Considering the last time an iconic Nintendo franchise appeared on this list there were almost death-threats, we present to you our 41st most anticipated game of 2011, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, decked in full ice-hockey regalia and armed with numerous kitchen utensils. However, and call us crazy Nintendo fanboys if you must, we think this one might go a little different than when a certain fat plumber popped around with his gaggle of party chums.
Zelda is an institution. Given, Mario is probably the more recognisible mascot, but it’s Zelda that attracts the die-hard zealots. People genuinely like Super Mario Galaxy. However, a whole different level of militant Ninty aficionado would sell a testicle and/or member of their offspring for a new Zelda game.
In Skyward Sword, Nintendo maven Miyamoto has revamped the combat system. Gone is the focus on time-based attacks, the game utilising the Wii MotionPlus to deliver one-to-one sword swinging action. The structure of the latest outing also departs from the typical Zelda format, with a young Link (Skyward Sword is a prequel to Ocarina of Time) journeying between his cloudy domain of Skyloft and the land below these floating islands – a dangerous landscape ruled by despotic forces. This traversal is facilitated through the use of the titular Skyward Sword, a weapon there are strong hints to suggest will later become the Master Sword. Interestingly, the recognisible artefact is also personified by a female character – originally seen on early poster art for the game – and will offer Link advice along the way.
A stylish conflux of one part Twilight Princess, one part Wind Waker, all blended into a fine paste with a dash of Miyamoto’s renowned love for the impressionist artist Cézanne added in, we got our first look at Skyward Sword in action at this year’s E3. It looked great, despite the numerous technical issues Shigeru and co. experienced; gremlins attributed to a combination of rogue wifi signals, rabid Sony/Microsoft fanboys projecting their nefarious nega-waves toward the stage, and solar flares erupting off Onion’s Belt. Hey, something went awry, technical glitches bad enough to make Miyamoto-san let his fixed visage of unflinching glee slip and the elusive Dark Miyamoto surface. And who’d blame him? If that had been me I would have taken that WiiMote to someone’s noggin. Likely my own.
The decision to make Skyward Sword MotionPlus compulsory can be interpreted in two ways. It could be construed as a myopic, exclusionary faux pax sure to alienate and piss off some sections of the Wii community. Or, and we’re leaning toward this particular stance if we’re being honest, it’s a genius marketing stratagem guaranteed to spark interest in the add-on device, a masterstroke that will see Nintendo print even more money.
Missing its original “late 2010” releae date, we get to see just how legendary Link really is early next year.
baggyg
Enjoyed Twilight Princess greatly but from videos get the impression this lacks any real originality
Dan Lee
Wasn’t massively impressed from my play at Eurogamer, but that was from a 10 min snippet. Zelda has never let me down before.
Mikiyaru
This game will be special. We had to wait for Twilight Princess… and we have all played that. If you havent played it and think the Wii isnt worth buying, either play it on a friends or buy a wii with the game and sell it on ebay close to christmas.
Also, i get that feeling that something new will be released for the Wii to make this better. Maybe a Wiimote 2?
Dan Lee
It’s playable with Wii Motion Plus. In fact I think it might ONLY be playable with that.
Mikiyaru
id expect so, but i think by the time its released. there will be SOMETHING else! INTRIGUING!
DrNate86
I am one of those rabid militant fanboys, can’t wait for this. My testicle is in the post.
KeRaSh
This might be the reason for me to buy a Wii again. And while I’m at it I’d get Super Mario Galaxy 2 since I sold mine before that came out.
Yahavage
I’m reluctant to get my Wii out again until Nintendo pull out of whatever deal they have with Duracell and give us wii remotes with lithium batteries in that we can plug into the unit to charge! It just ends up being a total pain in the ass, you don’t use it for ages, then people come round so you’re like ok yeah, let’s play on the wii… eh fuck no batteries! /end rant
This game of course looks great – loved Twilight Princess (well, love all Zelda games!), so I will certainly be wanting to give this a go :)