Eiji Aonuma
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Aonuma was stunned by Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 when developing Zelda Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma revealed in a resurfaced 2005 interview that he was stunned by Capcom's Resident Evil 4 while developing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Aonuma expressed admiration for Resident Evil 4's direction and gameplay, stating he learned a lot from it.
Aonuma says Zelda Wind Waker was more compact than intended due to deadlines
The Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma revealed in a 2005 interview that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was made more compact than originally intended due to development deadlines. Aonuma expressed regret for this decision, stating his determination to avoid similar issues in future Legend of Zelda titles.
Zelda boss Eiji Aonuma was so impressed with Resident Evil 4 that he thought "I should have done it myself"
The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that he was highly impressed by Resident Evil 4 during the development of Twilight Princess, even feeling he should have created it himself. Aonuma discussed his transition to producer and how he learned from Resident Evil 4's direction, while also noting that the Resident Evil team might have been inspired by Zelda.
Zelda boss Eiji Aonuma became part of the series because Miyamoto saw him making his own SNES game in the wake of A Link to the Past: "I really wanted to incorporate some essence of Zelda into it"
The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that his directorial debut, Marvelous: Another Treasure Island, which was inspired by A Link to the Past, led to Shigeru Miyamoto recruiting him for the Zelda series. Aonuma has since been a pivotal figure in the franchise, directing Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and The Wind Waker.
Eiji Aonuma believed it was his "fault" that The Wind Waker wasn't as meaty as other Zelda games
The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma expressed that he felt responsible for The Wind Waker's perceived lack of content, attributing it to the need to make the game more compact for its release. He aimed to avoid a similar impression with future titles. The article also briefly mentions Shigeru Miyamoto's desire for horseback combat in Twilight Princess.
Zelda: Twilight Princess did what Ocarina of Time couldn't because Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto really "wanted to see Link fight on horseback"
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess implemented mounted combat, a feature Shigeru Miyamoto had desired since The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. While Ocarina of Time allowed horseback riding, it lacked combat capabilities, a gap Twilight Princess filled with Link fighting on horseback. Director Eiji Aonuma confirmed Miyamoto's long-standing wish for this gameplay element.
Eiji Aonuma tried to "graduate" from Zelda after Wind Waker, but Shigeru Miyamoto assigned him to Twilight Princess anyway and he figured he "should give up escaping" his "fate"
Eiji Aonuma revealed that he initially wanted to "graduate" from The Legend of Zelda series after directing three titles, including The Wind Waker. However, Shigeru Miyamoto assigned him to Twilight Princess, leading Aonuma to accept his "fate" as a Zelda game director. Aonuma noted that even his earlier game, Marvelous, shared essences with Zelda.
One of Nintendo's most important Mario and Zelda designers is set to retire
Takashi Tezuka, a key designer behind influential Nintendo titles like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, is set to retire on June 26, 2026, after 42 years with the company. Tezuka, who co-designed early Mario and Zelda games with Shigeru Miyamoto, also served as a producer on later titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Today Is Nintendo Legend Yoshiaki Koizumi's 58th Birthday
Nintendo legend Yoshiaki Koizumi celebrated his 58th birthday on April 29, 2026. Koizumi, currently Senior General Manager at Nintendo EPD, has been with the company for 35 years and has contributed to numerous iconic titles including Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Super Mario Odyssey.
Talking Point: Is Legend Of Zelda's Link Left Or Right-Handed? Let's Look At The Evidence
The dominant hand of Link, the hero of The Legend of Zelda series, has been a subject of debate among fans for decades. While Link was predominantly left-handed in early titles, including the original The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, later games like Twilight Princess (Wii version), Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom have featured him as right-handed. This shift is often attributed to design choices related to motion controls and controller layouts, though the character's ambidexterity remains a point of discussion.
Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom - Secrets Of The Zonai Book Is Now Available To Preorder
Dark Horse is releasing "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Secrets of the Zonai," an art and lore book chronicling the game's development. Available in standard and "Hero Edition" formats, both versions include extensive concept art, illustrations, and insights from the development team, with over 80 pages dedicated to the game's new myths and legends. Preorders are now open, with shipping expected in October.
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Secrets of the Zonai Art Book Announced for October 2026
Dark Horse has announced "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Secrets of the Zonai," a 472-page hardcover art and lore book set for release on October 20, 2026. The book will feature production art, interviews with key developers, and over 80 pages detailing the history of the Zonai. Two editions will be available: a standard version and a deluxe Hero's Edition.
There's A New Zelda Art Book Coming Out, And It Looks Awesome
Dark Horse and Nintendo are releasing a new art book titled 'Secrets of the Zonai' focused on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The book will feature illustrations, concept art, and interviews with the game's development team, with standard and collector's editions available for pre-order.
How Zelda’s Hidden Monster Patrols Make Hyrule Feel Truly Alive
The Monster Control Crew patrols in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom create a sense of a living, dynamic world by engaging in unpredictable battles. This emergent storytelling, inspired by Koei Tecmo's Hyrule Warriors, makes Hyrule feel more inhabited and alive, moving beyond static open-world design.
French government awards knighthoods to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs
The French government has honored 28 members of Sandfall Interactive's development team with knighthoods in the Order of Arts and Letters for the success of their game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Minister of Culture Rachida Dati stated the game represents a major moment in French video game history and restores confidence to the sector.
