Zelda: TP will be "special" on the Revolution

by Christopher Grant { Feb 20th 2006 at 12:15PM }

Despite the incessant back and forth, the unending rumor and rejection, it looks like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will feature "special" Revolution functionality! In an interview with EGM in the upcoming March issue, Reggie all but confirmed it saying, "The trick will be what makes it special to play on the Revolution, and to the extent that we could create something like that, boy, wouldn't that be fantastic?" It sure will Reggie. I mean would... it sure would.

We all anticipated this functionality when the info got leaked the first couple times. So now that the speculation regarding future Revolution controller compatibility is gone, it's time to speculate on what kind of functionality the game will have. I'll begin: Wind Waker-style music composing? The fishing minigame will rule! Swordplay FTW? Grappling hook? On second thought, not sure that one's gonna work.

Follow the whole tumultuous affair:
Zelda: Twilight Princess delay is official
Twilight Princess back on schedule
Twilight Princess gone 'til November
Nintendo shoots down Revo details: "still speculation"
Magazine reveals Revolution details: Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Konga
Nintendo dismisses Zelda use of Rev controller
Zelda: Twilight Princess can play on Revolution controller
Reggie: Twilight Princess still GameCube-bound

[Thanks, dsub]

Tags: Legend of Zelda, LegendOfZelda, Twilight Princess, TwilightPrincess, Zelda

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Stagger @ Feb 20th 2006 12:37PM

So...it will be playable normal on a Gamecube but if you have a Revolution it can be functional with it? If I interpreted it that way correctly, that'd be both a great marketing strategy to boost Rev sales, and not isolate those gamers who want zelda but maybe dont want to shell out 200-300 bucks for a Rev. Also you'll get to play the game once then again with new functionallity which would keep it fresh...I've got no problem with this personally, worth the wait.

aj @ Feb 20th 2006 12:37PM

Finally they admit it, sort of.

Zachary @ Feb 20th 2006 12:38PM

I sure am glad I read EGM and Joystiq, otherwise I might have only read that once.

epobirs @ Feb 20th 2006 12:39PM

I can see it now. Instead of a little sailboat you'll have a little rowboat. So the interminable sailing sequences can be replaced with interminable rowing sequences.

I really hope they learned their lesson on that one. I gave up on Wind Waker because it just to tedious doing stuff that felt like work to get to the actual game. I've quit jobs that were less boring than sailing in that game.

John @ Feb 20th 2006 12:42PM

They better put something like that in Twilight Princess because if I'm going to wait an extra 5-7 months just for the same game I would have gotten in April...

gah.

Spartacus @ Feb 20th 2006 12:47PM

So far the Revolution looks to be following in the 360's footsteps. The top LIVE list on the next-gen system is championed by a last-gen game (of course this only pertains to multi-player), now Nintendo is going to one-up them by launching their next-gen system with promotional help from a last-gen game. I don't know how Ninty fans can call this innovation. I'd call it cheap.

Rob @ Feb 20th 2006 12:50PM

At least now we know why they're delaying it - to add this "special functionality" for Revolution. To me that says they really don't have much else to launch with it. Why else would they jerk Game Cube owners around like that?

There's too few titles as it is, but to delay a title for a system that will be outdated soon to try to impress future Revolution owners? Color me unimpressed. Zelda should be finished for the GC.

Nintendo, how about focusing on wrapping that one up and spending some time FOCUSED on NEW titles for the Revolution? Or is that too much to ask?

Rob @ Feb 20th 2006 12:51PM

Portnoy @ Feb 20th 2006 12:59PM

Hey zach,

No need to be sarcastic. I see duplicate posts on alot of web resources. Joystiq can't assume what everyone reads or they wouldn't have much content. This is a repository for original content as well as referred content. Not to mention, that good bloggers will add some context or analysis to improve/personalize on the referred content

Anyway, as to the story, I'm not sure how I take this but I fear that you will get some "small" bonus by playing it on revolution. I would rather have no functionality or complete functionality. In either case, I would likely play it on the cube unless it really does release at the exact same time.

ren @ Feb 20th 2006 1:01PM

Im praying that the floor screen from e3 will play a roll on the revolution version

nosdivad @ Feb 20th 2006 1:19PM

A thought has just occured - didn't Ocarina of Time have a few features that were supposed to be unlocked with the 64DD, or is that just me imagining things?

Anyway, "special features" - we'll have to see, won't we? The game will still be relased for the Gamecube with extras for Revolution - that's far more reasonable than simply moving it over to Revolution. The only problem is now people are up in arms about a "delay" of a title that never had a confirmed date in the first place.

I have a Gamecube, and I hope to buy a Revolution. Now I can buy Zelda and have fun playing it while I save up the pennies for a Revolution - and then get the extras. That's not really such a bad deal.

Brian @ Feb 20th 2006 1:28PM

It's finally starting to sound like they really do have Revolution plans for TP. I don't know what the big deal is, anyways.

I mean, they're not delaying TP so they can add Revo functionality. They're delaying it because I'm sure they're using every bit of time that they have to make that game better. They probably have the development team working on it 24/7. Then, with the added delay, they can add Revo functionality.

Also, everyone acts like they're ripping off GCN owners. No they're not. That's like saying that Nintendo ripped off non-GBA owners in Animal Crossing by adding the Animal Crossing Island. It's not like it was a neccessity. They just wanted to add a small bonus for those of us that did have a GBA with a link cable. If anything, everyone who says that Nintendo shouldn't be allowed to give Revo owners an extra insignificant perk is saying that Nintendo should be ripping off Revolution owners.

...Revolution support is not that big of a deal. It's an added unneccessary perk, and they're not delaying the game because of it. From what I understand, developing for the Revolution is frightfully easy to do, and they do NOT have to delay the game for 6 months to add it. It can probably be added in a week or two.

Enjoy the game, it's the last of its kind, or so Nintendo tells us. If it is to be the last, then it ought to go down in history as legendary.

Mullinator @ Feb 20th 2006 1:34PM

@#4: Who ever said it was being delayed because of new Revolution features? Those could be all finished for all we know and it is just regular game development delays that are causing this. A one year delay is not unheard of for major games like this. Look at Half-Life 1, Half-Life 2, Stalker, etc.

@#3: You are blaming Nintendo for using a "last generation" game? They have yet to begin advertising the Revolution titles, that is why it only seems like that right now. Wait until E3 and if Zelda is still looking to be the major thing everyone is talking about for the Revolution then that opinion will be correct. For now though it is just moronic.

Brian @ Feb 20th 2006 1:43PM

And at the very same time, this is in a new interview...

Speaking of GameCube, if you play a GameCube game on the new Revolution console, will you be able to use the Revolution controller or will you have to use the older style of controller?

Well, all of the GameCube games will be compatible only with GameCube accessories, so whether it�s a WaveBird or whether it�s a wired controller, you�ll only be able to play those titles with those accessories. Essentially what we�re saying is that Revolution titles are the only ones that will leverage the new controller.

bd @ Feb 20th 2006 1:45PM

I agree Zachary. And I agree Spartacus, now *that* is cheap.

I would rather have either twilight princess not come out for the gamecube and come out for Revolution (fully functional, with better graphics and more content) than come out half for the gamecube, and the other half for Nintendo Revolution.

This pisses me off because, instead of focusing on adding more content to the game (more dungeons, weapons, sidequests, a better storyline, etc.), they add functionality IN CASE someone buys a revolution, which means that to enjoy the full Zelda TP experience, you will need a Revolution; this is an insult for gamecube owners, regardless if they want the revolution or not. As Spartacus said, *that* is cheap.... maybe even cheaper than having 360 be BC out of the box for Halo 2, because you don't get any extra functionality by playing it on the 360 (except HD graphics, but you need an HDTV anyway).

Oh well, maybe they can't really add more content even if they wanted to, as the gamecube discs are too small. (I heard that the really short Wind Waker occupied 1 Gigabyte out of 1.5 Gigabytes, and it would be ridiculous to make a two disc Zelda)

Brian @ Feb 20th 2006 1:45PM

^New interview on Engadget, btw.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/20/the-engadget-interview-reggie-fils-aime-executive-vice-preside/

Exo @ Feb 20th 2006 1:47PM

Nintendo used Links awakening DX to usher in GB color

they used the oracle series to boost sales of Advance

now they are using TP to do the same with rev, what part of any of this is a surprise?

Sure this may be the first time they have done it on a console, but its also the first console from Nintendo with backwards compatibility

Brian @ Feb 20th 2006 1:49PM

bd: THEY ARE FOCUSING ON FUNCTIONALITY!!!

Besides the fact that it's still denied by Nintendo that there will be Revolution capabilities (and Reggie just recently said that only Revo games can use the Revo controller), it DOES. NOT. TAKE. 6 MONTHS. TO. ADD. A. REVO. CONTROL. SCHEME.

They are trying as HARD as they can to finish this Zelda and make people like YOU happy, and everyone blasts them. Give the developers and their overtime hours a break!

Brian @ Feb 20th 2006 1:51PM

last post, correcting my top post.

bd: THEY ARE FOCUSING ON NEW CONTENT!!!

Armin @ Feb 20th 2006 1:51PM

Hate to say:

I TOLD YOU SO!

Of course it will be out on the Revolution, that's why it's delayed.

Ace_ofspade @ Feb 20th 2006 1:57PM

Dammit! The vaugeness!

B @ Feb 20th 2006 1:57PM

Let's begin counting the waiting days...

emmzee @ Feb 20th 2006 2:06PM

"Hate to say:
I TOLD YOU SO!
Of course it will be out on the Revolution, that's why it's delayed."

Don't be stupid. Do you think Nintendo was sitting around saying "Well I'm glad we finally got that TP game done! ... Saaaaaay, why don't we delay the game and add a 'small' bit of Revolution content?" They always were planning to add Revolution content. It was part of the plan, the game was not delayed because of this.

Nor is it correct to say that "it will be out on the Revolution". It'll be "out on" the Revolution in much the same way as Chibi Robo or Luigi's Mansion are "out on" the Revolution, ie it's a GC game that'll play on the Rev.

Hmmm, Nintendo decides to add more content to the game for Revolution owners and everyone attacks them for it! Just relax, it'll be out when its done, sheesh. I know people are anxious for the game, I am too, but man ...

GlitchCog @ Feb 20th 2006 2:06PM

The issue isn't whether or not it'll be playable on the Revolution. It will be playable on the Revolution with the Revolution's new controller because the Revolution is backwards compatible. The issue is whether or not there will be unique gameplay related to the Revolution controller that will not be available on the GameCube.

The point of this game is that it was supposed to be the last of the Zelda series as we know it. It isn't supposed to be ushering in any sort of new era of control. It's supposed to be closing the old era of the lock-on targeting, XYZ items and B-button sword attacks. I'm not saying Nintendo definately isn't holding this game up to include some Revolution functionality, just that they shouldn't.

It's just going a little too far in abandoning the old school fans. They promised this Zelda to us as the last of the series before they changed it all around to match their new philosophy. If this was their plan all along, they should have said so and not mislead all the GameCube owners who like the old style control.

C-Dub @ Feb 20th 2006 2:08PM

He didn't admit anything - he just said "i would love to see" - that just means just that - that REGGIE WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT. It's not a confirmation unfortunately that Nintendo is going to do it - just his personal view.

Exo @ Feb 20th 2006 2:14PM

or you could all be over reacting. the rev controller may be used for a fishing game for all we know.

one thing that is sure is that it is a cube game. when Nintendo adds extra features that are only usable on a new console, its always a minor thing that in no way affects the rest of the game as a whole.

Basically it will be just as good on cube

GlitchCog @ Feb 20th 2006 2:15PM

From the Engadget article that Brian posted above:

Question: Speaking of GameCube, if you play a GameCube game on the new Revolution console, will you be able to use the Revolution controller or will you have to use the older style of controller?

Reggie: Well, all of the GameCube games will be compatible only with GameCube accessories, so whether it�s a WaveBird or whether it�s a wired controller, you�ll only be able to play those titles with those accessories. Essentially what we�re saying is that Revolution titles are the only ones that will leverage the new controller.

There you have it. If it's a GameCube game, which it is, you'll have to use a Wavebird.

AlloyNES @ Feb 20th 2006 2:16PM

QUOTE: "Nintendo, how about focusing on wrapping that one up and spending some time FOCUSED on NEW titles for the Revolution? Or is that too much to ask?"

The truth is they pulled people away from the Twilight Princess project to focus on the Revolution so they will have a great launch. This is one main reason why the game is being so delayed.

Randomboy @ Feb 20th 2006 2:17PM

These are the same people that will play this game on the Rev and be like.. OMG!! This shit RoXX0RZ!!

bd @ Feb 20th 2006 3:00PM

Well Brian, I hope you are right (about having game content added, and not functionality), though if they release Zelda TP very close to the Revolution just for the sake of selling more units, then that's just plain cheap, and there is no way anyone can argue against that.

I hope it has nothing "revolutionary". lol

Exo @ Feb 20th 2006 3:12PM

how is any of this cheap at all?

Why are you guys complaining?

basicly by the logic of most of you, companies are cheap for making games that make us want to buy thier system.

Yea that IS horrible, why cant they just make crappy games so I dont feel like spending money on their system

BlackYoshi @ Feb 20th 2006 3:16PM

Clearly Brian, you must have already worked on Revolution projects since you know how long it takes to code a game for the Revolution already! Or maybe you've talked to someone whose finished a Revolution game? Either way, you must be right!

tim @ Feb 20th 2006 3:48PM

Does anyone remember the Gameboy Advance function on Wind Waker? Did that really contribute anything to the game?

Instead of implementing this cross-platform gimic, they could have spent more time on filler material instead of all that damn sailing at the end of the game.

Now I loved WW, but when you compare how much actual content the game had to say... A Link to the Past, WindWaker comes up short, I tell ya.

C. Grant @ Feb 20th 2006 4:14PM

GlitchCog, Engadget's Reggie interview was from last week, before the EGM mag was available. I think the comments he made in EGM are pretty convincing. His comments to Engadget were consistent with their earlier stance, but Nintendo wouldn't mislead us, would they. *thinks about TP's release date, no DS revision claim*

bd @ Feb 20th 2006 5:17PM

No Exo, it is cheap because it is a LAST GEN GAME, could end up being the best (I'm not going to say it will be), and it will be used to cement the installed base of a NEXT GEN console, which is ridiculous. "Hey guess what? I bought the revolution for Zelda TP.". That makes the install base look inflated over the actual install base that wants Revolution titles, not last gen titles. Sure, they might (or might not) buy more titles for revolution later... but then that's just an anchor for getting relatively more users (or just plain inflating numbers), just like Dragon Quest 8 sold a lot because the FFXII demo was included in it, which is ridiculous. Dirty marketing tactics, but oh well, that's business.

mrk @ Feb 20th 2006 5:23PM

http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/20/the-engadget-interview-reggie-fils-aime-executive-vice-preside/

No new features.

Rob @ Feb 20th 2006 5:52PM

"They're not delaying TP so they can add Revo functionality. They're delaying it because I'm sure they're using every bit of time that they have to make that game better. They probably have the development team working on it 24/7. Then, with the added delay, they can add Revo functionality."

Truthfully, we don't, and probably won't, know either way. But, whatever they're adding, it will take time. Think of how many games have come out with control issues after being in development for a small eternity - even if they are/were just adding support for the Rev controller, I have no doubt that it's pretty involved and time consuming to do so (especially given additional rounds of testing, debugging, etc.). That's part of why my earlier rant was exactly that -a rant.

"If anything, everyone who says that Nintendo shouldn't be allowed to give Revo owners an extra insignificant perk is saying that Nintendo should be ripping off Revolution owners."

I'm not really saying that. Given what I said above, I honestly believe that adding anything at all for the Rev. would have a significant impact on release date. It's not like Nintendo to mention the worst case scenario (i.e. releasing this Fall) with reason. They didn't say it exactly (when do they ever), but that's how it sounds to me. With that in mind, I'm convinced that it will release this fall and Rev will be the main reason behind the delay.

"...Revolution support is not that big of a deal."

agreed

". . .they're not delaying the game because of it."

disagree, but only Nintendo knows for certain.

"From what I understand, developing for the Revolution is frightfully easy to do,"

Maybe, but all new systems have to have some learning curve. It may be easy, but that doesn't mean it won't take a lot of time to do (whatever "it" might be)..

"It can probably be added in a week or two."

No offense, but again, we just don't know.

"Who ever said it was being delayed because of new Revolution features? "

Truthfully, no one. I never said I was doing anything but speculating. To me, this is what the available data suggests.

"You are blaming Nintendo for using a "last generation" game?"

If (ha ha) Rev does launch in the Fall, Zelda will be a last gen game. If Rev does not launch in Fall, then maybe Zelda will have been delayed to tide over Nin fans until it finally does launch.

"For now though it is just moronic."

I can understand how it might seem that way, but I've been following Nintendo very closely for about 20 years now, and I believe this is exactly their speed given their track record.

"They are trying as HARD as they can to finish this Zelda and make people like YOU happy. . ."

Or they're planning for the future as best they can. I know they've said they're not competing in the next console war, but the truth is that they have to. Any company in this business survives on quality content AND installed user base. They have to have that in mind going in or this could be their last home console.

"The truth is they pulled people away from the Twilight Princess project to focus on the Revolution so they will have a great launch. This is one main reason why the game is being so delayed."

You might be right, and maybe I just missed that article. But if that's true, who's left to add Rev functionality. Maybe I should catch up on my reading.

By the way, I'm not a fanboy for one company or the other. The 'cube is my only system, though I've been sorely disappointed with it. My experience is that since the N64 they've just been getting worse and worse about missing/delaying launch of this/that/the other and we consumers (who are paying their salaries, so I'm not worried about their overtime and whatnot) are getting less and less quality content.

Kye @ Feb 20th 2006 6:25PM

Like it or not Nintendo is gona be shifting consoles like mad later this year because of this game.

Core package - TP + GC

Premium Package - TP + Revo

:)

Magera @ Feb 20th 2006 8:08PM

Ok Lets look at this from another perspective....

I DON'T own a GC nore anyone I know has one...

But I AM looking forward to Zelda TP... Big Time!!!

Now if they released Zelda TP well before the Rev release I'll be really ticked off because I won't be able to play it!!! I don't want to have to go out and purchase a GC just to play the game and then get the Revolution on the Launch date as well!

BUT

if they do release Zelda TP close to the Revolution Launch I can just purchase my Revolution and straight away play Zelda TP without it being out for 6 months already.

Think of it this way... There are only 20 Million GC owners.

There ARE many others who Don't own a GC whom are hanging out for Zelda TP.

They ALSO don't want to have to purchase a gc just to get in and play it if they are planning on buying the Revolution just as I am. (at least 1 of my friends is hoping to as well)

I say that if Zelda TP comes out relitivly close to the Revolutions Launch date then thats FANTASTIC for me and ALL those others waiting for the REV who don't own a GC.

Oh and by the way.... I put MY revolution on PRE-ORDER over the weekend at EB Fountain Gate (VIC, Australia). Can't wait for when it comes out.

Game dude @ Feb 20th 2006 9:48PM

No one has seem to mentioned this, and maybe i'm way off, but I thought it was worth throwing out on the table.

Although Nintendo said that they're not going to be in direct competition with Sony, who knows that they aren't delaying Zelda:TP, to have a wicked game like this, to counter with the PS3 launch. It might seem a little out left field...but think about it. There's been reports in the news today, that a Sony rep said that it's possible that the PS3 could be delayed.

Who knows, maybe Nintendo knows something that we don't, and therefore is preparing Zelda:TP to go head to head with the PS3, although it'll be a current gen game, versus next gen games.

LogainAblar @ Feb 20th 2006 11:48PM

You guys are right: programming for the Rev controller is so easy. In fact they don't even need to write any code, because the controller is from the future and has already been programmed to be compatible with every game that has ever existed before the year 2153.

Now off to reality... see you there.

cApTaIn_iNSan0 @ Feb 21st 2006 11:47AM

Aside from the fact that their is this so-called "added functionality" we could be looking at the best console launch line up of all time.
We know Zelda will be in the launch window. Other games that will (or should) be included with launch of the Rev are:
A new Super Smash Brothers
Metroid Prime 3
An new Mario Bros game (not Luigi's Mansion 2)
Their should be a pokemon game (those sell like crazy)
Lets not forget the NES, SNES, N64 games that we've all wanted to play for so long. Think about Goldeneye with a bit sharper graphics and online play.
For the casula gamers their will be multiple versions of Tetris, Animal Crossing, other puzzle type games to keep the wives occupied.
Those are all first party too--Ubisoft, Activision, Capcom, Konami will surely release a few games each
With all the problems Sony is having and M$ not getting the lead in an installed base that it wanted Nintendo is poised to at least take a firm hold on the No.2 console spot if not take the lead all together.