in 2011. First launching in 2000 for Nintendo 64, a Majora's Mask remake has been teased for some time, notably in November 2011 when series producer Eiji Aonuma deemed the 3D version a possibility. Fans in Europe will be able to pick up a special edition of the game, which will include a steelbook case, pin badge and two-sided poster. [Image: Nintendo]
Link's Master Cycle makes spirit tracks in Mario Kart 8 DLC
The first downloadable content pack for Mario Kart 8 will include a special motorcycle inspired by the Legend of Zelda series, Nintendo revealed on Twitter. The Master Cycle features Link's iconic Hylian Shield on the side and a body shape that vaguely resembles a horse. Seen in the concept art above, the cycle also sports a blue and gold paint job and a Triforce on the front wheel. The Master Cycle is one of four new vehicles arriving in the November DLC pack, another being Mario's B Dasher kart from Mario Kart DS. The pack will also include three new playable racers, Link, Tanooki Mario and Cat Peach, as well as eight race tracks. Mario Kart 8's first piece of DLC will cost $8 on its own, though players will be able to pick it and another pack up in a two-for-one bundle for $12. The second DLC pack is Animal Crossing-themed and will arrive in May 2015. [Image: Nintendo]
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]
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]
Fashion thesis dresses you like a thoroughly modern Link
Andrew Shields, a student at Parsons the New School of Design, believes that while it isn't easy being green, Link still looks spectacular decked out in viridian. Hyrule's chosen warrior and his companions in The Legend of Zelda are the inspiration for Shields' BFA thesis, a men's clothing line that will be ready-to-wear provided he acquires the necessary funding to see it complete. "When I was young I wasn't really allowed to play with Barbies or draw dresses in my notebook, so I stopped and played on the computer, and I learned to play video games," explains Shields, in a brief video on Kickstarter. "My thesis is based on The Legend of Zelda, a game that helped shape my childhood and taught me how to explore and navigate through life." Navigation Awaits, the name of Shields' line, includes 21 items making up seven different outfits. These range from leafy t-shirt and jeans combos that look like Link's preferred outfit for an Avicii show to more avant garde numbers right out of a Cirque de Soleil adaptation of Twilight Princess. "The Hyrulian wardrobe is pretty diverse and proportions are pretty well developed so I think most people could pull it off," Shields told Joystiq via email. "If there really was a big difference I would say the addition of synthetics and metal notions like zippers." "I did think on changing the theme of my collection, by taking inspiration from only Majora's Mask, and doing a really dark, twisted collection. Ultimately, I decided a lighter collection would represent the greater whole and thats more what I wanted to do." The real question: Will you get to wear these designs?
Majora's Mask HD fan project shows off new assets
Artists Pablo Belmonte and Paco Martinez have been hard at work at recreating a multitude of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask assets in high-definition, resulting in the video you see above, as well as the small puddle of drool you see at our feet. The pair released a concept trailer back in 2012, but with new assets revealed in the video released earlier today, it appears that Belmonte and Martinez are still working through the plethora of enemies and locations from Majora's Mask. Sadly, we doubt such a thing will ever be playable; if not due to Nintendo shutting it down, then due to the project's own scope. Nowhere in the video description is it implied that this is meant to be a playable game, but that "its ultimate purpose is to be presented to Nintendo Co." Still, Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma did say that Nintendo was "seriously considering" a re-release of Majora's Mask. Quick, everyone! Cling to vain hope! Cling as hard as you can! [Image: Nintendo/Pablo Belmonte & Paco Martinez]
Do not collect 200 rupees in Monopoly: The Legend of Zelda
You know, when we were kids playing Monopoly, all we had to choose from were the thimble, shoe, top hat, car, wheelbarrow, dog and battleship, and cousin Johnny always took the battleship! Hmph! Well, kids today won't have to suffer such indignities thanks to USAopoly, the company behind custom versions of classic board games; they're releasing Monopoly: The Legend of Zelda Edition, complete with way cooler player tokens. Customers who pick up this special version of Monopoly will be able to choose from such Zelda series staples as the Bow, Hookshot, Boomerang, Triforce and Hylian Shield to represent their progress. If you're picking up the board game from GameStop, you'll also be able to choose the Ocarina of Time. The GameStop edition also comes with six "Power Cards" to tweak gameplay and a Hyrule map lithograph, all packaged inside an exclusive square box. A GameStop pre-order page for Monopoly: The Legend of Zelda Edition lists September 15 as a release date. If nothing else, it might not be a bad way to pass the time until Hyrule Warriors hits shelves on September 26. [Image: USAopoly]
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]
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]
Legend of Zelda producer says female Link theories are rumor
Game trailers have a way of getting people buzzing, and the presence of a new Legend of Zelda game at E3 stirred up noise louder than a bumblebee alarm clock. As fans searched every frame for detail, one particular question began to circulate: "Was that a girl we saw in the trailer?" According to series producer Eiji Aonuma, the answer is no. Interestingly, it was Aonuma's own comments that fueled the speculation fire: "Another interesting comment I've heard, quite frequently actually, is that, 'Oh Link's a woman. Link is female now,'" Aonuma told Game Informer. "That might be something that consciously we kind of did, but not to say anything specific – I am not saying anything specific – but, I am hoping people continue to comment, and I will continue to follow the fan comments and reactions to the trailer." However, Aonuma clarified to MMGN that his comments were made "jokingly," and that the rumor has taken off more than he intended. That said, Aonuma told MMGN he hopes players won't get caught up in the sex of the legendary hero. "I don't want people to get hung up on the way Link looks because ultimately Link represents the player in the game," Aonuma said. "I don't want to define him so much that it becomes limiting to the players. I want players to focus on other parts of the trailer and not specifically on the character because the character Link represents, again, the player." [Image: Nintendo]
Nintendo reveals Wii U Zelda sequel, coming 2015
During Nintendo's E3 press conference, Eiji Aonuma revealed a new entry in the fan-favorite Legend of Zelda series. Scant information was offered, but we were shown an attractive vignette, featuring Link riding his trusty steed Epona away from what appears to be a particularly angry, laser-equipped Octorok. Aonuma claims the game will be far less linear than past Zelda entries, a change he says "will create new opportunites for gameplay not seen in earlier Zelda games." No solid release date was offered for this as-yet-unnamed Wii U Zelda sequel, but it should arrive at some point during 2015 in both North America and Europe.
Hedgehog visits Hyrule in free Sonic: Lost World DLC
Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog crosses over with Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series in a free Sonic: Lost World DLC level available from the Wii U eShop starting today. Lost World's "The Legend of Zelda Zone" dresses Sonic up in Link's garb and pits him against familiar enemies from Nintendo's classic franchise. What starts off as a lighthearted trek through an approximation of Hyrule Field soon turns deadly, as Sonic must defeat Deku Scrubs, flee rolling Gorons, and face off against the most sinister enemies of all -- Cuccos. This isn't the first time that Nintendo has loaned out its franchise settings for Sega's latest hedgehog adventure. A Sonic: Lost World level based on Yoshi's New Island hit the Wii U eShop back in December, pairing Sega's mascot with Shy Guys and Piranha Plants against a pastel-colored backdrop. [Image: Sega]
Zelda and Pokemon Monopoly unveiled at Toy Fair, start family fights in 2014
Do not pass "Go," do not collect 200 rupees, go straight to Kakariko Village jail. Tough luck, draw a Chance card. Oops, you've picked up the Pokeball Maintenance card. Pay the bank a cool 500 Pokedollars, chump. These and other friendship-ending, family-rending frustrations can all be yours when USAopoly drops The Legend of Zelda and Pokemon Monopoly boardgames on the general public in 2014. Announced at Toy Fair International 2014 in February, USAopoly will extend its vast empire of licensed Monopoly boardgames with two of Nintendo's most recognized franchises. Both boards will cost $45. The Pokemon board is specific in its selections for Boardwalk and Park Place proxies, sticking to the Kanto region Pokemon Leaf Green and Pokemon Fire Red. On the other hand, The Legend of Zelda Monopoly is a blank slate, as USAopoly hasn't said whether or not it will be tied to a specific game in the series. While Nintendo's done more in recent years to draw continuity between Zelda games, they still vacillate in tone and aesthetic. Wind Waker Water Works next to the Twilight Princess Electric Company would look pretty freaky. These will be the second and third Nintendo-based Monopoly sets out of USAopoly, following up from the more general Nintendo Collector's Edition board that came out way back in 2006. How dated is that board? It's got placeholder art of Slippy from Star Fox Assault on it. A 2014 update is probably smart. Monopoly isn't the only Parker Brothers classic getting some Nintendo loving. There will also be a Connect 4 Super Mario Bros. set this year. How are people supposed to know they won if the pieces are all gold coins, though? And there are only seven red coins in every stage, so balance is impossible! Someone didn't think this through properly. [Images: USAopoly]
Oculus Rift demo renders The Legend of Zelda in first-person
Sure, you might have already mastered The Legend of Zelda's second quest, and maybe you've memorized where every burnable bush, bombable rock and decoy waterfall is. The new question is: Are you be the same exceptional adventurer when playing from Link's point of view? If you own an Oculus Rift, you can find out - a group has adapted the original game's overworld and first dungeon into a first-person demo for the VR headset. YouTube user Vaecon knocks about the game's overworld in the above video, killing off Octoroks and Tektite's before eventually falling to a pack of Blue Moblins. Another YouTube user uploaded his run through the first dungeon, which shows how much creepier Wallmasters are when you don't have an all-seeing, top-down view of each chamber in a dungeon. The full game is planned to be adapted for the Oculus Rift by March, but you can get familiar with fighting through Link's eyes by downloading the beta version. You might want to trade off with a friend or two as you get used to the new perspective, though - after all, it's dangerous to go alone. [Image: Ubiquitron]
