Zelda: Twilight Princess delay is official

by Vladimir Cole { Feb 19th 2006 at 12:00PM }

Nintendo marketing chief Reggie Fils-Aime appeared on Spike TV's Game Head program yesterday and said that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess would be released at some point in the fall of 2006 and would be a GameCube title only, according to GameCloud.

That's a right bummer.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

pointfour @ Feb 19th 2006 12:05PM

Damnit. Damnit damnit damnit.

Draco @ Feb 19th 2006 12:10PM

it's never coming out :(

oh well I can wait... I gotta wait till 2007 now for my ps3 anyways.

lolersticks @ Feb 19th 2006 12:10PM

My evil plan has been set into motion

HELGA! Get me a hot-pocket!

rkrocks123 @ Feb 19th 2006 12:12PM

No...way...
I just got a freaking Gamecube! Now I have to wait another 5 months for this game?

bd @ Feb 19th 2006 12:16PM

OK, so basically, the gamecube has ZERO titles whatsoever for 2006 except this one, and in 2005 it had basically Resident Evil 4... No wonder it sold so slowly. I don't want a rushed game, but they had enough time, and if this has "Revolution Functionality", I'll be even more pissed off because a GAMECUBE ONLY titles should have gamecube only functions. I want them to focus on the storyline and making the game huge, not making the game functional with the revolution. For that, there will be a Zelda Revolution, damn it.

What pisses me off the most is that they are positioning Zelda TP to be close to the Revolution launch, instead of giving the gamecube a relatively honorable history as an "at least it had the best Zelda", because when this launches, almost nobody will use it on a gamecube, so gamecube sales won't even have a chance to surpass the Xbox, if only for symbolical reasons.

Crap. At least I hope fall means the first days of fall, while the revolution is released in thanks giving. That could give Zelda enough time to make it a gamecube seller, and NOT a revolution seller. In fact, if it was a "revolution seller", I could see the headlines now: "Revolution wanted for Zelda", which would kill part of the revolution's purpose as something immediately new (at least at launch).

DarkPenguin @ Feb 19th 2006 12:16PM

Starcraft ghost... Dukenukem forever... Twililight princess... Please game gods, let it not be so.

Game dude @ Feb 19th 2006 12:23PM

This news doesn't surprise me one bit.

It was the obvious thing to do from a business prespective. Have one of the most well respected game, close to the launch of a new console. By having it next to Revo's launch, Nintendo is able to make more money, and sell more Revo consoles.

At this point in time, I think it would be foolish to think that Zelda:TP will not take advantage of the Revolution Controller, although Nintendo has not confirmed, nor denied it.

No matter if it's coming out at the end of the GCN's life cycle, the game is still going to sell in great numbers. If people won't buy it for their existing Gamecube, they'll buy it for Revolution.

As being a gamer myself, I am also very disappointed in this news. I was looking forward to playing it much much sooner.

Ah well, I suppose it's better to look at it from a positive point of view. The longer it takes, the better it'll be...hopefully.

Jay @ Feb 19th 2006 12:25PM

Oh well! Later this is the better, for me at least. Next year is my final year at university. I do not need something like this, as beautiful and godlike as Zelda keeping me busy.

I'm not bothered anyways. the longer this bun is in the oven the better it will be. I want the BEST ZELDA EVER OMG. something that reminds me that there could never be anything vaguely as brilliant on the PS2 or Xbox or their bigger brothers.

But lets play like everyone else. ZOMG! I bought a cube in 2002 for Zelda and now its not coming out till later this year! ZOMG! I can't play any other game! ZOMGZOMG! ZOMG!

Armin @ Feb 19th 2006 12:27PM

WHAT? Og come on! Gimme a break! I was so dissapointed when they pushed it to this spring, now they push it to fall...

How perfect does it have to be, Nintendo?

And I'll bet you, for real, that they are now recoding it for the revolution and that it will be announced at E3 2006.

GameCube is quite dead, and the new Zelda was the only thing that made me keep my gamecube... Now I'll probably sell it cause I'm certain that it will be a Revolution title only...

sizcoz @ Feb 19th 2006 12:34PM

It's all about effective marketing, releasing it just before or at the same time as rev, will create it's own advertising, who is going to buy one without the other, even if you have a gamecube, you wouldn't be able to resist buying a Revolution, just to see how much better it play's on the new machine.
I think the interest surrounding the Revolution at present is huge and growing daily, only 78 days until E3.......
http://www.nintendoinfo.com

Tony @ Feb 19th 2006 12:35PM

Chibi Robo came out recently and I've personally been enjoying that one... don't know about any one else. There's quite a bit of older games I haven't played too. Luckily I also have other systems lol.

In any case, I didn't really think this would happen, but what can you do. Delaying something doesn't make it "vaporware" or anything else; how any one can compare a slightly long development time of this title (with plenty of showings, I might add) to something like DNF, I have no idea.

Brian @ Feb 19th 2006 12:41PM

Here is a nice list of quality Gamecube titles to help tide some of you over:

Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door
Tales of Symphonia
Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Chibi-Robo
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime 2
Mario Party 7
Star Wars Rogue Leader
Mega Man X Collection
Super Mario Sunshine

Take as long as you want, Nintendo. If this is to be the last Zelda as we know it, make it such a great Zelda that it would be worthy of being called the greatest Zelda game, ever.

The_Wind_Waker8 @ Feb 19th 2006 12:41PM

I wouldn't call this a delay, since there was no date in the first place, I'd just call it a confirmation of when it would be released.
And why do you keep talking about the Revo funcionality? Nintendo has already denied that it will work with the Revo.

tblaze @ Feb 19th 2006 12:45PM

Looks like I will be doing some studying abroad in Hyrule next semester....

Perri @ Feb 19th 2006 12:47PM

Alright, so a couple months back I had this idea, this brilliant idea...Imagine they added Revolution functionality...I came to the internet to find that pretty much everybody else had the same idea...I would constantly think of all that you could do in Hyrule with the controller, I thought it was too good to be true. Later, that magazine said it WAS TRUE! and I was in awe, but then Nintendo kind of knocked that theory and I still said 'Its for Gamecube, and I wouldn't be dissappointed if it didn't work with the Rev control. But man that would be amazing.' and so I thought it would be a nice feature, but not one that would make or break the game...

Now that they're taking even longer though, I'd be disappointed if it DIDN'T include Revo Functionality.

I think it's a must if they're releasing it so close to Revolutions launch. I've said it before; Twilight Princess will be a game that accompanies death, and birth. The GC will go out with a bang, and the Revolution will come in with one. It's great for Nintendo, they will sell more Revolutions, but it's also great for GC owners because they still have that one great title and if they don't want to pay for a Revolution at the moment they don't have too.

I've had this game pre-ordered since last April...I will be worth the wait.

Zo?unami @ Feb 19th 2006 12:51PM

Damn. Oh well. If they need to time to finish fine tuning, I'd rather they take it.

People seem to forget the never ending delays that Ocarina of Time saw before it hit the market. This is just what Nintendo does, and we all buy and praise the titles in the end, don't we? It's not going to kill you to play a little Fire Emblem or Odama while you wait.

Javi @ Feb 19th 2006 12:52PM

no surprise there.

bd @ Feb 19th 2006 12:58PM

Brian, you are making the false assumption that we haven't played all of them yet (let alone the fact that we wouldn't necessarily like them). I've played most of those, others I don't like, so my gamecube will be pretty much dead. Well, almost, I'm about finishing a few titles, but that's pretty much it. I think I'm going to be much busier with my PS2.

GlitchCog @ Feb 19th 2006 12:59PM

I'm just thankful that they coupled the news about the delay with an assurance that it wasn't going to become a Revolution title.

Ryan @ Feb 19th 2006 1:00PM

Great, i was just getting redy to dust off my gamecube, but i guess not. This is just disappointing, Im kind of wish i didnt buy it now.

big al @ Feb 19th 2006 1:01PM

Well, people have been bashing the GC for a while, but for me it's a great system. I dumped my PS2 (I've had one at all times since it's launch.) in November because all the games bored me and GTA wasn't coming out again. I got a Gamecube, and because I hadn't been playing any of its games in its entire life, some really awesome games were available for dirtass cheap. I was able to get like 7 awesome games for about 80 dollars. This news is disappointing I suppose, but I still haven't played RE4 or Metroid Prime 2!

Lucky me I guess.

vazel @ Feb 19th 2006 1:03PM

FUCK!

C-Dub @ Feb 19th 2006 1:05PM

Nah - they're not going to add revolution functionality.

They're just going to release it 2 WEEKS before the Revolution comes out so that all of the Nintendo Freaks (like me) will play it like mad until it comes out.

So then we get crazy Zelda sales and then crazy Revolution sales. If anything - they're will be a minigame that will be unlocked it you pop it in a revolution.

Justin @ Feb 19th 2006 1:10PM

there is no way this title sees the light of day on that piece of crap gamecube.

i dont care what "GameCloud" says. THIS GAME WILL BE A REVOLUTION LAUNCH TITLE.

Who is going to go out and buy a GameCube just for this game, seeing as the Revolution will be launching in the Fall?? It's a perfect piece of software to usher in Nintendo's future.

It's such simple logic. Nintendo is taking people for fools if they think that anyone believes its coming out for the GC.

The1 @ Feb 19th 2006 1:12PM

This game will play on the Revolution and Nintendo will market it as such.

norebonomis @ Feb 19th 2006 1:14PM

this news has seriously made this the worst day of my life.

/me slashes wrists

Jay @ Feb 19th 2006 1:17PM

I've been playing Smash Bros Melee since its european launch and I constantly go back and play some Windwaker, Metroid etc. What I just dont understand is people crying about "oh boo hoo I bought a cube for this" knowing damn well that when a game is in the making it can come out anytime. There is NEVER a fixed deadline, at least not for a company as large as Nintendo who play by their own rules. Game making is a creative thing. People get new ideas, the project is delayed. They remove levels, the project is early. Things like this happen. I just released a game 2 days ago that was delayed for 2 months. People having a go at me for lying to them (though by the sound of it you would have thought I burnt their families).

Always expect delays with perfection. You play by Nintendo's rule when a game this grand is coming out. If you bought a cube just for this then shame on you. You missed out big time on some other amazing games. There are other games. There are many many games out there. If you just HAVE to play a new game now then its your own damn problem so go out and buy an Xbox 360- you will not be missed.

cheerio.

ShaM @ Feb 19th 2006 1:17PM

Im thinking GC functionality only but written across the box in big shiney letters:

"PLAYABLE ON NINTENDO REVOLUTION"

gizmondo_hater @ Feb 19th 2006 1:36PM

i can't believe this...4 months of constant monitor on this game 24/7 and this is what they give me ... another 6-8 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

webrunner @ Feb 19th 2006 1:39PM

Zelda games have in the past have things that unlock only if you play it the new system instead of the old.

Oracle of Seasons/Ages had the bonus shop if you played it on a GBA, and Link's Awakening DX had the extra dungeon if you played it on a Color.

I imagine if there's rev bonuses in Zelda, it'll be like that.

Randomboy @ Feb 19th 2006 1:43PM

Lolersticks, funny stuff.. Is that Austin Powers or something..

bd @ Feb 19th 2006 1:50PM

If they say that this game is for "gamecube owners", and yet they are launching it next to the revolution, they are making a huge mistake. Gamecube owners should be bored by now, despite the fact that it has great games, many more than the Xbox 1.0. If it's for gamecube owners, it should be both for gamecube owners of old, and for newcomers, not for revolution owners.

It almost makes me puke that they will have it as a revolution launch title, because it resembles the tactics of having Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero 360 ready. Even worse because the revolution will be sold thanks to a last gen title, not thanks to a next gen title.

Neko Tsukimi @ Feb 19th 2006 1:54PM

So that I can be the (not-so) first to say it, this will be the most awesome game ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a bit sad... but that gives me more time to play Animal Crossing and other quality games...

Armin @ Feb 19th 2006 1:55PM

Imagine the hype the Revolution launch will get if Zelda was one of the launch titles?

Come on! Just because they officially "deny" it, doens't mean they're just holding back some info for the competitors.

Nintenso is waiting so see what Sony willbring, and when the PS3 will launch.

I assure you Twillight Princess WILL be a Revolution title.

It would only be insanity not to.

Jazrabbit @ Feb 19th 2006 1:57PM

Alright Nintendo, enough of the crap. The first push was excusable--I can take the dissapointment of a six month wait for a better developed title, but another six month is an unmistakable ploy. I don't even want to begin the rant I could scream over this.

Nintendo Power staunchly defended Nintendo's push back the last time. I wonder what little details they are going to place in the next mag. I bet Pulse will have some juicy little entries.

gizmondo_hater @ Feb 19th 2006 2:04PM

w8 just one second... "this morning's" spike tv gamehead program was a repeat of last years. That means when Reggie said "this fall" he meants fall 2005... i think...just a thought.

Nin10dude @ Feb 19th 2006 2:12PM

I'm suprised so few people didn't expect this.

Tsukiyomi @ Feb 19th 2006 2:13PM

Damnit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF goin on over there?

skyrous @ Feb 19th 2006 2:16PM

Why is Nintendo dropping the ball like this?

Don't give me any of this stuff about released dates aren't fixed they said this would be a holiday title then in november they said it would be a spring title. Now it's a fall title.

I figured the reason for the delay was so they could add rev functionality. Being both the final GC title and a revolution launch title seemed like a neat idea. And fitting considering how the revolution is so tied into all the classic systems.

NEEKS @ Feb 19th 2006 2:29PM

"w8 just one second... "this morning's" spike tv gamehead program was a repeat of last years. That means when Reggie said "this fall" he meants fall 2005... i think...just a thought."

I thinki vaguely remember the ending from when it originally aired... I hope this is true!

Dakara @ Feb 19th 2006 2:33PM

Lets all give this some thought before we all jump to...too late. What month does Fall begin? August, right? The Revolution is coming out before thankgiving. Thanksgiving is in winter right? So, if you think that TP is going to be on the Revolution, then actually, this is good news for the Revolution. That means it might come out as early as August.

NEEKS @ Feb 19th 2006 2:38PM

Umm, fall starts in september, and thanksgiving is supposedly going to be released in November...August is summer... So yeah. Just thought i'd clear that up

Josh @ Feb 19th 2006 2:42PM

Take as much time as you need, Miyamoto and Nintendo. I can wait.

Oh, and I still don't think there will be any Revolution functionality.

Anticrawl @ Feb 19th 2006 2:43PM

I think a few people here have forgotten about the backwards compatibility the Revolution has with gamecube games. It will be a Rev launch title in the sense that yes it will also be playable on the Revolution but with new features not requiring you to use the traditional controller maybe. But to say Nintendo will go against their word about promising it as a Gamecube title and spend the next few months remaking it with next-gen graphics is a little more than wishful thinking. They have stated it over and over that it would be playable on the gamecube. I don't doubt the Rev functionality and now that so many expect it with the date pushed back then they better add it in. I don't think Nintendo ever officially denied this rumor. Nintendo "doesn't comment on rumors or speculation", that's what they always say. Some magazines don't quote them specifically and just hear what they want. I for one can wait until fall if the supposed Rev functionality is there and the game is worth it, but otherwise I'd be very disapointed.

What's that gizmondo_hater? An old broadcast that sturred up all this excitement. That would be very funny if true.

Pixels for my people,
Anticrawl

Dakara @ Feb 19th 2006 2:46PM

well NEEKS since corrections are needed to be made...it wasn't a re-run. He said 850,000 unique user on the Wi-fi service. It was filmed 2006.

Pretty Obvious @ Feb 19th 2006 2:46PM

And with this news becoming official, it is official that Nintendo sucks. They had Resident Evil 4 last year, and now amidst all three next gen consoles being launched (including their own) they wanna release the best Zelda ever on the not so best Gamecube.

Nintendo's decisions used to piss me off, now since im not a fan of them any more they really crack me up. Whats even more hilarious are you guys giving excuses for them. Listen as long as Nintendo is profiting from its consoles they really couldnt give a rats ass about pleasing its fans. When you give a list of games to tide you over and you have a list full of year old games to launch titles, thats a serious problem....

Anticrawl @ Feb 19th 2006 2:50PM

Yeah I'd call August the last month of summer. It's the hottest time of the year here in Louisiana.

nosdivad @ Feb 19th 2006 3:07PM

Let's be clear about one thing - Twilight Princess is a Gamecube title. No-one has said anything different, so let's stop debating whether it will be a Revolution game - it won't. It will be playable on the Revolution, just like every other Gamecube game will be playable.

If Nintendo do put in some extra features for Revolution, that's fine by me, but it gets to me when people say Nintendo are betraying their Gamecube fans. The console can't live forever, but at least Nintendo are making sure it get's a good send off. If you have a Gamecube you can play the game on there. If you don't, you can buy a Revolution.

I think the people complaigning as to whether this will stop Gamecube sales are missing the point - at some point you have to move on from trying to sell Cubes and move on to getting your new machine off the ground. Remember, Nintendo are trying to make a big push for people who have never played a console before - and people are not going to buy an old console just so they can play this one game, not when they know that theres a new console around the corner that can play new games as well as Zelda (and possibly give it some new features)

Nintendo could have announced this to be moved to Revolution a long time ago, but they haven't. Instead, they've made sure Gamecube owners will be able to playing it without splashing out for a new system, and if there are any extra features, you can get them if and when you get a Revolution.

And as for the delay - It wouldn't be a Zelda game if it hadn't been delayed at least once...