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'The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD' hits Wii U in 2016
It's official: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD exists and it's heading to Wii U on March 4th, 2016. Twilight Princess HD introduces a new Wolf Link amiibo, which is included in a special game bundle. The game shares some data with the new Legend of Zelda game heading to Wii U in 2016 as well. Rumors of Twilight Princess HD's existence first hit the 'net in October. Nintendo made the official announcement today during its Nintendo Direct livestream.
JXE Streams: You are the 'Wind Waker HD' beneath our wings
Let's keep this Wii U love train rolling. Yesterday, we hosted a tribute stream for Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata, who died this week. We played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and discussed some of our favorite Nintendo memories, from the NES to the Wii U. Today, we'll stick with Link and play The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD on Wii U. Maybe we'll pivot near the end and play a little Mario Kart 8 or something -- we'll do whatever sounds fun in the moment because that's what video games are all about. Join us at 3PM PT / 6PM ET on Twitch.tv/Joystiq, right in this post or on the Engadget Gaming homepage.
JXE Streams: A special tribute to Nintendo's Satoru Iwata
Above all, video games are meant to just be one thing: Fun for everyone. - Satoru Iwata, 1959-2015 The gaming industry mourned the passing of Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata this week, sharing his many memorable quotes and creating touching pieces of art in his honor. Iwata was consistently beloved in a fickle and volatile industry, often winning over players with his joyful approach to gaming. Iwata joined Nintendo as a developer in the 1980s and helped create Earthbound, Kirby, Balloon Fight and other major titles, before rising to the role of President in 2002. Iwata was the first Nintendo president not related to the company's founding Yamauchi family. In recent years, Iwata led Nintendo through releases of the Wii, 3DS and Wii U, and laid out plans to dive into mobile gaming and launch a new console, the NX. He delivered much of the company's news in (super adorable) "Iwata Asks" interviews and Nintendo Direct live streams, some of which featured him as a puppet, as Robot Chicken-style claymation, or gazing longingly at bananas. Today, we tip our hats to Iwata with a special Wii U live stream where we'll play some of our favorite Nintendo games and talk about the good old days. We kick off with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time at 3PM PT / 6PM ET right here, on Twitch.tv/Joystiq or on the Engadget Gaming homepage. Join us -- and bring your memories.
'Hyrule Warriors' hacks and slashes its way to 3DS
Hyrule Warriors, the Zelda-themed hack-and-slash game that hit Wii U in 2014, is on its way to 3DS, according to a new Japanese trailer. The 3DS version comes from Wii U developers Omega Force and Team Ninja, and of course Japanese publisher Koei Tecmo. It looks like the pirate Tetra and the King of Hyrule are playable characters in the 3DS edition, and the final frames of the new trailer suggest compatibility with the Wii U version. The video's title says, "Announced at E3," and you better believe we'll break out all of the Hylian information directly from the show, which runs from June 16th to 18th. In the meantime, we've reached out to Nintendo for more information about Hyrule Warriors on 3DS.
'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.
Hyrule Warriors getting Majora's Mask pack next month [Update]
Hyrule Warriors will receive a new piece of downloadable content themed after The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on February 5, Nintendo revealed during its Nintendo Direct livestream this morning. The DLC will include Tingle and the game's youthful Link as playable characters, the former giving his enemies a kiss of death and whipping them with bags of rupees. The pack will also include three as-yet-unknown character skins. Update: Nintendo says the DLC will cost $7.99 and will also feature a new Adventure Mode map. [Image: Nintendo]
Majora's Mask 3D bundle sports a Skull Kid figurine
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D will receive a limited edition bundle at the game's launch that includes a Skull Kid figurine. The $50 bundle doesn't include any of the goodies packed in to Europe's special edition, as Nintendo noted that it only features a copy of the game and the figurine. The publisher has yet to offer a launch date for the remastered game. Nintendo announced plans to remake Majora's Mask for 3DS during a Nintendo Direct livestream in November. The original game launched in 2000 for Nintendo 64, putting series hero Link in the doomed land of Terminus, months after the events of the other cherished Zelda game for the system, Ocarina of Time. Word of a possible 3D remake of Majora's Mask began in November 2011, when series producer Eiji Aonuma said the publisher was "seriously considering" it following the success of Ocarina of Time's own 3DS remake. [Image: Nintendo]
Outfit your Hyrule Warriors with costume DLC, now available
If you missed out on pre-ordering Hyrule Warriors to snag retailer-exclusive costumes inspired by Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword and Ocarina of Time (or wanted more than one set of said costumes), there's good news waiting for you in the eShop, as four costume packs are now available for $0.99 each. Note: While the full game can be purchased via Nintendo's website, the DLC waits in the wings of the Wii U eShop. The Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword and Ocarina of Time costume packs each provide Link and Zelda with costumes inspired by the respective game. A fourth pack, called the Demon King Costume Set, provides two new costumes for Ganondorf - one inspired by his appearance in Ocarina of Time and one inspired by Twilight Princess. All of the costume packs now for sale are the same as those given to customers who pre-ordered (or in the case of the Ganondorf costumes, those in Club Nintendo) so be careful not to make a double purchase. [Image: Nintendo]
Zelda-themed Symphony of the Goddesses returns in 2015
The Legend of Zelda-themed orchestra Symphony of the Goddesses begins a new tour next month, the "Master Quest." The concert series will kick off at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee on January 21 and 22, wrapping its nine-month tour at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas on October 22. Symphony of the Goddesses will perform an orchestral score approved by The Legend of Zelda series composer Koji Kondo. The four-movement symphony features the stories of Zelda games such as Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess and Link to the Past. Head past the break for the full list of dates for the Symphony of Goddesses Master Quest tour. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask will receive a 3D remake for 3DS in spring 2015.
Joystiq Presents: A Zelda Story
Do you remember the first day you played your favorite game? What about the moment you bought that game; what lengths did you go to pick it up? Joystiq's own Reviews Content Director Richard Mitchell (@TheRichardM) recalls the story of the the day he bought The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo 64, and discusses the patience of his mother with our Community Manager, Anthony John Agnello (@ajohnagnello). Listen to the MP3
Walmart and Amazon list more Amiibo figures for December 14
We already knew that Amiibo figures for Captain Falcon, Diddy Kong, Little Mac, Luigi, Pit and Zelda would be worming their way into our hearts and onto our shelves sometime in December, but Amazon and Walmart seem to have narrowed that window down to a single day: December 14. When browsing Walmart's website, a release date of 12/14/2014 can be seen next to each of the aforementioned figures, ditto for Amazon. And it's not just online listings - the official Walmart Twitter account has also seemingly confirmed the date. "Yes, the release date for Captain Falcon Amiibo is set for December 14," the "Walmart Elves" tweeted to a prospective Amiibo purchaser after he inquired if the date was official. Of course, numbers on the internet and even Santa's helpers can be wrong from time to time, but it probably wouldn't hurt to stake out your spot in line if there's a particular figure you need to add to your collection. [Image: Nintendo]
Aonuma: Majora's Mask 3DS won't be 'just another remake'
Between The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds' mask-shaped easter egg and Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma's hesitation to rule out a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, fans of Link's dark, odd journey through Termia might have seen this week's 3DS remake confirmation coming. While the news of another Zelda remake is interesting on its own, Aonuma's recent Miiverse post explains that Majora's Mask 3D won't be a simple, graphically-polished port. Though its development began "almost immediately" after 2011's Ocarina of Time 3D remake was completed, Aonuma and the team waited to talk about Majora's Mask 3D until he could say "this is not going to be just another remake and that it's going to be worth your time." He added: "We've spent a lot of time making sure the gameplay experience is smoother than in the original version without taking away form this unique world." Unfortunately, we'll have to let that moon creep a little closer before we learn the extent of Majora's Mask 3D's changes. Purists shouldn't be too surprised though – last year's Wind Waker HD received a few tweaks of its own, including Miiverse-compatible Tingle bottles, Link selfies and a simplified Triforce treasure hunt. [Image: Nintendo]
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.
Platinum gets conceptual with Bayonetta's Nintendo costumes
You can channel Nintendo's heroines (and Hyrule's hero) while unleashing crazy combos in Bayonetta 2, but it's worth taking a break from witchcraft to see how the collaboration came together in the first place. As Platinum Games detailed in a recent blog post, Bayonetta's first borrowed garb was the result of director Hideki Kamiya asking Platinum's Yong-Hee Cho to draw Bayonetta in a Princess Peach outfit. The above image and the full gallery below shows some of Cho's conceptual interpretations, but Kamiya pushed to keep the dress closer to Peach's original style. After tying Bayonetta's hair up, adding a Mario charm and some forearm flair, Kamiya and Cho were pleased with the results. Kamiya's direction similarly led to the Samus costume resembling the bounty hunter's initial venture on the NES, but the development of Bayonetta's tunic is interesting: After Kamiya approved Cho's traditional take on Link's classic attire, Cho turned the designs in to Nintendo for approval. They were returned with a suggestion that Cho open the tunic's top a little more. Bayonetta's Nintendo-themed wardrobe is available in both Bayonetta games on the Wii U, and in the case of Bayonetta 2, Contributing Editor Earnest Cavalli's review remarked that it's a "grand sequel that overshadows the most gleefully over-the-top aspects of its predecessor with entirely new levels of awe-inspiring spectacle." [Image: Platinum Games]
Link's Master Cycle makes spirit tracks in Mario Kart 8 DLC
The first downloadable content pack for Mario Kart 8 will include a special motorcycle inspired by the Legend of Zelda series, Nintendo revealed on Twitter. The Master Cycle features Link's iconic Hylian Shield on the side and a body shape that vaguely resembles a horse. Seen in the concept art above, the cycle also sports a blue and gold paint job and a Triforce on the front wheel. The Master Cycle is one of four new vehicles arriving in the November DLC pack, another being Mario's B Dasher kart from Mario Kart DS. The pack will also include three new playable racers, Link, Tanooki Mario and Cat Peach, as well as eight race tracks. Mario Kart 8's first piece of DLC will cost $8 on its own, though players will be able to pick it and another pack up in a two-for-one bundle for $12. The second DLC pack is Animal Crossing-themed and will arrive in May 2015. [Image: Nintendo]
The fun and weird moments of Tokyo Game Show 2014
The annual Tokyo Game Show has just wrapped up, and while there weren't any major console announcements, we still had our fair share of memorable moments on the show floor. On top of trying several different virtual reality demos, we also watched Japanese girls giggle away at a romance simulation booth, and we even bumped into Japanese porn stars without realizing who they were at the time. Check out our list of TGS highlights in the gallery below.
Miyamoto stopped Hyrule Warriors from being more Zelda than Dynasty Warriors
Crossovers must be tricky to develop – which fanbase do you cater specific mechanics to, and how much of each series' flavor do you implement while still making a coherent experience that can stand without its fanfare? Early talks concerning Hyrule Warriors certainly covered these questions, but more interestingly, Nintendo Life's interview with Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and Metroid: Other M producer Yosuke Hayashi revealed that Hyrule Warriors was initially meant to be more Zelda than Dynasty Warriors. When Hayashi approached Aonuma with hopes of collaborating on a Zelda project, he suggested the pair rethink what's possible for a Zelda game. He still intended to create something that resembled the mainline Zelda series more than the Dynasty Warrior games, however. When Zelda series creator Shigeru Miyamoto heard, he stepped in: Rather than adding Dynasty Warrior mechanics to a traditional Zelda game, Miyamoto insisted that Hyrule Warriors should focus on "grafting Zelda onto the Dynasty Warriors experience," the opposite of what Hayashi originally envisioned. We'll see how the unexpected blend turns out later this month. If you're curious enough to unwaveringly brave the adventure regardless of reviews, there's still time to pick from Hyrule Warriors' pre-order costumes. [Image: Nintendo]
Mario Kart 8 DLC packs priced $8 each, $12 2-in-1 bundle
Nintendo of America confirmed the crossover Mario Kart 8 DLC packs spotted yesterday on the company's UK site, with the Zelda pack due to launch stateside in November and the Animal Crossing one in May 2015. Both packs will be available for pre-order starting today, each priced at $8. However, if you know you're going to get both, you can save 25 percent by ordering the $12 two-in-one bundle. The saving doesn't apply if you buy both packs separately, unfortunately. On the flip side, anyone who buys both packs unlocks eight new colors of Yoshi and Shy Guy "immediately," in case you're in immediate need of some technicolor racing.
