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[IbizaPocholo]

Shigeru Miyamoto Wasn't a Fan of Navi in Zelda: Ocarina of Time

In an interview, legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto claims that Navi was the ‘biggest weak point’ in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

gamerant.com

Recently, an interview featuring legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto from a 1999 Japanese strategy guide was discovered and published online. Among the comments made by Miyamoto, he revealed that Navi could have been implemented better in Ocarina of Time. According to him, he disliked the fairy so much that he even stated that its implementation was the “biggest weak point” in an otherwise well-received game.

For context, Navi was a magical fairy encountered by Link early on in his adventure in Ocarina of Time. While the character was meant to provide useful clues to help players solve puzzles in the story, she left some frustrated and confused. Surprisingly, Miyamoto revealed that he wanted to remove the entire hint system connected to Navi. Based on comments from the developer, they purposefully had the fairy repeat the same lines of text repeatedly. “I know it makes it sound bad, but we purposely left her at a kind of "stupid' level," he said.

Unfortunately, the developer admitted that removing the character from the game was not feasible either, as it would make progression even more difficult for some players. According to Miyamoto, Navi was meant to give gamers that had stepped away from the game for an extended period a refresher. The character would help them remember where they left off and what they were supposed to do next in the adventure.

While Navi was a problem during development, Miyamoto stated that he had attempted to make the other hints found in the game easy for players to understand. However, he acknowledged that it was not an easy task as no two players are alike. “There’s no consistency,” he said in regard to how fans play the game. In addition to these comments about Navi, the interview with Miyamoto included many more interesting details. For example, Chain Chomps were planned to be included in the Gerudo Fortress section of the game at one point. Furthermore, he spoke about the importance of adding a “Zelda vibe” to the gameplay.

 

[Fbh]

Was anyone a fan of Navi in OoT?

 

[Punished Miku]

“I know it makes it sound bad, but we purposely left her at a kind of "stupid' level," he said.

The real Miyamoto is ruthless.

 

[Fake]

Maybe explain 'why' the next fairy companion got mute.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Maybe explain 'why' the next fairy companion got mute.

Majora mask?

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Was anyone a fan of Navi in OoT?

I was fan of Malon.

 

[SantaC]

Based Miyamoto

So based that he left it in

 

[Mibu no ookami]

 

[Dick Jones]

Confirmed: Miyamoto hates fairies

Miyamoto is a homophobe.
Let's cancel him guys, amirite?

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

Considering the game’s success at the time and its enduring quality, maybe there’s a case to be made for stupid mode after all, hmmm?

Long-time gamers tend to forget how young a lot of folks are when they’re first introduced to vidya games, and how much of gaming’s language and conventions you take for granted after a while. A game like OoT is utterly incomprehensible for people who don’t game everyday. For more people than you can imagine, all the game is basically Water Temple.

 

[Sosokrates]

Shigsi has a sadistic side?

 

[Dream-Knife]

Navi was annoying. Still I'd agree that it's the greatest game of all time, even if it isn't my personal favorite. Definitely the best Zelda though.

 

[Ezquimacore]

BOTW was the first 3D Zelda game without a companion, if the next companion is not as good as Midna in TP or Zelda in ST just keep it like botw.

 

[chromhound]

That thing was so annoying

 

[Dream-Knife]

BOTW was the first 3D Zelda game without a companion, if the next companion is not as good as Midna in TP or Zelda in ST just keep it like botw.

The open world nature of BOTW makes a companion irrelevant. The companion in the other games were to basically give you a hint on what you were supposed to do next.

 

[Ezquimacore]

The open world nature of BOTW makes a companion irrelevant. The companion in the other games were to basically give you a hint on what you were supposed to do next.

They could easily do what other open world games do, add optional companions that you can hire or npcs that Link did something for them and then they feel like they gotta pay him back. Knowing Nintendo they could create a few interesting characters.

 

[Rentahamster]

Apparently Miyamoto didn't LISTEN enough.

Spoiler: HAY LISTEN!

HAY! HAY! LISTEN!

 

[Saber]

And then he changed to a sharp tongue fairy.

 

[Batiman]

Was anyone a fan of Navi in OoT?

I was

Not really that helpful and kinda annoying but I’ve always liked the idea of a little sidekick

Cortana
Kazooie
Bd1
Etc.

 

[Halo2redvsblue]

Hey, Listen.

 

[Hugare]

Her tips would be fine without the "HEY, LISTEN" over and over again.

Text only and problem would have been solved

 

[Tschumi]

I've always just been pissed that these fairy's hints never solved jack shit for me (i played tww and a bit of OOT as a kid) i only broke out of getting stuck in TWW when i got a strategy guide

 

[Azelover]

To me Navi was part of the perfection of the game.

It wouldn't have been the same without her. Even though she was annoying sometimes, it's just part of the charm.

 

[MAtgS]

I was fan of Malon.

She ain't got shit on Ruto.

 

[Touch fuzZy. get BizZay]

She ain't got shit on Ruto.

Medli best gurl

lets fight

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

She ain't got shit on Ruto.

But is a fish literally

 

[Kokoloko85]

It wouldnt be the same without Navi. Good for youngsters and plus she helps locate a few good secrets. I love a side kick like Navi and Epona
Without Navi, the ending and Majoras Mask would have less impact. Link was on his quest to find where Navi went until Majoras Mask

 

[Velius]

But is a fish literally

I don't give a flying fuck. I'll fuck her in her dolphin hole

 

[K' Dash]

Shigsi has a sadistic side?

I thought this was known?

 

[AMSCD]

Personally I liked Navi. I'm surprised to see so much Navi hate.

 

[SegaShack]

And Anouma made more annoying Navi like characters as the series progressed such as Midna and Fi. I never was bothered by Navi.

 

[MAtgS]

But is a fish literally

I think I'll manage.

 

[Barakov]

Shigeru Miyamoto Wasn't a Fan of Navi in Zelda: Ocarina of Time

In an interview, legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto claims that Navi was the ‘biggest weak point’ in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

gamerant.com

Recently, an interview featuring legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto from a 1999 Japanese strategy guide was discovered and published online. Among the comments made by Miyamoto, he revealed that Navi could have been implemented better in Ocarina of Time. According to him, he disliked the fairy so much that he even stated that its implementation was the “biggest weak point” in an otherwise well-received game.

For context, Navi was a magical fairy encountered by Link early on in his adventure in Ocarina of Time. While the character was meant to provide useful clues to help players solve puzzles in the story, she left some frustrated and confused. Surprisingly, Miyamoto revealed that he wanted to remove the entire hint system connected to Navi. Based on comments from the developer, they purposefully had the fairy repeat the same lines of text repeatedly. “I know it makes it sound bad, but we purposely left her at a kind of "stupid' level," he said.

Unfortunately, the developer admitted that removing the character from the game was not feasible either, as it would make progression even more difficult for some players. According to Miyamoto, Navi was meant to give gamers that had stepped away from the game for an extended period a refresher. The character would help them remember where they left off and what they were supposed to do next in the adventure.

While Navi was a problem during development, Miyamoto stated that he had attempted to make the other hints found in the game easy for players to understand. However, he acknowledged that it was not an easy task as no two players are alike. “There’s no consistency,” he said in regard to how fans play the game. In addition to these comments about Navi, the interview with Miyamoto included many more interesting details. For example, Chain Chomps were planned to be included in the Gerudo Fortress section of the game at one point. Furthermore, he spoke about the importance of adding a “Zelda vibe” to the gameplay.

HEY

 

[Spukc]

 

[nkarafo]

To me Navi was part of the perfection of the game.

It wouldn't have been the same without her. Even though she was annoying sometimes, it's just part of the charm.

Yeah, it reminds me those who complain about Mario's cry in Yoshi's Island.

 

[Ghekkus]

I'll take Navi over Fi any day.

 

[KielCasto]

Shigeru Miyamoto Wasn't a Fan of Navi in Zelda: Ocarina of Time

In an interview, legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto claims that Navi was the ‘biggest weak point’ in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

gamerant.com

According to Miyamoto, Navi was meant to give gamers that had stepped away from the game for an extended period a refresher. The character would help them remember where they left off and what they were supposed to do next in the adventure.

Oh hey! That’s me. I guess it worked because I don’t dislike Navi.

 

[funking giblet]

Hey Listen here you little shit!

 

[RoboFu]

Hey listen!! ….. Old man!!!

 

[oldergamer]

This shouldnt come as a huge surprise but miyamoto was not a fan of most games he didn't develop himself. He hated the strikers series. Disliked what was happening with mario games until i think mario galaxy. Note i heard this from ex next level people before nintendo officially paid their salaries directly.

 

[Sentenza]

“I know it makes it sound bad, but we purposely left her at a kind of "stupid' level," he said.

 

[fart town usa]

Navi's fine.

People dog pile on her but she's no more annoying than Tatl from Majora's Mask and is infinitely less annoying than Fi in Skyward Sword.

It's just something for a lot of people to point at and just have a collective moan over. I say that with confidence too cause I'm playing through OOT right now and yea, sometimes her text box can't be rushed through but it's not like it's happening every 5 seconds. The times where she's trying to get you to go somewhere, you can just hit C-Up then B and it's over and done with in like 2 seconds. What's the big deal?

IMO Midna is the best side-character in Zelda though, she actually has depth and a personality, not to mention the fact that Twilight Princess as a whole is essentially her story. Tatl has personality too and plays a large role in MM but I've never beaten the game so I can't really comment on her as a whole.

I'll take Navi saying "Hey!" any day over forced walking sections that are featured in dozens of games. It's all about perspective.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

I think I'll manage.

If I really was in Hyrule.

I'd let Malon give me a Lon Lon milk. XD.

 

[Kaachan]

Navi never had as much personality as Tatl and Tael but she's fine. Never understood all the hate she got

 

[Kiddo Cabbusses]

This shouldnt come as a huge surprise but miyamoto was not a fan of most games he didn't develop himself. He hated the strikers series. Disliked what was happening with mario games until i think mario galaxy. Note i heard this from ex next level people before nintendo officially paid their salaries directly.

There's also that story on how Yoshi's Island's art style was a potshot at the people demanding he make games with CGI graphics like Donkey Kong Country.

I don't think this logic applies here though, since he was pretty hands-on with OoT. (to the point where he's said to be the reason the development got rebooted once)
Him not liking Navi may well just be him pandering to the fanbase opinions, for all I really know.