Japanese GameCube Zelda to be sold online only

  • By Walt Wyman, Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 11, 2006 10:10 am PT

Famitsu.com reveals that the current-gen edition of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be available through online purchase only.

It has been a long, tough road for GameCube loyalists eagerly anticipating one of the system's last big titles, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. After causing huge lines at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, the game was noticeably AWOL from this year's E3, replaced instead by its Wii counterpart. Then Nintendo confirmed that the GameCube edition of the game, which had already been delayed, wouldn't release November 19 alongside the Wii version (and the Wii itself) as previously announced. Instead, the GameCube version was to follow some weeks later in December.

The winding saga of Twilight Princess' voyage to the GameCube took another twist today, as Famitsu.com is reporting that the Japanese current-gen edition of the title will be available only through online purchase from Nintendo's Web site. According to Famitsu.com, preorders for the title will begin November 6 in Japan, and the game will ship on or after December 2. The price, including tax, will be 6,800 yen, or about $57.

Nintendo of America representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment and confirmation of the company's US launch plans for the GameCube Twilight Princess.

386 Comments

  • diablobasher

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 6:48 am PT

    This game is better on the Cube, it actually uses a good portion of the Cubes power, as well as not having crap swordfighting controls. The Wii version is a joke in terms of what the Wii can actually do, im ashamed to have paid full price for it, i should've waited, oh well, Virtual Console and wiisports are still very very fun, and shall continue to be for some time.

  • Trogeton

    Posted Dec 29, 2006 9:32 am PT

    Either way what is the differnce of getting a game for the wii if its on the game cube too... I would rent it on both of them first then make a decision... but I think the only difference is, well on this game you on the wii can actually control the aiming.. and no the new smash bros you will have to use a game cube controller to play the game from what I heard but hey I must get the wii too... ther are a few sweet nintendo exclusives that are coming out especiall smash bros brawl that will be awesome

  • barnold81

    Posted Dec 18, 2006 7:18 pm PT

    Getting the US version hasn't been easy either. I just ordered a copy for myself and my sister online this week. Can't wait. . .

  • gamnedude64

    Posted Dec 18, 2006 4:29 pm PT

    the japenese people are going to be pissed about this

  • foolwestcoast33

    Posted Dec 17, 2006 6:43 pm PT

    millions of dollars to develop a game? come on disfalling you dont have to be a game journalist to figure out that it doesnt cost millions to make a great selling game one exception to this could halo and maybe companys go over a million on advertising if they're that dedicated but other then that pcp is a bad drug

  • Liquid_Raiden

    Posted Dec 16, 2006 4:00 pm PT

    LOl that sucks.

  • pettyfan4500

    Posted Dec 15, 2006 6:37 pm PT

    that sucks of the japanese lol

  • disfalling

    Posted Dec 14, 2006 1:31 pm PT

    people whining about how "it's all about the money"... it costs millions of dollars to produce a game. yes, it is all about the money. and it makes sense. 1: people that don't pay too much attention might grab the gc zelda for their wii, and nintendo is definitely more worried about the wii than the gamecube, which makes sense. 2: only people who really want the gc zelda will get it. yea, it seems crappy, but most people will just say "damn, i guess i have to buy a wii", and nintendo will be happy. of course, in america, flub-a-dub.

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Dec 14, 2006 11:41 am PT

    glad to be American

  • lavalleema

    Posted Dec 14, 2006 10:10 am PT

    Sucks to live in Japan. I just bought this yesterday (12/13/06) at Best Buy for $40. Just one more reason why the USA rocks.

    Go Hawks!

  • Pdiddydov

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 1:48 pm PT

    I bought the gc version in best buy today, its obvi in stores

  • wickerman2004

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 4:06 am PT

    wow - how about putting some effort into updating the news??? this is over 2 months old....you haven't even tried to update this, there's been news worthy of posting - you just haven't tried.
    bad gamespot, bad!

  • wickerman2004

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 4:06 am PT

    wow - how about putting some effort into updating the news??? this is over 2 months old....you haven't even tried to update this, there's been news worthy of posting - you just haven't tried.
    bad gamespot, bad!

  • shazaila

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 5:25 pm PT

    I just got my copy. Oh well, getting it offline can't be that bad can it?

  • jebusforcezone

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 4:04 am PT

    2 More days until i get my zelda on gamecube but i dunno my sister is getting a wii 4 x-mas i probably get it on wii probably

  • Built

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 6:50 pm PT

    honestly... if i was to get a wii and zelda for x-mas...
    i wouldnt wait, ill just open it up and play it instead of putting it under da tree....

  • chrissantos

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 2:54 pm PT

    i dunno... bestbuy in, in this week's paper, said that they would have it in-store, sooo....

  • Sperry1989

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 9:17 pm PT

    I really want this game...maybe I'll get it for the Wii also....if i get a Wii. But I definitely agree with Comedyco. I think it would be a big mistake for Nintendo to just push this game aside.

  • GameBeaten

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 10:01 am PT

    I already have a Wii and Zelda ready for X-Mas. I also have to agree with some of the stuff Comedyco mentioned.

  • Younggun135

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 4:52 pm PT

    heh i was going to get game cube version.... but im getting a wii for X-Mas......... so... wii version it is!

  • DEZITH

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 10:55 pm PT

    looks like i gotta shell out the cash for the wii...theres no way im gonna wait this long for a gamecube game then have to get it online...cmon =\

  • Comedyco

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 3:45 pm PT

    I've been waiting for this game. Even though my 360 is far superior to my dusty, old gamecube, I've still been waiting. I've been waiting for about a year now, I've gone through the summer when we were told it was coming to the Wii. This made no difference because it seemed like if anything, the Wii was just going to be a way to sell more, and come AFTER the orignal Gamecube announcement. However that's not the way it turned out. The Wii gained control over our GAMECUBE Zelda. It was intended to be for GC. Not for Wii. I then went through more screens, video, info, looked great. Went through the release of it on Wii, knowing that it should have been on GC first, and now this. I don't mind buying it online. Not one bit. However, I do mind the fact that Nintendo has slapped this GC version around and around. The next step is cancellation. It's not a critical deal: It only being sold on the internet, but the fact that they aren't releasing it all around the world to vendors, shows that they don't want to waste time, and money shipping it around, with not much in the way of profit. All they really make is more Nintendo fans respect, the one's that don't want a Wii. I guess that doesn't really matter to them.

    Has Microsoft abandoned the Original Xbox yet? No! Many games are still coming out on Xbox. Granted, it's making money and that's probably the only reason why, but look at the GBA. Nintendo would have left that in the dust just like the GC, if it wasn't making as much money as it is. Many people don't like the DS and stick with the gamecube. Ironic? Many people don't like the Wii and want this LAST game one the Gamcube. So what'a difference? The GBA is making money. I use to think Nintendo was above that. That quality was the most important thing, that it wasn't all about the money. It's easy to make that mistake, they mask this drive with cheap prices on their stuff,. All those movie based games? You think Nintendo has those games on it's system for quality games. It's another way to get money from those crappy movie-game adaption companies such as THQ and EA. You soon learn that all, ALL big Companies main goal is money. I'm all for next gen. I already have a better next gen system than PS3 or Wii, however, they have practically abandoned a game that Nintendo announced years ago FOR THE GAMECUBE. Not for the Wii. The truth is, this game is going to end up getting a much better rating on the Gamecube. Many of the reviewers have already said that the controls are okay but don't feel any more realistic than a regular analog controller. Nintendo knows this, and they also know that it's not going to matter how good it is money wise because GC is practically dead. Why can't they go out with a bang? Stop lessening this game, give it more hype, and realease it, ACTUALLY realease it. It might not bring in a whole lot of profit for them, but it would be loyal to the fans who have been waiting.

    As for me, this will be my last Nintendo Console game for a long time, and I hope to get my hands on it, even with the ridiculous 57 dollar price tag; three dollars short of a next gen price, what does that suggest?

  • Insanitymanitee

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 11:39 am PT

    I have a Wii, but I don't plan on getting the game any time soon. Don't know why, but Zelda series has never really appealled.

  • LasPlagasHope

    Posted Dec 4, 2006 1:42 pm PT

    Thank God i have it for wii (and loving it)

  • _TheJoker_

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 11:39 pm PT

    That's strange.
    And to answer poi102, I don't have a wii, and maybe I don't want to have a wii, why would I buy the wii with zelda TP when I can only buy Zelda, wich is the same game? only 250 -

  • gamer984

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 8:20 pm PT

    why is it only sold online?

  • poi102

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 9:19 am PT

    why would you want it for the gc when you can get it for the wii?

  • Trogeton

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 7:43 pm PT

    Sucks to be them...LOL

  • bulldawgs50

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 5:34 pm PT

    I'm glad I pre-ordered. I really want the Wii version more than the GCN, I guess I'll get both...

  • Wiitendo64

    Posted Nov 30, 2006 7:48 pm PT

    Wow this is old news, IGN reported on this about a month or two ago. Geez I was scared that North America would also sell it online only as well. (Not that it matters to me since ill get it for the Wii but I dont want the fans who bought a Gamecube jus for this game to be disapointed.) Well anyways I jus hope that everybody is happy and can enjoy the latest and greatest Zelda game.

  • great_punisher

    Posted Nov 30, 2006 2:48 pm PT

    uuuhhh to bad..... well in my own case i got mine on my new WII

  • DarkChaoMan75

    Posted Nov 29, 2006 7:16 pm PT

    i'll get mine on the wii.

  • SPANNER-MAN

    Posted Nov 29, 2006 10:12 am PT

    Because they don't want the wii and this is not about the this is about the dam Gamecube version of Zelda. But no thanks to nintendo now i have to wait for even longer for the dam game, and no i'm not going to buy a system just for one game and yes the only game i like from nintendo i zelda. I know they want there wii to sell yes, but that's not fair for the gamecube version of zelda that's been put off over and over again. I want my zelda for the cube.

  • FortuneC00kie

    Posted Nov 28, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    I don't understand why people are even thinking that Twilight Princess is the only good title on the Wii...I mean...there are several at this point.

    LOZ
    Trauma Center
    Rayman (I've gotten excellent feedback from customers on this game)
    DBZ T2
    Red Steel (If you can get over the somewhat glitchy controls)
    Super Monkey Ball (I'm not a fan, but I've been hearing good things)
    Metal Slug Anthology (Coming soon)
    Elebits (Honestly...I don't know anything about it...looks kinda cool though)
    Others...

    The system had an excellent launch, why are people second guessing buying a Wii?

  • Ced_Quijote

    Posted Nov 28, 2006 9:24 am PT

    probably won't even reach us european residents... one thing for sure though... I'm not paying 300 dollars for a zelda game alone. GC or nothing. (nothing being my 360...)

    mastermune89> (nice avatar.) a lot of people don't wanna get a wii just for one game, or spend the money in the first place.

  • kiddoom93

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 8:31 am PT

    i might pick up a gamecube tand get some good games and if i do i will definetaly pick this one up with re4

  • ChucklesMginty

    Posted Nov 26, 2006 2:57 am PT

    this game is about about the only thing coming out on the gamecube nothing has come out on the gamecube this year all games now are on xbox, x360 and PS2. I'm hoping that more games will come out on the Wii as well that are on xbox360 and PS3 but I kinda doubt it.

  • Crimson-_-Tears

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 11:02 pm PT

    Is not that bad.

  • sh4d0wc4st3r

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 7:38 pm PT

    whatever. nothing bad about buying it online

  • juffalo

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 2:10 pm PT

    that blows

  • caveturd

    Posted Nov 25, 2006 9:40 am PT

    uh.....WHAT THE HECK?! OOOOOOH. It's only japan. Close one, eh?

  • Evilfixxor

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 6:24 pm PT

    Because Nintendo will start ignoring the GC... there hasn't been anything good for the GC since they announced the Wii... Nintendo strategy... ignore the system not yet dead for the one making the most $$ or the new ones...

  • biff00912

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 7:41 pm PT

    ok notice how its says JAPAN not US so we will have it for the cube

  • LinkCraZ6421

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:00 pm PT

    nintendo is reely pissing me off. ive had this game reserved for nearly two years, before i heard they were making it for the wii. and now they pull this crap. and since ther r no reserves left for the wii version its gonna be nearly impossible to get. cmon nintendo.

  • kafuffle

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 12:30 pm PT

    lol, why are there so many upset people outside of japan? i have no doubt that the vast majority of japanese people have an internet connection. if it was feasible here in north america they would probably do it here. not only that, but without packaging and discs, the game will sell for less than going to a store to buy it would cost people... they are not forcing anyone to buy a wii, they are saying "We are releasing this game for the wii, and in Japan there is next to nobody without an internet connection. So, in order for us to conserve costs and still market this game to those who will continue to use their Gamecubes for some time, we will offer it online to those who wish to play it on the current generation system." Think about it people...

  • gam3r3OOO

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 12:49 am PT

    Most of people getting Twilight Princess will get the Wii version anyway. Its not that bad I mean look at Electroplankton that game was sold only online and I don't see anyone complaining about that.

  • mastermune89

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 8:50 am PT

    you know what would be nice?If Instead of a seperate GC game,why not just give the option of plugging in a GC controller and play it that way,If you wanted?

  • mierdahp

    Posted Nov 12, 2006 9:52 pm PT

    What's everyone so mad about, its called business, and they want you to get the Wii, not the cube version (duh); oh, and if youre really mad about it, never buy nintendo products ever again, simple as that, its your job as a customer to make companies make good products and decision. Capitalism people, capitalism.

  • master_swordx

    Posted Nov 12, 2006 1:00 pm PT

    thank god im US

  • Halo_Forever

    Posted Nov 12, 2006 6:53 am PT

    Well, then try to port a game with X360 visuals to the Xbox and then say that. You see the X360 and PS3 don't use previous gen tech like the Wii does, so it is a lot easier to have the game on both platforms.

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