I’m not surprised that Miyamoto wants hands on with Zelda Wii for the franchise is ultimately his creation anyway. I can also understand why Aonuma may find his interventions frustrating.

In that sense, the distance between me and Mr Miyamoto – any producer and Mr Miyamoto – has been expanding, and even I have been taking care of multiple titles simultaneously. But actually Mr Miyamoto doesn’t like the idea: he would like to be as close as possible to the actual game development.

That’s why, in the case of the new Legend of Zelda on Wii, he’s trying to take more direct hands-on and specifically at least once every month we are having a very intimate meeting where we confirm the status quo, we discuss what needs to be done and Mr Miyamoto gives instructions as to what we need to do.

And in such a situation, of course there are some heated arguments, because each of us has his own idea as to what a Zelda game should look like, should play like. As time passes and as we are growing in terms of number of people working for the same department, naturally Mr Miyamoto has to keep some distance away from any other producers and developers, but I think we always try to have as close communications as possible in one way or the other. That’s how I think everyone including me has been communicating with Mr Miyamoto at Nintendo. – Eiji Aonuma

Comment on this post in our forums

I wonder if the following statement means that we will not be seeing a cell-shaded style Zelda adventure on home consoles any time soon.

You say it might be good for handheld: exactly, that’s the point. On handheld devices like DS, for the grand universe of Zelda to be correctly depicted, cel-shading or toon-shading style is the most appropriate. For example, for the touch operation we’re using on DS, top-view angle is necessary. If we’re going to apply photorealistic proportions between human characters and objects, the player character would have to be really small. – Eiji Aonuma

Comment on this post in our forums

After reading this I do wonder about how far Zelda Wii has progressed. Link Sword action with Wii Motion Plus sounds awesome.

Talking first on Wii MotionPlus, I’ve been working on the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda simultaneously with working on Spirit Tracks and now we have already come to the stage that Link is wielding his sword just as you are shaking your Wii remote. It’s so natural I sometimes have to wonder why it was not available in previous games.

I think it’s going to be quite surprising, but it’s so natural maybe not so surprising for new Zelda fans. But it must be quite a surprise for existing and long-term Zelda fans. Maybe they will say, ‘why couldn’t Nintendo apply the same system to Twilight Princess? You already had the Wii remote.’ Among the fans I think it’s going to be quite a big difference.

As to other elements of Wii MotionPlus, I’m afraid I have to refrain from talking anything probably until E3 next year. The only thing I may be able to confirm is, we are trying to change the structure, how the game proceeds, in terms of how you have been playing The Legend of Zelda franchise so far. That’s a little thing I can say, but I hope people will be surprised by knowing what I mean right now. – Eiji Aonuma

Comment on this post in our forums

News of Endless Ocean 2 hit the web today with the following press release. I wonder when in Q1 the title will be release.

* Category: Animal Life, Simulation, Adventure
* Multiplayer mode: Simultaneous
* Players: 1-2
* Age rating: 7
* Publisher: Nintendo
* Developer: ARIKA
* Release date: Q1 2010

The World is Your Oyster

Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep builds on the underwater experience first introduced in Endless Ocean. While the previous game emphasised relaxation, this instalment is designed with a sense of adventure in mind. Divers will find themselves escaping from and calming down attacking sharks, exploring shipwrecks or finding sunken treasure. Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep also has more creatures and improved graphics designed to fully immerse players in an aquatic environment that they can freely explore at their own pace.

Features:

* Players dive into oceans and rivers all around the world to discover the fish, mammals and various other creatures unique to each region, while learning about their habits and behaviours. By selling salvageable items for money, players can buy decorations for their own private reef to attract fish. Players can even populate a fully-fledged aquarium for human guests!
* The ocean is teeming with life. Hundreds of real-life species are there to be discovered, from seahorses and giant squid to the living fossils of ancient times!
* Are the local fish sick or agitated? Players can view their health status and then use a tranquilizer-like tool called the Pulsar to zap the ones in need of some rehab back to health.
* The game includes a full storyline for players to enjoy. The plot follows Océane and her grandfather Jean-Eric, and their investigation into the mysterious “Song of Dragons”, which Océane’s father, a prominent ocean explorer, was searching for just before his death. Along the way they will travel the world, discovering lost sunken ruins and traversing the great ocean depths!
* While at Nineball Island, players can teach new tricks to dolphins and small whales that have been befriended in the wild. When on a dive, players can even bring along one of these animal partners and hold on to it for extra fast swimming!
* Players can use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to swim with friends, while using Wii Speak to talk to each other. (A broadband connection is required.)

Comment on this post in our forums

According to ONM they’ve found the worst game on Wii. The game in question is a recent release called Wheelspin.

When Wheelspin was announced, its publisher Bethesda started the hype early promising “unpredictable race tracks at exhilarating speeds of up to 650kph” and “a frantically fast-paced game which pushes the Wii to its maximum capabilities.” We were hopeful that the game would live up to these bold statements. As it is, the hype train might as well have stayed in the station. Wheelspin is one of the worst games we’ve ever played.

You might as well chuck your money down the drain instead. At least you’ll be able to control where it’s going.
-Handling is beyond a joke
-Graphics are abysmal
-Atrocious physics
-Illogical respawn points
-Horribly generic soundtrack

Final Score: 11/100

So what game would you give the Turkey Award of 2009?

Comment on this post in our forums

Yesterday was Thanksgiving within the US and I thought it would be great if members would like to share there stories about the day. Lastnight Ruth, myself and the children decided to observe the event in our own little way for we have so many things to be thankful for. So what we did, we sat together and had a special meal and then watched Miracle on 34th street as a family.

Now you may be wondering why we would want to observe Thanksgiving. Well I believe Thanksgiving is something we should all put into practice. Yes within the UK we have a different history from the US, but I personally believe nations should participate more in events like this. When I think of thanksgiving I think of the following hymn and the truth it teaches.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Comment on this post in our forums

I really need to finish this game but my progress is kinda on hold at the moment. Saying that I currently find myself in the water temple and after reading this I wonder about what’s ahead of me.

“The Water Temple in the Ocarina of Time was notorious for being very tough to conquer. I am most sorry that it was not easy for you to put on and take off the heavy boots; that all the time you had to visit the inventory. I am very sorry about that. I should have made it much easier to switch to the heavy boots.” – Eiji Aonuma

Comment on this post in our forums

Oh I know how I joked about this before but I read this tonight and wondered what members think of it.  The quote is from a statement made by Eiji Aonuma himself.

“I have an eight-year-old son myself at home, and quite recently he started playing The Phantom Hourglass for DS, because when the software first hit the market he was too young. When he started playing with the boat, I told him: ‘In the next Zelda, you are going to be able to ride on the train.’ He answered: ‘OK, Dad, first boat, and then train? Surely next time, Link is going to fly in the sky … ‘. (Aonuma says with a grin) I just don’t know. If many people make many speculations … some of them might be correct. Right now, I have to refrain from commenting on anything.” – Eiji Aonuma

Now okay a plane is probably not what Eiji will have in mind but I sense flight could very well play a part at some point.

Comment on this post in our forums

Yesterday I found out about the Argos Clearance Ebay store and on it I saw Pikmin for a really low £6.99.  If you are a  Ebay shopper then you may want to jump on this opportunity.

Click here for more details.

Comment on this post in our forums

The latest Famitsu estimates suggest that the DSi LL enjoyed great sales during its first week on retail.  It is estimated that sales figures stand around 103,534 units.  Take a peak at the whole estimate sales list below.

01. [NDS] Tomodachi Collection (Nintendo) – 59,000 / 1,641,000
02. [WII] Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo) – 42,000 / 894,000
03. [NDS] Pokemon Heart Gold / Soul Silver (Pokemon) – 40,000 / 2,985,000
04. [WII] Taiko no Tatusjin Wii: Dodoon to 2 Yome! (Bandai Namco Games) – 29,000
05. [360] Left 4 Dead 2 (Electronic Arts) – 28,000
06. [NDS] Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryakusha – Fire / Blizzard (Level 5) – ?
07. [NDS] Mario & Sonic at the Vancouver Olympics　(Nintendo) – 26,000
08. [PSP] J-League Pro Soccer Club wo Tsukurou! 6: Pride of J (Sega) – ?
09. [PS3] World Soccer Winning Eleven 2010 (Konami) – ?
10. [NDS] Dorabase 2: Nettou Ultra Stadium (Bandai Namco Games) – 19,000

DSiLL 103,524
DSi 32,000
DSL 2,700
PSP 33,000
PSP go 4,800
PS3 29,000
WII 29,000

Comment on this post in our forums