The Hylia - NP Awards and Interview

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The May 2006 Issue of Nintendo Power arrived to members last week, and unlike another publication that failed to deliver new Twilight Princess information, NP delivered, if but just a small morsel. The latest issue delves into the mind of Makoto Miyanaga, the assistant director to Eiji Aonuma, and his tireless work to bring Mr. Aonuma's vision to life. The annual Nintendo Power awards winners were announced, and The Minish Cap took home several honors.

First, the 2005 NP awards were announced. The Minish Cap took home the award for Game of the Year - GBA (NP's Pick, Reader's Pick, Best Adventure Game (Reader's Pick), and Best New Character - Ezlo (Reader's Pick). The game triumphed over such competition as Final Fantasy IV Advance and Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. The Minish Cap was edged out in most other awards by other organizations and publications, but it seems the Nintendo faithful rewarded an early blockbuster (RE 4 also took home many awards, including best game).
GBA Game of the Year
The interview with Makoto Miyanaga discusses the usual bit like all the previous Inside Zelda columns; we learn how he got started with Nintendo and what his current responsibilities are. The most intriguing bit of info, which was released last week, was how the Wolf Link segments are only just now being "finished" and looking good - good enough that we'll get to play them at E3 2006. These remarks should help fans understand why Twilight Princess was delayed last year - if they are now just finishing the Wolf Link segment, just how far along were they last year?

The other interesting tidbit is how Miyanaga remarks how much Midna has grown in the past few months, and how we will see her emotional sides and her motivation unfold. Most speculated Midna was simply a minor character who played more of an "aid" role, like Navi before her, but these remarks appear to imply Midna is much, much more than that. Perhaps we will find out at E3 2006?

Looking ahead, the upcoming issue section didn't have anything on E3 or Twilight Princess or Phantom Hourglass. Next month's issue, the July Volume 204, should reach members at the end of April, right before E3. It's unlikely we will get anything revolutionary in terms of new info from Nintendo Power, and it seems like nobody else is getting anything (contrary to what we were told last month by editors of two publications). It seems like Nintendo is holding the final joyride for the GCN firmly in secrecy. Perhaps there is still one last piece of the puzzle we don't know. Perhaps it has to do with the possibility this game could just come out solely on Revolution (why haven't they shown a single new screen in eight months)?

Source: Nintendo Power