False Alarm: GameCube Zelda:TP won't be at retail in US either [update 2]
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Oct 19th 2006 at 4:45PM }
[Update 2: Nintendo's official statement: Online reports about the Nintendo GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are incorrect. The amazing game will be available at retail outlets nationwide on Dec. 13.]Get out the pine box and some nails, prepare to bury your Gamecube. It's over. The Gamecube is dead, long live the Wii.
Unless -- Nintendo announces they'll offer Zelda:TP from their online outlet like they will in Japan.
[Thanks Nick]
[Update: 1) Nintendo's PR company is attempting to confirm the information. 2) Some Gamestop and EB Games employees say the reason the game is no longer in their computer system or online is that pre-orders have been maxed out. Apparenly once the company stops taking pre-orders, they remove the game from their computer system entirely. 3) As previously reported, even if the Gamecube version -- the system the game was originally developed for many moons ago -- still comes out at retail, gamers will still be forced to wait until December 11. A full three weeks after the Wii version is released. 4) Nintendo of Europe has apparently confirmed that the game will retail normally there saying, "It's a safe bet to assume the US will be doing the same as us - a full release, though it will be printed in smaller numbers than the Wii version.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
BklynKid @ Oct 19th 2006 4:50PM
Surprise, surprise...
polly @ Oct 19th 2006 4:52PM
What a friggin slap in the face.
> @ Oct 19th 2006 4:51PM
Is this Wii bashing day or what? That, and your GC cables arent compatible with Wii.
BigD @ Oct 19th 2006 4:53PM
Those bastards! I knew this was going to happen. This is Nintendo's best game, why would they bother putting it on the gamecube? This little stunt will force everyone to buy that P.O.S. Wii. Why Nintendo Why?
Mark @ Oct 19th 2006 5:02PM
Way to crap all over your loyal consumers Nintendo. At least Sony is still supporting the PS2.
yay @ Oct 19th 2006 4:54PM
Like this is a surprise to anyone. This way they will get more people to buy the Wii. Well, they just lost a sale.
crono141 @ Oct 19th 2006 4:55PM
Bitch Bitch Bitch,
Just buy a wii. I"d pay 300 dollars for the next zelda.
But then, I own Nintendo Stock :)
Drop A Load @ Oct 19th 2006 4:56PM
you want it you better bust out that credit card .
Shad Genki @ Oct 19th 2006 5:05PM
Waaahmbulance! Whatever, I was gonna trade the GC in when I get the Wii anyway. I think you get $25. That's a free wiimote, bitchez!
Kengro @ Oct 19th 2006 4:59PM
www.whatthefuck.com...
Oh no they don't, i'm not getting a wii. I got more than enough with my 360
Joe A. @ Oct 19th 2006 4:59PM
It's also a way to cut out the middle-men retailers/distributors... I think their pure-profit model is going a little to their heads.
This is gonna tick off the brick and mortar stores, even though there's really not anything they can do about it, except turn the other cheek and say "Give me more Wii, please."
Wait... that doesn't sound right...
JRM @ Oct 19th 2006 5:06PM
that's horrible! I like Nintendo and all, but this is not a good move. In fact, it is such a bad move that I don't really believe it. The only reason TP was pushed back in the first place was to incorporate the Wiimote into the game. The GameCube version was finished long before this. I'm pretty sure it will be available though. Maybe after the Wii launch.
voghan @ Oct 19th 2006 5:02PM
I was going to buy a used Game Cube and TP. Guess I'm not anymore.
birdy @ Oct 19th 2006 5:03PM
pfff. Bastards. I was looking forward to this. Oh well, there's another Zelda game I don't get to play. I gotta lot of things going on in the next year, and I didn't budget for buying a new console. Not going to change that either. Fuck em.
JodyAnthony @ Oct 19th 2006 5:05PM
I'll buy it off the website if it ends up on there.
Buy it, never open it, and sell it on ebay in a few years.
Good thing I planned on getting it for wii to play anyway
Brandon @ Oct 20th 2006 12:45AM
...Um... Why do you all keep relying on Gamestop for this kind of information? Why not check with TARGET or WAL MART? Just because they have AWESOME customer service(*snort*) doesn't mean they're always right =P
primetime @ Oct 19th 2006 5:08PM
This is the biggest dick move I can think of. Nintendo has been promising this game for GameCube for over 2 years now. Might as well throw us a bone for actually buying the system because WindWaker was ass.
mr8ucket @ Oct 19th 2006 5:13PM
oh well, I was thinking about getting both. I think this is a good sign and could mean that the wii version is better or aleast just as good.
B33 @ Oct 19th 2006 5:10PM
Kind of shame, since many of the loyal fans who have stuck with Nintendo this long are getting screwed if they don't buy a Wii. Plus, Nintendo is breaking the promise they made back at E3 06... Not that it's entirely uncommon for Game companies not to keep their promises...
NJ Mom @ Oct 19th 2006 5:11PM
No whambulance or crying here, although I am sorry I may have to cross this off the 'suggested presents' list for Christmas.
No, despite having four children and a gaming family I'm not getting a Wii this year. Since the Wii cost for MY family would be hovering in the $500 range (console, 3 additional controller/nunchuk combos, LOZ:TP, and a VC game or three), we decided to just get the GC LOZ:TP this year and look at a Wii for next year. (The Xbox, Xbox 360, and four DS's (one is mine) get the most use anyway, so it's ~$500 for something that won't be the primary system.)
Hopefully the GC version of LOZ:TP can be purchased online; I know it's one the kids have been looking forward to for awhile now.
JodyAnthony @ Oct 19th 2006 5:11PM
I don't know about the rest of you, but as the 'loyal nintendo fan' that I am, I actually WANT their new system, thus have no problem getting zelda for it.
shirizaki @ Oct 19th 2006 5:26PM
...Meh.
alwell. I guess I have a new cube-shaped coaster. Now we need a news post about the 10 new uses for your cube.
B33 @ Oct 19th 2006 5:19PM
"Hopefully the GC version of LOZ:TP can be purchased online; I know it's one the kids have been looking forward to for awhile now."
I don't see Nintendo wasting the money to put it online. Plus, their trying to push the Wii(especially in North America)...
Miharu @ Oct 19th 2006 5:20PM
Nintendo you liars. You always promised TP would come for Gamecube. Not only would it come only after the Wii launch, now it's not coming at all?
Richard Mitchell @ Oct 19th 2006 5:19PM
Oh boy! I can't wait to get a Gamecube component cable for this! ...oh, wait...
Josh @ Oct 19th 2006 5:21PM
If the Wii version doesn't have that idiotic right-handed "mirror mode" thing as an option, I WILL NOT be buying a Wii at launch. Perhaps if later games turn out good, but not at launch.
Or at least that is what I was saying before this little tidbit of news. If the "mirror mode" wasn't an option in the Wii version, I was just going to get the GameCube version, but for the past month or so, it seems that every day, there has been more and more bad news about Nintendo.
Seriously, component cables online-only? $250 instead of $200? $60 controllers! The list goes on and on...! Way to f*** up the Wii, guys! You almost got us there!
Anthony @ Oct 19th 2006 5:24PM
This is beyond low, this is just plain out harsh. If this happens to be true I will forever remeber this. This is worse then all of Sony's mistakes thus far.
I don't care if you can get the better version on a better console, I was looking forward to the Gamecube version on my CURRENT console.
Don't make a game, make your die hard fans wait through TONS of delays and then finally don't come out with it at all. This is a damn shame.
Screw you Nintendo, for once I must utter those words.
Vercin @ Oct 19th 2006 5:25PM
I agree with 19. I'm also enough of a Nintendo fan to want the whole console. And while it sucks that they went back on their promise, it would make little financial sense to put it on the GC, which would arguably curb the potential sales of the Wii, which many people are buying specifically for LoZ:TP. Plus, with slightly improved graphics capabilities and widescreen, the Wii version will undoubtedly perform at least a little better than a GC version would.
David @ Oct 19th 2006 8:48PM
Well. I don't mind at all. It's the only game worth having so far, for any Next Gen consoles. I should never have nought my 360... I regret it SO much.
Matt @ Oct 19th 2006 5:25PM
Personally, I think the GC version is being axed because releasing it would highlight how half-assed the Wii version really is. Let's face it: they took a game that was designed for a traditional controller and shoehorned some arm-waving functionality into it.
MetaHuman @ Oct 19th 2006 5:26PM
@ 19
Excellent point. :P
If you 'loyalists' are peeved about this, you should reconsider how 'loyal' you are. That CAN be a good thing [not being loyalist], but if otherwise then it's hypocritical [saying you are and not actually having loyalistic tendencies].
I myself am a loyalist, and to say the least TP is not even the big reason I'm getting Wii. What am I really waiting for?
Say it with me.
BRAWL.
Zelda is icing on the cake.
#9 said...
"I think their pure-profit model is going a little to their heads."
I thought that was what people said when they initially announced the two versions. Which is it?
saboola @ Oct 19th 2006 5:27PM
More and more bad news about Nintendo? Are you serious? They have been the talk of the industry as far as consumer demand. Their stock price keeps going up. On top of all that, the DS batteries are not exploding, thats got to be worth something no?
kodec @ Oct 19th 2006 5:29PM
I'm really having a hard time comprehending anyone actually being upset by this news.
Neo Rasa @ Oct 19th 2006 5:29PM
I believe Gamestop/EB is no longer taking RESERVES on Twilight Princess for the Gamecube. The game is still set to come out on the Gamecube in brick and mortar stores. So looking up the SKU in the current Gamestop/EB POS via the F10 function will not show it.
Justin @ Oct 19th 2006 5:29PM
Wow, talk about an uprising of Nintendo hate. Come on guys, while the promised that it would come to gamecube, did you really think that it would be? Once they announced it for Wii I knew it wouldnt see the light of day. Ok so your pissed and you say that your not going to get a Wii just to play this game, well honestly if you were planning on opting for the gamecube version, you probably werent going to get a Wii to begin with.
jayntampa @ Oct 19th 2006 5:29PM
$50 trade-in for the GC at Gamestop/EB right now; dump 'em while you can.
Jonathan @ Oct 19th 2006 5:30PM
So what's going to happen with the preorder I made for it last June?
Anthony @ Oct 19th 2006 5:32PM
Actually now that I think about it I am not going to jump to conclusions just yet. Still no word from Nintendo so I refuse to believe this.
No offense to Joystiq, but you can't believe everything you see on the internet.
And btw, for the people who are saying comments like, "Die hard fans are getting the Wii". I am a die hard Nintendo fan and quite frankly I am not willing to spend $250.00 on a console that has one launch game I am looking forward too.
My whole plan was to get TP on the Gamecube and then get the Wii for my Birthday once Brawl comes out. That plan may just be fucked now though :(
Zero @ Oct 19th 2006 5:32PM
No one seems to want to acknowledge the possibility that Nintendo made this move because interest for the GameCube version of the game is low.
You fourteen people posting in this thread about how pissed off this makes you? You might be the only fourteen people who want that particular version of the game.
Meanwhile, nearly everyone who preordered a Wii also preordered Zelda, and many more who don't have a Wii preorder have a copy of the game on hold as well.
Thousand Dragoon Link @ Oct 19th 2006 5:33PM
Joystiq should be a bit more informed before it makes assumptions.
Let me tell you the truth to this article people:
NINTENDO IS STILL RELEASING TWILIGHT PRINCESS ON THE GAMECUBE.
All that has happened is that EB games and Gamestop have stop taken pre-orders for the gamecube version. The reason is they don't think they will get many in and don't want to have shortages and be unable to fill everyone's pre-order. That is what this is all about, not that nintendo is cancelling the cube version. If you don't have a pre-order it will still be available at best buy and the like as well.
Calm down and learn the facts before you complain about Nintendo being liars and cancelling the cube version.
crono141 @ Oct 19th 2006 5:33PM
That is an excellent question (pre-order). Maybe you all just pre-ordered the wii version by default...
Or maybe it really is coming to the brick and mortar stores, and this is not news but a rumor.
Who knows? Not me!
B33 @ Oct 19th 2006 5:33PM
"Wow, talk about an uprising of Nintendo hate. Come on guys, while the promised that it would come to gamecube, did you really think that it would be? Once they announced it for Wii I knew it wouldnt see the light of day. Ok so your pissed and you say that your not going to get a Wii just to play this game, well honestly if you were planning on opting for the gamecube version, you probably werent going to get a Wii to begin with."
So it's ok that Nintendo lied because the lie was predictable? That makes no sense...
Tony Mora @ Oct 19th 2006 5:34PM
The real problem is that I think the Gamecube controller was a better fit for Zelda. They realized this and decided not to have a "which is better" Wii vs. Gamecube Zelda. Then again, maybe Nintendo wants people to pay 300 bones for Zelda.....NAW, they'd never do that. Rolls eyes.
Ryan @ Oct 19th 2006 5:34PM
#32
...Agreed
Pince @ Oct 19th 2006 5:36PM
The two versions were a bad idea in the first place- it was a half-assed attempt to pretend the GC wasnt essentially done with new games, which it is and really has been since RE4 if you ask me.
Moving the game to the new console is
1) a very common thing to do in the gaming world and
2) a better idea
The only reason you guys should be pissed is because Nintendo tiptoed around it in the first place, which was silly of them, but people were pissed when there were 2 versions and now people are pissed when there is 1 version. Just goes to show, you can't possibly please everyone. I, for one, am pleased.
Also, the GC is not dead until SSBM and Double Dash lose their replay value (read: GC will never die). Hell, most people I know would never sell their N64 much less their GC, just because of Smash Bros and Mario Kart.
I hold the belief that a Nintendo system doesnt die, it just goes into a deep sleep, only to be woken up for long long nights of party gaming.
If I didnt have a GC now, I would buy one soon, as they are going to end up being literally dirt cheap, and a copy of SSBM and just keep it out for party gaming. Long live GC (and N64 for that matter).
Anthony @ Oct 19th 2006 5:38PM
Btw, my friend is has not touched a console since the 64 days was looking forward to this combo.
Gamcube off Ebay: $30.00
TP for GC: $50.00
Total: $80.00
Now if he wants to relive his Zelda days he will have to go with this.
Wii: $250.00, and even higher prices on Ebay
TP for Wii: $50.00
Total: $300.00
Talk about getting screwed. And as I said before, there is NO excuse for this, I don't care if they have TP coming out for the DS and the Wii.
Promises are promises, and quite frankly Nintendo can't keep them.
zakchase @ Oct 19th 2006 5:38PM
The real crime is not including Gamecube controls on the Wii version of the game. I'd be happy to get the Wii version and test out all the arm waving, as long as I could plug in my Gamecube controller and go back to a more traditional play-style at any time. The fact that this is not an option is what I'm cranky about.
Supes @ Oct 19th 2006 5:41PM
Calm down, people. I don't think the GCN version is canned in the US. I do think Nintendo will offer it online similar to what they're doing in Japan. That would help them cut retail costs since face it, GCN space isn't *really* going to exist in stores past Nov. 19.
I've been a Nintendo fan for quite some time -- have about 40+ titles on my GCN (though my PS2 and XBX collections are each slightly higher). I'm not entirely sold on the Wii, and most of the games I'm excited about aren't out til some time (i.e. Brawl and Galaxy).
Finally, Nintendo doing this could be a PR nightmare. Gaming editors from EGM, 1UP, etc. have continued to bemoan the forced application of the Wiimote on this iteration of Zelda, and even Nintendo have suggested that games like TP would be among the "last" generation of games to be this big. In other words, this is a GCN game built for the GCN, and it belongs on there -- even if it's released to little or no fanfare.
Nintendo taking the game off retail is a sure way to ensure only the diehard fans seek it out, and here's hoping that Nintendo honors its promise by releasing this title intact. And on that note, I hope Nintendo doesn't chop-shop the GCN version; it should be identical in gameplay and content -- to withhold anything from it would be doing a great disservice to the Gamecube faithful -- many of whom have staying with Nintendo through thick and thin.
Chessasaur @ Oct 19th 2006 5:41PM
If this game WHICH WAS PROMISED TO COME OUT ON GAMECUBE IN ORDER TO NOT DISSAPOINT THEIR "LOYAL NINTENDO USERS" isn't released in some fashion, I will never buy a Wii. And I've gotten every one of their systems since the SNES - often more than one of a model. So much for the Japanese tradition of "honor".
Moogle @ Oct 19th 2006 5:42PM
The big mistake was promising it for the GC in the first place.
In the nintendo store, it'll be readily available to the people that want it, without creating confusion on EB shelves for people who don't know the difference between gamecube and wii when their kid's crying for the new zeldy thing they want so bad.