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Retro Studios and Zelda?


Vargras
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Taken from: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/12/13/retro-could-tackle-zelda-next.aspx

The development team behind the Metroid Prime series could collaborate work on a Zelda title.

 

Speaking in an interview with Wired, Nintendo creative head Shigeru Miyamoto says fans could see future Nintendo titles be developed in collaboration between Japanese and Western studios, such as the case with Mario Kart 7 for 3DS. Mario Kart 7 was developed between Nintendo internal studios EAD in Japan and Retro based in Texas.

 

"People often say that videogames made by Western developers are somehow different in terms of taste for the players, in comparison with Japanese games," he said. "I think that means that the Western developers and Japanese developers, they are good at different fields. And that resulted in a different taste in [their games]. Mario Kart, I believe, was good in order to express that kind of different taste because we have many kinds of different courses for the Mario karts to run and race around."

 

Miyamoto said Retro worked on the design and art for Mario Kart 7 while EAD developed the gameplay and controls. "As you know, we have already collaborated with Retro for the Metroid Prime series in the past. And I think when we talk about any other franchise, Zelda might be a possible franchise for that collaboration," he added.

 

After seeing what they can do with Metroid and Donkey Kong, I'd be perfectly okay with Retro making a Zelda game.

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I am... alright with this... Yes, I am glad that if Nintendo wants to collaborate with anyone in the West, it's Retro Studios.

 

I wonder what Retro would add to Zelda? Part of Zelda that makes it seem fantastic and foreign to us is that there are tidbits of Japanese culture. I could rattle off a few, but I'm sure you guys are aware of it all. Hmm... western stuff...

 

"Quickly Link! Load the Light Bullets into the Master Assault Rifle! It's the only way to defeat Ronald McDonald and his Great Depression era minions!"

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I am... alright with this... Yes, I am glad that if Nintendo wants to collaborate with anyone in the West, it's Retro Studios.

 

I wonder what Retro would add to Zelda? Part of Zelda that makes it seem fantastic and foreign to us is that there are tidbits of Japanese culture. I could rattle off a few, but I'm sure you guys are aware of it all. Hmm... western stuff...

 

"Quickly Link! Load the Light Bullets into the Master Assault Rifle! It's the only way to defeat Ronald McDonald and his Great Depression era minions!"

 

Had to upvote for that last line alone.

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Retro hasn't made a bad game yet, they're 4 for 4 (5 for 5 if you count Mario Kart 7). Metroid Prime 3 had a few issues in my mind, but the overall experience was still a net positive.

 

Would Retro make a good Zelda? I dunno, what's Retro good at? They make good graphics. They make good level designs. They make good art. They make good music.

 

Metroid Prime 1 and 2 had good storytelling, but their other games didn't so much. Donkey Kong Country gets a pass for not having a story I guess.

 

Donkey Kong shows that Retro can make different styles of game, old school and friendly as well as modern and intimidating. I dunno, one would think with a five game portfolio we would be able to identify more things descriptively Retro, but I'm really drawing a blank. They've adapted themselves to the different Nintendo franchises sent their way very well, and I don't see that they've injected any personality uniquely their own into the games. I can't tell a Retro developed Nintendo game from a Japan developed Nintendo game. Would they make a good Zelda? ....sure, why not?

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Retro hasn't made a bad game yet, they're 4 for 4 (5 for 5 if you count Mario Kart 7). Metroid Prime 3 had a few issues in my mind, but the overall experience was still a net positive.

 

Would Retro make a good Zelda? I dunno, what's Retro good at? They make good graphics. They make good level designs. They make good art. They make good music.

 

Metroid Prime 1 and 2 had good storytelling, but their other games didn't so much. Donkey Kong Country gets a pass for not having a story I guess.

 

Donkey Kong shows that Retro can make different styles of game, old school and friendly as well as modern and intimidating. I dunno, one would think with a five game portfolio we would be able to identify more things descriptively Retro, but I'm really drawing a blank. They've adapted themselves to the different Nintendo franchises sent their way very well, and I don't see that they've injected any personality uniquely their own into the games. I can't tell a Retro developed Nintendo game from a Japan developed Nintendo game. Would they make a good Zelda? ....sure, why not?

 

I'd say that if anything is really "a Retro game", it's all the little details they squeeze into things. Metroid Prime was a great example of this - the raindrops on the visor when you looked up, Samus' reflection within the visor if there was a nearby explosion, simply seeing her own hand inside the suit if you used the x-ray visor.

 

It was the little things that made it great.

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Level design in a game like Metroid Prime or Donkey Kong is a lot different than level design in a game like Zelda. Not saying Retro's a bad studio, but I mean I like Bungie but would be skeptical if they announced their next game would be an open-world WRPG, and I'd be skeptical about a puzzle-based action-adventure (Zelda) from Retro.

 

Not saying it would necessarily not be good, just that the skill set for one doesn't necessarily translate to the other.

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Yeah, that's what I'm coming up with too. They've done racing, first person adventure, first person shooter (I just remembered Metroid Prime Hunters, they helped with that), pinball (again, they helped with Metroid Prime Pinball), and 2D platformer. And they've all been good or great. But I don't think that necessarily reflects on Zelda making ability in particular. All we can say is Retro has the talent and work environment to create good games. Would they make a good Zelda? Probably, they've never made that kind of game before, but why not? Same for Starfox. It would probably be good, but it would be a new style of game for them.

 

End conclusion - A Retro Zelda would be good because at this point we have no reason to believe a Retro anything would be bad.

Edited by Frosted Mini-Wheats
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Anything by Retro will have my interest. Only problem is I'll probably not have the platform it comes out on.

 

I'd like to see Retro work on StarFox or F-Zero personally. Every Retro game has been great so....yeah bring it on!

I just want SOMEONE to make a new F-Zero. One of my favourite franchises ever.

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I can't see it happening, but I would imagine that they could do a good job. They are a solid studio, and shown that they know how to make a Nintendo franchise sing. Although, I would like to see them do a little more first.

 

I think Metroid was a little out of left field when it came, but keep in mind that although Metroid is Nintendo's franchise, it's definitely no Zelda. It's the same with Donkey Kong; Nintendo have given him to other companies in the past (Rare), so it was no surprise that Retro would get a shot at it.

 

Now, Mario Kart is a little different. This is a Mario franchise, but still very far from being part of the platform games. It's also on the 3DS, take that as you will. But I think a Mario Kart on a home console, carries more weight than a Mario Kart on a hand-held, regardless of it being a new hand-held.

 

Do Nintendo trust Retro with Link? I'm not sure. By the sounds of it, a collaboration may be possible, but Retro having a decent amount of freedom is debatable. If that was the case, what would be the point in Retro taking part in developing the game?

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