Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) - March 3rd 2017

[Mavrick]

There seems to be new info suggesting that in NA at least, Zelda could be hitting stores in March after all. Would be great to get it at launch.

[Diesel]

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

There seems to be new info suggesting that in NA at least, Zelda could be hitting stores in March after all. Would be great to get it at launch.

It makes me wonder just how many exclusives the Switch will launch with. With rumors of the Switch getting upgraded versions of Splatoon, Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Brothers, Mario Maker, etc. Add to that the new Mario game, Zelda, the Raving Rabbids RPG, etc. I'm wondering if Nintendo runs the risk of putting out too much too soon.

[Diesel]

Smash won't be launch at least according to the "reports" out there.

I can't see them launching with Mario AND Zelda. Seems like overkill. Seems like one would be saved for June/July.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Smash won't be launch at least according to the "reports" out there.

I can't see them launching with Mario AND Zelda. Seems like overkill. Seems like one would be saved for June/July.

Just drop a new exclusive every 2 months and let 3rd party games fill in the gaps. 6 quality exclusives per year shouldnt be impossible.

[Diesel]

I just want another Zelda during this life cycle designed for Switch from the ground up

I would really love them to do another one with a similar art style to Twilight Princess. I still am not a fan of the art style of this game, but I will admit it has grown on me a little bit.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I just want another Zelda during this life cycle designed for Switch from the ground up

I would really love them to do another one with a similar art style to Twilight Princess. I still am not a fan of the art style of this game, but I will admit it has grown on me a little bit.

I'm sure the design choice was made so as to make development less challenging/time consuming. I'm fine with it and honestly, it will age better because of it. Look at how great Wind Waker HD looks.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

There seems to be new info suggesting that in NA at least, Zelda could be hitting stores in March after all. Would be great to get it at launch.

Which is what I said all along. You should listen to me next time.

[Mavrick]

Not looking promising for EU. Could well miss March here for further localisation. Eurogamer weighing in with the same info as LPVG the other day.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...s-release-date

Last year, sources close to Nintendo told Eurogamer that Zelda was content complete but "still four-to-six months" from launch and would miss the Nintendo Switch's March release. Since then, things have changed.

At this point, the game was still to go through a lengthy period of quality assurance testing and localisation - necessary due to the game's vast size, scope and sandbox nature, plus the need for Nintendo of Europe to perform its customary translation into multiple languages.

Also key was the desire within Nintendo for the game - first announced for Wii U back in 2013 - to launch in as perfect condition as possible. The lack of Zelda at the Switch's launch could also be mitigated by Nintendo's new 3D Mario, development of which was effectively complete and ready for a March arrival.

So, what changed? Multiple sources close to Nintendo have now told Eurogamer that, at the end of last year, Japan finalised its plans and had a change of heart: Switch needed the strongest possible launch lineup. In short, Zelda will release in March in North America and Japan. Zelda's launch timing in Europe is still unclear.

Nintendo of Europe, which will be impacted most by this change, had previously pushed for as long a period of testing and localisation as could be allowed and had been working to the proposed schedule of a global launch after the Switch itself.

One source tells Eurogamer that Japan had always wanted the game to launch in March, and had been uncomfortable waiting until later. Another source says the decision to move ahead with March regardless of Europe was only finalised by committee at the end of last year.

Vociferous discussions within Nintendo on launch timings are not unprecedented. Last year, a similar conversation between Nintendo of Europe and Japan took place regarding the release of Wii U game Star Fox Zero, which the latter ultimately elected not to delay for further polishing.

It remains to be seen how the new March timing will affect Zelda in Europe. The best case scenario is, of course, that Nintendo moves whatever resources it has available onto the game to ensure it is ready in March in all European territories. Zelda's positioning as a key launch title suggests this is likely.

Another option would be to patch other languages into the game's European version at a later date, as happened last year with the North American version of Xenoblade Chronicles X. French and Spanish language options were added to that game in late January 2016, via an update released over a month after its initial December 2015 release.

The last, and surely the least welcome option for European fans? That we'll simply be playing Zelda later than in other regions.

Zelda's path to release has been fascinating to follow - and it continues to be. All eyes are now on Nintendo and its Switch reveal event on 13th January, when we'll certainly hear more.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

Also key was the desire within Nintendo for the game - first announced for Wii U back in 2013 - to launch in as perfect condition as possible.

I would much prefer this honestly. If launching Zelda in March means QA will suffer, I'd much rather them wait and launch with Mario.

[dyne]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

I would much prefer this honestly. If launching Zelda in March means QA will suffer, I'd much rather them wait and launch with Mario.

While I agree, that's not really the point. Why launch it in the US and Japan in March but not Europe? It's the same game. The only difference would be the language files. They released Xenoblade Chronicles X in Europe and issued a patch for French and Spanish a month later.

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by dyne

While I agree, that's not really the point. Why launch it in the US and Japan in March but not Europe? It's the same game. The only difference would be the language files. They released Xenoblade Chronicles X in Europe and issued a patch for French and Spanish a month later.

This is what I hope they do, I would love to get a new Zelda AND Mario at launch.

English is one of the universal languages, so I'm sure it would be ok to launch it minus a couple languages if making the launch line up is as important as the article makes it out to be.

[Diesel]

Just happy I live in North America

[Mavrick]

Master Bundle looks sweet

[Scarface32]

Pre-orders on Amazon are sold out. That was FAST! Good thing I got mine in.

Edit: Nevermind, it's back up. Amazon is weird.

[Scarface32]

TWO NEW AMIIBO

http://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/line-up#release

For some reason Nintendo removed Guardian when they added Zelda and Bokoblin

[Firecrackker]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh boy

[Talal86]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

TWO NEW AMIIBO

http://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/line-up#release

For some reason Nintendo removed Guardian when they added Zelda and Bokoblin

they have more amiibos than games at this point

[Mavrick]

The contrast in art between the US and Euro versions is striking.





The US one makes you want to go kill shit and the Euro one makes you want to go wander around the countryside

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

The contrast in art between the US and Euro versions is striking.





The US one makes you want to go kill shit and the Euro one makes you want to go wander around the countryside

LOL! So true!