The Zelda Wii and GameCube Predicament

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1. People keep bringing this up, and I just don't get what the big mystery is.Both versions will be identical, except the Wii version will offer the OPTION of having the Wii control scheme OR using the Gamecube controls. Gamecube controllers work on the Wii, and of course they are going to offer both control options.Releasing it on Gamecube is simply Nintendo keeping it's promise to the users of the legacy console. Most game companies would say, "Sorry, but the needs of the market changed" and just released it as Wii-only instead. The NP article stating that graphically they will be the same confirms that there is no "better" version one needs a "crystal ball" to see. The GC version will only allow GC controls, whereas the Wii version will offer both.No mystery here.

2. Joystiq writes: "Could it hurt Wii's chances of success if the GameCube version ends up getting better reviews, or would it merely expose the tacked-on controls of Wii's rendition?"——————————-That is the bottom line. The prob with TP is that it was originally designed for the GC and GC controller. Unlike say, Phantom Hourglass, which was designed for the DS from the ground up. Except TP will have been delayed for a whole year for the GC when it otherwise could have been released Nov '05.

3. @afxNo, the Wii version will not offer the option of using the Gamecube controls, which means that if you want to play the game with the traditional controls you'll have to buy the Cube version. In the beginning I was a little worried about using the wiimote in this game, but after reading a few articles comparing the old controls with the new, I'm confident that we have nothing to worry about. From ign: "Once you learn the intricacies of moving Link about the world with the Wii controller, it starts to feel more intuitive than using the standard pad. This is particularly true during some of the fishing sequences. And all of this is based on only a brief amount of time with the E3 demo of the Wii version. I expect that once we get more time with the build, we're going to be further impressed."

4. i say you'll be able to change the controls on the wii so you don't have to use the navi cursor… so it doesn't matter…

5. i think that they are morons for not releasing only on the wii…if they kept it as a wii exclusive it would greatly increase the sales of it…now a lot of people aren't going to buy a wii because they can just get zelda for the gamecube without buying a new system…all im saying is in my opinion the wii would sell much better if they kept it a wii exclusive.

6. I'll be getting the Wii version as I can't wait for the fishing, sword fights, hook-shot and bow & arrow using the Wii-mote!And if what AFX says is true – that you can play with "normal" controls as well on the Wii version – then you've got the best of both worlds!

7. Fuck everyone is making such a big deal of this. Number 1, Nintendo already knows the Nintendo hard core fans will buy both. Two, the lesser fans will buy it for the current cube system or wait for Wii. Three, the newcomers will buy it for Wii. So WTF is the big deal, so what if its the same, the game is so close to Wii launch it should not have even come out on the GameCube, should only come out on Wii. As far as concerned (and im a NINTENDODIEHARD) Twilight is a Wii game, not a game cube game

8. I'd like to know if that is Anonymous's opinion about the controls or if they actually have a source confirming that you can't play TP on Wii with a GameCube controller. I've always assumed you could do either/or.I don't think this will hurt Nintendo at all. The people who are able to get their hands on Wii this holiday will be playing this on Wii. Folks who can't afford a Wii or just can't get their hands on one (when they sell out during the first week) will appreciate getting TP for the Cube. Either way, win-win for Nintendo.I personally hope that they don't wait too long to make a Zelda title built for Wii from the ground up. They need to have one out by Q4 2008 as far as I'm concerned.

9. Anonymous said : "No, the Wii version will not offer the option of using the Gamecube controls, which means that if you want to play the game with the traditional controls you'll have to buy the Cube version."Um, where are you getting that info? That would be suicide.I'd be willing to be my house that they will indeed offer both control schemes on the Wii version. There simply is no reason not to. No one but obsessive collectors are going to buy both (who can afford that?). Again, this is much ado about nothing really. There is no competition between the two. Some people may prefer the new Wii control scheme, some will prefer the Gamecube, but there is no indication that the Wii version won't give you both, as good logic dictates. In fact, from a programming standpoint, it's going to be easier for them to add the Wii controls on top of the current interface, instead of trying to remove one in favor of the other.It would be a PR nightmare if they did anything but include both options on the Wii version, and the whole reason they are releasing a GCN version at all if for positive promise-keeping PR. I rarely make absolute statements, but I really would bet just about anything that in this case I'm 100% correct.AFX

10. First, "successfulness?"Second, control schemes aside, it's likely that Twilight Princess will sell more on the Gamecube simply because that's a system that already enjoys a large installed base. That's the whole reason they're still releasing it for Gamecube: they don't want to sacrifice the sales by catering only to early adopters.Third, good question! But yeah, if the Wii version gets worse reviews, there will be no shortage of excuses.I'm not too worried, though. I suspect once people get past the learning curve, they'll love the Wii controls. Imagine the learning curve if you handed a NES gamer a copy of Wind Waker! Plenty of Wii games will be intuitive (and probably get old quickly). More "advanced" Wii games are going to take some getting used to.

11. Wii will have widescreen progressive scan for the graphics upgrade, and I'd wager maybe some better texsture filtering or some techno jibber jabber like that.As for having a gamecube version preventing people from buying a Wii, like every other console release for the past 10 years, the Wii will sell out just like the 360 did and the PS3 will. By the time people can reliably walk into a store and buy it, there will be more games on the shelf to entice the buyers. It will not be a PR nightmare except to the uber fanboys, who will buy and love the game with either control scheme.Famicom83, who in their right mind will buy BOTH versions of the same game? hard core collectors, MAYBE, but what is the fricking prupose otherwise??? Like buying the same magazine with two different covers, only the hardest of the hardcore will buy. Spend 100$ on one Zelda game, or spend 100$ on one zelda game and Mario, or AYNTHING else? You describe yourself as a nintendodiehard, and by the sound of it, you ain't buying both…

12. Sure there's a reason for Nintendo to make the Wii version Wiimote-controlled only. They're trying to highlight this new way of playing games, and letting people revert to the old way defeats the purpose somewhat of introducing a new control scheme. Plus, nearly all the other new Wii games (Mario etc.) will only use non-standard control, so why wouldn't the Wii Zelda? If you say "because it was originally made for Gamecube" then I'll say "yeah… that's why they're releasing it on Gamecube." No reason to let both versions have Gamecube control, really. If you want standard control, why are you buying a Wii in the first place?- Grant

13. Anonymous said : "If you want standard control, why are you buying a Wii in the first place?"Little thing. You may have heard about it. "Virtual Console"?Saracasm aside, asking why you'd want to use a standard controller on a Wii is much like asking someone why they'd want to play "New Super Mario Bros." on a DS if it doesn't include extensive touch-pad controls. The answer is those additional features (motion sensitivity, touch screen) are all well and great when used in a manner that fits, but the idea that they are limited to that new feature is just as limiting as not having them at all.I think you over-estimate how much cross-compatability between control schemes they are going to have, especially on initial games. There simply is no way they are going to release a Wii version without the option of using GCN controls, especially for Zelda. I can only speak for myself, but I will probably use both – the motion sensing capabilities for mini-games like fishing and such where the innovation is great, and the classic controller for playing through other parts of the game. Nintendo isn't going to force-feed cold-shock "use the Wii-mote or else!" anywhere where they don't absolutely have to. Just as many popular, innovative DS games don't necessarily use the touch-screen aspect to any degree, not every Wii game is going to use all the motion sensing capabilities.Besides, I think I answered your question (at least for my Wii purchase) with my first sentence – Virtual Console, baby. Even if I never buy an actual Wii game (and beyond Super Smash Bros. and Mario Galaxy I just may not), it would be worth the 200 bucks to have that service available in my living room. Sure I already have plenty of fun with emulation, but it's going to be nice to have it offical and running optimally on my TV screen, just as I remember them.

14. "Little thing. You may have heard about it. "Virtual Console"?"Oh, I didn't realize LOZ: TP was part of the Virtual Console. That's clearly what I was talking about when I made that comment. Of course I understand that you won't use Wii control for the VC, but as far as brand new Wii games, I think Nintendo wants damn near all of them to use it. I'm pretty sure the alternate controller is ONLY for VC and Gamecube games. It's not the same as the DS, where the new and the standard control buttons are both equally accessible. The Wiimote is pretty exclusively geared toward motion control, and I don't think Nintendo is going to be asking you to be switching controllers for new games all the time. The only exception I can think of is Super Smash Bros: Brawl, and they told us from the start they'd use standard control. They haven't told us that for any of the other new games showcased for the Wii at E3, as far as I know, and I think they would tell us if they were going to.- Grant

15. This whole discussion seems pointless. Has anybody else noticed that many of the games coming out for 360 have counterparts on xbox1? Does that say 360 is no better than the xbox1?People that CAN play with the new scheme will buy the version that supports it. Others will play on the old system. Either way, it's a game that millions of people have been waiting for, and it's going to be snapped up on whatever platform it arrives on. Personally, I'm going to buy the wii, play it on that, and just download the cube version if the wii doesn't support standard controllers. Unless I REALLY like the wii interface.

16. Afx is going on what makes sense to him rather than anything official. Nintendo confirmed that no Wii games will use the classic or Cube controllers unless they are the main inputs for a specific game and the remote is not used (like Smash Bros), and the other reason for releasing it on GameCube is to give it to you in the traditional way. Nintendo didn't add it to Wii's launch lineup to show you how games used to be played.As for which version of the game is better, it'll be up to control preference. Choose between mimicking arrow shots and aiming with a control stick. About buying Wii only for the back catalog…why bother? Rig your PC to your TV and buy an SNES-to-PC controller mod if that's all you want.-R

17. R, some people like to do things the legal way.- Grant

18. The assumption made by the general people (or at least those that I have talked to and know of the wii's existence) is that the Wii version will be better because it's on the newer system, and the new controller lends to the natural controls of doing things like shooting and swinging, which make for better gameplay. I think people will actually buy Wii for this version alone. I dont think the gamecube version will hinder the Wii version much.That's just my opinion.

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