Recently speaking with Gamereactor Magazine, Eiji Aonuma delved a bit into the sheer mass of the newest installment of Zelda currently in development for Wii U:

A huge, seamlessly unfolding world is something that can’t be achieved if the hardware isn’t advanced enough. Ever since we made the very first generation of Legend of Zelda games though, we’ve had as large a world as can be realised with the hardware, so you could say it was inevitable that we’ve now done the same with the new Wii U title.

When I first showed off the new Zelda game on the Wii U, it seemed everyone was very excited and started proclaiming that a Zelda game had at last become open world! Zelda games have always allowed you to roam and explore a huge world.

What’s changed now is that the hardware has progressed to the point that you can now explore this vast world seamlessly; the underpinning of the game hasn’t changed.

Continuing with the interview, Aonuma also talks a little bit about the implementation of the Wii U Gamepad:

Recently, I’ve taken to relying on the map on my smart phone when I’m out walking in a place I’m not familiar with. A map isn’t something you keep tucked away in your bag, it’s by holding it in your hand and being able to constantly check it as you move forward step by step that gives you that sense of adventure.

You can read the rest of the interview in the new issue of Gamereactor Magazine, which is out today.

Zelda on Wii U is expected to come out sometime in 2015.

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From Serebii:

A new app has been released in Japan. This app is the Pokémon Style App and is out from today on Android platforms and will be released at a later date on iOS. This free app gives you special wallpapers and icons for your phone and comes with updates on the second and fourth week of each month on Thursdays. The designs it gives range from Free to 200¥. It currently has a Pikachu design available for free and has designs based on merchandise at the Pokémon Center. A free Marshtomp design is set to be given on February 26th and three designs, Hoenn starters, Evee, Xerneas/Yvetal, are being sold for half price, 100¥ until February 25th

Check out more screenshots for the app below:

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It’s time for the latest Famitsu’s most wanted games chart! Final Fantasy XV, Bravely Second, Dragon Quest Heroes, Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D and Persona 5 are the new top five.

Head past the break for the full chart. All votes were cast between January 29 and February 4.

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This month’s issue of Nintendo Dream has an interview with the developers behind Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. The Japanese magazine asked plenty of questions, which brought about several interesting answers.

Nintendo Dream starts off by noting how Rainbow Curse is the first Kirby title for Wii U. Given that, the publication was interested to know why the game follows the system of Canvas Curse and isn’t a traditional entry.

That elicited the following response:

When we saw the Wii U GamePad for the first time, we thought it could be interesting to use the different roles of the GamePad and TV in multiplayer. From there on, we came up with an idea of using the Wii Remote to control Waddle Dee and the GamePad to draw footholds. And the system of Kirby Canvas Curse fit that, so we used it. The result, after applying everyone’s voice, was a very lively game.

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It’s been announced today that a concert will be held in Japan later this year to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Fire Emblem. The event is set to take place at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on July 27 and July 28. A teaser site can be found here.

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Below are the latest titles that can be currently pre-ordered at retailers:

Wii U

Legend of Kay HD (new) – Amazon
Mario Party 10 amiibo bundle (new) – Best Buy, GameStop
LEGO Marvel’s Avengers – Amazon
LEGO Jurassic World – Amazon, GameStop
Terraria – Amazon
Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem – Best Buy
The Legend of Zelda – Amazon, Best Buy
Xenoblade Chronicles X – Amazon, Best Buy
Yoshi’s Woolly World – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Splatoon – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Kirby and The Rainbow Curse – Amazon, Best Buy
Mario Party 10 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Devil’s Third – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop

New 3DS games

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop

3DS

Fire Emblem (new) – Best Buy
LEGO Marvel’s Avengers – Amazon
LEGO Jurassic World – Amazon, GameStop
Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition – Amazon, Best Buy
Terraria – Amazon
LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin – Amazon, Best Buy (new)
Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX – Amazon, Best Buy (new), GameStop
Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Etrian Mystery Dungeon – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Fossil Fighters: Frontier – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Story of Seasons – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop

Thanks to Jake for the tip.

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