Exclusive: The Next Zelda: What We Know So Far
First of all, a HUGE thank you to earthbounding for allowing me to use the videos.
We already know that a new Zelda is in development, and for what few truths we do know about it, there’s an infinite amount of false information, rumors, and speculation.
Enter earthbounding. Over the course of several months, s/he has pieced together what we know to be true or could possibly be true based on what few clues there are from the Nintendo team–what you are about to see could very well be what the next Zelda (which I will refer to as “New Zelda”) could be like.
Video #1: The game’s production (released July 22)
The Next Zelda: What We Know About Production
What we learn from this video:
–Confirmation from Miyamoto-sama that New Zelda is in development in a post E3 interview
–This “Zelda team” is made of younger developers, it is explained that new faces will possibly bring new ideas to the series
–All that have experience with the Zeldaverse will be working alongside the new faces
–New Zelda is NOT a sequel to Twilight Princess
–The basics of the game is the same, the question is: Is Ganondorf involved?
–New Zelda will have a better soundtrack
Video #2: General Information (released August 
The Next Zelda: General Information
What we learn:
–New Zelda has been in development since mid-2007, which means that as of this video’s release, it has been in development for about a year
–Overworld, Link, dungeons, enemies and the like have been made and are in beta as of this video’s release
–Trailers have low chance of appearing at this time (likely E3 2009)
Video #3: Clues From the Nintendo Team (released August 15)
What we learn:
–Wii team and DS team are intermingling
–Does the Phantom Hourglass team being on board mean Toon Link will return? No
–Will New Zelda be in first person? No, but the idea isn’t impossible
–New Zelda may have groundbreaking new ideas
Video #4: More Clues (released August 19)
What we learn:
–Production likely began 3 days after Twlight Princess’ Europe release
–New Zelda may have more motion control
–Midna may return if the fan support is high enough
Video #5: Even More Clues (released August 29)
What we learn:
–It is possible that New Zelda could go casual
–We now know production started in mid 2006. Assuming successful franchise games take 3 years to make, New Zelda could come sometime in 2009, maybe 2010 if delays and things are accounted for
Video #6: General News (released September 12)
What we learn:
–Rumored game called “Axis of Shadow” is fake
–New Zelda will have its own engine, could use the Wii’s full power
–The rumor of another character and a “modern” Hyrule is addressed, those ideas were concept artwork and were eventually abandoned.
–There is a version of Twilight Princess in first person, this was just a test of a scrapped idea
–New Zelda could have scratched scenes from Twilight Princess trailer
Video #7: New Clues (released October 1)
What we learn:
–Zelda herself might play a larger role, or get her own game like Peach did
–New Zelda could be based entirely on motion control, and possibly have one-on-one fighting
–Wii Motion Plus could be used
–New Zelda will appeal to both the casual and hardcore crowds
–Aonuma-sama will be part of the team, will be exclusively made by Nintendo
–Possibly two Zelda games in the making
And finally (for now), Video #8: The Most Recent News (released December 3)
What we learn here:
–New Zelda is based on existing IP
–Possible release date now appears to be 2010/2011
–New Zelda could be at 2009 E3
–No voice for Link
–1 on 1 fighting could be a cool extra, or only for a short time a la Ocarina of Time
–New Zelda will have a more story based plot
New Zelda could even pass Ocarina of Time as the best Zelda.
With all this information, you can see that the next Zelda game is shaping up to be something big…We’ll wait and see just what the team at Nintendo has in store for our favorite Hylian hero.
Until next time, happy gaming,
SparklingBlue
New Zelda could even pass Ocarina of Time as the best Zelda.
Am I allowed to say this is a stupid comment?; and not because ocarina of time is the best game in the zelda series, because personally I dont believe that, but merely because we say that every release and it just feels lame to say so now with no screens or anything to show for it…
I say that not as a fact, but as a possiblity–just like every other time. Only time will tell if this time, it is true
That's a fair response. Thanks for your time.
You're welcome!
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Nice list.
Thank you!
Thanks a lot for compiling this!
You're welcome.
hmm this is awesome. I was not aware that this much information was already available. thanks
I've decided not to really think about it much. Nothing beats a Zelda title in my mind, and I want to be totally surprised when we see it.
hm.sounds interesting. just the only thing is i wish for is for Link to be young and for the game to be stylized. TP's style in realtion to previous games felt very dull and th fact that Link was much older just felt like something everyone else was doing. that it lost Zelda's theme of a growing hero out of someone small and underestimated.
Some of that stuff scares me. Like the game being toned down. it coming out later then 2010 but most likely it will.
a lot of this just sounds like vague shots in the dark, and some of it is also very contradicting.
How so?
I understand that it is just speculation, in a way, but why do you say they're contradicting?
Dude this is awesome great job. I'm just imaginating Vaati or Majora on this game.
nvaati is so cooooool,especially in minish cap.