On this week’s episode: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Madden NFL 12, Phineas & Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension and Mario Kart Wii.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword producer Eiji Aonuma has commented on Wii U in the latest issue of Nintendo Power. One of his favorite aspects about the console is the ability to take advantage of two screens. This is something that Nintendo has already provided with the DS and 3DS, but Aonuma believes that the distance between the controller screen and the television will allow for new ideas.
Aonuma told the magazine:
“I really think [having two screens is] one of the most exciting features of the system. Unlike the Nintendo DS, there’s distance between the television and you and your other screen. That really allows for some different interactions, some of which you saw [at E3]. For example, imagine having the contents of Link’s satchel available to you on the screen of your controller, and using elements of the pouch to interact with gameplay on the television.
Aonuma went on to discuss an idea for Zelda Wii U in which the controller could act as “the different items that Link is using, allowing you to interact with the game world and with the game items in a very different way.”
“With The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, we had the Nunchuck and Wii Remote sort of stand in for the sword and shield that Link carries. But in a game for the Wii U, I can definitely see something like the controller itself becoming the different items that Link is using, allowing you to interact with the game world and with the game items in a very different way.”
The Wii Shop Channel, DSi shop, and 3DS eShop are all closed for maintenance at the moment. We don’t know if there’s any significant reason behind the downtime. It’s possible that they’re just going through general maintenance. The shops will supposedly return at 8 PM EDT.
Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns comes out next month… for the DS. As far as the 3DS version goes, Natsume has said that it can be expected later this year.
Wondering why the two versions won’t be launching simultaneously? You can blame the sales of the 3DS for the delay. A representative confirmed that the company pushed back Harvest Moon for 3DS as well as their other title for the handheld, Gabrielle’s Ghostly Groove, due to poor early sales of the system.
In other news about the Harvest Moon title, you might be interested to hear that The Tale of Two Towns is for North America only. In other words, it won’t be launching in Japan.
Konami has said that Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D will be out in Japan this winter. But does that mean Winter 2011 or Winter 2012? The latter would mean that the title would arrive early next year.
There’s no word yet on when Snake Eater 3D will hit North America/European store sheves.
