Massive Zelda Gaiden update

[08.27.99] » Space World reveals new characters, masks, abilities, and locations.

   Nintendo's Space World show opened its door to the public today, and undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions was Zelda Gaiden, the follow up to Zelda 64. Three different demos of the game were offered: one centering on a variety of race segments, and two others that offered tours of the game's battles and locations.

   From the demos, it's obvious that Zelda Gaiden's gameplay is centered around the masks that Link can put on to transform into other creatures. A brand new Mask subscreen has been added to hold Link's masks; though only three masks (Goron, Zora, and Deku Scrub) have been shown so far, the menu has slots for 20 of them! (Another new menu screen bears the inscription "Top Secret: Coming Soon"... we'll leave you to guess at what that could be.)

   New abilities for each of three masks were also revealed. As a rock-like Goron, Link can lift heavier objects (the Goron transformation apparently replaces the Gold and Silver Gauntlets) and perform a Sonic-style spin dash: Goron-Link rolls up into a ball and tears across the countryside. This ability was used one of the Space World demo's most impressive sequences, a "rolling-ball" race against numerous other (real) Gorons. Goron-Link can also play a mean set of bongo drums, though what use this has is yet to be determined.

   The other two masks, while not quite as impressive as the Goron Mask, showed promise as well. Zora-Link swims through labyrinthe underwater tunnels (with enhanced water effects) and plays a guitar made of fish bones. And as a Deku Scrub, Link can run on water and spit seeds, just like the Deku Scrubs of Zelda 64, plus he can glide through the air when he picks up a certain kind of flower. Deku-Link can also play a horn -- it seems that all the masked Links have their own unique musical talent, though how these abilities will be used is still a secret to everyone.

   Space World showed more than just masks, however. The other two "tours" -- the Battle Tour and Dungeon Tour -- offered a look at some of the game's new characters and locations. The environments are much more diverse than those of Ocarina of Time; in Gaiden, Link explores a vast jungle, a snow-covered mountain, a swamp, and even a Castlevania-esque clock tower. Many new characters and enemies appear as well -- gamers riding the Navi-bashing bandwagon will be pleased by the inclusion of an evil version of Link's fairy companion to battle, while Ingo, a giant Malon, hopping green blobs, and voracious swamp plants add to the cast of allies and villains. You'll also see more of each enemy in the game, thanks to the Expansion Pak -- in one scene of the Space World demo, Link squared off against six Stalfos at once.

   The GIA is still campaigning for Pols Voice's inclusion in the sequel.