Legend of Zelda for NX and Wii U to launch with new console in March 2017

The game is being delayed for Wii U to give it more polish.

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We knew that the next Legend of Zelda game would be launched simultaneously for Nintendo NX and Wii U, but we thought it would happen by the holiday season this year. We were half right, with Nintendo now saying both versions will launch with the new console in March 2017.

In its investor meeting earlier today, Nintendo said that the new game will be the focus of its presence at E3 this year in Los Angeles, which is good given that the NX will not be shown at E3. It said that the NX and Wii U versions of the game were being developed together, but that the game was being delayed from its previous 2016 date to give developers more time for polish. The game was not shown at E3 last year.

Apparently, Zelda for Wii U will be the only game Nintendo shows at E3 this year "in order to provide attendees a complete immersion." The good news is that it will be playable.

Nintendo's announcement puts to rest rumors that the Wii U console would cease development this year. It had been speculated that the Wii U would be shelved once the NX became available.

Contributing Editor
From The Chatty
  • reply
    April 27, 2016 6:25 AM

    John Keefer posted a new article, Legend of Zelda for NX and Wii U to launch with console in March 2017

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      April 27, 2016 6:39 AM

      Looks like this is the year I finally get a PS4.

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      April 27, 2016 6:58 AM

      [deleted]

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      April 27, 2016 7:21 AM

      I miss kenclopz...

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        April 27, 2016 7:40 AM

        You're probably the only one.

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          April 27, 2016 8:03 AM

          That's mean. I shared his Nintendo fanboy rage and would have enjoyed his thread about the NX delay.

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            April 27, 2016 8:20 AM

            is it really "delayed" though if they haven't even announced it yet?

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              April 27, 2016 8:31 AM

              Yes, it is. Zelda is most definitely delayed, again.

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                April 27, 2016 8:43 AM

                oh, yeah Zelda definitely is. but not the NX.

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                  April 27, 2016 3:56 PM

                  NX March 2017 according to Nintendo themselves.

                  PDF Link Incoming, so if you're wary of PDFs and security, you have been warned

                  https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2016/160427e.pdf

                  For our dedicated video game platform business, Nintendo is currently developing a gaming platform codenamed “NX” with a brand-new concept. NX will be launched in March 2017 globally

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                    April 27, 2016 4:02 PM

                    completely missing the point. how can something that hasn't been announce or given a release date (or even time frame) be "delayed". basic semantics.

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                      April 27, 2016 4:09 PM

                      Oh. I wasn't arguing the "delayed" or "not delayed thing" at all. Just pointing out that it has current release date.

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                    April 27, 2016 7:42 PM

                    Yay! Happy birthday to me!

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            April 27, 2016 8:27 AM

            More like rage over the next Zelda being so far away :((((((((((((((((( and being stupid to buy for WiiU rather than NX

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              April 27, 2016 8:47 AM

              No kidding. They obviously would have had it ready just for the Wii U, but are delaying for the NX >:(

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            April 27, 2016 9:12 AM

            [deleted]

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            April 27, 2016 4:11 PM

            I don't rage out about things, but I am a massive Nintendo fanboy as well!

            Although I don't defend them blindly, I still love their games.

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        April 27, 2016 9:23 AM

        Do you miss dognose?

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      April 27, 2016 9:18 AM

      It seems strange that Nintendo will launch a console which was never shown at E3?! Has that ever happened before? I'm not sure it's a good idea because Nintendo can definitely use all the publicity they can get if this thing is going to be any good. That's a strange move. Also.... this Zelda game must be pretty damn good (or they believe it will be pretty damn good) if they are placing all their bets on it and JUST showing this at E3. Very interesting.

      Also... disappointing because I was very much looking forward to hearing more about the NX at E3.

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        April 27, 2016 9:19 AM

        back in the day they had Shoshinkai

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        April 27, 2016 3:51 PM

        Nintendo has changed the way they announce their products (in most cases) to be closer to release, this probably follows that same idea.

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        April 27, 2016 5:24 PM

        It has to be because they're fast tracking the NX from a holiday 2017 release. They'll probably end up holding their own event to show off the hardware, MS and Sony both did the same thing.

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      April 27, 2016 2:12 PM

      I wonder which version will have better visuals. We still don't know the specs of the NX. If it is primarily a handheld, it may not have as much power as the Wii U.

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        April 27, 2016 6:04 PM

        That's becoming less and less likely as things continue to leak, at least primarily.

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      April 27, 2016 7:48 PM

      I honestly don't know what to think of nintendo. I have owned ever system cept the wiiu.


      I will probably pick it up as my kids are getting a bit older but lately we are playing old school games.

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