Yesterday we announced that Sega was tossing up more DLC for the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World, and not only was it free, but dropped Sonic in to the middle of Hyrule! Sega did a great job with the previous Yoshi’s Island Zone DLC and Hyrule is no different, but man was it over quick!
Like the Yoshi’s Island Zone, The Legend of Zelda Zone acts as a bonus level that you can only run one time before it disappears. Completing the level closes it off and it won’t reappear until you’ve earned 100,000 more points in any of the other levels, so if you’re looking to run it a few times today you’re going to need to do some work elsewhere.
If there is one thing Sega is nailing with the recent DLC it’s keeping very close to the source material and that makes me very happy as a fan. Sonic Lost World itself blends classic 2D platforming with modern 3D exploration levels, but once you step in to the Zelda Zone it definitely feels more like a Zelda game. The world is more open, the pace is slower and it beckons exploration over speeding through checkpoints.. plus I just like saying “step in to the Zelda Zone.”
As soon as the level starts, that classic overworld theme hits, you shed a manly tear, Sonic shows up in his green tunic and Link immediately makes a cameo soaring above your head on his Loftwing. You’ll come across familiar enemies like skeletons and bats, dodge rolling Gorons in anti-gravity tunnels, collect rupees instead of rings and inch closer and closer to Link’s Loftwing as you bounce around the level via bumper pads.
Unfortunately, the nostalgia doesn’t last for long as the Zelda Zone is over in a matter of minutes. Yeah, I know it’s free, but the little kid in me really wanted to keep playing because the level was just that fun! The beauty of Sonic Lost World is in its massive level design, where going through the same level numerous times always lead me down a different path. I want to keep playing the Zelda Zone over and over, but alas, now it’s time to go back through some older levels to grind out 100,000 points.. and then do it again and again.
Overall, the Zelda Zone DLC is a solid slap in the face with the hand of nostalgia and manages to successfully capture the land of Hyrule within Sonic Lost World. It’s free, so if you own the game already there is no reason to pass it up, but as soon as I hit the end of the level and Sonic lifted that Triforce I wanted to jump back in so bad.. and I couldn’t. At least not right away. Still, you can’t beat free DLC.
Bradley Keene is an avid gamer & freelance blogger from Baltimore, MD who typically handles news and reviews here at What’s Your Tag?. If he’s not knee-deep in an RPG or some form of Nintendo game, he’s usually watching terrible horror films or listening to Gwar. Follow him on Twitter @amgfail_WYT, or contact him by e-mail at bradleykeenewyt@gmail.com.
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It’s awesome that it’s free, and it’s awesome that Sonic has been getting cozy with Nintendo characters. A Mario Classic style world would be the icing.
Sonic rolls in a ball, Samus rolls in a ball.. I need Metroid on the Wii U in some way, shape or form, even if it’s just in Sonic Lost World lol.
I agree though, Sega and Nintendo have been rubbing some serious elbows lately and if Sega has proven anything it’s that they know how to work a Nintendo franchise.
Maybe we can see more third-party Nintendo releases down the line from Sega? I’m still holding on for a new Metroid or Star Fox.
A new on-rails StarFox would be a system seller for me.
The world needs a new on-rails Star Fox. I’d even settle for an eShop arcade release at this point.
Is Link riding Ho-Oh? Sounds like a pretty awesome level. I am a bit disappointed by the 100k entry fee, though. Then again, I didn’t know that was a thing and don’t know how long it takes to grind it out.
100,000 points is laughable, really. I usually crank out 400,000 points a level just half-assing it, so it’s only an issue when I want to play it back to back.
If you’re not familiar with the game itself, it has a world map of sorts that lets you pick which level to hit next (just like Super Mario Bros 3, Super Mario World, etc). You pop in to the Zelda Zone just like you would Toad’s house, and then it disappears after you beat it.
The level itself is really awesome and I enjoyed it more than any of the actual levels in the game itself.
Well, that doesn’t sound so bad then. I know nothing about the game itself except for what you said. It sounds pretty awesome, actually. I need a WiiU at some point…
Sonic Lost World is one of those odd fun-but-flawed games. Basically Sega made some pretty amazing, huge worlds to explore.. but they still want you to forgo exploration and go as fast as possible as Sonic. It’s like Sonic is stuck in Super Mario Galaxy or something, and the ideas just don’t marry well. Still fun though.
I think the Wii U is at a good point to pick up if you can afford it. It’s been out long enough that there are a good amount of exclusives that will keep you occupied through any dry spell between future releases. The Nintendo store is selling refurbished deluxe consoles with Nintendoland for $200, which is a great price.
I have my Xbox One for cross-platform current-gen stuff and exclusives, but I basically live on my Wii U and 3DS as of late.
It does sound like an odd pairing, but fun nonetheless.
I might have to start a WiiU fund if that’s the case. Aside from a bunch of classic consoles, I’ve got my PS3 which really only gets used for TV and my 3DS which is where the gaming gets done.
What’s really going to hit your wallet hard is the games, as virtually none of the bigger exclusives have gone down in price aside from ZombiU and Wonderful 101. Even launch titles like New Super Mario Bros U is still full retail.
eShop wise, Mighty Switch Force 2, Mighty Switch Force HD, Nano Assault NEO, Chasing Aurora and Mutant Mudds Deluxe are all pretty good and none of them are more than $10 each.
Welp, time to rob a bank.
Lol.. “and he was never seen again..”
Lol