We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
GC

Realistic Zelda!

by Rick Powers - May 11, 2004, 12:31 pm EDT
Total comments: 62 Source: Nintendo

The Nintendo press conference has just ended, and Link is coming in realistic style!

Prepare to be blown away ...

The Legend of Zelda – Coming Soon

Graphics are like Ocarina in Style, but "1000 times better" according to our reports. Similar to Resident Evil 4 in graphic style. It was the very last game shown.

Miyamoto walked out in a green 1-Up t-shirt, holding the Master Sword and Shield, swinging the sword around. Miyamoto barely said anything.

Nintendo listening to the fans seems to be the theme of the show.

More to come!

Nintendo Details its GameCube Lineup

Nintendo takes a moment to brag about the GameCube's recent sales growth and upcoming software.

BOLD STEPS DRIVE RECORD-BREAKING GROWTH FOR NINTENDO GAMECUBE

Major Publishers Create Games for Industry's Most Innovative Device

LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2004 – Traditionally the second halves of console life cycles are characterized by a sort of technological malaise. Game production slows and titles become less inspired as developers turn their thoughts and energies to their next systems.

But not this time.

With a bold lineup for 2004, Nintendo GameCube™ demonstrates that creativity follows no timelines. With the arrival of much-anticipated games like Metroid® Prime 2: Echoes, the introduction of fun accessories like the DK Bongo controller and the demonstration of hard-core games like Resident Evil® 4 from Capcom for older gamers, Nintendo GameCube strides into the months ahead with continued energy.

"By any measure this is an exciting lineup, offering something for longtime fans and novices," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications. "As always, we aim to entertain, excite and inspire, whether by bringing a new dimension to a familiar franchise or delivering something people have never seen before."

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, the follow-up to the exciting first-person adventure, takes Samus Aran on a wild, dangerous new mission, only this time the game offers a multiplayer mode that lets players hang out and play together. Paper Mario™ 2 has a two-dimensional Mario vying for audience approval while trying to navigate a 3-D landscape. The next Star Fox® game will be an outstanding sequel with multiplayer options, while Pikmin™ 2 introduces fans to a new character and new types of Pikmin.

Leave it to Nintendo to come up with an exciting new way for people of any age to participate in and play video games. Donkey Konga™ uses a DK Bongo controller, a unique drumming accessory that contains sensors and microphones. Players beat the bongo and clap their hands to the music on the screen in a competition to see who has the best rhythm. It's a great party game for youngsters, college kids and adults. Donkey Kong® Jungle Beat, the next great Donkey Kong adventure game, also uses the DK Bongo controller, but this time the taps and claps control Donkey Kong’s movements on the screen. Donkey Konga and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat are what social, interactive game play is all about.

The next Nintendo GameCube adventure in The Legend of Zelda® series will arrive in June with The Legend of Zelda®: Four Swords Adventures. Link, who has been split into four copies, explores eight massive worlds while hunting for Force Gems. In 2005, Link will be let loose on a new and exciting Nintendo GameCube excursion to fight evil and seek treasure.

Because of the huge popularity of Nintendo franchise characters like Mario™, Donkey Kong and Kirby™, it's easy to overlook the many Teen- and Mature-rated titles made for Nintendo GameCube. Upcoming games like Resident Evil® 4 and Killer 7 from Capcom, and Geist, developed by n-Space for Nintendo, deal with more mature themes, while demonstrating the overall range of titles and genres available for Nintendo GameCube.

Other upcoming third-party games made for Nintendo GameCube include Tales of Symphonia™ and Baten Kaitos® from Namco, Goldeneye 2, NASCAR Thunder™ 2005 and Madden NFL 2005 from Electronic Arts, and WWE Day of Reckoning™ from THQ.

The worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home and portable video game systems. Each year, hundreds of all-new titles for the best-selling Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems extend Nintendo's vast game library and continue the tradition of delivering a rich, diverse mix of quality video games for players of all ages. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.8 billion video games globally, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario™ and Donkey Kong® and launching popular culture franchise phenomena such as Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

Talkback

nickmitchMay 11, 2004

Must see......
NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EcrofirtMay 11, 2004

I've seen it, and holy hell does it look awesome. I'd post pictures, but I don't know if that's allowed.

EcrofirtMay 11, 2004
BlkPaladinMay 11, 2004

Well I guess whining and crying does work sometimes. The pics look good.

Oh my God. Absolutely sick. I mean, the model of Link is amazing. This game is going to sell a truckload, and is EXACTLY what Nintendo needed to get people talking about them again.

Brilliant.

silks

I love Nintendo art direction. The Namco Soul Caliber 2 Link was butt ugly... thought the SW2000 Link looked like a girl...

The stonework on the castle and dungeon is the most lackluster part I see, but everything else looks neato. At first it all looked like a tech demo... ... but the horseback and mounted combat scenes look like they use in-game graphics... but are they actual gameplay? That's the real question: whether these scenes are scripted/FMV/Demo or whether they indicate real gameplay?

By the way, the new Bokoblins and Lizalfos (?) rock.

Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

RickPowersRick Powers, Staff AlumnusMay 11, 2004

BEAGLES! YES, BEAGLES in the new Zelda! Yes, even my ridiculously selfish prayers were answered!!!

face-icon-small-happy.gif

ShinosukeMay 11, 2004

don't want to wake up... don't want to... don't...

theRPGFreakMay 11, 2004

...its not cel-shaded? YES!!!

CalibanMay 11, 2004

I just watched the new Zelda game footage and IMO it looks nice but of course it still needs more work done on it. I'm hoping this game's story is after Ocarina of Time. Also, I can't wait to ride with Epona once again.

Perfect CellMay 11, 2004

Bad Ass.. Nuff said... One of those pics looks like LOTR face-icon-small-smile.gif Awesome....

Bill AurionMay 11, 2004

*sits on theRPGFreak*

"I love Nintendo art direction. The Namco Soul Caliber 2 Link was butt ugly... thought the SW2000 Link looked like a girl..."

This Link model has made me question my sexuality yet again... heart.gifface-icon-small-cool.gif

gallyMay 11, 2004

Quote

Originally posted by: theRPGFreak
...its not cel-shaded? YES!!!


God damn it. The only thing I had against a "realistic" Zelda is the inevitable reactions of the "oh so cool" teens who hate cartoons.

I personally would love to see a Zelda with Dark Cloud 2-esque graphics, as I thought that game's look had the perfect balance. However, I am glad to see a Zelda that is likely to draw in a crowd. Now watch as the "OMG we need more games to be COOL and BAD-ASS" adolescent boys start crowing.

KnowsNothingMay 11, 2004

Yeah, I hate it now that everybody's like "YES YES REALISTIC ZELDA HAR GUFFAW GURN" =\

I don't like it. =\ I just don't want ANY realistic zelda anymore. =(

But I'll still buy it and love it. face-icon-small-wink.gif

UGGH, I finally got to actually watching the footage and I hate it even more. ;___________;

joeamisMay 11, 2004

OMG the GC can do that!!!? This is amazing, and I thought they couldn't top WW. This game and that boss with the chain makes Ninja Gaiden look well um not so great. Now my question is who is the producer of this new Zelda, Miyamato or the guy who was supposedly doing the sequel to WW with the same graphical style? Does this mean no WW2 and they just said that was being made so that this new Zelda would be a complete surprise or is their going to be a WW2 as well? I can't imagine there would be.

Koopa TroopaMay 11, 2004

It is beautiful. Just Gorgeous. Ninja Gaiden's rep for "best graphics" this gen is definitely in jeopardy. I can't get over how great it looks.

Quote

God damn it. The only thing I had against a "realistic" Zelda is the inevitable reactions of the "oh so cool" teens who hate cartoons.


Amen. I don't think anything'll will piss me off as much as this will.

nitsu niflheimMay 11, 2004

Zelda is Zelda and I will take whichever way it is handed to me.

As far as I know there is still WW2, as the guy who made that, I didn't see his name anywhere in association with this new "realistic style" Zelda.

Guitar SmasherMay 11, 2004

Link is soooooooo masculin! I love it! But seriously, Nintendo has just done a 180 in terms of pleasing the market.

Ian SaneMay 11, 2004

"I don't like it. =\ I just don't want ANY realistic zelda anymore."

That seems a little selfish. Those of you who prefer the toon style already got a Cube game. Plus The Four Swords and the new GBA game (which looks super swank by the way) are also in this style. You have THREE toon style Zelda games being released this gen. Those of us who want something more realistic get ONE. Every Gamecube owner gets both options. I can't think of a better situation. It's totally win-win.

BonzeemerMay 11, 2004

Maybe I'm over dramatic but after seeing and reading this I had to hold back tears and was so excited/worked up that my heart was racing. I actually had to lay down so I could calm myself. YES! YES! I SAY! YES!YES!YES!YES! Sweet Lord YES!. Thank you nintendo. YES!!

DrZoidbergJuan Schwartz, Staff WriterMay 11, 2004

Quote

Originally posted by: Kairon
whether these scenes are scripted/FMV/Demo or whether they indicate real gameplay?


I'd wager that they're ingame scenes, Nintendo has never been one to pass off FMV as ingame graphics, also they hardly use it anyway.


Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Termin8AnakinMay 11, 2004

I can't describe the insanely gruesome and bloody mess that my head made when it exploded from watching the trailer for this......

Shift KeyMay 11, 2004

I know this game will be good, but I don't feel as excited as everyone else seems to be. Hell, I was more interested in the lack of WW2 news than anything.

And expect the visuals to get a good old polish up between now and release. face-icon-small-thumbsup.gif

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusMay 11, 2004

I know what you mean just by looking at the screens, but for those of us at the conference coming off of a rather impressive DS announcement, this was absolutely the last thing we expected. My brain just shut off and stared in awe at the video.

Oh and for those of you still looking for Wind Waker 2: this is it. The game is running on the same engine believe it or not.

Termin8AnakinMay 11, 2004

Quote

Oh and for those of you still looking for Wind Waker 2: this is it. The game is running on the same engine believe it or not.


I had some doubt if it was WW2, but the same engine? F**KING CHRIST ALMIGHTY!

KnowsNothingMay 12, 2004

[Q}That seems a little selfish.[/Q}

I completely agree. I just don't care. :cool:

Naw, I think this is the right decision for Nintendo. Even if I prefer cel-shading, it still looks fantastic and I;ll still buy it, and that's most likeyl the same for everyone else who prefers cel-shading. Plus, there are the people, the vast majority, that prefer THIS, and the realistic look will attract new gamers. It's totally the right way to go.

Shift KeyMay 12, 2004

Fair enough, Bloodworth. Its good to see a new Zelda game anytime I guess face-icon-small-happy.gif
As for the DS, I'm still on the fence. Can't wait to hear how it plays and all that, but still on the fence.

thecubedcanuckMay 12, 2004

For the first time in a very long time, I am excited big time about a Nintendo game.
Lets just hope the difficulty level has been ramped up, making this Zelda the game to kill all games.

Bill AurionMay 12, 2004

Quote

Originally posted by: joeamis
Now my question is who is the producer of this new Zelda, Miyamato or the guy who was supposedly doing the sequel to WW with the same graphical style?

Both Miyamoto and Aonuma are in the Producer's seat, while the Director has not been announced...

KDR_11kMay 12, 2004

Pleasenotdyackpleasenotdyack...

Shifty: Here. Even though their site seems to prefer PSP for some reason (bribery? Stupidity?) he sounds very blown-away.

Hell, even IGN praised Nintendo this time!

Now imagine what if the secret director was... Peter Jackson!

MysticGohan24May 12, 2004

lol would explain somethings face-icon-small-tongue.gif But wasn't it Wolves of Isengard that they were riding and not boars? Just a thought face-icon-small-wink.gif

CalibanMay 12, 2004

Seriously folks, please don't compare LOTR with TLOZ. OK?

WW engine huh? Not bat at all.

Nice work Nintendo!

Shift KeyMay 12, 2004

I watched the conference, Lincoln was quite the antagonist when it came to the rivals of the GC and DS face-icon-small-tongue.gif.
And all the developer comments have me really interested (but not sold) on the DS concept.

DS + Stylus Pen + WiFi = portable drawing e-hilarity! heart.gif

Uncle Rich AiAiMay 12, 2004

Quote

Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Now imagine what if the secret director was... Peter Jackson!

That would make sense since he has finished the LotR trilogy. faustsmiley.gif

vuduMay 13, 2004

in what bizzare universe does peter jackson directing the legend of zelda make sense? face-icon-small-smile.gif

Termin8AnakinMay 13, 2004

How cool would it be though face-icon-small-tongue.gifface-icon-small-tongue.gif
The buzz for the game would be NUTS!

But then PJ didn't even direct the LotR games....

Ocarina BlueMay 14, 2004

Before reading this, please note that I was, indeed, rather intoxicated at the time of writing.

I was at first sad to find the new Zelda not to use the toon-shading style of the WW, but I was frankly amazed when I saw some of the screenshots. This not only is what most people seem to want from Zelda, it builds on their mental image as well. Has anyone seen the replies at Slashdot? Read some of the post and you´ll really see what I mean. After the arguments for toon-shading engine, it seemed to me like good games and games that apeal to the mainstream crowd in a major way are like two opposites, constantly struggling to overcome each other, But this has proven to me that EAD truly know how to produce the hype without bastardising their games.

The trailer, however, puts me off a little bit. Although the character models are spectacular, many of the textures on the ground look overly bland and generic. The score is worse, and belongs to some crappy fantasy-action or space-opera movie. I´ve said it before, and I´ll say it again: music in games has the natural ability to outdo its counterpart in movies. Screw this Conan crap, we deserve Kondo. Obviously, it is an early movie, but it still doesn´t impress me as much as I would like.

I think there´s a good chance the horse will be the major theme in this Zelda... so much emphasis was placed on it in the trailer. I just hope they don´t overdo it again. At the roundtable, Miyamoto mentioned an effort to keep the puzzles in the new game more original. One of my main gripes with WW is the fact that I felt that I´d essentially completed most of the puzzles while I was playing the game. Either that, or the new ones were so simple they felt more like a small jump on an obstacle course than anything else: their only purpose was to momentarily slow you down.

Has anyone else noticed that in the trailer, durning a built-up in the music and when Link brings his sword above his head, full cliché battle-cry sort of thing, there is absolutely no attempt to give him any sort of facial animation? Perhaps this was done on purpose, as a final example of toon-shading´s ability to produce much more than cheap and corny atmosephere playing on emotions invoked by primal instincts (ala Resident Evil), but much richer experiences demonstrating the ability to show rich and convincing emotion via a simpler outlet.

Honestly though, the fact that most if not all of the footage is someone actually playing game gives me the impression that once again, I´ll continue to play a game well past I´ve finished it, obtaining virtuosity in its mechanics. Simply because of the amazing Fresco-blend of art and technology use to create it; strangely blurred and not yet entirely consistant or coherrent, but providing an image that has not yet been depicted anywhere else; I will play this game.

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusMay 14, 2004

Hah hah ... talk about overanalyzing a game too soon. Zelda's not coming out until 2005, and I wouldn't be surprised if it were late 2005. I'm actually rather sure that the current ground texture is simply the same as the one in OOT, being used as a place holder. But yeah, anyone that remembers some of the original screens from OOT will remember that it looked entirely different when it was first shown. It only gets better from here.

Termin8AnakinMay 14, 2004

Listen, the game is actually quite far along as it is, but they've got around 2 more years to get it done.
Thats a BLOODY long time.

The reason why Nintendo used their version of that song from Conan the Barbarian is cause it's the same music they used in the Zelda Wind Waker trailer at E3 2002.
Hearing it before the trailer came on at the conference was a huge surprise to anyone who remembered that tune, cause that meant it was Zelda. Then BAM!
The song is epic in itself, and tons cool.

You SHOULD remember that all this isn't even finished yet - the FACT that Nintendo was making realistic Zelda was what took people off guard. And the fact that he looks MORE realistic (hair, clothing) than the 3D demo at Spaceworld 2000 is what makes it cool nonetheless. I really didn't see how having a bright green tunic would be as realistic as a tunic of dull green like something out of Lord of the Rings. The chain mail was a nice added look too.

Bill AurionMay 14, 2004

"The score is worse, and belongs to some crappy fantasy-action or space-opera movie. I´ve said it before, and I´ll say it again: music in games has the natural ability to outdo its counterpart in movies. Screw this Conan crap, we deserve Kondo."

Ahahaha, silly Ocarina...That was just promo music that has been used to reveal Zelda games since OoT... face-icon-small-tongue.gif

If you find Ninty's direct-feed trailer, the music that plays is more Zelda-ish...

Ian SaneMay 14, 2004

"How cool would it be though The buzz for the game would be NUTS!"

Yeah but the game would suck if Peter Jackson made it. Film directors have NO CLUE what makes a game great. Hell most people who make or play videogames have no clue what makes a game great. Do you know what you get when a movie director has a lot of input in a game? Enter the Matrix.

KDR_11kMay 14, 2004

Mentioning Peter Jackson was a friggin' joke, never thought people would take it that serious...

I doubt this game is that far along, I mean, what have we seen? The main character and a few of the more popular enemies. A few trees. Everything else seems to be placeholders from OOT.

- NintendoFan -May 14, 2004

Quote

The reason why Nintendo used their version of that song from Conan the Barbarian is cause it's the same music they used in the Zelda Wind Waker trailer at E3 2002.


Well, it was also used in the OoT Trailer shown in movie theaters.

Koopa TroopaMay 14, 2004

Quote

Has anyone else noticed that in the trailer, durning a built-up in the music and when Link brings his sword above his head, full cliché battle-cry sort of thing, there is absolutely no attempt to give him any sort of facial animation? Perhaps this was done on purpose, as a final example of toon-shading´s ability to produce much more than cheap and corny atmosephere playing on emotions invoked by primal instincts (ala Resident Evil), but much richer experiences demonstrating the ability to show rich and convincing emotion via a simpler outlet.


I noticed this, and if you look closely you'll see it isn't even the same face texture. It looked much, much more primitive than other shots of Link, i.e. when he is surrounded by baddies and he pulls his sword over to his right side for a big swing. My guess is the movie was spliced together using older footage as well as newer.

I think you need to settle down a little, I mean seriously, you're definitely going a little far with your analytics here.

Bill AurionMay 14, 2004

Link did look different to me from when his face is first shown and that last cinematic of him...So that very well may be the case...

Ocarina BlueMay 14, 2004

Quote

Hah hah ... talk about overanalyzing a game too soon


Yeah, I get what you mean. A few drinks + a new computer to play around with = hours of writing fun. Keep in mind I do realise that that was only a trailer, and that there is lots of development time left. Still, the trailer itself, while both being real-time and looking far more stylish than the older Spaceworld one, lacked the polish that older one rovided. Despite my drunken ramblings, don´t think I´m judging the actual game here: I once again wish to stress that I realise this was only an early trailer.

I´ve actually neveer seen anything more than screenshots from older Zeldas before they were released, but I realise that´s not in-game music. Once again, ignore my drunken ramblings.

RickPowersRick Powers, Staff AlumnusMay 14, 2004

First, it could have been LOD (Level of Detail) tricks. OR it could have been older footage. I'm not concerned.

By the way, just like in Wind Waker, Link will look at important things around him.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMay 14, 2004

Awesomeness.

Reggie like.

KDR_11kMay 14, 2004

With that number of characters onscreen AND that detail in them there's no way this is running without LODs.

Ian SaneMay 14, 2004

"By the way, just like in Wind Waker, Link will look at important things around him."

You know it's funny. Miyamoto hyped up that element of Wind Waker huge. He even explained that part of the reason they went cel-shaded was because it would make it easier for Link to have facial expressions and look at things. Yet I NEVER noticed it while I was playing and never once solved a puzzle because Link looked at something. It was just so minor. The only times I really noticed LInk's facial expressions were in very obvious situations like the super fun happy dance he did when he beat a boss. In other words the only times I noticed Link had facial expressions was when they appeared out-of-place for a Zelda game.

Termin8AnakinMay 14, 2004

I loved backing up against the walls in WW for the sole purpose of watching Link's eyes move. I would sit there for a long time, watching him look in different directions while trying to keep still with his mouth pursed. It was brilliant. His big bright eyes made it so good face-icon-small-happy.gif
Have a look at Link when the Deku Tree is talking to you for the first time, in Hylian. That look is GOLD hahaha.

The cartoon element definitely made it more charming, while the realistic approach here would add a more epic feel to it.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMay 14, 2004

Link's eyes told me where to look to find the switch for the hidden passage in the teacher's isolated vacation house.

I ran around the place for like 5 minutes then i simply got stumped. Hrrrmmmm, what to do.

So I had Link stand in the middle of the room and stare at me (into the camera).

All of a sudden he was like --

*o*

looking straight up into the heavens AND I'M LIKE HUH? HOLY SHHIT! IT'S THERE!

That's probably the first time Link ever helped ME out.
BRILLIANT!!

Reggie like!

KDR_11kMay 15, 2004

What's the point of having a character in a realistic game look around? Usually the eyes are just a few pixels large, you can't make out anything there.

Ocarina BlueMay 15, 2004

Still, Link could turn his entire head to face the main object if too much time is spent in once room. Or they could just bring back the faeries

mouse_clickerMay 15, 2004

Quote

Still, Link could turn his entire head to face the main object if too much time is spent in once room. Or they could just bring back the faeries


People complain enough about Wind Waker's lack of difficulty as it is- if Nintendo had done something like that people woul just complain that they were being given the answer and didn't even have a chance to come up with the solution themselves. If you never needed the help of Link's eyes, good for you. If you did, aren't you glad it was just a little push in the right direction rather than a blatan revealing of what you were supposed to figure out on your own?

Ocarina BlueMay 15, 2004

I feel that as long as the time-delay is long enough, the eye movement decreases frustration more than difficulty. For example, I spent 10 minutes (and I could have spent much longer) looking for the scroll in the teacher´s house before I noticed Link´s eyes.

I can´t remember how many times I´ve solved a large puzzle several times over but not completed it because I missed a small part of it. Imagine trying to light a whole lot of torches: you run from the start to the finish, and by the time you get to the finish you presume the reason nothing´s happening is because the earlier torches have gone out, but the fact is you´ve missed one all along. That´s the sort of thing that Link´s eyes can tell you. What they can´t tell you is why you need to light the torches, or when you need to to turn the dungeon upside down, or how you need to defeat phantom gannon etc.

KDR_11kMay 16, 2004

Apropos phantom Ganon, anyone else annoyed by the fact that the autoaim doesn't track his weak point but his head whereas it tracks the weak spots of all other enemies?

"By the way, just like in Wind Waker, Link will look at important things around him."

Yup. Aonuma confirmed that one in the just-posted GDC roundtable, despite the denial of sex...er...darker Link.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMay 17, 2004

It'll work as long as new Link maintains his arguably large anime-ish eyeballs.

The way the characters turned/titled their heads in Eternal Darkness was also quite noticeable, and therefore functional.

linkmeisterNovember 07, 2004

To bring up an old topic, (like 6 months old) the new realistic zelda does look amazing, all bits from the E3 2004 video that quite a few of us saw were from gameplay without any CG parts and hopefully it won't be too long until it's released! Also, in this game link is supposed to 16 and they couldn't think of a way to potray a teenage link with Cel-shading which is why they reverted back to the realistic look. Good choice

KDR_11kNovember 07, 2004

Actually it depicts how Link perceives the world: As a child he sees the world around him happy and bright, now that he is older everything seems dark and depressing to him, that's why he fills his blog with angsty poems about suicide.

KnowsNothingNovember 07, 2004

New emo Link is BEST.

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement