The next Zelda may be here at the end of 2010

Iwata has said in a recent interview with the Asahi Shimbun that one of Nintendo’s goals for 2010 is to release the next Zelda by the end of the year. It’s hard to tell from the article whether or not this a hopeful goal or a scheduled one, but I’d guess either way that Nintendo will plan on a 2010 release, but then let it slip into early 2011.

Twilight Princess was released a month earlier in Japan than in America, though the release also coincided with the Wii launch in both cases, so it’s difficult to say if this is a release trend that will be continued or not for the console Zeldas. Spirit Tracks was released in North America and Europe two weeks before Japan, so it would appear to be a safe assumption that we’ll get the game around the same time... so this 2010 proposed date is for us non-Japanese folk.

Considering we still haven’t seen a trailer, or anything more than the concept art from this game, Iwata’s declaration is surprising. The developers have gone on record saying that there will be much more to show at E3 this year (June 15-17). But that’s so far away from a statement like this... I’m really unsure what to make of it. Perhaps a trailer will be released before E3, something similar to Twilight Princess’ completely vague “Blades will Bleed” trailer. Then, at E3, they can show off their new concept, and just what that Master Sword fairy girl is up to.

Let me take a moment to touch on some of the Wii Zelda-related news that’s come and gone in the past few months, so we’re all on the same page. Starting with most recent... (that list after the jump)

• Eiji Aonuma wanted to expand on the ideas presented in Link’s Crossbow Training in a sequel. He seems to be fascinated by the idea of FPS and online multiplayer, which is a sentiment that Nintendo execs did not share. However, considering the narrative space FPS has been able to explore in recent years, and given the effectiveness of an FPS silent protagonist, perhaps Aonuma has learned some lessons here...
• Eiji Aonuma expressed regret for Twilight Princess, saying that he was unsatisfied with the scale of that Hyrule in terms of realism and epicness. He aims to bring these thoughts to the new Zelda, hoping to increase that scale.
• We are supposed to expect big surprises at E3 2010. Big. Surprises.
• The Reg went on record saying that Nintendo is “not committed” to a 2010 release for Zelda (but they are committed to a 2010 release of Galaxy 2 and Metroid: The Other M!)
• Usage of MotionPlus was confirmed. The Wii remote precision-enhancing add-on will be used for more accurate swordplay. I just hope they don’t match Link’s arm to the player’s arm, or he might be flailing about a lot. I would think the best way to proceed with that is to generalize his standard swings and match them to a range of movement by the player.
• Miyamoto recanted earlier statements about the next Zelda being some new paragon of gaming by distinguishing itself from any previous game in the series by stating that it wouldn’t be “radically different.” No real surprise there, just nice to know that we’re not going to be playing a completely un-Zelda game.