Nintendo will launch a visually updated version of its Wii launch title The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Wii U next year, the company confirmed during its Nintendo Direct presentation event this week.
Co-developed in a collaboration with Deus Ex: Human Revolution Wii U porting studio Tantalus Media, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD will reproduce Link’s 2006 adventure in full while introducing support for Nintendo’s amiibo figurines.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess features a storyline in which players explore the Realm of Twilight, an alternate dimension wherein hero Link transforms into a wolf. Link is assisted by the imp Midna, and must explore a vast in-game world in order to break his curse and save Hyrule.
Originally slated to launch exclusively for Nintendo’s GameCube console, Twilight Princess was subsequently delayed and retooled in order to launch alongside the Nintendo Wii in 2006. The Wii edition introduced motion-controlled gameplay that mapped Link’s sword slices to Wii Remote movements.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD appears to be based on the GameCube version of Twilight Princess, which launched after the initial Wii release. While the Wii edition mirrored its gameplay in order to make Link right-handed for the sake of Wii Remote controls, the upcoming Wii U remake will make Link a lefty once more.
Tantalus’ remake of Twilight Princess will also feature button controls for Link’s attacks, addressing criticism commonly aimed at the Wii release’s reliance on motion controls.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD will hit retail as both a standalone package and in a limited edition that includes a copy of the game, a soundtrack CD, and an amiibo figure featuring Link’s wolf form. Twilight Princess HD is compatible with the Wolf Link amiibo and five previously released amiibo figurines featuring Zelda series characters, though the purpose they serve in-game is not yet known.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD launches for the Wii U in North America on March 16, 2016.
