This news is three days late, but perhaps many of you are like me and don’t have time to look at the latest Nintendo Video content…unless it’s really good. Trust me when I say that the little blue indicator light by your Nintendo Video icon means more than you usually expect this time. In this case, it means you get a taste of the Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony Soundtrack CD, copies of which will be packed in with the first shipment of Wii-bound Skyward Sword. So what are you waiting for? Crack open that rusted system and take a look! Oh, and I would highly recommend the use of headphones for this one.

Are you excited for the 25th Anniversary Soundtrack?

- Not quite sold on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s upcoming 3DS remake? David Young, Nintendo of America’s Associate Public Relations Manager, has announced that the 3DS remake will include Master Quest. Until now, the only way we’ve been able to play Master Quest, a re-worked version of OOT with more challenging puzzles and enemies, is through the Wind Waker pre-orer bonus disc, The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition. I’d like to see a brand new dungeon included before I indulge, but the inclusion of this Zelda rarity sure doesn’t hurt. (Nintendo World Report)

- Not to be outdone by Mario’s 25th anniversary, Iwata has confirmed that Zelda will be getting “something” in 2011 to celebrate its own quarter century of gaming greatness. Perhaps a Wii compilation a la Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition is waiting in the wings, but since Nintendo has already given us the Zelda Collector’s Edition, I would hope any such new celebratory collection would include other discontinued Zelda games that weren’t included in the first set, such as A Link To The Past or some of the handheld titles (Oracle of Seasons/Ages and Link’s Awakening DX, anyone?). (Aussie-Nintendo)

- Nintendo is lauding the launch of Pokemon Black and White with a spectacular event at Rockefeller Center. The event will offer game-play kiosks, Liberty Pass downloads, free t-shirts, and The Presidents Of The United States of America performing an all new song, Can’t Stop (Catchin’ ‘Em All), written specifically in honor of Pokemon Black and White. Wow. Anyone in New York going to check out the Pokemon bonanza? (Business Wire)

- There was a lot of speculation about how Nintendo would advertise the 3DS. Would they use paper ads with 3D glasses enclosed? How about playable in-store demos? Turns out they are instead relying on “douchebag” reactions to the 3D technology, to use Destructoid’s terminology. After watching the ads, it’s hard to disagree that the ads have a bit of an over-emoting douchey feel, but given the average consumer’s tendency to formulate an opinion based on others’ reactions and reviews, it may not be the worst strategy Nintendo has ever had.  (Destructoid)

On February 21, 1986 — 25 years ago today — Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Since then, the Zelda series has gone to become as iconic, recognized and truly legendary as its trademark golden cartridges. From Hyrule to Termina and beyond, we’ve gone on some truly ground-breaking adventures with Link as each Zelda installment intricately refined the action-adventure genre with its memorable cast of heroes and villains, challenging and exciting gameplay, unforgettable classic tunes, all set in an enchanting world that recalled the limitless imagination and mischief of a young Miyamoto exploring the forest caves of his childhood home.

Other sites have focused on the oddities of the series and silly Zelda-related merchandise and spin-offs that have sprouted up over the years, but I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the lasting impact of a series that completely changed my understanding of how magical and immersive a videogame could be. Despite our culture’s tendency to throw the word “epic” around in a cavalier fashion to describe everything in the world, The Legend of Zelda is a franchise that has stood the test of time and truly deserves the accolades it has received. It is our generation’s video Odyssey and a modern masterpiece in every sense of the word.
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