E3 2014: Zelda Wii U Looks So Great You Really Should Put It On Your Desktop

Looks like Skyward Sword 2. Do not want.

I already have. This is probably the most beautiful game I've ever seen. People who want dark and gritty, go play dark souls.

beautiful!

So hot...

It'd be lovely to have versions without the logos.

I would, but I just changed my desktop to Goku punching Freiza in the face 2 days ago.

And I seriously doubt 2015. The Last Guardian will probably release before this does. One 20 second clip and we're supposed to believe and entire 60 hour story will be ready next year? Up to Nitnedo's high quality demands of it's Zelda titles? Open world? In ultra lush gorgeous HD?

Skyward Sword on Wii took 5 full years to release after Twilight Princess (Nov 2006 - Nov 2011) but somehow this will be out in only 4 years after SS? While they've been working on WW HD and Link Between Worlds?

I just don't see it happening.

My jaw absolutely dropped when I saw this reveal. I really like the new art style. It seems like such an obvious conflation of Zelda styles. It feels very fresh and exciting while feeling familiar.

This game looks ao amazing! The trailer/teaser supposedly was in-engine, now I can't wait to see some gameplay

@Mahe dont worry, the redeeming factor is that it wont probably have the gimmicky controls.

@SanderEvers http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/08/16/zelda-delayed-to-next-year Looks like Nintendo delayed a Zelda game to me.

WHOA. NICE

Am I the only one concerned that there won't be Skyward Sword-style controls? I truly loved holding the master sword in my hand and having full control over swordplay. It always felt like the thing the Wii remote was meant to do. I don't know if I can go back to hitting a button to swing the sword in a 3D Zelda environment. (Link Between Worlds was amazing, but more like a throwback game where of course swinging a remote wouldn't make sense)

Haters be hatin', This game looks amazing, and BTW, I don't care about delays, they always make Zelda good.

Honestly, the game looks good and the play is fun, I can't believe anyone wouldn't like to play this, Windwaker or Skyward Sword over this look...This looks like an even more stylized engine.

Nintendo is learning that Twilight Princess' more realistic engine didn't = more sales....Got to have an open mind. Nintendo is learning from these indies that this is indeed the time to stylize and not shoot for realism.

This will be what changes my link between worlds wallpaper.
Thanks.

@Mahe I disagree with you.
Seriously though, do you have a reason or are you like most cod/creed fans who judge a game by a trailer without ANY gameplay?
_{Watch the insults — TBD}

I'm totally changing my home desktop image to that second one. Glorious.

It won't have skyward sword controls? Don't mind me while I just mope and cry for a couple of hours...

@rjejr You kill joy.

thanks for the awesome background

@rjejr

Hmmm, usually I agree with you, but this time I have to disagree.

I think this game will finish by November 2015. It's pretty obvious that Nintendo is re-using assets from Skyward Sword, and hell, probably using the same engine as well. It should be ready by 2015. Another reason I think that this will come by November 2015, is because if Nintendo always has one big game for the Holidays.
2013 had Super Mario 3D World, 2014 will have Smash Bros, and 2015 should have Zelda.

But we shall see my good friend.

@Frapp Thank you!

@Mahe Looks like Skyward Sword 2. WANT.

I love it!!

Love the look, it's a nice modernization and upgrade from the beautiful look of Windwaker.

Zelda is always at it's best when they place artisty over realism.

@earthboundlink nope, i agree, why people didnt like the motion plus controls is odd to me, and im going to really miss it from zelda games.

Looks like a cross between wind waker and skyward sword. Love it!

Love it, I hope it comes out next year. If it does, I will laugh in the face of anyone who is certain it will miss next year.

@earthboundlink

It hasn't been confirmed that motion controlled swordplay won't return. The trailer also depicts a right handed link so there's a very good chance 1:1 swordplay will return at least as an option.

Why thank you kind sirs! Immediately using these wallpapers.

All the Nintendo news has been stellar by the way. Winners of E3 with the strategy they're using right now.

I already have.

I'm actually really disapointed with the graphics. I was really hoping this game would look like the 2011 E3 demo.

They will drop I think the motion control stuff for game pad stuff. So you lose the greatness of the motion control but you'll get so many cool things to do with the game pad screen.

@JaredJ

You don't understand what truly beautiful graphics are IMO.

To you, IMO, it's probably all about tech and being all "gritty", "realistic" and "mature" or whatever.

This game is friking stunning and anyone who doesn't get that doesn't know what real beauty is...

In my "humble" opinion.

@mobilesworking

You can just save the plain versions of images from the thumbnails at the bottom of the article.

I must be meant to be a true Zelda -Nintendo fan... I am in the UK for work this week, and after a day of issues and meetings (stuff that's not exactly fun), I casually got back to my hotel and clicked into the live nintendo e3 feed to see the zelda trailer just as it was revealed. I had no idea what I was watching until I read about it later, So weird, it's like I work hard in real life so that I can enjoy zelda in my limited free time.

This art style again? No thank you, can we go back to Twilight Princess style, that was awesome...

Love the open world idea, but this really does not have me hyped. Also 2015 release? My ass.

Already got Link saved as my desktop, thanks!

I gotta be completely honest here. In 20+ years of gaming, I don't think I've EVER seen a game so beautiful as this. Zelda U will be one for the history books...

@SecondServing Same engine?? absolutely not. It has to be a newer engine for it to run HD graphics with a new hardware. The correct term I think must be used is that it is using the same art style

@earthboundlink

Well, I'll miss it as an OPTION if it's not in this game because I really did enjoy it in Skyward Sword, for the most part, but I've played every other Zelda game without any motion controls whatsoever and enjoyed them all thoroughly too, so I'm not too bothered personally.

Still, it would be cool if it were an OPTION but I expect it would be quite difficult to design a Zelda control and combat scheme that feels brilliant with full motion controls yet also feels and works just as brilliantly with full traditional only controls.

So, I'd rather have one style done right over two styles slightly compromised just to have the option if that's the choice here.

Just my personal take on things.

@rjejr Skyward Sword took around 3-4 years.

@ULTRA-64 this game looks better than any cod, or creed game anyways!

@rjejr

This game will be out next year. It'll be the big holiday release. Relax and enjoy yourself man. You're negativity is suffocating the excitement you SHOULD be feeling right now. If next year comes, and they announce at E3 that the game is delayed, THEN let's complain about it. Until then, let's stop and smell the flowers for a bit. It's E3 for crying out loud

@SecondServing

Eh, I REALLY don't think there's a single asset being reused from Skyward Sword actually. It's possible but I REALLY am not seeing it based on what we have been shown thus far. I mean it has some of that Skyward Sword look and feel but to me it looks like all new artwork and textures etc.

It MOST DEFINITELY isn't the same engine from what I'm seeing.

You understand they've more than likely had to create an all new engine just to be able to generate an entire open world in the Zelda universe in full HD without coming to a complete stuttering halt, right?

You can't just take the Skyward Sword engine/code, make the world 50 times as big (random number I just plucked out of thin air), render it in HD, tweak a couple of variables and it will magically work.

In my opinion, there's no chance this this is same engine unless it's been so heavily modified that it really isn't the same engine, if you get me, although they've probably copied and pasted some chunks rather rewrite every single line from scratch because that would just be a huge waste and a little crazy.

@Chris720

Going back [backwards] is exactly what that would be.

No thanks.

This look and style is superior in every single way imo.

This announcement alone will put the Wii-U on the gaming map. Hyrule warriors also looks incredible. It looks like an awesome show for Wii-U so far I'm so glad to see it

@Kirk Uhm, in that case Skyward Sword was also backwards. Ninty tried a new look after Wind Walker with TV and then they went back to the WW-esque style in St and again with this one.

I don't understand why having a grittier and darker look is such a bad thing for Zelda. Yeah sure it's suppose to be light hearted, but having some dark undertones makes it more interesting and I felt To captured that quite well.

@Windy

Nah, it really won't.

It looks stunning and I think most Nintendo fans are going to be rightfully excited but I don't see many non-Nintendo gamers getting too bothered about this one cool looking open world game to be honest, to the point that it would make much of a difference to Wii U's situation.

They already have the likes of Skyrim, Dragon Age, Assassins Creed: Unity, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Mad Max, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and The Witcher 3 etc etc etc.

@Chris720

Having a more "gritty" and "darker" art style for these Zelda game is only "such a bad thing" because it just doesn't look as good as the more fantasy art style imo and it most certainly ages much worse.

It's that simple.

PS. The dark undertones have nothing to do with the art style. The game can still have lots of "grittiness" and "darkness" in the actual story and content etc and what I've seen of this game has not suggested it won't have some of that. In fact, I have a feeling it might just be perfect for going in both directions equally.

@Kirk well we can hope. I think Nintendo is having a really good show. Smash bros looks great even though I'm not a fan. Hyrule warriors, the new Zelda and Xenoblade really caught my eye.

@Kirk

I dunno... for non motion controlled swordplay they can always map the directional swings and sword handling to the right analog. They had a similar mechanic in Metal Gear Rising and I think it would satisfy 1:1 motion naysayers perfectly.

But I am a hardcore Zelda fan who is not looking forward to single button pressing for swordplay. I'm currently playing HD Windwaker and the game's sword-fighting is starting to feel ancient already.

@Chris720

Nintendo's going with this look because it wasn't fully realized in Skyward Sword. The Wii simply didn't have the power to pull it off properly. Same thing with Gamecube's Wind Waker.

But rest assured, I'm sure the next Zelda will go back to something more toward Twilight Princess style in the future. You can see Nintendo likes to play around with Zelda's expression and don't like to stick to one style for too long.

@Chris720 Everyone is doing Dark Fantasy at the moment, movies, tv shows and games are milking it like the 80-90's milked sci-fi and aliens. I watch GOT and i have Dragon Age pre-ordered but i don't want that in Zelda, at least not when everyone else is doing it.

I'm not a major Zelda fan so take my opinion with a little salt but this art style looks awesome to me and i've already pre-ordered it.

Eww. This is why I won't buy a Wii U. Cel-shaded/Paintbrush Art Style graphics are dumb. There's no creativity. Mario Kart 8/Wind Waker (HD) have cel-shading. I'll stick with my 3DS. Also, we probably won't have motion controls for sword swinging. (for me, graphics and gameplay are equal targets in a game. No, I don't play CoD. No, I don't play Sony OR Microsoft. Or PC. The graphics problem's because that's all we pay attention to while playing the game. Almost like OCD.

@Linkypoo in 15 years time this game will still look excellent, as will the original Wind Waker.
Twilight Princess already looks like vomit compared to modern games.

Wheres MEtroid!!! So ticked!!

still a shame that they didnt announce Majoras Mask 3DS.
Maybe they didnt want to present 3 Zeldas at once, and are holding it back for another expo

that, metroid u & fzero u

@JaredJ At first I was dissapointed with it also but the more I look at it the more I realize they could do with it.

@C-Olimar No, it doesn't. Even the original Ocarina of Time looks fine. Well, Majora's Mask's shading and overall dark tone makes it look dated. I admit, Twilight Princess isn't the BEST looking Zelda, but comes in at a close 2nd. (Ocarina of Time 3D is first.)

I am loving how this one looks. I still hope motion swordplay is included. Thanks for the screen savers.

Don't see why people are complaining about these graphics, they look gorgeous to me. But eh, everybody always seems to nitpick on graphics these days.

@Iggly I'm not nitpicking. I just simply dislike cel-shaded/paintbrush graphics. I'm fine with even N64 graphics. My Wii is FILLED with legit, paid for Virtual Console titles. And a SINGLE WiiWare. Not even a game disc. And I'm not one of those middle-aged people saying "bwah, all modern games suck! Consoles these days with 15 buttons and touchpads. -scoffs-." I say middle-aged because you don't see 13 year olds saying the same thing. Not saying all mid-aged people say that, just a select few.

@Linkypoo Wasn't really pointing this message directly to you, but more to people in general.

My desktop is now filled with the awesome world from the upcoming Legend of Zelda on Wii U.

Every bit as amazing in 2015 as Ocarina of time was in 1998!

@Iggly I know. I'm just saying.

@JaredJ me too

@Firebire360 Me three.

yay. ill take them both

I dig the environment art, but Link, Epona, and that enemy are too messy to look at and will need some cleanup. Hope we won't have to wait until next E3 to see ithe final style running.

THANKS FOR THESE WALLPAPERS!!! ^^

Ugh sounds great....why not remind myself of the wait every.....single....day

@Linkypoo

It's a total shame you won't be playing with us. I promise we'll all remember you at least once while we're running around in our moving painting.

this is awesome, i just cant stress this enough

@SanderEvers - "And they never delayed a Zelda game. "

Too late to look it up now, but wasn't the Gamecube version of TP delayed while they worked on the Wii verison? I know the GC version released 1st but hought it was still delayed.

Dec 2015? Is that winter 2014, winter 2015 or winter 2016?

@SecondServing - Oh I agree it should be ready by Nov or Dec 2015 as my other dissenter said, and I'm sure thats Nitnedos plan, but it really just feels like it wont be. Pikmin 3 was a launch "window" title, then Q1, then I think Q2, then it released in Aug which is Q3. And thats a Pikmin game which was supposed ot be released on Wii adn they had been working on for years. SSB on Wii U should have been out by now, or at least have a blooming date. Winter 2014, it doesnt even have a month yet.

They showed more of X last E3 than Zelda this E3 adn X won't be out until 2015. If X isn't out until 2015 how is Zelda supposed to be out in 2015?

Bayoentta was shown last E3 and it still isnt out yet.

DKCTF was delayed and its a 2D sidecroller based on basically the same Wii game.

Not sayin git won't happen, I'll give it a 30% chance for "Winter 2015".

But why does Nitneod say 2015 anyway, do they really think it will be out in the spring or summer of 2015? They shoudl at least say "holiday 2015" b/c nobody but the biggest faaboi will thik its out before then.

@Hero-of-WiiU -

Skyward Sword on Wii took 5 full years to release after Twilight Princess (Nov 2006 - Nov 2011)

Those are the US release dates, I suppose other countries may vary. If Zelda U comes out in Japan late 2015 but the US 2016 its still 2016 to me.

@JaxonH - I'm not being negative at all, I'm being realistic. When this game does get delayed for everyone else it will be right on time for me.

You've seen all the game delays on PS, same as I have. You've seen all the Wii U games not get delayed, but just not get dated. I know I was joking around about MK8 being delayed and I admit I was wrong, but I was only half serious. You're a really smart guy, do you really see this releasing next year? Ninendo doesn't have a lot of experience w/ open world, and this game looks incredible. Team Ico couldn't get The Last Guardian out the door and that's their bread and butter.

I did miss you all day, I was in pretty good spirits overall, just nitpicking here and there Amoeba, I just can't shake it.

@rjejr
Pragmatically I agree with you, but I'm still hoping they hit the target. You can't just compare other Zelda game release times, though. For instance, Skyward Sword was targeted at 25th Anniversary AND it used the Motion Plus which came late. There are way too many factors. But, yeah, the greatest games almost always have delays from Nintendo.

I felt like Aonuma was being genuine when he said you could travel to the areas in the distance. It didn't look like a tech demo environment, it looked fleshed out with hints of things just beyond hills. That's partly wishful thinking, I admit. Also, that creature he fought had one leg broken off which the animation didn't seem to show explicitly so it seemed like a genuine gameplay element. There were just little things that hinted to me that parts of the greater game were in there.

On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that Epona moves that way during real gameplay and that Link (or whoever that is) will be able to jump off the mount into the air to shoot an arrow. So, yeah. I'm just HOPING Nintendo hits the target.

I agree that they should have just said Q4 2015.

@Mahe
You mad, bro. It will probably use the GamePad extensively, so even when you realize, after time, how silly and shortsighted your remark is you still won't want it. I'm sorry you do this to yourself.

@SecondServing

Nintendo is not just reusing assets from Skyward Sword here; models are different, textures are different, animations are different, and yes, even the engine is brand new. Skyward Sword was never produced with HD visuals in mind and importing its 480p textures and models into a 720p or 1080p game on WiiU would not only look downright disgusting in terms of graphical fidelity, but also painfully out-of-place.

The world of Skyward Sword (SS) was highly stylized and its physical world was directly influenced by the cartoony shader. As such, a SS table was not perfectly rectangular, nor a SS window perfectly square. The cartoony style of the shader essentially dictated that geometry be exaggerated and expressed in forms of asymmetry.

In the Zelda WiiU video, however, we are actually seeing the exact opposite. The cartoony shader not only appears more detailed and complex, but it is also being applied with greater variation. For example, the grass is the field heavily flat-shaded, as well as both Link and Epona. The trees, rocks, mountains, and cottage, however, are not. This is very signficant because the shader is no longer completely defining the world and therefore geometric details need to be properly aligned to that new visual style. If the cottage in the background were tilted, and featured with a heavily arced roof and funky-shaped windows, it would look out of place here. By choosing to fine-tune the shader and be more selective with how it is applied, Nintendo is essentially forced to render a world with an increased level of realism than SS. Indeed, this world absolutely is more rooted in reality than SS.

But I digress...

Obviously, the art style here is inspired by Skyward Sword and that did likely speed up at least a few aspects of development - although I believe it would have only been a minor boost.

As for the release date, though, it's really anyone's guess. I think that a game of this caliber and scope has a high likelihood of being delayed (especially given the history of the franchise), however, it now also has the largest development team in the history of Nintendo currently working on it.

As much as I would love the game in 2015, it really is better delayed than rushed out. This is an incredibly important release for them to get right; they are (finally) modernizing Zelda and likely (re-)setting the tone and direction for the next 1-2 releases. Given the time and resources being used to develop this, I think fans can safely expect a second Zelda adventure within the lifespan of WiiU (similar to Ocarina of Time / Majora's Mask); Nintendo will need to get some great mileage out of this.

@rjejr

By the looks of things, Nintendo has got their priorities straight. They're planning on releasing Star Fox NEXT YEAR, despite the game only being 8 months into development. Miamoto said he wanted to reveal it at E3 so that he would be forced to bust tail and make sure it's out by next year. Said they're bringing in help to get it done on time. That's a MAJOR undertaking. Like, of the AAA kind.

Which tells me Nintendo has learned what it's going to take to get games out this generation. That and the fact they did pretty much EVERYTHING fans had been asking for. Mario Kart DLC. Star Fox. Interesting Gamepad integration. Online shooter. Mario Level Editor. New IPs up the yin yang. They even announced Captain Toad- even you were saying how fun a Captain Toad game would be, and this one looks fantastic!

So I have no worries. There's always a chance of delay, but that goes for any game. No reason to single out this one. I mean, this Zelda will have been in development for a long time. And they always release a big game each holiday season. This is it for 2015. They'll have it out, trust me. They're not going to NOT have a huge release during the holiday season.

Aonuma on the character in Zelda Wii U’s trailer: No one explicitly said that that was Link

http://nintendoeverything.com/aonuma-on-the-character-in-zelda-wii-us-trailer-no-one-explicitly-said-that-that-was-link/

@Evenmoresteven Dark Souls isn't only dark but very violence. That is something that Majora's Mask wasn't! Nuff said

@Linkypoo lol@you. You think 3DS is better looking? That's because it's TINY little screen. On big screen it would be all ugly! 3ds is just upgrade from NDS with only 3D setting with avery very bit update for the CPU. N64 still looks better! And how many years are we ahead? We still get crappy graphics from Nintendo! Nuff said

@MinecraftGreek Except that Skyward Sword and Wind Waker HD flopped, while Twilight Princess is one of the all-time highest selling Zelda games.

Don't try to lie to cover up for Nintendo's incompetence.

I love the art style. Skyward Sword was slightly bland when it comes to visuals (while the game itself is one of my favorites of all time). But this... now this is awesome.

When I saw the video for this, I thought very nice. Thanks for the wallpapers However shame about the logo on the bottom right side.
EDIT - Nope, doesn't matter about the logo's - One can just click and then view the pictures in the bottom panel to save. Thanks again.

@Turbo857

Well they could probably map most the stuff in one way or another but I think it would possibly lose something in the translation. I expect that 'solution' might actually end up just being less fun than if they'd simply fully designed the game with that standard control at the forefront in the first place as opposed to being a way of basically just mirroring and fitting the motion controls on the GamePad, or visa versa.

@Kirk Yep I agree ,you only have to play chibi-robo to see that even the cutest, happiest, brightest looking of games can have surprisingly dark or adult undertones in the story. Shame Its still £50 online and why didn't they localise the Wii-make?

why they couldnt make the ZELDA like a demo on E3 2011 (with awesome dark graphic design)

http://hiddentriforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Zelda-Wii-U-News.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDFLqZRx_88/UFkL_vK5ydI/AAAAAAAAAC8/ylz5dExDrns/s1600/b9vkki.gif

@Georgee

They could but this looks better imo and will also most likely hold up much better over time too; so that when you go to play it again in 2020 it won't look like a turd but like a beautiful piece of timeless art. In the same way that all the best sprite games from the likes of the 16bit era have managed to do so whereas most of the early 3D stuff on consoles like the N64 and PS look like total garbage now by comparison. Or how the likes of Wind Waker and Skyward Sword have and will hold up much better than the likes of Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess in terms of visuals.

I'm pretty confident now that they only showed ~ 40 secs because the game looks gorgeous. It completely overshadowed Hyrule Warriors imo. And since the latter is only 3 months away it would have harmed it imo. I have never seen a game as beautiful as this one. I hope the game lives up to the expectations.

Also, I don't think that a dark atmosphere is bad for TLoZ. In fact, I think TP has the best story in the entire franchise and that's partly due to the dark atmosphere. However, when you compare the artstyle of TP and Zelda WiiU I will easily pick Zelda WiiU ones. It's so gorgeous and timeless.

And concerning the control options: Yes, Skyward Swords Motion Controls were amazing and you really felt immersed. However, having finally been able to play WW HD, I say let go off the Motion Controls. Wind Waker plays so amazing with the gamepad. I haven't had to pause the game once in my entire playthrough. Not a single time. You can do everything on the gamepad that would have had to be done in the pause menu. Watching the map, selecting items, watching Miiverse bottle messages, and so on. It felt awesome. I don't think I can ever go back to the immersion breaking pausing. And since they said that Zelda U will be massive open-world, you ca n use these features while riding on Epona similar to sailing in WW HD.

I will admit I was initially disappointed when I saw the graphics because this time I thought Nintendo had their finger on the pulse of the fans and knew that they BETTER give a realistic Zelda game. They definitely had the power with no excuses this time. That E3 demo would PALE in comparison to what they'd show this time. What's this?! A paint style look? Sigh ... here we go again. Then I decided to go ahead and watch the trailer. Then again. Then again. Okay, now I see that Nintendo is on to something here. This looks friggin gorgeous! I'm on board. I recall seeing Wind Waker and crying foul and then I played it. I put my foot in my mouth then as well. Yeah, awesomeness. I can't wait for this one.

@JaxonH - "Nintendo has got their priorities straight. They're planning on releasing Star Fox NEXT YEAR," ... "And they always release a big game each holiday season. This is it for 2015. They'll have it out, trust me. They're not going to NOT have a huge release during the holiday season."

See what I did there, let you do all the work for me, just added the 3 little dots

Star Fox games usually run about what 3 hours? It's all about dieing and replay. I think Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword each took me about 40 - 60 hours. I know which one I'm betting on being ready next year.

And next years big holiday game will be announced next E3, probably Mario Universe i.e. SMG3, not to be confused w/ an MMO type game. And maybe TW can get his SMG1+2 bundle next summer. Though since Wii U plays Wii games I'm not really sure why he would want that but he mentioned it somewhere.

@JaxonH @aaronsullivan - "I agree that they should have just said Q4 2015."

It was only just the April 8 ND - 2 months ago - that Nintendo said "summer" for SSB 3DS. You can even buy a pre-order card at Target that says "Summer 2014". Now it's due Oct. 3. I know that isn't much past summer, but October isn't summer on anybody's calendar, and that was just 2 months ago.

OK no more talk of Zelda U, SSB is due out "Winter 2014" so lets play that first (Maybe Nintendo calendars only have winter and summer, no fall or spring on them?)

Oh Aaron, Mr. Sulivan sir, asking Mahe if he was "mad bro" - aren't you the father of 2 voice of reason on here? Not much hope for the rest of us now is there? But it is Mahe, so...

@Alucard83 If you have a 32in HDTV or up, go to YouTube, search any capture-carded 3DS video and watch it in HD. N64 looks better? I know you're doing this because of your Wii U, but N64 looks better? I happen to like sharp graphics with sometimes the pixellated edge. Not blurry, blocky, stretched out models with too many hardware limitations. Have you seen the jump from OoT and OoT 3D? Nintendo's still giving "crappy" graphics? Many people say that many of the Wii U's games, MK8, and SSB4 are some of the best looking graphics of all-time. If you actually look...

@Linkypoo
I really don't understand why you're even commenting. The game looks great. Cartoony or cel shaded art styles beat out realism any day. Skyrim looks like garbage compared to Wind Waker (the original GCN version). Team Fortress 2 is incredible next to Battlefield.

Realistic graphics have their place, but this game (and all the games you listed for that matter) aren't bad looking by a long shot.

@ULTRA-64 dont call people nazi you butthole

@kyuubikid213 You don't know why I'm commenting? So, what. Isn't that why it's called "commenting", to state your opinion?

No, cel-shaded and cartoony would never beat realistic. Anyway, it's my opinion. If you can't respect and accept that, too bad.

E3 = first time I saw this in motion. I literally could not believe how good it looked as my jaw dropped to the floor and I repeatedly interjected, "NO WAY!....how could they...NO WAY!!!"

My hat is off to them as a fellow designer and appreciator of design and art!

@Linkypoo
I don't have a problem with people stating their opinions, but you said you'd never buy a Wii U because of cartoony, cel-shaded graphics. I think that's a poor reason to not buy a console, but it's your reason, so whatever.

Also, Skyrim and Team Fortress are great games, whether they're on Nintendo or not. Battlefield...eh. It's alright. I was only using those as examples where cartoony styles work just as well, if not better, in the same genre of game.

My opinion is that cartoony styles will always beat out realism because those will stand the test of time and always look beautiful whereas "realistic" games will be "pixel-counted" and only look worse as time goes on, slowly earning the accolade "It Looked Good For It's Time." The original Tomb Raider with it's realistic art style looks kind of bad by today's standards, but Crash Bandicoot still looks amazing. That's my opinion. I'll respect yours if you can respect mine.

@kyuubikid213 And, name ONE instance where I said those games are bad looking. If anything, I said I thought 3DS was better looking than Wii U. Seriously?

@Linkypoo
Well...you did say you hated cel-shaded/paintbrush graphics...

I don't understand what you're trying to say really. Are you saying you were troll commenting or something? The Wii U looks better than the 3DS when comparing games on equal levels of beauty (SM3DL vs SM3DW and MK7 vs MK8).

@kyuubikid213 Fine. I'll acept that.
I never said "never". I said won't. I won't pay $300+ dollars for a console if the 3DS line cost $100 - $200 cheaper and has more and better games than Wii U. Like OoT3D, KH3D: DDD, Cave Story, MK7, Flipnote 3D ALBW...just to name a few.
Wii U has SSB4...uh...(I'm really trying to think) Sonic Lost World, um..., Mario Maker, NSMBU (and NSLU)... that's it. And more than half of those I can get on 3DS (or a version of it, -NSMBU and NSMB2-)
Well, look at SSB4. It's realistic fantasy. It fits. (I like realistic, but not realistic-mature. I'm extremely complicated.)

@Mahe then you are probably the only one, it looks amazing, also because something may look similar to something it doesnt mean its the same.

@MoonKnight7 Hehe, well said! XD

@Linkypoo
You're confusing me now...
Of course the 3DS has more games because it's been out for a year longer... as for better, that's a matter of opinion.
Also, it's not like it's hard to think of Wii U games. What about ZombiU? Wind Waker HD? Lego City? Nintendo Land? Super Mario 3D World? Mario Kart 8? Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze? Wonderful 101? What about the third party titles like Assassin's Creed? Mass Effect? Darksiders? Call of Duty? Batman?

I'm not against the 3DS, and your purchase is your purchase. Just...the Wii U is well worth the $300 in my opinion anyway.

Random comment, I'm impressed on how most people use good typing grammar here. Unlike on YouTube...feels like I'm talking to actual, intelligent people here. Like I said, random.

@Mahe I know TBD or Lz will get mad at me for this, but...can you just go?
You're clearly not having fun here, so why put yourself through it? Go have fun somewhere instead of complaining about the GamePad or Nintendo's shortcomings.

I have to admit, I was hoping for a non cel shaded look to Zelda U, but after taking a second look at it, I wouldn't change it!

@kyuubikid213 ZombieU--mature realism and FPS. Wind Waker HD--cel shaded, but, okay gameplay. Lego City? That's for kids. NL, I'll take it. It's not a MUST HAVE, though. SM3DW, HATED 3D Land. 3D World looks the same. And cel graphics. (but I have yet to try it.) MK8, weird music and cel graphics. (BUT, I can mute it. Plus, MK is an fast paced game, so graphics won't matter much anyway. W101, looks like a 5 year old's game. I'll feel silly and be embarrassed playing it.
Assasin's Creed, too mature. Mass Effect. You know what, the remainders of these. I don't want to go around killing people. Darksiders. (see Mass Effect) CoD. Never. Why would you even mention that?! (see Mass Effect) Batman, never was into superheroes.

@Linkypoo
Some standout moments:

"...HATED 3D Land."
I've never actually seen those words together before, so that was interesting.

"MK8, god-awful music..."
Goodness...I just don't know what to say to that, as I've never seen those words together either. The music in Mario Kart is one of the best things about the game. You're really catching me off-guard! Haha.

"DKTF. It doesn't deserve it's popularity."
It's really not that popular, so that doesn't explain anything.

"W101, looks like a 5 year old's game. I'll feel silly and be embarrassed playing it."
Hardly plays like a 5-year old's game. If you would get embarrassed playing it, then that says more about your character than it does about a silly game. Not a bad thing, just an observation.

I dunno, I guess you really shouldn't get a Wii U, which is just a shame. I mean no disrespect, as everyone is different, but your tastes are just too particular. You would be better off getting a PS4 or Xbox as a home console if you're in the market for one. They'll have more games to pick from, so hopefully you'd be more successful at finding games you like.

@Mahe

It's true Twilight Princess sold more copies than both Skyward Sword and Wind Waker, however, Twilight Princess also had the benefit of being on two consoles at roughly the same time. But to say SS and WW flopped, I'm sorry, but that's just laughable. Nintendo wouldn't have remade WW if it had, as you said, "flopped."

I did say I'm "extremely complicated" before.
Did you read that I don't like Microsoft and Sony? It's fine, I posted other stuff a lot. The ONE game is KH3. My current home console is Wii. Typing from it! But I usually go portable.

@rjejr @mahe
Rjejr you are right, I should have held back the snark a bit. No excuse but I do get persnickety when it gets late.

This is not targeted at Mahe specifically but: What really irritates me the most is how people deny themselves by artificially restricting their range of taste with irrational thinking and social pressure and other childish behavior. Funny how one of the big ways this happens is by flippantly writing something off as "kiddie". A wasteful and ironic infantile behavior. Maintaining the ability to see the world through a child's eyes while tempering your actions with wisdom acquired through experience is what I call mature, personally.

@rjejr

Eh, it's 11 days past summer. I'm definitely NOT sweating 11 days.

@aaronsullivan

Right. Games have no boundaries. There is no "kiddie". Like I always say, there's two kinds of games in this world. JUST TWO:

Games that are fun.
And games that aren't.

Any person who judges a game based on anything other than how entertaining it is to play, is not a gamer. Period. Gamers play games for fun, not for social acceptance. If you're choosing games based on "image" or "maturity", you're not a gamer, you're just some dude playing video games to fit in with your peers.

@JaxonH
I get what you are trying to say, but I think a gamer is someone who spends some time between playing games thinking about games.

I don't think I could just dismiss somebody that only loves RTS games but dismisses others as some sort of non-gamer. I bet some Starcraft II champions only play Starcraft II and think other stuff is "kiddie" (it's plausible at least).

I'd say the type of person you are describing is a game connoisseur or just someone who loves having fun.

Although it's sad that someone would restrict their options for tenuous reasons I wouldn't look down on someone for doing that with entertainment options.

By "open world" is it going to be like Skyrim?

Marriage option confirmed?

@aaronsullivan
"I think a gamer is someone who spends their time between playing games thinking about games"

Actually, that's an OBSESSED gamer.

I'm not dismissing people who love RTS games. Not sure where you got that from? I said a gamer is someone who plays games for fun. For entertainment. Because they love games. And if you're NOT playing games because you really love them- if you're only playing what you think will make you look "cool" to others, then you are definitely NOT a gamer. You're just a dude trying to impress somebody.

@Linkypoo
I'm sorry to say, but I can't really argue anything else. Those games had a wide variety to them (and share an awful lot of variety with the 3DS library), so I guess the real question is... What the hell do you even play?

It's either too kiddy, too violent, too cartoony, too realistic, too popular, just something you hate... I don't care if you're complicated or not, but it would seem that the only games you'd actually play are...nothing...

Off the top of my head, anyway... Shoot.

@JaxonH
You have to attach that RTS thing with the next sentence where the RTS champion might think other games are kiddie. That person is still a gamer, no?

Just brought that up to temper your original contention is all:
"Any person who judges a game based on anything other than how entertaining it is to play, is not a gamer. Period. "

No biggie.

My statement about spending time thinking between playing. I meant some time between playing games not ALL. Reading it back it certainly sounds the obsessed type thought. <goes and edits it>

@kyuubikid213 Since I have semi-eidetic memory... I've played and enjoyed...
Cave Story (all versions except 3D (not eShop)
All Mario Karts except Double Dash!! and Wii.
All Kirbys except Yarn, RtDL, Triple Deluxe, and 64.
All Zeldas (including all 4 Swords) except II, CD-i, SS, this, and 4 Swords Adventures.
Kingdom Hearts: Re:coded, Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, KH3D: Dream Drop Distance.
All Bejeweled games.
Bloons TD 3 and up.
(DSiWare) UNO, Need for Speed: Nitro X, Bomberman Blitz, Flipnote Studio, Tetris Party Live!, 10 Second Run, Game and Watch: Donkey Kong JR, Paper Airplane Chase.
WiiWare Chronos Twins, Mix Superstar.
All SSBs except Melee, All NSMBs.
All SUPER Marios except 2, 3 "sport games", and Hotel Mario's a given.
Paper Mario 64, TYD, and Sticker Star.
All Sonics except Boom and '06
All Mario Parties except 1, 2, 3.
That's a few, but I'm typing on 2DS and fingers are tired.
EDIT: adding:
Turbo: Racing League (Android)
Angry Birds lite, full, Space, Seasons, Chrome and Rio.
Added more DSiWare and subheading "DSiWare" Added various to other categories.

@aaronsullivan My definition is "a gamer is anyone who plays multiple video games for recreational purposes."

@Linkypoo
If that's a list of games you enjoy, then (bear with me here, whether I sound rude or not) you need to get over your cel-graphics stigma and get a Wii U. The PS4 and One will have games you'll like, but it seems like you'd be happier with the Wii U's offerings.

Graphics don't make the game. The gameplay does. If cel-graphics or cartoony graphics really affect how you enjoy games that much, you should go retro.

@kyuubikid213 It's called "that's all I pay attention to in a game if it's bad" Like I said, kinda like OCD. Cel-shaded graphics remind you that you're playing a game, so you won't take things as seriously as if it was like OoT's or TP's. For example, take OoT3D. When Ganondorf confronts you as a kid (after 3 Spiritual Stones) which seems more serious-

Applying OoT3D's graphics or a paintbrush graphic style. My reaction -oot- "whoa, what just happened? Kinda creeped out..." -paintbrush- "Probably...everything's okay because everything's still cheerful and bright." What I mean is that you can't take major events as seriously depending on how you see it.
Whether graphics affect you or not is an opinion.
I told you. There's a single good game on PS4 and XBox, and it won't come out 'till about 2015 or 2016. Kingdom Hearts 3.

@JaxonH - "Eh, it's 11 days past summer. I'm definitely NOT sweating 11 days."

And I promise not to sweat it when Zelda U releases Jan 11, 2016, but it will still be 2016

@rjejr

Fair enough. I'd have no issue with that either. It's not seasonal labels that matter to me, it's the general time frame that counts. "Winter-ish release, sometime before the snow melts" works just fine

@aaronsullivan - "Rjejr you are right, I should have held back the snark a bit. No excuse but I do get persnickety when it gets late. "

Oh sorry man, I was just kidding, I hope you weren't taking my comment seriously. It was just so funny when I read it I couldn't resist.

@JaxonH - Winter is coming.

@rjejr
Yeah, but I do try not to be a jerk, there's enough of that out there. My posts before rewrites/edits often prove to myself I'm more than capable (of being a jerk).

My God it's gorgeous. Plus open-world is something I've always wanted from the 3D Zelda games (though back in the day of OoT it felt big enough, but say SS felt too confined)!

@JaxonH - I took a break from commenting to actually PLAY a videogame, odd I know. I'm about halfway thru Child of Light and if you start calling me Tristis I completely understand

@rjejr

Nice! I'm taking a break from playing video games while the expo is in session. I'll resume my normal schedule this weekend. Dude, new 3DS game STEAM... total HYPE, Nintendo won E3 like 5 games ago, and yet they just keep on comin!

@JaxonH - I have no idea what Steam is, but Nitnedo really really wants me to buy a 3DS it seems. Squennix is making some squad based FF spinoff as well, if it ever gets outside japan. Maybe a 3DS XL for my birthday after all.

@rjejr

STEAM = Strike Team Eliminating the Alien Menace

New IP from Nintendo on 3DS, JUST announced an hour ago. Developed by Intelligent Systems, same developers as Advance Wars and Fire Emblem, same ones making the SMT x Fire Emblem crossover. TOTAL HYPE.

It's a 3rd person perspective action shooter turn-based strategy RPG (lol). But it looks dope! It's developed by IS, you already KNOW it's gonna be money!

@Ninhau I hear yeah.

F-Zero U, F-Zero 3DS, Metriod 3DS, Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask 3D. For E3 2015!

Honestly, why are people against the art style? Realistic is overrated, way too many games are pushing forward ultra realistic looking games which is just tiring to play now. This art style looks gorgeous and is refreshing. people play games to have a fun time and to get away from the real world!!

Not sure I'm a fan of how link looks but the rest of the art style works fine. Weirded out by all the explosions and lasers though

@LDXD - "Zelda U has a much larger team working on it"

What makes you say that? One of my concerns of Zelda U coming out in 2016 is that many of the people working on it were working on WW HD, which though even I have called it a 10 yr old port obviously had a LOT of work done to it regarding, well, everything except the story. And others were working on Link Between Worlds. So maybe a lot of people are working on it now, mid 2014, but is it enough to get a beautiful open world Zelda game ready in 18 months when historically Zelda games take so long?

I hope they get it done, would make a nice Chirstams present next year, but I'm really not expecting it at all, no matter how many people are working on it. Though the more the better.

Ok seriously, these 2 look absolutely amazing!

excuse me that was link aonuma say's

@earthboundlink
You're not going to see Skyward Sword style controls again. The new game will confirm to the current Wii U controller, not the last generation controller.

While I liked the control of Skyward Sword, even the MotionPlus wasn't enough of an improvement to make it work as well as it could have.

@SanderEvers Ocarina of Time for the N64 was delayed, several times.
www.zeldadungeon.net/2011/08/nintendo-power-1997-ocarina-of-time-delays/