The Nintendo 3DS is a big thing. It feels like Nintendo's next home console and surely will cost as much. But what's in it for a Zelda fan? Most of all: good old times. While there hasn't been an announcement of a new Zelda game for the 3DS yet, older Zelda games return to the spot light.
Ocarina of Time 3D
Ocarina of Time gets ported to the Nintendo 3DS but with enhanced graphics, nice 3D effects, some refinements and maybe even new content. Definitely a must-buy. Taking a closer look at some pictures and videos lets you see, that this in fact not a full remake, because they obviously use the original N64 game as a base. But unlike Link's Awakening DX and the sorts the graphics get boosted quite a lot, Link and elements in the environment (like plants or signs) got new, better looking models, there are new textures everywhere and there seems to be no abusal of sprites or flat textures. But besides that it seems to be very true and close to the original game, it's not a remake from scratch and nothing like Metroid: Zero Mission for example. Can't say much about whether there will be additional content like extra dungeons or not. Both Link's Awakening DX or the GameBoy Advance version of A Link to the Past got a bonus dungeon and an additional sidequest. I'm expecting something similar. And Master Quest could be included as a 2nd quest. If my theory is right and they use the original game as a base, where everything gets replaced with new models, then including Master Quest wouldn't be difficult. They have the content, so why not use it?
After this Majora's Mask might follow this trend and I could also imagine that Nintendo makes an entirely new Zelda game based on the N64 to 3DS ports. Maybe even starring the Hero of Time. Lots of Zelda fans would love that, I guess. It's the logical choice here, another Nintendo DS Zelda game similar to Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks just wouldn't fit the 3DS, because it wouldn't utilize the 3D feature at all. It seems that touch pad heavy games needs to be sacrificed for the 3D. On the other hand if you didn't like the touch screen controls, you will probably be relieved. I personally have mixed feelings about this, while the 3D might be amazing, returning to the N64 gameplay seems to be a step back. I always enjoyed the touch screen gameplay a lot.
Virtual Handheld
Much anticipated, finally happening. The Virtual Console for the Nintendo 3DS. And one of the launch titles is no game less than Link's Awakening DX, still one of my very favorite Zelda titles of all times. If you haven't played this gem before, this is your best (legal) chance, so get it. Next to Ocarina of Time 3D this will be one of the first games I'll get for the 3DS.
And it definitely won't stop here. I would expect Oracle of Ages and Seasons later next year. If they'll add GameBoy Advance to the program later, then The Minish Cap is also a safe bet for the Virtual Console. If you're new to the Zelda franchise, the 3DS will be the perfect opportunity to catch up with Zelda's handheld history. And for Zelda fans, who get these games for their collection, this is always a nice occasion to replay them. I haven't touched the Oracle games in years and a re-release like this would be a perfect motivator to go through these games another time. There was also some talk about classic games getting a 3D effect, which would be a very good reason to replay some classics. Imagine the dungeons of Link's Awakening with some depth to them, awesome.
Another interesting question would be about A Link to the Past: Four Swords or multiplayer GameBoy games in general. Will you be able to play old multiplayer games on the 3DS? If not, this would be sad, for example you wouldn't be able to trade Pokemóns in the classic editions of Nintendo's biggest handheld franchise, Pokemón Red and Blue. So, you would say, that it should be somehow made possible. If yes, then the question is, whether you can play GameBoy games only in local multiplayer or even online. They could make a general online connection system for playing GameBoy classics together. In that case, the most underrated, least known and least played official Zelda game ever could finally find a place in the spotlight: Four Swords. For me personally this is the one and only Zelda game, I could never finish. Simply because I didn't have a second player to join. Being able to play this game online would change everything. And it's quite a good game, in my eyes even the best multiplayer installment of Zelda yet (just check my Zelda and Multiplayer articles). Nintendo doesn't need to make a new Four Swords game. They just would need to make this game more accessible. Most Zelda fans haven't played it yet, so it would be an entirely new experience for them and maybe the most interesting Zelda game on the 3DS's Virtual Console. But this is wishful thinking, like so often, realistically seen it's unlikely. Features got cut in some of the Wii's Virtual Console games (like Rumble or Memory Pack data of N64 games) and while the Nintendo DS (Lite) still was able to play GameBoy Advance games, it didn't support multiplayer, so Nintendo might not care about this.
Ocarina of Time 3D
Ocarina of Time gets ported to the Nintendo 3DS but with enhanced graphics, nice 3D effects, some refinements and maybe even new content. Definitely a must-buy. Taking a closer look at some pictures and videos lets you see, that this in fact not a full remake, because they obviously use the original N64 game as a base. But unlike Link's Awakening DX and the sorts the graphics get boosted quite a lot, Link and elements in the environment (like plants or signs) got new, better looking models, there are new textures everywhere and there seems to be no abusal of sprites or flat textures. But besides that it seems to be very true and close to the original game, it's not a remake from scratch and nothing like Metroid: Zero Mission for example. Can't say much about whether there will be additional content like extra dungeons or not. Both Link's Awakening DX or the GameBoy Advance version of A Link to the Past got a bonus dungeon and an additional sidequest. I'm expecting something similar. And Master Quest could be included as a 2nd quest. If my theory is right and they use the original game as a base, where everything gets replaced with new models, then including Master Quest wouldn't be difficult. They have the content, so why not use it?
After this Majora's Mask might follow this trend and I could also imagine that Nintendo makes an entirely new Zelda game based on the N64 to 3DS ports. Maybe even starring the Hero of Time. Lots of Zelda fans would love that, I guess. It's the logical choice here, another Nintendo DS Zelda game similar to Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks just wouldn't fit the 3DS, because it wouldn't utilize the 3D feature at all. It seems that touch pad heavy games needs to be sacrificed for the 3D. On the other hand if you didn't like the touch screen controls, you will probably be relieved. I personally have mixed feelings about this, while the 3D might be amazing, returning to the N64 gameplay seems to be a step back. I always enjoyed the touch screen gameplay a lot.
Virtual Handheld
Much anticipated, finally happening. The Virtual Console for the Nintendo 3DS. And one of the launch titles is no game less than Link's Awakening DX, still one of my very favorite Zelda titles of all times. If you haven't played this gem before, this is your best (legal) chance, so get it. Next to Ocarina of Time 3D this will be one of the first games I'll get for the 3DS.
And it definitely won't stop here. I would expect Oracle of Ages and Seasons later next year. If they'll add GameBoy Advance to the program later, then The Minish Cap is also a safe bet for the Virtual Console. If you're new to the Zelda franchise, the 3DS will be the perfect opportunity to catch up with Zelda's handheld history. And for Zelda fans, who get these games for their collection, this is always a nice occasion to replay them. I haven't touched the Oracle games in years and a re-release like this would be a perfect motivator to go through these games another time. There was also some talk about classic games getting a 3D effect, which would be a very good reason to replay some classics. Imagine the dungeons of Link's Awakening with some depth to them, awesome.
Another interesting question would be about A Link to the Past: Four Swords or multiplayer GameBoy games in general. Will you be able to play old multiplayer games on the 3DS? If not, this would be sad, for example you wouldn't be able to trade Pokemóns in the classic editions of Nintendo's biggest handheld franchise, Pokemón Red and Blue. So, you would say, that it should be somehow made possible. If yes, then the question is, whether you can play GameBoy games only in local multiplayer or even online. They could make a general online connection system for playing GameBoy classics together. In that case, the most underrated, least known and least played official Zelda game ever could finally find a place in the spotlight: Four Swords. For me personally this is the one and only Zelda game, I could never finish. Simply because I didn't have a second player to join. Being able to play this game online would change everything. And it's quite a good game, in my eyes even the best multiplayer installment of Zelda yet (just check my Zelda and Multiplayer articles). Nintendo doesn't need to make a new Four Swords game. They just would need to make this game more accessible. Most Zelda fans haven't played it yet, so it would be an entirely new experience for them and maybe the most interesting Zelda game on the 3DS's Virtual Console. But this is wishful thinking, like so often, realistically seen it's unlikely. Features got cut in some of the Wii's Virtual Console games (like Rumble or Memory Pack data of N64 games) and while the Nintendo DS (Lite) still was able to play GameBoy Advance games, it didn't support multiplayer, so Nintendo might not care about this.
7 comments:
Seeing what Nintendo did with the Mario Collection (they were really lazy with it, especially with the european version - not even 60H? Seriourlsy...), I`m a bit concerned about those "remakes"... but I hope the best.
Seeing what Nintendo did with the Mario Collection ...
- Well, that's a good point. Remakes of these games in the style of New SMB Wii would have been totally awesome and an absolute must-have, but just releasing a Virtual Console game on a disc with some crappy bonus material is really bland.
I'm not expecting too much from Ocarina of Time 3D anyway, to be honest the enhanced visuals already topped my previous expectations. Besides that I'm expecting some sort of added content like a bonus dungeon, but that's it. There are fans who are expecting A LOT from this (like Temple of Light, Golden Armor, Sword Beam attacks and whatever got cut from OoT betas or Ura Zelda), but I guess they will be disappointed.
The Virtual Console releases would be even fine, if they don't add anything. They are meant for players who never played the games before anyway. Online multiplayer would be HOT here, but I'm not really expecting it... you couldn't play GameBoy Advance games in multiplayer on the Nintendo DS (Lite) either and Nintendo didn't bother. Something like a gimmick 3D effect for some classics was announced though.
What I like about your blog is that you are very realistic in what to expect in the future. Sadly, this post just looks like every other fanboy text.
"There better should be additional content". "Master Quest should be included of course". "ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT WOULD BE DISAPPOINTING".
Sentences I am not used to read from you. I would bet a lot of money on the guess, dass MQ will NOT be included. Simple additions perhaps, but not for sure.
When speaking about Virtual Console Multiplayer, you again use the sentence "If not included, this would be really disappointing". Yeah, of course a Pokemon game loses a big part of its soul without the trading part. But when looking at Nintendo's past, they always cropped the games here on re-releases. GBC games on the GBA could not use the multiplayer feature (I assume), GBA games on the DS didn't either. Games for Wii's Virtual Console lost special features like that too, just think about the Rumble Feature.
Nintendo re-releases its games without much effort. Anything that doesn't work, but isn't urgently neccessary, is left out.
I wouldn't count on a local multiplayer feature, and definitely not on an online feature.
Well.... but reading your own comment here above mine, I guess you aren't really far away from my opinion, although it seemed so on your original post. You are still realistic enough to know what is to come. At least I'm hoping that ;-)
@Timo:
Thanks for your comment.
Well, like I said in the other comment, I'm not expecting too much from Ocarina of Time 3D anyway. LADX and ALttP FS both got a small bonus dungeon and an additional sidequest. Something like that would be not too much to ask. About Master Quest, since they use the original game as a base, they could easily recycle Master Quest. They have the content, so why not use it? It's not as much effort as you might think it is. So, in that case I'm not asking too much. And I really would be disappointed, if the remake is lacking any of this, unless of course they have something else in the remake that gets me totally excited.
About online multiplayer for the GameBoy VC, that's an ongoing topic on my blog. Four Swords is of big interest to me, because it's the only Zelda game I could never finish. This is why I harp on and on about the possibility of playing this game online, even though it's quite unlikely that this will ever happen. I'm not always realistic on this blog, I talk A LOT about possibilities. For example in my latest post I talk again about the possibility of re-releasing the content from the BS-X Zeldas, even though that's a very unlikely thing. But this is all about content that already exists and that Nintendo already has made, they just have to put it back together, so Zelda fans of today can experience the content for theirselves. That's what this is all about.
But you're right when you say, that the multiplayer for GameBoy VC games is not something to count on. We just have to take a look at the Nintendo DS (Lite), which could still play GameBoy Advance games but without multiplayer. Nintendo didn't care there, so why should they care here? Saying that it would be really disappointing, if it didn't happen, was deluded. I wasn't really paying attention to my choice of words here, so thanks for the advice. Maybe I'll update the post with a litte more careful wording.
Hi! Timo again here, but now with my wordpress account.
"They have the content, so why not use it? It's not as much effort as you might think it is."
Oh, I don't think it's much effort. But it's Nintendo. And they don't do such great bonus things very often. So I think it's more likely that Master Quest will be released as an own game instead of including it to OoT3D.
"I'm not always realistic on this blog, I talk A LOT about possibilities."
Yeah, you talk about possiblities, and you mention a lot of possibilities that many people wouldn't even think about. That's what I like about this blog. But even while posting those possibilities, you stay realistic and mostly tell us how probable it is, and THAT estimation is what I call realistic.
Just to clarify it a bit ;)
I still haven't read all your new posts, as you updated a lot lately. Expect some more comments from me in the future ;)
BTW, where in Germany do you live? I'm from Munich.
Regards ^^
Timo
Master Quest as its own release? Remember originally that was just as bonus disc, a free give away. Maybe it could stand on the Virtual Console as its own release, because the games there are relatively cheap and the game was nothing than an emulated N64 ROM anyway. But as a full price remake for the 3DS? I don't think so. That would really feel like buying the same game twice. And even the original Master Quest disc included both versions of Ocarina of Time!
PS: Ich studiere derzeit in Cottbus. :D
i think they should make a rpg version of the legend of zelda where u play as the son of zelda which has the power of the lost piece of the triforce (from quadforce theory)its your chose to rule hyrule in darkness or light you are the piece which will make all the piece come togethere for you to make the ultimate wish i should work for nitendo rite
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