Link's Text Message Training

September 13, 2007, 8:04 am EDT
Total comments: 30

Nintendo is giving away a trip to New York City and a lot of Zelda stuff, but you have to text to enter.

NINTENDO NEWS: TXT 'ZELDA' 2 '20769' 4 CHANCE 2 WIN TRP 2 NYC, SHPNG SPREE @ N-10-DO WRLD

Sept. 13, 2007

Imagine flying to New York and having the entire Nintendo World® store available for your exclusive shopping pleasure. To mark the Oct. 1 launch of The Legend of Zelda®: Phantom Hourglass for Nintendo DS™, Nintendo is asking contestants to answer three Zelda-related trivia questions for the chance to win an amazing collection of prizes.

To receive the three trivia questions, contestants must text "Zelda" to 20769 or enter by mail by visiting Zelda.com between Sept. 13 and Oct. 26. People who answer all three questions correctly will automatically be entered into the contest.

One First Prize winner will receive a trip for two to New York, two nights at a hotel, a $1,000 closed-door shopping spree at Nintendo World, $500 spending money, a special-edition Nintendo DS and a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Nine Finalists will receive a special-edition gold Nintendo DS and a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Winners of the first prize and their guests must be 18 or older.

Even if you aren't a Zelda trivia whiz, you can join in the countdown to the launch of one of the most anticipated titles of the year by downloading your own Zelda hourglass countdown widget to your favorite social networking site or even your desktop. Available on Zelda.com, the Zelda hourglass widget will mark the seemingly endless days until the launch of the game and provide exclusive information, tips and tricks via a weekly RSS feed.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass marks the classic series' debut on the portable Nintendo DS. It follows the visual style of the hit The Legend of Zelda®: The Wind Waker™ and takes Nintendo DS to new heights, both in terms of the graphical abilities and game-play mechanics. It's a classic Zelda experience that can be controlled entirely using the stylus on the DS touch screen. Two players can even compete wirelessly, either across the room or across great distances using Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service.

For more information about The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, the contest and the widget, please visit www.Zelda.com.

Talkback

DAaaMan64September 13, 2007

Why am I sucking at this?! I swear Zelda was released in 1987, wikipedia says so too. but even when I answer 1986 or 88 it doesn't work. Even when I follow the instructions and put the work "link" in front of it.

I.E. "LINK1987"

what is my problem?

BlackNMild2k1September 13, 2007

If I enter the contest will 1 to 3 of you answer the questions for me?
If I win I promise to get one game (of your choice) to anyone who answers correctly for me(per correct answer).

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 13, 2007

Well, the first question was dumb. What's the name of the hero? Whatever I name him!
What year was the first Zelda game released? In the US or Japan?

And I cannot get it to accept any form of the second answer.

DAaaMan64September 13, 2007

Me neither.... It was released in Japan in 1986, then 1987 America and Europe.

BlackNMild2k1September 13, 2007

is it just standard text messaging fees that apply?
If so I'm entering right now. I didn't know the questions would be that easy.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 13, 2007

Okay, now I'm even more confused.

http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/phantomhourglass/sms_contest.jsp

Has the three questions.

The second question is completely different than the one you get in reply from Nintendo for answering the first.

Yes, B&M, they're *that* easy.

DAaaMan64September 13, 2007

Question one answer: "LINK"
Question two answer(The one the text message asks is BS): "TETRA"
Question three answer: "TRIFORCE"

LouieturkeySeptember 13, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
Okay, now I'm even more confused.

http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/phantomhourglass/sms_contest.jsp

Has the three questions.

The second question is completely different than the one you get in reply from Nintendo for answering the first.

Yes, B&M, they're *that* easy.

Hey all, try putting in Tetra instead of answering the question texted to you. See if that works. I'm at work right now so I can't try at this point.

NM, it does work, look one post above mine.

planetidiotSeptember 13, 2007

I'm just gonna have to do it by mail. My cell phone likes to freeze whenever I type a word in that isn't in the dictionary :C

LouieturkeySeptember 13, 2007

How long does it take for them to reply with the questions anyway?

Karl Castaneda #2September 13, 2007

Less than 10 seconds.

decoymanSeptember 13, 2007

Why can't my message go through? Are they like getting hammered right now or something?

(It says "Invalid Destination." I double- and triple-checked the number and everything...)

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 13, 2007

Give 'em a bit. Apparently, they're working to fix the questions.

Quote

It is being fixed. I apologize for the mix up. If you follow the questions on the website you will be all set.

Thanks

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 13, 2007

Fixed

PlugabugzSeptember 13, 2007

Why is text suddenly so popular in the states? A year ago i never heard of anyone over there even knowing what it is (and we brits are pushing 4+ billion a month?!)

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 13, 2007

txting has been big in the states for awhile, but within the past year or so, the major carriers (Verizon, AT&T/Cingular, etc) have *finally* introduced packages that give you a really nice amount of messages (if not unlimited) for a decent price. Now that people can afford it (combined with people getting their 10 year olds phones), it's becoming much more common place.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 13, 2007

I actually *just* read what the prize was (I would have did this for free, I just wish the trivia questions were, you know, slightly challenging)...

Quote
One First Prize winner will receive a trip for two to New York, two nights at a hotel, a $1,000 closed-door shopping spree at Nintendo World, $500 spending money, a special-edition Nintendo DS and a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Nine Finalists will receive a special-edition gold Nintendo DS and a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Winners of the first prize and their guests must be 18 or older.

Why don't they just say you get a $1500 shopping spree? Because that's what I'd do.

decoymanSeptember 13, 2007

I just got it for the first time (texting capabilities) with the new plan I activated last month... UB hit the nail on the head for me: they finally had a package that gave me a good number of messages for a nominal monthly fee. I couldn't resist.

Now that I've been doing it for awhile, it's pretty fun. And I'm getting faster at typing with my thumbs

But... WHY WON'T IT GO THROUGH FOR ME??? IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM??? Is it a problem w/ my phone, or me or something?

nickmitchSeptember 13, 2007

I've been in to texting for a while. It's a good way to have a semi-discrete discussion with someone while in a group. For instance, you could be talking to your sweetie while in the football locker room with the guys. This way, you get to be "lovie-dovie" with your sweetie and still snap towels with the guy without looking like a wuss. It's also great to avoid having to have full conversations with people.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 13, 2007

decoyman - should be working now, I dunno what the deal is on your end. Contact your cell provider.

Also, anyone on Verizon who wants to send me random text messages, please feel free! As always, my phone number is in my signature.

EasyCureSeptember 13, 2007

also the introduction of (relatively) cheap phones with keyboards (ie sidekicks, etc) make texting one of those "must have/do" things among younger crowds.

anywho, i text messaged my answers in with no problem the second i found out about this contest. i wonder if i have the option to pass on the two nights in a hotel in NYC since..well.. i live an hour away from the NWS and all... maybe i can get more cash out of it since there will be no hotel cost to them ;-)

to be honest im paranoid... i used to work at the NWS but as a temp and hired thru a temp agency, but part of working there was signing an NDA and stuff. about a month after being laid off, me and some of the other temps went back for an excite truck tourney and the manager told us (after the tourny) that in the future we couldnt compete because we were part of the staff.. even though we werent working there anymore...? i personally think he just didnt want us comming back because we knew the whole staff and being seen fraternizing with them during competitions might seem unfair to others.

oh and UB i'd text you just for kicks but im not on verizon, im on tmobile i'll post my phone number too if anyone wants to text me ;-) unlimited text FTW!!! lol

DarkheartSeptember 13, 2007

<3 t-mobile i signed up for this I wouldnt mind winning just the gold ds lite and ph

DjunknownSeptember 13, 2007

Quote
Why don't they just say you get a $1500 shopping spree? Because that's what I'd do.

Well, if you read further down:

Quote
Winner is responsible for ground transportation to and from the airports and hotel, all meals and all other expenses that winner or winner's guest incurs in connection with the Trip, including, but not limited to, all applicable passport, visa, and entry/exit fees.

From what I hear, NYC is an expensive place. I'm sure the $500 would come in handy...

that Baby guySeptember 13, 2007

I accidentally texted mine to UncleBob's phone.

Or not.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 14, 2007

I'd go without food while I was there. Transportation? 'eh. I'll call Pale and have him meet me there so he can drive me around.

that Baby guySeptember 14, 2007

Nah, it's New York. You walk everywhere. Then, when it's 2:00 AM, you get lost and call Pale. That way, you're not demanding too much of him.

Also, hot dog vendors FTW!

EasyCureSeptember 14, 2007

thatguy is right, you either walk or take the subway. If you bring your car you'll be in traffic all day and most likely lost, if you hitch a cab ride you're wasting money.

the only other alternative is to stay at a cheap motel in the Bronx, call me up and let me drive you to the nearest train and be your personal guide around manhattan. All i ask in return is letting me pick out a game or two

oh and Kebob stands (chicken or beef w/hot sauce) FTW!!!
Hot dogs are for chumps

DAaaMan64September 14, 2007

Sleep in the alleys and whore yourself out for rides. Thats what my family and I do when we go to New York. You always bring back the most exotic presents too.