zelda posts(Subscribe to this feed)

The real-life treasure of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

by JC Fletcher { Dec 1st 2009 at 7:15PM }

Nintendo must have found a really cheap wholesaler for wooden boxes, because, much like it did for Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, the publisher shipped out press copies of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks in handsome wooden cases. No puzzles were required to get into this treasure chest, however.

Along with the treasure chest, Nintendo sent a Link t-shirt. In a separate mailing, the company sent another wooden gewgaw: a train whistle, just like the one you got from any museum gift shop ever. In a truly superhuman display of discipline, we've managed to leave the whistle untooted so future Joyswag winners won't be subject to blogger cooties.

Gallery: Zelda: Spirit Tracks treasure

Robin Williams plays Call of Duty, named his daughter Zelda (guess why!)

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 28th 2009 at 9:30PM }

Though we may not be steadfast watchers of Jimmy Fallon's late night talkshow, we have to give the man credit for once again bringing the world of gaming into his decidedly non-gaming television show. While Robin Williams guested on Fallon's show this week, he asked the hairy-handed comedian about his gaming habits – some of which we've covered in the past – and found out that not only does the man play his fair share of Call of Duty, but he also named his daughter "Zelda" after ... well, the Princess Zelda.

"My daughter is named after a video game ... Zelda, Princess Zelda. I don't call her Princess Zelda ... only occasionally ... but she's named after Zelda." So forget about your LaBeoufs and your Dushkus – Robin Williams is holding it down hardcore and old-school for all of Hollywood.

Continued →

Dance music and Zelda combine for The Legend of Cool

by Justin McElroy { Nov 24th 2009 at 6:15PM }

As with all the things in our life we love the most, we're not sure if Zelda machinima "The Legend of Cool" is supposed to be a joke or not. But if you can watch Bucky Studios' delightful blend of Ocarina of Time, the freshest beats since "Ski Dance" and utterly earnest singing after the break and not walk away with a spring in your step, we can't help you.

Also, "Now get in my mouth and fulfill your destiny" is the new thing that you should say all the time. You're welcome.

Continued →

Hands-on: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

by Randy Nelson { Nov 23rd 2009 at 4:00PM }

With the game pulling into the station on December 7, we visited Nintendo of America to get one last pre-launch look at The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. The latest trailer for the game revealed the Spirit Tower, a central hub of mini-dungeons that must be cleared in order to restore the train tracks that lead to the world's main temple dungeons. What we saw was the latter -- more specifically, the second of the game's dungeons, the Snow Temple.

This dungeon made heavy use of Link's ability to create whirlwinds -- the actual mechanic behind them is blowing into the DS microphone, but, thankfully, it doesn't require you to lean in incredibly close to the system or blow especially hard for it to work. Once the ability is selected by tapping it on-screen, it stays active, and dragging the stylus around Link makes him rotate, a yellow line indicating which direction the whirlwind will go. This mainly came into play when we needed to cross pools of water atop floating blocks. Like fanning a leaf in Wind Waker, firing off a whirlwind in Spirit Tracks sends Link sailing in the opposite direction.

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Continued →

Introducing the Spirit Tower in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

by JC Fletcher { Nov 20th 2009 at 2:00PM }

The latest trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, featuring what appears to be the game's introduction, highlights what is certain to be one of the most bemoaned features of the new game: the Tower of Spirits. Yes, like Phantom Hourglass, this game has a central dungeon area to which you'll return throughout the game, though players will be able to skip areas they have already completed this time.

The trailer also seems to suggest that all the train tracks are magical shackles placed on the ground to imprison an evil presence. So that's why there are train tracks around! We would have guessed "interstate commerce."

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Zelda producer teases surprises for next title at E3 2010

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 19th 2009 at 2:29PM }

Our absolute favorite thing about the Zelda series is how much it saves us on strategy guides. See, you can pretty much follow the walkthrough for Link to the Past to beat every installment in the franchise released thereafter. (Get the sword! Get the shield! Beat the Forest Temple! Get the power bracelet! Beat the Fire Temple!) However, in a recent interview with Official Nintendo Magazine, series producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that we can expect some big changes from the franchise's next iteration -- changes which he hopes will be revealed during next year's E3 showcase.

Aonuma explained that, in order to try and keep the series fresh, he and Shigeru Miyamoto "have been trying something new in terms of the structure of the Wii version of the new Zelda game this time." You know what that means. They're going to put the Fire Temple before the Forest Temple. We're kidding, of course -- that's just crazy talk.

Nintendo 'hasn't committed' to new Zelda for Wii in 2010

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 8th 2009 at 3:30PM }

We all know that home console Zelda games take longer to develop than most small, fledgling nations -- still, we'd secretly hoped that Nintendo would pull a hat trick next year, releasing new Wii installments in the Metroid, Mario and the aforementioned Triforce-centric series. Sadly, a recent quote from Reggie Fils-Aime has made us doubtful that this scenario will be realized -- speaking on GameTrailers TV, Fils-Aime explained that Nintendo hasn't "committed to Zelda for 2010."

So, feel free to keep that hope in your heart that you'll be Ganon-thwarting once more within the next 365 days -- but don't get too upset if it doesn't happen. Much like a college-aged Lothario, Nintendo's remaining non-committal. You might say the company's as free as a bird, darling -- and this bird, you cannot change.

Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer, now with more Zelda

by JC Fletcher { Nov 6th 2009 at 10:59AM }

Nintendo's new The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer (after the break) reveals a more exciting innovation than the whole train thing: You're not exactly rescuing Zelda in this game. In fact, she travels with you the whole time ... in spirit!

In one of the craziest Zelda trailers we've ever seen, some wizard shows up and turns Zelda into a ghost, and then she sort of mopes around as an apparition until some guy with wheels suggests that she go on a road trip with Link. If you were wondering how Link could gain control of the Phantoms in this upcoming DS game, it's not through a musical instrument he finds in a treasure chest (the usual Zelda route), but rather it's because Princess Zelda possesses them.

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Continued →

Japan receives special Zelda Spirit Tracks stylus with purchase

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 4th 2009 at 10:45AM }

Japanese purchasers of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will receive a transparent quill stylus as a gift when they put down their yen for the game. AndriaSang reports that the stylus will be given out on launch day as an "early buyer bonus," but there's no need to pre-order.

If the plastic quill seems familiar, it's because Nintendo used it as a bribe back in 2007 for registering Phantom Hourglass and filling out a survey. Spirit Tracks choo-choos into retail on December 7. We're currently unaware of the quill being offered as a pre-order in North America but if the retail masses out there know differently, please let us know in the comments.

Miyamoto: Next Zelda will use MotionPlus for more realistic swordplay

by Randy Nelson { Nov 3rd 2009 at 5:30PM }

Nintendo's resident legend, Shigeru Miyamoto, has revealed that the next installment in the Legend of Zelda series on Wii will make use of Wii MotionPlus for more realistic sword combat and targeting. "In this (installment of the series), we're using MotionPlus to make you feel much more like you're actually fighting while holding a sword in your hand," Miyamoto disclosed during an October 30 Q&A session, as translated by GameLife.

"In the previous game, you aimed at things by pointing at the screen, but this time we'll use MotionPlus to create a much more convenient targeting system and a more pleasurable playing experience," Miyamoto added.

Despite these revelations, Nintendo has yet to officially state whether Wii MotionPlus will be an option or a requirement for playing the game. When this next Zelda was announced during E3 2009, Miyamoto could only say that MotionPlus-exclusivity was "possible." These gameplay elements -- especially the swordplay -- only make it seem more likely.

[Via GameLife]

Batman: Arkham Asylum creator focused on quality over quantity, hasn't played BioShock

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 19th 2009 at 8:00PM }

In a lengthy post-mortem with Gamasutra this week, Rocksteady Studios creative director Sefton Hill spoke his mind on a mess of topics regarding this summer's surprise hit, Batman: Arkham Asylum. "There are too many games out there that deliver lots of average content," Hill said when asked about the relative "tightness" of Batman in comparison with other games. Personal inspiration for the game's design came from places like Zelda and Metroid, two game series he's been a fan of "for years," as well as Silicon Knights' Eternal Darkness. And though Arkham's audio logs and "environment as a character" motif hearken back to 2007's BioShock, Hill claimed he's never played it. "It's on my list of games to get back into ... I can't say for me that was a big direct influence."

Truth be told, we're just scratching the surface of Gamasutra's thorough dissection of Batman -- a game we loved with all of our jaded, rancorous hearts -- so do yourself a favor and stroll through the entire five pages. Call it an afternoon treat! You deserve it, dearest Joystiq reader.

Gallery: Batman: Arkham Asylum

UK retailer offers Zelda: Spirit Tracks collector's tin

by JC Fletcher { Oct 19th 2009 at 5:40PM }

Nintendo UK seems to have gone tin crazy of late -- first announcing a Limited Tin Edition of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, exclusive to GAME, and now offering a similar package for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. This is, of course, wonderful news for people just starting their tin game box collections.

Retailer Gamestation is taking pre-orders on the Spirit Tracks: Limited Tin Edition for £39.99. However, Nintendo told CVG that the box is actually a pre-order bonus, and will be available from Gamestation's parent company, GAME, with early purchases of the regular £29.99 game. So, basically, don't buy this thing from Gamestation just yet!

While the box doesn't seem to be designed to hold coins like the Mario one, it is designed to hold the two figurines that will be included. We're really hoping (and almost certain) this is a mockup, and that it doesn't come with oddly flat figurines and a game box that tells you to "Pre-order your copy today!"

[Via CVG, Coplanet]

3D Dot Game Heroes looks delightfully familiar

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 1st 2009 at 3:00PM }

If the frequent comparisons between From Software's upcoming blocky adventure title 3D Dot Game Heroes and The Legend of Zelda have been completely lost on you, then apparently you haven't seen the gameplay videos. The game does more than slyly reference the mainstays of Miyamoto's Triforce-hunting classic; it more or less recreates them. We're definitely not saying that's a bad thing -- we're just worried that Nintendo will eventually catch wise, and somehow prevent this charming little game from ever making it westward.

Check after the jump for three gameplay clips; the first showing off the game's best Zelda impression; the second just how gargantuan the player's sword can become; and the third suggesting the perils of playing through the game as the vertigo-plagued hero from Spelunker.

[Via GameSetWatch]

Continued →

Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks pulling into retail station Dec. 7

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 15th 2009 at 3:57PM }

A Nintendo press release promoting the company's holiday lineup has confirmed a December 7 release date for Link's next Nintendo DS-based outing, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. That's just in time for the cold, harsh winter -- but it's still quite a ways off. We suggest playing through Phantom Hourglass while watching reruns of Thomas the Tank Engine in order to tide yourself over until then.

If you're not familiar with the Spirit-ed, Hylian adventure, check out our hands-on impressions of the game from E3 earlier this year, or watch the debut GDC trailer!

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

The Legend of a giant papercraft Link

by Richard Mitchell { Sep 11th 2009 at 5:10PM }

Remember how frustrated you were when you tried to build that tiny papercraft Link? Yeah, well this guy made a life-size statue of Link ... out of paper. Paper. Just look at it. It's insanity. Seriously, if someone handed you a pile of card stock and asked you to build insanity, it would turn out like this. Sure, it's awesome and everything but ... damn.

If you can feel your grip on reality slipping a little every day, then feel free to download the detailed plans to craft your own right here. (Note: You'll need a special Windows-only viewer to view the plans.) Oh, and be sure to stock up on printer ink.

[Via GoNintendo]