After being announced at E3 2014 for a release later this last year, Nintendo has released a special announcement video featuring series producer Eiji Aonuma to confirm that The Legend of Zelda Wii U is "no longer targeting a 2015 release." Pledging to use the extra time to make this next title in the franchise the best Zelda title yet, and using phrases such as "the Ultimate Zelda game", Nintendo also separately confirmed that the title will not be shown at this years E3.
Previously the game has been shown off at The Game Awards last year, during a "world premiere" showing off gameplay from the title in an off-screen commentary between Aonuma and Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto. Specifically notable for this release is not only the proposed open-ended nature of the title, but also the extra ambition that has been shown throughout the current development.
Although this delay will impact the Wii U's 2015 upcoming line-up; Nintendo still pledges to release Splatoon, Yoshi's Wooly World, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Mario Maker, and Star Fox Wii U later this year. Splatoon recently got a deluge of information, and is scheduled for a release this May - while Xenoblade Chronicles X is suiting up for its Japanese release in just a few weeks.
Arguably the most interesting piece of information from this announcement is the decision to hold Zelda Wii U back from appearing at this upcoming E3. Without the latest Zelda title to fuel the proverbial fire, it's left up to interpretation exactly what Nintendo has in store for the quickly encroaching conference in its stead.
What do you think Nintendo has in plan for this E3? Do you think that delaying the Zelda title was a smart move; why or why not? Finally, is Nintendo's 2015 line-up going to especially suffer from this delay?
