Children's Book Was Inspiration for Spirit Tracks
Posted by James Newton
Secret influence revealed!
It's practically raining Spirit Tracks stories today, but this story actually pre-dates Link's latest - it's the children's book that inspired Nintendo to create Spirit Tracks.
Called "The Tracks Go On", it's a story where cute kids build the tracks for a train as it explores the land, with cutesy animals and all sorts of steam-based shenanigans along the way. Apparently, Zelda director Eiji Aonuma was reading the book to his son at bedtimes and it led to the idea of Link exploring Hyrule by train, although he kept the inspiration secret when he pitched the idea, presumably to avoid the cruel jibes of his fellow designers.
The story came out of the always interesting "Iwata Asks" feature, so be sure to check that out to read a bit more about the game's development and Aonuma's favourite reading material. Rumours that the next Zelda game will feature a tiger coming to tea and a very hungry caterpillar have yet to be confirmed.
[via nintendodsi.com]
#1
KeeperBvK said:
Wonder what happens when Miyamoto reads the telephone book. Or watches a porn.
#2
TwilightV said:
@#1: Please. Miyamoto sensei is too rich to watch such drivel. >;3
#3
Denkou said:
just dont let miyamoto ever come in contact with little red riding hood.
#4
Percentful said:
Interesting. Hopefully Miyamoto will never read a Dora the Explorer book.
#5
Kirk said:
@KeeperBvk
A porn game hopefully...PLEASE!
#6
warioswoods said:
@everyone above
While Miyamoto is also famously known for drawing inspiration from unlikely places, look closer at the article: it was Zelda series director Eiji Aonuma this time, not Shigeru.
#7
TwilightV said:
^Yes, we know.
#8
Noire said:
I'm pretty sure when Miyamoto watches porn, we get the dialogue of Star Fox 64.
Just sayin'.
Feenie now wants to write Japanese children's books in the slim chance that someone at Nintendo reads them to their children. First title: Samus at the Beach.
#9
JayArr said:
Uh, so someone should delete the entire comments section so we could try this again in a less disturbing manner. Interesting story anyway James.........[shakes head]
#10
Token_Girl said:
@KeeperBvK
I doubt he remembers, because, to the best of my understanding, he's always engaging in those activities while getting super drunk at Chicken's house, to the best of my knowledge. But now we know where the inspiration for the evil cucoos that attack you if you hit them with your sword come from.
#11
MisterSmith said:
Anyone else notice that the four most prominent children in that picture share the same colors as the Links from the Four Swords?
#12
FantasiaWHT said:
@MisterSmith
What, the primary colors and then a 1-in-3 chance of picking the correct secondary color? Yes, truly amazing.
#13
theblackdragon said:
@KeeperBvK: i'd imagine if he ever read a porno mag, we'd wind up with Sexy Poker Bros. or something else equally unappetizing :3
#14
MarkyVigoroth said:
Actually, I am thinking more along the lines of "Link will fly after falling off a cliff."
#15
warioswoods said:
@Token Girl
No, that's Iwata who hangs with Chicken. Miyamoto is my lover.
#16
No_No_No_Wrong_Way said:
@FantasiaWHT
What, purple/green are primary colors now?
#17
MetalMario said:
These comments are weird....
#18
Raylax said:
So... what book was he reading to his kids when he got the inspiration for Tingle and the Happy Mask Salesman? D:
#19
V8_Ninja said:
@The_Main_Topic Huh...I frankly don't know what to say. That's cool, I guess?
@Everybody_Else Let's stop with the porno jokes. I'm pretty sure Nintendo + Porn =/= Good.
#20
lockd said:
wow
#21
SanderEvers said:
@V8 Ninja: What do you think happens AFTER Mario rescues the princess?
#22
Bassman_Q said:
Hm a steampunk-themed Zelda would be really interesting...
#23
CanisWolfred said:
Not surprised, really. Spirit Tracks seemed more whimsical than the other ones. Not that that's a bad thing, or anything.