Zelda Crossbow Training packed in with Wii Zapper [update]

by Justin McElroy { Sep 10th 2007 at 8:33AM }

[Update: Nintendo has made it official.]

We've heard this from a couple of sources independently now, and we feel relatively confident about passing it along. Apparently Gamestop managers meeting for their annual conference have been told that the Wii Zapper will launch with pack-in game Zelda Crossbow Training. As Ars Technica's source told them, "The game looked beautiful. I'm pretty sure it was running on the Twilight Princess engine. It's a third-person game, and you had some control over Link."

The best part? Reportedly, the Wii gun will still retail for $20, which just promoted the Zapper from "likely purchase " to "foregone conclusion." Hopefully we'll hear official word from Nintendo on this soon.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

OnimushaSoki @ Sep 10th 2007 8:43AM

Does anyone know if that third party "Wii-shotgun" works? I saw one locally at Gamestop for $20... but considering I'd probably only get to use it at the moment for the DuckHunt on WiiPlay...

Frank @ Sep 11th 2007 3:36AM

The shotgun really does suck. It's fun to assemble, but the positioning of the remote makes use nearly impossible. The Zapper's advantage is that you hold it like a Tommygun or SMG (or crossbow), giving you more control for shooters. Today many of the managers got to see the gun used for Resident Evil: Umberella Chronicles, and though the build of RE:UC was very old and out of date, it was clear exactly how well the Zapper will translate to both Rail- and FPS-shooters.

Mikor @ Sep 10th 2007 8:46AM

"Foregone conclusion." Really? For a cradle and a glorified tech demo?

Fish @ Sep 10th 2007 8:52AM

At least you get the "glorified tech demo" AND the zapper.

OnimushaSoki @ Sep 10th 2007 8:53AM

Not a bad price... when you consider how much it would cost to mold your own plastic carrier for the Wii remote and nunchuck. Also of mention is the WiiPlay-inspired demo that's basically a "Hey you $20-something dollarless dumbass, here's how to use the already rudimentary controls" set of minigames.

Mikor @ Sep 10th 2007 9:16AM

I guess you folks see something that I don't. I haven't felt the need to have a plastic molding to house my Wiimote and Nunchuck before. A Wii Play-ish set of mini games hasn't swayed my opinion.

Vidikron @ Sep 10th 2007 12:44PM

Yeah, I don't see how a mini-game suddenly makes a perpipheral a must have, but having the free mini-game is definitely better than no mini-game any day. So if I was going to buy this I'd consider the game a nice bonus, but if I had no plans to buy it then this game certainly wouldn't change my mind.

samfish @ Sep 10th 2007 8:47AM

Well, I guess I'm buying the Zapper after all!

Although I thought Resident Evil: UC was going to be the pack in?

tmmoore_nc @ Sep 10th 2007 8:52AM

Since Nintendo is doing this to the Zelda franchise, when can we expect Samus' Missile Buster?

skullivan @ Sep 12th 2007 1:14PM

Why would you pay $20 for the Zapper when they've already said gun games (at the very least Ghost Squad and RE:UC) will be packaged with the hunk of plastic?

I guess if you need two of them for co-op play at least your getting a little bonus with the standalone. $20 was way overpriced for a piece of plastic considering the nunchuk also sells for $20 (and is overpriced as it is).

If you're into gun games though you're going to end up with 3 or 4 of the things laying around.

skullivan @ Sep 12th 2007 1:14PM

Cluckyx @ Sep 10th 2007 9:02AM

To be honest, $20 (or about £12 where I am) really doesn't feel that much. Sure it's molded plastic, but I'm pretty confident that it will be of general higher quality than most of the 3rd party stuff that graces the market. But I think it's still something I'd prefer to try before I buy to see if it REALLY makes any difference to my gaming experience

daniel @ Sep 10th 2007 9:05AM

im sure if its $20 we will probably end up paying £20, i wonder if this is the only pack in, i thought it would be a few small games like wii sports or wii play, why zelda crossbow shooting, has link ever actually used a crossbow, bue i guess zelda bow shooting wouldnt sound as good

Captain Jody Anthony XVIII @ Sep 10th 2007 9:05AM

totally day one purchase for me.

hvnlysoldr @ Sep 10th 2007 9:05AM

As long as we get to shoot some ducks this is cool. Hmmm. Duck Hunt Dog should be an invincible assist trophy in Brawl just like Nintendog mocking us.

kip @ Sep 10th 2007 9:09AM

I wonder why it's crossbow and not bow & arrow? Link's never used a crossbow before (at least not that I recall).

t_m @ Sep 10th 2007 9:16AM

cos the blaster isnt like a bow and arrow,
traditional wiimote and nunchuck would work better for that.

which is why zelda is an odd choice of pack-in game

MariosInferno @ Sep 10th 2007 9:13AM

$20 for a demo and a nice peripheral. Sounds good to me.

hvnlyspamr @ Sep 10th 2007 9:13AM

Meh. I still think the Zapper looks uncomfortable.

Slvrgun @ Sep 10th 2007 9:29AM

Where the fuck are the real games besides 1st party titles to take real advantage of the Wii controller scheme. And, don't do us like this Nintendo and feed us Bullsh** tech demos. Damn this is starting to get real annoying.

MariosInferno @ Sep 10th 2007 9:36AM

Third parties have admitted to being behind because they weren't convinced by what they saw initially. They didn't anticipate the success, but most have already stated that they are rectifying the situation. You cannot ignore the biggest user base, so far, of this gen. The games will come from 3rd parties.

BUT, what difference does it make where great games are coming from. The Wii has a TON of outstanding titles in just over a year of existance. The games that are coming this fall are only going to add to that list.

Crono @ Sep 10th 2007 11:10AM

If you hate nintendo so much, then don't buy one.

I hated Sony, so I didn't buy a playstation until near the end of the generation. I missed out on good games, but I got to keep my fanboy cred, and so will you.

Konny @ Sep 10th 2007 9:37AM

Lame. They should have an updated Duck Hunt pack in.,, rather than another tech demo.

samfish @ Sep 10th 2007 9:50AM

Why? So you could complain about a new Duck Hunt and Nintendo not making any "new IP", too?

megaStryke @ Sep 10th 2007 9:49AM

I doubt the validity behind any of this. The original source is someone who claims he/she has news from a GameStop managers' meeting. Outside of a flimsy and questionable contact, why would GameStop be the first to know about anything that relates to the Zelda franchise?

vinny @ Sep 10th 2007 10:12AM

a piece of plastic and a tech demo for $20, nintendo seriously knows how to rip people off, the fanboys will still buy this piece of junk on day 1 for some reason. this doesnt give you anything but shoulder cramps

Lewis @ Sep 10th 2007 10:38AM

I prefer a GTA shooting game with the Zapper puhleez, TY! lawlz!11!1!

AstroZombie @ Sep 10th 2007 10:59AM

I thought $20 sounded a little steep for a plastic shell. A pack-in game should give it just enough value to warrant purchase, though probably not enough for me. I can't justify buying a peripheral that adds zero functionality and would probably make using the controller less comfortable.

Kye @ Sep 10th 2007 12:20PM

omg omG oMG OMG OMGOMGOMG Omg!

Burnt Meatloaf @ Sep 11th 2007 5:05AM

Yo! We need some chlorpromazine over here!

Platy @ Sep 10th 2007 12:40PM

a tech demo without Miis ?

or....miis in the zelda universe ? =D

Josh Clark @ Sep 10th 2007 12:48PM

Maybe the Miis are the targets.

samfish @ Sep 10th 2007 12:51PM

Shoot Mii! Shoot Mii now!

Abscissa @ Sep 10th 2007 3:49PM

Just Shoot Mii with an exclusive David Spade Mii...

Adv2k1 @ Sep 10th 2007 1:49PM

Dunk Hunt would be nice in addition to this. WHy zelda? It'll get hardcore base interested in it, and casuals who might pick up this might enjoy this and grab Twilight Princess.

I think this being the package would be grand:

zelda crossbow game
dunk hunt
demo of Medal of Honor Heroes 2
video of Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles
demo of ghost squad

for $20 bucks I think this will be fair and good STOCKING STUFFER type of thing. When you consider that a nunchuck is $20 and can't be used by itself, or Classic controller that can't be used in gamecube games this is a better deal.