The Wii U version of Nintnedo's "The Legend of Zelda" is expected to be released this year, although no exact date has been pegged for its launch. Nonetheless, it seems the anticipation is still high -- considering the long wait fans had to endure -- as exhibited in the interest of enthusiasts in the Amiibo figures of Link, the game's main protagonist.
According to an investors' meeting report dated Feb. 3, Nintendo shipped around 31 million of the little toys as of the third quarter of the 2015-2016 fiscal year, 9.9 million in the third quarter alone, and holding the top spot in the U.S. is Link. The character holds the second spot in Europe, and Toon Link is also third in the United States.
While there was no mention of "The Legend of Zelda" Wii U in the report, a supplementary report shows the release of the title as 2016, thus, fans are undoubtedly hoping to see the game this year.
There have been speculations that the reason behind the long wait for its launch is that it would be designed for the upcoming Nintendo console, the NX, rather than for the Wii U.
However, in an interview with IGN in mid-2015, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime said, "In separate interviews [Shigeru] Miyamoto has reinforced that it's a 2016 game, and I also believe he's reinforced that it's a Wii U game because I know that there is that thinking floating around."
Even then, speculations persist. Tech Times surmises that, should this as-yet-untitled "Legends of Zelda" installment come out for the Wii U later this year, then it might be the console's last hurrah before Nintendo finally unveils the NX console in 2017.
"The Legend of Zelda" was originally released on Feb. 21, 1986. The 2016 version of the game will be the 19th instalment of the series.
