Sign In
Game Details
Read Preview
Read Review
Screens
Satoshi Awesome preview. I'm so getting this game...
totally off topic but my brace is comin loose:(...It was getting on my nerves.
Avoid Games Like the Plague, productivity++
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Hands-On) (Wii) Preview
By Adam Riley 
25.09.2006
The Legend of Zelda series is one that has had so many accolades poured upon it, it is a wonder it has not been crushed. From the spectacular NES original, through the sublime Ocarina of Time, right past the cel-shaded Wind Waker and up to the Capcom/Flagship-developed Minish Cap, Nintendo's Zelda franchise has never wavered in terms of its overall quality and high levels of presentation. Now, though, we patiently await the final release of the much-delayed Twilight Princess and can only hope that with the company changing the game's initial platform and adding in new control mechanics, Nintendo has not dropped the ball this time. With the chance to see the near-final build in London, there was no better way to find out the bottom line...
This is the one many have been waiting for
My first challenge was to get used to the new attacking techniques, which utilise the Wii controls for jabbing, spinning around and so on and so forth. Waggle your freehand controller around to slash away at the beasts that swarm you, or shake the nunchuk quickly to trigger the spin attack that sends groups flying. Just like in Mario Strikers (hands-on report: here), this became second-nature after wandering for a short while and proved to be more fun than merely tapping away frantically on a single button. You need not worry about a lack of accuracy either, as targeting makes a welcome return and you could actually practice on an inanimate scarecrow before heading into the throng of enemies ahead. If you had the patience, that is, and hey, with limited time on the game, would YOU really waste precious seconds like that? Exactly! Although maybe a quick try out of the shield manoeuvring would have been an idea, as I found out later...
There is a LOT of fun to be had with Twilight Princess, despite what a few sources will say about clunky controls. Personally, after reading some E3 reports I was suspicious of what would be here, but I was allayed very quickly as I suddenly became absorbed by the classic Zelda gameplay. But classic-with-a-twist, for I was faced with a batch of monsters shooting arrows at me like crazy. Seriously, there was barely any let-up, which made things awkward as I fumbled to whip out my bow and arrow (using the d-pad to flick easily from sword to secondary weapon), then use the motion sensor-driven arrow shooting technique. The way to do things now is to use the B-button, which is the trigger one on the freehand controller, to draw your arrow back whilst moving the whole thing about to adjust the on-screen target, yet at the same time gently nudging the analogue stick to keep your field of vision from straying away from the targets. When ready, a simple release of 'B' sends the arrow thudding into, hopefully, the enemy you were trying to aim at.
I saw many people struggle immensely with this as I had been wandering early, beer in-hand, but thankfully I was able to adapt to it quite promptly, likely due to having played the precision of Excite Truck (impressions" rel="external" class='fmlink'>http://www.cubed3.com/news/6006/]impressions here) previously, so I was used to gentle movements that did not send the camera into a crazy spin. Once despatched it was time to move on to a puzzle of sorts. I shot round the corner only to find there was a large switch in front of me. It turns out that I had to quickly don my metal boots in order to de-press it, swiftly switch back to the normal ones so I could run and jump off the edge of the nearby platform and then hastily put them back on (Link's skills are amazing
Then there was some more aiming to be done, with arrows being used to shoot through rope holding up a large wooden bridge. This again took a little time to adjust to, but was certainly not difficult to grasp after a couple of tries. What befuddled me was the whirlwind boomerang, mainly because for some reason I completely lost control of the camera when in first-person mode. All you have to do is lock on to four objects, following the points of a letter 'Z' in order (as you could see highlighted on the ground), then let fly with the crazy 'rang. The problem was that I had stood in the wrong place, too close to one particular object and everything went haywire. I blame myself, though, not the game...Overall, whilst my time was nowhere near as extensive as last year's GameCube hands-on, it was definitely clear that Nintendo had melded the Wii controls in sufficiently well and upped some of the graphical goodness to make this stand out from its GC brother. And guess what? I did not collapse on the floor from the fatigue that some developers seem to be talking about from constant wiggling and waggling! As for the fishing demo that was available, unfortunately I did not get time with it, but James might fill you in about his experience at some point.
Final Thoughts
And there we go
C3 Score 
10/10
Reader Score 9/10
(827 Votes)
Out now 
Out now 
Out now 
Out now
Comments
This would have been a must-buy for me even if only looked so-so (just love those Zelda games) - but I'm more than happy to see that it's looking very good indeed.
Wooser! Great preview. I worried that there wouldn't be any form of Z-targetting, but an glad there is! Phew!
Good to see a more positive preview of the game! Excellent work Adam!
Cubed3 Admin/Founder & DesignerThis is one excellent preview! I love Zelda, after Sonic the Hedgehog anyways. Zelda Zelda Zelda rocks! Good preview cubed3
yippee!!! about time we got a hands on!! sounds amazing and still looks it to. Definitly a must buy.
Bleep bleep blork bleepSome control questions: Can you still z target with the bow in close combat (rather than those distant targets we've seen in all the previews)? Is there any free camera control?
Glad to hear good reports on the control from outside the industry (i.e. vested interest) press.
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."Oh, wow. I was wondering if the controls where still that good. Thankfully you gave me relief about that! Thanks again!
If Zelda ist good throughout the game, that's a thing that no Review/Hands on can answer. But I am at ease with that and now the only thing that is not that smooth is that Link is not left handed. Yeah man, I am a prejudical bastard!
But I have to hold the controls the other way around anyway, as I am left handed myself (left handed AND German... I am doomed!).
wonderful Hand-on. Presumably the same level as at E
I find your lack of faith disturbing!I feel better about it now, but I still think I wanna get the GC version, I'm gonna read the preview in more depth later & post my thoughts :
Twitter | C3 Writer/Moderator | BackloggeryThanks Raz for not only giving quite an in deph hands-on preview but for stifling most of my fears regarding Zelda with Wii's new control system. I was contemplating skipping the Wii version and opting for the GC game instead. However after reading this, I'm going back to my original resolve of picking up both. The Wii version for the polish and new control scheme and the GC version as it's the last GC game and it's going to see the system off with a bang! :
Thanks Raz for not only giving quite an in deph hands-on preview but for stifling most of my fears regarding Zelda with Wii's new control system. I was contemplating skipping the Wii version and opting for the GC game instead. However after reading this, I'm going back to my original resolve of picking up both. The Wii version for the polish and new control scheme and the GC version as it's the last GC game and it's going to see the system off with a bang! :
Sweet, you've negated my only real fear of the game, controls. I really couln't care less if they are hard at first, as long they are good in the long run!
I'll hopefully have the time to do another preview of this game expressing my views pretty soon. Nice work Adam :
Trying to think of a witty signature after 'Hacker-gate'...Another great preview Raz definitely getting the Wii version.
You need to be shot if you don't buy this game either GameCube or Wii.
Firmly grasping Link's long hard sword you were talking of his penis weren't you oh you dirty boy we all know a hero like Link is hung like a elephant.
Mike Gee of iZINE said, "...The Verve, as he [Richard Ashcroft] promised, had become the greatest band in the world. Most of the critics agreed with him. Most paid due homage. The Verve were no longer the question mark or the clich�. They were the statement and the definition."this is looking damn good
Great Preview ^^. I was particulary nervous about the new controls, since i read some previews that didn't like it. Although the last ones that i read are saying that the controls are better than ever. And that gives me even more excitement. Thanks a lot
P.S: Sorry any mistake, but i'm portuguese, lol.bb
I feel like I'm doing a disservice to Ninty as this still isn't a launch buy for me. I'll wait until Christmas presents before digging in my pockets for this. At the moment, I just wanna get some good multiplayer titles.
I may sound a like a little party spoiler but i dont think i'm getting Zelda. Why? Well because i've never been in contact with the franchise and i only see other people's hype(which i never listen to for some reason).
Silence is the loudest noise we could possibly hear.I just might have to get the Wii-version now! The controls seem well-enough integrated, if you are to be believed that is.
Thanks for the great preview! :-D
Negatio, there's a difference between hype and praise. Zelda is a fantastic franchise and you're doing yourself a disservice as a gamer if you don't play at least some Zelda games (Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker and Link to the Past for definite).
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."Sealed it for me. I'm getting the Wii version.
A disservice to ninty? You don't owe them anything, they are just a company out to make money.
Z, is that comment intended for me? I said a disservice to yourself as a gamer (i.e. you're the one missing out if you never play a Zelda game). Of course no-one owes Nintendo.
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."we all know a hero like Link is hung like a elephant.
you dirty little bastard! I fancy Link dressed, not naked! *lol*
(but have a star for this very unappropriate talking!)
Negatio, first of all: You are not ill or evil or unsocial for not going to buy Zeldagames! I loathe hype and everytime someone praises Black And White, Halo, Sid Meyer or some other bullshit I do not see what is so good about an average looking game for me (even after I saw the Black And White Reviews(!) I had this opinion), I turn around and switch into game-hate-mode!
But with Zelda it is all true: Every Zelda, even WindWaker is more than fun to play, extremely good gameplay and extremely great long-time-motivation!
Maybe you don't want to dive in into a game with so old a graphic, but when you take the pick, then go and play Ocarina Of Time. I played a fucking lot of games and there where a bunch of great ones among them (i.e. Monkey Island), but I consider Ocarina Of Time the best game ever made! Honestly!
But if you don't want to play Zelda ever, that's absolutely no evil thing to do! Give it a try or not. Your decision.
We talk to you anyway... :
I find your lack of faith disturbing!Sorry, Mr. Ashcroft. Can't give stars for preview comments or edit them...
I find your lack of faith disturbing!
Comments
And there we go
C3 Score
10/10
Reader Score
9/10
(827 Votes)
Out now Out now Out now Out now 
Link to this post: This would have been a must-buy for me even if only looked so-so (just love those Zelda games) - but I'm more than happy to see that it's looking very good indeed.
Wooser! Great preview. I worried that there wouldn't be any form of Z-targetting, but an glad there is! Phew!
Good to see a more positive preview of the game! Excellent work Adam!
Cubed3 Admin/Founder & Designer
This is one excellent preview! I love Zelda, after Sonic the Hedgehog anyways. Zelda Zelda Zelda rocks! Good preview cubed3
yippee!!! about time we got a hands on!! sounds amazing and still looks it to. Definitly a must buy.
Bleep bleep blork bleep
Some control questions: Can you still z target with the bow in close combat (rather than those distant targets we've seen in all the previews)? Is there any free camera control?
Glad to hear good reports on the control from outside the industry (i.e. vested interest) press.
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."
Oh, wow. I was wondering if the controls where still that good. Thankfully you gave me relief about that! Thanks again!
If Zelda ist good throughout the game, that's a thing that no Review/Hands on can answer. But I am at ease with that and now the only thing that is not that smooth is that Link is not left handed. Yeah man, I am a prejudical bastard!
But I have to hold the controls the other way around anyway, as I am left handed myself (left handed AND German... I am doomed!).
wonderful Hand-on. Presumably the same level as at E
I find your lack of faith disturbing!
I feel better about it now, but I still think I wanna get the GC version, I'm gonna read the preview in more depth later & post my thoughts :
Twitter | C3 Writer/Moderator | Backloggery
Thanks Raz for not only giving quite an in deph hands-on preview but for stifling most of my fears regarding Zelda with Wii's new control system. I was contemplating skipping the Wii version and opting for the GC game instead. However after reading this, I'm going back to my original resolve of picking up both. The Wii version for the polish and new control scheme and the GC version as it's the last GC game and it's going to see the system off with a bang! :
Thanks Raz for not only giving quite an in deph hands-on preview but for stifling most of my fears regarding Zelda with Wii's new control system. I was contemplating skipping the Wii version and opting for the GC game instead. However after reading this, I'm going back to my original resolve of picking up both. The Wii version for the polish and new control scheme and the GC version as it's the last GC game and it's going to see the system off with a bang! :
Sweet, you've negated my only real fear of the game, controls. I really couln't care less if they are hard at first, as long they are good in the long run!
I'll hopefully have the time to do another preview of this game expressing my views pretty soon. Nice work Adam :
Trying to think of a witty signature after 'Hacker-gate'...
Another great preview Raz definitely getting the Wii version.
You need to be shot if you don't buy this game either GameCube or Wii.
Firmly grasping Link's long hard sword you were talking of his penis weren't you oh you dirty boy we all know a hero like Link is hung like a elephant.
Mike Gee of iZINE said, "...The Verve, as he [Richard Ashcroft] promised, had become the greatest band in the world. Most of the critics agreed with him. Most paid due homage. The Verve were no longer the question mark or the clich�. They were the statement and the definition."
this is looking damn good
Great Preview ^^. I was particulary nervous about the new controls, since i read some previews that didn't like it. Although the last ones that i read are saying that the controls are better than ever. And that gives me even more excitement. Thanks a lot
P.S: Sorry any mistake, but i'm portuguese, lol.bb
I feel like I'm doing a disservice to Ninty as this still isn't a launch buy for me. I'll wait until Christmas presents before digging in my pockets for this. At the moment, I just wanna get some good multiplayer titles.
I may sound a like a little party spoiler but i dont think i'm getting Zelda. Why? Well because i've never been in contact with the franchise and i only see other people's hype(which i never listen to for some reason).
Silence is the loudest noise we could possibly hear.
I just might have to get the Wii-version now! The controls seem well-enough integrated, if you are to be believed that is.
Thanks for the great preview! :-D
Negatio, there's a difference between hype and praise. Zelda is a fantastic franchise and you're doing yourself a disservice as a gamer if you don't play at least some Zelda games (Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker and Link to the Past for definite).
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."
Sealed it for me. I'm getting the Wii version.
A disservice to ninty? You don't owe them anything, they are just a company out to make money.
Z, is that comment intended for me? I said a disservice to yourself as a gamer (i.e. you're the one missing out if you never play a Zelda game). Of course no-one owes Nintendo.
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."
we all know a hero like Link is hung like a elephant.
you dirty little bastard! I fancy Link dressed, not naked! *lol*
(but have a star for this very unappropriate talking!)
Negatio, first of all: You are not ill or evil or unsocial for not going to buy Zeldagames! I loathe hype and everytime someone praises Black And White, Halo, Sid Meyer or some other bullshit I do not see what is so good about an average looking game for me (even after I saw the Black And White Reviews(!) I had this opinion), I turn around and switch into game-hate-mode!
But with Zelda it is all true: Every Zelda, even WindWaker is more than fun to play, extremely good gameplay and extremely great long-time-motivation!
Maybe you don't want to dive in into a game with so old a graphic, but when you take the pick, then go and play Ocarina Of Time. I played a fucking lot of games and there where a bunch of great ones among them (i.e. Monkey Island), but I consider Ocarina Of Time the best game ever made! Honestly!
But if you don't want to play Zelda ever, that's absolutely no evil thing to do! Give it a try or not. Your decision.
We talk to you anyway... :
I find your lack of faith disturbing!
Sorry, Mr. Ashcroft. Can't give stars for preview comments or edit them...
I find your lack of faith disturbing!
Comments are currently disabled
Subscribe to this topic
Features
Tech Up! Skullcandy EcoBuds
Review: Princess Peach Showtime! (Nintendo Switch)
Review: Space Cats Tactics (PC)
Review: Baldur’s Gate 3 (PC)
Review: Football Manager 2024 (PC)
Review: Diablo IV (PlayStation 5)
Tech Up! Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Controller Review
Review: Need for Speed Unbound (Xbox Series X/S)
Review: Alone in the Dark (PC)
Tech Up! Skullcandy Grom Headphones for Kids
INSiGHT: Princess Peach: Showtime! Launch Event
Review: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PlayStation 5)-
Celebrate Pokémon Go’s 7th Birthday with Merchoid T-Shirts
0 
CRKD Launching Nitro Deck for Nintendo Switch 0 
Glasgow Anime and Gaming Con 2023! 0 
Picross returns with a new title and a sale! 0 
News: Super Mario Bros Movie Direct 9th March 2023 0 
News: Professor Layton and the New World of Steam announced! 0
-
Show More
Upcoming: Comic Con Scotland NE
News: Official PlayStation Internal SSD launches in partnership with Western Digital
Tech News: Pioneer DJ Launches New DM Series Models
News: Out Run-Inspired Arcade Racer Slipstream Out Apr 7th
News: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Out Now
News: Pokémon Legends: Arceus Now Available
Feeds
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Top
