The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild is the premiere NX launch window game right now, and that positions it as a showpiece for the upcoming console. Based on what was revealed during E3, here are five assumed features of the new system.
1) Not A Power-Focused Machine: Nintendo hasn’t engaged in the console power arms race since the GameCube launched in 2001, so it should come as little surprise that the NX seemingly won’t be outfitted to go toe-to-toe with the likes of PS4 and Xbox One.
While it’s true we haven’t seen an official NX spec sheet yet, it’s worth remembering that series producer Eiji Aonuma told GameSpot that "users will be able to have the same experience with the NX version as they will with the Wii U version." What this implies is that the content, graphics and even performance of the NX build will mostly be identical to the last-gen one. Maybe Breath Of The Wild simply isn’t meant to be a visual stunner, but wouldn’t Nintendo prefer Link’s next quest to push the NX to its absolute limits if it could? That notion strongly suggests reasonable spec parity between the two platforms.
2) Tuned For Short And Long Play: One of the more interesting features of The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild is the addition of 100 shrines that coexist alongside standard dungeons. While we haven’t seen many shrines, Nintendo’s implication has been that they’ll be simpler, shorter experiences. Dungeons, on the other hand, will take some time to explore.
Lots of open-world games have a similar arrangement of main missions and side missions, but, given popular rumors about NX, this design choice is interesting. The most popular industry assumption is that this upcoming machine will be a console-handheld hybrid that can be played on TVs and on the go. If that’s accurate, the changed formula makes a ton of sense. There are lots of scattered shrines meant for mobile play, while dungeons are suited for home. This is no guarantee of hybrid features, but it’s one of many strong indicators.
3) Second Screen Not Important: Even though the Wii U’s headlining feature is its GamePad, Breath Of The Wild doesn’t make use of it at all. In fact, as its E3 2016 demo shows us, even maps and menus are manipulated on a TV screen.
With that in mind, the NX assumingly won’t focus much on the dual-screen motif either. The fact that dual screen support wasn’t at E3 is a clear sign that those features either aren’t a development priority or won’t be included at all. The reason they aren’t a priority is because Nintendo knows most fans will be playing this game on NX, a system that doesn’t accentuate a two-screen environment.
4) Amiibo Use Is A Given: As just about everyone expected, The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild will be launching alongside a set of compatible 30th-anniversary Amiibo figurines. In addition to that, we also know that scanning the Wolf Link Amiibo included with Twilight Princess HD gives Link a temporary animal partner in the 2017 game.
If Amiibo are such a prominent focus in the NX’s premiere launch window title, one can expect the hardware to have NFC baked in from the start. In the shadow of the Wii U’s mistakes, Amiibo have been a massive success. Nintendo would never let that ongoing collectible frenzy go with its next box.
5) NX Symbolizes A New Nintendo: During Nintendo’s E3 2015 Direct, Nintendo Of America’s Reggie Fils-Aime promised that Nintendo was poised for transformation with the arrival of mobile games and, of course, the NX.
Taking a look at Breath Of The Wild, the company’s commitment to that promise is extremely clear. With its open-world environment, heavy RPG elements and strategic voice acting, the 2017 quest marks the biggest change for this franchise since it began three decades ago. It’s exactly what the fans demanded, and that’s a nice little preview of the NX mindset. After years of tone-deaf decisions, there’s a general sense around the industry that Nintendo is finally listening. Will the NX launch lineup and feature set attempt to deliver on a few more dreams? Given Zelda, we certainly think so!
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild comes to NX and Wii U in 2017.
What do you think Breath Of The Wild reveals about the NX? Are we way off base? Tell us in the comments section!
