The best menu screens in games can be articulated in many ways, just like the sheer amount of options you can get from the feature itself. In my mind, they're determined ??by the music, the visuals, and how unique they can be. You don't want to see a bland introduction to a magnificent game.? Here are the top 10 best main menu screens in games, ranked.

Before we start, I have some honorable mentions. While it's too soon to rank this alongside long-standing greats, Sea of Stars' main menu screen is an impressive introduction to its world. The flickering of the flames reflecting on the pixel-based characters, and the gorgeous backdrop is absolutely stunning. Additionally, Rayman 2: The Great Escape's menu features strange, yet enticing music with ??a view of the world we're about to explore. There's also a cute teensie on the left side, welcoming you to the game with its hat.

[caption id="attachment_400167" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

10. Super Metroid

During the SNES era, gamers weren't anticipating a cinematic introduction to the game. However, Super Metroid features te?nse music and neat transitions of?? scenes that feature the creepy sci-fi world of the game. It then reveals a Metroid trapped within a pipe with the machinery flickering in green light. It's genuinely creepy to see fallen bodies next to the machine as well. It's a perfect introduction to this game.

[caption id="attachment_399796" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

9. Psychonauts

Double Fine is a developer known for its wild worlds, game concepts, and characters. This menu follows that same idea. One of the strangest (and coolest) is in Psychonauts, in which you're Raz running around a brain. The concept of the game is that you're trying to fix the issues of a person by infiltrating their mind. It's a clever main menu concept for a game like this and is certainly unique. I also love Double Fine's record-based main menu design in Brutal Legend, but Psychonauts just edges it out.

[caption id="attachment_399797" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

8. L.A. Noire

This may be a controversial pick, but L.A. Noire has a unique menu desi?gn that complements the subject matter. You get the old-fashioned black-and-white styling mixed in with a shadowy figure of?? the text. The light shone from the car gives a wonderful effect on the brick wall, adding to the atmosphere of the scene. While it can be annoying to have a gentleman walking in and out of the menu, it's certainly an interesting take on this classic gaming feature that we haven't seen before.

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7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Yes, this is a simplistic menu for such a huge RPG like Starfield, but it more than makes up for it with the theme alone. You hear a majestic choir and triumphant orchestra calling to you. It gets you pumped for the adventure y??ou're about to have. The logo also looks iconic amongst the white mist and the black b?ackground.

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6. Pokemon Red & Blue

Despite the limited power of the Game Boy, Pokemon Red & Blue still had amazing intros and menus. You see two Pokemon fighting it out in the intro underscored by a memorable theme song. It then constantly switches between the different Pocket Monsters you'll find in the game like Snorlax, Mankey, and Ditto. It's simple but "super effective"at introducing us to the world of Pokemon. 

//youtu.be/DRgLR-cPMls

5. Xenoblade Chronicles

The Xenoblade Chronicles title screen is super simple. You see the Monado sword stuck in the ground all by itself. However, the beauty of the world surrounds us as day turns to night. You also see the shine of the metal blade ag??ainst the sunlight, which is a nice touch. The Monado also glows in the dark as the stars shine brightly above. The emotional music is engrossing as you simply stare at this stunning scene. This is one of the best main menu screens just from how stunning it is.

//youtu.be/kAwwQ7dTjRY

4. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

I know, many say that Ocarina of Time's menu screen is better, but the one from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess holds more prestige for me. You see Link riding Epona valiantly across the Bridge of Eldin and the wilderness of Hyrule. In the ??background is a somewhat creepy choir singing the main theme of t??he game. Then, the intro transitions to Wolf Link who howls to a strange golden wall in the distance.

You also have a hint of the "Midna's Theme" from the music, hinting at how prevalent your partner will be in the plot and gameplay. You're then left with a feeling of dread as yo??u only have the sound of wind to keep you company. It's a brilliant main menu that pulls you into the intended darker atmosphere of the game.

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3. Kingdom Hearts 2

Possibly with the prettiest main menu theme ever "Dearly Beloved," Kingdom Hearts 2 has one of the best?? intros in gaming history. The c??redits roll and the music begins to build up. As you begin to see Sora emerge into the title screen, you hear the harp play and the bass strings refer to the protagonist.

It sounds like an orchestra prepping to play before a concert occurs. It then calms down for a brief? second until the full menu appears. Then, the piano begins to play the main melody, and each wonderful instrument of the piece blends together in a truly "beloved" way.

Seeped with the sound of waves from Sora's home world Destiny Islands, you remember where t??he end goal lies. The blue streak to the right also has a wave-like grad?ient to it. I just noticed this as I was writing, but the color of the streak goes from navy to turquoise to yellow like a beach. Neat!

[caption id="attachment_399816" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

2. Persona 5

Persona 5 has so much style behind its UI and graphical ingenu??ity. However, the main menu stands out as well. The introduction of the train pop art and then the Phantom Thieves at a stop is fa??ntastic. I love the striking red and white style as you see the trains beside them rush on either side.

The music ??gives you the depiction that this is going to be a cool, suave adventure. When Futaba gets off her seat, you'll see a graffiti mark on her seat. It also shows Haru in the back, showing her more shy side.

Personally, I prefer the calmer nature of this scene to the more energetic Persona 5 Royal's, but it's a personal taste, for sure. It gives a more underground feel t?hat matches the Phantom Thieves better.

//youtu.be/ZT9DST_M_g8

1. Mega Man 2

Admittedly, I haven't grown up during the NES era, but ???my goodness, this is one of the greatest main menu screens in a game, bar none. You start with an overview of the city with a brief summary of the story. The music begins slow and pleasant, but as the camera moves up the skyscraper, the music gets faster until you get one of the most badass menu themes ever. You can't help but get hyped.

You see Megaman's hair waving in the air as he readies himself for his tough adventure. When you choose a selection,?? he then teleports away. Despite having better technology today, this main menu still stands as one of the most epic. Let's set out and defeat each of the bosses (or at least hope we can). This is one of the best main menu screens ever just due to the excitement I get every time I boot it up.

The post Top 10 best menu screens in games, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Best The Legend of Zelda music ever

The Legend of Zelda series has magnificent songs across its history. From the adventurous "Hyrule Field" theme to the beautiful "Zelda's Lullaby," composer Koji Kondo is behind some of the best video game music. While there are many, many tracks to choose from, these 10 songs establish why The Legend of Zelda series is a fantastic source of music. Yes, I know "Gerudo Valley" isn't in it, but there's only so much you can put in a Top 10 list! Here is the best The Legend of Zelda music. 

10. Spirit Tracks - "Full Steam Ahead"

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The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is one of the black sheep of the series on the DS. However, it has some of the best The Legend of Zelda music ever in its overworld theme. "Full Steam Ahead" plays while Link is driving a train. The song gives a rush of excitement. The tempo and percussion of the track remind me of a moving train's engine and pumping steam. The tambourine simulates the steam while the drums sound like the engine. There's also a neat reference to the main theme of The Legend of Zelda within the track. Aaron Grubb published a neat Western version of the song that you'd expect to hear from a game like Red Dead Redemption. 

9. Breath of the Wild - The Blight Ganon themes

//youtu.be/IjxEGwFiMR8

To me, the weakest part of The Legend of Zelda's soundtracks is the boss themes. They're great for the series' intense combat moments, but they don't stick in your head as much as the battle themes of franchises like Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts. The Blight Ganon music from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is different, however. Scattered across Hyrule are different Blight Ganons that represent alternate elements. The Waterblight is more energetic, while the Windblight is more personality-filled with the accordion from Kass' Theme mixed into it. The core battle theme across all four versions is also epic with menacing piano tones and a powerful choir. Vetrom, in t??he above vid??eo, does a great job of encompassing all of the elements from each Blight Ganon track into one solid remix.

8. Skyward Sword - "Skyloft"

//youtu.be/oE8cU2HnGgI

The "Skyloft" theme in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is like a warm hug. It has a pleasant melody underscored by the fast strumming of a charming mandolin and the playing of a pretty horn instrument. The percussion is also lighter with a welcoming drum beat. This theme d??efines Skyloft as a place of sanctuary an??d somewhere players can cool down after the tough dungeons that lie on the surface of Hyrule. Patti Rudisill does a wonderful performance of Skyloft with a fitting Violin and Viola cover of the track.

7. A Link To The Past - "Dark World" / A Link Between Worlds - "Lorule"

//youtu.be/XHfcPf1q2zs

The "Dark World" theme is another piece that helps establish that sense of adventure within you. The drumbeat compels you to keep going, while there's a thrilling melody in the forefront. The newer take on the song from A Link Between Worlds is stellar. The percussion is on point with a more charismatic, metallic drumbeat, while the main melody from the violin plays so well with the original 16-bit theme. The String Player Gamer has performed?? a brilliant symphonic metal violin cover o?f the track with a tasty solo towards the end of the song.

6. Twilight Princess - "Midna's Lament"

//youtu.be/xyqL2Hsp-Vo

"Midna's Lament" is a striking piece from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The piano piece is melancholy as Link tries to save his companion Midna from a horrible fate. The notes chosen for the song give off a mysterious vibe, and there's a reverberation effect that truly works for the strange atmosphere the piece is establishing. That vibe is then reinforced by a striking strings section in the middle of the track, possibly showing Link's strive to help Midna. The emotional core of "Midna's Lament" makes it one of the best The Legend of Zelda music pieces. Aaron Grubb once again brings a gorgeous Zelda cover, slowing down "Midna's Lament" and adding an effective echo to the piec?e.

5. Breath of the Wild - "Rito Village" / The Wind Waker - "Dragon Roost Island"

//youtu.be/bCbDA9TR1p4

The core theme of The Wind Waker's "Dragon Roost Island" is present within Breath of the Wild's "Rito Village" and it works so well. There's a tranquil feel to the piece with the calm piano opening and then the piece rises with the strings until the chill mandolin takes over with the "Dragon Roost Island" theme.  Additionally, the woodwind instrument (I'm guessing the flute) stirs your heart as it blissfully plays the melody. This piece is composed so well and perfectly reflects Koji Kondo's creativity within his composing, making it some of the best The Legend of Zelda ?music. Nico Mendoza does a great job of interpreting ??the "Rito Village" theme for the acoustic and electric guitar. It also has a pristine violin pairing.

4. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - "Temple/Palace Theme"

//youtu.be/qcac2Dh6Brg

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link isn't the most well-liked game in the series, but the "Temple Theme" is one of the highlights. In those early days of gaming, music was essential to establish the theme of the level, and this track nails it. The lower pitch of the 8-bit sound font establishes intrigue within the Temple as Link slashes his enemies and jumps to daring heights. The song then raises the stakes with a high-tempo section that keeps you on your toes while playing Zelda II. Many will know this track from Super Smash Bros. Melee's interpretation of t??he song, and it's fantastic. Lacey Johnson d?oes a superb job of bringing that 8-bit flair with her keytar and adds a rock element that works so well with the composition.

3. The Legend of Zelda - "Main Theme"

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The Legend of Zelda's main theme across the series is still legendary. Remarkably scored in just one day by Koji Kondo (according to 1UP), this theme has a sense of grandeur. You're about to go on a big adventure, and the main title theme is momentous as the instruments build to a spectacle. The core melody gives the player excitement, even at 8-bit, as the piece takes twists and turns within the composition. The addition of the choir in future renditions from Nintendo is absolutely?? glorious as well. The Middle Ages does an intriguing take on the song with a version that features medieval instruments.

2. Ocarina of Time - "Hyrule Field"

//youtu.be/ZtQsAScXDOU

Some of the best The Legend of Zelda music occurs when you have a theme that excites you. That is indeed the case with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's "Hyrule Field." Right out of the gate, this theme sweeps you off your feet as you venture into the grassy area with Epona. That march drum beat and brass inspire you to move forward as the melody is complemented with harp sounds and imaginative string sections. Mohmega delivers a powerful rock cover of the song that feels like it belongs in Hyrule Warriors. 

1. Skyward Sword/Ocarina of Time - "Zelda's Lullaby"

//youtu.be/zkNXYhSbDz8

You could argue that "Zelda's Lullaby" from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword could be the loveliest video game song ever. As the name implies, there's a soft melody that's played beautifully by the flutes, strings section, and harp. It truly places me at a sense of ease whenever I listen to it. Hopefully, we hear a new rendition of it in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Eliott Tordo does a unique, yet stunning cover of the?? song with the Erhu, also known as a Chinese violin.

The post T?op 10 best songs from The Legend of Zelda series, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

They've got a friend in you

Sometimes you need a friend to succeed against the greatest foes. Just like Woody & Buzz in the Toy Story films, you can also have ??great companions in gaming.

They'll guide you to the next location, give your charact?er moral support, or sometimes even support you in battle. Here are the best companions in gaming history, ranked.

10. Midna (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)

[caption id="attachment_374779" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Nintendo[/caption]

The most memorable companion in The Legend of Zelda series is Midna. Her cheeky nature intrigues you as she gives a sly grin whenever you question her motives. That laugh is still in the back of my head too, even though I played Twilight Princess over a decade ago. Seriously, Nintendo, bring Twilight Princess HD to the Switch already.

She also helps Link turn into a wolf and take out foes in one fell swo?op. Whenever the emotional track "Midna's Lament" plays, you also remember the moments in which the character is on the brink of death. You care about the character and want to make sure she's safe. That's a sign of a great companion.

9. Donald & Goofy (Kingdom Hearts)

[caption id="attachment_374913" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

As you'd expect from Mickey's best pals, Donald & Goofy are extremely loyal to Sora. They were tasked with following the key in the first game and have since grown a strong relationship with the keyblade wielder. Goofy surprisingly acts as the voice of reason in the group, giving the teenager advice, while Donald becomes the irrational-but-kind comedic relief. They're extremely helpful in the games, healing Sora whenever he's in trouble or teaming up for powerful attacks like Trinity Limit and Duck Flare, among others. They're even looking for their lost friend in the Kingdom Hearts IV reveal trailer within the darkness of Hades' Underworld.

8. Pey'j (Beyond Good & Evil)

[caption id="attachment_374915" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Ubisoft[/caption]

One of the best companions in gaming that very few have heard of is Pey'J. He's the uncle of the protagonist Jade in Beyond Good & Evil. He's a charming little pig that provides humor along the way as he encourages Jade to follow through on her plans. Without a father, Pey'J becomes that figure for her, providing valuable advice to the heroine. He's also a technical whiz, building elaborate boots that lift him off the ground and help Jade solve puzzles. Play Beyond Good & Evil and realize how cool Pey'j is in this game.

7. Sully (Uncharted series)

[caption id="attachment_374916" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via PlaySta??tion's YouTube Channel[/cap??tion]

Someone that's always been there for Nathan Drake through thick and thin is Sully from the Uncharted series. Seeing potential in the youngster, Sully practically raised ?him to become a treasure hunter from when Nate was a teenager. During Nate's adventures, Sully has hilarious banter with the protagonist as he keeps up with the death-defying platforming ahead, despite his age. He's very loyal and treats Nathan Drake like a son. Their relationship is very sweet, and this comradery makes Sully one of the best companions in gaming history.

6. Atreus (God of War series)

[caption id="attachment_374922" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

The father-son relationship in the Norse-era God of War series is impeccable. Before Kratos teamed up with Atreus, he was ferocious, blunt, and, quite frankly, lacking in depth. However, as the relationship grew between Atreus and Kratos, the walls of his stoicism began to crumble. He finally began to care about the well-being of someone's safety, and it showed another side of the Greek god. It strengthens further in God of War: Ragnarok as Kratos learns to give his son more freedom and lets Atreus?? become who he wants to be. The natural progression of this father-son dynamic is astonishing and should be praised. Other than the story elements, Atreus is helpful with setting up attacks for his dad and can cause damage with his bow and arrows.

5. Kazooie (Banjo-Kazooie series)

[caption id="attachment_374925" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Super Smash Bros' ??YouTube Channel[/caption]

There are few other platforming duos that are more iconic than Banjo and Kazooie. In the Nintendo 64 era, they were the bee's knees as Kazooie helped the bear climb tough hills and glide across Treasure Trove Cove. The speech between the characters is endearing, even though Kazooie can be irrational from time to time. They also appeared as an exciting duo character in the Super Smash Bros. series. Hopefully, one day, Microsoft will finally remake Banjo-Kazooie or even develop a new entry for the ??Xbox Ser?ies X and S. Let's cross our fingers.

4. Ellie (The Last of Us Part 1)

[caption id="attachment_374928" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

There is a reason why Ellie is featured on the front of the cover rather than Joel. In The Last of Us Part 1, she is a key component? of why the game has connected to so many fans around the world. This companion, like Atreus, grows throughout the adventure as she begins to trust her father figure and is trusted to wield a gun to protect herself. Through her funny humor and sharp wit, Ellie is a great counterpart to Joel's furious nature. They work together as a duo so well, which makes the sequel devastating. By the end of the game, we truly believe how much Joel cares for Ellie due to the horrendous acts he pulls against the Fireflies to save her.

3. Clank (Ratchet & Clank series)

[caption id="attachment_374929" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PlayStation[/caption]

Clank is a quirky robot that stands (or hangs on) by Ratchet's side (or back). With his goofy laugh, the robot offers funny remarks about Ratchet's adventures. The two play off each other well as Clank provides the brains of the operation, while Ratchet is the brave warrior taking out waves of enemies with his cavalcade of guns. Their friendship is believable, and both the lombax and the robot go out of their way to help each other. Sometimes, it's even to their detriment, as we see in Rift Apart. 

2. Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog series)

[caption id="attachment_374930" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Sega[/caption]

Despite his young age, Tails is a genius inventor that helps Sonic in every way he can. Their friendship is endearing and has led them to many adventures, especially in the original Genesis/Mega Drive trilogy. One of the coolest moments is when Tails pilots the Tornado and escorts Sonic in Sky Chase Zone. In Sonic Heroes, he also helps Sonic and Knuckles fly through the air and land on the other side of hard-to-reach platforms. Sonic and Tails' friendship is like the hedgehog looking after a little brother; it's adorable. Tails is easily one of ?the best companions in gaming.

1. Luigi (Super Mario series)

[caption id="attachment_374932" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Nintendo[/caption]

Mario's longest companion and brother, Luigi, has always been by his side. As a fellow plumber, he has assisted Mario through many levels, fought goombas with his brother in the portable RPG series Mario & Luigi, and win tennis games as a duo. He was also successful in saving Mario in Luigi's Mansion, despite his huge fear of ghosts. While Mario and Luigi don't have the depth of Joel and Ellie's relationship, they are inseparable in the hearts and minds of many Nintendo fans around the world. Luigi's shy personality matches well with Mario's brave and upbeat quirks. It's evident from the movie adaptation of the series tha?t Mario and Luigi are an amazing team in the final batt??le against Bowser.

The post Top 10 best companions in gaming history, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses the most underrated or overlooked games

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight on Spot Dodge the crew discusses some of the most underrated or overlooked games ever released. One of the games at the top of my list is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

While the initial reception of Twilight Princess was very positive, earning a 95/100 average score on Metacritic at the time of launch, I've noticed over the years quite a lot of gamers have soured on the game as a whole. Whether it be gaming threads across social media or the various podcasts I consume, Twilight Princess has sorta become an afterthought for many Zelda fans.

//www.youtube.com/wat?ch?v=eRQps8dg7Qo&ab_channel=Destructoid

But why?

After Nintendo decided to go the cel-shaded and more kid-friendly route with The Wind Waker, players were clamoring for a more mature Zelda title. Then, when Twilight Princess was revealed, it was an epic moment in gaming history. Gamers rejoiced at the sight of the grim and brooding version of Hyrule in Twilight Princess.

However, years later, despite being a more "mature" Zelda title and the amazing critical reception, the game just isn't looked back on super fondly nowadays. Maybe it's the boring drag first few hours of the game that stuck with people the most or the poorly-aged art direction. Either way, I can't help but feel like Twilight Princess is underappreciated in 2022. It's a top-tier Zelda title thanks to its amazing dungeon design, genius new items, and disturbing iteration of Hyrule. Let's disc??uss!

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra speci??al guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming’s Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

Spot Dodge is a weekly N??intendo Podcast here at Destructoid where we dedicate an hour or two to go over the latest Nintendo news and discuss the games we’re playing. If you’re a fan of Nintendo Switch, RPGs, or having a good time, Spot Dodge will be a great addition to your podcast rotation.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube channel. Don’t be afraid to join the chat?? and be? part of the show!

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on both YouTube (don’t?? forget to follow and subscribe). So many options!

The post Why have Zelda fans soured on Twilight Princess? appeared first on Destructoid.

Best waifu

To build anticipation for this week's Breath of the Wild DLC, Nintendo has been posting blogs about the design process they've taken for each piece of content in the expansion. One of the more interesting pieces, focusing on the "Midna Mask," details where Twilight Princess' Midna originated from and ho??w she may have potentially been the star of her own game.

According to Satoru Takizawa, art director for Breath of the Wild, Nintendo was working on a secret project before shifting gears towards Twilight Princess. This game featured a "goblin/devilkin" type character who had qualities reminiscent of Midna's personality. Takizawa mentions that some of? the concept art included details like "the appearance looks like a monster or a chil??d" and "sometimes selfish, but sometimes cute and naïve."

While this may be referring to a totally new IP that could have featured the lovable imp, I'm guessing Midna was originally going to be included in Wind Waker 2. Takizawa revealed the first details of the cancelled sequel last year, so the more land based sequel prob?ably necessitated a sidekick that wasn't a talking boat.

Whatever the case may be, its interesting to learn more about the inside details from a company as secretive as Nintendo. I'm also a gigantic Zelda fan, so any design documents from the series pique my interest regardless of how mundane they m?ay be.

Cou??ntdown to DLC Pack 1: The Master Trials - Midna's Helmet [Nintendo]

The post Nintendo reveals new details on Twilight Princess’ Midna appeared first on Destructoid.

#1 will blow you away!

Eiji Aonuma has been the series producer (and occasional director) for The Legend of Zelda since 2000's Majora's Mask. He has taken Zelda in a lot of different directions and produced some of the greatest games? for each respective console. To say his impact on the series is limited would be just plain wrong, so hearing what he believes are the best of the bunch is intriguing.

In an interview with Game Informer, Aonuma sat down to quickly go over his top three Zelda titles and one that he thinks is u??nderrated. I'm a little surprised at his number-one choice, but he does explain his reasoning as being more sentimental than from a desi?gner/gamer perspective.

3: Twilight Princess - "Twilight Princess, because I wanted to create something better than Ocarina."

2: Ocarina of Time - "Ocarina of Time is a game that gave me ?the opportunity to create a 3D worl??d."

1: Phantom Hourglass - "This is something my wife also likes, Phantom Hourglass. That's number one. I was developing Twilight Princess, and the goal for that was to make something better than Ocarina. But then that game was something I proposed as a new style of gameplay, and I was a producer on that ga??me for the first time, so I have a lot of sentiment for it.?"

Most Underrated: Tri Force Heroes - "The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes. I wanted the?? users to play a little bit more of that game and have that exp??erience. I love that game."

I don't think Tri Force Heroes is really that underrated, but people do tend to rag on the multiplayer Zelda games for not adhering to the "traditional" formula. I actually thought Tri Force Heroes was far better than the original Four Swords in that it relied more on puzzle solving instead of just mindlessly killing enemies. What is more interesting to see is that he seems to rate the games based on his ex?perience creating them.

You could interpret that he feels Twilight Princess is inferior to Ocarina of Time, but I see it more as Ocarina was the first time he was allowed to explore 3D spaces. That must have been a monumental occasion from a developmental viewpoint, especially since designers were now able to explore a previously unavailable axis. I remember how blown away I was at 10 years old with Super Mario 64, so I can only imagine how designers fel?t aroun??d the same time.

Eiji Aonuma’s Top Three Zelda Games And One Underrated One [Game Informer]

The post Eiji Aonuma chimes in on his top ??three Zelda games appeared first on Destructoid.

I can deal without them

A few interesting tidbits came out of a Famitsu interview (translated by Nintendo Everything) for Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD ;with the legendary Eiji Aonuma and assistant dir?ector Tomomi Sano.

For starters, they note how Nintendo contacted Tantalus, an Australian developer (who also ported Mass Effect 3 to Wii U), to handle the port. The team also considered using Wiimote controls, apparently all the way into the middle of the process, but the fact that the GamePad has ??gyro support ultimately swayed them. Aonuma compared GamePad traversal to using a smartphone to get to a destination on foot.

I'm always preaching for options, so a third control method would have been really sweet in addition to the GamePad and Pro Controller inclusions. But two is enough, and the GamePad is the best way to play it by far, so I'm okay wi?th this choice.

Zelda [Famitsu via Nintendo Everything]

The post Th?e Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD nearly had Wiimote controls appeared first on Destructoid.

Once more into the twilight

My relationship with Twilight Princess is one of the most complicated I've come across in my entire gaming career. I completed it within a week of its launch on the Wii, and was left underwhelmed. It wasn't necessarily the waggle controls as they weren't egregiously pointless like some Skyward Sword bits -- it just didn't feel like a Zelda game in many ways.

But years later, I rediscovered it on the GameCube, and found myself connecting with it more. The dungeon design, for one, is simply wonderful, and it contains some of the best zones in the series. But I still had that lingering fe?eling of disappointment regarding many of the experience's core tenets.

With Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U, I had yet another reawakening. It may not be the best Zelda game, but it's a fantastic adventure.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U)
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: March 4, 2016

Thank god you can skip cutscenes, because the intro is still boring as sin. I'd go so far as to say it's the worst in the franchise, actually. Why are there not one, but two tedious goat-herding mini-games? On top of that, Twilight's team felt the need to essentially provide you with two tutorials, one for the human form of Link,?? and another for the wolf. An hour later you're off to see the princess with a semi-open Hyrule Field, but it doesn't excuse that painful opening.

Past that, the hand-holding mostly stops. Midna may pop up to give you hints every so often, but she doesn't outright spoil dungeons like Fi did in Skyward Sword. The "Twilight" gimmick also holds up throughout, particularly when you get the chance to swap between forms to warp around and frolic about as? a beast. It's built into the game in?side and out, not just with the gameplay but with the theme. Midna feels like a natural extension of Link, living in his shadow, belittling him and building him up at the perfect moments.

You can easily make the argument that the story is derivative, especially when they fall back on the tried-and-true "Ganon is the bad guy" reveal, but the real magic lies within the journey itself. The dungeons are some of the most memorable locations in Zelda history, and the boss? battles are just as striking all these years later. The Stallord confrontation still gives me chills, and the Snowpeak Ruins, a dungeon set to the backdrop of a relationship bet?ween two Yetis, is unforgettable.

Combat is possibly the best in the series. The back slice after a roll feels great every time, and the shield bash adds a new dimension to fighting turtle-heavy foes. The thrill of learning a new move from the Hero's Shade (which, according to Hyrule Historia, is the Link from Ocarina and Majora!) is still present. Each and every ability feels useful. Items like the pair of Clawshots show old favorites in a new light, and inaugural additions like the Spinner are fondly remembered even to this day. Even the ?Dominion Rod has its moments despite its limited use. Nothing feels like fat added on for the sake of it.

As far as the changes go, the GamePad is the most obvious upgrade. Like the recent 3DS iterations and Wind Waker HD, you can actually map items to the touchscreen, which is a welcome feature for dungeons that require multiple tools. It eliminates nearly all of the tedium, and can even be used in the thick of combat to provide for some interesting combos without having to pause the action over and over. The same goes for switching between forms -- no more talking to Midna and doing it manually, though you can still opt for that rout?e if you wish.

Off-TV play is also included, and does exactly what it needs to. I'm sure some of you liked the Wiimote controls in the original, and for you, the GamePad's gyro motion functionality is in for first-person aiming and the like. Otherwise, it plays out just like the GameCube edition, with the obvious touch concessions. Other changes are small, but just as welcome. Now instead of hunting down Poe souls at night, you can use a new lantern item to catch them during the day. There are also less Tears of Light to capture during each darkness sequence (it's 12, down from 16), which I didn't fully appreciate until I did that Panzer Dragoon-esque flying sequence.

Another awesome little bonus is that the Miiverse stamps are actually chests, where players uncover the Hylian alphabet in-game. It's a much cooler way of delivering stamps than a lot of other Nintendo titles. Then there's the amiibo bonuses, like the forgettable Cave of Shadows Wolf Link amiibo dungeon, and the G?anondorf super hero mode that quadruples enemy damage -- on top of the standard double damage hero gametype that's avail?able from the start.

But the alterations in general aren't quite as monumental as Wind Waker HD. With that release, Nintendo took an already timeless art style and touched it up to make it even more iconic. There was so much love and care that went into that game, and it showed with both iterations in spades. I'm not convinced the same amount of attention went into either Twilight Princess. I mean, sure, that awful blur effect is mostly removed and the framerate is more stable, but the art style outside of the Twilight zones isn't as memorable as other core entries. Even the main hub, Castle Town, lacks character and can't hold a candle to locales like Majora's Clock Town.

Little quality-of-life additions like GamePad item management go a long way with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. They manage to hide some of the game's less flattering blemishes, and let you focus on what it does best. While I still wouldn't put it near the top of the Zelda?? pile, it's still head and shoulders above most modern adventure games.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD appeared first on Destructoid.

Another 8-bit costume

A friend gave me the bright idea of trying to use the Wolf Link amiibo (from my recently acquired copy of Twilight Princess HD) in Super Mario Maker, and wouldn't you know, it worked??! Apparently the figure unlocks an 8-bit Midna and Link costume, as one would expect.

Curiously though, the description text seems to be a placeholder, as it's written entirely in Japanese. Nintendo probably wasn't counting on people trying it this early, but now that the cat is out of the bag, and with the frequency at which Mario Maker gets updates, we?? can exp?ect it to be fixed when the game actually launches.

The post The Zelda: Twilight Prince?ss HD? Wolf Link amiibo works in Super Mario Maker appeared first on Destructoid.

Do two generations make a difference?

The launch of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is right around the corner, but there’s still plen??ty of time for Ninten??do to show off some of the graphical improvements made for the remaster.

In the video above, you’ll see a comparison between the GameCube version of Twilight Princess and the new Wii U version. The difference is like night and day: it’s less jagged, there're higher-quality textures, and the shading’s a lot smoother. Also, look at Epona’s tail! It’s so swooshy!

Despite the numerous impressive upgrades on Wii U, there’s something about the GameCube version that looks appealing to me. I think s??ome ??of the vibrancy of the colours and boldness of the shading was lost in the HD update, which is a shame.

Twilight Princess HD is looking undeniably lovely, but, to me at least, it doesn’t stand out as a significant reworking of the game’s visuals like the changes Wind Waker HD made. We’l??l find out how it really is when it launches on Ma??rch 4.

The post How does Twilight? Princ??ess HD compare to the GameCube version? appeared first on Destructoid.

Nice

In addition to the officially confirmed amiibo dungeon for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, Nintendo has shared a few ne??w features for the game this morning. As well as inventory management, the GamePad can also be used to instantly transform into wolf form without pausing. Miiverse stamps have been confirmed in addition to the obvious Off-TV feature too.

There's even a new item called the Ghost Lantern, which glows when a Poe is near. Thankfully, there's also another huge change when it comes to the tedious Tears of Light sections, as only 12 tears are required, rather than 1?6??. Hero Mode will be present with double-damage in effect (with no health pickups available), and the wallet limit has been increased. Of course, using the Ganondorf amiibo will unlock a Hero Mode+ of sorts with four times the damage.

All of this sounds p??retty good, especially the Tear mechanic change, as it was the clear-cut worst part of the game for me.

Here's an updated roundup of what to expect from the HD version.

The post Nintendo confirms new Zelda: Twi??light Princess HD details appeared first on Destructoid.

Physical version

If you were looking to indulge in the upcoming Wii U version of Gamecube-then-Wii-game The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, it might be worth noting that Amazon has the physical version up for pre-order again. It's the one that co?mes with the amiibo that might lock out a dungeon.

The extra good news is that?, for Amazon Prime members, the physical, amiibo-pack in version is actually cheaper to pre-order ($48) than just the digital code ($50). Flip that amiibo and that's as cheap as you can expect to get a Nintendo game, especially day one.

Thanks TerryBroadway for the heads up!

The post PSA: Legend of Zelda: Tw??ilight Princess HD amiibo bundle back on Amazon appeared first on Destructoid.