Feature: Zelda: Twilight Princess' Flipped World On Wii Made Me Go A Little Cucco

I put my thang down, flip it and reverse it
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gnaht ym tup i
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gnaht ym tup i

When playing Twilight Princess HD, I was confused at first, since while I knew the world was flipped in the Wii version, I was pretty used to the flipped world, and so it took time for me to adjust myself to the difference of playing the game correctly.

I also made the mistake of playing the Wii version first and now the inverted map is etched in my head. Makes playing the GCN/Wii U version difficult.

I relate so hard to this. I have a horrible sense of direction when playing open world games, which translates perfectly into my real life travels. I have taken 50+ hours to beat a 25-30 hour game mostly from walking around in circles on whatever map I'm in, completely lost. Taking what little landmark recognition I'm able to cling to, and then flipping the world in reverse was borderline maddening. I never ended up getting very far in the remaster, likely for this exact reason.

Best game in the series, by far. People who think BotW is the best never really liked Zelda in the first place.

I first played this on the Cube and a few years later tried the Wii version and I had to stop playing immediately, the flipped world just felt alien and weird

Played the Wii and Wii U versions, and the flipping didn't really affect me.

I can remember the story, the characters and the dungeons....but not really the details. So it was never a huge problem. Twilight Princess doesn't have many iconic locations in my opinion.

@Kevember I mean, people who really liked the older games think the game is the best, for the sole reason of changing the formula up a bit, when it drastically needed to be shaken up.

Personally, I don't think BOTW is my favorite, but it's still a really good game, and gameplay-wise it's probably the best one in the series. But.. I guess since I think it's probably the best, I'm not a "true fan", despite playing Zelda since Twilight Princess came out, and owning OOT 3D, Majora's Mask 3D, Twilight Princess, Twilight Princess HD, Wind Waker HD, A Link Between Worlds, and BOTW.

The ultimate asset flip! (/s)

I stick a mirror next to the TV and just look at that instead

I wonder if anyone can guess which 'console you already got hooked up to the TV' that you'd expect a port of this game to come to .....

@Kevember is it wrong I like them all for different reasons? It's my all time favourite series. BOTW is my favourite (mainly because of when it came out I had so much going on in my personal life it was an amazing escape.) I'm one of those people who would buy any Zelda game released/re-released/remastered and just get swept away again. Twilight Princess was my final game bought for my cube. Played it again on Wii a couple of years later and loved it. Am hoping it does get released for switch this year with windwaker.

@nessisonett lol first thing I thought

@Kevember Never understood why people rank a series like Zelda, it would be similar to ranking my friends. They all have quirks but that's what makes them special, so I love them all regardless.

Am I comparing TLoZ to my friends?
....yes, but I guess it's a series that's personal to a lot of people. It's difficult to be completely objective.

Honestly, despite having played too OoT a lot, I didn't find Wii TP's map any weird. Though I will admit, I discovered the map was flipped much later and then felt a bit of regret as if I didn't play the 'real' experience.

That said... when I got my hands on the HD remake, that didn't help or solve anything.
I'll never get why, but they decided to combine the difficulty and the world-flipping options togheter and as a long time fan a bit of extra challange was not something I could pass on, even at cost of losing again the chance to explore the 'real' TP's Hyrule...

@Kevember,

I love the Zelda franchise and have been playing since the SNES version, I love all the games but think breath of the wild is the the best game.

I actually had the Gamecube version, then traded it in for the Wii version just to see how it would play.

I ended up going back to GameStop and trading the Wii version in for a Gamecube version.

It was more money down the toilet, but man I hated the Wii version of the game.

@nessisonett
I had never realized it was just reversed, I thought it was a dumb nonsensical language lol

"or wax lyrical over the majesty of its Hyrule Field theme"

The whole soundtrack is beautifully melancholic, but the Hyrule Theme is gorgeous. Twilight Princess is consistently battling neck and neck for 1st with Wind Waker for me, and it's somber and dark vs WW light and bubbly are 2 halves of a whole for me

Twilight Princess is my favorite Zelda game, but I've never played the flipped Wii version. I had the GC version and just used that until later when I got the HD version on Wii U. Honestly it would probably affect me as much as mirror versions of tracks in Mario Kart, as in, it wouldn't.

I have this on the cube and Wii u. Really want to try the Wii version, will be a fun play through

Funny though how much better the western-themed Kakariko Village in this game (to say nothing of Hidden Village!) work when the world got flipped.

The "mirror effect was simply a way to tell the world "hey, our motion control is so precise that it's make a big difference" (and it's totally false). But besides of that, for me it's the best Zelda ever, maybe the best game ever. I prefer the map of GC, but I simply adore the Wii gameplay, it was the news at the time (Now I prefer a more standard control, that's why Wii I version is the best for me)

As someone who is used to the GCN and Wii U (non Hero-Mode) version I have to say that I'm always confused when I see the Wii version

A Tale of Two Hyrules.

@Kevember really? Twilight Princess doesn't even make my top 5.

I own all three versions: the GameCube, Wii and Wii U version, and while there was some initial getting used to the mirrored world, I relatively quickly adapted.

Leafing through the comments here, I can't help but wonder if the people that DO struggle with it, also have issues with the mirror mode in racing games...

It has its clunkier moments for sure - and just a ridiculous number of items - but it's a very good send-off to the classic 3D games, and I really liked most of the dungeons.

It's hard not to see Skyward Sword as a direct evolution of it, one that definitely "went too far in a few places" (making the overworld a linear dungeon the whole time instead of just on your initial wolf visits, and so on) and demanded BotW go an entirely different direction, but also just made some improvements! (Fewer, more interesting items that could do most of the same stuff; tear vessels becoming an intense, satisfying stealth game testing your knowledge of the areas; and so on.) And I love TP's designs, but I'm glad they immediately flipped course on art direction to SS and BotW's more colorful compromises.

I think the Wii version is better. Combat is more fun, better menu and aiming controls. Played the GameCube one, the flip made zero difference to me

@Crockin True. That is where I liked the motion controls better. You could aim an arrow much quicker than with analog controls on the GC.

After playing both, I’d say Wii version sucks, the only advantage is the gyro aiming for the bow. Wiimote control scheme (and the lack of free camera) severely hurts the expetience.

@Kevember

I dunno about best.

I'd still put Link to the Past at the top. I wish they'd get rid of the 3d nonsense and go back to overhead. Just do it with super high res art and bam. Instant awesome.

1st world problems,

Only beat it on Wii. Started it on Wii U, but that's with my sister right now. I remember back when this was being discussed on forums...a user quit because people spoiled TP for her while she was waiting for the 'real' version (The Gamecube Version) to come out (it came out a few weeks later).

I want this to be ported to the switch for the sake of it being on every nintendo console since the gamecube

@Aurumonado Well the controls were simplified on the Wii version and I believe the HD version does have Wiimote and Wii Nunchck support!

The universal Twilight Princess experience

I got the Wii version and couldn't play it. Couldn't stand the controls long enough to even have the flipped world bother me.

I never played the Wii version. I loved the GC one so much, though. As someone said, it and Windwaker made a great pair of games, yin and yang.

Having them on the Switch would be incredible.

@Kevember omg, TP is without a doubt the worst in the Zelda series, and I've played every one except Zelda II.

Played the Wii version, loved it, felt weird when playing the HD release, the world felt...wrong.

@Kevember I’m pretty sure TP is my favorite 3d zelda... but I just want to respond to a post trying to shame people for liking BOtW by saying that if a 3d zelda is your favorite game in the series, you never really liked zelda in the first place.

@Lone_Beagle no, that honor goes to CDi games.

And then... despite how much I actually do think it’s an underrated game, probably Triforce Heroes....

Or Ancient Stone Tablets because it’s very small and not really a full game.

I've wondered, which way was the original intended way? And does it make any puzzles or challenges harder in comparison? Ignoring guides of course

@Kevember Or they appreciate Zelda going back to its roots

@Kevember That's completely ridiculous. I hold A Link to the Past, Wind Waker, and Ocarina of Time in high esteem. A Link to the Past, to me, is the best Zelda title.

With that being said, Breath of the Wild is right up there, IMO.

As for Twilight Princess, it's still middle of the road for me. Not a bad game at all. It's just a Zelda I've never clicked with and I've played it on GC, Wii and Wii U..

Because I played the Wii version, I forced myself to play Hero Mode every time I go on the Wii U version.

@nessisonett I'm fairly sure it was a Blazin Squad reference, not Missy Elliot. 😂🤣

Those poor play testers! “Now play test the entire game again in reverse!”

Twilight Princess, specifically the Wii version, was my first Zelda game. I didn't have any of the previous games as a reference point and didn't learn until way after playing that it was a mirror of the GCN original.

I had the same problem - mirrored - when I played Twilight Princess HD. My memory was, quite literally, backwards. XD It bothered me at first, but I got over it pretty quickly and became immersed in the game.

I bought this on the Gamecube on release so I've only ever played the 'proper' version. The idea of playing the wii version in a mirrored world always seemed wrong to me too though.

@Kevember

Rubbish.

@VoidofLight I’m right there with you, played the original when it was brand new, and Zelda has always been my absolute favorite series since that time. But I guess I’m not a real fan because BOTW is my favorite

The flip makes no difference to me, I just prefer Wii because widescreen, no prompt for 480p, and the cool sensor bar aiming.

On top of all the Wii benefits like play time recording, and being able to switch the game without killing the power.

I just wish I could play the F**ING GAME NINTENDO!

@nessisonett I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who thought that.

@NintendoArchive Practically every video game problem is a ‘first world problem’. Dark Souls mapping ‘confirm’ to the B button on Switch is a decidedly first world problem. Dark Souls being a difficult video game is a first world problem. You finding fault with this article for being a ‘first world problem’ is in itself a thoroughly first world problem.

Video games sites are exactly where we come to read about and share such first world problems. If this is an issue, I suggest avoiding websites about video games (or any other such first world luxuries) in the first place.

You’re not alone - it drove me nuts at the time, and if I wasn’t so excited to get my hands on a Wii and knew the “waggle” didn’t add much I would have preferred the Gamecube version.

@nessisonett Nice Missy reference

@Maxz, try to analyze the expression with a more figurative mindset rather than a literal one. On a side note, don't preach when the same reason I left a comment on this article is the same reason you're leaving a comment on my comment. But anyway, allow me to disambiguate for you, my use of the term is me looking down on someone who can't adjust to a world flip. I have played this game 8 times, all in the Wii world style, safe for the one time, & while I did mistakenly turn the wrong way from time to time, I'd be embarrassed at myself if it invalidated the game's greater qualities or caused me to overlook some of it mores important issues. The people unable to adjust, either didn't put enough time into it, too readily merit their sense of frustrations or lack any sort of perseverance; & that these same people would try to justify their complaints with notions of canon...... I don't need to explain why that is silly (or I shouldn't have to). Moreover, that one such person took the time to write this insipid piece about it as if it was interesting, instead of writing about the game's more subtle issues (subtle yet having deep implications), and that this is the feedback Nintendo gets on its products, leaves me to believe that great games are wasted on shallow-minded gamers, & Nintendo a profit-seeking probably also might believe that & might choose to spend their development resources on games that appease an instant gratification mindset, or games that hide shallow gameplay behind dazzling visuals & pretty colors. After all, If gamers can't handle flipped worlds or inverted controls, then surely they won't be able to handle games that challenge the player in any meaningful way (don't bother bringing up dark souls, those games represent a different "thing" where they fetishize & fixate on difficulty rather than integrating it into a more rounded & balanced experience). This generation of Nintendo games reflects this reality, & that's why I sold (practically gave away) my switch, and used that money to buy DK bongos instead. To conclude, giving air time to pointless niggles rather than analyzing a game's actual qualities is counterproductive & perhaps even harmful to the creative process.)

I had no idea it was flipped and therefore everything seemed like it was where it was supposed to be. I'm so used to Hyrule getting rejiggered that I never questioned it. Now that I think about it, there were a lot of cases where I was headed to the left when a lot of games would have naturally veered to the right.

!ɘm bɘɿɘʜtod ƨγɒwlɒ ɘmɒϱ ƨiʜt ʇo noiƨɿɘv iiW ɘʜT

l just wanna talk about the article main picture and its totally funny looking xD First time making a fun of my favorite link
He should be a new boss in future zelda games, 2 link heads on one body xD

I was actually happy I played the Wii version. The flipped map didn’t bother me, Hyrule’s geography varies enough that I didn’t even notice. And when I played the Wii U port with the original map, I couldn’t really be too turned around since my memory was too foggy anyways with the original game - I literally only played it once at the Wii’s launch. If anything, it felt like a new experience. I personally felt it was worth the slight graphical upgrade.

Not something that effected me too much though it certainly was noticeable. Played it on GCN to the final boss. Started again & played through entirely on the excellent Wii version, then same with the even more excellent Wii U HD version. What a great game.

Interesting article

@Snatcher tell us how you really feel 😃

You and I, dear author, had a similar experience. We both bought shiny new Wii consoles at or around launch, and we both bought the Wii version of Twilight Princess. We also both let the knowledge of a flipped world nag at us. The difference between us was that it only took me about 10 minutes (maybe 30) to realize I made a mistake that absolutely needed correcting. I had the GameCube version within the week, and what a relief it was. (That sweet, sweet camera control, and the harmony of non-flipped art assets... bliss.)

I don’t hold your mistake against you. I was probably older and more able to make those hard choices. That fact that you’ve taken the manly route to acknowledge your sin (ha) in this piece, this many years later, clearly shows your regret and pain, and I strongly empathize.

Here’s hoping we all get to play the correct version again soon on Switch... and that the wounds of the past may heal. 😊

@Kevember Couldnt agree more

@Kevember Well, I disagree of course, but you should know that to us who grew up on the NES Zelda and still love it, BoTW is just a return to form.

Gamecube version: The real version, also has more indepth swordplay and you can control the camera.

Wii version: The fake version.

Its as easy as that!

Link is not right handed.

Loved the GameCube and Wii versions equally, but the emptyness of the map used to really annoy me.
Bigger is not always better.

I too skipped the GC release of Twilight Princess (well I bought it but it’s still in its shrink wrap) to play the Wii version and I do remember looking at places and wondering how well it would have fit with Ocarina of Time if it wasn’t mirrored.

Overall I felt it didn’t match the layout that well and if anything it bothered me more that it was so different (given that it was hyped to be the same layout) than the fact it was mirrored.

That said I’m quite happy to consider each Zelda game its own retelling of the tale and I’m not that concerned about having a timeline, canon or continuity. Where games obviously follow each other, like Majora’s Mask it’s fine but I don’t see the need to fit them all together.

@NintendoArchive That’s quite the laundry list of first world problems. Personally I’m hoping that in Gav’s next retrospective he’ll detail how to cure cancer, end the Corona virus, avert catastrophic climate breakdown and defeat Godzilla through the lessons he learnt from playing Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love.

Everything you’d said is very laudable, just lacking a little ambition. If we’re going to do this do this, let’s do it properly. Let’s use this Zelda 35th anniversary retrospective to usher in a new age of peace, prosperity, harmony, and enlightenment.

Let’s do this! Let’s save the world!

Kooloo-Limpah!

Pros of Gamecube: Play game as originally intended, free camera control, being able to use community-made Action Replay codes to hack the game in crazy ways (assuming you're playing on a Gamecube), like moon jump, infinite Hookshot, fast Spinner that doesn't stop and spawn beta enemies

Cons of Gamecube: not HD, no extra dungeon, no Amiibo support, no widescreen, no improved textures, less helpful glitches, worse aiming controls, no hero mode, Lightbug quests drag on, no Poe Lantern and biggest wallet, no Miiverse stamp collectables meaning more rupee chests and a full wallet means you can't open them, no optional sounds from controller

Pros of Wii: One more item slot than normal (which is a huge help throughout the game), better aiming thanks to pointer controls, widescreen, component cable support for slightly better image quality, more helpful glitches such as being able to get infinite bomb arrows and walk upside-down quickly without wearing the Iron Boots, optional sounds from controller

Cons of Wii: not HD, no extra dungeon, no Amiibo support, no improved textures, no hero mode, no free camera control, game had to be mirrored, waggle controls don't appeal to everyone, Lightbug quests drag on, no Poe Lantern or biggest wallet, no Miiverse stamp collectables meaning more rupee chests and a full wallet means you can't open them, limited to Datel's Action Replay codes which are very boring (infinite health, money etc)

Pros of Wii U: HD graphics, improved textures, new Wolf Link Cave of Shadows dungeon, Amiibo support, hero mode, new helpful items such as Poe Lantern and biggest wallet upgrade, Miiverse stamp collectables meaning less rupee chests, removed padding such as shortening the light bug quests, free camera control, widescreen, regular mode is close to original intended experience

Cons of Wii U: improved clarity reveals lacking polygon count for 2016 standards, some off-putting new character designs and textures (Colin's teeth, Ilia's lips), horrible reworked horse controls, mirror mode should have been an option on both regular and hero mode, less helpful glitches, no optional sounds from controller, no action replay support

Personally I enjoy the Wii version the most for it's aiming and fun, useful glitches, but all have their pros and cons. It's worth buying all three versions as they are each very different beasts

The Wii version of Twilight Princess released first, and as far as I'm concerned every other version is the flipped one.

I grew up on the Wii version of TP and it is one of my favorite Zelda games. Interesting how this article mentions so many great things about tp, but all they will say about it is how the reverse map caused them so much trouble. I was looking forward to tp’s anniversary article, so maybe make another one that highlights the good stuff? Just a suggestion...

@Kevember having completed every Zelda game released, and keeping 100% save files for them all, I guess I’m not a fan either. Who knew.

@Kevember a bold and dumb statement. As someone whose always enjoyed zelda BotW is great! No need to be so toxic dude.

To all the kids trying to defend BotW. I assure you if Witcher 3 had come out as A Legend of Zelda game you all would be saying it's the best in the series, you frauds. Breath of the Wild crapped all over what makes a Zelda game a Zelda game, which at this point has come to become a genre on its own. You people have 0 understanding of what makes Zelda so special, from it's structure to its great music.

But do go on and keep pretending to be fans of the series while you enjoy your generic open world game with a slight Zelda theme.

@Maxz maybe im misreading your tone, but do me a favour & never speak to me again (safe for obvious exceptions).

@NintendoArchive Just use the ignore button. Please. That’s what it’s there for.

@Kevember “People who think BotW is the best never really liked Zelda in the first place.” <- This!

@Kevember rather a sweeping overstatement and largely untrue - especially judging by the latest polls on /zelda on reddit

@Kevember Trigger warning: I love both.

@ketrac Cool. But do you think Breath of the Wild is the best Zelda?

@Kevember I don't really rank games like that. They're too different, even though they have some similarities and share certain tropes. I think they have earned their rightful spots in the series.
My favorite will probably always be Ocarina of Time, because it was the first I played.

@ketrac Great choice. I don't think there'll ever be a game that matches the magic of Ocarina of Time.

@Kevember I can imagine that every mainline Zelda game is someone's favorite. That's what's so great about it.

Looking forward to what comes next. Hoping for a combination of old and new in surprising ways!

@ketrac My favorite is Twilight Princess, but Ocarina is just something else.

A combination of old and new would be interesting.