Our members replied to the following question for this edition: If another Zelda game came out in the future, would you want it to be cel-shaded? Thanks to qbas, anster1983, erling, freakyhedgehog, Mike_D, rizz, the ever-contributing mattcube, well_chuffed, Cleggy, Liquid_Vegeta, CommanderSP, Lockey, Rickoss, demonj, sniper_cole, Bandersnatcher, Edge (our new moderator!), Severnik, Athriller, Zelda_Rulez, Nameless, L0rdPain, my good friend j7wicked, Nintendude, Dk_jr, scragglepuss and deltatri3 who took time to respond.

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qbas: Well it is pretty hard to say because I haven't seen Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker yet. If the graphics are awesome then I would welcome other Zelda with cell-shading. I think cell-shading allows much better use of emotion, well at least when seeing pictures of the game, it really tells how Link is feeling from his facial expressions.

antster1983: Having seen footage of the game on the NGC DVD, I have to say that the use of cell-shading (or as Nintendo put it, toon-rendering) is very impressive. It's a great way to have Link and the other characters showing more facial expressions and emotions, especially in an artistic form used by Nintendo for the first time. I would love to see some elements of this in the next Zelda game, however I wouldn't mind if Nintendo went back to using the Space World 2000 models for a future Zelda game on the GameCube.

erling: I really don't care what the Zelda games look like... I know I'm gonna embrace the new cell-shaded game as much as the others... gameplay over graphics any day.. yeah.. the Space World demo looked great... but does the GameCube really have the horsepower to deliver an entire Zelda universe with that kind of detail.. maybe on the next Nintendo console.

freakyhedgehog: Well I would like another look on the next Zelda. I really don't mind the cell-shaded graphics in The Wind Waker but I would like some variation. Because it would just feel like a Wind Waker clone otherwise. Kind of like Majora's Mask felt.

Mike_D: From what I've seen of The Wind Waker from video footage, Nintendo's decision to use cell-shading seems to have been a good one. I wouldn't mind at all if the next Zelda game kept this engine, although a realistic game would be great too. A game with Space World 2000 graphics would probably sell more copies too, of course. I just don't want the next game to be about pirates again.

rizz: I would prefer a realistic look. In Ocarina of Time, the realness could sometimes make it a bit scary for a 9 year old playing in the dark late at night. In The Wind Waker, looking at videos, it doesn't look as scary, but I have not seen many videos of inside dungeons. The cell-shading does give excellent facial expressions, compared to Ocarina of Time where it was mostly open mouth and big eyes as Link looked in shock. Whatever the next game looks like, I know I will still buy it, even if it was top-down 2D - simply because its Zelda,.

well_chuffed: Now that we have all got used to the cell-shaded graphics we all like them. I especially think the facial animation is incredible! Though I'd definitely still like to see that heavenly Space World Zelda demo made into a full game, the only thing is if they are making a game based on the Space World demo graphics by the time the game comes out, they will be even better! Metroid Prime has incredible graphics, I can't even imagine how much of an impact a Zelda game looking better than that will rock the world of gaming!

Cleggy: I would not have any objection to a new Zelda being cell-shaded, but I think I would prefer more realistic graphics in a new game. It would be great to see what Nintendo could do with a digitally realised Link, and what innovative gameplay could be woven into the game.

Liquid_Vegeta: I don't care whether it's cell-shaded or not, it's still amazing. With cell shading you can do more crazy funny stuff, with realistic it’s, well... realistic and makes your jaw drop to the floor. So both have their benefits and as long as Shigeru has his ever watchful eye over them I wont mind.

CommanderSP: Being one of the first people who supported this new Zelda direction, I will have to say that the next Zelda should be a realistic one. Having watched the excitement of Soul Calibur 2 with Link as a GameCube exclusive character, it seems that even if a large portion of the Zelda fans realised why Zelda: the Wind Waker became cell-shaded, they do want to see the Link from the Space World 2000 video. When the first videos were shown, some of them even felt a bit jealous that this is just a beat ‘em up game. It seems that the GameCube has reached a stage where third generation games can be produced, so exploring the depths of Flipper even more, another Zelda should be made. Even if there is not enough time for another game to be released before Nintendo's next generation, the next Zelda game should make all those who still do not like this cartoony look to rejoice. So do we want another Zelda cell-shaded game? I suppose the answer to the above question is positive, but the timing must be right. Zelda: the Wind Waker, using cutting edge technology, was able to produce a 3D cell-shaded world with drawings which can rival Miyasaki's drawings. The next game using this technique should be when technology allows for Link to look exactly like the Ocarina of Time manga. A time when Link's eyes are a lot more detailed and where his body is a lot more detailed. The first 3D adventure with an anime look was a success. It managed to bring emotional gaming to a whole new level with advanced facial expressions and a brand new feel. The second one should level Japanese animation with video gaming....I really can't wait for this day to come.

Lockey316: Well it depends, I haven't played The Wind Waker yet but I'm sure it would be a good idea to continue with the cell-shading for a number of reasons. Firstly, you could say Zelda is not a realistic game, an adventure or even a fairy-tale, and with cell-shaded graphics its far from true life, Miyamoto even said this. Secondly, cell-shading gives much more freedom in the way of detail and expressions from characters as can be seen in videos for The Wind Waker. But it doesn’t mean that its a bad idea to have realistic graphics, I think it would be great if Nintendo produced a "adult" version of the Legend of Zelda with realistic graphics, scary moments and a storyline more darker than any other Zelda game in the past. This would Nintendo in their quest to widen the age of they user base. Like they have done with the GBA SP. But for the moment I just cant wait for the Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker!

Rickoss: For me, it really depends upon whether or not it follows on from The Wind Waker or Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask. You couldn't make a sequel to The Wind Waker without it being cell-shaded; some may prefer the more 'serious' look, adopted by the Link character model in Soul Calibur 2, but surely the feel of the game would be vastly changed, meaning that deeming it a sequel would be wrong. But if it did follow on from the exploits of the Skull Kid, or Gannondorf's attempts to take over Hyrule, a serious approach may be the better idea; having a fierce battle with a cell-shaded Gannondorf just wouldn't be the same as it was when facing Ganon on Ocarina of Time. But out of the two, I would rather see Ocarina of Time get a sequel, it was just such an amazing game and I don't think even The Wind Waker could topple it.

demonj: Some people like the new look and some people don't, I respect that, but just look at it from Miyamoto's point of view, in every developers/producers life no matter what the career; film, games, music etc.: at one point they must go in a totally different direction, and this time its Miyamoto's and Links turn. There have been two 3D incantations of Link in the form of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask on the N64 so it is only right for Miyamoto to go in a radical new direction or else he will continue to do the same thing with Zelda but with a new storyline and better graphics. For example, look at Final Fantasy's director Yoshinori Kitase, why do you think that there is nearly fifteen different versions of Final Fantasy? Because he and the rest of the Final Fantasy teams have produce a new game with a whole new game engine with new characters and a fresh new storyline every sequel. They have kept the genre and game name alive through trying new things and look where that has taken them. No developer/producer should be scared to go in a new direction, it is the only way forward!

sniper_cole: When looking at a game like Killer 7 it becomes obvious that a game can be both mature and cell-shaded. I feel this would be the best way for Zelda to go, lose the "cute" look and replace it with a more hard hitting, more mature, but still cell-shaded look. Saying that though I love the old look and the new look and where ever they decided to take the series in the future I will always be getting it.

[in a reaction to this:] Rickoss: I think that [replace the cute look with a more mature cell-shaded one, ed.] would be a very bad idea. Changing Zelda so drastically and trying to make it mature could destroy the real magic of the game; it may make GTA and The Getaway fans happy, but for everyone else who likes Zelda games, it could destroy the initial feel of all Zelda games. Zelda is about adventuring, good gameplay and vast worlds, Miyamoto prefers to make less 'Market Controlled' games, he goes for the farce worlds in his mind and the amazing gameplay elements that make every Nintendo game that bit more special.

MeatAgent: I think yes, but I'd say that the next but one game will need a change in art direction. It looks new and cool now, and they could get away with another game in the same style (like Majora's Mask), but after that, it would look old hat and the chances are that many lesser software houses will have emulated the look onto their own games by this time. Nintendo, as usual, will need to innovate once the market becomes saturated with similar games.

Edge: Personally I like the new graphical style and, much like MeatAgent, think it's ripe for one more run. Unfortunately I can't say I'm a great fan of 'chibi' Link. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I feel his disproportioned figure is intolerable, I would merely prefer to see the more, for lack of a better word, 'realistic' look of the characters in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask implemented into a new 'Cube rendition. As for the future? Well, who knows what is going to happen. In a few years time cell-shading will probably have gone the way of the dodo to make way for the new generation of graphical techniques. Pop Art anyone?

mattcube: This is a tough one considering I haven't played the game. When I first saw it I was shocked like most fans but it grew on me I think it was the fight direction to take. With many realistic RPG/Action-adventures out there Nintendo had to made Zelda stand out of the crowd. And the certainly did that. The game markets itself - as they say "any publicity is good publicity". Think of all the magazine coverage and debate on the forums. Aesthetically I love the new Zelda. Its a breath of fresh air. Although a fan of Zelda I didn't like Zelda Ocarina of Time... I thought the game was dull and despite it being graphically advanced it didn't seem to retain that Zelda "feel" to the world around link. The Zelda at E3 was worse. Zelda its not realistic, even the characters in OoT have a slight cartoonish edge to them. Link is not a hard edged bloke in a grim world of goblins and orgs and anyone who has played pre-Ocarina of Time will testify to that. It just doesn't suit him and his clothes look out of place. If you wanted a more realistic Link then a total makeover would be needed. The new cell-shaded graphics add a new dimension to Link's world that really makes it feel like the Hyrule we know and love (although I don't think its set in Hyrule - but you know what I mean). However I have to agree with Edge that the proportion of the new Link is freakish and a cell- shaded version of young Link in Majora’s Mask or Ocarina of Time would have been better, but we always have the next game to look forward to.

Severnik: I really wouldn't mind. From the look of things, the new graphic style seems to work with the game, and from what I have heard, Nintendo have done no wrong in the gameplay or the other important things that many critics claimed would be. The facial animations are truly amazing, and the whole thing just looks like an amazing good game.

As for another Zelda game, I think that the cell-shading could work again, and I'm sure that Nintendo would, once again, come up with a cracker of a game. However, I feel that a more realistic Link would not just appeal to those Nintendo fans, but would provide a lot more support from those other gamers that are not exactly hardcore Nintendo, and would probably convince more non-GameCube owners to buy one for it.

Athriller: After playing the miracle essence of such a mind boggling, hair splitting, eye raising, thumb hurting, mouth watering, sword slicing, water popping, fire blurting, firework sparking and dead man decaying game I can honestly say I really don't care what the graphics shall be but I'm swaying in favour of cell-shading. Absolutely brilliant!

Spikeydude: I think the new look adds a definite sense of fun to the game that was missing from the too-serious Ocarina of Time. It brings back the fun colourful atmosphere of A Link To The Past, and it looks really good and fluid.

Zelda_Rulez: After seeing some of the footage of The Wind Waker, I like the graphics Nintendo used for it. Cell-shading really suits the game well in my opinion. Actually I don't really care about how the graphics are. If the gameplay is just as good or better than the previous Zelda it's fine with me. So for the next Zelda I would like to see it being cell-shaded again as it looks very good now. But I also wouldn't mind it being realistic.

L0rdPain: It's simple. I want the game to look like what Miyamoto wants it to look. The more fun he has in letting his imagination do the work, the better the game will be.

j7wicked: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask both had the same artistic style because they were supposedly the same Link in both games. So I think it would be correct to continue the cell-shaded style for a proper sequel to The Wind Waker (also it would mean the time to wait for the sequel would be less, due to the game engine already existing). I think everyone wants to see a realistic Zelda game, possibly to see if Nintendo can pull it off in a convincing way. There will always be the "hardcore" Zelda fans who do not really mind what the game looks like, so long as the general content stays the same, i.e. rescue the girl using funky gadgets (ok, dark-ages gadgets, but still) and weapons, battling through dungeons, etc.. A new style would be saying that the game is stepping in a new direction - which is why the Wind Waker style was so different to Majora's Mask: the GameCube is completely different to the N64. The next console from Nintendo isn't likely to be too different. What does that say about the next Zelda game? Work it out yourself. But I think that it's only a matter of time before a realistic Zelda comes out - it's what the gamers would love to see and Nintendo have to listen some time.

Nintendude: I'm fully behind the cell-shaded look now. At least until the next consoles surface. At the moment the realistic look wouldn't be as involving because we are not at the stage where it is truly realistic. However, the cell world is something you can immerse yourself in.

Dk_jr: The Zelda look, always an interesting debate. Well, if another Zelda came out I would not mind the look currently used. I feel that it effectively captures what makes most of the old games good, but one might say well this is the future of games, not the past and they would be right. The thing is: is this game based on something anywhere near realistic? No, it's not, and that's where the visuals come in to it. The visual style in the game is very colourful and bright where it needs to be, and dark and looming when it is needed. This fits the game because the story told is like a fairytale, and these visuals capture that feel entirely. This may only be one side of the argument, I'm sure what ever Nintendo decide to do, it will be spectacular.

Scragglepuss: Well with innovation comes new styles. So yes, Id like to see a new type of graphical style to be implemented in the next instalment of Zelda. The possibilities are open for Nintendo now. Will they opt for a Ocarina of Time style? Or maybe a simpler Mario style graphical attempt...? Maybe even an ultra realistic, darker effort from Nintendo, the style I'd like to see. This approach will not only open more doors as far as the storyline is concerned, but from a marketing viewpoint, its more attractive.

deltatri3: Zelda, as one of Nintendo's best franchises, should be accessible to everybody. I don't believe that cell-shading is enjoyed by every player of the game. I love The Wind Waker to bits and consider it to be amongst the very top of games ever produced, but as a 21 year old male I have to say that I did feel embarrassed playing the game once or twice in front of mates who don't know what Zelda is all about. However, on the other side of the argument I do see why Nintendo went with the cell-shading. The way in which you respond to the new Zelda with his facial expression is far more deep than in his old adventures, therefore adding to the whole experience. If Nintendo could find a happy medium to the style, a mixture of old and new, with a slightly older look, then I do think more people would take note. That's what I like about gaming: when people who would not normally get into a game like Zelda, suddenly realise that it's a whole new experience, and I'm sure that's what Nintendo would love to see too.

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Thanks again to the 27 forum members who helped us out. See you next time!