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[camineet]

Let's take a look at some releases and see where we stand.

SMG - shown at E3 '06, released late '07.
Zelda WW - shown at Space World '01, playable at E3 '02, JP release late '02, early '03 NA
Metroid Prime 3 - shown at E3 '05, released 08/2007
Zelda TP - shown at E3 '05, released late '06, though it originally had a late '05 release planned, but I bet they knew it wouldn't be ready at E3
SMS - shown at Space World '01, again at E3 '02, released mid '02


Unless Nintendo has another Space World planned, this seems like a likely time. Though, after looking at this timelines, they very well could wait till next year and have a late 2010 release.

Zelda TP was first shown at E3 2004 even though it didn't have the subtitle of Twilight Princess yet. By E3 2005, Nintendo had showed Zelda TP for the 3rd time, with the 3rd trailer, even though this is the first time it had Twilight Princess as the subtitle.

Timeline:
First teaser/trailer shown at E3 '04. Next shown at GDC '05 with the 2nd trailer. The 3rd trailer shown at E3 '05 and playable on GCN. Then playable at E3 '06 on Wii. Released on Wii & GCN in late '06 even though it was originally meant to be released in late '05 on GCN.

 

[camineet]

BTW, 'The Legend of Zelda' can be rebooted, with fresh ideas, with a very different storyline, gameplay and overall massively different feel, *without* doing something like taking Zelda into a steampunk world, or something utterly ridiculous, like space.

 

[Zoramon089]

Something that hasn't been discussed much in this topic that I've been wondering about: What role should NPC's play in this new Zelda? Now there are people saying they want a return to Zelda 1 style gameplay where it's a more open ended affair, non linear and pretty much Link vs the world. I don't see people really commenting on how few NPCs there were in the game.

In fact, from what I recall the only NPCs were random people who gave you items of some sort. Keeping it low on NPCs would give a more adventure type feeling, much in the vein of the MP games, but after playing Majora's Mask you see that NPCs can also play a really vital role in the story and enhance it in many ways.

Part of why that worked in MM was that there were very few NPCs (compared to other Zelda games besides random ppl in the town) and because of this the few that were highlighted were given distinct personalities and make important to the overall scope of things (I'm referring to the ones that had scheduled events and the non human ones that were the souls of the masks)

TP suffered from having way too many characters with only a few fleshed out. I think the next game should tone down the level of characters, have fewer towns and more wilderness and make the few characters highlited meaningful to Link's adventure

 

[ThatObviousUser]

yup a megaton would be a new top down zelda that looks exactly like lttp but in 3d.

Phantom Hourglass?

Seriously even the first PH trailer had LttP music with it.

 

[Enduin]

I can never quite grasp what people asking for a new Zelda game "with that look" are actually asking for. :/

Great artwork, though.

Probably not the exact look, ie with the water coloring and single shaded characters, but what I want is that level of detail and grittiness to the world and characters, a more serious and mysterious look using a simple color palette like those images.

They have a very legendary look to them like an image from a heroic duel or epic journey, kind of a SotC type look, not that I would want Zelda to turn into that really but the aesthetics and scope of that game are something that could lend itself to Zelda if use correctly.

If Nintendo rebooted the series like I think they should and began with Link for whatever reason or another setting off into the world this kind of style would be great for a new and unexplored land that is full of strife, mystery and the beginning of a legend, or rather the setting of the Legend of Zelda which the game is named for.

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

Zelda TP was first shown at E3 2004 even though it didn't have the subtitle of Twilight Princess yet. By E3 2005, Nintendo had showed Zelda TP for the 3rd time, with the 3rd trailer, even though this is the first time it had Twilight Princess as the subtitle.

Timeline:
First teaser/trailer shown at E3 '04. Next shown at GDC '05 with the 2nd trailer. The 3rd trailer shown at E3 '05 and playable on GCN. Then playable at E3 '06 on Wii. Released on Wii & GCN in late '06 even though it was originally meant to be released in late '05 on GCN.

I think I remember someone saying that TP was basically ready for its late '05 release, but that they decided to delay it a year so that it could be retrofitted with Wii controls and serve as a launch game for the Wii (where it would make a much bigger splash as the Wii's debut than simply being the last gasp of the Gamecube). I'm glad they did so, personally.

Anyway, the Zelda team for the most part were already done with the title at that stage. It's also why the Wii version's world map is flipped 180 degrees. It was a quick and dirty solution to the left-handed Link problem. The game was originally designed with Link as a southpaw, but when testing the game, they found that people would usually swing their right hands to get Link to swing his sword. Simply flipping his model's coordinates wouldn't work since the map was designed around the fact that he was left handed (placement of grapple points, directions from which enemies would attack, field of view when using the bow and arrow etc. would all be affected), so they flipped the map as well.

 

[Kodiak]

How is it bullshit? There's a mainline Zelda game coming this year. Why would they announce another one?

It's bullshit in my opinion. They've had well over two years to design one for the Wii.

It's also bullshit to me because they are so god damn successful these days and yet it seems like they are just sitting on their wads of cash rather than using it to ramp up their library of games.


Spirit Tracks, to me, is a bone being thrown.

 

[TheGrayGhost]

LoZ-fatigue? Bullshit. Non-linearity? Also, bullshit. Retreads of ALttP/OoT? lol, bullshit. Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. It's all fucking bullshit. No, the gravest concern for the LoZ fan is that Nintendo does not seem to think that the series' content is worth developing. And by content, I mean the what of a game. No one cares how a game is played (gameplay) or how a game is being represented visually (graphics), they care what is being played. Super Mario Brothers 3 and Ocarina of Time are so revered because their content was spectacular. Giant MOTHER FUCKING Land was and is legendary. Koopa Kids. Doomships. Warp Whistles. Leaf Mario. Tanooki Mario. Frog Mario. Kuribo Mario. Hammer Bros. Suit. Zoras. Gorons. Gerudos. Kokiri. Epona. Triforce myths. Leit motifs. etc. THESE are things people remember, and THESE are things people buy games for. THESE are things that make a classic. THESE are things modern day Nintendo games lack. Everyone makes fun of people who make LoZ timelines. What that really is is a celebration of the series' content.

 

[Belfast]

I don't think I could honestly get that excited. Zelda reveals are a cliche at this point.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

It's bullshit in my opinion.

Your opinion is wrong and you should feel bad.

 

[Dante]

I don't know what it would take to get me excited about Zelda again at this point. I was thinking about this the other day. I think they should do something different, but in the same world they've created kinda like what Team Ico does. They have this persistent world in all their games, but then create totally different games within them. I don't know the games all feel different, but have a familiarity to them. I do know I don't want to feel like I am playing the same game over and over again which is what I felt like lately with the series.

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

I don't think I could honestly get that excited. Zelda reveals are a cliche at this point.

Cliche?

We've had like, two, and one of them was Wind Waker. Well, five if you count the handhelds (TMC, PH, ST).

Prior to that, none of the games were revealed in the current age of the Internet, instant information and conference liveblogging. Instead, their reveals were through magazines etc. and information trickled out over the course of years.

 

[MikeE21286]

so basically you want to look at it ... not play it.

did you miss the DTS....

 

[RPGCrazied]

I've abandoned Nintendo after last e3.

no new metroid/zelda games, only shovelware. I hope to come back, but It's not looking to good. I bet the only zelda we are getting this year is spirit tracks.. uhh, no thanks

 

[camineet]

LoZ-fatigue? Bullshit. Non-linearity? Also, bullshit. Retreads of ALttP/OoT? lol, bullshit. Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. It's all fucking bullshit. No, the gravest concern for the LoZ fan is that Nintendo does not seem to think that the series' content is worth developing. And by content, I mean the what of a game. No one cares how a game is played (gameplay) or how a game is being represented visually (graphics), they care what is being played. Super Mario Brothers 3 and Ocarina of Time are so revered because their content was spectacular. Giant MOTHER FUCKING Land was and is legendary. Koopa Kids. Doomships. Warp Whistles. Leaf Mario. Tanooki Mario. Frog Mario. Kuribo Mario. Hammer Bros. Suit. Zoras. Gorons. Gerudos. Kokiri. Epona. Triforce myths. Leit motifs. etc. THESE are things people remember, and THESE are things people buy games for. THESE are things that make a classic. THESE are things modern day Nintendo games lack. Everyone makes fun of people who make LoZ timelines. What that really is is a celebration of the series' content.

I never thought of it that way, exactly. However on many levels, you're absolutely right.

 

[darkwings]

I still don't understand the TP hate. The best complaints I can think about it are the beginning and character designs. Second best console Zelda imo.

A huge barren overworld with nothing to do in. (except for some treasure chests with rupees in them)

 

[AniHawk]

A huge barren overworld with nothing to do in. (except for some treasure chests with rupees in them)

There were caverns and minidungeons and extra little areas you could find if you only explored it.

No new Zelda for Wii this year guys. Better get used to it. No trailer, no nothing. It will be next year's big Wii Motion + title, and I'd be surprised if it didn't make it to at least one region in 2010.

 

[camineet]

No new Zelda for Wii this year guys. Better get used to it. No trailer, no nothing. It will be next year's big Wii Motion + title, and I'd be surprised if it didn't make it to at least one region in 2010.

So, that's your guess.

 

[Haunted]

There were caverns and minidungeons and extra little areas you could find if you only explored it.

No new Zelda for Wii this year guys. Better get used to it. No trailer, no nothing. It will be next year's big Wii Motion + title, and I'd be surprised if it didn't make it to at least one region in 2010.

Almost didn't recognise you with that unflattering avatar.


And I don't think the next Zelda will use M+

 

[zoukka]

And I don't think the next Zelda will require M+

Fixd.

 

[AniHawk]

Almost didn't recognise you with that unflattering avatar.


And I don't think the next Zelda will use M+

They've been using the Zelda franchise to prove that hardcore games work with new technology for a while now. LADX for Game Boy Camera, MM with the expansion pack, Four Swords Adventure for connectivity, Twilight Princess for Wii controls, Phantom Hourglass for touch controls, Link's Crossbow Training for "zapper controls".

Well those first two don't really apply, but the rest do.

Fixd.

I think the game and most of its puzzles will be built around it. I wouldn't be surprised to see the game bundled with it.

 

[Haunted]

They've been using the Zelda franchise to prove that hardcore games work with new technology for a while now. LADX for Game Boy Camera, MM with the expansion pack, Four Swords Adventure for connectivity, Twilight Princess for Wii controls, Phantom Hourglass for touch controls, Link's Crossbow Training for "zapper controls".

Well those first two don't really apply, but the rest do.

And there's been Zeldas that didn't/don't do anything of the sort, like A Link to the Past, Minish Cap, or Spirit Tracks.

I don't think it'll be modelled around M+. Could be that it supports it for added accuracy, but it won't be required to play.

 

[HylianScribe]

I hope Nintendo pulls a Star Trek, rebooting the series with stuff that appeals to almost everyone, is labeled as "omfg awesome" by almost everyone, and is turned over to a new team and director. Except the small sliver of super-hardcore-elites (aka what I used to be) will be extremely upset and denounce Miyamoto/Aonuma as losing their minds and ruining the series.

+10 if they are turning the series over to a new director with Aonuma in Miyamoto's former role, and Miyamoto is completely out of the picture (like he was for Link's Awakening).

I think a teaser will be shown off, but nothing else. Nintendo's E3 showing needs Zelda, but Nintendo's lineup does not need Zelda just yet. No need to rush it out.

 

[BorkBork]

LoZ-fatigue? Bullshit. Non-linearity? Also, bullshit. Retreads of ALttP/OoT? lol, bullshit. Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. It's all fucking bullshit. No, the gravest concern for the LoZ fan is that Nintendo does not seem to think that the series' content is worth developing. And by content, I mean the what of a game. No one cares how a game is played (gameplay) or how a game is being represented visually (graphics), they care what is being played. Super Mario Brothers 3 and Ocarina of Time are so revered because their content was spectacular. Giant MOTHER FUCKING Land was and is legendary. Koopa Kids. Doomships. Warp Whistles. Leaf Mario. Tanooki Mario. Frog Mario. Kuribo Mario. Hammer Bros. Suit. Zoras. Gorons. Gerudos. Kokiri. Epona. Triforce myths. Leit motifs. etc. THESE are things people remember, and THESE are things people buy games for. THESE are things that make a classic. THESE are things modern day Nintendo games lack. Everyone makes fun of people who make LoZ timelines. What that really is is a celebration of the series' content.

You have a point. An angry sort of point, but a good one. More nsane and memorable shit for Zelda please. And don't do what's hip, that just means stuff will be uncool later on. Focus on crazy, out there shit.

 

[AniHawk]

And there's been Zeldas that didn't/don't do anything of the sort, like A Link to the Past, Minish Cap, or Spirit Tracks.

I don't think it'll be modelled around M+. Could be that it supports it for added accuracy, but it won't be required to play.

ALttP was definitely made to justify the use of new technology, but in the more traditional sense. I'm gonna hazard a guess that ST uses DSi camera stuff too.

The point is that they've been using it more recently that not.

 

[Chao]

I can never quite grasp what people asking for a new Zelda game "with that look" are actually asking for. :/

Great artwork, though.

They are asking for this:

 

[Haunted]

ALttP was definitely made to justify the use of new technology, but in the more traditional sense. I'm gonna hazard a guess that ST uses DSi camera stuff too.

The point is that they've been using it more recently that not.

Well yeah, Zelda games pretty much always were among the best-looking games on their respective systems.

And I can see your point, but if the game really is still one or two years off, who's to say they won't introduce some other technology (like say... a digest feature) in the meantime which is then used in the next entry.

 

[AniHawk]

Well yeah, Zelda games pretty much always were among the best-looking games on their respective systems.

Well I kinda meant the controller.

And I can see your point, but if the game really is still one or two years off, who's to say they won't introduce some other technology (like say... a digest feature) in the meantime which is then used in the next entry.

You lost me halfway there.

You're saying they introduce another peripheral, and that would have to be used in the next entry? Or... they introduce another peripheral that could be used in the next entry?

 

[eXistor]

LoZ-fatigue? Bullshit. Non-linearity? Also, bullshit. Retreads of ALttP/OoT? lol, bullshit. Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. It's all fucking bullshit. No, the gravest concern for the LoZ fan is that Nintendo does not seem to think that the series' content is worth developing. And by content, I mean the what of a game. No one cares how a game is played (gameplay) or how a game is being represented visually (graphics), they care what is being played. Super Mario Brothers 3 and Ocarina of Time are so revered because their content was spectacular. Giant MOTHER FUCKING Land was and is legendary. Koopa Kids. Doomships. Warp Whistles. Leaf Mario. Tanooki Mario. Frog Mario. Kuribo Mario. Hammer Bros. Suit. Zoras. Gorons. Gerudos. Kokiri. Epona. Triforce myths. Leit motifs. etc. THESE are things people remember, and THESE are things people buy games for. THESE are things that make a classic. THESE are things modern day Nintendo games lack. Everyone makes fun of people who make LoZ timelines. What that really is is a celebration of the series' content.

Such an angry young man. An angry young man with a great point.

 

[Haunted]

Well I kinda meant the controller.

oh.

You lost me halfway there.

You're saying they introduce another peripheral, and that would have to be used in the next entry? Or... they introduce another peripheral that could be used in the next entry?

No. Since I assumed we were gone off the strictly peripheral angle I mentioned another new technology (digest feature in the software).

Nintendo seems to go all-out with the peripherals lately, but I don't think they'll introduce another so soon after all the hullabaloo about M+.

 

[darkwings]

I hope Nintendo pulls a Star Trek, rebooting the series with stuff that appeals to almost everyone, is labeled as "omfg awesome" by almost everyone, and is turned over to a new team and director. Except the small sliver of super-hardcore-elites (aka what I used to be) will be extremely upset and denounce Miyamoto/Aonuma as losing their minds and ruining the series.

+10 if they are turning the series over to a new director with Aonuma in Miyamoto's former role, and Miyamoto is completely out of the picture (like he was for Link's Awakening).

I think a teaser will be shown off, but nothing else. Nintendo's E3 showing needs Zelda, but Nintendo's lineup does not need Zelda just yet. No need to rush it out.

what happend to you? I remember you were so loud during zelda 2004 trailer during a class that you had to walk out.

Btw, Zelda just isnt as exciting anymore. I agree that they should give the series to someone else than Aounuma.

 

[AniHawk]

what happend to you? I remember you were so loud during zelda 2004 trailer during a class that you had to walk out.

Btw, Zelda just isnt as exciting anymore. I agree that they should give the series to someone else than Aounuma.

I think, and this is without all the insider info that TSA has, that Aonuma's not really the problem. The problem comes from the team being too ambitious and they need the big guys to come down and clean things up. Aonuma was not meant to be the director of Twilight Princess. He was supposed to be in Miyamoto's role. But at some point, the project went from the open forest, giant walking creature, and cutscene with Link in the rain OoT-sequel Zelda to Twilight Princess. And the only thing I can think of is that it was just too hard to do, and at that point it was supposed to be a year and a half off or so and it needed to be set right. So they got the old crew back in charge and it became TP. I think Miyamoto said something to the effect that he had to tell the team to remove collectathons and whatnot.

The level design is certainly there, and TP's has some more exciting than any other in the series just based off how fresh they were. Considering this is the team that gave us Majora's Mask and The Wind Waker, I'd say the only thing in their way is too much ambition.

I cross my fingers that they're finally able to do what they set out to do for Ocarina of Time though: have an open-ended world not split into sections. I think you can see it in early previews of OoT. The Wind Waker was the closest to this. It's why we got an ocean and sailing in the first place: so there'd be a seamless world to explore, but it was a BIG ocean and the overworld was not that interesting. They tried again with Twilight Princess, but something happened between E304 and GDC05 that changed the game. If it was related to disc space, we might finally see this goal realized on the Wii.

 

[wRATH2x]

Is it wrong that I want the next Zelda to have PS3/360 caliber graphics, orchestrated soundtrack, a little more mature content(but not over the top), and for it to be a long, long game with a lot more side quest's and content than other Zelda's?

I know it's not possible at least this generation, I'm ready to wait till 2013 for a new Zelda though.

 

[AniHawk]

Is it wrong that I want the next Zelda to have PS3/360 caliber graphics, orchestrated soundtrack, a little more mature content(but not over the top), and for it to be a long, long game with a lot more side quest's and content than other Zelda's?

I know it's not possible at least this generation, I'm ready to wait till 2013 for a new Zelda though.

PS360 caliber graphics will be outdated in time, and you won't want to go back to them. The rest sounds all right, but pretty realistic for EAD, let alone any other developer.

Instead of shiny bloom graphics or whatever, it should have cel-shading so it will age really well. TWW is a beautiful game even today.

 

[darkwings]

I think, and this is without all the insider info that TSA has, that Aonuma's not really the problem. The problem comes from the team being too ambitious and they need the big guys to come down and clean things up. Aonuma was not meant to be the director of Twilight Princess. He was supposed to be in Miyamoto's role. But at some point, the project went from the open forest, giant walking creature, and cutscene with Link in the rain OoT-sequel Zelda to Twilight Princess. And the only thing I can think of is that it was just too hard to do, and at that point it was supposed to be a year and a half off or so and it needed to be set right. So they got the old crew back in charge and it became TP. I think Miyamoto said something to the effect that he had to tell the team to remove collectathons and whatnot.

The level design is certainly there, and TP's has some more exciting than any other in the series just based off how fresh they were. Considering this is the team that gave us Majora's Mask and The Wind Waker, I'd say the only thing in their way is too much ambition.

I cross my fingers that they're finally able to do what they set out to do for Ocarina of Time though: have an open-ended world not split into sections. I think you can see it in early previews of OoT. The Wind Waker was the closest to this. It's why we got an ocean and sailing in the first place: so there'd be a seamless world to explore, but it was a BIG ocean and the overworld was not that interesting. They tried again with Twilight Princess, but something happened between E304 and GDC05 that changed the game. If it was related to disc space, we might finally see this goal realized on the Wii.

I remember miyamoto saying that TP would be more like Zelda II, but I fail to see that in the end product.

I hope for the sake of the franchise that the next zelda changes things around a lot. They should start by removing the stupid "dungeon item kills dungeon boss". They should also make the rupees worth more.

 

[camineet]

I cannot imagine Zelda Wii not using & requiring Motion Plus.

 

[SturokBGD]

Since the release of Smash Brothers Nintendo has done fuck all to provide games for the core base of fans that made them a success in the first place. It's a fucking joke.

I think you're mistaking Nintendo for some other company.

Unless Ocarina of Time was your first and only Nintendo game, in which case, that's not even close to what made them a success in the first place.

 

[beelzebozo]

give me zelda

when it comes to zelda i am a bloodsucking monster, always wanting more

more!

MORE!

 

[thefro]

Something that hasn't been discussed much in this topic that I've been wondering about: What role should NPC's play in this new Zelda? Now there are people saying they want a return to Zelda 1 style gameplay where it's a more open ended affair, non linear and pretty much Link vs the world. I don't see people really commenting on how few NPCs there were in the game.

In fact, from what I recall the only NPCs were random people who gave you items of some sort. Keeping it low on NPCs would give a more adventure type feeling, much in the vein of the MP games, but after playing Majora's Mask you see that NPCs can also play a really vital role in the story and enhance it in many ways.

I certainly hope there's interesting NPCs... heck, I wouldn't mind if you were part of a party of characters for 3-4 hours of the game. I hope there's a great story too, but some people want it to be like a Final Fantasy game.

I'd just like the core gameplay to be action and not item-trading/fetch-quests/collectathons. I'd like part of the game to have the pace of the "dungeons" in "No More Heroes".

 

[Haunted]

give me zelda

when it comes to zelda i am a bloodsucking monster, always wanting more

more!

MORE!

oh God Nintendo, quick! Do it, release the game! I don't know if we can hold him back for much longer! His strength is that of a hundred men!

 

[beelzebozo]

a reimagining of the first game in the same vein as the STAR TREK reboot would be really interesting. the nods to the first and second games should definitely be there: a monster who says "grumble grumble" that you have to feed to get past, the classic "it's a secret to everyone," and tons of things like that which wouldn't necessarily stand out to the zelda layman but would be nonetheless present to fans.

some of this has already been done in previous zeldas, but i think drawing back the town elements of the games and returning to the sort of dangerous, insane wilderness of the nes game would really do a lot to bring back that sense of being thrust into a situation for which you're really maybe not quite ready for.

too many npcs makes the world feel too warm and safe and busy. i wouldn't say that zelda has ever been about isolation in the same way that metroid has been, but the first game certainly had a strong sense of being on your own, and that if you messed up or failed, there wasn't going to be some third party there to save your ass. there's something to that, and it kind of needs to come back.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

I'm not sure what this makes me, but I'd be happy with another three artifacts to collect, then the master sword and pseudo-twist bit (again), and then the big-league set of dungeons followed by the final dungeon and boss (again).

I like the whole reinterpretation of a classic structure thing, I guess. Maybe I'm secretly just a huge Zelda fanboy on the inside.

 

[Tyrone Slothrop]

i guess the bigger question is if nintendo wants to save Zelda Wii for 'Wii HD' which should be right around the bend. that's pretty much what it boils down to

 

[darkwings]

but I'd be happy with another three artifacts to collect, then the master sword and pseudo-twist bit (again), and then the big-league set of dungeons followed by the final dungeon and boss (again)
.

This is all what's wrong with zelda these days.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

This is all what's wrong with zelda these days.

yeah I can see why some people hate it. it just doesn't bother me. *shrug*

 

[beelzebozo]

This is all what's wrong with zelda these days.

i'd argue its the wrapping around that structure that needs the tweaking. the master sword, the dungeons, and that progression. . . that's good stuff. it's just excellent game design, kid-tested, mother approved. the tedium sets in when you start talking about the world they wrap around all that. if you make the setting more unique, the npcs more scarce, decrease the quantity but bump up the quality of the side quests, then you have potentially something very fresh and new.

 

[sammy]

I had a lot of fun with TP, they truly delivered a fanservice for all the Ocarina fans. But what I want from a new zelda game is a complete reinvention down to the core.

I'd like to see them narrow their approach and focus a new adventure on more fundamental points. A solid seamless overworld, or dungeon landscape that is really tuned down to 3-4 EPIC dungeons that are enormous. Screw towns, they really aren't much more than NPC's repeating dialog over and over. Put an epic boss into the mix, something you fight many times in its many forms not just "desert boss" etc.
When it comes down to it, I'd like to see a Zelda have a more meaningful emotional impact to the level of Links Awakening and Wind Waker.

At this points it's just "another Zelda" and not just for gamers. Zelda needs a completely new presence.

 

[Dr.Hadji]

I hope for the sake of the franchise that the next zelda changes things around a lot. They should start by removing the stupid "dungeon item kills dungeon boss". They should also make the rupees worth more.

Whats so stupid about having the new ability you trained with during the entire dungeon be used as the litmus test on the boss? Knowing which weapon to use doesn't make the solution any more or less obtuse.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

a reimagining of the first game in the same vein as the STAR TREK reboot would be really interesting. the nods to the first and second games should definitely be there: a monster who says "grumble grumble" that you have to feed to get past, the classic "it's a secret to everyone," and tons of things like that which wouldn't necessarily stand out to the zelda layman but would be nonetheless present to fans.

some of this has already been done in previous zeldas, but i think drawing back the town elements of the games and returning to the sort of dangerous, insane wilderness of the nes game would really do a lot to bring back that sense of being thrust into a situation for which you're really maybe not quite ready for.

too many npcs makes the world feel too warm and safe and busy. i wouldn't say that zelda has ever been about isolation in the same way that metroid has been, but the first game certainly had a strong sense of being on your own, and that if you messed up or failed, there wasn't going to be some third party there to save your ass. there's something to that, and it kind of needs to come back.

Wow.

I'd always thought it would be neat to do a 3D game sort of like the original LOZ, but I've never given any thought to doing a full-on reboot or 're-telling'.

That...I think, is an absolutely great idea.

 

[methodman]

I had a lot of fun with TP, they truly delivered a fanservice for all the Ocarina fans. But what I want from a new zelda game is a complete reinvention down to the core.

I'd like to see them narrow their approach and focus a new adventure on more fundamental points. A solid seamless overworld, or dungeon landscape that is really tuned down to 3-4 EPIC dungeons that are enormous. Screw towns, they really aren't much more than NPC's repeating dialog over and over. Put an epic boss into the mix, something you fight many times in its many forms not just "desert boss" etc.
When it comes down to it, I'd like to see a Zelda have a more meaningful emotional impact to the level of Links Awakening and Wind Waker.

At this points it's just "another Zelda" and not just for gamers. Zelda needs a completely new presence.

Screw towns? BOOOOO. Best part of Zelda is the sidequests in towns, IMO. After a long ass dungeon you get to go in a town and mess around for a while. I think they need less NPCs overall, but have them all able to talk to you so you can do something with them.