Flight, changed game progression possibilities for next Zelda Wii

Even though Zelda director Eiji Aonuma is as secretive as ever, he has hinted at some potential changes for the MotionPlus-enabled game

Nintendo staffers must have been feeling quite talkative lately, with a long interview from the Guardian featuring Eiji Aonuma, the director of the Zelda franchise, following the huge Iwata Asks from earlier this week. Weve split this one up into two articles, with this one covering his mentions of the next Zelda game currently in development for Wii.

As usual, Aonuma definitely isnt going to spoil anything this soon, but a little story about his son may be hinting at the introduction of flight to the series.

"I have an eight-year-old son myself at home," he shared, "and quite recently he started playing The Phantom Hourglass for DS, because when the software first hit the market he was too young. When he started playing with the boat, I told him: In the next Zelda, you are going to be able to ride on the train. He answered: OK, Dad, first boat, and then train? Surely next time, Link is going to fly in the sky … " After a pause, he continues with a grin, "I just dont know. If many people make many speculations … some of them might be correct. Right now, I have to refrain from commenting on anything."

Thinking about it, Link wouldnt look too bad in a Biplane, at least not any more strange than a train. From what he was saying about speculations, though, his example may not have any impact on the game.

Its probably fair to say that the Swordplay and Archery modes in Wii Sports Resort set gamers imaginations on fire about how the first entry in the series with MotionPlus would implement the devices functionality. Aonuma certainly at least feels happy to hype this element, even if he isnt giving much away.

"With this attachment," he explained, "your minute hand movements are more precisely reflected … You can feel it so naturally and so intuitively. Its not just an improvement over the movement of Link himself: the realisation of your more minute movements on the screen will expand the entire gameplay. I believe that we will be able to offer some great innovations in the new Legend of Zelda."

He left perhaps the most intriguing till last, with developers thinking of altering some core aspects of the game—"Of course I have to refrain from giving any details, but we are contemplating altering the way the game progresses in comparison with all the past Legend of Zelda franchises. But I have to stop talking here."

As we mentioned, theres a fair amount from the feature not covered in this article, so check out here if you want to find out more. And if any readers have some of these "many speculations" mentioned earlier, do be sure to jot down your thoughts in a comment.