ZELDA: INTERVIEWS Home - Story - Preview - Interviews - Pictures Q: Do Link's movements change depending on the topographical features? Miyamoto: This isn't an action game, so I don't have any plans for this. Q: What happens when your Hit Points go down? Miyamoto: Your speed will get slower, and it will be easier for you to be defeated. Q: How do you ride the horse? Miyamoto: If Link goes near the horse, it will say "ride." Press B and you will get on the horse. If you bring out the whip, the horse will start to run. Q: How do you control the horse? Miyamoto: With whips and carrots. For each time you use the whip, you have to give the horse a carrot. If you only use the whip, then we'd feel sorry for the horse. Q: Is Zelda Rumble Pak compatible? Miyamoto: It is compatible, but only slightly. Q: How can you avoid your enemies' attacks? Miyamoto: If you use the shield, you can defend yourself. If you jump while moving backwards, you can escape. Q: How does Navie help out Link? Miyamoto: She leads Link around and shows him the correct paths. Press the B-Button, and you can speak with Navie. She can also carry things for Link. Q: Is the red lock-on mark because of Navie? Miyamoto: This "attention" mark appears during battle. The design of this will probably change for the final game, so I'm not going to talk too much about this. This mark will be displayed when you can use the "attention" button. Depending on the item, Navi will change to a different color. For example, she'll turn red if there's something dangerous, etc. Q: Can you break the stick? Miyamoto: Yes, you can break it. Q: What’s the use of the seed/nut? Miyamoto: It's a weapon you can throw and it'll explode just like a firecracker. Q: Does this wooden seed grow in certain areas of the game? Miyamoto: You can pick up the wooden seed just as you would a gingko nut. Q: Do you throw the pachinko ball? Miyamoto: Fundamentally it's like a stone . . . Q: Can Navi or someone make the carrots fly? Miyamoto: Uhhh, I guess you could probably make the carrots fly. Q: Does the strength of the bow and arrow change? Miyamoto: It doesn't change. Q: Is the hammer in Zelda 64 a magic hammer? Miyamoto: In the SNES version, the magic hammer was used for driving in stakes or turn enemies upside down. In the N64 version, it can do various things, but a bit different than before. It's a heavier hammer, so it makes a great weapon. Q: One some of the screenshots you can something that looks like a key. Is it a key? Miyamoto: Yes, it’s a key. This key is vital to advancing through a stage, even though it just opens normal doors. Q: How about the map? Miyamoto: In Zelda, the map system we created is regarded highly. The direction the arrow is pointing toward on the map is the direction Link is facing. However, this may change by the final version. Q: What about the three soul stones? Miyamoto: This is an important part of the story, so I'll let you know next time. Q: Are the soul stones inserted into Ocarina? Miyamoto: Yes. This is why the holes are empty. Q: If you puff air through Ocarina, what happens? Miyamoto: Just as the subtitle of the game suggests, this is important for going to the "Tower of Time." If you go inside, Ocarina must have the three soul stones inserted. Even in the SNES version, there was an Ocarina item which you'd play like a pipe. This time, it can actually play a melody. I'm having trouble with the musical scale right now. Q: Is there a difference with the long and short sword? Miyamoto: The long sword requires the use of both hands, while the short sword can be used in one hand. The "wooden stick" is certainly long, isn't it? It's pretty useless, but it's a lot of fun, that one. Q: Is there a difference in the look of the shield? Miyamoto: First of all, it's made of wood. In the center is Link's family crest. Q: What are the bombs used for? Miyamoto: Just like before, you use the bombs to defeat enemies or destroy doors. Q: Is the rooster an item? Miyamoto: Ummm, unfortunately, you can't use it as an item (laughs). However, the rooster can be used for other things that are currently kept secret. We created this rooster so realistically, it's scary. He follows along just like a stalker. It would be bad if you bullied it. Q: Can Link stow his items away somewhere? Miyamoto: I always get this one. It's the fate of all game characters. I'm not sure yet. Q: Is the amount of items different when Link becomes an adult? Miyamoto: Yes, it changes. When Link is a child, he uses pachinko balls and a slingshot, and when he's an adult he uses his bow and arrow. Link only uses a boomerang when he is a child. According to Link's age, we've purposefully changed the items. Q: What the swirly thing in the corner of all pictures? Miyamoto: This is a wind magic medallion. There are six types of magic, including fire, wind, darkness, and light. I'm thinking about mixing the different types of magic (Miyamoto forces a smile). Truthfully, you can use magic in conjunction with Link’s bow and arrow. Since you can use magic missiles, it's important that you can use magic on arrows. Q: Do you use the "C" button for magic? Miyamoto: Yes. The six types of magic are divided by color, the wind magic being green. Q: How many types of items are there? Miyamoto: I think there are about 16 items you can use. Beyond that, there are medicinal items to use too. Medicinal herb-like things appear once in a while, but medicines in bottles are the only replenishing items. Just like before, there are empty bottles, and depending on the case, they may have something in them. There are some bottles whose contents aren't medicine, either. Q: Has the age of the child Link been set? Miyamoto: I'm thinking of setting him around 7 or 8, but maybe he should be younger? Around 6 or 7. He'd be a 2nd grader. Q: Has the age of the adult Link been set? Miyamoto: He'd be younger than 20, maybe 15. Q: What about Link's voice? Miyamoto: If he's killed, all he'll say is "Ahhh!" or "Ooooh!" . . . . When he rides a horse, he'll shout "Yaaa!" (laughs). Q: Is there any secret involving Link's pierced ear? Miyamoto: Probably not. I'll think about it. Q: Could you tell us Link's height and weight? Miyamoto: Uhhh, it hasn't been decided yet. Q: Link's face has changed, hasn't it? Miyamoto: I haven't changed it, and the illustration has already been decided . . . Do you want me to change it? I think the transition between the child and adult Link is good. The eyes and mouth move. Q: Does Link ever laugh to himself? Miyamoto: I think that Link smirking over defeating someone would be unbecoming. It wouldn't be like Link to simper at a Dragon after he felled it. Q: Does he have any other expressions? Miyamoto: His face can move a little bit. It's difficult to see his expression unless he looks up, but during the demo screens you can see that his expressions change.

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