 Nintendo
of America today confirmed that gamers who pre-order The Wind Waker
at participating retailers will receive a limited-edition disc
including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of
Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest. Distribution of the bonus disc
will begin on February 16, 2003 - more than
a month before The Wind Waker's scheduled March 24, 2003
release.
"We were surprised consumers tracked the program in Japan and
were begging us to do it here," explains Peter MacDougall,
Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Nintendo of America. "We
decided it was a great idea and one we know consumers really want.
Making this pre-sell program available to the fans, it solidifies
Nintendo's commitment to the hardcore gamer, while introducing the
series to a whole new generation of gamers."
GameCubicle originally reported
this story on December 4th.
Nintendo Press Release:
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Zelda Series Gets Legendary Pre-Sale Offer in the United States
REDMOND, Wash. - Dec. 17, 2002 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
is set to launch for Nintendo GameCube on March 24, 2003. But in
North America, consumers already are pushing for an early pre-sell
effort so they can be guaranteed a copy of the game.
Starting Feb. 16, 2003, Nintendo fans can get a double-hit of Zelda.
When a customer places a deposit for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind
Waker at a participating retailer, they'll receive a special,
limited-edition playable disk featuring two games: The Legend of
Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Master Quest -- an updated version of the game which was never
released outside of Japan.
Nintendo Co., Ltd. in Japan introduced a similar pre-sell program
last month. Nearly 500 consumers called Nintendo's North American
consumer service line asking for the same program here.
"We were surprised consumers tracked the program in Japan and
were begging us to do it here," explains Peter MacDougall,
executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America
Inc. "We decided it was a great idea and one we know consumers
really want.
"The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker game raises the bar on
digital entertainment with a unique and technologically advanced
graphic style and compelling story," continues MacDougall.
"Making this pre-sell program available to the fans, it
solidifies Nintendo's commitment to the hardcore gamer, while
introducing the series to a whole new generation of gamers."
Originally released for the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda:
Ocarina of Time was honored as the 1999 Academy of Interactive Arts
& Sciences "Game of the Year" and also named
"Game of the Century" by Next Generation magazine. To
date, worldwide sales of The Legend of Zelda series have surpassed
36 million software units. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker will
retail for a suggested price of $49.95.
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