The Game Awards 2016 showcase saw Nintendo reveal two major gameplay trailers for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, showing off the expansive world of Hyrule and dropping some flavor-filled lore.
The first trailer was just a 1-minute brief teaser, but the second clip was an entire hands-on gameplay demo of the Wii U version. Of course, Nintendo isn't about to show off the version on its new handheld-hybrid Switch console. Nintendo Treehouse alums Bill Trennen and Nate Bihldorff played through a quick section of the game, showing off some combat, exploration, inventory management, and much more.
While Breath of the Wild looks great, I have to say I'm not impressed by the overall graphics: the grass, for instance, is very jaggy while in motion, even with the distinct trade-offs that Nintendo has made with the cel-shaded graphics.
I feel that the game isn't yet finished, and Nintendo is showing off little clips and teasers to get fans interested...but I don't feel this footage reflects the final version.
Sadly it looks like Breath of the Wild won't be a Switch launch game: reports indicate we may have to wait as long as Summer 2017 before the game is ready.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will drop in 2017 simultaneously on Wii U and the new Nintendo Switch console.
Check below for everything we know about the Nintendo Switch console so far:
Everything we know about Nintendo Switch so far:
- Nintendo Switch listed at $245, to release March 17?
- Porting games over to Nintendo Switch might be easy
- Nintendo Switch to get full HD Pokemon Sun and Moon port
- Nintendo Switch price to start at $249, deluxe at $299
- Nintendo Switch launch games teased, 2017 will be huge
- Nintendo Switch to let you play modded Skyrim on-the-go
- Zelda Breath of the Wild may not be a Switch launch game
- Nintendo Switch may have 4GB unified memory pool
- Nintendo Switch handheld delivers console-quality gaming
- 3DS won't be cannibalized by new Switch console, Nintendo President confirms
- Nintendo Switch to have wide array of hardware add-ons
- Nintendo Switch may use USB Type-C for power
- Nintendo Switch has 6-inch 720p display with 10-point capacitive multi-touch
- Nintendo investors hate the Switch hybrid
- Everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo's new transforming handheld console hybrid
- Nintendo to reveal Switch pricing, specs, launch games and more on January 12, 2017
- 3DS won't be cannibalized by Switch, says Nintendo
- Nintendo Switch gameplay graphics and features are subject to change
- Nintendo Switch is single-screen only, says Nintendo
- Nintendo Switch to launch only as complete bundle
- Nintendo expect 2 million Switch console sales at launch
- Nintendo Switch may have extra power while docked
- Nintendo Switch isn't backward compatible with Wii U games
- Nintendo Switch's battery may only last 3 hours?
- Nintendo won't reveal full Switch console specs until 2017
- Nintendo Switch gets a much-needed splash of color
- Nintendo's new Switch console powered by NVIDIA Tegra
- Nintendo Switch may sport dedicated game video recording
- Skyrim hasn't yet been confirmed for the Nintendo Switch