Careful with those ancient Zelda screenshots! You'll poke an eye out with images that sharp. [update 1]

by Vladimir Cole { Nov 12th 2006 at 5:15AM }

We're puzzled by screenshots that are popping up in our discussion (below) of Nintendo's latest Zelda effort. A number of readers are linking to images (such as this one or this one) that are over 14 months old in an effort to prove the graphical prowess of the latest installment of the Zelda franchise.

In response, we first note that those images are from August 2005. They're ancient. The Wii doesn't output images at 1216 x 896 (the Wii produces an 852 x 480 image). Therefore, these higher-res images (1, 2) could not have come from any production version of Legend of Zelda.

For some real images from the actual game, we provide the following full-resolution (480p) images from Nintendo's press site. Keep in mind that these have been hand-selected by Nintendo staff to show off the most interesting and/or beautiful parts of the game.

image1
image2
image3
image4
image5
image6
image7
image8
image9
image10
image11
image12
image13
image14

[Update 1: the originally linked-to image was hosted on a site that ran out of bandwidth quickly. We've updated the links to the higher-res images.]

Tags: blogathon06, twilight princess, wiicube, zelda

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

KC @ Nov 12th 2006 5:21AM

It looks good enough for me, I dont have a HDTV, I dont plan on replacing my perfectly good CRT with an overexpensive HDTV so the resolution of gamecube, sorry I meant Wii games doesnt bother me, I've sold my xbox360 to fund my nintendo habit because, well the 360 didnt look that good and there werent any great games I wanted to play....(aside from perfect dark....back to the n64 version for me)

prguitarman @ Nov 12th 2006 5:25AM

I didn't want to click those pictures because I don't want to see any spoilers, but I did ;(!!

But wow, the game looks so beautiful. I can't wait to get my copy!

Teejay @ Nov 12th 2006 5:28AM

Hahah it looks weird (the one in your post).. i dont want to click the images D= you might spoil stuff for me..

daniel @ Nov 12th 2006 5:29AM

Vlad, you are a noob.

Jelster @ Nov 12th 2006 5:29AM

I find it amusing how hard a concept this is for people to grasp. Gfx really should be rated compared to the system they are displayed on and not across a spectrum of systems to suit a given result.

Wii Vs PS3 = PS3 Wins
Wii Vs Snes = Wii Wins
PS3 Vs High End PC = PC Wins

For the likes of Zelda all I heard 12-18 months ago was how damn good it looked. Now its terrible?? Guess what, the PS3 and X360 will look shite in a few years and terrible a few more after that. Should we just give up and wait for the next next gen? Or perhaps bloggers could take the higher ground, and stop these fueling the fires with misrepresentation.

jromz03 @ Nov 12th 2006 5:30AM

Umm... What is joystiq trying to start? This is already the 3rd 'Zelda Wii graphics' articles this day.

Its already a given. Wii graphics < Xbox 360 or PS3.

They might be good enough but it will never be able to match the graphics prowess of the other two. It was discussed to death before.

Give it a rest.

Just enjoy the game and experience.

T-Bag @ Nov 12th 2006 5:31AM

I'm sorry, are you trying to change anyone’s judgment with those Nintendo 64.5 shots? Truly there must be a hidden meaning I missed, because those shots looked horrendous. Take this gamecube Metroid ss for example:

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/primeugenegc9.jpg

It ass rapes what you just showed us and the game's damn near 4/5 years old. Go hide in a cave or something you fucking fanboys.

T-Bag @ Nov 12th 2006 5:34AM

(In regards to the post I just made)

If you were being sarcastic about the whole thing, I'm truly sorry. Been up way too long to tell the difference.

d503 @ Nov 12th 2006 5:35AM

Careful with those ancient Zelda screenshots! You'll poke an eye out with images that sharp...aka...I need to defend my shitty review by mocking joystiq readers...

Fixed.

daniel @ Nov 12th 2006 5:40AM

Obviously, Vlad has a grudge against the Nintendo community because of past embarrassments. He's a typical child.

Leto @ Nov 12th 2006 5:41AM

No offense but those graphics are fugly, but from what I've heard Wii fans don't care about graphics they just like the controller.

DrSquanto @ Nov 12th 2006 5:41AM

troll

Ross Castro @ Nov 12th 2006 5:42AM

Vlad, did your parents neglect when you were young? Is this why you cry for attention?

A.Ja @ Nov 12th 2006 5:42AM

"Keep in mind that these have been hand-selected by Nintendo staff to show off the most interesting and/or beautiful parts of the game."

I hope we see this comment from now on in any every post with images/links to images from commercial sources (ie. direct from game companies). Oh wait, that's not necessary 'cause it's damn obvious. Jackassery...

Tom @ Nov 12th 2006 5:44AM

OMG, Image 12 looks sooo beautiful! What's that in the distance, the golden gates to heaven or something?!

Epic...

Jelster @ Nov 12th 2006 5:44AM

Why aren't these 480, is it usual to lose 23 pixels?

BTW wouldn't it be normal to increase the size of an image thats going to go around the web. I'm sure there was a little touching up done to make the image look nice but we're hardly talking prerendered graphics being presented as in-game.

T-Bag @ Nov 12th 2006 5:45AM

- Leto,

"He's a typical child."

Whilst defending anything related to Nintendo, I'd strongly recommend refraining from insulting anyone in regards to their age.

kmo @ Nov 12th 2006 5:46AM

I dont see why anyone is arguing about the Wii's graphics, we all know they are piss weak.

er7yuu @ Nov 12th 2006 5:49AM

What are you trying to prove here Vlad? People who like the Wii and plan to buy it are going to no matter what you say and will defend their console here for whatever reason. X360 and PS3 fanboys are going to come on here and agree with you. I just saved you any more retarded half-brained articles you want to write in the future.

Why do you people care how good a system is compared to the other? You aren't going to change anybodies mind, all you're going to do is start flame wars. Why do you even bother going to an article that isnt even about a system you like just to post how much it sucks? Go out and get laid instead of sitting on your ass at your computer writing pointless responses to a moronic blog.

Leto @ Nov 12th 2006 5:49AM

T-Bag, you have mistaken me with Daniel, his post was above mines, that quote comes from his post.

nambit @ Nov 12th 2006 5:49AM

Why oh why are people buggin' Zelda? I just don't get it. It's always been about content and storytelling. Why spoil a pleasurable experience with such shallow topics as graphics/screenshots and such. The twilight realm, for example, looks fantastic but I think it's the surreal art direction that captivates me. It truly leaves room for one's inner imagination to blend in. This allows us to fall into that world on our terms.

graphics whore @ Nov 12th 2006 5:50AM

Ouch. Holy low-polygon count batman! Check out the boss character's hands and feet in the last screenshot.

don_sf @ Nov 12th 2006 5:51AM

this is 2006, you can already see the graphical differences between the wii and the xbox 360/ps3. it is almost like a gamecube with a new controller.

the question is, in 5 or 6 years time, how will the wii justify it self?

daniel @ Nov 12th 2006 5:52AM

"Whilst defending anything related to Nintendo, I'd strongly recommend refraining from insulting anyone in regards to their age."

People view Nintendo games as childish. It still doesn't change the fact that Vlad is acting like as if he was still a child. He is purposely trying to upset people who like Zelda with no significant reasons to back it up. His reasons are pretty much BS to me.

Pat @ Nov 12th 2006 5:52AM

vlad = fails @ life
anyways

Is this guy trying to argue against the graphics of LoZ coz they are actually quite good. Sure they don't have to look ULTRA realistic, because Nintendo isn't going for that approach. Instead they will produce games that are artistically beautiful and compliment the Wii system as much as possible.

er7yuu @ Nov 12th 2006 5:56AM

"the question is, in 5 or 6 years time, how will the wii justify it self?"

Since when has the next-gen not been released 5-6 years after?

Yuki~Summer Ver.~ @ Nov 12th 2006 5:56AM

Those pictures are probably making UKR cry. Come on, Nintendo, give us vibrant colors!

Yeah, so I kind of agree with Vlad. It's not like he's saying the Wii is flat-out bad, he's just crying out for the blue sky.

http://www.ukresistance.co.uk/2005/11/blue-sky-in-games-campaign-launched.html

CakeOrDeath @ Nov 12th 2006 5:57AM

Vlad you seem way to invested an are coming off as petulant and desperate.

People like Zelda you need to get over that fact, if you don't fair enough but why do you feel the need to share your every meaningless criticism of with the world?

I feel like I am responding to a fanboy on a gaming forum rather than a professional blog site.

daniel @ Nov 12th 2006 5:57AM

"the question is, in 5 or 6 years time, how will the wii justify it self?"

LOL, the WII2? Most likely the next gen will start in 5-6 years.

syco @ Nov 12th 2006 5:58AM

Maybe I am blind or something but I really can't tell the difference between a late Gamecube game's graphics and a 360 game on a normal television. So I think trying to find graphical weakness in Zelda:TP (which, being developed as a gamecube game initially, still falls in that category) is an exercise in futility. When you hook it up it will be just as amazing looking as Wind Waker or RE:4 or any other well made Gamecube game, or Kameo or Oblivion or any pretty 360 game or PS3 game. Hell, ICO was an early PS2 game and still managed to look fantastic.

Dirk Dorkelson @ Nov 12th 2006 6:01AM

er7yuu,

I think Vlad is trying to help consumers make informed decisions. Not everyone who plays video games is a fanboy of one system or another. I own a 360, a DS, an Xbox and a Dreamcast. I'm going to pick up a Wii eventually, but I don't plan on succumbing to the "ohmigodit'snintendoandit'snewandit'samazing" hype. Vlad's comments about how Zelda looks are useful and help diffuse some of the one-sided hype coming out. My god, everyone is falling all over themselves to rave about the new machines that are coming out. It's kind of refreshing to see someone acknowledge they're not perfect.

Carl @ Nov 12th 2006 6:09AM

Oh for Gods sake! leave the poor Wii and its Zelda graphics alone!
IT IS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. they dont care about 1080 resolution, overclocked gamecube talk , jaggies , anti-aliasing or Z-buffering and all that nonsense - all they want is to play as a pixie/princess/plumber or whatever it is and have this wand to wave. My kids cant wait for their Wii- and neither can I as I hope it will distract them from the RETINA BLEEDING Gears of War on my 42" plasma and my soon to be PS3. Stop trying to ruin it for the kids.Its a toy- so what if it isnt High Definition.

er7yuu @ Nov 12th 2006 6:14AM

@ Dirk,

I agree, I am going to pick up a Wii and I own a 360 and I do not consider myself a fan boy. But the way he is writing the articles and presenting the information is clearly to slander the system.

is @ Nov 12th 2006 6:17AM

Hey Carl, maybe what your kids REALLY want is to spend some time with their daddy, eh? Rather than him sitting in front of his pc posting comments on a blog, or sitting in front of his RETINA BLEEDING 42" HD tv (my, what a big penis you must have).

I'd call you a bad father, if I wernt so convinced your a spotty little teen nerd trying to be clever.

Robot @ Nov 12th 2006 6:19AM

This battle makes no sense. Sony and Microsoft enjoy their fans battling the great next-gen war for them. Which, for them, involves fighting over who has better HD-quality graphics and ultra realism. I always found that Nintendo tries not to get involved; they don't exactly care if their fans are widely uproarious about their games.
Face it, Twilight Princess is not that good looking. Without the lighting affect and after blur, its just a mid to last gen Gamecube game. But, with that said, they are going for Oblivion, Resistance, or Gears mindframe. Don't get me wrong, I would kill for a 360 and a copy of Gears, but its not exactly the perfect way to go about creating a game.(Don't even get me started on CliffyB...)The new installment in the Zelda franchise will be a hit, without a doubt. And that is very, very great for a .5 increase to a Gamecube port.
Nintendo is doing great. They are getting new fans, broader audiences, but at the same time, keeping the old and loyal fans.
My point is, arguing over this is very juveline and pointless. Sony loves Media and HD, Microsoft likes keeping up with them, and Nintendo likes to play games in the sandbox by itself and creating epic and wonderful ideas full of Gorons, Goombas, and Princesses. Its beautiful in that sandbox. Beautiful.

Rogue Soul @ Nov 12th 2006 6:21AM

Yes, the graphics are poor compared to 'modern' standards, but the game/gameplay should kick a$$. Which should be a priority for any and every gamer before how good or bad it looks.

David @ Nov 12th 2006 6:36AM

Hey Vlad, here's an article you should read.

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Nobody_Cares

Now stop posting prejudices and get back to posting about news.

Davinche @ Nov 12th 2006 6:37AM

I think many people are missing the point in Vlad posts.

Firstly, one cannot easily just seperate graphics from gameplay and says thats that. Its not the case. Graphics serve as a feature to IMPROVE gameplay. Graphics IS a a feature of gameplay nor more so then having lots of enemeies, physics, etc. You cannot just seperate them and say graphics mean nothing. They do. Games immersiveness appeal, and sense of reality is pushed by the improvement of graphics. I dont know about you, but when I first got my gamecube and played super smash bros I was BLOWN away by the graphics in the game, my jaw dropped just looking at the charcters in battle. Furthermore, the game would not have been so appealing if it was on the N64 and looked exactly like the n64 version.

We (consumers) were told by Nintendo that the Wii will be 2 - 3 times more powerfull than the Gamecube. At times, some were saying it would at least be powerfull enough to handle the unreal 3 engine used in games such as gears of war. No game so far has displayed any graphics that surpasses what was set by the gamecube/xbox era which if you are honest is some waht dissponting. Furthermore, Vlad is making it clear that images linked too by some posters as eveidence that game is colurfull, are in fact not from the game, and most likely nintendo's own target renders for the game when they were still touting the wii as 3x more powerfull than the gamecube. Therefore people posting it as evidence are misguided.

Many people have furthermore missed the intresting parts of Vlad posts by quickly denouncing him and his intentions. Truth be told, Zelda is hardly/never really critisized as a series or as games themselves albiet the excellent wind waker which should not have been IMO. Though I'm not saying that it should be (I love zelda, honestly) he has therefore taken an apporach, dear I say, hardly anyone will ever take. He is basically going against "convential thinking" which is always a good thing. To challenge the pre set notions that people are told to have, e.g zelda is an incredible game with very little flaws.

I have seen many posters unhappy about his posts do the same thing on this site. To site an example zerocorpse has on several times critiszed final fantasy series and metal gear solid series. Joystiq have given him stars for his critising of a series conveted as some of the best in the world inn thier respective genres. He has gone against "conventinal thinking" which is "these games are very good and have only some flaws". Remeber people that opinion's are shared by all and are always intresting too look at. The new zelda will be great, and there is no reason to work up a sweat over it if some said it snot (which vlad did not) But Zelda is not flawless something which at times will be hard to see from reviews and previews from other sites.

Zelda also will lack the immersiveness of detail in the world because of the limitations of bieng done for the gamecube. Furthermore, Zelda is under more scrutinity because of the fact that it is without much of a shadaow of a doubt, the only real wii launch title to own. Nintendo have delayed the gamecube version which puts more emphasis on the disspointment that though its not made for the wii, its still there first.

It will be great and all zelda fans will love it. But honestly say the truth, look at the screen shots again, and tell yourself do they surpass shadow of the collosus and especially Resident evil 4. I dont think so, but I dont doubt the quality of the game either.

Adam Campbell @ Nov 12th 2006 6:52AM

I think Vlad has a fair point in pointing out that Nintendo is launching with a Gamecube game. The Xbox360 came under a lot of fire for it's "rip off" non-updates of current gen games like Gun, etc, in addition to pretty much all the titles being a bit crap.

Gun was an Xbox game on the Xbox360. Zelda is a Gamecube game on the Wii. One got hammered for being nearly identical, one is getting lauded for being the same as if the lack of industry on display and the dollar signs for bumping this into a Wii launch title is all some fantastic artistic vision when it's done by Nintendo.

Infil @ Nov 12th 2006 6:53AM

I've never seen an entire news post on Joystiq to challenge an idea posted by some COMMENTER in one of the other threads. This has gone WAY beyond Vlad's opinion of TP at this point.

Since when has Joystiq ever said "you know some comment on a post a while back by a couple random people, defending Nintendo? Well, I personally think they're wrong, so here's an ENTIRE NEWS POST about it."

I have no idea how this guy considers himself a journalist, or a blogger with any integrity. Perhaps he doesn't. Certainly, most of us don't.

I'm just... continually stunned by Vladimir Cole.

Gary @ Nov 12th 2006 6:55AM

I really, really wish there was a way to filter Vladimir Cole's posts out of my Joystiq feed in Google Reader. Does anyone know of a way to do this?

I like Joystiq, and appreciate the news that is provided here, but I am really sick of Vladimir Cole and his shoddy writing, to the point where, if I can't filter out his posts, I will just unsubscribe from the feed and rely on the other gazillion video game blogs out there.

I get a higher quality of video game commentary from the 17 year old yokel behind the counter at my local EB Games. Really. No joke.

Oh and by the way, I am not writing this because I don't like people bashing Nintendo. I have absolutely no problem with that. It is his poor writing, insistence on flame baiting, and generally unwarranted smugness that is driving me away from this publication.

edo @ Nov 12th 2006 7:03AM

Ok, Mr. Vladimir Putin Cole, I don't think you knew there are two rules in this generation:
1. new graphic, old gameplay, play Xbox 360/PS3
2. old graphic, new gameplay, play Wii.

You should stick those rules to your head before complaining something. Why Xbox 360 cannot have motion sensing controller? BEACAUSE IT CAN'T! Why Wii gracphic cannot as good as PS3/Xbox 360? BECAUSE IT CAN'T!!! (In this case, I believe if Wii as powerful as PS3, the console would be $700 at least, the thing that you dumbass people will complain again)
So, complaining Zelda graphic not as good as PS3/Xbox 360 is like complaining Gears of Wars does not support motion sensing controller.

Tom @ Nov 12th 2006 7:05AM

Let's get our priorities in order. People need to have more stupid arguments about gameplay.

Person 1: In Zelda you can't hold A to run really fast and you don't have lotsa guns! Plus Locust are WAY more badass than Octoroks, mainly because they actually shoot bullets, not just lame stupid Deku Nuts. Zelda sux0rz!

Person 2: Oh yeah? Well in Gears of Wars you don't even have a sword, let alone a friggin' MAGIC sword. Also, you can't transform into a wolf. Gears of War? More like Gears of Whores! EL-OH-EL!

gamerx @ Nov 12th 2006 7:05AM

OMG people calm the F down! I'm a Nintendo fanboy and even I don't have any problem with VC's posts!

Seriously, you guys need to calm down and just accept the fact that Zelda TP is a GameCube game on a Wii, so obviously its not going to have the best graphics. Dont worry though, as the Wii is supposed to be roughly twice as powerful as the GameCube, so we will see future games that look much better than Zelda TP.

Vladimir Cole, I for one have no problems with your posts and actually enjoy some of them. Keep up the good work and dont let these people get to you.

Jesse @ Nov 12th 2006 7:08AM

Uh, Vlad, have you realized yet that the signs are written in HYLIAN, not ENGLISH?

Also, the overworld is brown because it's fall. It's a wonder Nintendo bothered to give this blog a Wii with writers as ignorant as you.

Lillian @ Nov 12th 2006 7:09AM

Lol the bad graphics make Link look like a queer homo!!!

kite @ Nov 12th 2006 7:12AM

I don't think I ever tried to persuade someone else with a subjective review, and I don't think you should. If you want to help people with a purchase, give an objective view of the situation.

If you want to write a blogpost on a gaming site, don't dress it up as like you want to 'warn' people.
As much as I am hyped about zelda, that is my matter. Can we please stop these posts. Vlad, if you want to reply to your commenters, ask their email or do it on a forum, do not dedicate your posts to it, as the opinion of a few is not the same as the opinion of the group.

Just wanted to make that clear. Now, please don't write a counter-counter-counterpost on this article...

Optimus Prime @ Nov 12th 2006 7:27AM

"Ok, Mr. Vladimir Putin Cole, I don't think you knew there are two rules in this generation:
1. new graphic, old gameplay, play Xbox 360/PS3
2. old graphic, new gameplay, play Wii."

This is a HUGE mistake in reasoning.. and its one thats being made by Nintendo as well.. That is, assuming that gameplay will be exactly the same. And, im not talking about controlling, but, gameplay overall. Gameplay that improves with raw processing power that the Wii is so incredibly lacking.

For example, getting those hundreds of zombies in Dead Rising... each with its own (zombie) individual and collective AI.. interacting with you dynamically rather than scripted. You could NEVER replicate that on wii, thats why you only fight a handful of enemies at a time in Zelda TP or any other wii game.

Then, theres Gears.. here the graphics are integral to the immersiveness of the game; yea, graphics arent everything. But, when you've got gameplay nailed (Gears) the eye-popping graphics moves everything to a higher level of immersion. ZTP with next gen. graphics.. and Nintendo could have won this gen.

And, stop bringing up the casual market friendly DS as 'proof' that Nintendo knows what they're doing in the console arena.. where they gone from 90% NES to 15% GC in terms of market share.

Sentinel @ Nov 12th 2006 7:34AM

As if there aren't enough fanboys crying "Wii=Xbox1.1, lolz!!1!", now the bloggers get to join in too, great.

Do i like the fact that reading signs needs a button press? Of course not. Does Zelda fall flat because you need to press a button or the leaves are brown? Do you honestly not realise how pathetic that statement is?

Well congratulation, you've apparantly revealed that the Wii is in fact graphically inferior to the PS3/360. Obviously, we never would have realised this without your cunning.
There's no point in bitching about the Wii graphs, EVERYONE knows that it won't be able to compete with the PS3/360/PC. And even though there are much better arguments, all you could think of was "omg, i can't read the signs, Nintendo is going to die" (which'll probably be your next post). Brilliant.

And obviously if TP was more colourfull/colorfull you'd be saying 'kiddie!'. So what's the point in making this post? So you hate Nintendo/Zelda games, fine. I don't like every genre out there either. But saying the game falls flat because you could find a tiny little flaw just screams out 'troll'.

You might as well start saying 'omg, PS1 controls!!1!' with every PS3/360 game. It's equally valid as moaning about the Wii grahps (aka: completely ignorant).

And posting screens wont change a thing. GAMEPLAY matters in Zelda. And by the looks (and with that i mean: impressions from the press in stead of fanboy posts) of it, this game is the real deal. It's everything Zelda fans want in 'their' game. But no matter how perfect they make a Zelda game, it will always be a Zelda game. If you hated OoT, you'll hate this one too. Get over it and let us have our fun.

Bleh, i used to think Joystiq was a good site, but intentionally posting flame baits is weak joystiq, very weak. Even though i fell for it. :)

striderhayasa @ Nov 12th 2006 7:35AM

@ the idiot douche fanboys

There are too many examples of titles on the Gamecube that show clear technical superiority to PS2 and begins to reach Xbox levels of quality to be ignored.
It's like RE and RE4, Metroid Prime, F-zero, Rogue Leader, WindWaker, StarFox, Smash Brothers, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, etc...were never made. Graphically, these games speak for themselves.

But people hate because these titles kill the "gamecube has crappy graphics" argument. In regards to Wii, it has been proven time and again that a best selling console doesn't have to have the best graphics. The graphics just have to be good enough.
I've seen most of the video of Zelda TP circulating the web. I don't see a problem. FFXII on PS2 is a clear example of how PS3 is not really needed at this point. Sure PS3 produces far better graphics, but FFXII is flat out gorgeous with no HD support. Why isn't that getting ripped to shreds by the fanboy brigade? Are people going to rip apart God of War 2 because it's on PS2 with no HD support?

Current Gen still has potential for at least another 6 months to the year. Even the original Xbox ran Doom III beautifully. As a matter of fact, Star Wars Republic Commando also ran great on Xbox and was comparable to the PC version.

But HD support doesn't make a terrible game great. Lack of HD support isn't going to make a great game bad. People talk like HD support has been the standard for the last 10 years. There are a number of people bitching about HD support that don't even OWN a HD set. Is it the future? Of course it is. But the future is not now. Soon, but not now.