Next-Gen Zelda that never was

[Mases]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kf92u1Uty1w

This video was released part of a tech demo that showed off the power of the Nintendo Gamecube at Spaceworld 2000.

At the time of release, Nintendo fans and many websites and webmasters took this as being the next Zelda title in the franchise. This all but began the hype for what inevitably was Twilight Princess. People were looking for a graphically advanced Zelda title, that followed the Ocarina of Time adult Link quest and this is what that was.

Not much was known about this game until a year later at Spaceworld 2001. People were expecting new information, new screenshots, and hopefully a new trailer for the upcoming game. Instead, what we got instead was the first trailer of what eventually became the Wind Waker.

But what exactly did they do with this trailer? This video was part of a set of trailers of games. All of which became full blown Gamecube titles in Luigi's Mansion, Pokemon Colosseum, and Metroid Prime. This demo however, never translated into a game.

Sure, several years later, Nintendo announced Twlight Princess, but it looks nothing like what this tech demo was. Why did they really scrap this when the hype was so high? It would have been an instant seller and would have really pushed the Gamecube to elite status, rather than settling for the Wind Waker. Not to say Wind Waker wasn't a great title because it surely was one of the best gamecube games. The game just didn't sell as much as Nintendo hoped and needed for the gamecube to become a success.

This tech demo can be throw into the growing bag of Zelda secrets that may never become uncovered.

[linkman8]

I think they made it solely for the purpose of being a demo, nothing more. Like you said, they released it at the tech demo to show the power of the Gamecube, but in my opinion, they never intended on it to go any further.

[Avenged]

Next Gen Zelda = Twilight Princess. Plus the demo was just a demonstration. Don't you recall the spaceworld Zelda demo back in 1995? It was only to show what Zelda could possibly look like on the N64, the demo in 2000 was the same situation.

[Mases]

I do understand that, but the other three titles that were showed in this so called demo, did in fact become completed Gamecube titles in the same fashion as they were shown.

I think at the time the demo was created, the Wind Waker idea was just in its extreme early stages and Nintendo was seriously contemplating a mature Zelda title, much like what appeared in the tech demo. I think it wasn't until much later on when they continiously referred to it as 'just a demo' that they decided to scrap the idea and go for the wind waker style of graphics.

[Dark_link-77]

I do understand that, but the other three titles that were showed in this so called demo, did in fact become completed Gamecube titles in the same fashion as they were shown.

I think at the time the demo was created, the Wind Waker idea was just in its extreme early stages and Nintendo was seriously contemplating a mature Zelda title, much like what appeared in the tech demo. I think it wasn't until much later on when they continiously referred to it as 'just a demo' that they decided to scrap the idea and go for the wind waker style of graphics.


Agreed, I believe that twilight princess was originally going to be the first to be released. Then a windwaker was a side project that ended up getting the spot light.

[Mases]

I think that when they had early discussion of the then Next Gen Zelda title, they were looking at something along the lines of this demo. A game similar to the N64 titles but with a huge upgrade in realism and graphics. I think after thinking it over for awhile they realized they didn't want to fall in the same category that a lot of series have gone into. Being all about just 'upgrading' a previous incarnation of a game and releasing it as a sequal. They wanted to bring new life into the Zelda series and even though a large portion of the hardcore gamers saw the Wind Waker as a disappointment, it did just that. Brought a whole new generation of gamers into the Zelda world.

Much like how TP has done once again. It was somewhat similar to the OOT adult Link portion, but it was upgraded a ton and released nearly a decade later so it was fresh. Many new gamers never played OOT, much like at the time OOT released many gamers never played the classic Zelda titles. So releasing the game then, it brought a whole new flock of gamers in.

This in general is one thing I'm happy about Nintendo. They have brought a breath of fresh air with nearly every single Zelda title that has released and I applaud them for that.

That being said, i still think if they followed the graphics line of this demo, it would really been a great title. I wonder if they ever did make anything more than just this demo. Perhaps they didn't realize they wanted to do until after this techo demo was released. So never actually started development of the game.

[Avenged]

I still believe this was only a demo and just that. It was shown at Spaceworld as was the demo in 1995. If anything it brought life to Twilight Princess. For those that have played against Ganondorf in TP will know what I mean.

[Alder Dragon]

I must agree, it was only a demo. However, (and correct me if I'm wrong) The Wind Waker was in its very early stages of development when this tech demo was shown. I think it would have been smart for Nintendo to not scrap the idea and give it a shot, and then perhaps release Wind Waker after. Remember the April Fools joke from IGN about the Wind Waker being re-released with better graphics? Imagine the Wind Waker being first made in those graphics, then re-released in Cel-Shaded graphics.

Either way, The Wind Waker was one of my most favorite Zelda games. When I first heard it was going to be Cel-Shaded it disappointed me for a while, but when I played it, it's obvious that the Zelda feeling is still there, if not more than ever before.

[Mases]

I don't think the Wind Waker was in developtment when this demo was shown. Well, maybe in its absolute earliast form. This was shown at Spaceworld 2000, a whole year before we even got the first glimpse of the Wind Waker. Then again, most Zelda games when the public first heres about them, they have already been in developmentfor awhile. (Much like how the next Zelda title for the Wii is probably well into development).

I think the first Wind Waker was just so watered down compared to its final project, that I think that this 'demo' was actually almost as far along as the Wind Waker. Link looked like Mario from Paper Mario on the N64 in that initial Wind Waker demo.

I like this form of Link and Ganondorf though. They look more photoshopped than the realistic look of Twlight Princess. This actually resembles the Link that appeared in Soul Calibur. Would be cool to see something like this in the future.

[firebunnies123]

i disagree with a lot you guys said. I heard wind waker was started right after mm. This demo was never intended to be a game, but a demo to add a twist to some fans. It was suppose to show what gamecube graphics can be like not an actual game.

[Alder Dragon]

I don't think the Wind Waker was in developtment when this demo was shown. Well, maybe in its absolute earliast form. This was shown at Spaceworld 2000, a whole year before we even got the first glimpse of the Wind Waker. Then again, most Zelda games when the public first heres about them, they have already been in developmentfor awhile. (Much like how the next Zelda title for the Wii is probably well into development).

I think the first Wind Waker was just so watered down compared to its final project, that I think that this 'demo' was actually almost as far along as the Wind Waker. Link looked like Mario from Paper Mario on the N64 in that initial Wind Waker demo.

I like this form of Link and Ganondorf though. They look more photoshopped than the realistic look of Twlight Princess. This actually resembles the Link that appeared in Soul Calibur. Would be cool to see something like this in the future.

There was a Wind Waker demo on the N64? I have not heard about this, I'd like to see it.

Also, did you notice that all of the sound effects in that demo are reused? Even the sound of Link dropping his shield - it's the same as if you hit a wall, I believe.