Zelda and Nintendo News: November, 2006

November, 2006

11/23 Update

More Wii Launch Party Images

Here are some images from the Wii Launch Party in Los Angeles, held at Universal Citywalk's Gamestop.

11/20 Update

Wii Launch Party Images

We have some images from the Wii launch party in New York City which was held at the Toys "R" Us in Times Square.

11/19 Update

Wii Channel Menu

The Wii™ console will revolutionize how people play games. But more importantly, it will entice new players into the world of video games by offering a variety of entertainment, information and communication Channels that add value to the console and make it a device that the entire family can enjoy. The Wii Channel Menu will be the first screen shown on the television, as it easily integrates itself as part of people's everyday lives.

Disc Channel: This channel allows users to play either Wii game discs or the entire library of Nintendo GameCube™ discs.

Mii™ Channel: Fun caricatured portraits created in this channel can be used as characters across a variety of Wii software. Portraits can be stored in a user's Wii Remote and taken to a friend's house to play on another Wii console. Each member of the family can have his or her Wii Remote personalized with a caricature.

Photo Channel: This channel allows users to take digital pictures stored on an SD memory card and display them on their television screens. Users also can manipulate the photos in a variety of fun and creative ways, such as zooming or creating mosaics, puzzles or slide shows. They can draw, add stamps, and copy and paste. They also can change the "mood" of photos by brightening them, converting them to monochrome, inverting the color or changing them to stark black and white. Users can even add an MP3 tune to their slide shows. It provides a fun and easy outlet for people to edit their digital pictures. Users also can send their pictures to other Wii consoles by attaching a photo to the Wii Message Board.

Forecast Channel: Users who have connected their Wii console to the Internet can access free local weather forecasts just a few seconds after turning on the Wii console. The WiiConnect24™ service automatically updates local weather information. Users can view forecasts for cities around the world on a 3-D globe.

News Channel: Users can access breaking news with the touch of a button. When connected to the Internet, the WiiConnect24 service automatically updates this free channel and organizes it in a variety of topical categories. Users can see where news is happening by viewing the location of news stories on a 3-D globe.

Wii Shop Channel: This is where users go to buy Wii Points or redeem them to download classic video games to the Virtual Console™. Users also can use points to download the Opera browser used in the Internet Channel.

Internet Channel: This channel dramatically changes the relationship between a user's home, the television and the Internet. Users download the Opera browser with Wii Points. Then they can surf the Internet right from the comfort of their couch. They can do quick research while watching a television program ("What was that actor's name again?"). Or book travel plans and shop during commercials. The service is compatible with Macromedia Flash.

Wii Message Board: Forget hand-scrawled notes tacked to the refrigerator door. Users can leave messages for other family members on a calendar-based message board. They also can use WiiConnect24 to send messages to people outside the home as well. Even better, people can trade photos and text messages with cell phone users. The service also allows for incoming messages targeted at software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. Games can constantly be updated, thereby extending their playability.

Nintendo Gearing up for Wii Launch!

We have a few pictures of Nintendo gearing up for the Wii launch at their North Bend Distribution Center!

11/17 Update

Wii Box Art!

We have a picture of what the cases for Wii games will look like, as well as the discs. On the back of the case it will show the controller that the game is compatible with, and all discs seem to have a blue tint similar to what this one does.

11/6 Update

Twilight Princess Information

The latest issue of Nintendo Power has some new information about Twilight Princess. First off, the game will have nine huge dungeons and there will be just as much gameplay packed into the giant overworld as well. While traditionally left handed, on the Wii version of the game, link will be right handed because of the use of the Wiimote to control the sword. In the Gamecube version, Link will still be left handed. By swiping the remote, Link will slash his sword. By thrusting forward, he will jab at his enemy as long as the target is locked. By shaking the Nunchuck, Link will do his spin attack, hitting every enemy in range. You can also get very sharp accuracy with ranged weapons such as the Bow and Arrows by using the Wiimote. When in Wolf form, waving the Wiimote will cause Link to tear at his enemies with his teeth and claws, and shaking the Nunchuck will make him spin around and hit enemies with his body.

Link's quest begins in Ordon Village, where he is herding sheep on the back of Epona and also teaching local children how to use a slingshot and wooden sword correctly. Eventually some shadow creatures appear from the Twilight Realm and trash the village and take some of the villagers as prisoners, including some of the children, and Link finds himself in the form of a Wolf, in a prison in the Twilight Realm. Midna appears and takes Link to the Twilight Princess, and she tells Link he must save the kingdom from the shadow creatures. Link's adventure begins there, and he gets his green tunic. Later he can earn new tunics that will grant him new abilities.

There are several new items in Twilight Princess, and even some old items have been updated. For example there are three types of bombs in Twilight Princess, and the boomerang has been updated to the Gale Boomerang. It creates a whirlwind that picks up items and takes them back to Link, but it can also hit targets in a pre-set order and be used to solve puzzles. A brand new item is the Clawshot. A single claw works similar to the Hookshot in previous Zelda games, carrying Link to places he might not otherwise reach. Using two claws, the Clawshot is similar to Spiderman's webbing, allowing Link to swing across gaps to reach new areas. Another new item, the Ball and Chain forces Link to walk very slowly, but he can plow through enemies and some walls using it. The Spinner, another new item is a rotating platform that Link can use to charge into enemies and hover over the ground. It can also latch onto tracks and take Link to places he'd otherwise be unable to reach. We've also learned that in Twilight Princess it will take 5 Pieces of Heart to form a Heart Container rather than the traditional 4.

When in Wolf form, Link can dig holes to discover secret passages, and use his senses to find secrets. Midna will offer clues and create an energy field that can stun and target enemies, and help guide Link over difficult terrain. Eventually she gives Link the ability to teleport instantly from one location to another.

Aside from the realistic graphics everybody has wanted for quite some time now, Twilight Princess brings a lot of new ideas to the table that should make it a great addition to the Zelda series. Ganon's Tower will continue to bring you all the latest information as it becomes available!

Source: Nintendo Power Volume 210