Joystiq

Wallace & Gromit creators use Flipnote Studio to create Spirit Tracks animations

David Hinkle — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST

You likely know Aardman Animations as the creators of the hilarious cheese-loving man and surprisingly capable K-9 duo, Wallace & Gromit. To celebrate last month's release of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks in Europe, Nintendo tapped the studio to create a trio of custom animations paying homage to the game in Nintendo's free animation app for the DSi, Flipnote Studio. Now we get to see their labor bear fruit and, oh my, these came out looking sharp, as the video above this text can attest.

However, the real feather in this (Minish?) cap is the odd video past the break showing Link's game-long companion, Zelda. For us, the uneasy feeling we get witnessing Link's lack of concern seeing Zelda in poltergeist form is only exceeded by Zelda's apparent glee, despite being a creepy specter. That just weirds us out!

Continue reading Wallace & Gromit creators use Flipnote Studio to create Spirit Tracks animations

Wallace & Gromit creators use Flipnote Studio to create Spirit Tracks animations originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Director says next console Zelda will start with scale, go from there

Mike Schramm — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:15:00 EST

Legend of Zelda series director Eiji Aonuma says in the latest Edge magazine that the scale of the upcoming Wii release is what's foremost in his team's mind during development. Twilight Princess, he says, was the first Zelda game where they went for a more realistic feel in terms of size and scope of the world, and yet he feels that they weren't quite able to adapt all of their gameplay ideas to that larger space. As opposed to the DS-based Spirit Tracks, which Aonuma says started out in a much more traditional place, and thus was a little easier to "realize."

Aonuma says his team is starting out with a larger, grander world in the new Wii Zelda, and from there hopes to fill it up with all sorts of Zelda-esque game ideas. He and the team may not have been able to do everything they wanted with the adult Link-sized Hyrule the first time around (not that it wasn't well-received anyway), but they're planning to give it another hookshot in the next game.

Director says next console Zelda will start with scale, go from there originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Modern Warfare 2 spends fifth week atop UK sales charts

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

War. What is it good for? Super successful games! Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 may be undergoing a gradual sales slide, dropping another 11 percent this past week, but since the title has maintained the top position on the UK sales chart for a fifth week, it must be sliding down on a pretty fluffy cushion. Call of Duty: World at War held the high ground for five weeks last year before FIFA took it during Christmas week. Speaking of FIFA, the latest installment dropped from second to fifth this week.

Assassin's Creed 2 couldn't find the next grip location and holds its position in third. Nintendo has Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus and New Super Mario Bros. Wii at spots two, four and six, respectively. As for premieres, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks rolled in at 12th place and James Cameron's Avatar: The Game entered at number 29. Now let's see how Avatar: The Movie That Inspired The Game does. If it's a hit, that should help sales of the game.

Source -- Modern Warfare 2 Claims 5th Week at No1 [Chart Track]
Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]

Gallery: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (11/10/09)

Modern Warfare 2 spends fifth week atop UK sales charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo's Aonuma: Majora's Mask the result of Miyamoto challenge

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST

[Image credit: Rich Lem]

Eiji Aonuma has spent a lot of time developing Legend of Zelda games. In fact, he's been in a managerial role on the franchise ever since the series' arguably most popular installment, The Ocarina of Time. So when Mario creator (and his boss) Shigeru Miyamoto asked Aonuma and his team to develop an "Ura Zelda" (a flipped version of Ocarina of Time -- what would eventually become the Master Quest), Aonuma protested. Miyamoto's compromise, though, instead turned out to be a much greater challenge -- produce a sequel to OoT within one year.

"We were supposed to make its sequel in a year ... at first, we had absolutely no idea what sort of thing we were supposed to make, and we just kept expanding our plans," Aonuma told Nintendo prez Satoru Iwata during a recent Iwata Asks column."in the beginning, it was all trial and error ... ultimately, we adopted the 'three-day system,' and made it so that, if you couldn't clear the game inside of three days, the world was destroyed." Aonuma claims this concept was what allowed Majora's Mask to be created and released just 18 months after OoT came out. He also adds that lessons he learned from the development of Majora's Mask -- from having to remember a sequence of events in order to proceed, to "deep, compact play" -- helped to shape the development of the most recent Zelda release, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.

We'd like to say that Aonuma will have a break from the series after serving as producer on Spirit Tracks, but he's the man in charge of the upcoming LoZ game for the Wii. We're sorry, Mr. Aonuma! Keep on truckin'!

[Via Gamasutra]

Nintendo's Aonuma: Majora's Mask the result of Miyamoto challenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spirit Tracks ads choo up some UK airtime

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:15:00 EST

Actually, the titular tracks from The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, don't feature very prominently in a recent batch of ads for the game from the UK. Instead, the ads task a young woman with solving some of the game's puzzles (presumably under the stipulation that she be adorable while doing so). All three of the commercials highlight the game's use of the unique features of the DS, namely the microphone and touch screen. We're not sure how entertaining it will be to blow into the mic to play the pan flute for the thousandth time, but the first glance seems novel enough.

Check out the ads after the break.

[Via GoNintendo]

Continue reading Spirit Tracks ads choo up some UK airtime

Spirit Tracks ads choo up some UK airtime originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Introducing the Spirit Tower in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

JC Fletcher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arcade

The latest trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, featuring what appears to be the game's introduction, highlights what is certain to be one of the most bemoaned features of the new game: the Tower of Spirits. Yes, like Phantom Hourglass, this game has a central dungeon area to which you'll return throughout the game, though players will be able to skip areas they have already completed this time.

The trailer also seems to suggest that all the train tracks are magical shackles placed on the ground to imprison an evil presence. So that's why there are train tracks around! We would have guessed "interstate commerce."

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Introducing the Spirit Tower in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Mall Experience tour heads cross-country next week

David Hinkle — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST

Nintendo must've had some luck with its Great Lakes and Wii Sports Resort tours recently, as the company has announced the Nintendo Mall Experience tour. Starting next week through December 20, The Big N will be stopping at shopping centers across the country to get some of its Wii and DS titles in the faces of holiday shoppers.

On the Wii side, Nintendo will show off its top three games for the holiday season: Wii Sports Resort, New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Fit Plus. For the handheld crowd, Nintendo will be pushing the new Style Savvy, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. Head past the break for the full list of stops on Nintendo's Mall Experience tour.

Continue reading Nintendo Mall Experience tour heads cross-country next week

Nintendo Mall Experience tour heads cross-country next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer, now with more Zelda

JC Fletcher — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:59:00 EST

Nintendo's new The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer (after the break) reveals a more exciting innovation than the whole train thing: You're not exactly rescuing Zelda in this game. In fact, she travels with you the whole time ... in spirit!

In one of the craziest Zelda trailers we've ever seen, some wizard shows up and turns Zelda into a ghost, and then she sort of mopes around as an apparition until some guy with wheels suggests that she go on a road trip with Link. If you were wondering how Link could gain control of the Phantoms in this upcoming DS game, it's not through a musical instrument he finds in a treasure chest (the usual Zelda route), but rather it's because Princess Zelda possesses them.

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Continue reading Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer, now with more Zelda

Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer, now with more Zelda originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Woman creates massive Lego Zelda mosaic, takes longer to finish than most Zelda games

David Hinkle — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

Alyse isn't just your usual Legend of Zelda fan -- aside from the drawer full of Link-themed clothing and decorative Majora's Mask cup set sitting in her cupboard, she's now also the proud owner of the gigantic Lego mosaic you see above. The product of her brow's sweat and her hand's work, the mosaic was created for Brickcon, an annual event that celebrates adult Lego hobbyists.

Head on over to her Flickr account for shots of the impressive feat throughout its development (the above shot is of her husband, Remi, and the Lego computer case he built), something Alyse documented because she "was inspired by many of the stained glass artwork from Wind Waker." If we had enough patience to do something like this, we probably wouldn't have jobs on the internet.

[Via The Tanooki]

Woman creates massive Lego Zelda mosaic, takes longer to finish than most Zelda games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan receives special Zelda Spirit Tracks stylus with purchase

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:45:00 EST

Japanese purchasers of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will receive a transparent quill stylus as a gift when they put down their yen for the game. AndriaSang reports that the stylus will be given out on launch day as an "early buyer bonus," but there's no need to pre-order.

If the plastic quill seems familiar, it's because Nintendo used it as a bribe back in 2007 for registering Phantom Hourglass and filling out a survey. Spirit Tracks choo-choos into retail on December 7. We're currently unaware of the quill being offered as a pre-order in North America but if the retail masses out there know differently, please let us know in the comments.

Japan receives special Zelda Spirit Tracks stylus with purchase originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Super Mario Wii, Zelda: Spirit Tracks & others dated for Europe

David Hinkle — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Arguably the two biggest titles set to release on their respective platforms this year, New Super Mario Bros. Wii and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks have both been dated by Nintendo of Europe. NSMBW is set to invade living rooms on November 20, while Spirit Tracks will be pulling into the station on December 11. But that's not all, as Nintendo has also dated Wii Fit Plus for October 30 and plans to cater to your inner fashionista with Nintendo Presents Style Boutique on October 23.

Nintendo of America previously confirmed NSMBW for November 15 and Zelda for December 7; and Wii Fit Plus releases ... this Sunday! Time to sculpt that perfect figure again.

New Super Mario Wii, Zelda: Spirit Tracks & others dated for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks pulling into retail station Dec. 7

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:57:00 EST

A Nintendo press release promoting the company's holiday lineup has confirmed a December 7 release date for Link's next Nintendo DS-based outing, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. That's just in time for the cold, harsh winter -- but it's still quite a ways off. We suggest playing through Phantom Hourglass while watching reruns of Thomas the Tank Engine in order to tide yourself over until then.

If you're not familiar with the Spirit-ed, Hylian adventure, check out our hands-on impressions of the game from E3 earlier this year, or watch the debut GDC trailer!

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks pulling into retail station Dec. 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop CEO: PS3, Wii could drop price, 'key' Nintendo title coming this year

JC Fletcher — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:25:00 EST

For once, someone at GameStop wants customers to be able to pay less. Of course, the items CEO Dan DeMatteo thinks are overpriced happen to be consoles, which don't have much of a retail markup -- so dropping the price on them would only give consumers more to spend on stuff with bigger markups.

The console most in need of a cut, according to CNBC's interview with DeMatteo? The PlayStation 3. "That price point is clearly an issue in this economy," DeMatteo said of the $399 PS3 price. And DeMatteo would prefer a $100 cut over a $50 cut when it does happen (which CNBC thinks will obviously be this E3). "I don't know that $50 gets you that much," DeMatteo said.

The executive also sees the possibility for a Wii price drop as soon as demand drops. "I think [demand for] the Wii could slow down to the extent that Nintendo may want to cut the price," he says. "Nintendo has it within its arsenal to do that. The component costs have come down considerably. They used to break even on the Wii, but now they're making a considerable margin."

If DeMatteo's prediction of a "key" Nintendo game out this year is true (and if it turns out to be a Wii game), the demand may stay steady. The CEO told CNBC, "They haven't given us any insight, but they have told us to reserve [shelf] space." Both CNBC and IGN speculate that it could be a new Wii Zelda. What about the Zelda game that we already know is coming out? Nintendo already told us about one. And it's coming out on a console with better sales than the Wii. Doesn't that count?

[Image: Penny Arcade]

GameStop CEO: PS3, Wii could drop price, 'key' Nintendo title coming this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC09: Watch The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks in action

David Hinkle — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:46:00 EST

If only knowing something exists is not enough for you, then we present you with evidence: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks' announcement trailer, which we've plucked from the Nintendo Channel. It's chock full of Link, trains, and dungeons. Pretty much everything you'd want from a Legend of Zelda game, except for maybe the trains bit. We're still not sure what to think of that one.

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

GDC09: Watch The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks in action originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC09: Train your eyes on 'The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks'

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:34:00 EST

Zelda more like Celda news now, with the return of Nintendo's favorite saucer-eyed adventurer in a new DS game. According to some very brief footage shown during Nintendo GDC 2009 keynote, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (tentative title) sees cel-shaded Link ditching boats and single-horsepower vehicles for a train. Considering said train is also equipped with a cannon, we think it's safe to call this the franchise's first on-rails shooter.

It's due to be released later this year, if you can believe that.

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

GDC09: Train your eyes on 'The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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