In an interview with Japanese game magazine Famitsu Weekly, Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed once and for all that the cartridge-based Zelda Gaiden and the long talked-about 64DD Ura-Zelda are two separate projects. When we mentioned the existence of Ura-Zelda earlier some were confused by the term. Let's try to explain: When Nintendo first announced the already released Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, it was planning to make the game the 64DD disk drive's flagship title. But hardware delays and a lack of third party support forced Nintendo to convert Ocarina of Time to a cartridge game and to start work on a second, add-on adventure for the 64DD. Dubbed "Ura-Zelda" (Japanese for "Another Zelda"), the 64DD adventure is said to enable gamers to revisit areas and dungeons of Ocarina of Time and experience new adventures in familiar surroundings. Surprisingly this and Gaiden are two entirely separate games.
Gaiden most definitely is an entirely new adventure, based on the Ocarina engine, with perhaps some of the same locations from Ocarina, but entirely new everywhere in between. For all the skeptics who didn't think this was possible, start believing, and start saving up. With Gaiden and Ura-Zelda slated for the N64 and six Game Boy Color games in the horizon, your wallet is gonna feel mighty empty very soon. Looks like the timing of this site couldn't have been any better.
Miyamoto had the following to say in regard to Gaiden: "We wanted to make a new game that is based on the Zelda system. Also, in the light of games that require the memory Expansion Pak like 'Donkey Kong 64,' we wanted to make a Zelda game that took advantage of the Memory Pak as well. That game is Zelda Gaiden. Therefore, this will not be a game where the locations of the dungeons are simply changed around." Gaiden will take Ocarina of Time as a starting point and offer plenty of new dungeons in addition to an all-new quest. Ura-Zelda, on the other hand, can most likely be likened to the the DX version of Link's Awakening; the same game, but with added goodies.
Now let's find out a bit more about both Gaiden and The Mysterious Acorn. Be sure to read all of this, some information was not previously posted on the site.
The Legend of Zelda: Gaiden
It's three months after the events in Ocarina of Time, Link has been returned to his childhood and peace has been restored to Hyrule. As Link explores the woods one day he comes across a strange fellow named Stalkid who mocks Link and tells him that he has kidnapped Epona. Stalkid then escapes through a mysterious door, which adventurous Link of course follows him through. Link suddenly finds himself in an entirely new world where a dog and a little girl run by screaming, "You're not in Hyrule anymore!" No, no... that hasn't been confirmed yet. Link quickly learns that life on within this new dimension is about to cease, for their moon is quickly hurdling toward the planet. With Navi by his side (or floating above him) Link sets out to save (or run like hell until he can escape) the planet. Along the way Link will meet characters from Hyrule, most likely recognizing them, yet they will not be his familiar allies, for within this bizarro-world, nothing is as it seems. Not even Link is as he seems. When donning a mask, Link will have the ability to morph into different species (e.g. Zoras, Gorons, Deku Scrubs etc.). Added to his already perfected moves will be the ability fly, roll, and swim faster with the assistance of the masks.
Within Gaiden Link will not have the opportunity to become adult Link. In fact the Temple of Time will be no where to be found. He will be able to use all his familiar "adult" weapons, though, and yes, the ocarina will be featured in the game. And yes again, you will be able to learn brand new songs. In fact, the ocarina will most likely be used in the same fashion as Ocarina of Time, as a transport to the various dungeons. Hopefully some of the cooler songs will return as well, like the Song of Storms. One thing's for sure, you won't see the Song of Sun, the game takes place in real time, AND you have a time limit. You wouldn't want to play a song that would subtract time from your game.
It is not known how long you will have before the moon hits the planet, or how strictly you will be governed by the time limit, but don't expect the need to rush much, after all, this game is being developed for people of all ages and difficulty levels. It is believed that the time that passes during gameplay affects the outcome and story of the game much more than in Ocarina of Time. This feature is no doubt a remnant from the game's planned 64DD incarnation, where everything you do in the game causes lasting repercussions.
The Legend of Zelda: The Mysterious Acorn
Princess Zelda, responsible for managing the four seasons of the Land of Hyrule, and the Triforce of Power have been kidnapped by Ganon. The brave hero Link learns of this and sets out to save the princess. However, Ganon learns of Link's quest and splits the Triforce into eight pieces, scattering them throughout the land. (Ummm, haven't we been here before -- oh wait, it's a different Triforce.) In addition, the Rod of the Four Seasons (a device that controls the seasons) along with its hiding place in Hyrule Castle, have flown off to another dimension. (More alternate dimensions?) As a result of this calamity, Hyrule's four seasons are thrown into chaos and the order of the seasons becomes jumbled. (So, maybe no Dark World, but perhaps four different "worlds" instead -- and if you count the alternate dimension -- I've run out of toes.) In order to save Princess Zelda and find the "Rod of the Four Seasons," our hero Link must travel back and forth between Hyrule and this other dimension, while receiving help from the spirits residing in the "Tree of Mystery" and also the strange "Uura Tribe" found in this other dimension (no relation to Ura-Zelda, I assure you).
Two characters that will help Link on his quest are introduced. The first is a kangaroo named Ricky. When Link climbs into Ricky's pouch, he will be able to jump and using a pair of boxing gloves, be able to punch out enemies. The other character is Maple. She suddenly appears flying on a broomstick and crashes into Link, bringing about various events in the storyline. The new item, the Rod of the Four Seasons will be required to solve certain riddles that appear in the game. Maybe the winter snow covers a secret entrance to a dungeon, and you'll need to change the seasons to uncover it.
One of the most intriguing elements mentioned is the Link System for the three upcoming Game Boy Color Legend of Zelda games. Remember that the three next games to be released for GBC are chapters, each covering a different Triforce, starting with the Triforce of Courage. Apparently you'll be able to start playing the series from any game of the three games without getting lost in the different storylines. In addition, the three games will be linked in such a way that a result of a certain action in one story will have an effect on another story. How this will be accomplished (Link-cable, piggy-backed cartridges) remains to be seen.
The original scenarios for the game were designed by Flagship. Nintendo is handling all the aspects of the game development except for the actual coding. Coding will be handled by Capcom, which will then hand the game over to Nintendo for publishing. According to Shigeru Miyamoto, the plan is to release each title with as short amount of time between them as possible. (Two to three months). No dates have been announced yet, but it's clear that all three companies will be very busy.
