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Editorials   The Evolution of Zelda
- By Aaron Thayer

Cel shading started with Jet Grind Radio on Dreamcast. Then, it slowly built up more and more steam. Developers began considering the fact that: "this is pretty damn cool, we needed a gimmick to sell our game anyways." Gamers were skeptical, wondering what the deal was. "Sure, it looks cool, but who really needs it, and does it make the game more kiddy?" And this stalemate of arguing and debating stayed pretty much level, one accepting the other gradually, until late May 2001. That day in Los Angeles was strangely quiet, like the wind before a storm. Nintendoites and Zelda worshipers alike drooled in anticipation for more footage or more info on this "awesome, mature looking new Zelda game" shown at Space World in 2000. No one suspected anything was amiss. Then suddenly, as Miyamoto-san finished addressing his speech to the public, and as the first few scenes of Zelda rolled across the projector...all hell broke loose. People were screaming, people laughed, some I'm sure fainted. But as the lights turned back on, there was an odd silence. And then later that day, the internet was ablaze in declarations of "Celda" and that "the series is done for!" Harsh words, indeed.

I too was shocked, when I first saw and read about the striking change to the GCN Zelda. However, never did I ruthlessly abandon the new Cel shading style, just strangely non-opinionated. I liked it, but I still had some doubts. For awhile I was teetering on the edge of sadness, wondering what happened to my precious Link and his adventures. Then, it just clicked. "It works, it fits perfectly!" I mean really, Zelda has always been a lighthearted adventure. The animations in A Link to the Past were cartoony, and none of the games in the series have blood in them. Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask had little Link, and at the end of OoT you were transformed back to your true form, a young child. He has always been a little boy, and an orphan (well until now). The story seemed to work, as a young lad from parts unknown was brought up to defend a people, and to fight evil. I always believed it was the story of an underdog, some unknown child being chosen eons before as the savior, and then stopping supreme evil. While GCN Zelda isn't epic in the story line so far, what with giant birds kidnapping your sister, it still has time to surprise us.

When the Nintendo team sat down to develop a new Zelda game, I'm sure the idea of realistic graphics was a major factor. Judging from the Space World 2000 footage, it was. But as Miyamoto stated, he didn't want to see so much realism in his games, because then it just blurs the line of fun. Cel shading provides an outlet for the creativity and ever changing ideas of Nintendo and Miyamoto. Last year people scoffed, laughed and discounted "Celda." This year, everyone is claiming Nintendo, and Zelda, champions. Even PSM gave some props to the Big N. And EGM, who last year crowned the Xbox over the GameCube in many factors, is now this year since E3 2002 putting Nintendo and their blockbuster games at the top of the best in show lists. It is obvious that Nintendo is now proving to people just how smart, and how effective their decisions are, no matter what the controversy. Because gamers are now starting to evolve past blatant insults, and are looking to what the game itself can bring. Zelda for the GameCube will sell millions of copies, regardless of what is said. The naysayers won't be posting insults on online boards after they play it and truly understand the greatness of this game.

The Nintendo difference is always being questioned. People seem to have something negative to say, but then suddenly take it back after they experience how right Nintendo is in their business decisions. I for one, congratulate them on their progressing ideas and actions, and have the utmost confidence in Zelda and other franchises. I can look past graphics and see the heart of what has made Zelda so appealing. Its story, the gameplay, the experience you have and remember even years after playing all hold strong. True gamers who really respect a game can do this, not some whiny little bastards who hide behind a computer throwing insults.