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Nintendo's NES retrospective book looks like a game cartridge
Nintendo's NES Classic Edition isn't the only nostalgia bomb the company is dropping this fall. Nope, Playing With Power: Nintendo NES Classics from strategy-guide publisher Prima Games is en route for this November as well. The hardcover boasts 320 pages of interviews from the NES era, bits of old-school advertising and "priceless excerpts from Nintendo Power magazine back issues." Oh hey, hand-drawn maps and character art are on tap as well. Here's to hoping some of those are from Howard and Nester artist Bill Mudron.
Deconstructing the legendary dungeons of 'Ocarina of Time'
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of those games that practically everyone has played and regards fondly. The landmark 1998 game was incredibly influential, and when folks put together lists of "best games of all time," it's usually within the top ten. Ocarina also marked the long-running franchise's move from a top-down view to full 3D thanks to the leap in power that the Nintendo 64 provided. But how do its dungeons stack up to previous games in the series? Specifically, A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening? YouTuber Mark Brown answers just that with a smart and thoughtful examination of the game.
The new Zelda game will give us the first 'flexible' Amiibo
The next Legend of Zelda game is introducing big changes to the series. It features a big, open world. Our hero can jump, climb and cook. For the first time in 30 years, Link actually changed his shirt -- but it's changing more than the gameplay of one franchise. It's also changing Nintendo's toys-to-life figures: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's toy series will feature the first Amiibo with moving parts.
'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' is Nintendo's next classic
Nintendo kicked off its E3 2016 livestream with a frankly gorgeous Zelda trailer, showcasing what we'll get to play and experience when the game eventually lands in 2017 on the Wii U and NX. The style of the entire thing is somewhere between Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, albeit cranked to the max. This is Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and it already looks pretty amazing. Was that voice-acting? At least four outfits, including armor? Cooking? Gliding? Oh boy.
You can play the new 'Legend of Zelda' early in New York City
You won't be left out of the E3 festivities just because you can't make it to Los Angeles for E3 Live. Nintendo is giving gamers in New York City an opportunity to play The Legend of Zelda for the Wii U between June 14th and June 19th if they're willing to jump through a few hoops. To start, you'll have to show up for a "Super-Fan Signup Day" at Nintendo's New York store on the morning of June 11th to have a chance of playing. If you're one of the 500 people to make the cut, you'll have to line up at the store on June 14th to get a wristband and make an appointment for some hands-on time.
Sonic grabs top honors as World Video Game Hall of Fame inductee
After getting snubbed in the inaugural class of World Video Game Hall of Fame inductees, 25-year-old Sonic the Hedgehog is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Along with Grand Theft Auto III, The Legend of Zelda, The Oregon Trail, The Sims, and Space Invaders, Sega's 1991 release is on the list of 2016 hall of famers at the National Museum of Play.
Nintendo delays new 'Zelda' to 2017, announces NX version
There's good news and bad for Nintendo's upcoming Legend of Zelda open-world title for the Wii U console. First the bad: It's been delayed again, so it won't arrive now until 2017. The good news is that it's going to come out on the next-gen Nintendo NX console, which, by the way, Nintendo just revealed. In a (roughly translated) tweet, Nintendo Japan says that it pushed back the game "for further quality improvement," adding that it will be released "simultaneously" on the Nintendo NX.
'The Legend of Zelda' marks its 30th birthday
Gamers, you have permission to feel old once again: The Legend of Zelda just turned 30. Nintendo released the classic action-adventure in Japan on the Famicom Disk System (it wasn't even a cartridge at the time) all the way back on February 21st, 1986, kicking off one of the biggest franchises in video game history. The series has since sold tens of millions of copies -- over 75 million at last count -- and has had a presence on virtually every Nintendo system to date.
See the new tricks in 'Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD'
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD lands on the Wii U on March 4th, complete with a lineup of new gameplay treats. The first is a new item, the Ghost Lantern, which lights up when it's near an evil spirit known as a Poe. The Ghost Lantern should make the game's Poe soul-seeking quest much easier, Nintendo says in a press release. This is different than the standard Lantern from the original Twilight Princess, which lights the way and wards off nasty beasties throughout the game.
Nintendo's 2015 was the best of times and the worst of times
Let's face it: In the world of video games, Nintendo exists in a state of constant scrutiny. More often than not, the Japanese company is targeted for being "behind the times" or "out of touch" with what its fanbase wants. Looking back, however, we see a more dynamic mish-mash of good and bad decisions. In 2015, Nintendo teased us by promising to build mobile apps, but pleased us by adding some unexpected classics to its digital game library and announcing a new game console. The company had breakout hits like Splatoon, but also fumbled on launch dates, failing to deliver Star Fox Zero and Zelda Wii U by year's end. How is Nintendo doing, really? Let's take a look back at the highs and lows of Nintendo's year and find out.Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images
Next for Nintendo: Zelda reboots, fresh Splatoon gear and more
Nintendo announced a slew of upcoming titles and their release dates -- as well as new content for existing franchises -- during the company's Nintendo Direct livestream on Thursday. Gird your loins and prepare for Zelda reboots, fancy new Splatoon arenas, and so. many. amiibo sets.
Nintendo's smaller New 3DS comes to the US on September 25th
When Nintendo decided to release only the New 3DS XL in the US this winter rather than its smaller New 3DS sibling, it left many scratching their heads. Why would Nintendo deprive American gamers of a smaller, more travel-friendly handheld? Well, it's making amends for that mistake very shortly. Nintendo has revealed that it's bringing the New 3DS to the US on September 25th as part of a $220 Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer bundle. So long as you like having the game's charming art plastered all over your handheld, you too can have a more portable option. The NFC Reader (needed to load up on Amiibo figurines and card) will also arrive that day for $20.
Play 'Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' on your Wii U
At long last, you can play one of the best Legend of Zelda games (often considered the best) on your Wii U. Nintendo has released a Virtual Console version of Ocarina of Time for its latest TV console on the eShop, giving you an easy way to relive Link's classic time-traveling adventure without taking your dusty old Nintendo 64 (or original Wii) out of storage. You might not relish the thought of plunking down $10 for a 17-year-old game, especially if you've already bought it twice, but it beats watching a groundbreaking title fade from memory.
'The Legend of Zelda' Wii U version pushed out of 2015
Nintendo's Legend of Zelda game in development for Wii U is no longer due out in 2015, producer Eiji Aonuma announced in a video (embedded after the break) today. "I must apologize to you all that were expecting the game by year's end, but we are no longer making a 2015 release our number one priority," Aonuma says. "Instead, our priority is to make it the most complete and ultimate Zelda game. I hope to use the added time to make The Legend of Zelda for Wii U into a game that will reward you for your patience, so thank you for your continued support."
Play 'Zelda' IRL with this jug-busting, arrow-stopping shield
There are Hylian Shield replicas and then there are Hylian Shield Replicas. The one above fits into the latter and probably could've been used with a certain live-action Netflix series that sadly isn't happening. The team at Baltimore Knife and Sword makes all kinds of armaments for their YouTube series Man at Arms: Reforged, and their latest project is the perennial shield from Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series, along with what NeoGAF posits is a Link to the Past-styled Master Sword. The level of craftsmanship is what separates this gear from what you'd typically see cosplayers brandish at PAX; the Triforce is made of amber and the shield can even withstand a barrage of arrows.
Nintendo quashes talk of a live-action 'Legend of Zelda' series
We hope you weren't planning your Netflix viewing schedule around that rumored Legend of Zelda live-action series... you're about to have your hopes dashed. Nintendo chief Satoru Iwata tells Time that talk of the game-based show is "not based on correct information." There's "nothing new to share" about any Nintendo brands showing up in movies or TV, he says. The executive isn't outright denying things, but you probably don't want to count on seeing a gritty portrayal of Link's adventures any time soon. It's probably just as well if the series never comes to pass -- the last time Zelda got a series, it didn't get a warm reception.
WSJ: Netflix and Nintendo are making a live-action 'Zelda'
Netflix recently announced it's raising $1.5 billion to fund new content, and a new rumor suggests one of the projects it could spend that dough on. The Wall Street Journal says the streaming company is working with Nintendo to develop a live action Legend of Zelda series -- just in time for that expansion to Japan -- which someone in the know described as "Game of Thrones for a family audience." While we're pretty sure that person hasn't been watching GoT closely enough, the most surprising thing we've learned today is that the animated Zelda series only ran for one season back in '89. That can't be true, can it?
Nintendo is remastering 'The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask' for 3DS
Oh, so a head-scratching leak from Target wasn't enough to convince you? That's fair, how about something a bit more concrete? Nintendo just revealed in its most recent Nintendo Direct stream that The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is indeed getting a 3D remake, and it's slated to hit shelves in Spring 2015. We're coming for you, Skull Kid.
Playdate: We're livestreaming 'Hyrule Warriors' on Wii U! (Update: game over!)
Welcome, ladygeeks and gentlenerds, to the new era of gaming. The one where you get to watch, and comment, as other people livestream gameplay from next-gen consoles. Because games! They're fun!
Nintendo's new 'Mario Kart 8' add-ons put Link and Luigi on the same track
Nintendo has taken a few steps to modernize its gaming experience, but downloadable content (DLC) is still a sore point; even New Super Luigi U is more of a separate (and fairly expensive) title than a proper booster pack. Today, though, there are signs that the company is getting serious about improving its less-than-stellar reputation with add-ons. Nintendo has offered a sneak peek at a Mario Kart 8 expansion that adds The Legend of Zelda's Link, F-Zero's Blue Falcon ship and eight new courses, among other things -- that's a lot of goodies to keep you coming back. It should arrive in November for $8, and Animal Crossing-themed DLC due next May will add similar numbers of cars, characters and tracks.
