Interview:IGN August 27th 1999

Shigeru Miyamoto talks with IGN 64 about upcoming N64 titles and the Nintendo Dolphin. He makes mention of Zelda Gaiden, Ura Zelda, and even a mention of Zelda Dolphin.

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IGN64: Will Super Mario RPG 2 be the last Mario game for Nintendo 64?

Miyamoto: [Laughs] From the very beginning it's a rather tough question to answer. We are working on something else. So I don't know. Luigi is still running [laughs].

It's really dependent on how we're going to make the transition to the next system.

IGN64: But you still have something in the works for Nintendo 64 Mario-wise?

Miyamoto: Yes.

IGN64: How is the recently announced Mario Dolphin game coming along?

Miyamoto: The situation hasn't changed a lot. I am working on something [for Dolphin] that may eventually become Mario or it may eventually become Zelda. I start with many experiments. I can tell you that yes, we are working on something, but I just can't tell you what it will be yet.

IGN64: We heard that development for Dolphin is very difficult. Do you think you'll be able to finish enough launch software for 2000?

Miyamoto: The only thing I can really say at this point in time is that I don't believe a more gorgeous version of Mario 64 or a more gorgeous version of Zelda 64 can be called the Mario Dolphin or Zelda Dolphin. The same thing should be applied to the third-party developers. When the transition from one platfrom to another is occurring, the technology is different and everything is difficult as far as new technology is concerned. Having said that, there should be some advantage to making games for Nintendo's new platform because when Nintendo 64 launched to the market it was already the next next-generation system. In other words, Nintendo 64 already realized a complete 3D technology when it was shifted from Super Nintendo. So, those developers who have already created good software for Nintendo 64 are already in a stage where they will be able to produce good software for Dolphin.

In the case of Nintendo 64, we have to be very experienced. We have to have full knowledge in what will be able to run on the console. When it comes to Dolphin, it's so powerful that we don't have to put so much energy in making some special effects and sophisticated movement. In other words, we can put priority on the realization of our own game ideas, rather than trying to make some special effect work.

IGN64: What advantages would you say Dolphin has over PlayStation 2?

Miyamoto: I'm very hesitant to disclose anything at this time because that kind of information could be easily taken by our competitors and maybe applied by them the next day or two [laughs]. I may not be able to answer your question directly, but I will say that we are always trying to develop something that only Nintendo can make. I'm not only talking about the hardware. When you look at the final specifications for PlayStation 2 or Dolphin, you may say, ÒOh, this kind of hardware can be made by NEC, Panasonic or Toshiba." But there has got to be something only Nintendo can do. We are now connecting Nintendo 64 with Game Boy and we are trying to expand on that kind of world. In the case of Dolphin, we may be able to even expand upon Game Boy connectivity. That kind of thing is something we are always looking for Ð only something Nintendo can do.

IGN64: What do you spend most of your time working on?

Miyamoto: I'm spending most of my time thinking about how Nintendo should be in five years from now and how the company should make some procedures to realize that. And also, not only Nintendo, but how the gaming industry will be in five years period.

IGN64: So you're not involved with any specific game right now?

Miyamoto: No, I'm trying to stay away from any specific game project right now.

IGN64: Are you overseeing Zelda Gaiden?

Miyamoto: From time to time at important milestones, I have to take a look at it. But I'm always trying not to be involved with the politics very deeply so that I'm not, for example, writing specifications or setting deadlines.

IGN64: We played Gaiden a short while ago and it's very impressive. But we're curious, will Link grow up in Gaiden?

Miyamoto: I actually don't know, but I heard that the adult Link will probably appear this time too. Also, if you say that Gaiden on the show floor is really good stuff I can feel very comfortable because that means my staff members have already become better than me when it comes to game creation.

IGN64: Tell us about "Ura Zelda."

Miyamoto: Ura Zelda is based on The Ocarina of Time for 64DD. It has the same construction of gameplay. It's very much a parody game based on Ocarina of time, but with new dungeons to explore. It even features the same storyline.

IGN64: Can the 64DD and Dolphin coexist?

Miyamoto: Yes, I believe they can coexist because they have different missions. 64DD is aiming to have the network downloading/uploading service. Like Talent Studio on the show floor, people are going to play it and make their own data which can then be updated by doing something. In the case of Dolphin, it's like the Nintendo 64 in that players are going to purchase software and play with it.

If you're asking whether or not the 64DD will work with Dolphin, I cannot answer you yet. We are reviewing the possibility.

IGN64: A magazine in the US reported that you are working on a multiplayer RPG for Dolphin. We were wondering if there is any truth to this?

Miyamoto: [Asks translator Minagawa-san] Have I ever said that? [Both laugh] No, I am not involved in that kind of project.

IGN64: A while back you told the press that Giles Goddard and the 1080 team had ceased work on a sequel to the snowboarding franchise for Nintendo 64 in order to develop tools and software for Dolphin. What has become of the team since then?

Miyamoto: I really wanted Giles' team to work on 1080 2, but everybody wants to make something new. The fact of the matter is that Giles was a contracted employee for Nintendo and right now he is not employed by the company. Currently, we are talking with him about a project for Dolphin. That's where we are right now.

IGN64: You stated before that you are working on Dolphin's controller. What new features can we look forward to?

Miyamoto: I cannot show you yet. There is an existing controller, but it's under modification now and it's not the time to show you. The major problem is that the Japanese user says that the N64 controller is too big and the American user says it's the appropriate size. What do you think about the size of the N64 controller?

IGN64: We like it, actually. But we think the Dolphin controller should feature more buttons. Every developer we speak to complains about the lack of buttons for the N64 controller.

Miyamoto: Maybe we should do a keyboard [laughs].

IGN64: Describe the differences between the 64DD and a next-generation console such as Sega's Dreamcast.

Miyamoto: The biggest difference between the 64DD and the so-called next-generation system is that while the next-generation system is aiming to intensify the existing abilities, the 64DD can change the nature of gameplay.

IGN64: In your opinion, what would be the ideal Dolphin software launch?

Miyamoto: What would you like to come first, Metroid, Mario or Zelda? I really want to have something unique and new rather than saying to the public, "Look, we have a new, more gorgeous Mario or a new, more gorgeous Zelda."

IGN64: When do you think we'll see the first tech demo for Dolphin?

Miyamoto: After Sony has disclosed every specification for PlayStation 2 [laughs].