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Wii Zapper Details

September 10, 2007, 4:26 pm EDT
Total comments: 58

Packed with... Link's Crossbow Training?

NINTENDO'S NEW WII ZAPPER TARGETS FUN

First Wii Game-Play Accessory Comes Packaged with Zelda Software

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 10, 2007 - Nintendo announced today that the Wii Zapper™ interface for the hit Wii™ home video game system will come packed with Link's Crossbow Training™. The software is based on the hugely popular Legend of Zelda® series and provides a perfect demonstration of the way the Wii Zapper could be used in other games. The Wii Zapper casing houses both the motion-sensitive Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers in a single unit for precision targeting. It goes on sale Nov. 19 at an MSRP of just $19.99.

"The Wii Zapper combines our remarkable controllers into one housing with a classic style reminiscent of arcade-style games," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Both veteran and first-time players will find it brings a whole new dimension to games where targeting is key and provides even more exciting game-play experiences."

Link's Crossbow Training drops players into a world in the style of The Legend of Zelda®: Twilight Princess. Players assume the identity of hero Link, who progresses through a series of tests to perfect his crossbow marksmanship. Start with stationary bull's-eyes and graduate to moving targets before defending Link against all kinds of enemies.

Third-party publishers have lined up to support the Wii Zapper. EA's Medal of Honor Heroes™ 2 lets players take World War II into their hands with the Wii Zapper. The game features an all-new Wii-exclusive Arcade Mode that offers accessibility to gamers of all skill levels, a full single-player campaign and support for up to 32 players in multiplayer. Capcom's Resident Evil®: The Umbrella Chronicles reveals the back story behind the fall of the Umbrella Corporation by exploring locations from Resident Evil 0, 1, 2 and 3, as well as new never-before-seen locations like Umbrella's stronghold. One or two players use the Wii Zapper to take aim against a horde of zombies in first-person perspective. SEGA's Ghost Squad™ lets players replicate the arcade light-gun experience at home with the Wii Zapper.

Talkback

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 10, 2007

Umm... the fake gun is packed with a game about shooting arrows with a crossbow?

wha...?

StrikerObiMike Sklens, Podcast EditorSeptember 10, 2007

What a joke. How do you screw up something as easy as Duck Hunt.

Bill AurionSeptember 10, 2007

Because Duck Hunt is basically in Wii Play...

"Umm... the fake gun is packed with a game about shooting arrows with a crossbow?"

You hold the Zapper the same way you'd hold a crossbow... =)

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusSeptember 10, 2007

I wonder if this is the big surprise, atleast Nintendo isn't dumb enough to sell a controller attachment at just 20 dollars itself. Maybe the crossbow training may prove to be amusing.

MashiroSeptember 10, 2007

Expect a full scale, online, Duck Hunt in 2008 face-icon-small-wink.gif

Bill AurionSeptember 10, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: Lord_die_seis
I wonder if this is the big surprise, atleast Nintendo isn't dumb enough to sell a controller attachment at just 20 dollars itself. Maybe the crossbow training may prove to be amusing.

The September surprise is supposed to be WiiConnect24-oriented...

Luigi DudeSeptember 10, 2007

Well the reason is simple, they want the Zapper to actually sell. Twilight Princess has sold close to 4 million copies on the Wii in less then a year. There is a huge Zelda user base already on the Wii. Releasing the Zapper with no game would have bombed, and releasing it with Duck Hunt wouldn't have done much since only the older gamers remember that game. (And as Bill said Duck Hunt was already in Wii Play)

With Links Lightgun Adventure, Nintendo knows it'll get a lot more people interested in the thing, thus resulting in possible higher sales. Meaning with the Zapper selling better, it'll allow for more Lightgun games to be made for the Wii. Which also means Nintendo might make a new full fledge Duck Hunt or Battle Clash in the future since they'd actually have a chance of selling.

steveySeptember 10, 2007

WHAT!!!

D@mn it, I was going to skip the zapper, but Zelda fanboy in me make me buy everything with the word Zelda onface-icon-small-sad.gif

NinGurl69 *hugglesSeptember 10, 2007

Horrible products.

nickmitchSeptember 10, 2007

The Zapper is still kind of lame. If you didn't already need a nunchuck to use it, it'd be less weak. It's alright to buy one, I just couldn't, for the life of me, see myself buying a second one for any reason.

AdrockSeptember 10, 2007

Duck Hunt is NOT in Wii Play. There are like six ducks and no condescending dog. More like N00b Hunt........

I'll pass on this package though I'll probably pick up Link's Crossbow training used eventually, just to have. I'm supposed to get the Zapper for free as a reserve gift for Umbrella Chronicles anyway and that game, unlike Link's Crossbow Training, has high levels of Jill Valentine.

On a side note, Nintendo really should consider making all these mini-game titles online enabled. They make these games in a matter of months, if that. They're cheap, but online multiplayer would instantly make them that much more enticing to buy. I almost never pass up anything Zelda related and I just can't justify paying $20 for a piece of plastic and a single player mini-game.

What we got in Wii Play was nowhere close to Duck Hunt. It was entertaining in a way, but it was a big disappointment if you were expecting something like Duck Hunt. Can Shooter in Wario Ware, now that's my kind of classic light gun game.

If the pack-in game had been Duck Hunt this would be instant buy for me; this bumps it down quite a bit, but I'm still probably going to get it at some point. Hopefully they'll release Duck Hunt in some form on the VC or WiiWare.

MaximilianSeptember 10, 2007

I'm a bit surprised at Link's Crossbow training as well. This month's Game Informer had an interview with Reggie where he pretty much said while he couldn't confirm or deny Duck Hunt, the game packed in with the Zapper would make us smile.

I'm a bit surprised at a Zelda light gun game but by no means bummed. I was planning on getting the Zapper for games like RE: Umbrella Chronicles and Ghost Squad because I really love gun games. Sure, I really don't need the zapper to enjoy them but at $20 plus a game, I was planning to get it whatever the game was. Who knows? The Zelda zapper game could turn out to be really cool.

I agree Wii Play's shooting game was just a Duck Hunt tease though. I know Nintendo is aware of the Duck Hunt love and with the Zapper coming, I expect it's just a matter of time before they do revisit that franchise in full.

matt ozSeptember 10, 2007

disappointing surprise.

King of TwitchSeptember 10, 2007

This is ridiculous. Link would not need to perfect his crossbow marksmanship so soon after the last adventure

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 10, 2007

Yippee, a $2 cheesy plastic gun packed with something that may even make Wii Play look deep.

This is awesome. Another Zelda game! Yippee!!!

Also... they need to make a fire-fighting game out of this Zapper.

TrueNerdSeptember 10, 2007

And the whoring of the Zelda franchise finally begins.

Hey, I never got my copy of Tetra Trackers.

TanookisuitSeptember 10, 2007

Game of the Year.

Dozy BoySeptember 10, 2007

I'd rather pay $19.98 for the game disk alone than $19.99 for the game and the plastic shell. That joke of a peripheral is utterly worthless to me.

Not that the game disk sounds that intriguing anyway.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 10, 2007

I'll pay you the one cent for your plastic shell... I'm going to end up wanting two (or more) of these... face-icon-small-wink.gif

Smash_BrotherSeptember 10, 2007

Will it be called "Cucco Hunt"?

You can only shoot five or so before they swarm and kill you.

LouieturkeySeptember 10, 2007

I'm hoping for a Hogan's Alley remake myself.

Shift KeySeptember 10, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: Professional 666
Horrible products.


BAM

Uuugh. Aonuma and Miyamoto allowed this?

NinGurl69 *hugglesSeptember 10, 2007

This is all Iwata's fault.

Japan doesn't care for Mature Link yet they insist on non-gaming an entire franchise with a game excursion that should've been inside an existing adventure.

PHAIL ZAPPER

ShyGuySeptember 10, 2007

I think Iwata really wants Zelda to be more loved in Japan. The latest plan is to whore it out on this casual gimmick game.

KDR_11kSeptember 10, 2007

Wait, is this the first time Zelda has been used for a spinoff in a different genre (outside of the CDi games)?

Unless you count Tetra's Trackers or 4 Swords in general, I think so. I guess you could argue this is an expansion on the shooting galleries found in Zelda games....

Anyway, I wonder if NST is behind this game. Recycling game assets and genre manipulation seem to be its hobbies.

planetidiotSeptember 11, 2007

I still don't get how they call this piece of plastic a "zapper". What does it do for you that the remote and nunchuck by themselves don't?

MaryJaneSeptember 11, 2007

I don't understand all the complaining about using Link...

I see it as genius for a few reasons:

- Associate a game with a character with whom it makes sense (how long has Link been using archery?)
- Bring down costs by using an already developed overworld
- Use the most familiar franchise character on the Wii (Mario is the most familiar overall, but he doesn't have archery skills (F the Fludd(although I can't wait to use it in SMB)))
- Help people like me going through TP withdrawal (I played the game twice, and am simply waiting to forget the details to play it again)
- Gear people up for the next Zelda (crosses fingers for Christmas 2008) which will likely use the crossbow now


In the end what does it matter who is in the game? Are we really going to doubt whether or not Nintendo will make a quality game? WiiPlay lacked depth like most people lack logic, yet it managed to be worth it's price tage especially when considering it came with a Wiimote. Now obviously the Zapper isn't going to be as ground shattering as the Wiimote but the game will be better than WiiPlay because of the progression. I honestly believe that the higher levels of this game will be like an FPS

Quote

Start with stationary bull's-eyes and graduate to moving targets before defending Link against all kinds of enemies.
That is what really peeked my interest, fast paced action defending Link against the dudes from TP who rode those massive boar like creatures, with it taking more than one shot, and a shots to right places to defeat "bosses".

Don't underestimate Nintendo's game making capabilities. Underestimate their online/Wii24Connect/WiiWare plans until we see them, but we already know that Nintendo makes great games.

MarioSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: TheYoungerPlumber
Uuugh. Aonuma and Miyamoto allowed this?

Apparently they like videogames

Athrun ZalaSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

The Umbrella Chronicles reveals the back story behind the fall of the Umbrella Corporation by exploring locations from Resident Evil 0, 1, 2 and 3
wha? didn't the last Famitsu confir that the game covered 0, 1 and 3 only?
don't get my hopes up Nintendo...


oh, and Link's Crossbow Training? WTF?! Link doesn't even use a crossbow...

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: MaryJane


Don't underestimate Nintendo's game making capabilities. Underestimate their online/Wii24Connect/WiiWare plans until we see them, but we already know that Nintendo makes great games.


Kind of like Wii Play right? Nintendo makes great games, yes, but this looks to be Wii Play all over, where you are mainly paying for the Wii Zapper and the game will be a barebones game that may be fun for 30 minutes.

decoymanSeptember 11, 2007

Ok, so we don't know anything about this game yet... I'm going to hold judgment till we see what it's like.

For all we know, at least one phase of the "defending Link from enemies" line could mean:
• shooting while riding Epona on a set course
• boar-riding enemies who you must defeat before they come up alongside and try to take a swipe at you
• all while using the analog to take aim 360° all around you to make sure none sneak up on you

So, look me straight in the eye and tell me that wouldn't one-up even a revamped Duck Hunt... If it ends up being a "Link at the County Fair Shooting Game" kind of deal, then I'll be disappointed just like everyone else. But the point is, we don't know anything yet, so there's no point freaking out or going all doomsday over it. The potential here is pretty amazing if you ask me.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 11, 2007

Forgive me for being a bit pessimistic when it will more than likely be a super low budget game packed in with a $20 light zapper. I just can't see it having much or any depth, like Wii Play.

Ian SaneSeptember 11, 2007

While I don't like how they're milking Zelda and would rather they either make something new or use an IP that makes sense like Battleclash, I don't really see how they could use Duck Hunt. How do you improve on that game? You shoot ducks. That's pretty fun but where do you go from there? I think Duck Hunt on the Virtual Console would be good enough to get our Duck Hunt fix.

I don't care if Japan doesn't like Zelda. They used to and we still do. So why reward them for that? Why change Zelda for those that stopped caring when the most lucrative videogame market in the world still likes Zelda as Zelda? It's always "who isn't my customer?" not just with Nintendo but with TV shows and music acts and other videogame companies. It's even that way with politicians or retail stores or restaurants. No one looks at who actually is their fan or customer or supporter. Loyality is like an invitation for neglect as they all just assume you'll be there.

decoymanSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Forgive me for being a bit pessimistic...


I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THAT, GP. face-icon-small-tongue.gif

I agree about the fact that a budget game generally won't be one that gets a large dev team or much time... but they've got a ton of assets and a dandy engine already with TP, so why not use them to make something cool and new?

I propose that it may actually be more work to make this game suck.

king of snakeSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: Athrun Zala
oh, and Link's Crossbow Training? WTF?! Link doesn't even use a crossbow...


I guess that explains the training part? face-icon-small-smile.gif

pyrokamileonSeptember 11, 2007

it would have been cooler if it was metroid...

ShyGuySeptember 11, 2007

Based on what we know so far, I think this cheapens the Zelda license.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: decoyman
Quote

Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Forgive me for being a bit pessimistic...


I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THAT, GP. face-icon-small-tongue.gif

I agree about the fact that a budget game generally won't be one that gets a large dev team or much time... but they've got a ton of assets and a dandy engine already with TP, so why not use them to make something cool and new?

I propose that it may actually be more work to make this game suck.


Well here is hoping you are right!

LuigiHannSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Based on what we know so far, I think this cheapens the Zelda license.


So far, we know:
-The title
-The price point
-That it comes with an accessory


Maybe it's just because I got over this "cheapening the series" phase when 4 Swords came out, but I don't see how this is a big deal. If it sucks, then I'll be mad. But we have no way of knowing that yet.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: LuigiHann
Quote

Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Based on what we know so far, I think this cheapens the Zelda license.


So far, we know:
-The title
-The price point
-That it comes with an accessor
-That it is a crossbow shooter even though Link doesn't have a crossbow


Maybe it's just because I got over this "cheapening the series" phase when 4 Swords came out, but I don't see how this is a big deal. If it sucks, then I'll be mad. But we have no way of knowing that yet.


Fixed.

LuigiHannSeptember 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Quote

Originally posted by: LuigiHann
Quote

Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Based on what we know so far, I think this cheapens the Zelda license.


So far, we know:
-The title
-The price point
-That it comes with an accessor
-That it is a crossbow shooter


Maybe it's just because I got over this "cheapening the series" phase when 4 Swords came out, but I don't see how this is a big deal. If it sucks, then I'll be mad. But we have no way of knowing that yet.


Fixed.


Fixed it back. Whether or not Link has used a crossbow in previous games has no bearing on this one. Judging from the title, I'd say it's a safe bet that he will get a crossbow at the beginning of the game. It's not as if crossbows don't exist in the Twilight Princess universe.

ShyGuySeptember 11, 2007

Even if the games is good, it's not how most fans want to experience the Zelda universe. It's like making "Bridget Jones Crossbow Training" or something.

Ian SaneSeptember 11, 2007

Giving Link a crossbow to me seems like something someone would do if they don't really know the subject material. It's like when a company makes a crappy cartoon based on an IP and it's obvious that whoever made it spend like 10 seconds doing research. I can imagine someone looking at a few pieces of art from Zelda and seeing this elf guy with a sword and shield and bow and just assuming that he would probably have a crossbow. That's probably not how it is. I wouldn't be surprised if they originally wanted to use a bow and Miyamoto suggested a crossbow because it would match better with the Zapper. But it comes across as very generic. It just reminds me of when they turned Dinosaur Planet into Star Fox Adventures because the main characters resembled Fox McCloud. The crossbow is something the COULD be put in Zelda without looking too out-of-place even if it really has no reason to be there. What probably happened is that Nintendo wanted to whip up a quick pack-in game where they could reuse models and backgrounds from another game and Twilight Princess was easier to turn into this concept than Excitetruck or Super Paper Mario. Metroid could have worked but the series doesn't have appeal in Japan, which to Iwata is more important than anything else.

I think most of us are just scared the whole thing is going to be a big recycle job of Twilight Princess, which is something that WOULD cheapen the Zelda series. If it turns out to be a great game then all is fine but does anyone expect it to be? It's really a budget title that comes with a piece of plastic that doesn't actually do anything but hold the controller in a certain way.

mantidorSeptember 11, 2007

Its CD-I Zeldas all over again :P

well, not quite of course, but the concept is the same, using the name Zelda into something to get sales, but thats not even the bad part. As I've said, Zelda is not really a "shooting" game, anything could fit better with a Zapper, after all is just a piece of plastic meant to emulate a damn shotgun, so what is the point of using it to emulate something else? I'll rather just use the remote without anything. I can't believe Nintendo is this clueless about why people buy plastic cases that look like a weapon, if you get one is because the game you want to use it for has that weapon, its TOO DAMN obvious.

Seriously, just imagine any customer seeing a plastic shotgun and the game that comes packed in is a medieval crossbow game? WTF? how they expect to sell this outside the people who will buy anything Zelda? how is it going to get bought by the obvious audience, people who would use it for RE games or FPS?

EDIT: oh wait, wait, wait, I always thought the zapper was this one!, argh, I just saw the official one and I thought it was some bad mock like the ones IGN made a long time ago. I don't like that design, it only fits for games with that specific gun design, like the chicago typewriter form RE4, and (oh surprise) a crossbow... kind of.... A shotgun is more generic and fits with more different gun types.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 11, 2007

They should have had a pack in game "Revenge of the toads" where Bowser turns all the Toad people in the Mushroom kingdom into zombies, and as Mario you need to shoot them all.

Quote

Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I think most of us are just scared the whole thing is going to be a big recycle job of Twilight Princess, which is something that WOULD cheapen the Zelda series.


Hello OoT and Majora's Mask.

Editted for clarity.

mantidorSeptember 11, 2007

That doesn't make any sense, you are putting in the same level MM with Tetra's trackers? what?

MaximilianSeptember 11, 2007

Ya know, I don't think Nintendo is that worried about people in Japan loving Zelda. The Phantom Hourglass has been smoking hot over there and while I'm sure Nintendo's disappointed about TP, I don't think they're making a Zelda spin-off to redeem themselves--especially making one at a budget price.

I have to agree with the folks that point out that none of us know what the game will be like. It probably won't be over the top great but it might be fun. You don't know, so don't be so quick to judge.

Finally I gotta say that if all of you hate the idea of a Zapper and a pack-in Zelda shooting game, you shouldn't be nay saying and predicting doomsday. All you have to do is not buy it. 'Nuff said.

edit: whoops.

EnnerSeptember 11, 2007

Mmm, big Zapper shell with the larger trigger in the front. That will probably have a better feel then the wand's smaller B button. Shame the way it's formed will have the Nunchuk buttons be the better triggers. As for the crossbow game, I'm eager to see how it is. I always welcome some more medival firepower to Link's arsenal. That ought to freshen things. Hmm... needs more war hammer or a spear.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 11, 2007

I want to know where good gaming tastes have gone. People are now impressed with cheap plastic shell guns and call block characters art. Oh the horror. face-icon-small-wink.gif

UERDSeptember 11, 2007

What would you guys say to something like this? Apparently the two pieces come apart, which means that it might be easier to use. And it is third-party, but it's pretty hard to mess up a piece of molded plastic with no electronics whatsoever.

IceColdSeptember 11, 2007

I have a shell like the one you linked, UERD. I got it a few months ago - it allows you to plug in the nunchuck the same way. I won't be buying the Zapper because of this.

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