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Japan Twilight Princess GC Only Available Online

by Steven Rodriguez - October 11, 2006, 10:23 am EDT
Total comments: 15 Source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/index.html

The Japanese can pre-order the game and get it sent to them the same day the Wii launches.

Nintendo's Japanese site has updated its GameCube games page with information on the GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Most immediately, there's confirmation that the GC version of the game will be released in a territory outside of North America, something that wasn't entirely certain beforehand.

Here's the skinny on the title's Japanese release details. The game will only be available through Ninendo's online store, and people that want it can put in pre-orders starting on November 6. The cost is the usual price for high-end games--6,800 Yen, tax included--but Nintendo is cutting people a break and offering free shipping. Nintendo will start sending out the game to GameCube owners starting on December 2nd...the same December 2nd in which the Wii hardware launches and the Wii version of Twilight Princess becomes available.

This may frustrate some who wanted the domestic GC game, as Nintendo had just confirmed that it will release on December 13--a month after the U.S. Wii version and a week or two after the Japanese GC version hits. (Then again, we are getting the Wii version of Zelda two weeks before Japan does.) It looks all the Zelda die-hards that insist on playing Twilight Princess on the GameCube will either need to suck it up and wait a month or import and wait only two weeks.

Nintendo has yet to confirm if Twilight Princess will be released as a GameCube game in Europe or other territories outside of Japan or North America.

Talkback

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorOctober 11, 2006

I think this is the absolute BEST decision Nintendo could make regarding this game. I hope NOA follows with the same tactic. If you listened to the Podcast I was on, I expressed concerns that players wouldn't give the Wii version a shot. Doing it this way allows the hardcore fans (the ones who follow and use the internet) the opportunity to get the version, while avoiding the possible confusion the dual release could cause the public.

PS: You should all play the Wii version anyway.

Ian SaneOctober 11, 2006

So NCL is releasing the Cube version on the Wii launch date which is good but is limiting it to online sales only which is bad.

Meanwhile NOA is releasing the Cube version in stores which is good but is delaying it a month which is bad.

I don't know which company's policy is better.

Both are rather obvious attempts to pretend the Cube version doesn't exist so that people who don't know better will buy a new console for a non-exclusive game. That and they're tipping the scales in favour of the Wii version, probably to "prove" it's better. It wouldn't look good for them if the Cube version sold better or was better recieved. The less people that buy it the less comparisons will be made, a comparison I figure Nitnendo doesn't want anyone to make.

Oh well. I'm content provided the Cube version is released on the day they say it will and it isn't intentionally borked to make the Wii version look better. With all this BS the Cube version might become a collector's item.

Spoilers are going to hard to avoid for that extra month though. I think we should implement a rule that no Zelda spoilers be mentioned in any threads unless the existence of spoilers is clearly marked in the thread title.

Magus19October 11, 2006

Well I hope they don't do this here(Canada) Because at the store I work we got like 80 preorders for the cube version, that would mean 80 unhappy clients complaining to me and not nintendo. And we're not the only store who took preorders.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorOctober 11, 2006

You're such a cynic Ian...

To me it just shows that they are worried people won't even try the superior Wii version. face-icon-small-smile.gif

mantidorOctober 11, 2006

I hope they don't do that online thing here, because then I just wouldn't be able to get it, (or it will cost me double for the shipping and handling T_T).

WindyManSteven Rodriguez, Staff AlumnusOctober 11, 2006

Quote
Originally posted by: mantidor
I hope they don't do that online thing here, because then I just wouldn't be able to get it, (or it will cost me double for the shipping and handling T_T).


I'm pretty sure the game will be released to traditional retail channels in North America. It's not Electroplankton.

Shin GallonOctober 11, 2006

I'm definitely playing the Gamecube version, so looks like I'm just gonna have to wait. Oh well...

CericOctober 11, 2006

I don't think NOA would really have a choice in the matter. They told retailers that they could take Pre-Orders on TP so they did. Then they kept delaying. The buyers would probably demand to have those copies because it would be a PR nightmare for their company with the Pre-order crowd which they can use the capital from like a the bank does with your money. That would then escalate to a problem with Buyers. Which would mean less exposure and overall worse PR for the Wii.

IceColdOctober 11, 2006

Heh, Nintendo is doing its best Wilfrid Laurier impression here..

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorOctober 11, 2006

Quote
Originally posted by: Magus19
Well I hope they don't do this here(Canada) Because at the store I work we got like 80 preorders for the cube version, that would mean 80 unhappy clients complaining to me and not nintendo. And we're not the only store who took preorders.


Well, that's what "your store" gets for taking pre-orders before you knew anything about the game. I hate how, as soon as a game is announced to be in the works, you can suddenly pre-order it at any major gaming store in the country.

Quote
Originally posted by: Ceric
I don't think NOA would really have a choice in the matter. They told retailers that they could take Pre-Orders on TP so they did. Then they kept delaying. The buyers would probably demand to have those copies because it would be a PR nightmare for their company with the Pre-order crowd which they can use the capital from like a the bank does with your money. That would then escalate to a problem with Buyers. Which would mean less exposure and overall worse PR for the Wii.


I don't think any particular store had "permission" from Nintendo to preorder. Keep in mind, these are the same companies that were taking pre-orders on PictoChat when the DS was announced.

steveyOctober 11, 2006

Please dont do this here nintendo, please! I want both the cube and wii games to get everything out of tp or I couldn't call myself a true zelda fanboy anymore.....

Infernal MonkeyOctober 12, 2006

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane

Both are rather obvious attempts to pretend the Cube version doesn't exist so that people who don't know better will buy a new console for a non-exclusive game. That and they're tipping the scales in favour of the Wii version, probably to "prove" it's better. It wouldn't look good for them if the Cube version sold better.


Oh Ian. One minute GameCube is a failure and it's been dead for years, next minute it's so popular it'll outsell the Wii version. Give up with the endless flip flopping, mate.

KDR_11kOctober 12, 2006

Spoilers are going to hard to avoid for that extra month though. I think we should implement a rule that no Zelda spoilers be mentioned in any threads unless the existence of spoilers is clearly marked in the thread title.

Wait, what? Us Europeans have to avoid spoilers for three months minimum for every Nintendo game but suddently we need a special policy to protect the Amerikaner?

Tuxedo.BondOctober 24, 2006

Hey if you guys want a special policy as well then feel free to make one. face-icon-small-smile.gif

CericOctober 24, 2006

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Spoilers are going to hard to avoid for that extra month though. I think we should implement a rule that no Zelda spoilers be mentioned in any threads unless the existence of spoilers is clearly marked in the thread title.

Wait, what? Us Europeans have to avoid spoilers for three months minimum for every Nintendo game but suddently we need a special policy to protect the Amerikaner?


if(IP is European)
{
Show(3 Months old forum and start page)
}

face-icon-small-happy.gif

I think I prefer are current way.

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