Zelda Wii U Should Use an Advanced Wind Waker Graphical Style

As many may recall a year or two ago, Nathanial Rumphol-Janc was consistently arguing that Zelda U needed to go the direction of the tech demo, or something similar, in order to achieve mass success and a ton of sales. He still thinks that, if that style is used, that would in fact happen. However, as many pointed out back then sales shouldn’t really be his sole barometer in this type of debate. Other factors matter too correct? Personally I like the tech demo style, but every time Nathanial goes back and plays old Zelda games only one of them consistently draws him in with it’s timeless style. Yes folks, hes talking about The Wind Waker.

[DA_SHREDDER]

I don't know? That E3 tech demo was pretty dope.

[LOL_WUT]

Agreed, but unfortunately Nintendo have said it themselves that they prefer gameplay over graphics. It would be a nice surprise if they did though.

[Krew_92]

That's how it should be. Gameplay over graphics that is.

[PopRocks359]

@LOL_WUT

What are you talking about? Mario Sunshine and Wind Waker looked beautiful on the Gamecube and Mario Galaxy and Skyward Sword were among the best looking games on the Wii.

Nintendo doesn't cut corners on software graphics.

@Theyellowflash30

That's a better point, actually. This idiotic sentiment that graphics take priority over gameplay is ludicrous for any gamer. A game can look prettier than a diamond, but it means nothing if there's no gameplay and substance beneath it to carry the experience.

[Theyellowflash30]

Unfortunately Nintendo prefers gameplay over graphics?

WHY THE F*CK IS THAT UNFORTUNATE?

I want games to be more about gameplay than graphics. Go get a decked out PC and Medal of Honor Warfighter if Graphics are more important than gameplay.

[mamotte]

I'll assume that by "graphics" you're talking about realism. What's so great about that? Reality is boring as hell.

[Blastoise]

I'd be happy with an Advanced Wind Waker graphical style. Kind of like Ni No Kuni but showing off the Wii U's next gen power.

Wind Waker's artstyle has made it timeless. It still looks awesome, even in standard definition

Edit@mamotte
I agree, give me cartoony "childish" looking games over some pimped up Crysis 2 on PC anyday.

Journey is another good example

[vickers500]

@Krew_92

I think it should be both.

Though they don't need to have good graphics in the traditional sense (high res textures, realistic looking), but games should focus as much on art style as they do on gameplay.

Design your game with a great art style and your game becomes timeless and unforgettable. If it's just some generic high res crap, it's going to be forgotten (unless it raises the graphical bar like Crysis).

It's a good thing most Nintendo games have both good graphics and gameplay.

[DwightOwen]

@mamotte

AESTHETICS is how the game looks. GRAPHICS are the rendering techniques (resolution, depth of field, tessellation, etc.) used to achieve that "look".

The only difference between something like Gears of War (aka "realistic") and Skyward Sword (aka "fantasy") is TEXTURES and LIGHTING. Maybe a smidge of DoF.

That's it.

Personally I prefer pretty aesthetics over cutting-edge graphics, but when I feel the need to be a graphics whore, I can always fire up Battlefield 3 or Crysis 3 on my PC.

[mamotte]

@DwightOwen

I know. It was a response to a guy saying that, basically, Wind Waker graphics are bad. Wich make me assume he's a "graphics whore". And, that said, I also prefer aesthetics over reality... and said it loud.

We're not getting technical here, you know ;)

[zebramocha]

That's stupid! their console is capable of having both.

[Pixel_Enemy]

Yeah, I thought the same thing. Not that I think the wii U is super powerful, but if the Zelda U tech demo was supposed to show what the console is capable of.. Then why the hell can't the graphics look like that? And who said that you have to choose between graphics and gameplay? Why can't they make the game look like the tech demo and still have awesome gameplay?

What the F...

[EddieNX]

The graphics of the wiiu will be AMAZING when they are fully realised.

Sony and MS fans are litteraly using Xbox 360 launch ports as some kind of graphical benchmark for the wiiu. In that case I will use Ridge racer 6 running at 600p as an xbox 360 graphical benchmark , even though I can think of countless better looking Xbox and Gamecube games.

Like Seriously , were people expecting devs to max out a console prior to launch whilst Nintendo was still swapping parts and changing dev kits ? Nope.

And the fact that The wiiu runs AC3 at native 720p and mass effect 3 the same with NO texture pop in like on other consoles , proves that it's at bare minmimum the same power of those consoles.
And then you have the fact that AC3 was not made on wiiu architecture it's made on 360 architecture. If it was built from the ground up for wiiu , god knows how good it could look.

[Root]

It's a shame but they said that they want to go with Skyward Swords graphic style which to me is kind of lame since the E3 one and Twilight Princess's was pretty awesome.

WindWaker's was good aswell mind you

[FlyingFoxy]

lol @ theyellowflash trying to justify that buying a PC is bad, ever heard of Killing Floor? one of the best Co-op online games you can play. And it doesn't have the best graphics (uses modified UnrealEngine 2.5)

Plus others like Left 4 Dead 2, and numerous other games.

Seems as though people hate the PC just cos they think their console is better when it's not, it's not all about graphics.. we also get silky smooth framerates.

[ElectricKaibutsu]

I think theyellowflash just meant that PCs have better graphics than consoles and Warfighter sucks. I've never played it, though, so I don't know.

[Oh_Yeah]

I think they should aim for a realistic graphic style and voice acting...Make it look something like skyrim, dragons dogma, or dark souls. That'd be nice.

[Quetzll]

They capture the intended emotion with their mumbles, grunts and exaggerated body language almost perfectly. When you go for realism, if something like the eyes are off or they look at all stiff, it can easily throw the immersion right outta there.

[TimeSkipLuffy]

I agree. Anything else would be dissapointing... XD I guess... unless it really really looks better than the tech demo... but I doubt it.

[landog]

and false advertising...the wii u is NOT capable of achieving anywhere near the graphical level of the hd zelda demo in a large open world game...

i hope i'm proven wrong but i don't think we'll ever see anything on the wii u as impressive as this;

http://www.youtube.com/watc...
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

please prove me wrong nintendo!

[StraightedgeSES]

You do know that was running on a Wii U how is that false advertising?

[Cyb3r]

If it looks anything like Wind Waker then its a deal breaker for me

[Ramon3MR]

I really dug Wind Waker once I gave it a real shot, but did NOT like how Link's face was rendered.

[Baka-akaB]

Not much into that , Wind waker was well animated and i could dig some cartoon/manga based style over the "more realistic tone" , but not the wind waker artstyle

[El_Jibarit0_PR]

It looks like its trying to turn the cell-shaded world into a realistic one. Not interested. Either, realistic all the way, cell-shaded all the way or a completely new style.

[MooseyXTC]

Are we talking like El Shaddai?
Cause Skyward Sword was an advanced Wind Waker style.

[chrispseuphoria]

Read the article to see how it would look like.

[Genuine-User]

I hope the art style is similar to that of Wind Waker or Skyward Sword.

[StraightedgeSES]

I hope the next LOZ looks like Fire Emblem Awakening CGI

[MelonSaurus]

It's already been confirmed the next Zelda won't be using the style art seen in the tech demo. I imagine we'll see it sometime in the Wii U's lifetime though.

[FlyingFoxy]

Not likely now, the same happened when they announced Zelda for GC.. tech demo looked awesome, then they changed it to look cartoony.

[ElectricKaibutsu]

Honestly nothing has been confirmed yet by Nintendo. Only rumors so far.

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

I want a Zelda where you time travel through the graphic styles and gameplay styles of the previous Zelda titles.

Or maybe each dungeon played like a different Zelda game.

And on top of this I would want a completely new-style and a games worth of content in that style.

[ElectricKaibutsu]

That would be cool, but I doubt they would do that for a console release. Maybe on 3DS...

[chrispseuphoria]

No thank you. I want a Twilight Princess look on the next one. It had great atmosphere and the world seemed much more interesting to me. Windwaker and Skyward Sword's art styles, in my opinion, are bland and just feel safe. I'm not saying they're bad games at all - Skyward Sword is amazing - but Twilight Princess' art style was more spectacular for it's dark undertones and atmosphere.

[HalfNerdHalfAmazing]

I'm hoping Zelda Wii u goes with the twilight princess theme, when it came to skyward sword & wind waker the graphics look good but when it to the boss battle they look like they belong to a Mario game, twilight princess in my opinion had the best boss battle of any Zelda game yea I agree wind waker in hd look impressive but I just feel with the twilight princess theme the game would be much better.

[Kamikaze135]

I'd love for Zelda on the Wii U to have cel shading graphics similar to Ni No Kuni or Tales of Vesperia. Cel Shading graphics that make the game look like a playable cartoon.

That tech demo they showed looked cool, but the anime inspired eyes Link had looked awkward with realistic graphics.

[YoungPlex]

This would be an amazing remake, but the tech demo showcased some truly stunning visuals and if Nintendo did decide to make a cell shaded Zelda, I think that a lot of people would turn their backs on them. This would be the second time they show a realistic Zelda title and turn around and launch a cell shaded one. I would get it regardless of what style they choose but I don't know if the rest of the people would do the same...

[Gr81]

For one would be highly disappointed if they went the wind waked route again. I'd much rather prefer the E3 demo.

[YoungPlex]

No doubt! Last time Nintendo pulled a move like this, my brother literally was so upset that he hasn't bought a Nintendo console since N64. I will admit that I was mad too and did NOT pick up Wind Waker until a couple years later. I just hope that Nintendo tries to push the system with Zelda as it is the ONLY impressive title that showcased what the Wii U was capable of outputting. I really just want it to be like the N64 version that was so massive at the time, and showcased some beautiful artistic gameplay never before seen anywhere else. It also innovated with the Z targeting system that also became a standard in gaming today. Now if Zelda Wii U can do some unique things with the Gamepad, look as great as the demo, and expand in size, it could be the Zelda we've been waiting for since the N64 version.

[Gr81]

And your brother. I was highly pissed off when they did that. They showcased an awesome OoT next gen demo and then we got a cel shaded pipsqueak instead.

I do fear the same will happen here. And that alone leaves me anticipating disappointment.

After SS Zelda doesn't really have much hype for it anymore any way. Nintendo needs to bring back Zelda's prestige. And stop farting around with useless gimmicks like art style and an overbearing storyline/sidekick.

Play ALttP and count how long it takes you to get your sword and start kicking ass.

[jakmckratos]

Why are we so set on NOT having the E3 graphic styling...Nintendo needs a game that doesnt rely on cartoonish looks to prove it can look good

[jacksheen0000]

The Zelda tech demo was something new visually wise, it made me see Nintendo in a different way. Never before have I ever seen such beautiful graphics as incredible as the Zelda tech demo. Now I do agree with Nintendo that going with a lighter art style like skyward sword is a better choice; toward making it appealing to a more broader gaming audience. but keeping the amount of lighting and detailed similar to the Zelda tech demo will certainly make it just as appealing, if not better. what do you guys think?

[wiiulee]

zelda wiiu is going to be great and look good regardless of which engine nintendo uses because they are working on making it great...thats all that really matters...

[MaleManSam]

I would really like to have a more realistic approach to the graphical side of things with the Zelda Wii U. Obviously game play succeeds the graphics in all Zelda games and I will not dispute it, but I'd like to see more of what they did with Twilight princess and go further.

If anything a graphically realistic Zelda on the Wii U would put socks into the naysayers mouths about Nintendo's attitude and the Wii U's capabilities and legitimacy as a proper next gen console, not just a cop out with Skyward sword.

Push the boundaries this time Nintendo.

[Relientk77]

I cant wait too see how Zelda Wii U looks

[Qrphe]

I really hope they forgo with cell shaded graphics on this one and focus on E3 level graphics.

[Ck1x]

They should keep the WW style for the 3ds Zelda game and stick with the TP style for all console versions from here out... The TP style just lends itself better to the telling of how epic the game can truly be! Now I don't think the overall game should be as dark as TP was, but the basis of the game engine using that style with better variations with color like in SS could be the most amazing Zelda to date.

[Instigator]

I would actually like to see Nintendo make the art style something akin to this: http://www.blondenerd.com/w...

It's mind-boggling to imagine Hyrule looking like that, and it makes sense when considering Zelda's history of changing up its style. Just differentiate the scenery a bit instead of looking like it's melting into one and I think it could beat Wind Waker as the best looking Zelda.

[DwightOwen]

I expect Nintendo to achieve the same degree of fidelity displayed in the E3 2011 tech demo. Otherwise, expect sales to suffer. People don't like being lied to.

[silkrevolver]

Windwaker ended up with a completely different art style than their tech demo for the Gamecube, and while people complained at first, that game sold very well, and reviewed even better.

[silkrevolver]

Windwaker is STILL one of the best looking games of all time.
I'd be down.

[contradictory]

indeed.
i recently played it again and it still looks great

[wishingW3L]

in Wind Waker Link looks like ET.

[silkrevolver]

...because of the eyebrows?

[wishingW3L]

I don't mind cel-shading as long as the game is about adult Link and not kid Link unless it is a combination of both.

[JohnDread]

Cel-shading is fine with me, but my personal preference is different. I LOVED the design in Twilight princess. I think that dark, gloomy atmosphere really fits the franchise. From the visual perspective, Twilight Princess images come to my mind first, when I hear the word Zelda (along with images from OoT and MM).

[bayonetta]

i still love Wind Waker but i prefer something like Twilight Princess or majora's mask =]

[abzdine]

each zelda is unique and should stay that way. i think one of the strengths of this series is that it is impossible to compare 2 zelda episodes performance wise!
Each episode brings a unique graphical touch and we should let Nintendo decide about the future of Zelda.

[OmniSlashPT]

So something like Ni No Kuni? lol

[claud3]

it's a zelda game that is coming out and that is all i care about

[Kennytaur]

A solid art style > realistic graphics.

[delboy]

I personally liked the e3 look, it's was a good balance between cartoonish and real life mature look.
But I have fate in N, everything they will do with the next Zelda will be great.
And for those who are looking only for graphics in games,I feel sorry for their gamer soul.

[SnipeySnake]

I'd honestly love this since Wind Waker was my favorite zelda game. But I'm ok with anything because I know they'll make the best zelda game possible.

[JustinWeinblatt]

Skyward Sword fulfilled my need for a colorful stylized Zelda, even if it wasn't exactly the same as Wind Waker. I'd prefer a more realistic Zelda like the demo showed.