A recap of how a cancelled Koizumi project influenced Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
German website Nintendo-Online published a new report about The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask today. The site took a look back on the game’s creation and how it came to be.
One interesting aspect about Majora’s Mask is that it was partially inspired by a cancelled project from Yoshiaki Koizumi, who went on to work on the Ocarina of Time sequel. If you haven’t heard about this before, you may want to check out the information summary passed along by Nintendo-Online – it’s definitely interesting!
– Yoshiaki Koizumi, current producer of the 3D Super Mario games at EAD Tokyo, co-directed Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time
– After Ocarina of Time, Koizumi started working on a new game (late 1998?)
– The project was likely a completely new game; Koizumi described it as “a board game, based around the theme of cops and robbers”
– The player was supposed to catch a robber within a week, which in reality should take about a hour
– Takumi Kawagoe, cut scene director of OoT, was also involved with this project
– Shortly after the beginning of the project, Miyamoto and Aonuma transferred Koizumi as a co-director to Majora’s Mask
– Because of that, Koizumi’s new project was cancelled (early 1999?); there is no more information available on the game
– The Three-Day-System of Majora’s Mask has been heavily influenced by Koizumi’s cancelled project
– Accordingly, Majora’s Mask was originally supposed to take seven days to complete, but the concept had to be scaled down to three days as Majora’s Mask had to be developed within only one year
Nintendo was apparently trying to create a licensed game out of a huge property at one point
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Rumors | 36 Comments
According to Unseen64’s Liam Robertson, Nintendo was, at one point, attempting to create a licensed game that would have featured a huge property. Robertson said that the franchise in question is “like Star Wars level big”. Additional information hasn’t been shared yet, but we do know that the IP Nintendo was interested in had nothing to do with gaming.
Below is a roundup of Robertson’s tweets:
Wow .__. we just found something crazy. Nintendo was trying to make a licensed game around one of the biggest properties I can think of.
— Tamaki (@Doctor_Cupcakes) February 7, 2015
.@IDidThingsOnce Can't say yet, but it is crazy!
— Tamaki (@Doctor_Cupcakes) February 7, 2015
@Phazon4G No, not a game franchise.
— Tamaki (@Doctor_Cupcakes) February 7, 2015
FYI, we are talking like Star Wars level big. If it wasn't from an official source, I simply would have not believed it.
— Tamaki (@Doctor_Cupcakes) February 7, 2015
For those who are unaware, Unseen64 often digs up information regarding cancelled gaming projects. We’ll bring you more information when we have it.
Nintendo Minute – January favorites
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 0 comments
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GameStop opens pre-orders for Super Mario amiibo series
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 9 Comments
Update (2/6): Toad is back in stock.
Update: Toad is gone!
GameStop has gone live with pre-orders for the Super Mario amiibo series. Links to each figure can be found below.
Amazon sold out of these amiibo quickly, but rumor has it that the Super Mario figures won’t be rare. We’ll see what happens in the long run!
Rumor: Netflix working on live-action The Legend of Zelda TV series
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Rumors | 27 Comments
If a new report from the Wall Street Journal is to be believed, Netflix is cooking up a new live-action television show based on The Legend of Zelda.
The site says that things are “in the early stages” at present. A source close to the Wall Street Journal claims that the series is “about an ordinary boy named Link who must rescue a princess named Zelda and save a fantasy world called Hyrule” – essentially Zelda as we know it. It’s being described as a family-friendly Game of Thrones, with Nintendo having a heavy involvement.
At present, Netflix is seeking a writer for the project. Since it’s such a long ways off, the Wall Street Journal points out that Netflix or Nintendo could kill the series off before things progress too far.
Keep in mind that this report has not been officially confirmed. Netflix declined to comment, and Nintendo has not yet responded.
More: Netflix, The Legend of Zelda, top
Iwata shares a bit more on Nintendo’s Quality of Life plans
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 11 Comments
Satoru Iwata opened up a bit more regarding Nintendo’s Quality of Life plans while speaking with Japanese outlet Asahi News. Here’s a brief overview about what was shared, courtesy of Kotaku:
– Game hardware, game software, and health care are Nintendo’s three main pillars
– Iwata: “It’s not necessary to be particular about game hardware”
– Iwata seems to be saying that Nintendo’s health care business doesn’t need to be tied to its video game consoles
– Nintendo considering making a service that analyzes data from its sleep sensor
– Users would be given ways for exercising and eating right
– Iwata: “Leveraging our video game know-how, we’ll make it so even those who have trouble following through can stick with this program and have fun”
– Nintendo believes health care is a way it can reclaim customers
– Nintendo is also thinking of ways to get into the education field
More: Satoru Iwata, top
Nintendo to offer more low-cost software – re-create games for 3DS, more demos
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 17 Comments
Japanese outlet Nikkei reports in a new piece published today that “Nintendo’s comeback strategy includes expanding customer choice by adding more affordable software titles”. Nikkei recently spoke with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, and was told that the company “plans to re-create games for the Nintendo 3DS portable system based on past titles and smartphone offerings.” By keeping development costs low, Nintendo can provide content “at prices as low as several hundred yen.”
Nikkei was also told that there will be a larger emphasis on trial versions/demos. The thinking behind this is that consumers will become more aware of new games and could become interested in purchasing the full product.
Iwata additionally mentioned that most recent 3DS sales saw a dip since the New 3DS is not debuting until next month in North America and Europe. That said, Nintendo has no plans to lower prices of its systems anytime soon.
Iwata said: “We aim to return to profit levels more typical of the company in the year ending March 2017.” According to Nikkei, Iwata suggested “that the market and shareholders anticipate 100 billion yen ($845 million).
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Flipnote Studio 3D codes now coming “later this month” for North American Club Nintendo members
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 13 Comments
North American Club Nintendo members were supposed to receive codes for Flipnote Studio 3D sometime this week, but those plans have now been delayed. The rewards section of the website now states: “For Flipnote Studio 3D, please check your To-Do list to receive your download code later this month.” An exact date has not yet been provided.
Thanks to Ryan H for the tip.
More: Club Nintendo, Flipnote Studio 3D, top
Another Super Mario secret found in Dying Light – Tanooki Suit homage
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Videos | 3 Comments
Dying Light players have discovered another Super Mario-related secret within the game. By finding a blueprint for the “Pyza Suit, you can glide around much like Mario in the Tanooki Suit. Take a look above.
