Fans clamoring for a new Zelda game outside of the Nintendo 3DS are stuck waiting just a little bit longer until they can get their hands on the next epic chapter of this iconic franchise.
The new as-yet-untitled Legend of Zelda game has reportedly been delayed until next year, where it is set to debut on both the WiiU as well as a new, mysterious console. Nintendo tweeted the news early on Wednesday:
The new Legend of #Zelda will be the focus of #E3 2016. It will launch simultaneously on both Wii U and NX in 2017 pic.twitter.com/icfBlybnkm
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 27, 2016
E3 2017 is scheduled to take place on June 14, 2017—a full three years since the Zelda game was announced by Nintendo. This marks the second time that Zelda developers have stressed the need for more time. A previous 2015 release date was pushed back with Nintendo stating that as Zelda‘s expansive open world continue to widen, so too had its path towards conclusion.
As of this juncture, it appears that Nintendo knows what it’s going to take to get Zelda out the door before it hits another embarrassing delay. In a press release, the company stressed that the delay was merely to allow time for finishing touches to be made to the game:
The latest installment in this classic franchise is scheduled to launch simultaneously for both Wii U and NX, and both versions of the game have been in development in tandem. Because developers need more time to polish the game, it will launch in 2017, but it will be the focus of Nintendo’s presence at E3.
In addition to Zelda‘s release, Nintendo is set to unveil its NX in 2017. The console will reportedly make no appearances at E3 but will instead be launching three months prior to the event.
