GC Zelda has been out a few days. I had been holding off on purchasing Zelda for my Wii until I'd had a chance to "break in" the new control scheme on a less critical title, just as soon as some other Wii game comes along that I actually might want to buy. As a left-hander, I find the Wiimote/nunchuk combo to be, unfortunately, a poor match, one necessitating several weeks of getting used to (I'm sure right-handers love it). It would be a waste to play Zelda under such conditions.
Meanwhile, I've been eyeing the GC version for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it actually freaking lets you use a traditional controller - something which the Wii version doesn't even pretend to offer. But almost as important is the fact that it's the version that is truest to the intent of the developers. The Wii version, by contrast, has the entire game reversed, including Link's hand orientation.
So why not buy the GC version now? Because I'd like to round up some data on how the two versions compare. Here are the two particulars:
1) Graphical quality and framerate. I've heard countless times that the GC and Wii versions are identical, including in these respects. But it'd be nice to know for certain. A lot of people seem to believe that the Wii is a more powerful machine than the GC. I say I'll believe it when there's a game that proves it, but it does leave room for doubt.
2) Widescreen. Now.. we all know the GC is perfectly capable of sending a 16:9 image. It's no different from a 4:3 image; the game simply has to be designed to adjust horizontal geometry accordingly. But I have heard that the GC version may, for whatever inexplicable reason, actually lack this option even while the Wii version most certainly offers it! If this turns out to be true, well, it's a disgusting example of anti-consumer marketing that earns Mr. Miyamoto a big black mark for showing his true colors. This would be the deal-breaker. So I hope this is not the case.
If there are other possible differences, feel free to chime in.
Meanwhile, I've been eyeing the GC version for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it actually freaking lets you use a traditional controller - something which the Wii version doesn't even pretend to offer. But almost as important is the fact that it's the version that is truest to the intent of the developers. The Wii version, by contrast, has the entire game reversed, including Link's hand orientation.
So why not buy the GC version now? Because I'd like to round up some data on how the two versions compare. Here are the two particulars:
1) Graphical quality and framerate. I've heard countless times that the GC and Wii versions are identical, including in these respects. But it'd be nice to know for certain. A lot of people seem to believe that the Wii is a more powerful machine than the GC. I say I'll believe it when there's a game that proves it, but it does leave room for doubt.
2) Widescreen. Now.. we all know the GC is perfectly capable of sending a 16:9 image. It's no different from a 4:3 image; the game simply has to be designed to adjust horizontal geometry accordingly. But I have heard that the GC version may, for whatever inexplicable reason, actually lack this option even while the Wii version most certainly offers it! If this turns out to be true, well, it's a disgusting example of anti-consumer marketing that earns Mr. Miyamoto a big black mark for showing his true colors. This would be the deal-breaker. So I hope this is not the case.
If there are other possible differences, feel free to chime in.
