This is for all you ladies out there. Today we are featuring the unlikely duo, Link and Groose, drawn by Deviantart user lyiol. While this picture is somewhat awesomely goofy, it does immediately remind you of Link and Groose’s teamwork to stop The Imprisoned. In my very humble opinion, Groose’s character change in Skyward Sword is one of the strongest examples of character development in the Zelda series to date. So enjoy the totally gangsta take on Link and Groose’s relationship. The sunglasses really do the trick.

As my first ever video game system, I played a ton of games on the Game Boy. From the age of four I was glued to the green, monochrome screen on that brick-sized, bulky mass of digital wonders. It served as my introduction to many Nintendo franchises and the beginning of my favourite hobby in the world.

As someone growing up with these 8-bit classics (and as I’m sure many retro gamers can relate), I was no stranger to high difficulty levels. Missing a jump and watching Mario plummet to his death, getting punished by the Elite Four’s impenetrable Pokémon squad and desperately attempting to micro-manage high-speed falling Tetris blocks as they inevitably began to tower higher… Yet, I had never been challenged in quite the same way as when I first played Link’s Awakening.

More specifically, I first played the DX version. Since the gaming obsession had already dominated my young mind, I obviously begged my parents later on for a Game Boy Color. Shortly after receiving one, I had inherited a cartridge from my auntie which read “ZELDA” in big block letters, from the logo we all now know and love. I had never heard of Zelda before, but the image of a sword and shield was enough to convince me that this was going to be an awesome game.

After slamming in the cartridge and turning on the game, it was instantly clear that this was nothing like I’d ever seen. Again, to compare with those other games I played, this wasn’t the cute and cheerful world of Super Mario Land or Bubble Bobble. Sinister music began playing during the opening cutscene, with a thunderstorm raging on among harsh seas and black clouds. Upon seeing a mysterious man clinging on for dear life and screaming before his ship was struck by a lightning bolt, I knew this was going to be something I’d never experienced before.

Shortly after the game began, it was already more story-driven than anything I’d played before. As Link awoke to the friendly Marin and Tarin, I was seeing something I’d rarely encountered before: dialogue. I didn’t need a plot before to know how to move, jump and progress through a game. Yet, the speech and character interactions captured my interest. Wandering outside the house and into Mabe Village, I discovered even more characters and animals just living their own digital lives. Despite still being provided with an objective, for what felt like the first time I was allowed to explore and do what I wanted, at my own pace.

Eventually, with only a shield to protect myself, I set out in search of my washed-up sword. After navigating through Toronbo shores and avoiding the enemies that awaited there, I found and acquired my blade. This was my first taste of reward–after feeling considerably helpless against evil forces before, I could now feel deserving in the fact that I could now vanquish any foes in my path. Of course, with only three heart containers to boot, I still had to display skill and remain prudent to survive. I had experienced my first small victory, but the real challenges awaited.

It wasn’t until I reached the dungeons that I began to see the true extent of Link’s Awakening‘s strenuous nature. Instead of my reactions, it was my brain that was being tested. Thinking outside the box when confronted with the Owl Statues’ cryptic messages and riddles, remembering which rooms and areas to revisit later, trying out all of the items in my inventory in different situations… Solving puzzles and exploring the world quickly became the most rewarding gameplay I had ever experienced. Hours of frustrated wandering through dungeon rooms became infinitely worth the time and effort invested when I finally figured out I had to bomb a specific wall, or defeat enemies in a certain order. I even started taking notes and drawing maps on paper.

The strong atmosphere and sense of adventure was also maintaining my motivation and avidity to progress. The music changing as I traveled through each screen really brought the game to life, transitioning from the cheerful tones of Mabe Village, to the adventurous and vigorous main theme that plays across the overworld. Then, of course, there was entering into the Mysterious Woods for the first time; being suddenly plunged into a dark and eerie area crawling with enemies, the gloomy musical tones serving as a reminder of my solitude.

Being the DX version, the vibrant colors were beautiful and the variety of areas and themes across the entire map of Koholint Island was amazing. To this day I think the sprite art remains extremely visually appealing, creating characters with charm and spirit while also giving enemies and bosses a sense of evil and ferocity.

My emotional investment in the story meant that each time a dungeon was conquered and an Instrument was acquired, I felt content in becoming one step closer to waking the Wind Fish. There were only so many Game Over screens I could take in other platforming games, but in Link’s Awakening, my first true adventure game, the challenge only made me want to play more.

I still have that old cartridge you see above, complete with my old save file. Replaying it has been like talking to and enjoying the company of a long-lost friend – despite the years and years prior of no contact, the familiarity, nostalgia and long-running affinity allowed for an instant re-connection, like I was just playing the game yesterday.

Link’s Awakening will always hold a special place in my memory for a number of reasons. It was my first Zelda game, marking the beginning of a passion for the franchise; it’s in many ways responsible for my place here on Zelda Universe; and most of all, it taught me the importance of challenge, persistence and independence–aspects not only prominent in the enjoyment of gaming, but also true to success and happiness in life.

Now, I want to hear from you! Do you have any fond memories playing Link’s Awakening? Maybe you too remember playing it long ago, or experienced it for the first time on the 3DS eShop. Perhaps you played the original version, and/or the DX version. Or perhaps you’re experiencing it now for the first time through Chuggaaconroy’s ongoing Let’s Play. Share your thoughts, feelings and memories of the game below!

We’ve covered a number of Zelda Symphonies in the past, but this time we’re stepping up our game a bit. We’ll be sending a full-fledged camera crew to London today to cover the event, and will also be organising a Zelda Universe meetup and dinner.

If you’re interested in joining us, we have a thread on the forums with specific instructions about when and where we will be meeting up. All you need to do is to show up and have a good time. After dinner, we’ll be heading out to the Hammersmith Apollo to mingle with the crowd, where you can meet us if you can’t make the dinner.

We’re not sure where exactly we’ll be at the venue since we’ll move around to the most interesting spots to film, but we’ll keep you updated on our Twitter page throughout the evening. If you want to come by and say hello or film a short interview be sure to keep an eye out on Twitter.

For the details of the Symphony itself, you can check the official website.

If you’re new to the concept of 3D printing, it’s a constantly evolving and relatively new art form that is becoming a hobbyist phenomenon. 3D printers use a digital model and recreate it in physical form, adding layers onto material in correspondence with the digital dimensions.

The Hyrule Foundry has created every single quest item from the original NES Legend of Zelda using this very technology, and the results are amazing. Read on to see more, and find out how you can get your hands on them!

Each piece looks exactly like its in-game counterpart, from Link’s iconic swords and shields to even the expendable Rupees and Hearts. You can purchase the whole collection or separate pieces over on Shapeways, with the complete set priced at around $300 and individual pieces $10 each.

Buying it all at once may seem a little steep, though I’m sure the following images will tempt you even more.

There is also a semi-complete set that excludes the potions, because Hyrule Foundry notes these as a “work-in-progress” and plans to create a superior version you see below in the future, with a clear bottle around the printed liquid.

And finally, to give you an idea of the size of these items, here’s a shot of the sword next to a coin.

Source: Hyrule Foundry (via Geekologie)

The ZU Podcast is back, and this time we’ve moved to video format and will be uploading all of our podcasts on our YouTube channel! We’ll also continue to upload audio versions, but you may miss some video aspects of episodes, such as gameplay footage or Hombre’s cool sunglasses.

Hit the jump for the YouTube version of the podcast, or you can find the audio version on iTunes here.

We were able to reach out to Joe and speak with him about his inspiration for the film, his views on The Legend of Zelda, and even the legalities behind creating such an intricate fan project. Hit the jump for the full interview, and don’t forget to support It’s Dangerous To Go Alone: The Movie on Kickstarter.

What made you want to make a Zelda documentary? How did you end up where you are?

Wow. I could write a novel about that. I’ll give the short version. I grew up with The Legend of Zelda. Probably like most of you, it compelled my creativity. At six years old, as a direct result of playing the games, I started writing fantasy stories. I started drawing monsters and characters. I started planning my own video games on my driveway with sidewalk chalk. I used my Casio keyboard to write ‘soundtracks’. My first adventures through Hyrule gave life to that creative part of my brain. Fast forward almost 30 years, through my fascination with my parents camcorder, my learning to play various instruments and playing in rock bands throughout high school, learning basic programming and building small video games, writing a novel, joining a new band which toured the country, getting to play with bands that influenced me like the Toadies and the Misfits, opening my own recording studio, getting a film degree, starting a production company… my entire life (including my current profession) has been based around that creativity. What would have been different had I never exercised that muscle back in 1987? It’s fascinating to consider. As for the direct impetus for this project, replaying the NES games a few years ago with my production partner (neither of us had ever beaten Zelda 2 as kids… we made it a mission) during the course of filming a different feature sort of planted the seed in my mind about a documentary about The Legend of Zelda. Over the next two years, we conceived of a fun narrative, met a lot of amazing people, and started shooting test footage. Everyone was very encouraging, so I decided to launch a Kickstarter. That, in the most abridged way I can tell that story, leads us to here and now.

What types of people in the Zelda community are you working with?

The people we’re really focusing on are people who were inspired by the series and are now adults and artists in their own right. This won’t be a documentary about the creation of Zelda, though we may touch on it here and there. It’s more about its influence. We have sit downs planned with Hollywood writers working on big projects, successful musicians who have built careers around recreating 8 bit music live, filmmakers who have created homage projects to the series, the folks behind Symphony of the Goddesses, a cyber security agent who works for the government to protect the US from cyber terrorists whose first interest in technology was NES and Zelda… it’s a fascinating array of stories. I am being intentionally vague, because I want to leave some surprises for the film, but we’re very happy with how it is coming together and the breadth of interesting people with cool stories to tell.

How do you work? What’s your setup? physical equipment, apps, midnight food of choice, etc.

Haha. Well, when traveling my usual rig consists of what I can fit in a backpack – 5D, Juiced Link preamp with a few different microphones, Tascam DR100 just in case, a MacBook with an Apogee Duet, a handful of good lenses. When it’s a more planned shoot, I have access to a Red Epic and a C300 (which I love), and plenty of other peripherals. This film will probably see a lot of traveling, though, so it will probably mostly be shot on DSLR, unless I hire crew at the locations I’m visiting. Rather than revealing my midnight food (ahem… beverage), I will say that every adventure starts with a Monster energy drink and Pizzeria Pretzel Combos (and ONLY that type). And no, no one paid me to say that, but if you think they might, let me know! Haha.

In what ways has the Zelda franchise let you down?

I don’t know if I can say that the series has every fully let me down, though certain aspects have been rather disenchanting. Growing up in the 8 and 16 bit era, Zelda always had a knack for redefining gaming, usually by introducing new mechanics that became the standard. In the NES era, it introduced non-linear play, a revolutionary inventory system, a save and continue system… these things sound trivial now, but it’s only because the ideas were so well received in the original game that they were mimicked and copied so frequently that they became the norm. Ocarina of Time essentially introduced the foundation still built upon today, almost fifteen years later, as to how third person, 3D games should function. Even Wind Waker pushed the envelope of how expressive its characters could be by introducing a unique art style. I guess my biggest disappointment with Zelda games since is that they don’t feel groundbreaking. While I enjoyed them, Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword did not introduce me to any truly memorable gameplay experiences that I hadn’t seen a hundred times over or couldn’t get from other games. There is a bit of stagnation within the franchise right now, and I wonder if I’d even have bought the games had such an attachment to the series already. I guess in that way, the series has begun to let me down a bit.

Would you be interested in a Zelda game set far into the future?

A Zelda game set in the future? I think it’s incredibly novel. It’s fun to consider in theory, but I think the execution would end up being very convoluted. I think it would feel more like a tribute game or fan game than an actual licensed release. The artwork would be cool… but then you’d play, and it just wouldn’t quite feel like a Zelda game. Link, rockin’ his Triforce Corporation stamped laser gat… wearing some sort of bullet proof armor and traversing a futuristic city in the Epona model flying vehicle… it sounds like really cool fan art, but I think it would truly hold up in the reality of Zelda.

Has Zelda gone from being “real and gritty” to “childlike and feminine”? Or is it the other way around? Why do you think these changes have happened?

It’s funny, I’ve often compared the rather troll-like imagery from the NES game’s instruction manual to the current vision of Link. I always thought it would be really interesting to see a game that looked to those original illustrations for its art style. A lot of people bash on the art style of Wind Waker for being too cartoonish. While I like a more serious game, I actually didn’t have a problem with the art style of Wind Waker. I thought it was a great way to contrast the darker elements in the game, rather than Twilight Princess, which was so entirely dark throughout that without the proper contrast, wasn’t as emotionally interesting as it could’ve been in my opinion. My problem stems more from the ever-increasing cutesy cut scenes than the art style. The introduction to Skyward Sword was full of them. I felt insulted by all the silly little asides. I think there may be some culturally divergent things happening with that too, though.

How would you like to change the way people view video games and documentaries?

A lot of people view documentaries as boring. To those people, I say that you just haven’t seen the right documentaries! We’re hoping that optionally making this documentary a game like experience will invite a new level of interest from people who would normally not be interested in watching docs. As for how people view video games – there’s always lots of bad press. For those that have negative opinions about the effects of games, I say go talk to the people at Child’s Play charity and listen to some of THEIR stories before you settle into your opinion to wholly!

You’re releasing a game simultaneously with the film as a new, interactive watching experience. What are your plans for this medium?

We’re still testing the waters. Right now we’re in early proof of concept stages with it. It’s a viable scenario, and we think it works really well as a way to tell this story. The specifics… well, there are a lot of ideas on our proverbial dry erase board. It will be a top down adventure game with more modern 3D graphics. It will be reminiscent of Zelda, but not a Zelda clone. It will be it’s own game that could stand on its own and still be compelling. Its story will likely be loosely metaphorical of the actual film. We hope to make it as non-linear as possible and hide a ton of bonus material in the game where appropriate. Again, it’s in the early stages. If our project gets funded, we’ll be diving in with reckless abandon. If not… it’ll be a longer process, and the game will likely be a secondary concern.

What challenges do you face in designing new ways to interact with games and film?

Keeping up with changing technology is tough. We’re working within the limitations of current gen mobile technology. Actually, we’re already one generation behind. By the time the project is released, we’ll be TWO generations behind, and what the technology would be capable of will likely be far superior to what we’ve created. It’s the nature of the beast. There are also creative decisions to be made as to how the two will interact. I’ve never been a fan of games that are a string of cut scenes strung together by linear gameplay (unfortunately for me, the common trend). So one of the challenges is telling this story in a way that can still make sense to a viewer, yet be non-linear and with a focus on exploration. We have a few ideas that we’re toying with. I have a feeling the end result will be a fun experience, and like I said, may excite gamers who may not necessarily be interested in documentaries to experience this film.

What are the legalities behind producing your film? How are you hoping to avoid the ill fates of other fan projects?

It’s a legal minefield, no doubt. But for six months prior to even rolling cameras to film the first shot, we investigated legal boundaries of what we’ll be able to do. Fortunately, two things work wholly in our favor. Our project is pretty much the dictionary definition of fair use laws created specifically to protect documentary filmmakers in the US. We are not claiming the intellectual property of Nintendo as our own, nor is it the focus of the project. Our film is not a fan film that retells or interprets the narrative. It’s not even gameplay videos. It’s its own wholly unique entity. It is a commentary on the games’ influence. Contextually, most iconography for the games that is used is either incidental or used to directly demonstrate the point of the commentary of a particular segment. We have this great sort of ‘legal checklist’ that we pass every idea through to see if it meets the definition of fair use. If it straddles the fence, we scrap it or find another way to tell that part of the story. We’ve had to sacrifice some great ideas this way, but that’s a small price to pay if it helps keep the film safe to see completion from a legal standpoint. Of course, the ultimate hope is that Nintendo itself completely supports the project, which would open up even more fun possibilities. We haven’t gotten any notification either way on that just yet though.

Anything else you’d like to share?

The community of Zelda fans has been tremendous, and we are humbled by your awesomeness and enthusiasm. We really appreciate the support. We hope that we can bring you a very enjoyable experience about the influence of this great franchise.

If you were thinking about picking up the Oracle games upon their re-release on the 3DS eShop, then it seems snapping them up as soon as possible is your best option. Today Nintendo announced during their Nintendo Direct broadcast that both Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons will be priced at $4.99 each (reduced from $5.99) for three weeks after their May 30th release.

Hit the jump for a new trailer, which reminds players that if you buy both games then you can link them together for the extra content. While I wouldn’t be surprised if this deal became available worldwide, for the time being this applies to North America only.

Source: YouTube

Hey, ZU! Welcome to the second creativity corner update, where I tell you all the artsy things going on in our creativity corner section in the forums.

Recently, we’ve undergone a few changes. Holden, our beloved section mod has retired, so until a few days ago, there was no section mod. However, I was promoted to the board section mod to fill his place, so now that problem is pretty much dealt with. We love you, Holden!

EzloSpirit has also retired as writing board mod, so until yesterday, we had no mod there. We slapped a super mod, Gamzee, in there to watch while we look for a new one. Two days ago we decided on the newest edition to our team, blackbird, to fill EzloSpirit’s role. She’s doing great so far and already has ideas to make the writing section a much more fun place to be, so be sure to check things out there in the next few days (or minutes, if you’d be so inclined)!

Lastly, our competitions and collaborations board in the creativity corner has been removed after much debate. We’ve decided to move the competition archives to the graphic design board as they’re currently the only board running contests (but the other ones will be too, soon). Any contests specifically for one board, i.e. signature of the week or the monthly writing contest will take place in their respective boards. This should make figuring out where things are a bit easier for everyone.

Okay, so that’s all of that. Now, let’s talk about the Silk Contest! This is a monthly graphics design

contest that anyone can (and should!) enter, because everything you could possibly enter can’t be unappealing; you’ll have just as good of a chance of winning as everyone else, too!  Using the app called WeaveSilk you can create fantastic pieces using different types of symmetry.  Check it out!

Other important events are the signature of the week voting and signup threads going on in GD right now as well! You should check it out, in the same place as always.

That’s all for now! Thanks for reading, and we hope you participate in any activities we have going on now and in the future.

Over the last five years, online video streaming has changed a lot about how players find and share videogames, making such an impact on the games industry that Sony has announced it will be adding a dedicated “share” button to its upcoming DualShock 4 controller to make it easier for players to share game footage online.

Unfortunately, it seems that Nintendo is going down quite a different path, with several YouTubers recently reporting much of their Nintendo-related content tagged with a Content ID match.

So, what is a Content ID match, and how is this going to affect those in the games industry who make a living from Nintendo-related content? We reached out to Josh Jepson, a Nintendo-focused YouTuber with more than 100,000 subscribers, to find out.

Josh: When a Youtube video gets Content-ID matched, the ad revenue earned from the video goes to the company that owns the copyright. Now, the issue here is, gameplay videos have always been a grey area in terms of copyright. It’s not considered fair use and any game company can say “hey, you can’t do that” and start sapping that video for ad revenue.

Nintendo does have the legal right to its copyrighted content, of course. From a purely legal perspective, Nintendo needs to protect their copyright to a degree and could run around sending cease-and-desist letters to children who draw fan art of Link if they liked. As you may have guessed, however, no game company actually does that because it would be terrible PR and would alienate their most dedicated supporters. The same supporters who, if left to their own devices, would love to spend their free time promoting Nintendo’s game library.

With that in mind, it seems strange to target YouTube’s Nintendo-loving content creators, who when combined promote Nintendo’s work to hundreds of thousands of people a day. Especially when, as Josh reveals, it means that these content creators are forced to promote only non-Nintendo games if they wish to maintain their livelihood.

Josh: It definitely could cripple my channel and many others in the near future. By doing this, Nintendo is basically telling some of its biggest fans that it doesn’t want them to support Nintendo anymore. Sure this doesn’t go for every person who uploads Nintendo content to Youtube, most will likely not be affected. But those that do get affected are some of the biggest supporters of Nintendo games. The people that convince tens of thousands that Nintendo makes games that are fun to play.

With Nintendo’s main competitors such as Sony going out of their way to provide people with easy access to player-made online content in the next console cycle, we can only hope that Nintendo can come to an agreement with its online fans that will work out for both parties involved.

In response to criticism of its new policy, Nintendo issued this official statement to Gamefront on the matter:

As part of our on-going push to ensure Nintendo content is shared across social media channels in an appropriate and safe way, we became a YouTube partner and as such in February 2013 we registered our copyright content in the YouTube database. For most fan videos this will not result in any changes, however, for those videos featuring Nintendo-owned content, such as images or audio of a certain length, adverts will now appear at the beginning, next to or at the end of the clips. We continually want our fans to enjoy sharing Nintendo content on YouTube, and that is why, unlike other entertainment companies, we have chosen not to block people using our intellectual property.

– Nintendo

Edit: To clear up some discussion regarding Content ID, most Let’s Players and others that use game footage are licensed to put ads on their videos through companies such as TGS and Machinima, which handle the legal issues. This is not an issue of Nintendo suddenly noticing LPers (they’ve worked officially with them in the past) but of Nintendo changing their policy.

We’re all eager to know more about the upcoming Wii U remake of The Wind Waker, with details since its announcement remaining extremely scarce. What exactly are Nintendo planning to add into the game, or change from the original? According to a press release recently issued by Nintendo UK, the company may want its fans to decide.

Read on for the full press release, and make sure you sound off your ideas in the comments–Nintendo might be listening!

Here’s the full press release:

“What’s on your wishlist for the new Wii U Zelda game?

With a brand new remake of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker on the way to the Wii U console, speculation has been mounting over what the reinvented game will be like.

Nintendo developer Shigeru Miyamoto, who’s had a hand in the development of many popular Nintendo games with the exception of the Professor Layton series, has offered a few hints as to what we can expect from the new Wind Waker when it finally arrives. He told the ABC news network that HD capabilities of the Wii U will be able to “breathe new life” into the game, and also hinted that the game will have upgraded graphics, along with enhance lighting, better cel shading and overall, a more dynamic and vibrant look.

As it is being developed specifically for the Wii U console, the way the new Zelda: Wind Waker title is played will also be different from its Nintendo GameCube original. Similarly to the New Super Mario Bros. U title, Wind Waker players will have the option to play entirely on the Wii U GamePad. There will also be integration with the Wii U’s Miiverse, similarly to other games released for the console.

This is what we know about the new Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker game so far, but as for more detailed specs and features, we’re still completely in the dark. So, the question is – what would you like to see in the new Wind Waker? What would be on your wish list if you could have a hand in designing the game?

A number of game fans and pundits have a few suggestions, such as the following:

Bring back cut content – a lot of segments (specifically, dungeons) were cut from the original GameCube design due to time constraints, but these could easily be brought back and expanded on in the new title

The ability to change difficulty levels – fans of the Zelda series, or anyone who has ever played a Zelda game, might appreciate the chance to up the ante difficulty-wise, as well as turning off those annoying tutorials

Make sailing more fun – anyone who played the original Wind Waker will know that sailing in the game could be a bit of a chore. Lengthy and repetitive, Zelda fans agree that a way to make sailing faster and more enjoyable is a must when it comes to the new and improved game.

These are just a few of the things Zelda fans would like to see in the brand new Wind Waker, but what improvements would be at the top of your list?”

Going by general feedback across the web on the original game, I expect many will request improvements or even removal of the Triforce shard quest (which I never had a problem with), and making changing the wind direction faster while sailing. Some GamePad-specific features would be fantastic, such as using the screen and gyrosensor for the Picto Box and Tingle Tuner.

Operation Rainfall also notes that the title was changed from “Nintendo looking for Fan Requests” to “What’s on your Wishlist for the New Wii U Zelda Game?”. This may suggest that Nintendo aren’t making any concrete promises on addressing and considering requests, and is simply opening discussion for the time being. Since we don’t know exactly how far Nintendo are into development of the game already at this stage, it’s difficult to speculate on how drastically Nintendo will make changes based on feedback. Of course, it also depends on the scale of each request.

If Nintendo do plan on listening to their fanbase and taking action, though, then now’s your chance to get your voice heard! Let us know in the comments what you’d like to see in the HD version and why.

Update: Kotaku have contacted Nintendo, who have confirmed that the press release is fake. Well, that’s a huge downer–still, maybe Nintendo will notice fan responses anyway after the story has spread everywhere across the web.

Update 2: Operation Rainfall now claim that “the article was provided by Nintendo UK’s marketing partner MEC Global and was meant as an discussion piece rather than an official press release given to the media”.

Source: Operation Rainfall (via My Nintendo News)

Music is a universal language of diverse rhythms, jumps in dynamics, and everlasting melodies that evoke hidden emotions. A favorite tune can immediately improve a bad day. For me, troublesome times dissolve the moment I immerse myself in the sounds of The Legend of Zelda, which surprises my friends; they just don’t think of video games and music as going together. The orchestral tracks that back Nintendo’s fantasy adventure series, though, are not only some of the most breathtaking works to be found, but also serve a major part in making Zelda as fantastic as it is.

Obviously, the backing compositions of a game play a huge role in establishing the emotions felt by the player at any given moment. When that Hyrule Field theme suddenly shifts to a more driven pulse with strong chords, you know that a battle is about to ensue. And just try playing the final hours of the Final Day in Majora’s Mask muted; it is in no way the same emotional experience without the haunting dissonance. I still cry every time I hear Fi’s piano lament, as well. The music, however, does more than just foster a feeling at a certain time. It helps to create the very atmosphere of an entire game.

Take The Wind Waker. A significant number of melodies in the game are driven by vocals, stringed instruments, flutes, low woodwinds, or a combination thereof. These music making devices are often paired together with upbeat rhythms to create happy sounding music, which, along with the bright cel-shaded graphics, lends itself into a childish excitement for adventure. Thusly, in a subtle fashion from the very “Outset,” the player is emotionally linked with the protagonist, a twelve-ish-year-old boy leaving his secluded island for the first time to embark on a quest. Instrumental to this quest, Link winds up with the sacred Wind Waker, allowing him to control the winds by conducting music in a ridiculous fashion. I would personally hate to be a musician following his arm strokes because they make no sense. There is no beat given in the middle. Ever. It’s too hard to follow. Yet by allowing the player to help create this music, he or she becomes further invested into the game and is more so incorporated into the atmosphere.

Nintendo utilizes this awesome interactive feature several other times in the series, most notably with a tiny blue ocarina. While the instrumentation in the second installment of Zelda for the N64 is far more varied than it is in The Wind Waker, the music of Majora’s Mask still has other patterns. The soundtrack is a war zone; the cavalries of bass instruments continuously charge across the endless staffs, ramming their low notes into the hearts of the higher pitched melodies. The result is a battle between different octaves, most noticeable in the Clock Town theme on the final day. While the familiar tune is playing happily, the bass below is bowing and blowing dissonant chords of equivalent force. The player can thus subconsciously realize the full depth of emotion in the game. Everything may seem full of life and in bright detail, but in reality there is a grave sadness burdening almost every NPC. The conflicts in the music emphasize the dark atmosphere of inner struggle that makes Majora’s Mask so powerful and unique.

Another relatively dark game in the series, though in more of a plot-related way rather than an emotional one, is Twilight Princess. I’m struck by how many solo instruments there are whenever I listen to the soundtrack. It creates an encroaching sense of loneliness throughout the game, a sense of loneliness that emphasizes the mysteriousness of the Twilight and embodies Rusl’s introductory words: “Tell me… Do you ever feel a strange sadness as dusk falls? They say it’s the only time when our world intersects with theirs… The only time we can feel the lingering regrets of spirits who have left our world. That is why loneliness always pervades the hour of twilight….” This atmosphere of serene solidarity is formed even before the game begins through the powerful title screen theme. The song kicks off with only female vocals singing the melody on top of a quiet background part, creating suspense; later a subsequent howl and solitary instrument playing Midna’s Theme over the final chord truly sets up the whole adventure. Indeed, without the music, the game just wouldn’t be as creepy.

Outside of the games, various arrangements have truly captured the essence of Zelda. Specifically, the Symphony of the Goddesses doesn’t feel at all removed from Hyrule. The Ocarina of Time movement provides an especially realistic experience of the game; the tune in its beginning bars reflects the civil war that ravaged the land in the years prior to the events of the plot. Chaos, amplified by the drastic volume shifts and dissonance of the low brass, emerges in the frenzied tempo. The phrasing of the fervent melodic lines and soprano runs instill within the listener the panic felt by any civilian caught up in the convulsive clash. The sudden quiet that ensues with the shift to the low, mysterious Deku Tree theme shows the danger posed to the kingdom of Hyrule, sending chills up the spine until later when the triumphant fanfare of Hyrule Field blazes forth. Its lively pulse and quick, light air mirror the wondrous sense of adventure that immediately forms the first time the player steps out of Kokiri Forest. A smooth transition into the Lost Woods theme further emphasizes the playfulness of the childhood map, only to then shift to the sadness that plagues the adult world when the tempo decelerates and instruments drop out. The finishing sound of the song is the questioning melody that begins the game’s direct sequel, Majora’s Mask, indicating that the adventure is not yet over. In just twelve minutes, this movement bottles up the emotions and atmosphere of its namesake quite successfully, and it is not the only tune from the Zelda Symphony that does so.

It’s not just the fact that the Symphony of the Goddesses transports the listener to the world of the game that truly makes it fantastic–that’s but a part of it. So many people uniting through auditory euphony illustrates the most incredible effect of the Zelda Symphony.

Personally, I’d wanted a live concert of completely Zelda music since I was quite young. The sheer excitement that I felt when I found out that this childhood dream would become a reality was unable to be suppressed. I had the privilege of attending the performance in Orlando last summer and will be attending another in Atlanta later this year. Going to these concerts and being surrounded by fans who are just as passionate about the series and just as pumped about the live music in a classical setting is remarkable. The fact that people from all walks of life are involved demonstrates exactly how powerful the music is in creating an experience which influences lives.

This shared passion for the series is also apparent in the musical works of fans like ZREO and OCRemix, among others. While their pieces don’t have the classic Zelda feel per se, their love for the series shines in the beauty and individualistic flourishes that they add to the well-known melodies. The raw emotion of the games is captured by these fan-made creations, as well.

Currently, I have over 1,500 songs from various Zelda games and adaptions loaded on my iPod. I have a playlist of my favorite tunes from this large list that acts as the soundtrack to my life. I can always find a song from Zelda that fits my mood and whatever I happen to be doing. The music is one of the major factors that keeps me coming back to the land of Hyrule. Music is a powerful force, a universal language understood by all Zelda fans.

You’ve probably heard tons of Zelda fans say that they wish they could live in the games. I’d wager that many would love to live in Hyrule Castle specifically, with its elegant architecture and scenic surroundings. Obviously, any castle is going to make a huge hole in your Giant’s wallet, but this one in particular is even pricier than you may think.

According to a very interesting and humourous infographic from Movato Blog, if Hyrule Castle from Ocarina of Time existed in reality, it would cost you a whopping $113,807,400. There are some very clever methods used to come to this large sum, including compaisons to real-life castles and in-game measurements. It’s pretty expensive, but maybe after Ganondorf destroys and corrupts the area in seven years the value will go down. Hit the jump below and get your mathematics on!

Source: Movato Blog (via Nintendo Life)

Welcome back to Fanart Friday! Today we have a simple, yet heartwarming piece by deviantart user nuv. For those of us who have completed Skyward Sword, it no doubt reminds us of one of the ending cut scenes. While there are not a bunch of things to notice about this picture, I did lock onto Link’s shield rather quickly. In this piece of art, Link has the Goddess Shield equipped which got me to thinking about how many people prefer that look to the Hylian Shield look. It fits this picture really nicely though, as the theme is the Goddess.

This picture already gives off a peaceful feeling, but it means so much more because of the game it portrays. As the title suggests, this is a literal picture of the chronological beginning of the Zelda series. As the first legend ends, it begins many others. The moment captured here represents what all other Zelda stories are based off of. I immediately took a liking to this fanart when I ran across it because it gave off a true ‘Zelda feel’. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Music has always played a huge role in the Zelda series, and Skyward Sword is no exception. I have always loved the music for the ending credits in every Zelda game, but the Staff Roll from Skyward Sword totally blew me away when I first heard it! It sounds incredible with an orchestra, and the same is true for the piano. The Super Piano Brothers have uploaded a piano duet of this piece on Youtube recently, and I must say that I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The music is downright epic, especially as the duo uses three pianos during the piece. Read on to view the video!

I dare say that this is one of the most stunning piano performances of Zelda music that I have ever heard! The Super Piano Brothers have done a couple other Nintendo music pieces including pieces from Wind Waker, Super Mario 64, and Super Smash Bros. Melee which are definitely worth checking out. You can view those on their channel here. I hope you enjoyed this piece as much as I did. Go forth and listen to more Zelda music!

Source: Youtube
Via: GoNintendo

Last year, we witnessed the release of Figma’s impressive Skyward Sword Link figurine. Good news for all of you who missed pre-orders or held off on paying the absurd eBay prices–Figma Link is now headed to the US!

Online retailers Big Bad Toy Store and Anime Island have listed both the Skyward Sword Link figure and a Metroid Samus figure to release in the fourth quarter of 2013. This will be a completely new production run, and previous licensing issues preventing an official American release have now been resolved. You can pre-order now for $49.99 at Big Bad Toy Store or $46.89 at Anime Island.

Source: Big Bad Toy Store (via Tomopop)