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Iwata Speaks On New Nintendo Handheld, Zelda Iteration

News

by Meagan Marie on January 06, 2010 at 11:23 AM

7,648 Views

70 1

Speaking to Japanese newspaper Ashahi Shimbun, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata let loose some new details about the company’s game plan for 2010.

Iwata divulged that one of Nintendo’s larger priorities for the new year is to augment the number of DS WiFi hotspots throughout Japan, partnering with companies such as McDonalds to do so. The lure of greasy food and free downloadable content may prove difficult to resist, a fact that Nintendo is probably banking on.

But details about the newest Zelda iteration and the future of Nintendo’s handheld sector are what most interested us in the article. With four variations of the Nintendo DS already (or soon to be) on the market, Iwata seems to be thinking beyond the dual screens. Speaking about a new handheld system altogether, Iwata was sparse with particulars, saying “[It will have] highly detailed graphics and it will be necessary to have a sensor with the ability to read the movements of people playing.” No other details, including a possible launch window, were included.

Lastly, the paper confirmed that the newest Legend of Zelda game will hit retail before the end of 2010. We are unsure if the promised window is exclusive to the Japanese market, however, since the game is already deep into development we wouldn't be surprised by a holiday release. Bets around the office are that Nintendo will continue to remain quiet about the game until E3, where it will position the title alongside Super Mario Galaxy 2 as the pillars of their portfolio.

What would you like to see from a new Nintendo handheld? Do you hope Nintendo maintains it's dual screen approach, or are you looking for something entirely fresh?

[via Kotaku]

Filed under: News, Nintendo DS, Nintendo, Nintendo Wii, Japan, Iwata, Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, McDonalds, Mario Galaxy

Comments

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by John Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 11:43 AM

Yet another handheld, Zelda and Mario title from Nintendo...sigh
by Imbalance Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 11:43 AM

Virtual Boy 2?
by Derreck Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 11:44 AM

Doesn't surprise me. It's almost given the new Wii Zelda & Mario Galaxy 2 will be Nintendo's Must-Have Holiday titles for 2010.

They proved that duo worked this past year with Spirit Tracks & NSMB Wii.

As for Metroid: Other M, the other remaining high-profile release for Wii, I predict we will see that sometime between June & September.
by Sehwa Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 11:51 AM

At least it appears to have a big Link in it. I was getting weary of chibi cat-eyed Link.
by dethmatic Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 11:57 AM

The first HD handheld, I can see it now, with that the PSP would become a thing of the past.
by Forsberg Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 11:59 AM

I'm gonna assume the DS successor won't be out for awhile. I would be interested in that greatly. The only problem with 3D on current handhelds is the 3D looks like N64 and PSOne graphics and it hurts. If they could get up to some better graphics and a good control setup I'd be fine. I'd still keep my DS for those games and the GBA games. Interestingly enough my favorite games to play on the DS are 2D like Castlevania, Advance Wars, and Fire Emblem. It would be cool to see those games move into a 3D models but 2D gameplay mode. The Nintendo handhelds are the best their is no matter what a PSP fanboy says.
Mod

by dbull620 Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 12:27 PM

"Necessary to have a sensor with the ability to read the movements of people playing."

So, does that mean the next Gameboy will knock off Natal and be controlled by body movements?
by JimJastaJay Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 12:29 PM

Now would be a great time to bring back the Game Gear.
by FloatyFloatwood Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 12:33 PM

The handheld excites me. They always do handhelds right. I got rid of my Wii after a year of not playing it. I love Zelda probably more than any other franchise. I'll never forget the first time I played Ocarina of Time at a Macy's kiosk when I was a kid. I drool over every Zelda game as well as the new Mario direction with Galaxy. That being said, I can't bring myself to justify buying anymore Nintendo consoles for only a couple titles a year when the Xbox and Playstation have me wanting several games a month. The straw that broke the camel's back for me was Animal Crossing: City Folk, I was so digusted by the lack of effort to make that game new and exciting.
by InvaderJim124 Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 12:53 PM

It doesn't matter if the new handheld has great graphics if no good games come out for it. I wish Nintendo would concentrate more on getting hardcore games from third party developers instead of all the exercise and self help games.
by Forsberg Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 01:19 PM

@Invader Jim124

The DS has a bunch of great games from developers all over. Your description fits the Wii not the DS.
by Conner Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 01:48 PM

It's funny first they kept getting smaller now there getting bigger again. dsi xl is just they start.
by Conner Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 01:48 PM

It's funny first they kept getting smaller now there getting bigger again. Dsi xl is just the start.
by RepublicansSuckGamesRule Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 01:57 PM

Yay a portable Natal
by RandomHero1014 Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 02:18 PM

i'm always excited for nintendo,just give us more sooner!
by Chaos is Beauty Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 02:21 PM

is anybody else sick of Zelda not having a continuing story? its a little hard to care about the characters when their roles are constantly being shifted around
by The One Who Knocks Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 02:38 PM

I hate that I cannot get excited for any Nintendo game because it will be on the Wii.

A new Wii-esque handheld? *** you Nintendo.
by The One Who Knocks Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 02:39 PM

Why is D-A-M-N censored?
by Ke3bZ Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 02:40 PM

huzzah to new Zelda...IF its not just another iteration of OoT.

and hi-def Handheld before hi-def console? I dunno about that.
by DarkLadySarai Wednesday, January 06, 2010 at 02:56 PM

Hey... if there is a new Nintendo handheld about to be announced, I'm more than certain that it is going to be amazing.