Wii impressions: Zelda: Twilight Princess [update 1]
by Blake Snow 
{ May 10th 2006 at 4:10PM }
We just spent 20 minutes of time playing Zelda: Twilight Princess on Wii. The menu screen prompts a quick shake with the nunchuck to start the game, upon which your able to choose either "game" mode or "fishing" mode. I fired up the fishing sim first. This mode has a very relaxing feel to it. The controls felt very natural and really make you want to catch a fish. Our good friend Ryan from Engadget was next to me and I could tell he wanted a shot. Unfortunately, I lost my big catch when the fish was positioned by my trusty canoe, which was a bummer.
The "game" mode controls work very nicely too. You can tell Nintendo did a good job adapting from the original GC controls to the new dual Wii controller setup. Using the left accelerometer is especially fun. The bow and arrows, along with the tornado attack is a little tricky, but hopefully with time, one can master it.
We've merely scratched the surface with this title, but so far, I would call it a solid implementation of the new "free style" remote. Stay tuned for more in-depth impressions as we get them.
[Update 1: corrected spelling]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
elle @ May 10th 2006 4:14PM
"I fired up the fishing sim first."
Wait... you got to get your hands on the next Zelda ?as in, playing as Link and swinging his sword and shooting his bow - and you opted to play a fishing game first?
Are you _human_?
JodyAnthony @ May 10th 2006 4:14PM
Dear Joystiq,
I hate you.
Your friend,
Jody.
gsus @ May 10th 2006 4:15PM
The initial time I saw the wii-mote, the first thing that popped into my mind was "Wow! They can finnaly make a Big Lebowski game i'd be proud to own!", but the second thing was "fishing games are gonna rule with this thing".
jaemz @ May 10th 2006 4:16PM
I read that you use the button for the sword attack, and not the wiimote waved in a sword action, is this true?
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ May 10th 2006 4:18PM
....I am going to use the fishing mode first when I get the game. It's just something new and something to try. Ugh. Been SOOO long since I have played OOT or Majora's Mask. CANT WAIT TO USE IT ON VIRTUAL CONSOLE!!!
Prof-KOS @ May 10th 2006 4:19PM
I can't wait for this game. More than anything else , this game is going to rock hard.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ May 10th 2006 4:21PM
Just curious, was the game running on widescreen or fullscreen?
pete @ May 10th 2006 4:24PM
What I want to know is why, for the love of all things Wii, can't the controller be used for swordplay in Z:TP? I understand navigating the menu system will require use of the more 'traditional' controls, but really now - any Wii game with a sword should ABSOLUTELY utilize the (Red Steel-like) sword play functionality
Grant @ May 10th 2006 4:24PM
jaemz,
I've read that you press the button for a standard sword attack, but stab forward to perform a stabbing move, spin your hand to perform a spin attack, and stab downward to do your finishing move. Something like that.
RageOverdose @ May 10th 2006 4:26PM
So, Link's getting the Master Sword again...I'm not surprised, or disappointed. I love that little blade. :)
Still, I'm very excited, but a bit disappointed you need to buy a seperate Wii version for the new features. Well, more reason to get a Wii, and now, my GCN is officialy dead...In terms of buying any more new stuff anyway. I'll just purchase what's out...I'll miss it...
Chuck Norris @ May 10th 2006 4:27PM
I'm sure the games for Wii will be fun and all.. but I'm not really sure if I wanna wave the controller all the time like an idiot...
Scott @ May 10th 2006 4:29PM
Damnit, just announce the price and shipping date so I can preorder it already.
jamil @ May 10th 2006 4:30PM
i have read people have been having slight calibration issues. has anyone seen that? what size screen were you playing TP on?
gsus @ May 10th 2006 4:32PM
#10, if you really were chuck norris, you'd be able to controll the Wii with your mind and would have no use for the controller. Its obvious your just a shameful imposter, and may Chuck have mercy on your soul.
Spike @ May 10th 2006 4:35PM
I read that by targeting an enemy and thrusting the remote forward, you parry. With the sword!!
How cool is that!!!
Princess Zelda @ May 10th 2006 4:35PM
Just curious, was the game running on widescreen or fullscreen?
-Not Impressed (Dmitri)
The Wii version is Widescreen the Gamecube version is fullscreen.
I still can't believe you guys tried the fishing first. I can't wait to try shooting an arrow or throwing the boomerang.
Darth Pixel @ May 10th 2006 4:36PM
Nintendo is the new Apple.
Microsoft is the new Sony.
Sony is the new Sega.
Gee, it sucks to be at the top.
Media are more interested in bashing you.
Players are more interested in bashing you.
Everybody waits for you to fall and die.
Once Sony is dead and buried, who is next? Nintendo or Microsoft?
Vik @ May 10th 2006 4:36PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4wnkLKgfgQ
If you have reservations about giving your arms (aka flabbers) some exercise, take a pudgley gaze at this video - that is a breif expose of whats happening on the E3 floor. Pay attention to the girl playing Mario Galaxy. I know that breaking a sweat for some of you is uncomfortable*, so I'm sure you'll appreciate it.
*Breaking a sweat caused by physical exersion, not by eating hot pie.
Peter @ May 10th 2006 4:37PM
THE real question is:
Whats the best controls? I loved the old ones so is this really that good? (I've also read the ign hands-on and I'm still doubting)
What do you think?
Mullinator @ May 10th 2006 4:39PM
@#11:
As Chuck Norris you of all people should realize the importance of moving around instead of staring blankly at your TV screen.
Chuck Norris @ May 10th 2006 4:46PM
#19, so.. instead of going outside and moving around, you are willing to jump up and down and wave your arms like an idiot in front of TV?
If you wanna move around, go outside dude. I'm sure that's healthier too...
DjHyjak @ May 10th 2006 4:49PM
mark my words the number one selling game for thw Wii in the 2007 will be a fishing game.
Mullinator @ May 10th 2006 4:55PM
@#20
Hey, all I am saying is that if you are going to be using a TV you might as well not look like a comination of nerd/zombie and not waste away in front of it. Don't be such an idiot in assuming I meant that should be counted as a form of excerise in a daily routine.
crono141 @ May 10th 2006 4:58PM
(#21 Chuck Norris)
Going outside would be healthier, except I'm sure many of us nerd types are hated by mother nature.
She makes us sneeze, and itch, and break out in hives.
I stopped going outside once my allergies kicked in as a kid.
And if you hate the revolution so much, just give it a Roundhouse kick. That'll show em!!
Peter @ May 10th 2006 5:01PM
I was talking about the old GC controls Chuck...
Cowlix @ May 10th 2006 5:20PM
Perhaps the reason some of the motion-controlled actions are done with the nunchuck instead of the Wiimote is because it is done with predominantly the left hand. Link is left-handed, so in theory, it gives the player a better sense of what it's like to be Link.
Just a thought...
Chuck Norris @ May 10th 2006 5:48PM
I'm sold if Wii will be the half the fun Nintendo promising their games will be. However, I really do hope there will be some standard way of playing new marios and Zelda.. I really don't wanna wave my arms around for 20 mins and get tired and never wanna play some of my favorite nintendo games just because of that...
It CAN be a great concept for new ways of playing games.. but just don't dive all your (nintendo) games into that B.S...
embassy @ May 10th 2006 6:12PM
my question regarding this new scheme is whether or not u find it intuitive enough to make the standard controller obsolete...??
cuz i can picture all these happy nintendo fans with there new Wii's loving the wiimote for the 1st few days/weeks...then after they had their thrills..i see them saying " screw this" and plugging in a normal controller to play thier games...which..is th elifecycle for most similar gaming accessories...
so how wud u rate it verses a normal control scheme as your default control method..??
Confused @ May 14th 2006 12:34PM
Do you HAVE to use the wii controller or can you use the one you got?
ian @ May 22nd 2006 9:02PM
I think REVOLUTION ( yes im still calling it revolution because Wii is a weird name. me and my friend even made up a joke about it. Hey, do you want to play with my Wii? UMMM :[.) vesion of tp will be great. Pulling back the controler to shoot an arrow, bending down to bick up an object, climbing latters, swing the controler to sword fight, etc. Awsome! And fishing mode? COOL!
Zelda Lover @ Jul 1st 2006 11:53AM
I agree with Ian. I think TP will be great! But Embassy is right. It was like that when I got Eye Toy. For the first couple of weeks, I was like "This game is freakin' awsome!" But after that I was like "To the hell with this. I'm going back to the controller to play some other game" Chuck Norris has a point too. After a little while of waving your arms, jumping, ect., you'll get tired. You're gonna want to just play with the controller. But even with all of this negetive stuff, I'm still gonna get me one of them Wiis(is that how you would say it in plural form?)!
i love zelda @ Oct 24th 2007 11:17PM
I believe that tp will be a great success and i can't wait for it to come out. But i understand there was a little confusion on the date it comes out. I would really like to know the price and date so i can go buy it! PLEASE get that info AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!