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The Legend of Etching: A Link to the Auction
Over on eBay, the pictured (it's a badly-lit photo, the seller admits) GBA SP is up for grabs over the span of little less than three days. It has an etch of the design on Link's shield on the top portion of the clamshell, allowing any Link-lover in Canada to toss their coin in for the opportunity. We must admit, though, the thing could've used a nice forest green paint job before doing the etching, or perhaps a custom color scheme more fitting to the Hylian Shield. Currently, the bid resides at thirty Canadian dollars.Any of you think the custom unit is worth your hard-earned money? What about your easily-earned money?[Thanks, Andrea!]
You got The Quilt of Power!
Look, it's all well and good stomping off to rescue princesses and reassemble golden triangular relics, but at least remember that it's a cold, unforgiving world out there, and you'll need something warm to wrap around yourself at some point. As the only other Zelda quilt we've posted about was never put up for sale, this one should do the trick, even if it is ... $475?! We advise chopping grass to raise the required funds.Take a closer look at this work of art after the break.
Becoming the Hero of Time is cheaper than it was last year
You know what's missing from this blogger's life, apart from a fleet of Aston Martins, an unlimited supply of Cool Original Doritos with salsa dip, and a wife who is also Audrey Tautou? The Master Sword, that's what.Fortunately, Zelda fan and amateur bladesmith Jerry Bennett has given yours truly a chance to fill that weapon-shaped hole with this frankly stunning functional rendition of gaming's most famous blade. Jerry has placed the weapon on eBay with a "Buy It Now" price of $1,800, which is some $1,500 cheaper than the Master Sword we wrote about last year.With a blade forged from three pounds of steel, a handle crafted from the wood of a golden apple tree, and the ability to repel all that is evil in the land of Hyrule, we're truly sorry we don't have two grand burning a hole in our pockets. As it is, we can only scroll sadly through the various pictures of the sword we'll never own over on this forum thread. Join us, why don't you.[Via The Tanooki]
Phantom Hourglass gashapon does not help our financial situation
You'll have to forgive us me for making two Phantom Hourglass-related posts in the same day (it's like Zelda week all over again), but these capsule toys are irresistibly cute -- yes, possibly even cuter than this. Unfortunately, at just $3 a piece from Play-Asia, they also happen to be irresistibly cheap, a combination that does not mix well when you're a financially impoverished blogger, already reduced to a scurvy-inducing diet of noodles and water for the rest of December.Which gashapon you receive is entirely random, though as they're all pretty fantastic (and did we mention cheap?), we can't see a lot of people complaining. Not when we'll happily take any like-for-likes you receive off your hands. We're kind like that, you see.[Via BGB]
Phantom Hourglass ranks at 7 on Time's top 10 games of 2007 list
Frankly, we're shocked. Number 7 is a very respectable spot for any game, considering we're talking about the 10 best games of the year, but come on. This is The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass we're talking about here, folks. It's an amazing title and arguable the best in what has been an amazing year full of quality titles on the DS. Heck, this time of year, we can't think of a better gift than a Phantom Hourglass bundle.Besides Phantom Hourglass, what would you consider to be the best of the best on the DS this year?
Dojo update: Events
Today's dojo update shows the return of Events. These unique scenarios present the player with accomplishing certain goals, such as using Link to defeat Dark Link, as you can see above. Others include playing as Mario to defeat two evil Kings (Bowser and King Dedede) and using Pit to destroy the Skyworld level while trying to not get the crap kicked out of you by Wario. %Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Game art, built from Lego pieces
When not playing games, we often like to listen to gaming music and look at game art. Heck, we just wish there was a way for us to play games in our sleep. We like playing games that much. Don't you?Enter these pieces of gaming memorabilia created from Lego blocks. There's all kinds of Nintendo salutes, including Samus, several different kinds of Link and, of course, the pictured Mario. There's even a sweet piece of of Mega Man art.
Today's most epic music video: Cal marching band's gaming medley
Facing off against Washington State, the University of California, Berkeley's Golden Bears needed to show their might, their strength, and their willingness to perform a fatality if given a chance. During their half-time show, Cal's marching band performed a medley of video game songs, complete with gaming-themed drills (i.e. the band forms a giant Triforce and Master Sword while playing music The Legend of Zelda). Keep an ear out for Zelda, Mortal Kombat, and various Mario tunes, among others. The Golden Bears went on to defeat Washington State 20-17, thus ending their three-game losing streak. Video is embedded after the break.
3D Link to the Past 'interests' Aonuma
OK, show of hands, please: who fancies a 3D remake of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past? If your arm just shot up, know this: you're far from alone. Series director Eiji Aonuma wants it, as well. Or at least, he's "very interested" in adding an extra dimension to what is arguably probably unquestionably the greatest Zelda game ever conceived.Aonuma, who most recently acted as director on the DS's splendiferous Phantom Hourglass, revealed his wish in the latest issue of the Official Nintendo Magazine (the UK edition), stating that "The first Zelda game that I played and felt potential in was Link to the Past. I'm actually very interested in what it would be like if we remade that title as a 3D game."Now, we confess that's a loooong way from us actually getting a 3D Link to the Past, but the mere fact that Aonuma has even considered this makes our legs go all wobbly. If you've never played the game, and therefore can't comprehend that reaction, then we suggest you stop reading, head over to the Virtual Console now, and commence downloading. For $8, it's a quite obscene bargain.
Dojo update: Items returning to the fight
For how much things change in this game, we're glad to see some things are going to remain the same. Such as some of the franchise's most well-known items, including the Home-Run Bat and the Fire Flower. One of the other items that you may recall, the Beam Sword, has received a slight alteration, however, giving it a much farther reach.%Gallery-6869%%Gallery-3347%
Today's most retro montage: Zelda ads
Currently popular on GameTrailers, we missed Skullkid700's montage of Zelda commercials from earlier in the year. Since this sort of thing only gets better with age, we're highlighting it here. We've come a long way.See the montage after the break. Yes, it includes the Zelda rap. You have been warned.
Custom Guitar Hero III faceplate, now featuring Link
You know what's missing from those extended Guitar Hero III sessions? Link. One guy, however, has solved that pesky problem ... or rather, his loving girlfriend solved it for him. Now blogger Silmarwen can rock out in style. The rest of us, sadly, are stuck with skins. Unless, of course, we can get someone to whip up something special. Start begging your more artistic friends now!If Link's not really your cup of tea (for shame), you can also try something with a portly plumber.[Via GoNintendo]
Rapping, puppetry, and misogyny: Zelda commercials through the ages
This compilation of western and Japanese Zelda TV commercials is by no means comprehensive, but it does feature three or four that are new to us. Some are just downright peculiar -- the second Legend of Zelda advert recalls David Lynch's Eraserhead -- and there's clearly been an unsettling amount of rapping involved in the marketing of the series, something we hadn't noticed previously. The advert for Twilight Princess is utterly tame in comparison.No doubt you'll have seen a couple of these about a gazillion times (the Ocarina of Time commercial from the days when Nintendo didn't think twice about calling you a weak little girl, and the fabulously dorky "Your parents help you hook it up!" ad from the late-'80s), but it's still worth a watch for the more obscure stuff, some of which even manages to out-weird Sony's recent output. And that's a heck of an achievement.
Dojo update: Classic mode
Today's update over at the dojo involves Classic Mode, the formal single player campaign of the game where you progress through various stages, battling random enemies until you reach the end. The matches can vary in that sometimes you'll fight opponents who are metal or giant, and occasionally you'll have teammates. The stages chosen are the same every time, however, as stage 1 is Link's and stage 3 is Pokemon, etc.%Gallery-6869%%Gallery-3347%
Mario and Link cameo in South Park
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are at it again. Having already dedicated entire episodes of their parody-totin' 2D cartoon to World of Warcraft and (more relevantly for us) the Wii, the pair have now included cameos from Nintendo's two biggest names in the show.Admittedly, Mario and Link made a far more fleeting appearance in the October 17 show than the Wii itself did last year, but still, it's a pretty neat touch. In the episode, Stan, Kyle, Butters, Jimmy and Kenny are all whisked off to Imaginationland, where all the things created by human imagination reside. Eric's revised Salt-N-Pepa lyrics are probably there somewhere.There are three things to take note of here. One: the 'E' on Mario's cap, which we presume is a way of staving off Nintendo's ravenous pack of lawyers. Two: we're not entirely sure that's Link, as he has black hair and is wearing a dark red tunic (the Goron Tunic, perhaps?), but then who else could it be? Three: there are other game characters in there as well, including a Ghost from Pac-Man and the Prince from Katamari Damacy.To see if you can spot more, go past the break for a video.
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%
Zelda Week: They may not be Rupees ...
The deviantart page for user DekuPyro is littered with all sorts of homemade Zelda memorabilia. From painted keychains to the coin you see to your right, DekuPyro is quite the Zelda fan. And that's the kind of thing we love to see.Well, it also helps that this is Zelda Week.Be sure to hit up past the break for some more creations from DekuPyro.
Zelda Week: Set sail for Lego
While you're boating around in Phantom Hourglass, it's always nice to look back at other seafaring moments, even if the sailing in The Wind Waker wasn't really your thing. You know what makes everything better, though? Lego. This awesome Wind Waker diorama isn't new, but it's still imminently suitable for our celebration of Phantom Hourglass, and it's always impressive. We can't help but admire people who are not only talented enough to recreate awesome scenes with simple materials -- even those designed for such a purpose -- but those who take the time to do it, as well.
Zelda Week: Do it yourself
One of the interesting things about fanaticism (we're definitely fanatics for all things Zelda) is how it invades every section of your life. From sketching pictures of green tunics in your notebook during class, right down to ensuring your children grow up with the same obsession as you (more on that in a bit). It's a wonderful, sometimes scary thing.Let's see what that fanaticism does when people decide to go DIY.
Show and Tell: Zelda week, day one
All this week, we're celebrating all things Zelda by showing off the best thing about this blog -- the readers! Each weekday, we will feature at least one of our readers and their Zelda booty. In fact, this first submission sorta took the "booty" aspect to heart ... or it would have if he'd turned around. Oh, Johnny Wolf. We can't tell you how much we appreciate you throwing caution (dignity?) to the wind and taking one for the team. The world needed to see these Zelda boxers, and we couldn't think of any better way to kick off a week of fanboy-loving. There's no better method of demonstrating true adoration than by sticking something over your crotch. Hit the jump to see them in full effect.Do you have some awesome Zelda gear? Anything from t-shirts to tattoos, to statues and standees, if it features Link, we want to help you show it off. Snap some pics and send 'em to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll be here all week....and try to make sure they're in focus, or at least close. We've gotten a lot of fuzzy pictures so far, guys, and if we can't see what's going on, we can't use them!
