12. Blue and Red
First on the list is a little detail that's very hard to catch for viewers who don't pay attention. In the new trailer, Link emits two different colored glows depending on whether he is on the defensive or offensive. Strange? Yes. What does it mean? We have no idea. What it boils down to is this: when enemies attack Link, or when their weapons clash, a flash of blue light is emitted in front of the hero. Oppositely, when Link swipes out at foes, a pronounced flash of red light engulfs his move. Readers have noted that in one scene, an enemy blocks Link's attack and a blue light is emitted. This could indicate that blue represents blocked moves and red represents successfully landed blows.
11. Orchestrated Music
Readers who have watched the new Legend of Zelda trailer multiple times will have undoubtedly already picked up on this truth. But casual observers may have missed that the new footage is accompanied by never-before-heard orchestrated music, presumably created in-house by Nintendo's Legend of Zelda development team. Could this new piece be part of a larger, orchestrated soundtrack for the upcoming adventure game? Unfortunately, Nintendo isn't talking, but nevertheless the trailer's music is a promising sign. If the new title does, in fact, employ orchestrated music, it will be a franchise first, and also a relief for fans dazzled by the Nintendo soundtrack in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Orchestrated or MIDI, any music in the new Legend of Zelda will likely be composed by Koji Kondo, who also constructed the classic songs in such titles as Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
10. The Man in the Moon
All right. Let's get this one out of the way right now. Some gamers believe that the moon, which was showcased at the end of the new trailer, features a face -- and in turn suggest a tie-in to the Nintendo 64 Zelda game Majora's Mask. We're not so sure we subscribe to the theory, but nevertheless we'll leave the final judgment up to readers. We've provided a screenshot of the moon, as it is seen in one of the final frames from the trailer. We've also taken the opportunity to point out the could-be face. Is it just a coincidence, or is a Majora's Mask-esque satellite watching over this new land as Link explores it?
9. Dual Worlds or Time Travel
One of the biggest rumors surrounding the new trailer and the accompanying released screenshots is that they might hint at a dual world or time travel theme in the game. Two official screens in particular could back up this theory. In one image, Link swims through a transparent pond, a big, curvy tree clearly visible beneath it. Another image spotlights what could be the same area void of water. A stretch? We've provided both pictures right here for a side-by-side comparison. The location could be the same. Or, Nintendo might have simply used a similar tree model in two different settings. Supposing the areas are identical, though, there's a distinct possibility that Link travels between two worlds, or alternatively jumps between time, in order to solve puzzles and advance.
8. Fighting and Riding
Nintendo has already made it very clear that the new Legend of Zelda will enable Link to ride on horseback and battle enemies. However, the new trailer offers further insight into the process, and proves that moving fights need not be limited to horseback. While Link can swipe out and knock enemies off their horses, the character can also defend his rear while riding his horse. Footage shows enemies attacking Link as he speeds his horse along terrain. Intriguingly, their arrows are blocked by the character's shield, which dangles on his back. Later, Link is seen riding atop a razorback boar and the hero can actually charge the beast at ground-based foes, literally uprooting the unlucky souls from the earth and sending them flying in multiple directions.
7. Bomb Arrows Return
Roughly halfway through the new trailer, Link can be seen riding on his horse over a small hill. The hero shoots down a ravenous flying creature with what appears to be a bomb arrow. Longtime Zelda fans will remember that bomb arrows first appeared in Link's Awakening for Game Boy. The character used bomb arrows for explosive effect, and they could even burn down bushes, revealing secrets. The only way to use bomb arrows was to equip both bombs and the bow and then simultaneously press both the A and B buttons on the Game Boy. There is still some debate about whether or not the footage legitimately proves the return of the bomb arrows, or merely highlights a fire arrow and an exploding enemy. Either scenario is possible, but we believe that the combined weapon is back. Nintendo has long hoped to include the ability to combine weapons in its Zelda series. The new game may take that idea and run with it.
6. Day/Night System
A Zelda trademark makes its return and with more detail than ever. The new video footage showcases various day and night times as Link explores the vast locales, including dawn, day, sunset, and night. It's not only possible, but given the history of the franchise extremely likely that the day/night system will go hand-in-hand with some of the title's ambitious puzzles.
5. Weather System
Based on the new footage and screens, it's clear that weather conditions will play a bigger part in Link's new adventure than they ever have before. The teaser showcases shimmering heat effects during the gorgeous sunset scenarios. It also highlights foggy locales, overcast skies, thunder, lightning, and yes, rain. Will snow and natural climate dangers such as tornadoes also show up in some form in the new adventure?
4. The Dead are Everywhere
Will this be the darkest Zelda game to date? It sure looks that way. As Link rides and fights his way through the terrain, he encounters the walking dead in every form. In one scene, the character makes his way to an eerie graveyard surrounded by foliage and drenched in rain. It's impossible to read what's written on the gravestones. In the same area, the hero fights off groups of skeletal beasts, possibly wolves (which would fit with the later video). Later, Stalfos Knights rise to life from piles of crumbled bones. More footage still shows off spooky transparent ghosts, presumably murdered guards, as they haunt the hallways of an underground lair. We don't yet know if this is a conscious theme, or simply a means to make the game scarier. There's always the possibility that Link will learn to harness the power of the dead using a special tool in the same way that the Ocarina enabled him to manipulate time. Of course, it's all just speculation at this point, but intriguing nonetheless.
3. Lens of Truth Reveals All
This looking glass item was an important tool in Ocarina of Time and it appears as though it -- or something like it -- has been added to the new Zelda. The Lens of Truth enables Link to see items or enemies obscured from the existing world. A snippet of footage demonstrates the item's functionality in the new title. In an underground dungeon, a group of guard ghosts appears seemingly out of thin air. The display is accompanied by a recognizable sound effect. Interestingly, this new item also appears to make visible some kind of yellowish trail as it flows, shimmering, through the underground lair. We can only presume that this trail could be scent in visible form. We can't wait to see what kind of hidden extras and puzzle tie-ins this trademark tool may reveal in the new adventure.
2. Link Takes a Dive
One of the most common complaints about Wind Waker is that Link was unable to dive and swim underneath water. As a result, a Water Temple, which was perhaps one of the greatest dungeons in Ocarina of Time, was not included. That could be corrected in the new game. The latest trailer clearly follows Link as he swims first head above transparent water and then dips beneath it. The camera actually drops with the character as he dives downward, shimmering realistically with the sway of the liquid. Great news for Zelda fans who loved the swimming mechanic in previous games, as we did. But even better are the possibilities, including a brand new Water Temple and maybe even Link's stylish iron boots.
1. Link the Beast Master
If there's one certainty, it's that animals play a big part in the new Legend of Zelda game. In the first released trailer, Link played with dogs and rode a horse. In the new trailer, he pets and picks up cats and rides a razorbacked boar. More intriguing still, a mysterious wolf appears in front of an ominous moon at the end of the latest teaser. Can Link command animals in this new game? Or might the character be able to change into them? There's even a rumor going around that Link's horse is able to transform into the boar and wolf. An examination of the video shows that both the horse and boar use the same gear. We won't know for sure for a couple of months, but it's clear already that a theme is in place.
