Mon, Jul 04, 2011 | 08:19 BST

Zelda Wii U tech demo “not necessarily” franchise’s future

The Legends of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma has warned fans not to read too much into the Wii U tech demo.

“You probably remember that when we introduced the GameCube, we showed a somewhat realistic Zelda demo,” Aonuma told Wired.

“And what we actually created was the cel-shaded Wind Waker. So when we show a graphic demo, people think, ‘Oh, this is what the next Zelda will look like,’ but that’s not necessarily the case”.

The Gamecube tech demo was a sore point with Legend of Zelda fans, and the cartoon-style Wind Waker, while critically and commercially successful, remains divisive.

The Legend of Zelda development team is currently working on Skyward Sword for the Wii, and wasn’t involved in the creation of the tech demo, although the project was led by Twilight Princes art director Satoru Takizawa.

Nintendo isn’t ready to talk about how the Wii U Zelda might actually look, but designer Yoshiaki Koizumi said the console’s dual-screen system was almost used in Majora’s Mask, with Game Boys connected to an N64.

The feature was eventually cut, and Koizumi wouldn’t be drawn on details.

Thanks, CVG.

8 comment-trail-alt Posted in: Nintendo, RPG, Wii U
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8 comments

#1

frostquake
04/07/11, 5:40 am

I am soooooo ready for a more edgier Link, not this androgynous Link we have now…and looks like this new one were getting has an overtly gay stereotype Villain in Skyward.

#2

triggerhappy686
04/07/11, 5:46 am

^ +1

After OOT and MM a darker more adult friendly Zelda looked like the natural way to progress, then Wind Waker came out. I really hope history does not repeat itself here. No offense to WW, its a decent entry in the series if you can get passed the cutesie style.

#3

Dr.Ghettoblaster
04/07/11, 6:48 am

Leave it to Nintendo to deflate the best thing they showed at E3 2011..

#4

Dannybuoy
04/07/11, 6:58 am

We have to cast our minds back many years to a tech demo Nintendo did for Zelda on the Gamecube. It featured Link battling Ganon in a stone castle. It was awesome. Flying sparks from swords, edgy dark graphics. I remember being very excited about the next Zelda game. Then Windwaker happened. I enjoyed it but it was a long way from the demo. What could have been. Oh well

#5

Blerk
04/07/11, 8:44 am

Ha ha, have the actually done it again? Man, they love demolishing the ‘harder/edgier Link’ fans. :-D

#6

Moonwalker1982
04/07/11, 8:50 am

Now that would be just fucked up and ridiculous. Time will tell i guess, but my hopes of this happening have gone downwards a bit now.

#7

Deacon
04/07/11, 8:51 am

They should give us the lovechild of Zelda & Demon’s Souls.

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