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Retail Radar: GameCube Zelda confusion

[UPDATE] GameStop and EB Games pull product listings for GameCube edition of Twilight Princess; Nintendo subsequently reaffirms the game is coming to its current-gen console.

Last week, Nintendo announced that it would be selling the Japanese GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess exclusively through its online store. This begged the question of whether or not the game would be made a Web-order exclusive elsewhere, as well, a question Nintendo representatives didn't answer at the time.

Now the GameCube edition of the game has disappeared from the online stores of gaming specialty retailer GameStop and that of its subsidiary, EB Games. As of press time, a GameStop representative had not responded to GameSpot's requests for comment on the product's removal from the sites.

While GameStop may not be soliciting preorders for the current-gen Twilight Princess anymore, other online retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy still have product pages for the game up and are taking preorders. Nintendo's own official Zelda site also still lists the GameCube Twilight Princess as coming out December 11.

Originally announced in 2004, the GameCube edition was once scheduled to release day-and-date with the Nintendo Wii system and then was pushed back a few weeks to December 11 in the US, with no reason given. The GameCube version was on display at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2005 and drew hours-long lines from hordes of Zelda fans, but it was nowhere to be seen at this year's E3, with the Wii lineup (including the next-gen edition of Twilight Princess) instead being the cause of the lines around Nintendo's booth.

[UPDATE] Since this story went live, Nintendo confirmed that the GameCube version of the game is still going to be released in stores as expected. "Online reports about the Nintendo GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are incorrect. The amazing game will be available at retail outlets nationwide on December 13," a rep said in a statement.

Please note, while retailer listings frequently jump the gun on publishers' product announcements, they should not be taken as final confirmation of a game's existence, nor should the absence of a listing be considered as proof that a game isn't coming to a given platform.

354 Comments

  • SPANNER-MAN

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 9:54 am GMT

    What if they drop this it would be hell on earth, not to mentiont they'd lose alot of there fans. This is zelda you talking about here, i know they are trying to push sales of there wii, but to do this to cube owners is not cool. Bastards.

  • Dreamcathcer

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 6:39 pm GMT

    errrr im lost are they going to make this game an online order only or not?

  • four_of_clubs

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 12:50 pm GMT

    Lol I reserved this game last December at Toys 'r us, expecting it for June this year Well, this had better be the release now, as I found my reciept and am hoping to use it on the 13th, rather than some crazy date next year.

  • darkness1246

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 10:35 am GMT

    if they drop i will be hella mad

  • OrangeBlueZ

    Posted Dec 4, 2006 3:22 pm GMT

    This better be the one. If they delay it again I'll go freakin crazy. I'm sure any one of you who reserved it 2 years ago can feel my pain. GC LoZ rules!!

  • edhc44

    Posted Dec 4, 2006 12:04 pm GMT

    nickbakopoulos
    "Gamecube version controls better NO MATTER how much reviewers try to tell you otherwise."

    Jeff? Is that you? =p

  • Gribb85

    Posted Dec 4, 2006 5:30 am GMT

    Wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo decided to drop but heres hoping they don't. There will be plenty of people in the UK who won't be able to get a Wii due to demand, so for many the GC will be the only version they will be able to play this side of 2007.

  • nickbakopoulos

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 9:03 pm GMT

    Gamecube version controls better NO MATTER how much reviewers try to tell you otherwise.

    I've played the Wii version and the controls were fun for a while but got draining when I needed to kick up the action and get going.

  • soulreaver12

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 3:38 am GMT

    Starfoxcom you are evil why would you want it to be a Wii exclusive

  • TrUe_GaMer108

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 3:22 pm GMT

    Santiagochile, i did that exact same thing because i thought there was too much confusion about the game, i went to EB games and they said too many pre-orders, but there were plenty of wii versions on the shelfs laughing at me. I Just get the feeling that im going to have to walk in like normal and snatch one, just have to be quick, im gonna have issues though, if i cant get one any where, this reminds me of when Ocarina of time came out and you couldn't find it anywhere till a month later, damn wii!

  • santiagochile

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 1:47 pm GMT

    I went to Gamestop today and I couldn't preorder this Zelda for GCN (too many preorders). I had cancelled my preorder months ago when they kept delaying the game. I hope I can get one!

  • maverickexe

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 11:42 pm GMT

    I hear ya, kenshinhimura16.

  • kenshinhimura16

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 7:39 pm GMT

    Im glad the GC version is coming, I dont like the Wii version so far, its nice, but I cant get comfortable in my bed and play.

  • StarFoxCOM

    Posted Nov 29, 2006 7:33 pm GMT

    Damn i wanted it a wii exlusive. But any way GS will score higher for the GC verison. But gameranking will score the Wii verison higher.

  • CHAOSBLADER

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 6:18 pm GMT

    undox
    If someone confused the GC version and the Wii version, I don't think they should get the game. Sure it is a simple mistake but the giant Wii logo on the top right cornor and the white case is a dead giveaway and people getting it for the gamecube already know where it is and what the case will look like

  • PC-PS2man

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 3:00 pm GMT

    Of course its coming to retail stores. This is a GameCube title through and through, not a Wii title.

  • speedracer216

    Posted Nov 21, 2006 6:08 pm GMT

    Lexlas,

    if they didn't already own a gamecube, this game would probably make them get a wii instead, if just for the fact that it's new. it's the people who already have gamecube that might get this cuz then they don't have to spend $250 on a new system.

  • wingzero253

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:27 am GMT

    good because i already had it reserved 2 yrs ago
    Please no more delays

  • LexLas

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 10:36 am GMT

    Great, because I am reserving it Wednesday for Game Cube. I believe this is going to be the best Gamecube game ever and it will want people to go out and buy a Gamecube it they haven't all ready. A must own.

  • Iryxian

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 11:51 am GMT

    Thank god

  • thingta42

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:21 pm GMT

    Phew that was close

  • undox

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 8:54 am GMT

    If Nintendo wants to avoid any confusion about the two version of Zelda, simply mark on the package, maybe even in a larger than usual size, which system the game is for. Also, how about separating the GameCube and Wii areas is the store with the GB/DS games. This way, when people walk into their local game store, nobody will be confusing the Wii version of the game for the GC and vice versa.

  • BONES991

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 6:07 pm GMT

    Twilight Princess is gonna rock!! I origionally reserved it almost 2 years ago. It may have taken i while and gone through a lot of delays. But so did OoT and look hiw it turned out. MY plans for nov 19
    1 - Wii
    1- Zelda TP
    1 - Wiimote
    1-nunchuck - do not disturb till metroid comes out!

  • CrazyNico

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:49 pm GMT

    What is the best, Twilight Princess!

  • eulerw

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 9:53 am GMT

    tp is a must-buy for wii. wii is also backward-compatible so i can enjoy some older yet classic zelda games

  • Karribuhater115

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 9:16 am GMT

    Considering that the Wii is cheaper than the PS2 when I originally bought that and the cheapest of the three next gen consoles (not to mention the only one I want that's available this year) it was of course, an easy decision for me to preorder one and Zelda. I paid a £20 deposit so now, I only have to fund another £200 for it and Zelda: Twilight Princess together, not bad since it's also backwards compatible, i'll knock a bit off that price by trading in my old, beloved GameCube. Nintendo have really done a good job this year on their next-gen console, lets just hope it doesn't flop as bad as GC did. I am wondering how large it will be though, i've seen shots of it next to the Wii-mote nunchuck thing but i'm not sure if that's to scale, i'm only concerned because i'll probably be getting one the day it comes out, in December and I don't want to get mobbed by some desperate person who couldn't get one but needs one for their little darlings. Maybe i'm overestimating what will happen, but i've never been a part of something like this right from the beginning for once and I do have to wonder how safe it is to ride around on a bus with a Wii in December. lol

    If it's small enough, it's going in a backpack before I leave Gamestation, lol

  • gi1

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 4:38 am GMT

    zelda is a golden kind

  • archeon_1

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 1:59 pm GMT

    Honestly this game is proabably the reason why im gonna buy the Wii.. other than the fact that the price is extremely reasonable

  • Rayterd

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 1:25 pm GMT

    I think that TP will be a better game on the Wii anyways

  • CheddarLimbo

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 10:40 am GMT

    I don't see any problem here. This was smart move. It reduces confusion and retail space usage in the stores. Any discerning consumer can still get the game they want, when they want it.

  • Gamer-Gen

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 12:17 am GMT

    Man I can't wait for this game especially since Europe will be getting it two or three weeks later, just in time for Christmas! Its finally coming and boy has it been an adventure of its self what with all the speculation etc. this is gunna be well worth it

  • TrUe_GaMer108

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 7:30 pm GMT

    As with this update, i still will be stay with the gamecube version anyway to avoid spending more money on wii of course. The wait is long, but not painful, and this version should please zelda fans, as well as the wii version.

  • encryptkeeper

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 10:51 am GMT

    Don't bet on a midnight release for the console yet bottom dollar. When the 360 came out last year, we had the games 4 days before the console release date. Games for new consoles are always released before the console to ensure that people don't see the console in the store and say "That's retarded, a console with no games? Lame!". It kind of works the opposite way with the games though.

  • UMCP

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 10:25 am GMT

    LIES LIES!

  • LexLas

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 10:25 am GMT

    This should be the best game ever for Gamecube I will go reserve it this weekend for sure.

  • Ragin_Asian

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 10:21 am GMT

    The greatest game of all time,Zelda a Metroid are the main reasons that I have to get a Wii.

  • Berem

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 8:26 am GMT

    No doubt this will be the BEST game ever to grace the Gamecube. The Wii is in the beginning of its life, so Im assuming they are already developing a true Wii only Zelda game. I hope they do a Midnight release of the Wii too.. I got mine preoredered at Gamestop. (#9/15)

  • Np_Pro

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 4:12 pm GMT

    Must get Tp. Getting a Wii for christmas, but need GC TP

  • BirdBoy_CM_HB

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 3:51 pm GMT

    who would make such a rumor?!?!?!?!

  • bottomdollar

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 1:16 pm GMT

    By the way, have you guys and gals seen this? Its official cause I called about it and it was in my monthly Game Informer, they are doing a MidNight release of Zelda:TP on Nov. 19, which probably means they are hopefully going to be doing a MIDNIGHT release of the Wii too. The last part is not confirmed, but lets think about this. Give a game at MidNight and have to come back 8-10 hours later to get the systems to play on it. Doesn't make much since

  • bottomdollar

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 1:13 pm GMT

    I'm one of those ppl who have been waiting for two years (along with my Xbox and PC). I gave up my Gamecube when they pushed it back for the 3rd time til like May '06. It would be interesting for it to have launch with the E3 but they would not have got all that much attention. Its a good cash cow, money making ideas for The Big N but a long, Long, LONG wait for all of us who want to play the darn game. Looking forward to it on Nov. 19th. The thing is with all the other features the Wii has, i might not pop in Zelda again til later that night...

  • keinuveye

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:35 am GMT

    hoping to see what this can do for my gc

  • LikwidX3

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:08 am GMT

    well if ur not getting a wii looks like zeldas gonna be pushed back a few weeks, and for you people getting a wii for christmas, grab zelda for gc (if u have one), unless u want the wii version, then u have to wait for christmas to spin around. it all works out, we all have to wait another month. i understand you gcers have been waitin for like 2 years, but if youve waited that long you can wait for another 2 weeks or whatever. but ya, im definately gettin zelda for wii.

  • sawyerwolf

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:35 am GMT

    I work for EB Games, and was told that we are sold out of TP already. That is why it has disappeared.

  • doomboy101

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 4:55 am GMT

    I have already preordered it on the GC I midaswell get it on the cube and wait; since i know i will have red steel when i get my Wii.

  • Nintendus

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 4:41 pm GMT

    I'm getting Wii next May, so the GC version is for me!

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 1:43 pm GMT

    I was planning on getting the wii version anyway

  • ryokinshin6x3

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 12:22 pm GMT

    wii version ftw consdering thats the only ame im getting for the wii

  • Cloud551

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 12:01 pm GMT

    Wow, that must be terrible for people not getting a Wii.

  • pXxJoSexXp

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 11:14 am GMT

    I don't care.....since I'm getting the Wii version

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