twilight-princess
Latest
Today's hottest game video: Link vs. Riku -- FIGHT!
We wonder how much time these guys spent on this thing. If it was more than one Sunday afternoon, then we fear for their souls. It starts off pretty decent, and the costumes are nifty (check out Link's ears and Riku's hair -- dang), but then we get to the fighting and it just slows. way. down. Watch as I SWING WITH MY SWORD AND THEN ... *tap*. Check out Link's off the rock spin move, eh? He's so proud of it that he does it several times.The video ends with, "It's not over yet." Dear god, why not? Is there a sequel brewing? Don't get us wrong, it was a nice effort ... just two minutes and 41 seconds too long. Check it out after the jump.
CNNMoney picks 10 best gifts for gamers
Having already advised gamers to hold off from buying a PlayStation 3, it's not surprising that CNN's Chris Morris has no PS3 goods on his holiday shopping list. Besides, only a few brave (and crazy) souls have managed to procure Sony's "non-competitive" new console. Instead, Morris recommends the following titles for CNNMoney's game gift guide: Gears of War (Xbox 360) Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC, Xbox 360) Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (PC) Guitar Hero 2 (PS2) Kingdom Hearts 2 (PS2) Okami (PS2) Brain Age (DS) New Super Mario Brothers (DS) Excite Truck (Wii) Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii) Not a very sports-friendly list (no Hawk or Madden?), and PSP owners are also left out in the cold. Anything else missing?
Live feed: watch someone play the Wii for a week
If you've been unable to score yourself a Wii yet, we'll give you the next best thing: a live video feed of someone playing the Wii for a week straight. Gamer Yoshi Madness will be playing the Wii using these guidelines: He will only be sleeping four hours a day (usually from 2:00AM until 6:00AM, he claims) He'll update the blog on his site every four hours He will only be leaving his room to a) use the bathroom (thank god -- although he goes on to say "if it's a deuce then it might take 15 minutes, classy) or b) if his dad needs something (parents and relatives might be over for Thanksgiving). While this is pretty ambitious, it's also a bit over the edge ... one week straight with only four hours sleep a night? That's a recipe for insanity. Still, the feed is more informative than most in-game videos you'll find online, and it gives you some real insight. If you're wondering about a game you want to pick up for the Wii, watch the video for awhile and then make your decision. Heck, watch it all week and see if you can keep up.Just be sure to allow yourself ample time for deucing.[Thanks, BB]
Metareview: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The reviews are rolling in, and it's safe to say at this point that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is going to be a megahit. Reviewers everywhere are bestowing high-to-perfect scores on Link's latest, and many are already declaring it the best entry in the series. And considering the series, that's a bold statement. But there's one word that keeps popping up in these reviews: fantastic. And that's some of the best news we've heard in a long time.1UP - 100%: Twilight Princess is something you rarely see: a 60-hour adventure in which every moment is memorable. But then, maybe that's no surprise -- it represents the full resources and effort of the world's most powerful first-party developer, and thanks to all those delays, it's even enjoyed an extra year of polish and refinement. The question to ask therefore isn't "Is it any good?" but rather "Just how good is it?" The answer? Truly fantastic.
Looking at Link from a different angle
After venturing through an endless wasteland of blue screen, the New Golden Boys created a short taking a look at the darker side of Link. Featuring interviews from different characters in the the Legend of Zelda series along with a few geeky game store clerks, the whole scene is all too familiar to Zelda aficionados such as ourselves. The short is set to air tomorrow night on MTV's unfortunately named The G-Hole Special. ***CAUTION*** This isn't safe for those sensitive to foul hand gestures or talk of molestation. Just thought we'd warn you. Catch the video after the break! [Via The Girl Gamer]
Careful with those ancient Zelda screenshots! You'll poke an eye out with images that sharp. [update 1]
We're puzzled by screenshots that are popping up in our discussion (below) of Nintendo's latest Zelda effort. A number of readers are linking to images (such as this one or this one) that are over 14 months old in an effort to prove the graphical prowess of the latest installment of the Zelda franchise. In response, we first note that those images are from August 2005. They're ancient. The Wii doesn't output images at 1216 x 896 (the Wii produces an 852 x 480 image). Therefore, these higher-res images (1, 2) could not have come from any production version of Legend of Zelda. For some real images from the actual game, we provide the following full-resolution (480p) images from Nintendo's press site. Keep in mind that these have been hand-selected by Nintendo staff to show off the most interesting and/or beautiful parts of the game. image1image2image3image4image5image6image7image8image9image10image11image12image13image14 [Update 1: the originally linked-to image was hosted on a site that ran out of bandwidth quickly. We've updated the links to the higher-res images.]
Nintendo's new Zelda falls flat
At great risk to personal health, this author dares criticize The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Nintendo Wii. All the leaves are brown. (And the sky is grey.) Imagine being a freshwater fish after a heavy rain. All around you: brown. Zelda's like this. The game's muddy color palette doesn't sparkle in the way that previous iterations of the venerable Zelda series sparkled. As our protagonist wanders through villages, we find ourselves wishing that those villages could be razed and in their places built more beautiful towns, filled with magic, character, and more than just the colors to the left and right of "rust" on the color wheel. (It's disappointing the Nintendo backed off of the cel-shaded art style that made The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker so fantastic.) The engine that couldn't. Whenever someone dares voice his misgivings about the Wii's disappointing graphics rendering capability, defenders instantly parry, "It's the game play, stupid!" These folks are right that the controls of games are of primary importance, but do gaming a disservice when they artificially partition game play and graphics. Graphics can (and should) enhance game play. In the latest Zelda, the game's designers have been forced to sabotage game play to atone for the console's graphical shortcomings. Example: roadside signs are illegible. In Zelda, merely reading signs becomes laborious and annoying. You must first walk up to the sign. You must then press the controller's "a" button. When you do this, the game zooms in on the sign (taking a moment to do this). The game then shows you the text of the sign. Finally, having read the sign, you must hit another button to zoom away from the sign and regain control of your character. If your character were blind and had to read via Braille, then bumping into signs and fumbling a button would be appropriate. But such a kludgey mechanism merely rankles here, because most modern games have legible signposts. (Nevermind that previous Zelda games have used this same mechanism: it's clumsy. It's doubleplusungood because it's coming from the same company that's been thumping its chest about "innovative controls" for the last year. Controls should never interfere with immersion.) To read a sign in The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, merely stand in the street and look at it. Signs (by design) are meant to be read from afar. Zelda's clumsy sign-reading is just one example of how graphical shortcomings result in decreased immersion and a lower overall fun factor. Oblivion won praises for its immersive feel. Zelda falls short of the bar set by modern virtual worlds. This simple example demonstrates the importance of graphics to game play. There are plenty of other game play elements affected by the Wii's weaker graphical engine. One more example: at one point the player must catch fish in order to solve a puzzle. Thanks to the indistinct graphics, it's actually impossible to tell how much of your bobber is underwater, making it more difficult to know when to set the hook in order to reel in a fish. In sum: it's clear that we're playing a GameCube game that's had motion-sensitive controls bolted on in order to move Wii boxes off of retailer shelves. Zelda will do that job admirably -- it will still sell in the millions. It will earn praise. But to compare this title to PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 games isn't fair to the game. To give any Wii titles a fair shake, we're going to have to compare them to Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube games. This isn't our official review of the title -- there's plenty positive to be said about Zelda, despite its unappealing visuals. Stay tuned for that post in the very near future. In fact, another Joystiq blogger is working on a rebuttal to this post right now.
Twilight Princess Diary: Part 1 [update 1]
It's currently 1:45 AM eastern time, and I'm here in Philly with Joystiq's Vlad Cole (currently asleep) and Chris Grant and Nintendo Wii Fanboy's David Hinkle, blazing through The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess as quick as our tired little hands will let us. We'll have fuller impressions when we're done, but for now we thought we'd share some of the random quotes and ideas that have been flying around the room as we play. We'll do our best to explain the context behind each entry, but for some of these, you probably just had to be there...*WARNING: Some minor plot spoilers ahead*
Gorgeous new Zelda: TP screens
The day for Zelda: Twilight Princess draws nearer and nearer. It has been three years since fans last saw a console Zelda title. The anticipation and hype surrounding this game couldn't be stronger and to further antagonize you, we've got more screens. Screens of visually arresting landscape, gigantic monsters, and our favorite hero. Time couldn't possibly go any slower.
Downloadable Zelda content makes fans riot [update 1]
Microtransactions have been prostituted almost to the point of ridiculousness on Xbox Live Marketplace with content that makes piggy banks cry. Hopefully, Nintendo won't go that direction. Though the thought of new downloadable content for Twilight Princess (such as more levels) seems like the most fantastic idea on the face of the planet, how far could it go? Nintendo's VP George Harrison vaguely answered a few questions for GamePro concerning downloading and the newest Zelda. He basically stated that right now they are concentrating on the release of the game too much to really get something in the works but they have brought it up and will be looking into it in the future. Alright, Nintendo, we are crossing our fingers in hope. Please don't let us faithful-to-the-end gamers down. Please? [Via Joystiq] [Update 1: Minor grammatical fixes: commas and hyphens, hyphens and commas.]
Downloadable Zelda content -- in the future
GamePro is reporting that George Harrison, Senior VP at Nintendo, says they're looking forward to offering "downloadable content, such as additional levels" with Zelda: Twilight Princess.However, there are no current plans to offer a "post-release online component" and it doesn't look like there is anything in the works. According to Harrison, "I haven't heard of anything yet. I think everyone is still busy trying to make sure the game gets out correctly."Now, all we can hope is that Zelda doesn't become the Wii's Oblivion ... or [fill in EA game here] with dubious downloadable content. Please Nintendo, even the most jaded gamer has love for Zelda, don't ruin it by microtransactioning us to death.
Twilight Princess Japanese site up
Wii Fanboy would like to know how our readers are fairing with all the Zelda information we are bombarding you with. You see, we geek out when it comes to Zelda. In fact, we geek out so much that we only have three Zelda titles left of those released in the US until our personal collection is complete. We would mention their names but we can't bring ourselves to. Told y'all we are nerds. In case you didn't get enough of Link this week, we are here to save your day and get you your fix. The Japanese Zelda: Twilight Princess site is open and ready for your viewing. Unfortunately, there isn't much to drool at. Just the most recent trailer and some info that is, dur, in Japanese. It is a nice set up for a site and we can't wait to see where it goes before the launch of the most anticipated Zelda of all time.
Today's hottest game video: Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess Trailer
The top slot on YouTube today was occupied by Link and crew in a new Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess trailer. It barely managed to pass the second place winner, which was the intro video from the same game. If you ask us, the intro video is a bit more spine tingling, especially with the "Press A + B" menu at the start screen, *drool*. This trailer has no sound effects, no lines, just a (somewhat cheesy) fanfare-tastic soundtrack and lots of video goodness from the game. Link's wolf transition looks a bit weak, but we're hoping it's just a trimmed down version in the vid. The best comment on YouTube is from agent012 who says, " wow the graphics are better than the gamecubes!" We're still not sure if that's sarcasm or honesty. Check out the video after the break and start jonesing.
Zelda Twilight Princess trailer and title intro
It's hard to hold back the inner-child who becomes utterly intoxiated by the promise of a new Zelda adventure. Link is (literally) the essence of a video game hero, and we're as eager as you are to ride with him again.No, we're not ready to crown Twilight Princess just yet -- Okami offers some stiff competition in this year's fantasy-adventure category -- but Nintendo's latest tease (a new trailer and the game's intro sequence) has aroused a dormant longing. See for yourself...
Beautiful Twilight Princess standee
Ah, amore! You may be asking where this is displayed, where can I find one, can I steal one ... we don't care. We just want to look at it and giggle with glee 'cause November 19 is almost friggin' here people! We wish there was a way to score one of these. Our ninja skills may have to go towards stealing one from a GameStop or something before those greedy game store zombies employees get them. The plot thickens .... [Via Go Nintendo]
Wii's Zelda charms non-gamer, Wii Sports, others fail
Wii was recently put to the test by the BBC's Rebecca Morelle, a self-proclaimed "videogame-phobe." Looks alone were winning Morelle over until she was handed a controller and clumsily gyrated herself into embarrassment playing WarioWare. A few rounds of Wii Sports didn't help -- the awkwardness only grew. After Trauma Center and Excite Truck the playtest had improved to just "so far, so OK." Enter: Twilight Princess. To Nintendo's surprise, it wasn't the disjointed inanity of WarioWare or the "swing away" nature of Wii Sports -- as Morelle notes, some just lack sporting ability -- that would win over the uninitiated. Instead, Morelle reveals that narrative lifted her veil of skepticism; a sense that her movements and the characters on screen were combining to create a coherent story. Nintendo should not underestimate the power of its key franchises to command emotional attachments (like, go easies on the party games, 'kay?). Marked by intuitive control, Wii might be (so-called) videogame-phobes' best shot at understanding these narratives that we hold so close to our hearts. [Thanks, Aisling]
Fusion Tour impressions from the mid-South [update1]
Last week, we forayed into an as yet undiscovered country for a chance with the Wii. What country? Well, it's more of a town, really ... a smallish town ... known as Jonesboro, Arkansas.Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is a strange stop for the Fusion Tour. Sure, it's a college town, but there are far more obvious locales nearby. Little Rock is a mere two hour drive away. It's a big, grown-up city, home of a President and all. And Memphis, that sultry city of the blues, is less than an hour away for those with particularly heavy accelerator feet. But Nintendo chose Jonesboro. Sigh. In service to you, dear reader (maybe not all of it), it was Jonesboro-ho.
It stops: GC Zelda DOESN'T go poof [update 1]
Nintendo of America's offical reply to all this nonsense: Online reports about the Nintendo GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are incorrect. The amazing game will be available at retail outlets nationwide on Dec. 13.Apparently, Gamestop and EB Games used a separate SKU for preordering. Since preorders had been maxed out, the SKU was removed. However, this confirmation is news in itself: it looks like America won't be receiving the EB Games-only Aussie treatment or online-only Japan treatment. Sweet! We'll try to refrain to excessive commentary in this post ... similar topics have been covered in regards to Japan and Australia ... but now North American major retail chains EB Games and Gamestop have reported that the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess has been mysteriously deleted from their computers. The SKU is simply gone. Though we might refrain from calling this an outright cancellation, the only other conceivable option is for the game to sell exclusively through Nintendo's online store, as they've decided to do in Japan.(sigh) Comment as you will, but try to keep it civil. What the eff, Nintendo. [via Joystiq]
Nintendo Wii or Tickle Me Elmo?
We're not sure what's more disturbing, the fact that 50% of the people who look at the Wii on Amazon go on to buy TMX Tickle Me Elmo, or that a TMX Tickle Me Elmo even exists. It's been ten years since the first Tickle Me Elmo arrived in stores, hence the TMX (the x stands for ten) version. Is this one of the most telling stats about the audience the Wii is hitting? Admittedly, after watching the video for this guy it's hard not to want to get one, for the sheer horror value alone. This toy is going to make some kid psychotic later in life, and lead to a ton of therapy bills.He may be cute and cuddly, and laugh like someone stoned out of their mind, but at nearly $150 for a new one, he's laughing all the way to the bank. At least the other 50% buy Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which will only set you back $49.90. Link or laughter -- you make the call.
Gamecube Twilight Princess sold online only in Japan
Planet Gamecube is reporting that the Gamecube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be sold through Nintendo's online store and not traditional retailers in Japan. The Cube version of the game will ship to Japanese online orderers on Dec. 2 -- the same day the Wii launches in the country and a few days before the U.S. Gamecube version hits stores (But a few weeks after the North American Wii version is released along with the domestic Wii launch. Confused yet?). Nintendo Europe has confirmed the continent will get a Gamecube version of the game, but hasn't officially announced a date yet.While we understand that the Gamecube was not the most popular system of the last generation and that Nintendo is throwing all its focus behind the Wii these days, it's kind of depressing to see the company limping out a late, limited version of the game for all the Cube owners who don't want to upgrade just yet. Either admit once and for all that the purple box is dead and gone or give it the true continued support it deserves -- this kind of half-assed split-focus doesn't serve anyone well.
