Eiji-Aonuma
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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]
Nintendo UK launches digital magazine, Nintendo Extra
Nintendo fans in the UK may have lost their ability to peruse Nintendo-related news and features via the printed page when the Official Nintendo Magazine shut down last month, but now there's a digital magazine to take its place. Dubbed "Nintendo Extra," this new branch of the Nintendo UK site features articles based on several key company franchises, including Pokemon, Mario Kart, Pikmin and The Legend of Zelda. Before you get too carried away however, most of the content included in this first issue of Nintendo Extra is quite short, and few articles amount to more than advertisements for their respective game. There is some noteworthy content however, including tips on getting the best time in Mario Kart 8 and an interview with Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma (though the questions - such as "Who are Link and Zelda?" - aren't exactly what you'd call "hard-hitting"). So maybe "digital magazine" isn't quite the way to describe Nintendo Extra - perhaps "digital pamphlet" or "brochure" might be better. But hey, a digital whatever-it-is is better than nothing, right? [Image: Nintendo]
Eiji Aonuma's Ocarina of Time anecdote hits the heartstrings
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is almost universally recognized as a classic, but technical quality is not what makes the game special. According to designer Eiji Aonuma, the game's greatest strength is its ability to inspire people. In a recent Nintendo Japan update, Aonuma relays the story of a young girl who was hospitalized with an unnamed illness. To help pass the time, her mother purchased a copy of Ocarina of Time. "At first, she felt 'this is impossible for me,' but over time, she began getting the hang of it," Aonuma wrote, courtesy Siliconera translation. "Then one day, she told her mother, 'if Link is trying this hard, then I will, too!' as she put more effort into her rehabilitation." Aonuma claims this inspiration drove the young girl to fight off her illness and she soon returned to full health. "To think that one could put in more effort after watching Link to do the same, and that such a positive way of thinking arose from the game, is something that makes me very happy" Aonuma added. "It's not that we purposely intend that while making games, but the key lies within what the players get to experience in the world." [Image: Nintendo]
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.
Zelda: A Link Between Worlds to have unlockable difficulty mode, puzzles 'clearer' in 3D
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will etch an additional difficulty option onto its walls for players taking a second pass through its non-linear quest. Siliconera's translation of series producer Eiji Aonuma's interview with Gameswelt revealed that an additional difficulty mode will be unlocked after players complete the main game. Aonuma did not clarify what similarities it will share with Wind Waker's Hero Mode, which doubled the damage dealt to players and removed heart pieces from the game's pots and blades of grass. In a separate interview with Gamespot, Aonuma noted that the team "made some changes" to the game after Nintendo announced the 2DS to ensure it was fully playable in 2D. "We found out about the 2DS during development ... It's not that you can't play it with 2D, it's just that it becomes clearer when you have the 3D effect on." A Link Between Worlds is set to venture across the walls of North American and European homes on November 22. Europeans in need of a 3DS XL may want to consider the special edition bundle that's planned for release at the game's launch. North Americans might have the same option, but Nintendo has yet to confirm the bundle's release across the pond.
Zelda: A Link Between Worlds brings back familiar faces, foes
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds draws heavily from the SNES installment in the series, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and designer Eiji Aonuma says we'll see a few returning faces and Link will (re)encounter some familiar foes. In a brief Q&A on Facebook, Aonuma says most enemies are "touched up" versions of their Link to the Past counterparts. "We've recreated a very similar world to that game in 3D so we thought it would be fun if the enemies there fought in the same way as in A Link to the Past. However, since the 3D effect introduces the new concept of height to the gameplay we have changed some attacks so that they take height into account." Aonuma specifically calls out Sahasrahla, the elder of Kakariko Village who guides Link on his quest in A Link to the Past. A Link Between Worlds will also allow players to tackle dungeons in any order, though Aonuma clarifies, "each dungeon features new ideas involving the item you need to use there, so there isn't some kind of process or order you can follow to make it easier." Aonuma adds Mother MaiaMai, a creature that looks like a giant Octorok, will exist between both Hyrule and Lorule – and if Link finds all of her MaiaMai children, he "may learn a little more about her." Finally, Aonuma concludes his post by saying Nintendo has heard the cries for a The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask remake on 3DS. "It's nice to see such a strong response to this title and we haven't forgotten about Link's adventures in that world. If you play A Link Between Worlds, you may better understand what I mean by that."
Eiji Aonuma discusses hand-holding in Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Zelda series Producer Eiji Aonuma approached development of the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds with unassisted exploration in mind. During an interview with Polygon, he explained that the game won't "completely guide players through the experience" and addressed game developers' general concern for leaving players in the dark. "We kind of have a bad habit of hand-holding, trying to make things easier for everyone," Aonuma said. "More and more, I start to think that that kind of isn't actually that fun." Aonuma shared an example of a three-day feud between himself and his director over the inclusion of a hint in an area of the game, ultimately resulting in its removal. The interview follows news earlier this month that the game will allow players to tackle dungeons in whichever order they prefer. A recent trailer also named the game's alternate universe Lorule and gave us a glimpse of an artistically-inclined antagonist.
Zelda producer on Nintendo's current woes: 'If we don't change, we might die'
It's cool to be different. That's the message we typically feed our children when they come up against peer opposition. It's also an attitude Nintendo's adopted time and time again when its penchant for innovation, aversion to hardcore gameplay and reliance on classic franchises have put the company in a perceived last place position. But, as it's continually proven -- and most successfully with the Wii -- you can't ever definitively count the Mario hitmaker out. There always seems to be an ace in the company's IP sleeve that keeps bringing gamers and its diehard fanbase back to the fold. But we have to wonder: how long will that last? It's a question we posed directly to Eiji Aonuma, Nintendo's Most Valuable Player #2 and Zelda mastermind, this week at E3. And his answer might surprise you: "If we don't change we might die. We need to evolve. Things need to change. Things need to grow." It's a sobering admission, especially considering the source. "If we don't change we might die. We need to evolve. Things need to change. Things need to grow." The IP ace this time around falls upon the Zelda franchises' shoulders, except not in the way we've come to expect. The two newest titles in the series, headed to the 3DS and Wii U, also happen to be recycled efforts: a reimagining of A Link to the Past and an HD reboot of the Wind Waker, both headed up by Aonuma. Perhaps it's just a consequence of franchise fatigue and player familiarity, but there's something more alarming, more distressing about this back catalog mining; something Aonuma's all too aware of. It's also something he's actively steering his production teams away from, while at the same time attempting to take it all in as a greater lesson for a company so tethered to video gaming past. So to catch some deeper perspective on Nintendo's next-gen leanings, its level of self-awareness and the future of Zelda, we sat down with Aonuma for what turned out to be an honest and refreshing chat.
The Legend of Zelda 3DS runs at 60 frames-per-second in 3D mode
Nintendo's forthcoming 3DS sequel to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past may be one of the smoothest-running game to ever grace the handheld – at least as far as its performance in 3D mode is concerned – due to its ability to run at 60 frames-per-second with 3D switched on, Zelda series veteran Eiji Aonuma told EDGE. "The game runs at 60fps, while all the 3D games up till now have run at 30fps," Aonuma said. "The faster the framerate, the more stable the 3D effect, so 60fps is a big deal." Aonuma also mentioned that the game will not take advantage of the 3DS' gyroscopic capabilities, as requiring the player to tilt the 3DS could break the screen's required viewing angle.
Aonuma: New 3DS Zelda will have light and dark world
Nintendo's 3DS sequel to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to The Past will, like the original, feature both light and dark worlds, according to a CNet interview with franchise veteran Eiji Aonuma. How this mechanism works has yet to be revealed – no indication of it was present during our time with the game two weeks ago. Aonuma also referenced the Phantom Gannon encounter from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as inspiration for Link's new two-dimensional abilities, which allow him to phase into flat surfaces to solve environmental puzzles as an adorable hieroglyph. Which, of course, is not to be confused with an adorable hippogryph – no hippogryph-related announcements have been made as far as we are aware.
Miyamoto interested in 3D remakes of 2D Zelda titles
It's probably too early to get excited, but it seems that older 2D Zelda games could be in line for giving them a 3D makeover. The news comes via Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma, who recently told GamesRadar that Shigeru Miyamoto has been "talking about" revisiting 2D Zelda games, specifically "the ones that were designed with multiple levels to the world like A Link to the Past, and taking those 2D graphics and recreating them in 3D." In context, it sounds as if Aonuma is referring to applying 3D effects to the existing titles – perhaps akin to the 3D Classics already available for 3DS – rather than a full-blown polygonal remake. As GamesRadar points out, A Link to the Past, with its multiple tiers, would certainly lend itself to 3D effects. What it wouldn't lend itself too: Helping us save money.
Aonuma: New 3DS Zelda in the works, Majora's Mask a possibility
Speaking to Portuguese site MyGames, The Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma shed some light on the franchise's future on the 3DS. Aonuma noted that a new Zelda title is indeed in the works for Nintendo's handheld, which isn't too surprising in itself. Given the success of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the 3DS, however, it may be somewhat surprising to learn that the next Zelda will not be a remake of Majora's Mask. The title will be a new adventure, though Aonuma states it will utilize ideas from previous console iterations of the series (a boomerang, perhaps?). He didn't rule out the possibility of Majora's Mask in the future, stating that he has even talked with Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto about bringing the bizarre sequel to 3DS. Aonuma added that Nintendo is "seriously considering" the possibility, but felt that it wouldn't be right releasing another remake directly after Ocarina of Time. Let's just hope the 3DS version isn't haunted.
Rare DS signed by Nintendo vets being auctioned for Japan disaster relief
Kept in a glass case for more than four years, an original model Nintendo DS bearing the autographs of some of Nintendo's key players (and two literal key players) is being auctioned off by its owner to raise money for the Red Cross disaster relief effort in Japan. The red Mario Kart DS promotional system is signed by Mario's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, along with composer Koji Kondo, Zelda series chief Eiji Aonuma, voice of Mario Charles Martinet and Martin Leung, a pianist who performs with Video Games Live and rose to fame thanks to a YouTube video of him playing the Mario theme blindfolded. Its current owner has vowed to donate 100 percent of their profit from the auction to the Red Cross and provide proof of the donation to the winning bidder. As of this writing, there are six days left to not only get your hands on a rare gaming collectible, but do something good for your fellow man in the process. Visit redcross.org for information on donating directly to the relief effort.
Existence of a secret master timeline for the Zelda universe confirmed
First and foremost, that headline is the most skin-crawlingly nerdy thing we've ever committed to virtual paper, and we write about video games professionally on a daily basis. Moving on. In an interview with Official Nintendo Magazine (as transcribed by ZeldaDungeon), Eiji Aonuma commented on the placement of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword in the oft-speculated timeline of the franchise. More notable than the game's positioning was Aonuma's confirmation of an overarching Zelda timeline -- though he explained that it's a "confidential document" to which only "myself, Mr. Miyamoto and the director of the title" have access. Aonuma revealed that Skyward Sword comes before Ocarina of Time in said timeline, but wouldn't comment on whether it's the first game in the chronological series. He explained, "for us to add titles to the series, we have to have a way of putting the titles before or after each other," hence the secrecy. That makes sense -- as long as they're all comfortable with the swirling, black morass of insanity that's surfaced due to their reticence.
Aonuma hopes to show 'playable' build of new Zelda at E3
The latest carrot to be dangled before the teeming mass of The Legend of Zelda fans comes from a recent interview in Famitsu magazine, via Andriasang. There, director Eiji Aonuma says he hopes that Nintendo will be able to "show something playable" at E3. What? That's, like, four years ahead of schedule! We jest, but it's not like Nintendo really needs to rush anything. It's The Legend of Zelda. You want it, even if it's supposed to be different this time around. Aonuma wouldn't provide much in terms of how far along the game has come, other than talking up the MotionPlus support and stating the team has "progressed in development since last year" and that the "core areas have come into clear view." We take that to mean the team has finished rendering Hyrule Field.
Nintendo's Aonuma pitched Link's Crossbow Training 2
Aside from efforts like The Conduit and Call of Duty: World at War, Nintendo's Wii hasn't exactly enjoyed a glut of capable FPS titles. According to a recent interview with games™ (via NowGamer), Zelda director Eiji Aonuma recognizes this -- and sees great potential for fixing that problem in Link's Crossbow Training, the pack-in minigame included with the Wii Zapper. "To tell you the truth, I actually wanted to create Link's Crossbow Training 2 ... I thought that we should do something more and better in the field of the first-person shooter." Wait, haven't we heard this before? Unfortunately for Aonuma, the execs above him at Nintendo didn't think much of the idea, nixing it in favor of a completely new entry in the Zelda series. "I was thinking that maybe we could intensify the multiplayer mode ... [but] a lot of people inside Nintendo insisted that I should work on a new Legend of Zelda title." We're sorry about that, Mr. Aonuma! And to the Nintendo executives who killed a sequel to Link's Crossbow Training, we'd like to personally thank you.
Director says next console Zelda will start with scale, go from there
Legend of Zelda series director Eiji Aonuma says in the latest Edge magazine that the scale of the upcoming Wii release is what's foremost in his team's mind during development. Twilight Princess, he says, was the first Zelda game where they went for a more realistic feel in terms of size and scope of the world, and yet he feels that they weren't quite able to adapt all of their gameplay ideas to that larger space. As opposed to the DS-based Spirit Tracks, which Aonuma says started out in a much more traditional place, and thus was a little easier to "realize." Aonuma says his team is starting out with a larger, grander world in the new Wii Zelda, and from there hopes to fill it up with all sorts of Zelda-esque game ideas. He and the team may not have been able to do everything they wanted with the adult Link-sized Hyrule the first time around (not that it wasn't well-received anyway), but they're planning to give it another hookshot in the next game.
Nintendo's Aonuma: Majora's Mask the result of Miyamoto challenge
[Image credit: Rich Lem] Eiji Aonuma has spent a lot of time developing Legend of Zelda games. In fact, he's been in a managerial role on the franchise ever since the series' arguably most popular installment, The Ocarina of Time. So when Mario creator (and his boss) Shigeru Miyamoto asked Aonuma and his team to develop an "Ura Zelda" (a flipped version of Ocarina of Time -- what would eventually become the Master Quest), Aonuma protested. Miyamoto's compromise, though, instead turned out to be a much greater challenge -- produce a sequel to OoT within one year. "We were supposed to make its sequel in a year ... at first, we had absolutely no idea what sort of thing we were supposed to make, and we just kept expanding our plans," Aonuma told Nintendo prez Satoru Iwata during a recent Iwata Asks column."in the beginning, it was all trial and error ... ultimately, we adopted the 'three-day system,' and made it so that, if you couldn't clear the game inside of three days, the world was destroyed." Aonuma claims this concept was what allowed Majora's Mask to be created and released just 18 months after OoT came out. He also adds that lessons he learned from the development of Majora's Mask -- from having to remember a sequence of events in order to proceed, to "deep, compact play" -- helped to shape the development of the most recent Zelda release, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. We'd like to say that Aonuma will have a break from the series after serving as producer on Spirit Tracks, but he's the man in charge of the upcoming LoZ game for the Wii. We're sorry, Mr. Aonuma! Keep on truckin'! [Via Gamasutra]
Zelda producer teases surprises for next title at E3 2010
Our absolute favorite thing about the Zelda series is how much it saves us on strategy guides. See, you can pretty much follow the walkthrough for Link to the Past to beat every installment in the franchise released thereafter. (Get the sword! Get the shield! Beat the Forest Temple! Get the power bracelet! Beat the Fire Temple!) However, in a recent interview with Official Nintendo Magazine, series producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that we can expect some big changes from the franchise's next iteration -- changes which he hopes will be revealed during next year's E3 showcase. Aonuma explained that, in order to try and keep the series fresh, he and Shigeru Miyamoto "have been trying something new in terms of the structure of the Wii version of the new Zelda game this time." You know what that means. They're going to put the Fire Temple before the Forest Temple. We're kidding, of course -- that's just crazy talk.
