Nintendo shocked everyone when they announced that the upcoming Zelda game for the Wii U will be delayed until 2016. Not only that, they won’t be showing off the game at all at the upcoming E3 2015. Bummer.
The official reason from Zelda developer Eiji Aonuma is that the development team has “discovered several new possibilities for this game”. He said that the developers would like to “bring all these ideas to life”, and to make it the best Zelda ever.
But perhaps there is another reason for the delay. A more practical, and business-driven decision. When Aonuma says “several new possibilities”, that cold have something to do with Nintendo next console, the NX. The “new possibilities” of more powerful hardware in the NX.
Not to mention that the NX is rumored for a 2016 release, as hardware maker AMD has gone on record saying that they have developed a new architecture for a console slated for a 2016 release.
This is exactly what happened to Zelda Twilight Princess. It was originally meant to be released only on the GameCube. Then it got delayed, then Nintendo announced that it would be coming out to the GameCube and their new console, the Wii. In fact, Twilight Princes was a Wii launch title.
This could be what’s going on with the new Zelda: Nintendo is planning on releasing it both on the Wii U, and their upcoming NX console as a launch title. It would also signal that Nintendo is finally done with the Wii U.
By delaying Zelda to 2016, Nintendo would have an amazing launch title for their new console, and Wii U owners will still get their Zelda game. Albeit a bit late…
What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
