On the Nintendo Direct, Reggie just announced a sequel to Link to the Past. Amazing. Will post new details as they arrive.

A New Game in The Legend of Zelda Series: Nintendo developers are working on a new game set in the world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which launched for Super NES in 1992. The game makes use of the 3D abilities of Nintendo 3DS, and allows Link to become a drawing and move along walls. A 3D video of the new game is now available to download in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

From Polygon:

Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, says the 3DS sequel will "reinvigorate the flat 2D world of A Link to the Past with a sense of height and volume" by utilizing the stereoscopic 3D capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS. The game, which does not have a final title in North America, will feature "an original storyline and all new dungeons."

Update: Nintendo confirmed to Polygon that the new Zelda game set in the world of A Link to the Past is being developed by series producer Eiji Aonuma and his team at Nintendo EAD.







Source: Nintendo Direct / Nintendo press release | Polygon

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I am with Zero on this one. If this is an ALTTP remake, that's one thing. But reusing ALTTP world down to the tree layout and recycled enemies makes no sense whatsoever. There goes any freshness that an ALTTP inspired game could have had. Also the art style looks as bland as New Super Mario Bros. Unfortunately I have lost any faith on the current Zelda team to do the franchise justice. This 1 minute trailer further reinforces my opinion that Aonuma & co. need to retire from Zelda for a good while.

That said, this game will still be bought on day 1. Anytime you say "Zelda" I say "take my money".

Posted by

gencid

on: 04/18/13, 23:10

Even though you're all making total sense with the comments on bringing some 3DS stuff to the Wii U eShop, I think a big reason Nintendo would hesitate to do this would be that it would be admitting that 3D isn't actually that necessary for most 3DS games. Something we all know is (generally) true, but not something that Nintendo would be in a hurry to admit.

@gencid Wait wait wait... but I'm not with you! I'm actually pretty excited about this game.

Posted by

Zero

on: 04/18/13, 23:11

Edited:

04/18/13, 23:13

Mop it up said:

Oh whoops, I must have stumbled into GameFAQs.

Sick burn.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 04/18/13, 23:12

The 3D doesn't sound minor to me.

Posted by

Guillaume

on: 04/18/13, 23:13

Zero said:

@gencid Wait wait wait... but I'm not with you! I'm actually pretty excited about this game.

Who said I am not excited? I am, just not nearly as much as I would be if this was a completely fresh ALTTP-like game instead of a semi-recycled remix/sequel.

Posted by

gencid

on: 04/18/13, 23:16

Edited:

04/18/13, 23:25

@Zero

Debating art styles can certainly be worthwhile, helping each other see what the other's point of view, maybe making each other aware of things that the other person didn't notice, etc. There's just not an objectively correct conclusion.

I actually wrote my paper for legal philosophy laying out all my thoughts on aesthetic objectivism (thinking the are objectively good works of art) and comparing it to legal objectivism (thinking there are objectively good laws). I'd be happy to share it if you're interested.

But we probably shouldn't bring that debate into this thread.

@Mop it up

I would love that. All handheld games should be playable on a big screen in my opinion. Sure, you'd lose out on the 3D (although I suppose it could work with 3D TVs), but that's a price I'd be willing to pay.

Posted by

Jargon

on: 04/18/13, 23:19

Edited:

04/18/13, 23:21

@Guillaume
Ooooh, I love how that article ends! Sums up the way I felt about seeing the footage.

Posted by

r_hjort

on: 04/18/13, 23:22

@Jargon Well whatever the case, as far as I could tell, Renjaku was trying to say something like my lack of ability to change my initial view on Skyward Sword's art when more media came out points to some inability to change when presented with things that conflict my initial view, which I don't think is fair. I just don't think Skyward Sword has that great of an art style, early media or final game. It doesn't have a bad art style, but it just felt like a lack of a real artistic vision to me. Kind of "so so".

I still think it's an awesome game though.

Posted by

Zero

on: 04/18/13, 23:25

@Zero

I've learned to not try to make sense out of Renjaku

Posted by

Jargon

on: 04/18/13, 23:26

@Guillaume
I enjoy the 3-D effect immensely in games like Castlevania and Luigi's Mansion, but 3-D is eye-candy and eye-candy only, every single game on the 3DS so far has been perfectly playable in 2-D and I'm sure this new Zelda game will be too. In that regard I'd consider it pretty minor.

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 04/18/13, 23:28

@deathly_hallows

But then all 3D is minor and leaves no room for differentiation between different levels of 3D. Certainly the 3D in Super Mario 3D Land isn't equivalent to the 3D in NSMB2.

Posted by

Jargon

on: 04/18/13, 23:31

Although it's just eye candy, the 3D I witnessed just in the preview video (playing on the 3DS) was really, really nifty.

Posted by

ploot

on: 04/18/13, 23:34

@Jargon
I'll field this one. Link's Awakening was a mere side story, just like many handheld entries in videogames. Even when a handheld game is a "TRUE SEQUEL", it's usually some wacky experimental shit. See Mario Land, Link's Awakening, Metroid 2, etc.

Luigi's Mansion is an obvious, direct sequel, that didnt resort to fucking dream worlds or completely off the wall radically different gameplay. Of course, some console games do that to, and they're usually the black sheep or side stories. See Majora's Mask and Mario Sunshine. Mario 2 USA, etc.

Do people consider the endless Zelda handheld games actual true Zelda games? Like on the level of Zelda 1 or OOT? Honest question. I sure as shit don't.

Posted by

carlosrox

on: 04/18/13, 23:36

Edited:

04/18/13, 23:38

@carlosroxLink's Awakening is right up there with A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time, as far as I'm concerned. Minish Cap is fantastic too. The two DS games, maybe not so much, but I suppose the answer to your question is "yes", either way.

Posted by

r_hjort

on: 04/18/13, 23:41

@carlosrox

I definitely consider them true Zelda games. I had more fun with Link's Awakening than Twilight Princess, that's for sure.

Posted by

kriswright

on: 04/18/13, 23:44

@kriswright

And Majora's Mask better than Ocarina of Time.

*shots fired*

Posted by

missypissy

on: 04/18/13, 23:51

I'm with Zero. I'm expecting plenty of rehash from this game, based on what we've seen and heard. Much more so than in the typical Zelda. But I'm still pretty pumped for it. Your 3D Zelda style is no match for my superior 2D Zelda style.

Posted by

nate38

on: 04/19/13, 00:02

Edited:

04/19/13, 00:07

I'm kind of thinking this will be A Link to the Past's equivalent to Final Fantasy IV's The After Years. I should probably expand upon this, even though I think you all know what I mean, but I can't be arsed. I just felt that was a more positive way of looking at the return of old locations and elements.

EDIT:



Holy friggin' crap, the audio is glorious! That rendition of the dungeon theme from A Link to the Past is amazing! Such ambience! Hmm, they definitely need some wind noise for the outside of the tower, though.

Posted by

r_hjort

on: 04/19/13, 00:10

Edited:

04/19/13, 00:30

@carlosrox

Of course the handheld Zelda's are true Zelda games. That's ridiculous to think otherwise. Besides what makes them run (i.e. the hardware) what really is different?

Posted by

DrFinkelstein

on: 04/19/13, 00:25

@HinphHinph said:

The familiarity makes me pretty happy, though... It should make it actually feel like "A Link to the Past 2" rather than an all new overhead Zelda, like you got with Minish Cap. I admit, I'd probably be less forgiving if we weren't talking about pulling things from my absolute favorite game ever, though.

Would you have preferred something more along the lines of "New Legend of Zelda?" I'd like that very much too, which is why it's so important that this game sells a lot.

Yea this is what I was saying. Good things will come of this.

I don't like the complaining that it's not a true sequel. It's like ongoing sulking about the NSMB series.

Posted by

Renjaku

on: 04/19/13, 00:51