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Star Fox Zero Delayed Until 2016
Nintendo has never been shy about delaying games that aren’t ready, and Star Fox Zero is the latest to need more time. The company announced today that the planned November 20 release for the bombastic space game isn’t going to happen.
The news was accompanied by a statement from developer Shigeru Miyamoto, who is teaming up with Platinum for this installment. The full text of Miyamoto’s note follows:
I made a big decision last week.
We have been developing Star Fox Zero for Wii U with the aim of releasing it this year. Although we felt that the development had been progressing well, we now believe that we will need a little more time to work on areas such as the unprecedented discovery that we want players to experience in the game by using two screens, and further polishing the level designs and perfecting the tone of the cut scenes. While we have already reached the stage where it would be technically possible to release the title in time for the year-end holiday season, we want to polish the game a bit more so that players will be able to more smoothly grasp the new style of play that we are proposing.
To the people looking forward to the launch of the game this holiday season, I am very sorry.
Star Fox Zero is going to bring new game play and experiences that take it far beyond the framework established by Star Fox 64. All the members of the development team are doing our best so that the final product will not betray your expectations. And the game will not be delayed for a very long time – we’re aiming to launch the game in Q1 2016. Please stay tuned for further announcements.
This delay follows the loss of The Legend of Zelda in this calendar year. That title is currently listed without a release date, which is notable as other games are confirmed in the same document with a 2016 outing.
The remaining Wii U titles for the year include: Skylanders Superchargers, Lego Dimensions, Yoshi’s Woolly World, Guitar Hero Live, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, Rodea: The Sky Soldier, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and Devil’s Third.
[Source: Nintendo]
Our Take
The loss of Star Fox Zero is a hefty one. While Xenoblade Chronicles X will likely be well received, it’s not the huge seller of a familiar character like Fox McCloud. I have no doubt this game needed the time (hopefully to beef up the content), but the Wii U’s fall lineup is limping. I expect decent software sales among existing owners, but little reason for those considering a Wii U for the first time to jump in.
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