@Austroid Yeah, I read about that a while back. It makes sense in Japanese. A Japanese-language pun pinned onto an Italian name. Someone, I'm sure, is very proud of that. Maybe there's a Wajumpman out there, too.

I don't think Nintendo realizes the WarioWare brand is actually a turn-off to some consumers. Isn't there a better way to present these types of games without putting an ugly, evil, moustached man on the cover? I feel like Wario — just the character — is sort of a niche thing that not everyone gets. I remember rolling my eyes when I first heard the name as a kid. It just seemed cheap and unimaginative. (Imagine how I felt when I heard about Waluigi!) But now Wario is an antihero or something, and he has a posse of bizarre and wacky characters to play games with... I guess...? I don't really know, and I'm not interested.

As for the Pirates game... I remember when that was shown off at E3, along with the ninja star game that ended up in NintendoLand. It looked cool. The idea of having it as pre-installed, non-Wario software was a great one. Of course, they had to ruin it.

The guy goes on to talk about how they needed to develop a story to house the mini games... shakes head See, that's what I'm talking about. Too much BS getting in the way of playing games. The WiiU is struggling, and the people in charge are allowing this kind of tomfoolery to go on, rather than getting the core ideas and games out to the public. I've felt for a long time that Nintendo is becoming too conceptual. This just solidifies it for me.

I apologize for the rant. I know I'm just rambling, and I apologize for being negative. This just got under my skin for some reason.

Just to tack this on, the 3DS still has problems, as others have stated. No second circle pad, short battery life, etc... and the resolution isn't great. If the next Nintendo handheld can somehow improve on all of these, it will really be something impressive.

I think the point is that in addition to all the new games and gimmicks, it also plays a ton of games that can be stored on the system, as well as a ton of classic games also stored on the system. No need to switch out game cards most of the time. Now, if the 3DS Virtual Console were to be expanded, you'd really have something there. All that history, plus all new innovation, all in one little bundle in your pocket. It's possible the 3DS is the best console ever. At least, it may have the potential to be. I'm not sure it's there yet.

I like the idea, but it's just too big. The XL is already almost too big and heavy to carry around in a pocket comfortably, so this upgrade isn't really an option. I just plug my XL in when I'm home, and I have a $5 car charger that works great on the go. The only thing I really miss is the charging cradle for home, but I think there's one available for purchase somewhere, right?

This always happens. I see a pretty image that looks really interesting, and the article says "This isn't coming to WiiU."

@rjejr Ha. Thanks... By the way, if the denial comment came across as aggressive, I apologize. I was thinking about that after I posted it.

So ok, 1- I brought up Grandma just because back before Christmas I was at a Toys'R'Us, on line behind an elderly woman who was purchasing a Wii. I assume it was for her grandkids, but I don't know for sure. Just assessing the situation, though, I realized the entire packaging for that particular Wii bundle wasn't all that different from the WiiU packaging. Of course, the Wii price was much cheaper, but I had to wonder what the situation really was, and whether or not Grandma really understood the difference between the two products.

2- The Wii really was revolutionary, and was a completely different system than the Gamecube. There's absolutely zero possibility of confusing those two consoles. I did acknowledge in my post that nobody is saying the WiiU name is solely responsible for the console's underperformance, but I do think it's a contributing factor. The WiiU is attached to the Wii brand, so I think casual buyers could be confused. My story about the workplace reaction was really just an anecdote. Maybe I was making too many points in also addressing the ridiculous nature of the name.

3- Not every household has a gaming system. When people start having kids, and those kids get to be 8 or 10 years old and start asking for video game consoles, I'd venture to say that for many households, there is such a thing as a first video game console. So with that in mind, I think there's a large possibility for families to buy a WiiU without having owned the Wii. As for the Wii remotes, I think this is pretty clear. In the TV ads, you see the family sitting on a couch — one person has the Gamepad, and the others have Wii remotes. Nothing ever says "WiiU is compatible with the controllers you already own!" To the uninitiated, it may seem they're just playing a Wii game with some new add-on. The fact that Nintendo is now seriously trying to press the fact that "This is an ENTIRELY NEW system" is proof enough that confusion exists. With an entirely new name, I feel there would be little to no confusion.

4- Wii to WiiU, in my opinion, is completely different than PS2 to PS3 or NES to Super NES (or "Nintendo" to "Super Nintendo," as kids called it in my region). "U" on its own is a bizarre suffix. It doesn't convey any real information.

I obviously can't supply some of the numbers you're asking for, but I can say that my personal experience in being asked about the WiiU is that there is confusion surrounding the system, and a lot of it has to do with the name.

You brought up "Wii 2" as a possible name. I think that would have been better than WiiU." When you put "2" after an established brand name, there's no question as to what it means. After all, nobody wonders if "Iron Man 3" is just a variation of "Iron Man." If they had called it "Iron Man U" or "Iron Man Alpha," however, some casual moviegoer might not know what the heck it's supposed to be just by hearing the name on the radio or seeing it in print.

(Even if it were to be called "Wii HD," there would still be confusion. Is it the same old Wii but with better graphics? What is it? What's a U? What's a WiiU? The new Super Mario game in the commercial looks just like the last one I bought a few years ago. What's the difference here? Oh wait, hold on. I'm getting a text. Beyonce did WHAT?? LOL derp ^_^)

Or better yet:

Billy - "Mom, I want a WiiU!"
Mom - "You already have a Wii."
Billy - "No, this is different! It has a gamepad!"
Mom - "You have lots of games. I just bought you that Pokey-man thing last week! Why don't you play that?"
Billy- "No, Mom! This is different! It has, like, a screen, and it's different!"
.........

I won't argue at all about the lack of games and advertising, though I have actually seen television commercials aired. (As a side thought, I've seen many more 3DS ads than WiiU ads). As I've said elsewhere, I think the case design is another factor that is contributing to poor sales. That alone, combined with the name, is a recipe for confusion among casual buyers. The special Wii bundles in stores before Christmas are another factor, like I mentioned above with Grandma. It's not just one thing. It's multiple things, but the name is surely one of them.

A lot of people seem to think that hardcore gamers outnumber casual gamers, but I think it's the other way around. Nintendo surely relies heavily on casual gamers to buy their hardware and software. The problem is that smart devices offer a lot more than just gaming, and both smart devices and gaming hardware cost a lot of money. People are more likely to shell out the cash for a more useful piece of hardware like a smart phone. Once in hand, it turns out there are games that can be played on the smart phone as well. These may be casual games, but trust me — people become addicted to them. Whether it's Angry Birds or Draw with Friends (or whatever it's called), people just can't put their phones down. And again, they can use their phones for internet browsing, GPS, text messaging, etc... I don't know how it is for other people, but during the summer time especially, I have limited pocket space. I think people are more likely to keep a smart phone in their pocket than a 3DS. My point? The casual market is shifting toward smart devices. If the hardcore gaming market becomes merely a niche... is Nintendo really going to make money from that? Eventually, if sales are low, Nintendo will surely abandon ship when it comes to electronics and then focus more on other uses for their intellectual properties. We already know a huge chunk of their profits come from Pokemon, and that stretches WAY beyond video games at this point. This, of course, is an extreme forecast, but the possibility exists.

@rjejr I don't think anyone's saying the name is ENTIRELY to blame for the WiiU's lackluster performance so far, but it's surely a contributing factor. To deny that is simply to be in denial. Not all people who purchase video game systems frequent websites like NintendoLife, so they need it — let me reiterate that... Grandma needs it to be extremely clear that this is an entirely new system.

When I mentioned the WiiU at work, I was pretty surprised by the response. People were baffled. "What the **** is a Wee U?" "Hey, come on over so we can Wee U!" "Wanna play with my Wee U?" Everyone just laughed at the ridiculous sound of the name, and tore it apart. Of course, we all remember the same sort of thing just after the official name was announced online. The Wii was bad enough, but WiiU simply doesn't translate well internationally. It's a real stinker of a name, if you catch my meaning (Pee-yoo!)

It also doesn't help that the WiiU requires Wii peripherals in order to play multiplayer games. That's just confusing. Convenient for Wii owners, but surely bizarre for anyone who didn't own a Wii and now owns a WiiU.

Also, in regard to Guitardude7's comment, I agree "Nintendo U" might have been a better name. Of course, that makes it sound like "Nintendo University," but it would probably have been better than "WiiU." Names are tricky. You have to put thought into them. The Japanese love to use English words when naming things, but it doesn't always work. The play on words in "WiiU" isn't nearly as clever in English as it may seem to a native Japanese speaker.

That blazing green would certainly have set WiiU apart from the Wii!

I do have to say... the WiiU system itself (not counting the gamepad) is kind of ugly in my opinion. The Wii display stand had that cool tilt that created a unique shape that was almost like modern art. The WiiU is just a generic-looking piece of hardware. The old Nintendo console designs always caught my imagination, all the way up to the Gamecube. Again, I think the WiiU design is just the next step in Nintendo's attempt to emulate Apple, but it seems to have not paid off. There are so many other design possibilities. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if Nintendo comes up with something fun and original for the next generation.

I won't compare the WiiU to the 3DS, because the handheld market is a different beast than the home console market. Comparing WiiU to Wii, though... the Wii was a hot item well after launch. The WiiU had a VERY quiet launch, and nobody knows or cares about it. It's basically a flop. Of course, Nintendo is now stuck with the system, and they have enough resources to build up momentum over time... but the WiiU is not a big hit. It's not a smashing success. It's a dud. The whole "be patient" mentality doesn't hold up. That's a stubborn refusal to face reality.

I got sucked into the WiiU hype because I wanted to. I wanted to be excited about a new system. I wanted to get in on a home console at launch. I wanted to support Nintendo. All the while, I silenced the little voice warning me of potential disappointment — the voice that noticed the weak game lineup, the uselessness of some of the proposed apps, the gimmicky nature of the gamepad and the terrible branding and design of the system. I ignored my better judgment and committed to Nintendo out of loyalty. What did I get in return? Not much.

Even if there are big reveals at E3, we're not going to see much before year's end. That makes the entire first year of the WiiU a wash. That's pretty much unforgivable, and I'm starting to think some form of compensation is in order... and the 30 cent Virtual Console downloads aren't what I have in mind.

Now imagine if there were actually some games to play on the WiiU.

Considering you can't view game videos and trailers in the Wii Shop channel, I would really hate to see the Nintendo Channel disappear. I've held on to my Wii console even after buying a WiiU. I have it hooked up in a different room. With some of my Club Nintendo coins expiring soon, I plan to use them on a game purchase for the Wii. The point is that I, and likely many others, still use the Wii quite a bit... and while I don't mind seeing the News and Forecast Channels bite the dust, I think abandoning the Nintendo Channel is a huge insult, especially considering Wii systems are still being sold at retail. Nintendo could maintain support until the launch of the NEXT home console with little effort. After all, they put little effort into it in the first place, right?

@SheldonRandoms I was going to point out the same thing. When I saw the thumbnail, I said "Oh, cool!" out loud. After seeing the full image, I'm not as enthusiastic. The Mewtwo design was so sleek. This is a little cluttered... but since I like the character, it's still good to see something new regarding it.

Design-wise... I'm just thinking out loud as an artist right now... With the head, it seems like it's just too much. You have the devil horns and angel halo rolled into one... and that's kind of clever.... but the head-tail is kind of distracting. Ah, look at this. There's already fan art. I like the way this person drew it:

http://xous54.deviantart.com/art/Pre-Reveal-Art-of-Mewtwo-Forme-363733429

I'll have to take a stab at this character sometime this week.

Miyamoto is deluded.

I have a suspicion that Nintendo isn't confident in their ability to stay afloat in the video game market. Hence the peripherals. They want to create an image of a Nintendo system being a multi-functional tool that no family can live without. Miyamoto himself says it's about more than just games, but right now it's almost about anything BUT games.

The WiiU does function well as an internet browsing device. That much is true. I can play YouTube videos for an entire room of people to watch. That's useful. I can also use the WiiU for Netflix streaming, but the Wii could do that as well. The TVii service is absolutely useless for me, my family and friends. It's just impractical, and it will continue to be so until there can be more communication between the WiiU, the TV, and the cable box. Switching inputs is already a bit of a nuisance, but the WiiU makes the process more tedious — at least for me and my Samsung.

So then there's the Wii Street U, or whatever it's called. Cute software. Mostly useless. There may be a time here and there over the course of a year where I might want to check it out, but right now it's rather limited. It also crashed twice on me last night.

When a family member came over, she wanted to show photos using the WiiU. Turns out there's no photo channel, as there was on the Wii. How frustrating! There's also nothing really like the Nintendo Channel, which is something I would check frequently for entertainment purposes on the Wii. So in some ways the WiiU is actually LESS USEFUL than the previous console.

If Nintendo really wants an all-in-one system that a family will become addicted to, they need to focus on small, clever and useful apps — sort of like what people have access to on smartphones. But that's a problem in iteself. Nintendo has been chasing after Apple's style and success for too many years now. If the best they can offer is a stationary Apple-wannabe that doesn't make phone calls, people will continue to just buy an iPhone, or some other equivalent device.

(Oh, I forgot about the video chat on WiiU. Yeah... that's been pretty useless so far as well. Sigh)

So in the end, I think Nintendo is sort of failing in the game department, AND failing in the smart-device department. They need to make up their minds and put together something solid. When Miyamoto asks for patience, it sounds like he wants me to wait until they can figure out something the Gamepad is really good for — as if they haven't figured it out yet. They focused so hard on the Gamepad gimmick, but where's the support for it? Time for Nintendo to ditch the secrecy and big reveals, and open the doors for mass brainstorming to make their console better. Otherwise, the DustCollectorU will continue to be just that.

@Five-seveN Nintendo had plenty of time to develop software and organize third parties to develop software before the system launch. If for some reason there wasn't enough time, then it would seem the WiiU was launched prematurely.

Ubisoft was extremely vocal about their support for the WiiU, but they haven't really fulfilled their promises. They missed a great chance to capitalize on the WiiU launch and the following launch window. Releasing the demo so early was probably a mistake. I'm bored now, and my excitement over Rayman Legends has gone stale. Now I'm looking for other games to spend my money on. I suppose Ubisoft is fortunate, considering there are so few WiiU games to be purchased. Maybe the delay won't hurt them after all. Sigh. What a sorry situation.

I'm really looking forward to this, if it actually comes true.

While playing the demo, I was under the impression the feet were somehow in the ground. It seemed like everyone had been cut off at the ankles. Very odd. I thought it was just a quirk of the demo, but apparently not.

The sad thing is that it seems to me that we're stuck in a style-OR-substance situation. Nintendo now has a track record of overlooking the importance of graphics in favor of focusing on the play experience. Meanwhile, the "other guys" often tend to focus primarily on graphics while many games deliver somewhat boring or repetitive experiences. There obviously has to be a balance. Maybe there's too much "snobbery" on both sides that will continue to get in the way.

There are many angles from which disappointment is coming. Nintendo did brag about third-party support, and seemed to relax on the first-party end of things. Now that third-party support is failing (in a sense), there's not much to fill in the gaps. I'm personally more interested in new Nintendo IPs, and I hope they can deliver something new in the near future... but to start creating something now would takes years to produce. I'm afraid Nintendo has just been too lazy about the WiiU, and the fans are suffering as a result.

@Five-seveN Well, I guess I can't argue with that

@dartmonkey I definitely agree on the point of franchise overload. Mario is overexposed.

@MasterWario Well, the movies naturally have things like character development and exposition in between the action scenes that you're not going to have in a game for kids. Have you seen the Ghostbusters cartoon? It was one of my favorite shows as I was growing up, and there was a great toy line to go with it. Busting ghosts was the name of the game. The whole process of wearing a special backpack and holding the gun, and subsequently sucking the ghost into a trap has been copied by Nintendo for Luigi's Mansion. As crude as it was, there was an NES Ghostbusters game back in 1988.

Can we post links on here? If so, here's a link to the Ghostbusters cartoon intro. Great animation. By the way, it's technically called "The REAL Ghostbusters," because people were ripping it off even back in the 80's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4te3wN6fxM

I don't know. The whole Ghostbusters thing just bothers me. I've always liked Luigi, but I feel he needs a title that doesn't feel like a ripoff of an established franchise. Maybe it's different in Japan or even Europe, but I think a great deal of people are aware of Ghostbusters in the USA, and that prompts the predictable response "What is that? A Ghostbusters ripoff?" ...and the answer is "Yes."

Luigi needs his own world to adventure in. Better yet, how about Luigi repelling a Koopa invasion in the real world, while Mario's off in the Mushroom Kingdom? That would work for me.

This was a nice, fun game. I'm glad I bought it. I like that it was bite-sized, and priced accordingly. I'd like to see more games that follow that model. I don't need hundred-hour games anymore, so this sort of thing is right up my alley.

It's mentioned in the above comments that some people don't even know about the WiiU, and I think that's correct. Part of the problem is the branding. "Wii U" is an odd name that carries the potential for confusion among consumers. Not only is the name 75% identical to the Wii, but the system's appearance (sans Gamepad) is nearly identical. There should always be some buzz surrounding a new Nintendo system, but the WiiU comes across as a Wii 1.5 or something like that, even if that's not really the case. Some people may still not realize the Gamepad isn't just a peripheral for the Wii.

As for the pricing, though, it really does come down to the games. If there was even just one game that everyone HAD to try, I think that would drive sales tremendously. The Wii U launch lineup was really reserved, though. Where's the punch?

Another thing Nintendo's not doing is advertising eShop games. I'm not sure what the best way to do it would be, but Nano Assault Neo for the WiiU is amazing, and Nintendo could use that to help sell their system.

I'm looking forward to this quite a bit.

I have to say, though, that the "collect 'em all" craze can't last for too much longer. With the Disneylanders and next Skylanders installment, and Pokelanders on top of that... To put it simply, parents are going to draw the line somewhere. That's my guess, anyway.

Still, this looks good. The HD graphics with nice shiny toy Pokemon will be fun.

I'm not surprised by the dip. When you look at the WiiU section in any game store, it's... well, almost non-existent. I realize it takes time to build a game library, but the WiiU seems very light, very early on. We're at the tail end of the fourth month since the launch, and there's just not much to play. It's good that some new games are about to be released, but it bothers me that Monster Hunter 3 is essentially an upgraded Wii game... and that the first big Zelda game we're getting is an upgrade Gamecube game... and that Pikmin and Rayman have been pushed back...

I just need more games to play on my expensive piece of hardware.

I just bought the original 3DS game at Gamestop for $20. Oops.

The wireless portal adapter actually interfered with my Wii's wireless connection. Unplugging the adapter was the only way to access Netflix, the Wii Shop, Nintendo Channel, etc... I prefer the idea of a wireless portal, though.

Seems like I'm always being negative these days, but I was really disappointed by the demo. I was prepared for something different, but this felt like a step backward, somehow. The graphics are ok. The combat is kind of uncomfortable, and the character moves so slowly. I don't know. It just wasn't a lot of fun. Plus, the style is more than a bit weird. It's kind of over-stylized, which takes away from the somewhat classy feel of previous Castlevania games. Oh well. I guess everything changes over time. Except Mario, that is.

If they would at least come up with a new villain or story... but they won't. It's the same thing over and over and over again.

Looks cool. Very much like Code of Princess. I'll probably download this when the time comes.

What he's saying sounds good, but it's the same complaint I had when playing Kid Icarus: Uprising!

Perhaps it's just certain types of stories the guy is complaining about, because Uprising was full of moments that cut off the action, or held you back from taking action until the story and script allowed you to finally gain control over Pitt.

The tricky thing is that different people experience these games at different points in their lives. Someone who's played games for 20+ years may get tired of certain trends, while newer gamers will be totally enthralled. Gamers can be fickle, too. Not everyone enjoys all types of games all the time. Moods change. Tastes change.

Sakurai's main point is valid, though. Too often the player is restricted from just playing the game.

I'll play the new Castlevania before deciding whether or not this is a good idea But in general, I think outside ideas would be great for Zelda. I loved the Minish Cap, and I feel like Nintendo's home-grown stuff has been sort of weak lately, once you get past the gimmicks.

I'm so cynical these days that I suspect this was done on purpose so as not to alienate WiiU owners from buying the game. "Sure, we're on your side. Really."

Of course, the sentiment may be genuine. Either way, it's an interesting bit of news.

Looks interesting. I agree the camera is nuts, and I hope that's only for demo purposes. There seem to be a lot of rough edges, but it's a good start.

Though it does resemble WindWaker in style, I wouldn't quite call that cel shading. It's an interesting style, though.

@Rinslowe There's been a steady accumulation of disappointment surrounding the Wii U post-launch. My comment refers to more than just this news item. I'm pretty pleased with the 3DS now, but I feel fully justified in expressing concern about the Wii U, based on its performance thus far and all the new info coming in.

Your comment was a bit like a personal attack. Maybe you can reflect on that over that warm milk and cookie you suggested. You know what I mean?

I find the whole thing discouraging. I went all in on the WiiU at launch, which is a first for me. I gambled, and now I'm wondering if it didn't pay off. By the time some really good exclusive games come out, we'll probably have a price drop on the system, and I'm going to feel like an idiot. Out of the early third party downloadable games, only Trine 2: Director's Cut really grabbed me. NintendoLand is getting old. The system isn't being used, except for the occasional Netflix viewing. Come on, Nintendo. Wii U is supposed you be your baby. Show it some love. Give us something good.

Wow, this is big news. WiiU exclusivity is going out the window, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Bayonetta 2 is no longer exclusive (is that old news I've forgotten?). With Nintendo relying so heavily on old formulas for its core franchises, the WiiU is starting to look more and more like a useless brick.

As TotalHenshin just said, the delay is a huge problem as well. My friend was frustrated over the long wait for Luigi's Mansion on 3DS — a game he bought the system for. It seems this is happening more and more. Too many delays, plus loss of exclusivity... the WiiU is becoming redundant.

I love NintendoLand. I think it's great fun, but it's not enough. WindWaker HD isn't for me. I actually find that release to be kind of insulting. It's like Nintendo only cares about its hype machine, and not about what kind of content it's actually offering. That may truly be the case, which makes all of us idiots for buying their machines.

It's cool, but as others have said, it's too much. A new portal, plus new figures... and the price of figures has gone up since the first game. I can only imagine the swappable figures will be over $10, and that's just not fun anymore. I'll see what happens later in the year, but this may be something I can hold off on until there's a sale.

I can't imagine there's a need for games in another platform other than home and portable. Nintendo Bathtime - Waterproof Game Console? The only thing that makes sense would be the Nintendo Phone, but would that take the place of a standard portable? Maybe not. I suppose the portable would be less expensive. The phone would be smaller but would have phone capabilities, etc, and the home console... well, yeah.

The problem is that the ad looks so much better than the game. It's almost misleading, if you haven't seen gameplay or the making-of videos before.

Yes I have Game & Watch Donkey Kong II. What a fancy little machine it is. It really is funny to go back and look at those, realizing they're the original DS systems.

@jaymacx Nintendo needs our money to survive. It's their job to meet our expectations and live up to their own self-generated hype.

@sweetiepiejonus I understand that, and I've been patient... but yesterday's ND was just painful. After watching Iwata's style, though, I understand why Reggie got his job. What wonderful gesticulation.

What a painfully long presentation. Iwata is out of touch, and these Nintendo Direct presentations are becoming ridiculous. Just give us the info without making us suffer through 36 minutes of broken English. Sigh...

There was some good information sprinkled in there. Plenty of the games look like fun. Personally, I don't understand the WindWaker HD thing. The original looks great. Sure, HD would be nice if it just means a perfectly smooth picture, but they've gone and changed the entire look of the game by eliminating the cell-shaded style. I think Zelda is in trouble, and I suspect the WiiU Zelda game will be generic and disappointing. Of course, I hope I'm wrong.

The Xeno-whatever game looks great. Outstanding graphics. It's funny how now Nintendo makes a big deal out of Monolithsoft, when Xenoblade was originally treated as almost undesirable. The fans spoke, I guess.

Overall, it looks like there will be some fun games, but I'm starting to feel that the extras like Miiverse and TVii are ultimately going to be flops. Miiverse has a chance to survive as long as people are enthusiastic about the concept, but I really don't find myself spending much time on there at all. In fact, I haven't used my WiiU in weeks. Something's just missing.

Sigh. The Yoshi game looks like fun. Kirby's Epic Yarn was good, so I'm looking forward to this... though I have to wonder why it's not a new Kirby game, such as Epic Yarn 2. Eh, whatever.

@MagicEmperor It was more of an observation, and in hindsight I probably should have kept it to myself. As you suggest, there's no reason to be surprised. I just wonder if anyone would be interested in she had a more portly physique. The interview almost elevates this person to a sort of celebrity status based solely on these photos, but doesn't really ask anything about the actual craftsmanship involved in creating the costumes. How does she choose materials that will elevate the quality of the costume? Who takes the photos? What type of digital alterations have been made to the photos?

I respect the effort that goes into producing the costumes, makeup and photography. I wish I could dig up a particular image of a group dressed as the barkeep and bar patrons from Twilight Princess. That was some really impressive stuff that has essentially gone unnoticed, and it's a shame. In the end, I guess the prettiest people with the fanciest photos get the attention, and that was really my original point.

@Zodiak13 I think you're inflating what I said quite a bit. As I said above, I respect the invested effort.

The woman admits to only being into cosplay seriously for the last year or so, which is kind of insulting to people who are more serious about it. Of course, NintendoLife can interview anyone they want. I just found myself wondering "Why THIS particular person? Why not a general showcase of Zelda cosplay?"

Of course, NintendoLife could decide to turn this topic into a monthly feature, interviewing a different Nintendo-themed cosplayer every month. That would be interesting.

Unfortunately, there are people out there who are equally or more talented than someone like this, but don't get the recognition because they're considered less attractive. I guess humans can't help but worship beauty.