'Legend of Zelda' Wii U release date pushed back to 2016, could be cross-platform title

The Legend of Zelda Wii-UNintendo

"The Legend of Zelda" for Wii U was pushed back out of its 2015 launch schedule when producer Eiji Aonuma announced back in March that the game would not be ready for its planned release date. A new report now indicates that this push may also mean the game will be a cross-platform title for the Wii U and the upcoming NX. 

According to a report from IGN, Aonuma stated that the game's release has been moved to 2016 to let the team continue to develop and perfect the title without the pressure of a release date lingering over their shoulders. It is because of this delay that the game did not make an appearance at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo presentation by Nintendo. 

The Legend of Zelda Wii-UNintendo

A new report from Digitimes also hints that the company is pushing for an early release for the Nintendo NX, their upcoming console. No details about its capabilities or specs have been released but the report cites that Nintendo is pushing for a July 2016 release. 

The report states that Nintendo is planning to begin final production this October and then expedite mass production in May or June next year in order to push the NX out in the market by July. 

This release window for the Nintedo NX has fans speculating that "The Legend of Zelda" for the Wii U will also be released as a launch title for the NX, particularly if the game will roll out in the second quarter of 2016.

It will not be the first time that Nintendo would do this either. The company delayed the release of "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" for the Gamecube because they also released a version of the game for the Nintendo Wii. If the NX and the next "Zelda" game have relatively close release dates in 2016, then it is likely that Nintendo will follow this strategy again.