Zelda Release Date Pushed Back

2016 is going to be awesome… maybe.

In a move that surprised exactly zero people, Nintendo revealed that releasing the Wii U iteration of The Legend of Zelda before the end of 2015 is “no longer a number one priority.”

Zelda Wii U
I need to play this game.

In a short video announcement released on the Nintendo Europe YouTube page, producer Eiji Aonuma explained the reasoning behind the delay. “As the team has experienced first-hand the freedom of exploration that hasn’t existed in any Zelda game to date, we have discovered several new possibilities for this game.” Although he doesn’t directly say that the game won’t ship in 2015, this announcement all but confirms a 2016 – or later – release date.

Originally announcing the game at E3 in 2014, Nintendo was confident in their plans for a 2015 release window. At the Game Awards this past December, Aonuma reiterated their goal to see Zelda Wii U on store shelves within 12 months.

Zelda Wii U (2)
Let’s hope he hits the target… unlike Nintendo… ZING!

With this change-of-direction, Aonuma now says, “I feel strongly that our focus should be to bring all these ideas to life in a way that will make Zelda on Wii U the best game it can possibly be.” Historically, extra time in production means a higher quality game, but we will have to wait until 2016 to see if Zelda Wii U will meet those lofty expectations. You can view the entire video here, and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Good or bad move by Nintendo?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6Pzdl1wdUM&w=560&h=315]