N-Philes

Point: Dan
Counterpoint: Jared

Question: Was it completely wise to ditch the Wind Waker style for a more realistic Zelda game?

Dan:

It was over three years ago that Nintendo showcased the cel-shaded graphics of the first Zelda game on the GameCube, later known as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Like nearly everyone that saw it, I was jaw-dropped. What had happened to Nintendo? Why were they willing to risk a superior franchise just to show some innovation? Yet eventually I adjusted, like most, realizing that hey, it really isn't that bad. And truly, it wasn't. When the game hit stores in March of 2003, the art style was amazing, and I couldn't help wondering what exactly we were all so woried about.

The Wind Waker garnered great review scores across the board, regardless of its graphic style, and it also proved Nintendo could do things differently and still make an astounding game. Not only that, but before Wind Waker was released, it broke records with 500,000+ preorders, which is no small number, and thus proved further that people were not turned off by the new approach in style. As the famous saying goes, "Why fix something when it's not broken?"

We have gone through years of realistic Zelda's (even though it wasn't really apparant until the Nintendo 64 days), not to mention a very dark style in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. It was time for a change. Although dismissed at first, The Wind Waker's cartoonish, childish looks were nothing but gorgeous and because of this and the Zelda name it still holds as one of the top selling titles on the GameCube. Numbers don't lie folks, and although it hasn't proven as many sales as its predecessors it still has plenty of years to come, and as the first to witness this change it holds its grounds quite well. Wind Waker was a hit.

So go back to the late 1990's, and you will remember we went through the Nintendo 64 era with two Zelda titles: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Both were extremely well made games, and both were created with realistically styled gameplay and graphics. So as it seems Nintendo will be aiming for two Zelda's on the GameCube as well. One being the Wind Waker, and now the upcoming Zelda, which features realistic graphics and a more mature looking Link. Why the change? Nintendo struck gold with Wind Waker and showed that gamers were willing to lay their money down for a cartoonish style.

With the Nintendo 64 releasing two titles with a teenaged Link, it would only seem appropriate to show the same trend on its successor the GameCube. Wind Waker featured a much younger Link (around 10 or so) and was the main reason why Nintendo wanted to have the cel-shaded graphics, as it was the best style suited for a child Link. If Nintendo were to release another cel-shaded Zelda it would make the GameCube the home of the young Link, and push the realistic approach to the Revolution where that could then go back to the games original graphical mechanics.

People have waited for a realistic Zelda for quite a few years now, so why not hold out a little longer? If Nintendo were to release a much more adult-themed Zelda on the upcoming Revolution, or better yet as a launch title, it would kick start Nintendo's comeback in the gaming world. After the Super Nintendo days, Nintendo has seen a steep decline in hardware sales and went from first to last, way behind the market giant Sony, and even the newcomer Microsoft. Nintendo dug a hole that it can't get out of with the GameCube, and although it was a vast improvment over the Nintendo 64 days, Nintendo still has a ways to come if it wants to be first again.

The GameCube is coming to an end; the next wave of consoles is herding their way in. So some might say, "Why bother releasing another Zelda at all and just wait until the Revolution?" which makes logical sense, as past has proved that games that are released at the end of a consoles lifespan are extremely overlooked, and not as well appreciated. If Nintendo releases a realistic Zelda too soon then there won't be as much hype for its successor on the Revolution, which could severely harm its potential sales. On the other hand, if a true "Wind Waker 2" were released it could finish off the GameCube era quietly, keeping the cel-shading trend true, and then a realistic Zelda could be released on the Revolution as the killer ap and leave Sony and Microsoft in the dust.




Great editorial. Compelling and rich. But tune in tomorrow to hear Jared's scathing counterpoint that reduces Dan's half-baked logic to shambles!