The first Zelda game had a completely open nature. By comparison, some of the more recent titles became more linear.
According to series producer Eiji Aonuma, this happened because he “thought players didn’t like getting lost, wondering what to do, or where to go.” But starting with A Link Between Worlds, Aonuma has started to question some of the series’ traditional elements.
Aonuma told ONM:
“The recent Zelda games have been rather linear, as I thought players didn’t like getting lost, wondering what to do, or where to go. However, I’ve come to question this ‘traditional’ approach as I felt that we couldn’t gain the sense of wonder that existed in the original Legend of Zelda, in which you made unexpected encounters and where what used to be impossible would suddenly become possible.”
“We will, of course, continue to question and reconsider the approaches we have taken in the past without any reservations.”
This week’s Japanese software sales are as follows:
1. [PSV] Soul Sacrifice Delta – 48,786 / NEW
2. [3DS] Youkai Watch – 36,018 / 532,472
3. [3DS] Dragon Quest Monsters 2 – 31,157 / 718,865
4. [3DS] Harvest Moon: Connect to a New Land – 29,514 / 160,296
5. [PS3] Ar no Surge – 27,037 / NEW
6. [3DS] Fossil Fighters: Infinite Gear – 22,210 / 80,538
7. [PS3] Yakuza Restoration – 19,80 / 212,113
8. [PS4] Knack – 17,272 / 393,348
9. [3DS] Kirby Triple Deluxe – 14,108 / 489,610
10. [3DS] Pokemon X/Y – 10,708 / 3,984,832
11. [3DS] Puzzle & Dragons Z – 10,508 / 1,399,320
12. [PS4] Battlefield 4 – 9,830 / 47,746
13. [PS4] Yakuza Restoration – 9,265 / 114,271
14. [PS3] GTA V – 7,312 / 728,899
15. [WIU] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – 7,181 / 67,284
16. [PSV] Deception IV: Blood Ties – 6,101 / 25,422
17. [PS3] Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Full Boost – 5,882 / 333,928
18. [PS3] Deception IV: Blood Ties – 5,874 / 29,127
19. [3DS] Kuroko’s Basketball – 5,752 / 61,811
20. [PS4] Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition – 5,327 / 25,851
The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:
PS4 – 35,294
Vita – 31,325
3DS LL – 24,192
PS3 – 12,102
3DS – 10,876
Wii U – 7,773
PSP – 3,425
Vita TV – 1,962
Xbox 360 – 300
For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:
PS4 – 65,685
3DS LL – 26,027
Vita – 21,581
PS3 – 13,155
3DS – 11,986
Wii U – 8,204
PSP – 3,652
Vita TV – 1,543
Xbox 360 – 257
Pure Chess will launch for both Wii U and 3DS on March 20, Ripstone has announced. The game will be available on the eShop for $7.99 / £4.99 / €5.99.
Pure Chess features cross-platform play, meaning users on Wii U, 3DS, iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Android can play against each other. Incorporating the functionality led to the title’s longer than expected development period.
Nintendo will be at GDC 2014 next week, and plans to show its support for indies in full force.
First, Nintendo will be demonstrate to attendees how its Nintendo Web Framework (NWF) tool was used to create a new game demo featuring characters and other elements from the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series . “The game demo shows how developers can create great experiences using NWF, and that the user-friendly, full-featured tool expands access to developing Wii U games to as many people as possible,” the company says.
Dan Adelman, manager of Business Development at Nintendo of America, will also hold a session at the Unity booth on March 20 to explain the step-by-step process of how developers can go about bringing games to the eShop.
In its announcement today, Nintendo mentioned its relationship with Unity, which allows authorized Wii U developers to obtain a license to develop with Unity Pro on the console for free.
Steve Singer, vice president of Licensing at Nintendo of America, said:
“We want to demonstrate to developers how easy it is for them to bring their creative ideas to Nintendo systems. Nintendo offers wide-ranging support for indie developers, whether they want to use NWF, Unity or their own proprietary code.”
Those who visit Nintendo’s booth at GDC will be able to try out the following Unity-made titles:
Nintendo UK team up with McDonald’s in the Run, Jump and Power-Up with Super Mario promotion
Nintendo UK has teamed up with McDonald’s to encourage children to get active with a Happy Meal promotion featuring some of its most famous characters. Launching in store on the 19th March, the toy inside every Happy Meal will be one of eight Super Mario-themed toys, fun activities on every box.
Along with today’s screenshot, Sakurai passed along the following message on Miiverse:
Zelda’s Din’s Fire is now stronger in its core. The farther it’s projected, the bigger and more powerful it will be, but you need to hit foes with the core if you want to make them fall.
This week’s Wii U eShop charts are as follows:
Software
1. Zelda: Wind Waker HD
2. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
3. Super Mario Bros.
4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
5. Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
6. Super Mario Bros.
7. EarthBound
8. NES Remix
9. Trine 2: Director’s Cut
10. Super Mario 3D World
11. The Legend of Zelda
12. Art Academy: SketchPad
13. Super Metroid
14. Super Mario Bros. 2
15. Pokemon Rumble U
16. The LEGO Movie Videogame
17. Dr. Luigi
18. BLOK DROP U
19. Mega Man X
20. Donkey Kong
Videos
1. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Breaking the Ice
2. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Reviews Video
3. Free Pokemon X/Y Digital Download Offer
4. Deluxe Digital Promotion Video
5. The LEGO Movie Videogame Trailer
6. Super Mario 3D World Trailer
7. Mario Kart 8 – Koopalings Trailer
8. Super Mario 3D World Trailer 2
9. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Launch Trailer
10. Super Smash Bros. – Champion of the Ring
11. Super Mario 3D World Accolades Trailer
12. Nintendo Minute – Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Favorite Levels
13. Dr. Luigi Trailer
14. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Trailer
15. Hyrule Warriors Teaser Trailer
16. Mario & Sonic: Sochi 2014 Launch Trailer
17. Pokemon Rumble U Gameplay Trailer
18. Super Mario World Trailer
19. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Trailer
20. Bayonetta 2 – Did you miss me?
Source: Wii U eShop
This week’s video additions to the Wii U/3DS eShops are as follows:
Wii U
Nintendo Minute – March Tag Video
Nintendo Minute – Chat with Li Kovacs
Steel Diver Sub Wars Premium Trailer
Cube Tactics Trailer
NES Open Tournament Golf Trailer
3DS
Nintendo Minute – March Tag Video
Nintendo Minute – Chat with Li Kovacs
Steel Diver Sub Wars Premium Trailer
Cube Tactics Trailer
Adventure Island II Video
The Mysterious Cities of Gold: Secret Paths Trailer
Source: Wii U/3DS eShops
