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[[image:VanceHartke.jpg|frame|right|Rupert Vance Hartke]]
{{future game par|Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess}}
{{Infobox CVG| title = The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
|image = [[Image:The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess logo.jpg|256px|center|Official Logo]]
|developer = [[Nintendo]]
|publisher = [[Nintendo]]
|designer = [[Eiji Aonuma]] (director)<br />[[Shigeru Miyamoto]] (producer)
|engine =
|released = [[Q2 2006]]
|genre = [[Action adventure game|Action Adventure]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|ratings = [[ESRB]]: Rating Pending (RP)
|platforms = [[Nintendo GameCube]]
|media = 1 × [[GameCube Optical Disc]]
|requirements =
|input = [[game controller#Nintendo|Controller]]
}}
'''''The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess''''' is an upcoming [[video game]] in [[Nintendo]]'s ''[[The Legend of Zelda series|The Legend of Zelda]]'' series for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. Originally planned for release in November, Nintendo delayed it to [[2006]] so that the developers could add more content and fine-tune the game[http://cube.ign.com/articles/642/642238p1.html].
'''Rupert Vance Hartke''' ([[May 31]], [[1919]] – [[July 27]], [[2003]]) was a [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from [[Indiana]] from [[1959]] to [[1977]].
Footage from the game was originally shown at [[E3|E³]] [[2004]] in the form of a short trailer, and a second trailer was later shown at the [[2005]] [[Game Developers Conference]]. It features a realistic art style (similar to but more advanced than that found in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''), rather than the cartoon look that ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'' exhibited, although it will still make use of the [[cel-shading]] lighting effects and a modified version of ''The Wind Waker'''s engine. In a further departure from ''The Wind Waker'', Link is once again a young man, as in the second half of ''Ocarina of Time''. It is also believed that the game takes on a much darker tone than its predecessor, judging from the trailers.
== Early Life, Education, Military Service ==
A number of former rumors about the game were confirmed at E³ 2005. The official title, ''The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess'' was announced, and it was explained that Link would transform into a wolf. It was confirmed that it falls chronologically "decades after ''Ocarina of Time''", but before ''The Wind Waker'', and that "the hero in the adventure is an all-new Link"[http://cube.ign.com/articles/616/616118p1.html]. Interviews and a playable demo exposed many new details, such as Link beginning the game as a sort of shepherd or cowboy, Link battling on horseback, changes in the horse controls from ''Ocarina'', thematic differences between dungeons, and so on[http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/thelegendofzelda/preview_6125311.html]. Live feeds of this demo have also been published.
Born in [[Stendal]], [[Pike County]], [[Indiana]] on [[May 31]], [[1919]], Senator Hartke attended public schools in Stendal. He graduated from Evansville College (now the [[University of Evansville]]) in [[1940]], and from [[1942]] until [[1946]] Hartke served in the [[United States Navy]] and [[United States Coast Guard]], rising from [[Seaman]] to [[Lieutenant]]. Hartke graduated from the [[Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis|Indiana University]] Law School in [[1948]].
In recent interviews in ''[[Nintendo Power]]'', ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'', and the Spanish magazine ''Hobby Consolas'', director [[Eiji Aonuma]] revealed that [[Princess Zelda]] and [[Ganondorf]] will be returning. What their roles are is unknown, but the new character art shows Princess Zelda with a thin and somewhat effeminate sword, leading many fans to theorise that she will fight at some point, or at the very least defend herself. Nintendo is unclear on whether the [[Master Sword]] will be featured in the game.
== Legal and Political Career ==
Aonuma has also stated that the game will be much larger in size than ''Ocarina of Time'', and will have many more dungeons. He stated that Link can communicate with animals, but did not elaborate on this. He also confirmed that voice acting will not be in the game. However, characters will still grunt, laugh, scream, and make other such noises, just as they have in all 3D ''LoZ'' outings.
After joining the [[Indiana]] State Bar in [[1948]], Hartke began practicing law in [[Evansville]]. He also worked as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney of [[Vanderburgh County]] ([[1950]]-[[1951]]) and Mayor of [[Evansville]] ([[1956]]-[[1958]])before being elected to the [[United States Senate]] in [[1958]] and reelected in [[1964]] and [[1970]] ([[1959]]-[[1977]]). He lost reelection in [[1976]] to [[Richard G. Lugar]]. Hartke was also an unsuccessful candidate for the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]'s presidential nomination in [[1972]].
[[Image:normal_linkstanding.jpg|thumb|158px|right|Character art, showing the new Link]]
There have been claims that celebrities will provide voices for characters in the game, including that rapper [[50 Cent]] will play the horse and that [[Richard Simmons]] will play [[Tingle]]. This is obviously a hoax, stemming from joke entries on the game's IMDb page[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441877/]. The article also states that the game's name will be changed to The Legend of Zelda: Tingle's Revenge, which furthermore proves it to be a prank. Nintendo has confirmed that the game will not contain any extensive voice acting.
== Senate Service and Later Life==
In the [[Senate]], Hartke was known for his opposition to the [[Vietnam War]] and his chairmanship of the [[Senate Veterans Affairs Committee]]. Hartke died in [[Falls Church]], [[Virginia]] on [[July 27]], [[2003]] and is buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]].
=Project History=
{{start box}}
[[Image:Spaceworld2000zelda.jpg|thumb|200px|left|A demo to show the power of the GCN at Nintendo's 2000 Spaceworld convention fueled hopes and speculation about a new Zelda game with better realistic graphics than ''OoT''.]]
{{succession box | title=[[US Congressional Delegations from Indiana|United States Senator (Class 1) from Indiana]] | before=[[William E. Jenner]] | after=[[Dick Lugar|Richard G. Lugar]] | years=1959-1977}}
Speculation regarding a realistic Zelda game on the Nintendo GameCube goes back as far as Summer [[2000]]. During its 2000 [[Spaceworld]] convention, Nintendo unveiled the GameCube along with some demos for ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]'', an unnamed ''[[Metroid Prime|Metroid]]'' game, ''[[Super Mario 128]]'', an unnamed ''[[Pokémon]]'' game, and a ''Zelda'' demo where characters [[Link (Legend of Zelda)|Link]] and [[Ganon|Ganondorf]] fight. While Nintendo mentioned that the demos did not necessarily represent upcoming Nintendo projects accurately, the ''Zelda'' demo left a permanent impression on many fans.
{{end box}}
[[Category:1919 births|Hartke, Vance]]
When Nintendo unveiled a trailer for what would become ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]'' during the [[2001]] [[E3|Electronic Entertainment Expo]], many fans were surprised by the change in direction the ''Zelda'' series was taking on consoles. After the game was released in [[2003]], most of the criticism of the new style disappeared, as both reviews and word-of-mouth ratings for the game were generally positive. Many thought this acceptance (and the news that a "sequel", tentatively dubbed ''Wind Waker 2'', was being built on the same engine) signalled that the next Zelda console game, (not counting ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]'') would continue in that style.
[[Category:2003 deaths|Hartke, Vance]]
[[Category:United States Senators from Indiana|Hartke, Vance]]
At [[E3|E³]] [[2004]], this misconception ended, when a surprise announcement was made near the end of a Nintendo press conference. In an explanation for the stylistic departure from ''Wind Waker'', game director Eiji Aonuma described the title as being more specifically targeted to the franchise's North American audience.
The game was believed to be scheduled for release in [[November 2005]], until [[August 16th]], 2005, when Nintendo announced it would be released some time after [[March 31st]] [[2006]], because the development team needed more time to work on the game. A precise date has yet to be announced.
This delay of ''Twilight Princess'' caused a large number of fans to speculate that Nintendo was actually planning to release the game for the company's next-gen console, the [[Nintendo Revolution]]. However, Perrin Kaplan, Nintendo's vice president for corporate affairs, has confirmed that it will indeed be released on the GameCube: "...we feel a commitment to the GameCube owners who've been patiently awaiting this new Zelda title, and don't want to force them to wait and buy a brand new system in order to play the game."
=Story & Gameplay=
{{spoilers}}
The game begins with Link residing in Toaru Village (this name has not been finalized), working as a wrangler. This changes, however, when he is asked by the village's mayor to visit the Hyrule Summit. In doing so, Link leaves behind Ilia, the mayor's daughter (who some believe to be Link's girlfriend, or at least an admirer). It is his journey beyond the village which leads him to first encounter the Twilight Realm.
==Animals==
Animals play a big part in the game. Although it is confirmed that Link will be able to talk to some animals, and maybe even his horse, the exact roles of most of them are unknown. Dungeons are animal-themed, as revealed on the show [[Xplay]].
===Link, the wolf===
[[Image:LinkandMidna.jpg|thumb|256px|right|Link (in wolf form) and Midna (on his back)]]
Link will also be able to enter the Twilight Realm and transform into a wolf, much like the transformation into a bunny when entering the Dark World in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]].'' Link will be unable to use any weapons or items in this form, but will team up with Midna, a small character who rides atop Link wearing an odd helmet. As the Twilight gets pushed back, Link will regain his human form, altering Link and Midna's partnership[http://cube.ign.com/articles/616/616559p1.html].
===Link's horse===
In this game, Link's horse is apparently not [[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time characters#Epona|Epona]], despite looking very similar. While the E³ footage shows the horse's name as Epona, this time around, gamers can choose their own name for the horse. Whether or not it has a [[default]] name (as with Link) is currently unknown. In the gameplay trailers, Link picks some "[[horse]] [[grass]]", and plays Epona's Song, which has been confirmed to summon the horse.
Confirmed new mechanics for riding include Link doing battle with his sword or bow while on horseback, and the possibility of being thrown from the saddle.
===Link's hawk===
The hawk can be used much like the [[boomerang|Boomerang]]; Link can target objects, and send the hawk out to hit (and, probably, retrieve) things from afar. Whether the hawk can be used to attack enemies or is merely a puzzle-solving ally is unclear. It is called upon using "Hawk weed" found in patches.
===Cuccos===
As in the past games, Link can grab hold of [[cucco]]s to hover for short distances. This enables him to access secret or hard-to-reach places he could not normally get to. Unlike previous games in which they were always white, the cuccos in the E³ footage are brown, much like everyday [[chicken]]s.
===Goats===
Aonuma mentioned that Link "takes care of the goats" in Toaru Village, so we can expect to see these creatures in the game.
===Cats===
The second trailer showed Link petting some cats, and later picking up one of them and running off with it (with the others chasing after). What their role will be is unknown, and they were only seen washing themselves in the expanded third trailer. A cat was also seen in some gameplay footage where Link had to get it off a roof and return it to its owner.
===Dogs===
In new gameplay footage Link could pick up a bone and toss it to a dog. This could become useful later in the game.
===Monkeys===
In the new dungeon shown in E³ footage and in the playable demo, it appears that the dungeon is monkey-themed. Link rescues monkeys from cages; in return they help him cross a bridge to the mini-boss's lair, where he battles the bewitched baboon who locked them up.
==Enemies==
Not much is currently known about the enemies in the game; while some enemies from previous Zelda games return, as seen in the third official trailer, there are also many new creatures. Enemy [[artificial intelligence|AI]] is more advanced than in ''The Wind Waker.''
===Skulltula?===
[[Image:Ss6.jpg|right|200px]]
The identity of this monster is unknown, but it is most likely a Skulltula. Its appearance is reminiscent of a Skulltula, although the skull is only a pattern on the abdomen, whereas the Skulltula in the N64 games had a skull-shaped armored carapace.
These spider-creatures are seen in the dungeon in the new gameplay footage. They hang from webs much like Skulltula, and they may also leave their webs and attack Link from the ground. This enemy appears to have the ability to encase Link in a web as seen in the second trailer.
===Keese===
These staple enemies return with a new look. Keese fly around to attack Link and are easily defeated, taking only one hit to subdue. They are seen in a forest in the third trailer and a dungeon from gameplay footage.
===Stalfos===
[[Image:Normal stalfos.jpg|right|230px|thumb|Stalfos]]
Another classic enemy in the Zelda series, Stalfos have appeared in numerous screenshots and trailers. A Stalfos is a walking skeleton, usually equipped with a shield and sword, and most cases they are easily defeated by blocking and counter-attacking. Like the Keese, they have been give a new, darker and more detailed look.
Possibly related to the Stalfos are the skeletal beasts which Link fights in a graveyard in the second trailer.
===Lizalfos/Dinofols(?)===
These reptilian foes, originally from ''Ocarina of Time'', make appearances in a number of different places in the trailers. They appear to fight with swords and shields, and some wear a sort of skull helm.
===Moblins and Bokoblins===
These familiar creatures attack Link in various locations, including (a new addition to the series) from the backs of boars while he's on horseback, in what appears to be a new rendition of Hyrule Field.
===???===
Strange creatures, which bear a disturbing resemblance to something out of [[Lovecraft]]'s [[Cthulhu mythos]] or ''[[Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem]]'', have also been featured in the latest trailer. Apparently related to the incursion of the Twilight Realm into Hyrule, they are seen falling from an odd portal in the sky, and later being attacked by Midna and wolf-Link.
==Bosses==
One of the new mini-bosses is a giant [[baboon]], who taunts Link and throws a boomerang. Simultaneously, Link is being attacked by an uprooted Deku Baba with three joined heads; it crawls on the ground and snaps at him. Link needs to deflect the baboon's boomerang back by hitting it, then roll into pillars to knock the baboon off. He then hits its red bottom several times until it is defeated. As demonstrated in the second trailer, enemies' attacks can hurt each other. The baboon is revealed to be good once it is defeated by Link and a red-and-black cap falls off its head.
Another boss or mini-boss battle is a sort of jousting match with a Moblin riding a huge boar. To up the stakes, the creature has abducted a village boy, Colin, and is dangling him from the end of a pole! The goal of this match is apparently to knock the other rider from his mount and off the bridge on which they are jousting.
Gohma is also back, with a larger eye than in ''Ocarina of Time''. In the second trailer, Link is running headlong from it through a network of caves.
==Other Playable Character(s)==
[[Image:ZeldaTP.jpg|160px|right]]
Midna, a new character (who some speculate may be evil), is a resident of the Twilight Realm. At a certain point in the game she decides to team up with Link to fight a "greater evil" that she cannot overcome alone (fans assume this is [[Ganon]]). For these parts, the player controls her while she rides on wolf-Link's back.
There is also some speculation—mostly unfounded—that Princess Zelda herself may be playable in the game. The primary basis for this theory is a piece of official concept art (shown right) in which Zelda holds a sword. No official confirmation exists (indeed, there have been statements to the contrary), however, and the fan community is largely divided on the prospect and implications of such a move.
==Twilight Princess==
The origin of the game's title is currently unknown. It is believed to refer to a person, such as Midna or [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]].
==Weapons==
The game will feature some as-yet-unrevealed new weapons/items, and many classic Zelda armaments - some with new twists, such as the Gale Boomerang. This novel version of a cherished tool can create a small whirlwind capable of picking up items, including lit bombs, and delivering them to other locations, such as to an enemy or back to Link.
It has also been confirmed that some weapons can now be combined, as with the bomb-arrows seen in one trailer. (This combo actually originated in the classic [[Game Boy]] adventure ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'', and fans have been clamoring for the feature's return ever since.)
== Environment ==
''Twilight Princess'' will feature many different types of environments. In the trailers, aside from the dungeons which are an important ''Zelda'' feature and the mysterious Twilight Realm, forest and open field settings were shown, along with the small village where Link lives. There are also mountain areas, where Link was seen apparently sparring with a Goron. In the most recently released pictures, a market scene was introduced (most likely Hyrule Market), and snowy area where wolf-Link was running.
==Races==
===Gorons===
These rock eating creatures from ''Ocarina of Time'' are back, as seen in one of the trailers, although it has been stated the these will not be the same Gorons seen in ''OoT''. In the trailer, the Goron is standing opposite Link, fists up and bouncing around a bit, as though they were having a boxing match (though Link is using his shield). Link takes a hit and is knocked down.
===Zoras===
The Zoras ''may'' also be making a comeback. In an interview from [[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGM]] #195, Eiji Aonuma said "...Because it [''Twilight Princess''] is several decades after ''Ocarina'', it's possible some of the characters from that game might still be alive in this world. We've already shown the Goron in an earlier trailer; I think people can look forward to seeing if we include Zoras as well..." Nothing else official has been said regarding the Zoras.
==Other==
Returning in ''Twilight Princess'' is the popular fishing minigame from ''Ocarina of Time'', although its exact place and purpose in the game is not yet confirmed; i.e., a mini-game sidequest or part of the larger, main quest; it has been hinted that one of its final uses may be to fish up a boss which Link must then defeat.
Also worth noting is a rumored return of the [[Sheikah]], a supposedly extinct tribe of ninja-like warriors loyal the Hyrulean throne, originally found in ''Ocarina of Time''. This speculation is based on the presence of a Sheikah symbol on the back of Zelda's robes in the trailer. The symbol is a stylized eye with 3 spike-like lashes fanning out above it and a tear falling below. Originally seen on the chest of Impa, a survivor of the Sheikah people, in ''Ocarina of Time'', it was also worn by Sheik (who was actually Princess Zelda in disguise). It is not yet known what role, if any, the Sheikah play in ''Twilight Princess''. The symbol may just be a treat for fans, nothing has been officially said about it.
The character in the dark cloak with the Sheikah symbol on it in the previews appears to be Princess Zelda due to the similarities in the face and the headband Zelda is seen wearing in the artwork.
=External links=
* [http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/legendzelda/ Official site with trailers and screenshots]
** [http://www.zeldauniverse.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=237&pos=2','trailer','width=600,height=540'.focus() Trailer 1]
** [http://zelda.com/universe/_pop/trailer.jsp?trailer=2&band=1','trailer','width=600,height=540'.focus() Trailer 2]
** [http://zelda.com/universe/_pop/trailer.jsp?trailer=3&band=1','trailer','width=600,height=540'.focus() Trailer 3]
* [http://media.cube.ign.com/media/572/572738/vids_1.html Trailers and gameplay footage on IGN]
* [http://cube.ign.com/articles/615/615045p1.html Latest IGN impressions]
* {{Nintendo.com|id=fce85fe2-688f-4276-a3c2-84e0f270ab8b|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess}}
* {{imdb title|id=0441877|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess}}
* [http://cube.ign.com/articles/642/642238p1.html IGN: Zelda Delayed to Next Year]
{{Zelda_series}}
[[Category:Legend of Zelda games|Twilight Princess]]
[[Category:GameCube games|Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, The]]
[[Category:GameCube only games|Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, The]]
[[Category:2006 computer and video games|Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, The]]
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