'The Legend of Zelda' Wii U Release Date: Preview at Game Awards (Video)

By Mark Rollins
The Legend of the Zelda for the Wii U
The Legend of Zelda creator Shigeru Miaymoto and series producer Eiji Aonuma playing the long-awaited Zelda Wii U game. (Youtube)

At the 2014 Game Awards last weekend, there were a lot of previews for upcoming games. One of these previews is a very anticipated game of The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Wii U. The preview video included The Legend of Zelda creator Shigeru Miaymoto and series producer Eiji Aonuma simply playing the game and discussing how it looks and plays.

If you are not familiar with The Legend of the Zelda, it is a series of video games based on a hero in green who lives in a land called Hyrule. The player then goes through a series of fantasy adventures that include dungeons, facing massive amounts of foes, and running other errands. The game has been done so well and has had so many iterations that it practically has its own mythology, as well as legions of fans.

Ever since the Wii U was released in 2012, there was great demand for a Zelda game for it. Sadly, it was soon announced that one wouldn't be coming until 2015. There is a game known as Hyrule Warriors out now for the Wii U, but its hack and slash combat isn't the type of gameplay that fans have demanded since Zelda's two Wii predecessors of Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword.

Advances to the Wii U version, which still does not have a subtitle, include its open world ability. The player of Wii U Zelda can roam around Hyrule and climb up mountains to see magnificent views and sunsets. The game makes use of the secondary screen on the Wii U controller by becoming a map, which is a very good use for it. The land of Hyrule looks extremely beautiful and well-rendered.

Since the world of Hyrule is also large, the player has to go a long way. This is why a horse is provided. With the help of some interesting programming, the player can ride the horse through the trees, and the game will automatically steer around them. As the video has said: "horses don't run into trees", but most past Zelda games (and other games of this type) are notorious for having horses come to complete stop when a tree is in front of them.

Another feature that Zelda players will enjoy seeing is the ability to shoot enemies while riding a horse. This was something that was somewhat difficult to do in Twilight Princess, but it is much easier on the Wii U version.

There still is still no word on an actual release date other than sometime in 2015. However, it was interesting to hear in the video that a StarFox game will be occurring before a Legend of Zelda game. Considering that the last two Legend of Zelda games came out before the holiday season of the year of their release, I wouldn't be surprised if Wii U Zelda showed up in October or November of 2015. If that is the case, then there will be quite a line for it at the E3 Video Game Expo in Los Angeles in the summer of 2015.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo