aonuma

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)