After my countless hours with the Wii version of TP, I can't help but feel the GC controller is a step backwards in terms of immersing you into the heart and soul of the game, but I can't deny that the control feels just as comfortable as previous Zelda games. Observant gamers will notice that Link retains his "left handedness" in the Cube version of TP, while he was a "righty" in the Wii version. I can assume this was done because most gamers would play with the Wii-mote in their right hand and the effect would have been visually askew if Link remained a southpaw in the Wii version. Sword-fighting on the Cube is actually slightly more responsive and fluid on the Cube version, since the execution of the attack is instant, compared to the milli-second delay between the time you shake the Wii-mote and the info is processed on the Wii. Even the 7 new attacks Link can learn over the course of the game map comfortably to the Cube controller - although it will take some deprogramming if you move from one console version to the other. The C button controls the camera, which wasn't available in the Wii version, although the camera could be moved via the Wii-mote. The camera control works just like it did in Wind Waker, fast and precise when you just want to look around. Where the Cube version does take a backseat is in the execution and aiming of weapons like the bow and arrow, clawshot and Gale Boomerang - although again, this won't make a difference to those who haven't played the Wii version and I doubt there will be many who want to play both versions of an almost identical game. All I will say is once you've aimed at the TV with the Wii-mote, going back to the slow, plodding movement of an analog camera control is an effort in frustration, especially in the heat of battle.

Visually Twilight Princess on the Cube looks great and is certainly the crowning achievement in terms of graphic brilliance on that system. Both versions look very similar, except that the Wii version supports 16:9 aspect ratio. Curious gamers eager to compare both versions will notice some blurry and weaker textures in the Cube version that aren't that noticeable on the Wii, but you'd be insane to think this is a dealbreaker by any stretch. This version of Hyrule is beautiful, epic and finely detailed. The world of Hyrule has never looked so good or so menacing for that matter. One definite bonus to the Cube version is that you don't have the entire right side of the screen taken up by the Wii-mote HUD, which was a little distracting on the Wii. Cube owners will see the 3 items in their active inventory at the top right hand area of the screen and their health on the left hand side. Nice and clean.

The musical score is pure Zelda although some have found it necessary to criticize the MIDI soundtrack. Sure the score would been out of this world if it was performed by an orchestra, but to me it’s got that right amount of Koji Kondo music-magic. If it ain’t MIDI, it ain’t Kondo and therefore, it ain’t Zelda or Mario. But that’s just me. It’s brilliant in any case, providing sweeping returns to previous themes one moment and then knocking you out with something new the next. There are no voice-overs, although Midna speaks in her native tongue which you won’t understand anyway, unless you’re crazy. Link doesn’t need to speak and if he did, he would constantly chime “Well, excuse me, Princess!” as he did in the animated series like the Hylian version of Steve Martin. Let’s just forget I brought that up, shall we? The speaker on the Wii-mote adds a few nice audible flourishes here and there. It’s a little tinny sounding but it’s still pretty darn cool and used effectively if not sparingly.

No game is flawless and even TP could have benefitted from some improvements. The enemy AI is almost non-existent and some of the evil characters you’ll encounter make Wind Waker’s foes seem like fighting strategists by comparison. The bosses are extremely easy for the most part, requiring the item located in that dungeon to be used for their extinction which is a tad predictable already, but not unexpected at this point in the series. There are a few camera issues and Link will still require precise lining up to climb ladders or open chests.

Twilight Princess is definitely a must have for Cube owners. This is the game you've been waiting for since you watched the ending of Ocarina of Time back in '98, almost 10 years ago. Yeah, Wind Waker was a great game, but in looking back, it sure wasn't Twilight Princess. The darker direction takes our hero and the series into unchartered territory and fans will definitely appreciate the shift in mood.

I really believe that TP is best experienced on the Wii, but I also understand that this isn't possible for everyone. That being said, the Cube version is a masterpiece of gaming in every way and you shouldn't feel slighted that this is the only version you're able to play. As I've stated, if you haven't played the Wii version you won't even know what you're missing. Whatever you do, whatever system you have, be it Wii or Cube, you need to visit Hyrule as soon as possible.

By Vaughn Smith
CCC Site Director

Rating out of 5 Rating Description 4.8 Graphics TP is the best looking Cube game yet. Scored higher than the Wii, since the Wii wasn't pushed. 4.5 Control While playing with the Wii-mote just feels better, there isn't anything wrong with the Cube controls. 5.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting Koji Kondo and company is at their best. It may be MIDI but it's classic stuff. 5.0 Play Value The longest and darkest adventure yet for Zelda fans. This could take you 50+ hours if you take your time and explore. 5.0 Overall Rating - The Best Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Updated: We have learned from E3 that the rumors are true! Link will be able to transform into a bizarre werewolf like creature and be ridden around by a yet undisclosed character. These scenes take place in a dark world - see screens below - which looks to be something of an alternate reality compared to the colorful style of the rest of Hyrule. What this has to do with the Twilight Princess is also unknown.

We have also been told that this game features a different Link character (ala Wind Waker) and takes place hundreds of years into the future beyond the timeline of Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask and seemingly Wind Waker. Be sure to check out actual guerilla footage of the game below!

Preview: First the bad news - the next Legend of Zelda won't see the light of Wal-Mart store shelves until later this Fall. That's a big kick in the Hylian Shield for those of us, present company included, who were hoping and praying that Nintendo's earlier release date of May 2005 was within the realm of reality. Okay so we knew in our heart of hearts that a Zelda game wouldn't be a Zelda game without numerous delays.

The good news for those eternal optimists is that Nintendo isn't planning on holding this game back and releasing it on their next gen system code named "Revolution", even though it would be one of the biggest killer apps in the history of videogames. Which makes me wonder just what is Nintendo planning on releasing with the Revolution....stay tuned. The answer just might surprise you. (I don't really know the answer, but I sound smarter if I hint that I do. See how that works? It's a completely useless journalistic trick that makes you think that I know more than you.)

Anyway, this WILL be a GameCube title even though by all appearances it looks like it could be running on next gen hardware. When you see LoZ in action, you'll think someone crammed an Xbox into that tiny little square box.

Showing off the latest trailer at GDC this week, Nintendo floored showgoers with vivid examples of how dark and mature the next installment of Zelda will be. If you balked at the cartoony-ness of Wind Waker, there is simply no chance in Hell that you will be disappointed. For those of you who read EGM, my first question is "Why?" Like those 3 sentence reviews do you? Very insightful. My next suggestion is don't believe everything you read. Their latest April Fools Joke (Yawn) involved pre-ordering the new Zelda game and receiving a bonus disc with a graphically updated Wind Waker. Ain't gonna happen. Thanks to "Amux12" for letting me know this.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so check out the new screens and trailer (again kudos to Amux12 for that). More info will start pouring in during E3. Stay tuned.

How do you improve upon a game as perfect as Ocarina of Time? The truthful answer is: Maybe you don't. That would be asking to achieve the impossible, wouldn't it? We say, as long as they try, that's good enough for us. Majora's Mask was more of an encore, while Wind Waker was a sidestep (both games were equally brilliant), but can Nintendo manage to top itself in 2005?

Much to the delight of Zelda fans (maybe we should say Link fans) everywhere, Hyrule's prodigal elf, Link, is getting that darker, mature makeover you won't see on the Oprah show and incidentally was promised to Cube owners before the system was released. Needless to say many were shocked at the cartoony style of Wind Waker and were a tad miffed that the darker tone of the series which started with OoT wasn't being continued. That's all water the bridge now, especially after you see the game in action (we have).

Although we know absolutely nothing in regards to the plot of the game or what delicious new items Link will be able to play with, we can tell you that horse riding makes a triumphant return and swordfighting on horseback debuts! Hey, we loved sailing in Wind Waker, but riding a horse just seems to fit the whole Zelda deal, ya know?

In terms of playability, it appears that Nintendo is opting to continue the basic movelist from OoT. Link can roll, backflip, sword jump and do a charged sword attack which looks identical to the movesets from OoT although graphically enhanced on the Cube to absolute videogame perfection. Remember this when you see the trailers: what you are seeing is gameplay, not CG cinemas.

With Nintendo keeping details very close to their chests on this one - like every other game - we'll be sure to keep you updated on any tasty morsels we can find. Hey, look on the bright side; it's only 9 months away. We can pretty much guarantee that this one will SELL GC systems, so we suggest getting your pre-order in nice and early.