The latest instalment in the “Iwata Asks” interview series on the official Nintendo website, focuses on Link’s Crossbow Training. As he chats to Shigeru Miyamoto about the development process of the game, you’re bound to learn lots about the making of this thrilling instalment in the critically acclaimed Zelda franchise…

 …who am I kidding? Did you even buy it? I’ve told you it’s there, I’ve done my part. Read it if you want. It’s actually quite interesting, for what it’s worth.

Iwata Asks: Link’s Crossbow Training

What more must be said? Now go, fellow Brits, and skewer moblins to your hearts’ content.

What more can I say? Link’s Crossbow Training is now out in America, packaged alongside the Wii Zapper. So all you trigger-happy Zelda fans can finally get your fix.

Also, today is notably the first anniversary of the Wii’s release in the States, and, as a result, also the anniversary of the release of Twilight Princess. Was that really a year ago? I think it’s about time to start nagging Nintendo about the next Zelda game!

Nintendo have released the European boxart for the awfully-titled Link’s Crossbow Training. Fairly plain, but okay for a pack-in.

The game page will be updated next week.

The European release date for the Wii Zapper, packaged with Zelda spin-off, has just been announced as December 7th, a few weeks after the US date of November 19th, but in time for watching your grandfather awkwardly try to play the game on the 25th of December. It will retail for an affordable £20, or €30, depending on whether or not you live in the UK. Professional impressions seem to be positive, so it may well be worth picking up if you’re a fan of A) Zelda, B) Lightgun games, or C) Both.

Nintendo released a trailer for Link’s Crossbow Training today, demonstrating a few of the game’s modes. Unfortunately, like every other Wii advert, it includes a variety of overenthusiastic families playing the game, so you’ll have to grin and bear it.

One cool feature which I didn’t know about is that in some levels, you can control Link’s movement with the anologue stick while aiming with the Zapper. I expected the whole game to be an on-rails experience. There are, however, some stationary and on-rails levels shown, such as target practise levels, and a level where Link is riding a familiar-looking canyon in a canoe. Check out the trailer, and let us know what you think!

Link’s Crossbow Training - GameTrailers

Today, Nintendo unveiled a batch of screenshots for their pack-in game for the Wii Zapper, Link’s Crossbow Training. Rumours previously hinted that the game will star Link (of Zelda fame) performing some sort of Crossbow-related Training, and today they were confirmed!
 
As the game is set in the Twilight Princess world, the screenshots show many familiar locations for anyone who has played Link’s latest medium-to-big-screen adventure. The first thing that struck me about the screenshots is that Link is on foot. I always expected Link to be on horseback in this game, but it’s no bad thing that either way.
 
The game will be packaged with the Wii Zapper, and released on November 19th in America. The screenshots can probably be viewed pretty much everywhere, but for your convenience, here is the Kotaku link.

Nintendo recently confirmed the strange rumour that their Wii Zapper product would come bundled with a Zelda spin-off game was true. The game is an on-rails shooter set in the Twilight Princess world. Taken from the official press release:

“Link’s Crossbow Training drops players into a world in the style of The Legend of Zelda®: Twilight Princess. Players assume the identity of hero Link, who progresses through a series of tests to perfect his crossbow marksmanship. Start with stationary bull’s-eyes and graduate to moving targets before defending Link against all kinds of enemies.”

This is certainly an unexpected move from Nintendo. It would have been more obvious to package a game based on Metroid, or the rumoured Duck-Hunt with the Zapper, as they have more in common with the concept of shooting stuff up with guns. A Zelda shooter was certainly not expected. Keep checking back for more updates on this interesting title, which is set for release in America on Nov. 19 for $19.99

Read the whole press release at Kotaku

Gaming Age are reporting that the announced pack-in game to be shipped with the Wii Zapper isn’t, in a move of profound misunderstanding, the expected Duck Hunt. No, it’s much worse than that.* It’s a game that, if released, will have the collective Zelda fanbase groaning into their pillows, and then inevitably and shamefully signing their name on the pre-order list like the hussies we are (hands up who’d like a copy of Tingle’s Balloon Fight). The game is Link’s Crossbow Training. Speculation over the nature of the game is fairly inconsequential: it would be fair to assume it does what it says on the tin. Link has never had a crossbow before so that’s kinda nice. What we don’t know is whether the game will use the Wind Waker or Twilight Princess graphical styles, but ultimately, do any of us care?

*Honestly, play it again Sam. House of the Dead 2 it ain’t.