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WiiU

Zelda Wii U, Star Fox Set for 2015 Release

by Neal Ronaghan - October 29, 2014, 6:29 pm EDT
Total comments: 30

The pair of Nintendo games are part of a dozen games currently planned for Wii U in 2015.

The Legend of Zelda and Star Fox Wii U games are still set for a 2015 release according to a Nintendo financial results briefing.

The pair of games, both highlighted most recently at E3 2014, are part of 12 Wii U games coming from Nintendo in 2015. The other games include four games set for release in the first half of 2015, including Mario Maker, Splatoon, Yoshi's Woolly World, and Project Giant Robot. See below for the full list.

  • Mario Maker - First Half of 2015
  • Project Giant Robot - First Half of 2015
  • Splatoon - First Half of 2015
  • Yoshi's Woolly World - First Half of 2015
  • Kirby and the Rainbow Curse - 2015
  • Mario Party 10 - 2015
  • Mario vs. Donkey Kong - 2015
  • Project Guard - 2015
  • Star Fox - 2015
  • Xenoblade Chronicles X - 2015
  • The Legend of Zelda - 2015
  • Devil's Third - 2015 (TBD in Japan)
  • Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem - TBD

Also, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. and Fossil Fighters Frontier for 3DS were both reconfirmed for 2015.

Note: Even this author still raises an eyebrow about Zelda Wii U and Star Fox Wii U coming in 2015. How rad would that be, though?

Talkback

I wouldn't mind seeing one or two more in the "First Half" category, and hope all of those make 2015. I see at least two candidates for slippage.

Based on history, I'd be extremely surprised if Zelda hits that target.

Leo13October 29, 2014

That stinks! I was hoping Xenoblade X would be first half of 2015

SorenOctober 29, 2014

Star Fox is not releasing on 2015.

I could see Star Fox making it, depending on what they do with it. A game in the style of the N64 one probably wouldn't take that long to make.

broodwarsOctober 29, 2014

Quote from: Soren

Star Fox is not releasing on 2015.

I think Nintendo could rush out a Star Fox game before the end of the year, especially since IIRC Miyamoto's said they're shooting for an episodic structure.. However, I think Zelda Wii U has about as much chance of coming out in 2015 as the Wii U has of being the #1 best-selling console in a given month's NPDs. It's not going to happen.

Calling it right now: Zelda Wii U in March 2016.

Luigi DudeOctober 29, 2014

Well Zelda depends entirely on how development is actually going this time.  Skyward Sword took 5 years because it originally wasn't even going to use Motion +, which when they decided to use they ended up pretty much redoing the entire thing.  Realistically if development has actually gone smoothly this time with no huge shakeups in design or controls, a 2015 can still be possible.

SonofMrPeanutOctober 29, 2014

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Calling it right now: Zelda Wii U in March 2016.

Better change that to November 2016.

perrybOctober 29, 2014

I predict Starfox in May 2016 and Zelda in November 2016.  :)

November 2016 is when the Wii U's successor launches, and they're going to prefer to get Zelda out prior to that.

shingi_70October 30, 2014

No new 3DS xenoblade announced yet.


Starfox and either Xenoblade X or Zelda won't hit 2015.

Xenoblade's been in development for a while now, though; I think it's perfectly believable that's going to make it. Star Fox, again, depends on what they're doing with it. Zelda always takes longer than intended.

rlse9October 30, 2014

I'm a little surprised Xenoblade isn't listed as first half of 2015...I thought that was more of a just missed being ready for 2014 than a holiday 2015 title.  But maybe they're just being conservative and not announcing it being earlier in 2015 until they're sure.

I know they only listed games that they've already announced but Animal Crossing has to be a 2015 title, doesn't it?  It just seems like a given that they'd have that ready before the holidays roll around next year.

the asylumOctober 30, 2014

They just forgot to mention f-zero, right?

yeah

they just forgot

they just forgot

they just forgot

AdrockOctober 30, 2014

Quote from: Luigi

Realistically if development has actually gone smoothly this time with no huge shakeups in design or controls, a 2015 can still be possible.

That goes without saying. When was the last time that actually happened? Not saying it can't, but at this point, I'd certainly bet against Nintendo releasing a console Zelda game on time.

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

November 2016 is when the Wii U's successor launches, and they're going to prefer to get Zelda out prior to that.

Zelda would make a really lovely launch title.

I'm not sure what the last console Zelda game to hit the target was. Maybe Majora, but then again that game was specifically designed for a quick turnaround.

marvel_moviefan_2012October 30, 2014

its actually a decent lineup and leaves plenty of room for the following year.

Leo13October 30, 2014

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

I'm not sure what the last console Zelda game to hit the target was. Maybe Majora, but then again that game was specifically designed for a quick turnaround.

Yep the last one that meet the deadline was the last Zelda that want good. With that perspective I'm on with it being late over not being great

KhushrenadaOctober 30, 2014

Was Wind Waker on time? Because I know people complain about it being rushed. Was it rushed to make its deadline? I didn't follow deadlines that much in the early 2000's so I can't remember. If so, that is your last Zelda to make deadline.

Twilight missed but I think that was done purposely so that it could have motion controls implemented into it. Skyward Sword was delayed as well. However, Link Crossbow Training and Hyrule Warriors made their deadlines. While not what you are talking about, all handheld Zelda's have made their deadlines. At this point, there are just two with significant delays (TP and SS) and that was because they had some big shake-ups during production. With Wii U, I don't see any reason to expect a major shake-up or have a potential new controller/control scheme suddenly become available or promoted. I think this could be a smoother production.

That said, if all they could should of Zelda Wii U was that brief footage of Link on a horse and then running away from an enemy, that doesn't inspire much confidence that they would be far enough in development to launch in holiday season of next year. That was like a Twilight Princess reveal size tease and look how long that game took. If Zelda Wii U had been playable in some form on the E3 show floor, then I'd be optimistic. Unless there is suddenly a Nintendo direct that blows the lid off this game showing that major design and construction of the game is done, I don't believe that date.

Yeah, I guess Wind Waker did hit it, at least in Japan. As you said, though, that probably wasn't a good thing.

NeifirstOctober 30, 2014

Wii U may not get nearly as many retail games as PS4 next year, but I will buy every single one on that list with the exception of Mario Party 10.

Wasn't there a rumor of a major title getting an HD remake for early 2015 as well?  I think I read that on Neogaf awhile back.

AdrockOctober 30, 2014

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Yeah, I guess Wind Waker did hit it, at least in Japan. As you said, though, that probably wasn't a good thing.

Didn't Miyamoto upend-the-tea-table once one of the artists showed the team a drawing of Toon Link? Being on time is relative at that point. Even if we don't count the setback of changing the art direction, Nintendo still ended up cutting two dungeons from The Wind Waker to prevent a delay.

That said, unless we're counting Four Sword Adventures, I'd still give it to Majora's Mask which, as you said, was designed for a quick turnaround. This was after Ocarina of Time was a delayed a bunch of times. If we want to count handheld Zelda titles, I haven't read about any issues with A Link Between Worlds though it should be noted that the game borrows much from A Link to the Past. Before that, Spirit Tracks carries the same distinction as Majora's Mask (in that it used the previous game's engine for a quicker development cycle). Phantom Hourglass was originally meant to be a Four Swords game. Hyrule Warriors, Four Sword Anniversary, The Minish Cap, and the Oracle games weren't developed by Nintendo. Link's Crossbow Training is a few mini-games, and it uses Twilight Princess' engine and assets.

Most Nintendo-developed Zelda games not specifically meant to take advantage of existing assets have been delayed, if not restarted entirely. This isn't a bad thing as I'd personally rather every developer delay a game before releasing one that isn't good. All things considered, I would be rather surprised if Zelda Wii U releases without any major development snags, especially since Nintendo is trying something it has never done ever, Zelda or otherwise.

MagicCow64October 30, 2014

I would normally dismiss the possibility of Zelda coming out in 2015, but I don't know if anything on that list could really carry the weight of being the big holiday game of the year. I guess they could try to pump up Xenoblade into a major tentpole, but based on the sales of the last game I doubt it.


And, if they are indeed targeting Fall 2016 to launch the next console, I could see them trying to get the Wii U Zelda out sooner rather than later. if they were planning on making it cross-gen, I'm not sure they'd reiterate a 2015 target in this report.

StogiOctober 30, 2014

I miss the days of two zeldas coming out per generation.

broodwarsOctober 30, 2014

Quote from: Hypotheliciously

I miss the days of two zeldas coming out per generation.

I miss the days of new Zelda games actually being good.

AdrockOctober 30, 2014

I really liked A Link Between Worlds.

SorenOctober 31, 2014

I really liked Skyward Sword.

marvel_moviefan_2012October 31, 2014

Quote from: Hypotheliciously

I miss the days of two zeldas coming out per generation.

technically the SNES is the only console that had just one Zelda, all others have had two, or more. Unless that was a joke which you can just ignore me then.


I think he was counting Twilight Princess as not being a Wii game.

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