‘Zelda 3D can repeat Mario 64 DS success’

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D can do for 3DS what Super Mario 64 did for the original DS, says Nintendo.

Super Mario 64 DS was a launch title for the original dual-screen handheld which arrived in March 2005. In the UK it sold around 50,000 copies in its first week and topped the DS chart 24 times, according to UKIE/GfK Chart-Track data. It has remained an evergreen seller at retail, notching up over 6m copies worldwide.

Nintendo believes Ocarina of Time 3D can achieve similar success when it hits UK shelves on Friday, June 17th.

Nintendo’s UK marketing assistant Roger Langford told MCV: Super Mario 64 DS has been very successful for us, and is still selling well in 2011.

We hope that Ocarina of Time 3D will do the same for Nintendo 3DS. It takes one of the greatest games ever produced and adds a host of new features, making it an incredible experience for fans of the series, as well as the perfect entry point into the world of Zelda for newcomers.”

Nintendo is running ads during ‘big event TV shows’ around release featuring the game’s trailer, as well as online takeovers and print ads. The push forms part of Nintendo’s special anniversary celebrations for the Zelda series.

With the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda coming up and Link’s latest Wii adventure Skyward Sword, 2011 is shaping up to be the year of Zelda,” added Langford.

Ocarina of Time was originally released on Nintendo 64 in 1998. It has sold 7.6m copies worldwide to date and boasts an average review score of 99 on Metacritic.