Project1 07/11/2011 12:07 Page 1 SPECIAL ZELDA ANNIVERSARY ISSUE MCV has joined forces with Nintendo to celebrate all things Zelda, including a look at the upcoming Skyward Sword, a history of the franchise and industry opinion EVERY BUYER G EVERY BRANCH G EVERY WEEK Monday November 7th 2011 £3.25 Happy Anniversary to a video game Legend Nintendo celebrates 25 years of the greatest games franchise on earth with new games and Orchestral concert by Christopher Dring popular this concert has been certainly helps, and it has 25 YEARS ago a Legend made me very happy to see.” was launched in Japan – and Zelda is best known for its with it the most acclaimed critical performance. Ocarina series in gaming was born. of Time is the highest rated Since then there has been Metacritic game ever, with a 15 main titles, with a 16th – score of 99. And every home The Legend of Zelda: console Zelda game since Skyward Sword – out next has scored 95 or above. week on November 18th. The series has sold well over 50m units globally, and the last two Wii games have been Over the 25 big UK sellers. 2006’s Twilight years of Zelda, Princess has sold 441,603 units to-date, while 2007’s there’s always Link’s Crossbow Training has been a surplus of shifted 315,857 copies. And Nintendo has been new ideas. celebrating the fact, with a Eiji Aonuma, Nintendo slew of new products and a Symphony Concert, which “What we’ve always aimed reached Europe last month for is not about fitting one for a live performance particular game genre, but featuring the London to keep providing unique Philharmonic Orchestra. experiences that people can “We’re always trying to enjoy,” said Zelda’s producer craft music that stays in the Eiji Aonuma. Both Eiji Aonuma (right) and Koji Kondo (far right) celebrated 25 years mind and is associated with “Of course there are of The Legend of Zelda at a special London concert last month memories,” said Koji Kondo, certain techniques and Zelda’s acclaimed composer. basics that are similar offer a new world for people Zelda and we’ve always had “As I rarely see the people throughout the series, but to enjoy and to experience. a wealth of ideas, which I playing the games, it is hard really what we are striving to “Over those 25 years, think is what has kept us know how they respond. How do with each new Zelda is while we’ve been working on going all these years.” IN THIS ISSUE 05 THE ‘REAL’ ZELDA 06 ZELDA MOMENTS 09 HISTORY OF ZELDA 12 SKYWARD MARKETING 13 RECOMMENDED We speak to Robin Williams’ The UK games industry shares A guide to all the brilliant Nintendo’s Langford discusses We detail the latest Zelda daughter Zelda, who is named its favourite Zelda moments games that make up the the plans for Skyward Sword titles, including Skyward after the elfin princess through 25 years Zelda franchise and the 25-year celebrations Sword and Ocarina of Time 3D NEWS Skyward Sword is ‘a triumph’ Huge marketing campaign planned for Nintendo’s ‘deepest and richest game ever’ G Game secures impressive press coverage and review scores Online ad push will be one of Nintendo UK’s biggest NINTENDO has prepared a major marketing blitz for its biggest Zelda game yet. Skyward Sword has already racked up major press coverage in Metro and The Independent, plus it received the Front cover of The Guardian Guide. It has also scored impressive review scores – including a 10/10 in Edge, only the fourteenth time a game has obtained such a result in the magazines 18-year history. Skyward Sword And now the platform is one of the holder is spending big to ensure the game is a major deepest game unique combat system. For Nintendo has also taken Christmas seller. experiences launch we also have a bundle Skyward Sword on-tour with “Skyward Sword is one of containing an exclusive gold appearances at GAMEfest, the deepest and richest ever produced Wii Remote Plus. Eurogamer Expo, plus a game experiences ever by Nintendo. “We are confident that takeover at GameCity. produced by Nintendo, existing fans and those new On top of that, there are taking more than 100 staff Roger Langford, Nintendo to the franchise will enjoy 60- and 40-second TV ads members over five years to Skyward Sword.” that will showcase the game, produce,” said Nintendo’s The game’s marketing plus Nintendo is planning junior product manager campaign has already one of its biggest ever online Roger Langford. begun, kicking off with MPUs campaigns for launch, taking “For the first time in a in September running across over all major game sites Zelda game you can use Wii major gaming sites, as well plus IMBD and Sky Sports. MotionPlus technology to as print ads in specialist The Legend of Zelda: precisely control flight and publications including Edge, Skyward Sword hits shelves experience a distinctly GamesTM and GamesMaster. on November 18th. Industry hails top Zelda moments THE UK games industry’s most essential a bustling and vibrant town “There was always this trade has united in video games – even after market had stood, it occurred massive anticipation of praise for one of the 25 years. to me then that this game everybody waiting to buy greatest video games “When I entered the was something special. It is the next version,” he said. series of all time. Temple of Time to take hold no surprise at all that the “Everything stopped for Key media, publishing, of the Master Sword and Zelda Franchise celebrates Zelda. The Legend lives.” development and retail left seven years later as the its 25th birthday when it is Meanwhile GAME Group figures have highlighted fully grown Hero of Time, able to conjure up remarkable CEO Ian Shepherd their favourite Zelda words failed me for the first moments like this.” highlighted watching his kids moments, whilst time ever whilst playing a Even David Reeves, play Ocarina of Time 3D on celebrating the video game,” said Ubisoft’s current Capcom COO who their Nintendo 3DS, 13 years series’ UK marketing director worked in opposition to after he originally played the remarkable Murray Pannell. Nintendo at PlayStation for game on the N64. “Proof achievement of “As I took in the ruin and many years, had nothing positive,” he said, “that great remaining one devastation that but warm words about game design is timeless.” of the surrounded me where once the franchise. Proof indeed. 4 November 7th 2011 www.mcvuk.com NEWS LEADER THE GREATEST GAMES SERIES ON THE PLANET THE LEGEND of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the first Zelda game that I played. It was the dying days of 1998, and I wasn’t all that in to video games. I had shared a Super Nintendo with my brother, but it was really his machine. I liked my books. But on December 25th, 1998, nestled under the Christmas tree was a new Nintendo 64 and a copy of Ocarina of Time. I still had to share these with my brother, but this time it was really my machine and my game. In the years that followed I have played and loved every Zelda game released before and since. Yep, even black sheep Zelda II. It’s easy to forget that when it is not busy expanding the games industry’s audience, Nintendo is the most gifted developer on the planet. And The Legend of Zelda is the platform holder at its talented Meet the real Zelda and creative best. Acting legend Robin Williams named his “Each new Zelda game is greeted by critical daughter after Princess Zelda herself. Here, acclaim. The 10/10 Edge gave to Skyward Sword Zelda Williams shares her thoughts on the series wasn’t just impressive. It was inevitable.” Why did your parents name It was also quite a dark game. All of the main home console Zelda adventures released since A you Princess Zelda? ZW: Yeah, incredibly. It was Link To The Past have a Metacritic score of 95 or above. It is a Zelda Williams: It was brought similar to a Tim Burton film. remarkable level of consistency and fans expect that degree of up by my older brother Zach and his best friend. they were Have you played the new excellence with each new release. like five at the time, and they Skyward Sword? The 10/10 Edge gave to Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword isn’t just ran in as my parents were ZW: I have played it a little bit. expected. It was inevitable. discussing baby names for me. I have fought a couple of the And what a game Skyward Sword is shaping up to be. A lovely They threw in their two cents bosses. But it was one of visual style that looks unlike anything else on the and my of parents loved it. those things where I played market, plus full Wii MotionPlus support for a They love the games and it is what was at E3. What I played more accurate combat experience. And a great name for a girl. was really beautiful, fun and really vibrant. Everything looks according to Nintendo this is also the biggest It’s nice to see a celebrity bejewelled. It is a much more Zelda so far. Friday, November 18th just cannot back something they are whimsical, which I think is come soon enough. genuinely a fan of. going to be amazing. 13 years on since Ocarina of Time and here I ZW: I think Dad has only done am, writing and working in the games a commercial once before and If Ganon kidnapped you, who industry.