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Zelda for Dolphin
Next Nintendo console (Dolphin) - 2002?

First details on the
Next Generation Zelda
Htloz brings you this exclusive-first
authentic article about the Zelda game for Dolphin

June 20, 2000

Development of a Zelda game for Nintendo´s next generation console (codenamed Dolphin) has finally been confirmed.
Nintendo´s master designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, with the selected staff that created Ocarina of Time and Majora´s Mask, are now starting works on this future Zelda for the next 128 bit gaming console.
Nintendo is keeping things in secret, but Hyrule: The Land of Zelda knew by first-hand sources that this is no longer a rumor but a true fact.

That is one of the main reasons why Shigeru Miyamoto hasn´t been fully involved in the development of the latest Nintendo games, including the last N64´s Zelda: Majora´s Mask, and the next Zelda trilogy for the Gameboy (mainly developed by Capcom programmers).

Now we know that there will be a new zelda game on the Dolphin... but what will it be about? Well, it is in pre-production now, so, that means, maybe we will see it in 2 years. It is going to be a true sequel to all the Zelda games, not a prequel like Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
This one takes place after the last game in the series. That is all the story that we know, but here are some other interesting things about the game. For the first time in the series, characters will have real voices, (featuring different languages, like spanish, japanese, english and maybe more- remember what Sega did with Sonic Adventure?) and will be more defined in the way they express feelings and behaviour. We were told that Nintendo is planning to experiment with new ways of interaction with characters, but since this is an early stage of development this feature is still unclear.
Talking about interaction: Nintendo is planning to improve On-line gaming to a level still unknown at this time. Since this will be one of the future Zelda´s best features, Nintendo is not going to unveil too many details until the game is almost complete. Nevertheless, our sources mentioned that characters will now gain experience points, but not as in Final Fantasy. The experience points will help to enhance the power and visual effects of the magic spells. Thanks to the On-line file transfer advantages, players will be able to exchange magic spells and enhanced weapons, taking the game to a higher level in character-development. We were told that records will be stored in the machine´s memory, and you will be able to compare your scores with other gamers around the world. The classic mini-games could also be used to play in an On-line multiplayer mode, but as mentioned before, this is supposed to be kept in secret so our sources couldn´t retrieve more info on this. In our opinion this is just a small sample of the On-line features this game will support.

In this next generation Zelda, objects and backgrounds will be fully interactive. Everything will be touchable, useable, and breakable.

Another amazing revelation is that Link will not be the only playable character, but unfortunatelly we still don´t know what other characters this game will have. Zelda maybe? We hope so, but let´s wait to see what Nintendo is up to. Thanks to the processing power of the next generation system, it is planned to include a team of characters instead of just Link at your command. Apparently you will get clues, or access certain areas only with specific characters. The only other thing we know about it is that the game will be huge enough to keep players interested for a long time.

But please keep in mind that these things are subject to change as the game has just started production, and as you may already know, Nintendo changes so many things and adds so many others that the final result can be unpredictable. One thing is completely sure: the game will look, feel and play wonderfully.

If we can get more info on the development of this next generation Zelda game, you can be sure we are going to post it.

Nintendose made a poll to see what gamers are expecting to see on Nintendo´s next generation system, and Zelda got the first place!

#10 - Mario Kart
#9 - Resident Evil
#8 - Pokemon
#7 - Super Smash Brothers
#6 - Metal Gear Solid
#5 - Mario
#4 - Perfect Dark
#3 - Final Fantasy
#2 - Metroid

And the #1, Most Wanted Nintendo Dolphin Game is... The Legend of Zelda!

Miyamoto Reaffirms Network Plans in at interview with Famitsu
Nintendo's game genius Shigeru Miyamoto reaffirms that online plans are in Nintendo's near future.

June 23, 2000
After all of the e3 aftermath, several interviews emerged with Nintendo's game genius Shigeru Miyamoto. One of the interesting talks was done by Famitsu regarding Nintendo's online plans. Specifically, Famitsu asked Miyamoto if he was working on network games and he replied bluntly, "Yes." Miyamoto then added that Nintendo is very well aware that it can't avoid online gaming altogether, but that the company doesn't want to jump into the medium blindly. Miyamoto did not reveal any further details relating to Nintendo's online network strategy or plans.
Source of this article: IGN64

Yep, Hyrule: The Land of Zelda mentioned days ago, Nintendo DOES have Online features planned for the next generation Zelda. However this Zelda-related information has not been officially revealed to the public. We got this info from Nintendo insiders who have been quite secretive at first.
Let´s see what else can we get from these guys. Be prepared.

Dolphin: definitive name for Nintendo´s next generation console?
We have some clues...

Again, this is not official, BUT, what IS official is that Nintendo has registered an Internet domain which includes the name DOLPHIN. (We´ll give you the full name as soon as it is available) Now, do you get the idea? Why would Nintendo register the name Dolphin? Are they actually planning to use that name for the next gaming monster? Maybe...

StarCube - new name for Dolphin?
Umm...

There are some REALLY STRONG rumors that Nintendo's next generation gaming monster will be called: STARCUBE.
Some people like the name, some others hate it, anyway the name matters very little to me. I want more from the game masters! Nintendo forever! oh yeah...

Man, X-box is also a ridiculous name!!! Don't you think???

Strong rumor:
Zelda a playable character?
July 27, 2000

This is a new fantastic rumor that has just surfaced!  It seems that a "friend" of mine has be snooping around the Nintendo HQ a little.  Anyway, he happen to notice in the trace one day some nice art work, but it had a coffe stain on it.  Well, he looked at the sketched and realized that it was Zelda, and she was fighting.  She had on  warriors clothing and fought with a dagger and crossbow.  Now, this is purly speculation, but I thought HEY! Zelda will be a playable character!  Well, this could be one of a few things.  It could be someone just doodling, or, it could be an idea for the next zelda, or it could be an idea for the next zelda game, but was thrown in the trash so to speak.  Well, after my "friend" got a good look at it, it was snached away from him from someone important and they kept it.  Now, weather you believe this or not is up to you.  I for one would like to have Zelda as a playable character.  It would be an interesting twist for the game.  Imagine, Link and Zelda working hand in hand on a quest!  Of course, she will still get captured and Link will have to resque her again!

Spaceworld 2000
August 9, 2000 -
What can we expect from STARCUBE? (Dolphin)

NOTE: The pic above was made by HTLOZ's editors.

IGN had an interview with Ken Lobb and speaks about a Dolphin (Starcube) appearance at the SPACEWORLD 2000:

"Don't Worry, Be Happy

Nintendo's Ken Lobb promises that Dolphin enthusiasts will be "very happy" come August 24.

Nintendo's Gamers Summit press event kicked off earlier on august 7 in Seattle, Washington, and those present got a little more reassurance that the company's next-generation system won't be entirely overlooked at the upcoming Space World show in Tokyo, Japan. Company man Ken Lobb was on hand to demonstrate the finalized English version of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and naturally he had no details to offer in regards to the Dolphin system. However, having stated that he couldn't go into specifics, Lobb hinted, "All of you who are attending the Space World pre-show announcement August 24 will be very, very happy."

Lobb's words indicate that while the press is likely to see the unveiling of the Dolphin system August 24 at the pre-show event, the console will not be a focus of Space World, hence Nintendo's comments that there will be no playable Dolphin software on hand."

www.ign64.com