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PBS Game/Show probes link between nostalgia, Zelda's success
In its most recent entry, PBS' Game/Show YouTube series wonders if Nintendo's beloved Legend of Zelda series is only so beloved due to an incessant reliance on player nostalgia. While Game/Show doesn't offer an answer to this question – the series is aimed at prompting discussion, not taking any one stance – the points it makes are intriguing. How many of you are immediately transported to the gleeful whimsy of childhood on hearing the Legend of Zelda overworld theme? How often have we seen new entries in the series directly reference prior games, much to the delight of fans? How many times can players explore the Lost Woods before the cartographers of Hyrule finally decide maybe that mysterious grove of trees isn't so lost after all? Watch the above footage, take in its arguments, then post your own thoughts in the comments below. [Image: Nintendo]
Heartfelt short film Escape makes a break for Hyrule
For many of us, video games are an escape from reality – whether that reality is worse or better than the video game world we so willingly dive into is different for each individual. For the little girl in this short film Escape, the perils awaiting her in Hyrule are a better experience than her everyday life, where she's ridiculed at school and comes home to a house of fighting parents.
Hyrule's Market Village getting brought to life in the UK
The Legend of Zelda's iconic Market Village is being brought to life for an upcoming Nottingham, UK game festival, GameCity6. But don't worry about ReDeads, as the real-life recreation won't represent the village from Ocarina of Time's adult Link world, but rather a pastiche of several games. Attendees can get their fetch questing on with a Triforce piece collection game, they can create swords and shields (we're guessing of the wooden or cardboard variety), and they can even go lips-on with an ocarina. If that weren't enough, you could always hang with the Hyrulian droogs in the LonLon Milk Bar. The entire day is actually dedicated to Zelda-themed activities, so perhaps this is finally a chance to bake those Navi-shaped sugar cookies. After waiting for what seemed like forever, too!
Is Zelda about to hit the MMO space?
The land of Hyrule may be invading your computer very soon -- or maybe you will be invading it. Nintendo, creator of the console hit the Legend of Zelda, has just registered for an ESRB rating for a game called Zelda Universe. According to the ESRB website, this mysterious game has received an "E" rating with "violence" as the only descriptive text, but the game is listed as "online." Although all other Nintendo games have a console listed along with the rating, this particular title does not. This could very well mean that everyone's favorite adventurer will appear in an MMORPG. The official website for the Legend of Zelda games is called Zelda Universe, but the Entertainment Software Rating Board is not in the habit of handing out ratings to online content unless that content is also a game. Perhaps this is one of the big announcements Nintendo will reveal in its presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in less than 12 days.
A look back at The Legend of Zelda
We usually don't bring these kind of things to your attention because, uh, it's IGN, but they've published a pretty decent look back at Link and all of his past adventures. This look back chronicles all of the previous games in the The Legend of Zelda series.If you're a big enough fan of Nintendo to be here, then you probably know the history of the green-clad hero pretty well. But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't read this and think back on all of those great times you had in Hyrule. If anything, it should inspire you to play at least one of the previous games again. And that's not a bad thing now, is it?What's your favorite Legend of Zelda game? Ocarina of Time? Link to the Past? Twilight Princess?%Gallery-29660%
Resident of Hyrule turns bank robber
Wow, we knew the economy was in a bad way, but who knew that the recession had traveled as far as Zelda's kingdom? The evidence is clear from the security photo, which shows a man sporting the Hylian symbol on his cap robbing People's Bank in Waterbury, Conn. earlier in the week. If you've seen this sad Friend of Link, you're asked to call 203-755-1234.Honestly, we're just shocked he got out of the bank without the teller killing him with magical lightning bolts.[Thanks, Bijan T.]
Dojo update: YES! Hyrule returns
We're pretty sure it's been mentioned several times on the site here, but playing Super Smash Bros. Melee has come down to us pretty much fighting on one stage: Hyrule. Now, it returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (along with the promise of other Melee stages returning, as well). Also, it's now called The Temple, so no longer will we be labeling it Hyrule. Oh, you can't believe how giddy we are, as we giggle maniacally at the inclusion of our favorite stage into the new game. Is anyone else with us on this one?%Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Joystiq hands-on: Link's Crossbow Training (Wii)
Reaching back to the glory days of light guns, the Wii Zapper steals the name of Nintendo's classic NES controller, but the two are fundamentally different. The previous light gun used a mechanic to essentially see what was on-screen, so the gun sight actually corresponded with the action. The Wii Zapper instead is just a plastic shell to hold a Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The Wiimote pointer continues to work through IR triangulation; players can't sight down the new attachment.I recently played the Wii Zapper pack-in, Link's Crossbow Training, and was surprised at how good the Wii Zapper felt and how well the game responded. Shooting from the hip -- sometimes literally -- I maintained good control over the on-screen cross-hair. I still prefer the precision of a light gun's sight, but knocking down Zelda-themed bad guys in a series of game scenarios was still fun.%Gallery-8658%
Camp Hyrule closes its doors
While Camp Hyrule is not the training grounds for future Links like how Princess Peaches are churned out, it was still a place for those of us who found ourselves dreaming of green tunics in our sleep to go and enjoy the company of like-minded others. This year, that is not the case, as Camp Hyrule reveals that it has closed its doors. The reasoning behind depriving us all of the experience? Bad luck.Turns out, they're thinking that the 13th anniversary of the camp, combined with their natural propensity for disaster, is enough to have them call it quits. Instead, they're offering up a contest, allowing folks to enter on August 13th at the chance to win a one-of-a-kind life-size Link statue. Fair trade? We'll leave that up to you.And, if you attended in the past, share your fond memories with us, won't you?See also: Spending a childhood in Hyrule[Via LITHcast]
Now you're silversmithing with power
We've wasted our lives. What have we been doing all these years, while we could have been learning to work with gold, silver and platinum jewelry, and sharing handmade Nintendo jewelry with our friends and loved ones? Oh, right, going to school and having jobs. And also actually playing games.Third Project Juno has made some stuff that we would actually consider wearing, including a lot of Zelda jewelry. Our favorite is the D-pad necklace pictured here.[Via Wonderland]
Spending a childhood in Hyrule
The Escapist celebrates its 100th issue (congrats!) with a fascinating read in Marty M. O'Hale's piece A Childhood in Hyrule. For many of us, Link's first adventure in Hyrule was our first adventure game, if not first game period, and something that we will never forget. And The Escapist takes a look at all that in the only way they can: incredibly deep analysis and interesting observations. Seriously, if you don't read The Escapist, start right now.See also: Honoring Gunpei Yokoi
Remixed medley of The Legend of Zelda's soundtrack
One of our favorite touches of the new Phantom Hourglass' trailer shown at this year's GDC event was its use of the reworked Hyrule Castle theme from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. If there's one thing we love, it's retro tracks brought back for another round. That's why we're featuring a medley of songs from the original Zelda game (NES) remixed by electronica musician Ochre, for your Sunday listening pleasure. We imagine that trying to add anything on top of Koji Kondo's classic work without ruining it is a difficult task, but this arrangement doesn't miss a step. Ochre's interpretation blends the 8-bit pieces with his own playful style, taking the listener through a six-minute daydream of Link's adventures. If you're a fan of lush synths and summery rhythms, we definitely suggest downloading this song along with Ochre's other remixes and original offerings at his site. [Via The New Gamer]
Metareview - Zelda: Twilight Princess (GameCube)
For Wii-less GameCube owners it's a no-brainer; you pro'ly been had your copy of Twilight Princess. But for those few Wii owners who are considering the GameCube edition, still unable to take decisive action, here are several takes on how the two versions match up:
Zelda, a retrospective in six parts
It's likely that you've seen one or even all of the Zelda retrospectives at GameTrailers, but we wanted to collect them here for ease of viewing on those long winter evenings. They've done a really fantastic job of chronicling what truly has become an epic adventure -- perhaps even, for us, one of the foremost fantasy tales of our lives. Even if you're not a huge fan of the series, it's likely that you know some things about Link; that he is out to save Hyrule, that he favors green, and that his story is tangled with that of a certain princess. It's so strange to think of The Legend of Zelda as spanning twenty years (especially to those of us who clearly remember playing the original ...), but watching these retrospectives, one begins to feel the time that has passed, because the story of Link has become a part of us, alongside the other fairy tales with which we grew up. Link is a modern hero and his never-ending quest, in every form, is ours as well.If you're looking to save all the footage for posterity (and later watching), there's a convenient torrent of all six parts over at WiiNintendo.net.
True Gaming Legends Confidential: Link
Finally, an expose video all about Nintendo's sword-wielding, flute-blowing, chicken-riding Link and what really goes on in Hyrule. It's about time someone took him to task for all of that jar smashing. Where the hell does he get off?The New Golden Boys put this together for MTV's G-Hole Special, which airs on November 15th. Find out about Link's dirty secrets, unaired laundry, and escapades.The best part of this? Easily the power-up double flip-off maneuver. More games need that as an option.[Thanks, Eric]
They're papercraft models, not dolls
Whether it is indicative of the versatility of paper or the dedication of video game fans is unclear, but the fact of the matter is that someone has gone to great lengths to capture Link's likeness in a detailed papercraft model. We find the little fellow to be a strange mix between endearing and creepy, likely the reason why we won't be downloading the accompanying instructions and attempting to fold our very own recyclable Hyrulian Hylian into existence.Princess Zelda also makes an appearance on the clearly obsessive (yet helpful) website, if only to add a feminine touch to a gaming lineup otherwise dominated by manly Star Trek ships, Advance Wars tanks and sluggish Tomb Raider vehicles (Lara excluded). Site proprietor Ninjatoes certainly does a fine job at making plain 'ole paper more interesting, though it probably comes at the cost of being rubbish at most card games. [Via Bits & Bytes & Pixels & Sprites]See also:Sonic papercraftMake your own Quake PapercraftKatamari Prince papercraftRevolution controller made of paperGame Boy Micro origami
