I'd be very surprised if this wasn't optional. Something like that being enforced on the player is too intrusive. I think, if this IS for Zelda, then it's a great way of expanding the appeal of the franchise, without alienating the core. Think about it: The game isn't dumbed down, the difficulty level isn't lowered, and players can play Zelda without this feature. But, for someone who is experiencing Zelda the first time, puzzles or bosses could be intimidating or difficult to the point where they give up on the game. These new players might not use guides or online FAQs, so the built in hint system would be a massive benefit to them, and a great help in encouraging them to finish the game, or even try a second play through without the hint system.
The hint system would bring more 'casual' gamers to a 'core' franchise. That's how I see it.
I've also read the patent, and some other sites' coverage of it. The feature only demonstrates how to solve the puzzles etc-if you use the hint system to see the solution of a puzzle, you have to act this out yourself, none of the progress the CPU shows you is saved. It doesn't allow you to skip sections like the new Alone in the Dark (I think that's the one that allows you to do that?).
The other interesting thing in this patent is the replay mode, I think that strengthens my theory. Which of course, is a theory, until Miyamoto or Nintendo choose to show us something. Which they might not, this technology might never see the light of the day.
But yeah, I think it's pretty cool-so long as it isn't intrusive, which I don't think it would be, it won't systematically shift the Zelda franchise into something easy or 'casual', but it will broaden it's appeal and accessibility. That, as far as I'm concerned, would be a great thing.
