lol, this is why I love Link so much: he sleeps just as much as I do when not on quests and such!

The winner's entry is very deep, well deserving of the grand prize! Congrats to all the winners though!

Not a huge fan of the name "Wii U," although I could think of way stupider titles. Wouldn't mind a name change at all as long as it isn't worse. I can definitely understand why Nintendo is thinking about changing the name, especially if their new target audience is to rope back in more old-school "harder core" gamers like me.

I disagree with some of the points here. I thought the NPCs in Skyloft were actually more interactive than in previous Zelda titles. Certainly not on Majora's Mask's level, but at least we didn't have massive crowds of people that said absolutely nothing, wandering the streets of Skyloft like in Twilight Princess (even the ones you could talk to in Castle Town were completely unaware 90 percent of the time of what was going on around them. Come on, Hyrule Castle is suddenly encased in a freaking DIAMOND PRISON and you're still telling me about "that Zora boy" which I saved a long time ago!? Man...and don't even get me started on the Zoras, by the way)

I loved Groose's character development in particular, plus how you could go around and help out the other NPCs and win gratitude crystals (loved the Karane and Pipit sidequest!). Also, when things actually happened because of your actions, the NPCs would change their dialogue to suit what was happening, further immersing you in the world and giving them more of a third-dimension rather than simply placeholders to make you feel less alone in the world.

I do agree that the surface areas did feel a bit disconnected and that there was quite a bit of backtracking (but at least you gained access to new parts within the area later on). I wish there were more NPCs on the ground to interact with also, but then again it's pre-Hyrule so it somewhat makes sense. Unfortunately I do agree about the harp, but I don't think any instrument since the Wind Waker has had a truly environment-changing effect so I wasn't as bothered by it.

I also somewhat agree with the criticism concerning Fi but she did grow on me (like Navi), especially at the ending (I won't ruin it for those who haven't seen it). I do admit, Midna did spoil me lots in TP, and I'm really hoping she returns for a future title, ;-)

Yeah, I can definitely understand Aonuma's frustration with American audiences if they are truly acting that way during the performances, but at the same time you can't completely fault the fans. I personally don't appreciate people yelling in my ear when trying to listen to the beautiful masterpieces I paid good money to come hear and celebrate, but again it's America. =/

Maybe there should be an announcement before the concert asking audiences to refrain from acting obnoxious during the movements and to save it for transitions? (clapping to the beat at certain points would be fine though with me at least. Even a Japanese audience did that during the "Rainbow Cruise" track of the Smashing...Live! album, haha)

I loved how the artist peeled away the mask so we could see the Skull Kid's face and then with the Skull Mask. Truly stunning details, the artist should be very proud!

I'm curious about the original Temple of Time in what will become the Gerudo Desert. What was its purpose there? Why does it have the Hylian royal family crest if it hasn't been created yet? Would love it if that could be explained, haha.

I'd say that it happened after SS but before Ocarina of Time. At least that's the impression I got.

I agree with Craig. Also remember that the curious thing about Twilight Princess is that the map shifts direction depending on if you played the Wii or GCN version. If you play the GCN version, the map kind of seems similar to Ocarina of Time's map, whereas the Wii version is flip-flopped. It all comes down to which game you believe is the "true" TP experience. My money's on the GCN version since it was the system TP was originally designed for and Link is left handed there, which he has always been (minus SS of course). I could be wrong but that's just my argument.

I would play the Serenade of Water so I could escape to Lake Hylia to fish, relax and forget the troubles of this world for a time. However, I would also use it to cause those around me to reflect upon their lives up to the present and also on the state of the world at the moment. Time will continue to flow and much can be learned from the past. Knowledge of where we've been can help to better guide our footsteps and those of our descendants toward a brighter future.