source: NGC Magazine

Back in September, Nintendo announced: “Our development team has decided to take extra time to add some incredible elements.” These were elements that Miyamoto and Zelda director Aonuma said were “simply far too good to leave out.” And they weren’t wrong.

NGC can exclusively reveal that Twilight Princess will be playable on the forthcoming Revolution using the upcoming console’s unique controller. Zelda will actually ‘bring in’ the Revolution by launching fairly close to the new system, which is set to be released around November of next year, according to our sources.

“But they also promised it would be out on Gamecube!” we hear you cry. Well, they weren’t lying. Twilight Pricess will be released on Gamecube - there’s no changing that fact. However, when you insert your disc into your Revolution, you’ll be given the option to use the Revolution’s controller, with all the advantages that this will bring.

So what’s the reason for all this? Well, it kind of makes sense. With Gamecube entering its twilight years, it gives retailers time to clear their Gamecube stock. And riding on the back of Revolution, it means that the game, which has now been in development for quite some time, will find as big an audience and gain the recognition it deserves - it will be the first port of call for those of us still with Gamecubes, and for those who have just bought a Revolution.

TAKE A STAND

The nunchaku control is obviously best suited to character movement. The analogue stick on the attachment is ideal for simply walking around, while one of the Z-triggers is perfectly placed for Link’s lock-on ability. The nunchaku analogue will then allow you to gracefully circle-strafe around your opponent. And the second Z trigger? Well, it would be rude not to assign Link’s shield to that too. Movement and defence all on the one attachment? Perfect.

MIGHTER THAN THE SWORD

The freehand controller will be used to allow you to attack with Link’s sword, and it’ll be absolutely perfect for this. Lock on, approach an enemy and then swing your arm like your life depends on it to dish out the damage. We know that there’s a sword tutorial at the start of the game, and we’d imagine that this will have to change significantly.

The sensitivity and accuracy of the freehand controller will allow the Revolution to know where it is in relation to the screen. Swing horizontally for a sideways slash, bring it down overarm style for a harder, vertical strike, and jab it towards the telly to poke your opponent away. Just make sure you aren’t sitting next to anything breakable, eh?

Link also has a finishing move - a jumping downward stab against any grounded enemies. Surely nothing could be more satisfying than knocking an opponent off its feet before stabbing your freehand controller hard towards the ground. Gritting your teeth and making growling noises while you do it is, of course, entirely optional.

Just how tiring this will turn out to be after an entire dungeon is anyone’s guess. We’ll probably all end up with one arm significantly bigger than the other! Of course, we have to admit that actually fighting with the controller will make combat much more involving and aggressive experience, and what more could you ask for?

ROW YOUR BOAT

We know from the game’s opening level that Link can row a canoe with a paddle, but can you use the controller to make the same movements, propelling you along? Sure, it’ll make you look like a right idiot, but hey, in the privacy of our own bedrooms, we can get away with anything. Lock the door, folks. Lock the door.

RIDE ‘EM COWBOY

Nintendo’s Revolution teaser trailer suggested an obvious use of the controller in relation to Epona. You remember those two chefs that looked like they were chopping something? In one instance, the chef on the right is doing what appears to be some kind of riding motion - a little like he’s holding the reigns of a horse.

This would be an amazing use of the controller - you’d be able to physically ‘gee-up’ Epona as you’re pelting it around Hyrule field. Maybe pulling up the controller when you reach fences and low walls will be one way of getting Epona to jump over them. We know that the whip is used to give Epona bursts of speed, so sure emulating this movement with the controller is a must.

REEL ‘EM IN

Fishing. It’s obvious, isn’t it? An Ocarina adventurer’s favorite pastime has got to be a given, surely. It’s one of the examples given in the Revolution Trailer, for starters, and the freehand controller would be perfect for this. Maybe the controller’s rumble feature could be used to indicate the size of your potential catch, while the nunchaku attachment could act as some kind of reel, adding a little extra depth to the process of grounding your catch. The likelihood of some kind of fishing minigame then? 99.9%

WEAPON AND ITEM SELECTION

The D-Pad at the top of the freehand controller would be ideally suited to the function previously taken by the C buttons on the N64, and the X, Y, Z buttons on the Gamecube. This will give you quick and easy selection of all your assigned items.

Imagine pressing down the B button on the underside of the controller, pulling your arm back to draw back the bow string and releasing B to fire off an arrow. The distance you pull back your arm will alter the speed and trajectory of the projectile, give you far more control.

In the Forest dungeon, Link finds a boomerang that’s integral to completing many of the game’s dungeons. In this instance, Link pulls his arm back and throws the boomerang in an overarm motion at anything he’s locked on to. There’s no reason the same motion can’t be done with the controller.

Bombs have always had just the one arcing trajectory in Zelda games. The only other option has been to simply place the things by your feet and then leg it to safety. For the first time, bombs can be more versatile, letting your wang ‘em really hard into people’s faces, or just do a gentle lob.

The controller would be great for capturing fairies and fish, and even better for carrying special water before chucking it over seeds and what not. Imagine having to aim the bottle to capture a fairy, or scoop it down low to fill it with water. The Revolution will know which way the bottle is being held, so why not?