Nintendo Sets Launch Date for New 'Zelda' Game

Zardon · Dec 17, 2002, 09:34 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Video game publisher Nintendo Co. Ltd. on Tuesday set a late-March release date for the long-awaited new entry in its "Legend of Zelda" series and said customers who order the $49.95 game in advance will get two other games free.
Nintendo set March 24 as the release date for "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker," a game that was first previewed in August 2001.

The new Zelda is the latest in a series that dates to the mid-1980s and has generated sales of more than 36 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling game franchises.

"Zelda" has long been one of Nintendo's cornerstones, along with the "Mario" franchise. Games in both series have traditionally been a major part in selling Nintendo's consoles, from the NES of the 1980s to the GameCube released last year.

Nintendo said people who place a deposit at select retailers after Feb. 16 to pre-order "Wind Waker" would also get a disk featuring two previous Zelda games: "Ocarina of Time" and "Ocarina of Time Master Quest."

"Ocarina of Time," released for Nintendo's late-1990s N64 console, has been lauded by the gaming press as one of the best video games of all time. "Master Quest" is an update to that game that was never released outside of Japan.

"Wind Waker" was originally targeted for a February 2003 launch, though Nintendo officials said in May they would release it as soon as this holiday season if it was ready.

The game was criticized initially for its graphic style, which some said was too cartoon-like. But it was warmly received at last May's Electronic Entertainment Expo, an industry show, even garnering some "Best in Show" awards.

Dec 17, 2002, 09:34 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Nintendo Sets Launch Date for New 'Zelda' Game LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Video game publisher Nintendo Co. Ltd. on Tuesday set a late-March release date for the long-awaited new entry in its "Legend of Zelda" series and said customers who order the $49.95 game in advance will get two other games free. Nintendo set March 24 as the release date for "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker," a game that was first previewed in August 2001. The new Zelda is the latest in a series that dates to the mid-1980s and has generated sales of more than 36 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling game franchises. "Zelda" has long been one of Nintendo's cornerstones, along with the "Mario" franchise. Games in both series have traditionally been a major part in selling Nintendo's consoles, from the NES of the 1980s to the GameCube released last year. Nintendo said people who place a deposit at select retailers after Feb. 16 to pre-order "Wind Waker" would also get a disk featuring two previous Zelda games: "Ocarina of Time" and "Ocarina of Time Master Quest." "Ocarina of Time," released for Nintendo's late-1990s N64 console, has been lauded by the gaming press as one of the best video games of all time. "Master Quest" is an update to that game that was never released outside of Japan. "Wind Waker" was originally targeted for a February 2003 launch, though Nintendo officials said in May they would release it as soon as this holiday season if it was ready. The game was criticized initially for its graphic style, which some said was too cartoon-like. But it was warmly received at last May's Electronic Entertainment Expo, an industry show, even garnering some "Best in Show" awards.