A UK magazine also reveals tentative launch dates for Zelda and Revolution in the country.
NGC Magazine has been around the United Kingdom for a few years now, so a scoop like this is likely legit. Nintendo has informed the publication what's been going on with the new Zelda, and the details revealed might confirm some of the speculation that's come about from the delay.
It appears that Twlight Princess will be compatible with the Revolution controller when played on the Revolution. This doesn't mean that the title has been scrapped from the GameCube, as it will still be released as a GameCube game. Inserting the Zelda disc into the backwards-compatible Revolution will enable the Revolution controller mode if desired.
There were no further details on how exactly the controller would be used in the game, but NGC did offer some spectulation. The most obvious use for the pointer half of the controller would be for swinging Link's sword around, and using the analog stick portion for movement, locking-on and shield control. Further speculation included using the controller for pulling back on a bowstring for precise arrow shooting and controlling Epona with reins and a whip.
With this revolutionary revelation came word of a possible release date of the game and the Revolution itself for the European territories. "Late 2006" was the timeframe handed down for the new system's UK release, with Zelda "coming out close to the Revolution's launch date." If the former is true, then that would mean Nintendo would presumably get the system out in North America around Thanksgiving as well, indicating a simulataneous worldwide launch. If the latter is true, then Nintendo will be offering Zelda as a Revolution launch title at the same time as giving GameCube owners one last reason to use the system.
This interesting development in the development of Zelda: Twlight Princess should make Nintendo's E3 2006 press conference at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood a lot more interesting.
Thanks to radioheadrule83 at GAF for the heads-up!