Video: See How Far The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess has Come Since the Wii & GameCube

Yikes. The screenshot taken for the youtube video, besides it being brighter, looks no different at all.

It actually looks substantially better.

It's not as obvious or as impressive as the Wind Waker remake, but it still looks pretty good.

Better than it initially appeared in the announcement trailer.

They've improved the textures, they've improved the lighting, if they had just improved the geometry and foliage as well, it could almost pass as an actual Wii U game. Maybe. A third party one. Just.

TP, the new OoT. I can't wait for the NX version of this, and also the version after that.

I like how the ground actually looks like what ground is suppose to look like in the HD version.

The biggest take away from this video is that the horse was named Poochie.

Not bad. Has anyone heard if the HD version will an orchestrated score? Or is it the synthesized soundtrack from the GameCube/Wii versions?

@A01 Totally agree as far as geometry. Reminds me of StarFox Zero during E3..

@A01 It seems that is what the critics of this remake are having a hard time with. Many are comparing it to the game running on a emulator where it could naturally be scaled up to 720, 1080 or higher. Granted like you mentioned the texture maps look better on Wii U than even the emulated version. But if they could just add some extra polygons to some of the geometry it would help sell the game even more. As is I think it looks good and I'm planning on picking it up.

The Wii U version looks crisper. I don't really know what anyone was expecting. This is exactly what PS3/360 to PS4/One remasters look like as well as cross generation titles.

If you were expecting everything to be redone from the ground up...you were setting yourself up for disappointment.

Personally, I think it looks pretty good, but I'll be saving my money for Zelda U as I can still play Twilight Princess Wii on the Wii U. The only way I'd consider the purchase is if the GamePad features really add to the excellent game I've already played.

It's too bad they couldn't update the geometry and enemy character models. Everything else looks good enough, given it's an upgrade, but those two things really stand out.

Pre-ordered the special edition with Amiibo and Soundtrack on Amazon for £36, think that's pretty amazing value for someone who's never played the original (me)

Here's a comparison video of 2004s Beyond Good and Evil with it's 2011 HD version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK1nlMZTJN8

I think the graphics between the 2 versions of TP are fairly comparable, but the big difference is BG&E HD sold for $9.99, TP HD is $49.99. The price is more of an issue than the graphics.

Not very far at all.
Especially considering how much money they're asking for.

The limitations of the rigs and the lighting really shows in HD.

In my opinion that looks soo much better. I loved that the gamecube comparison was done with the HDMI mod. This really helped me see the change. Thanks for painstakingly playing this 3 times.

Admirably though I'm jealous that you can play it already and that I can't. Haha!

@kyuubikid213 I think the main problem is the price. You're right in that this is pretty much what several other remastered games on other systems have done, but those games either offered extra content, or a price point lower than what Nintendo is targeting.

@Dankykong Yeah, sure, one HD rerelease is kind of a big deal
I hope you dont have a PS4

@rjejr BGE was a simple upscale to 720p and rerelease. No improvements at all, just the same game you played in 2004 but in 2011. TP is running a full 1080p and presumably 60 frames rather than 30 with slowdowns. The whole of TP has been retextured and lighting has been adjusted, controls while swimming and riding have been improved, animations have been sped up, loading times decreased, and there is the new (admittedly amiibo locked) hoard mode dungeon. It's hard to tell because of miserable youtube compression but a lot has actually been done here.

That being said, I do agree that 50 is a little too much, I think 40 would have been the sweet spot if only because the original game does turn 10 this year. I preordered it through Bestbuy with the amiibo using the Gamers Club Unlocked and got it for 48. I won't complain.

I guess a lot of the texture definitely look better. I guess it's hard to update a game that already looked great to begin with. The only thing I'd say they should've done was update the models a bit.

Also it looks like they got rid of the sun rays in front of the big tree as you're walking up to it for some reason.

Yes they replaced the textures with higher quality ones, that's an easy change low skill modders do for Bethesda games (like Skyrim and Fallout 4) for free, the character models are still jaggedy as all heck and unchanged. Link's arms are hexagons.

@Nico07 Considering all Nintendo's stuff is orchestral these days I would expect so - Nintendo wouldn't be so foolish to return to Midi tracks lol - TP was one of their last home console titles to use Midi scores I think. They have a 25GB disc to fill so expect glorious HD sound.

@Indielink Not that much has been done. HD retexturing isn't a hard job. God rays appear to be missing in translation. Though 1080p30 is a nice bonus. This is about What I expected from a 6 month port job.

@greengecko007 Look at the Uncharted Remasters. Added geometry, higher definition textures, lighting, AA and full 1080p60. Though Bluepoint are awesome and had one year at it. I'd say the small unknown team porting this had less than 6 months.

@Rockmin Wind Waker was the exact same game with added 'HD shaders', gamepad support and a few tweaks. NOT exactly a big job either.

Wow, that does look a ton better. It looks as good as the game running on PC in HD, which is what I always wanted.

I'm happy.

@DarkKirby
You want changed geometry, you need a remake, not a remaster.

Damn, I hadn't realized how badly Twilight Princess had aged. I haven't played the GC in a long time, and it looks terrible. Blurry, with colors overlaping themselves... There is a big difference with the HD remaster. The textures and the colours are far sharper, specially in the Twilight Zone.A remake would have been lovely, because with that art style, this remaster will be outdated in a few months, but I can't deny they did a good work. I'll pick this one up, the question is if I get the amiibo or nor.

Obligatory 'I can't tell the difference'

Honestly though, I think I prefer how the originals look, trying for more realism sort of loses some of the character and only highlights it's flaws more obviously

@greengecko007 we are getting extra content: the Amiibo support and usage and the extra dungeon )and who knows what else?)

I wish it were 39.99 with amiibo but I'm sure it's going to be money well spent. All the more reason to jump on board with the Amazon Prime savings of 20%.

Finally TP is not blurry! That always bothered me in the original. It just felt weird going from the smooth and colorful Wind Waker to the blurry Twilight Princess.

@TerrapinJess True, so it then comes into question whether or not that extra content makes up for the asking price. For some it may, but not for me, especially when the more meaningful content requires an even higher price point.

Oh wow, it's slightly improved.

@greengecko007 Honestly, I'll admit too that it's not a killer feature for me to be able to scan the amiibo in and refill hearts, etc. and therefore I feel like i'm paying too much as well. It is a bit high. But what I am excited about the new dungeon and DEFINITELY carrying over whatever there is to be carried over to the new Zelda which I'm buying no matter what. (Ok.. maybe if it had forced motion controls ::cough cough:: looking at you skyward sword.)
I can definitely say twilight princess HD isn't a full-out no-brainer purchase for me at that higher price but I'm sure i'll get my fun out of it. And I also feel that the price won't be coming down for quite some time so I figured whatever, at least I'm getting 20% off now instead of paying full price later.
Hopefully there's a few last minute announcements for new features with this to make it seem like a value!

The muddy, blurry textures of TP make it difficult for me to play for too long. This update seems much better, in my opinion.

Now if they just get rid of the annoying "This rupee is worth this much!" message that pops up after every power cycle, I'll be ecstatic.

To echo most reader's sentiment, yeah, I do feel taht this is a 30 bucks game sold for fairly more.

But, this is our own making: We love the nostalgia train so much, and Nintendo gladly sells their premium ticket for a not-so interesting ride.

Also, I feel that besides the characters looking all blocky, the splatter when you kill an enemy could/should have been updated a bit. Also, I don't just why the gate at the end of the first part looks the same across the three versions. Nevertheless I'm buying it first day, with the amiibo, since I haven't played this game at all.

@TerrapinJess Same here.

The Wii U version is so washed out. I remember in an "Iwata Asks" they were talking about the Wind Waker HD project and one of team made mention that the graphical difference was so slight for TP/SS in HD versus how dramatic Wind Waker looked.

If only they improved the models and the lighting then it would be worth buying. Not a big step up like WWHD was.

Yeah, looks..great..

Poor Alex...He had to herd those goats into the stable THREE TIMES.

@TerrapinJess Yeah if you're sold on it already now is the time to be getting it. Price will most likely not go down for a lot time, and may never go down in price significantly anyways.

Damage control at it's finest.

People who say "looks the same":
a) Probably played the original(s) in a <27" CRT through composite cable, and not in a >32" HDTV.
b) Overlook the fact that this is a 10-year-old Gamecube game (for comparison, the first iPhone came out one year later, Android one after that, and the top phones had a 1.3MP Camera and sub-QVGA screens), so:
c) Should be doing comparisons with the HD ports of Okami, Ico, MGS3 or Banjo Kazooie, not Uncharted or The Last of Us.

As for the price: retexturing (lots more than WW), 2nd screen perks (off-tv play, inventory, new control schemes like the added gyroscope), lowering the load times while upping the textures, miiverse implementation, re-doing the manual, making it available also through the eShop and testing all that has a cost, too.

Once I noticed shadows popping in and fading away as you approach other characters... cannot unsee

I cannot wait for this game!!!

First Wind Waker and now Twilight Princess. All we need now is Skyward Sword.
Now there's a Zelda game that needs a remaster. Get rid of those motion controls and it would be great.

@Technosphile I noticed that.. Can't be real, omg xD...
What a 'meh' looking hd game seriously.. With high res textures it just looks more empty. Feels like playing an old game on an emulator.

Is it me, or the original water effect is much better?

dar, dis game lookses likes it wers made 10 yearses ago. cept nows its gots better graficks!

Not aiming that at anyone, just being funny.

what magic pixie dust did they put in that gamecube hdmi mod to make it look that good? i'd imagine that an ntsc hdmi mod would look even better.

Looks great. I really look forward to playing the desert dungeon in HD.

Same game, just in HD now. Could be better with better lightning, but it doesn't improved that much.

Personally, apart from the texture of the rocks and ground, it only really looks marginally better. I think the problem is that they're releasing it too soon after the original came out. Remember Oot. We waited ages, so obviously it looked far better on 3DS. But it's only been one console generation for this game (basically). In my opinion, it's too early for a remake.

@Smokingspoon it's you

"Slightly better visuals! 12 Tears of Light! Permanent duck-face Ilia! Can be yours for only £40, even though that's a ridiculous price for an HD upscale! Order Now!"

...No thanks, Nintendo. Cut your terrible price by half, then we'll talk.

This looks way better,and nobody has mentioned how awesome the gamepad is going to be. I can't wait to press a butting for using the shied instead of wiggling the annoying nunchuck also items and map on gamepad screen!amazing!!!!! Also do any of you actually know anything about porting games upgrading them whatever, don't forget the extra work involved for using the gamepad

Full game price for some upgraded textures, same amount of poligons and just a new dungeon that needs anyway a plastic figure? This is hilarious...

They were able to turn the lack of new releases in a even better milking strategy....

Also why do people compare it to wind waker? Completely different art styles so you cant!

@rjejr Even more so in Canada. In the US, the game + Amiibo is the price of a full retail game where in Canada, the game alone if the price of a full retail game of $70 and the Game + Amiibo is $80.

@TruenoGT I just skipped to that part of the video, and the actually "clarity" of the water looks so much better on the Wii U but how could such a glaring detail be omitted from the remaster?

I'm going to buy XCX instead and stick with the Wii version of Twilight Princess. I'm open to changing my mind if Nintendo can convince me but that would involve either Wii controls or Gamecube controller compatibility. My TV isn't too big so I'll hardly notice the visual difference.

I disagree with most people, I think Nintendo has done a really good job here. I love how they mostly have kept the original colour palette and the character designs. I also think the game looks a lot better at the same time as it has kept the Twilight Princess feeling.

It's an up-res and a texture pack. And the lighting looks seriously worse. Look at around 3:00-3:05 how the light streams through the trees in the old games, but not in the remake. The lighting in the remake is awful by comparison. I thought the lighting really set the mood in twiLIGHT princess....
Also, notice at 9:20 how the water no longer reacts to Link? Yuck. So amateur.

Very nice. I always thought this one looked a little muddy, even on Wii.

@ikki5 Yeah, I was thinking of your prices when I saw the PS4 prices - $400 US, $500 Canada. That's not a small matter when you get into the big numbers. I'd never own a PS4 in Canada. I don't even won't to pay $400 for this one, but I'm thinking about it and flipping the on disc game after I play it.

http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2016/02/uncharted_4s_limited_edition_ps4_bundle_is_a_true_treasure

@arnoldlayne83
If it is indeed full price then I totally agree with you.

I see these remakes as lazy, let's make a quick buck, cunning business. But that's business. I don't blame Nintendo.

If I had played this game before then I would be hard press to spend "full price" money on basically what is the same game with a better resolution, even if I was a billionaire. It's the principal.

As it so happened I bought this game for the Wii many moons ago and before I even got it out of the wrapper I was unexpectedly packing to move abroad.

So I shall be getting it this time around. That's the positive.

@AlexOlney: I had forgotten about the second time! Hats off to you for putting up with it six times!

Looks a bit crisper but this is one of my least favourite Zelda's so will give it a miss to wait for the next main release.

Plus I've still not got round to playing the WW reboot...

I would like be to next month!

@TruenoGT Like someone mentioned, it does remind me of prime trilogy. In which some nice effect were removed. I'm curious to see the lantern light effect now.
I'm usually a zelda and nin fanatic, but this is pretty much a cash nab. I'm also not keen on 'hd' games at all. I'm much more opened to plain remakes (like metroid zm)

@Indielink IGN's recent video of the changes (don't think they made it, but they had posted it) was one of the best videos I've seen for it so far. Full 1080 with what is either excellent or very little compression. It looked fantastic.

I never had this on GC and I never owned a Wii. I'm getting this. I like goats. I'm looking forward to herding goats.

GC version looks the best. Better color saturation, higher contrast, and an atmosphere that suits the game's theme. I'm a little surprised that they washed out the colors so much and intensified the light in the remaster. But I have transferred all my Wii data to the Wii U, and pulling out the Wii or 'Cube would be kind of a pain.

I'll probably get it, and keep my Gamecube version. I'm such a sucker.

One of my least favorite Zeldas. Just too visually bland (browns and greys all throughout). Hoping the HD upgrade will persuade me to give it a second chance and play it all the way through this time.

The emperor has no clothes...

The emperor has no clothes...

The emperor has no clothes...