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3DS

A Link Between Worlds Use of Buttons over Stylus Explained

by Zack Kaplan - July 3, 2013, 4:52 pm EDT
Total comments: 14 Source: (Wired), http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/07/aonuma-zelda...

The focus on 3D makes touch controls difficult.

Eiji Aonuma, the producer of multiple Legend of Zelda games, discussed why The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds uses button controls rather than the touch screen.

The reason for the abandonment of touch controls in A Link Between Worlds is because of the implementation of 3D. He put it very succinctly, saying that "it’s hard to play with a stylus when you have 3-D on the top screen," likely referring to the angle at which the 3DS must be held to properly see the 3D effect.

Aonuma says of the two DS Zelda games that he "had to take advantage of the touch screen. And using the stylus created a lot of opportunities for introducing new surprises and a lot of new fun."

Talkback

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJuly 03, 2013

as much as i loved using the boomerang with the stylus overall that control setup won't be missed...

broodwarsJuly 03, 2013

If Nintendo's going to use the stereoscopic 3D as an excuse to ditch the bad Phantom Hourglass controls for good Zelda controls, they can put stereoscopic 3D in all their future systems.  :P:

jarodeaJuly 03, 2013

Quote from: pokepal148

as much as i loved using the boomerang with the stylus overall that control setup won't be missed...

Same, I liked how the stylus was used for some of the items but I really did not like them for the other 98% of the game (well, games).  Whatever excuse they needed to ditch them.

Leon S KennedyJuly 03, 2013

Thanks be given to the gods.  Controlling the character with the stylus was horrible.

azekeJuly 03, 2013

Quote:

The focus on 3D makes touch controls difficult.

Didn't stop Sakurai, hehe.

But this sounds like an improvement even if i didn't played DS Zeldas.

Ian SaneJuly 04, 2013

I was hoping the reason was more like "We've abandoned the touchscreen controls because they were complete garbage and the only reason anyone would choose to make a game control like that is if they felt internal pressure to push a controller gimmick that they talked up big and then struggled to make good use of."

While it's nice for 3D to "save" Nintendo from themselves in this case, 3D is also a dumb shallow gimmick so I don't really like how it is dictating controls either, even if in this case they happen to be in my favour.  I long await the day when Nintendo does a complete turnaround on these dumb gimmicks.  They've either run out of ideas or do not truly wish to be creative anymore and the gimmicks exist to create the illusion of innovation when we're really playing the same cookie-cutter bullshit over and over again but with some shallow hardware gimmick forced into it.  I honestly believe Nintendo will never be truly creative again until they ditch the gimmicks and cannot pretend that a game is new and different because it has wacky controls.

Since Nintendo did not state that touchscreen controls suck, but just that they don't work with 3D, we cannot be certain that they won't use that garbage in a Wii U Zelda.  The Gamepad just begs for shitty touchscreen controls.

TurdFurgyJuly 04, 2013

Ya'lls just lazy, hardheaded, stuck in the past sissies. I thought the touch controls worked just as well as the buttons. Am I upset that there isn't going to be any touch control in this game? No, I could take either or. Don't matter to me none at all.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJuly 04, 2013

Quote from: Ian

Since Nintendo did not state that touchscreen controls suck, but just that they don't work with 3D, we cannot be certain that they won't use that garbage in a Wii U Zelda.  The Gamepad just begs for shitty touchscreen controls.

i think Nintendo got the idea and are just using the 3d as a scapegoat...

honestly this is the first time i remember them mentioning the 3D in a while

EasyCureJuly 04, 2013

Quote from: TurdFurgy

Ya'lls just lazy, hardheaded, stuck in the past sissies. I thought the touch controls worked just as well as the buttons. Am I upset that there isn't going to be any touch control in this game? No, I could take either or. Don't matter to me none at all.

not sure why but I read this like the southern kid from Hey Arnold!

pololmejorJuly 04, 2013

So he's indirectly laughing at Sakurai?

smallsharkbigbiteJuly 05, 2013

They can't say touch controls suck because the platform still supports them.  I've been pleasantly surprised by Wii U games that don't try to cram touch controls on games where a traditional control system works great.  So I see no need to think that Nintendo is going to reverse course and shove them into Wii U games that don't need them.  Doubly so, since most people that were enamored with motion controls haven't picked up a Wii U.


Ian, how many games are truly innovative each generation?  3-4?  Nintendo can't have every sequel be completely different and groundbreaking.  Would it be nice if they hadn't recently gone to the well of releasing a new Mario platforming game each year?  Yes.  Would it be nice if they pushed new IPs more?  Yes.  But gaming in general has had a lack of innovation since dual analog became standard.  Do you hold Sony/Microsoft to the same standard?  They seem to be on the "more of the same" train as well for gaming. 

MataataJuly 05, 2013

Quote from: TurdFurgy

Ya'lls just lazy, hardheaded, stuck in the past sissies. I thought the touch controls worked just as well as the buttons. Am I upset that there isn't going to be any touch control in this game? No, I could take either or. Don't matter to me none at all.

I agree, I thought they were kinda fun.

BlickJuly 10, 2013

"likely referring to the angle at which the 3DS must be held to properly see the 3D effect."

That was apparently not an issue for them with Kid Icarus. And we saw how terrible that was, so it's good they won't try that again.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJuly 10, 2013

Quote from: Blick

"likely referring to the angle at which the 3DS must be held to properly see the 3D effect."

That was apparently not an issue for them with Kid Icarus. And we saw how terrible that was, so it's good they won't try that again.

FAIL

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