Reggie explains Mario and Zelda teams are working on new games

by David Hinkle { Oct 3rd 2008 at 6:12PM }

During an interview with G4, Nintendo's ass-kicking, name-taking pres Reggie Fils-Aime talked about all things Nintendo. Most of the interview focuses on DSi-related stuff, but he does take a second to discuss what the Mario and Zelda teams are up to. What are they up to? More Zelda and Mario, of course! And while we already knew this back at E3, it's nice to hear it reiterated.

Head past the break for the 10 minute-long video interview with Reggie.

Tags: g4, mario, reggie, reggie-fils-aime, zelda

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Berty200 @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:23PM

Yeah, I guess it's nice to know, but I think they could probably have a better strategy to get these games out sooner.

Mr Khan @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:51PM

Yeah, it was a pretty big strategic failure to have the only major first/second party titles between April 08 and holiday 09 being Disaster, Animal Crossing, and Punch Out!!

But third party situation for early to mid 09 is looking better than ever.

Berty200 @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:14PM

Yeah, I think what they could do is while the Zelda team is in the middle of one game, maybe they could split and start working on another game.

I dunno. I've heard the team is pretty small so it would be hard. It just seems like every E3 or NMS they could announce either a new 3D Mario or Zelda, at least show a teaser, even if it doesn't come out till next year.

TheOverlord#2 @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:28PM

I thought about Nintendo having that model before, but I think Nintendo is right for having a whole team working on one game.

I mean, how would it feel if they Madden-ized the Zelda & Mario series? It would probably get bland after a few years and the games would suffer. A whole team working at the same time takes more time per game, but releasing a game every 2 - 3 years with awesome gameplay is worse than a 1-2 year gap with lacking gameplay.

Thanatos @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:35PM

Funny to hear him acknowledge that the whole reason of the new model is purely to make people buy it again.

Mr Khan @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:00PM

He did use the perfectly adequate excuse of saying that it has only been 1 year or less since most of these franchise entries

But the idea is, what are their developers doing? What is Retro up to? We know Pikmin is coming from one of the EAD Groups, and two of the others would be set to work on the new Mario and Zelda, but what of HAL Labs?

They could be maximizing their developer assets long term, but it doesn't seem all that well-balanced.

Alvin @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:06PM

seriously?
i thought they were working on Kirby titles

Berty200 @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:16PM

Chris Are @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:21PM

"I didn't go to college, I have a bachelors in kicking ass and taking names." That guy knows just how to spin something.

I like how he tried to guilt people in to giving Nintendo crap about not having core games. "Smash Bros, Kart, Mario- they're all a year old. You have to give us time to make the games." There are still plenty of franchises Ninty could be developing right now. Don't try and distract me Reggie!

bug frawg @ Oct 4th 2008 3:21AM

They are developing games right now, that's what he's saying.

in development:
mario
zelda
pikmin(pikmin 3 + play on wii versions of 1&2)
animal crossing /w wii speak(which has it's own channel)
and there's apparently a new wario ware game too.

then there's mario & luigi 3, and a crapload of exciting wii/ds games from 3 parties.

I see little to complain about.

Dylan @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:41PM

I'm not planning on getting the DSi. I don't need a third DS with a few things tacked on. I already have an iPhone (a music player) and a Sony Digital Camera.

No thank you.

Alexander @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:14PM

Thank god they got Dan Hsu to interview him. He's never afraid to ask the tough questions.

TheOverlord#2 @ Oct 3rd 2008 11:32PM

Also, dammit. I think Reggie confirmed that no actual storage issue will be defeated instantly. Just listen to his wording. I think this means only games can be downloaded to the SD Card via Wii Shop and faster transfer speeds. No talk of SD Card games appearing on the Wii Menu.

bug frawg @ Oct 4th 2008 3:27AM

Could be a misunderstanding, it seems odd they would announce something that we already have.

and they said changes would have to be made to how the service works before they can perform the update. that seems to indicate a change in the DRM system, which looks to mean direct loading as opposed to streamlined delete/download.

Reggie explains Mario and Zelda teams are working on new games