Nintendo GameCube @ Next Generation Revelation - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Preview

Preview: The Legend of Zelda - Twilight Princess

Nintendo SpaceWorld, 2000 – A new video of what appears to be Link fighting the evil Gannondorf is exposed to a stunned audience. The movie shown was rumored to be the next Zelda game that would hit shelves sometime within the GameCube’s lifespan. The video had outstanding graphics, sound, and it looked to be a sure hit for Nintendo’s next-generation console. As weeks passed since the trailer was release, news spread over the internet like wildfire over the game. E3 2001 came, which was the debut of Nintendo’s next-generation system – the GameCube. Press conferences, pre-E3 shows, and news posts at many major gaming websites gave no news of a Zelda game. Fans disappointed, they continued their lives, hoping for better luck next year.

May, 2002 – Two weeks before the 2002 E3 exposition started, rumors once again started flying about what would or would not be shown in Nintendo’s display. One of these games was Zelda. Rumors spread that Nintendo would once again not display the newest edition in the legendary series, but long-time Nintendo fans had faith.

May 21st, 2002 – During Nintendo’s Pre-E3 Press Conference, the secret was finally unveiled. A trailer was shown that shocked gamers worldwide. The trailer didn’t feature the realistic looking Link vs Gannondorf showdown from SpaceWorld, but instead it showed a chibi/childish style Zelda with a young child Link exploring a new, cel-shaded world. Fans didn’t know what to expect, and some dumped all love for Nintendo completely.

March, 2003 – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is finally released for the Nintendo Gamecube. Reviews are varied, but most were extremely impressed with the game. As Shigeru Miyamoto himself said, “It is not the graphics that make a game.” This proved to be correct as Wind Waker quickly became a best seller. Fans that kept with Nintendo even though there were mixed previews and thoughts about the game found that Nintendo had pulled it off.

Time passed.

Nearly 4 years after the video at SpaceWorld was shown, it was once again time of for E3. E3 2004 marked the year that Nintendo finally dropped the bomb – They did not stop production on the wonderful looking Zelda game. A trailer was shown at the end of Nintendo’s Pre-E3 Press Conference which once again drove the crowd wild. News spread and now The Legend of Zelda (tentative title) is now the most wanted game on the Nintendo GameCube, and one of the most wanted titles of 2005. Only a week until E3 2005 starts, where not only is Nintendo expected to unveil their next-generation console (codenamed “revolution”), it is expected that Nintendo will finally release more details, screenshots, and movies of gameplay featuring the new Zelda game.

The Legend of Zelda is shaping up to be perhaps the killer-app of 2005. Judging by the recent sales of GameCube games, this game will need to be the hit that will be the must-want game of 2005. Nintendo will have a lot of competition, as Microsoft plan to unveil the next-generation Xbox (rumors call it the “Xbox 360”) on May 12th, exactly one week from today. Likewise, Sony has told the press that they plan to publicly unveil the PlayStation 3 (otherwise known as the PS3) on May 18th, the day E3 2005 begins. As we come closer to the next generation of console gaming, Nintendo will have a lot of competition to break through if they want Zelda to get the attention it deserves. Nonetheless, The Legend of Zelda is looking to be a great game for all genres of gamers, whether you are a Nintendo fan or not.

Updated: June, 2005: During E3 2005, Nintendo unveiled the final name for the new Zelda, it being "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess". They rolled a clip of gameplay that included the famous Link morphing into a wolf. There was also a live playable demo of Twilight Princess at the show, which adored fans of the like. So far Twilight Princess has captured many awards, including Best GameCube Game of E32005, Best Action/Adventure Game of E32005, Best RPG of E32005, Best Console Game of E32005, and finally Best Of E32005.

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