The Legend of Zelda has followed Link and Princess Zelda for 25 years, but now fans can share their passion for the series and document its history with a new 25th Anniversary Website. The anniversary Website includes an interactive history of The Legend of Zelda, as well as a video featuring the orchestra that performed Zelda-franchise music at E3 2011.
Starting today through Sept. 9, Nintendo DSi or Nintendo DSi XL owners are also invited to create their own flipnotes, or short animations, inspired by The Legend of Zelda series. Nintendo DSi or Nintendo DSi XL owners can use one of three flipnote templates with music from The Legend of Zelda series, then complete and upload their creations via the Flipnote Studio application. Flipnote Studio is available as a free download from the Nintendo DSiWare service, and also comes pre-installed on select Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL hardware.
Fans can also submit a paper entry by mail. The best Zelda-themed flipnotes will be evaluated by key Nintendo developers who have worked on the series – including Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka, Eiji Aonuma and Yoshiaki Koizumi – and posted for fans to enjoy on the Zelda 25th anniversary Website, the Wii’s Nintendo Channel and Flipnote Hatena on Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems.
Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda 25th anniversary celebration also includes the recent launch of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 3DS, which we’ve reviewed here. Later this year, Nintendo will launch The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii. In September, Nintendo will offer the multiplayer The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords as a free gift to fans, who can download a Nintendo DSiWare version of the game using their DSi or DSi XL, or by accessing the Nintendo eShop via the 3DS.