Gamers Take Detour from Vice City and Head to Hyrule

The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker Generates Record Pre-Sell Numbers

Since it was first announced, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker pre-sell program for Nintendo GameCube has captured the hearts and attention of gamers across the country.

Still two weeks from launch, more than 560,000 Zelda fans have reserved their copy of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and received the nearly sold-out limited-edition disk featuring two playable, full-length games originally for the Nintendo 64: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest, for a suggested retail price of $49.95. This makes The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Nintendo's most successful pre-sell program in history.

"The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the most anticipated video game in Electronics Boutique's history based on our pre-orders, even outpacing last year's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," says Jerry Madaio, vice president, merchandising, Electronics Boutique. "And the number of pre-orders is still growing! Clearly, this game's appeal is so wide, that it is a 'must-have' for any Nintendo GameCube owner."

"Given the history of the Zelda series, we expected overwhelming interest, and this solidifies the ever-growing phenomenon and attraction gamers have to the characters and story," explains George Harrison, senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications, Nintendo of America Inc. "It doesn't matter which system you own, gamers across the world respect and anticipate the launch of any Zelda game and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a killer application that will move hardware."

Launching March 24, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is an epic adventure that will have the character Link sailing the high seas and searching for clues to his sister's mysterious disappearance. The game is brought to life with incredible toon-shaded visuals and a unique facial animation system. Link's eyes not only show his emotions but also provide hints and spot danger, inspiring a sense of wonder in players of all ages. Connect the Game Boy Advance, via the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance cable, and players can summon the mapmaker Tingle to uncover hidden secrets to help Link in his voyage.

To date, worldwide sales of The Legend of Zelda series have surpassed 36 million software units.

GameFeed

WOW! That is a lot of copys preordered and to think people were confused and angrey at the toon shaded Zelda.

And that's why I am one of those lucky reservers. I don't know what number,but I have to admit the game is cool and all,but Cel-Shading is going to take some time to get used to.

Ah, I'm one of the 560,000 people who helped set this record, so in a way, I set a record.

Yes record breakers unite!

.

Me too. One of the 560000.
My friend was saying to me that this game was not going to sell because of the graphics. Well this proves him wrong.

Ya funny my best friend and I were looking in a magazine and he looked at Zelda and said thats crappp look how blocky the graphics are then he looks at oot masterquest and says look sora those graphics are so smooth. Then I get up and go to the bathroom.

To think I am one of those people who pre-ordered them games makes me proud

I was number 116 when I reserved and I live in Omaha, Nebraska. The next day, my friend went to reserve it and he was number 137. I got Master Quest and OoT and those are great! I cannot wait for Wind Waker.

I feel glad to be part of the hype. I really do. It's a good feeling. Anyway, just a general fact, did you guys know that before Vice city records Legend of Zelda OoT held the preorder record? I have it in my Guinness Book of Records 2000. It's pretty cool.

Congratulations to TLoZ:TWW!

It's pretty most of us help set a record, actually trashing GTA: Vice City. I used to think the game was total crap, I don't know what made me want to pre order it, I guess I'm a Pure Zelda fan. 560,000... hrmm...
Anywhoo,
Congradulations Nintendo!

oh ya. nintendo rocks..shifts eyes left to right while squinting.

quote Double Dude

It's pretty most of us help set a record, actually trashing GTA: Vice City. I used to think the game was total crap, I don't know what made me want to pre order it, I guess I'm a Pure Zelda fan. 560,000... hrmm...
Anywhoo,
Congradulations Nintendo!

Maybe because of the 2 extra games