For those of you who haven't read any gaming site's recent news, then let me give you a brief update.

Famitsu, one of the most respected gaming magazines in Japan (and in the world), have revealed that the new Zelda game "Kaze no Takuto" will include a bonus miniDVD for those who pre-order it between November 28 and December 12. As for now, the offer is only valid in the land of the rising sun.

What exactly will this disc contain? Along with the sure-to-be revolutionary work of art "Kaze no Takuto", those lucky Japanese gamers will get to play Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time and its 64DD counter-part URA Zelda.

Not much has to be said about Ocarina of Time, we all know this game's potential and how successful it was pretty much all over the world. On the other hand, Ura Zelda is a rather strange title. In the years between the release of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, new information arose regarding what was to be considered an "add-on", featuring more adventures, different temples, etc.



In August 1999, Nintendo announced that Zelda Gaiden (which later transformed into what is now known as Majora's Mask) was a separate game from Ura Zelda. Naturally, after this event, the 64DD sequel lost some of its Zelda fan's interest, which now concentrated on the imminent release of Link's new adventure in the land of Termina.


Still, little (and usually very vague) information was released from Miyamoto himself regarding Ura Zelda, the most interesting one being the following: "the title might support the GB Camera to create masks for Link. Miyamoto hinted of this possibility in a 64 Dream interview. If this does turn out to be true, gamers will be able to create their own masks in Talent Studio and implement them into Ura-Zelda." Obiously, this feature was not used and might have only been a mixed rumour deriving from Majora's Mask. Nonetheless, fans eagerly awaited the release of the game (and of the new add-on console) but were soon disappointed when they discovered that not only would the 64DD release be only in Japan, but since it wasn't at all a big hit with the public, it would only be sold in limited copies. Getting your hands on a copy of Zelda DD, even in Japan, was a difficult, almost impossible task.



Now, it looks like another chapter will be added to the story of Ura Zelda. Smart gamers that will be quick to pre-order their version (and who wouldn't?) can finally own this mysterious title which might feature new characters, new items, new temples, and (take a deep breath) maybe even a new quest to obtain the long-desired Triforce. Only time will tell...not that much time either.

Will this gift find its way through the American and European market? Why not?
Every gamer knows about the greatness of Ocarina of Time, and all those who skipped the Nintendo 64 gaming generation can get another chance to experience this masterpiece, along of course with the new Zelda game, which should be in no way undervalued. So not only would it be a great gift on behalf on the Nintendo Sages, it would prove to be a demonstration of a great marketing strategy, aimed, not only at new fans, but also on that large group of us who admired the Nintendo 64's great successes.

Let's just hope this disc will also charm the US and Europe?s gaming community.