We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
DS

North America

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition

by Aaron Kaluszka - September 15, 2011, 1:42 am EDT
Total comments: 10

Celebrate Zelda's 25th with a game that was ahead of its time.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords was originally bundled with the GBA re-release of A Link to the Past. Originally co-developed by Nintendo and Capcom, the DSiWare update comes courtesy of Grezzo, who worked on Ocarina of Time 3D. In Four Swords, Link has been split into four and must battle Vaati to save Princess Zelda. Up to four players must cooperate to pass obstacles and defeat enemies, while also competing with each other for rupees. Nintendo gave me the chance to check out the update.

The original sadly probably didn't get played much since it required a GBA, link cable, and copy of the game for each player (I haven't had a chance to play it since E3 2003). And unlike GameCube's Four Swords Adventures, there was no single-player mode. This has thankfully been remedied, though the experience is just a bit awkward since you have to switch back and forth between two players. While levels are modified to adapt between two to four players, single player still consists of two players. As the level design essentially revolves around maneuvering multiple Links through the levels, this makes sense. You can call the secondary Link to automatically follow you, but in many cases, you will need to toss him over gap.

Four Swords Anniversary Edition is a faithful port of the Game Boy Advance game. Stats have mostly been moved to the bottom screen, and the field of view has been expanded to take advantage of the larger top screen. The bottom screen also hosts an unlabeled map, and a new whistle button can help get others attention by highlighting the positions of players wanting to get attention (or serve as yet another way of causing grief to your cohorts).

Sadly, I did not get a chance to try out any of the new levels, which feature stages based on NES, Game Boy, and SNES editions of Zelda. You must first play the first three levels to unlock Vaati's lair and then defeat him to unlock the new stages.

Four Swords Anniversary Edition isn't a particularly deep experience, but it is a lot of fun -- fun that increases with the number of players who all must coordinate with one another, while each secretly scheming to steal the treasure. Finally, those who missed out the first time will get to play the innovative game. Best of all, it's free from launch on September 28 until February 20!

Talkback

DEDwyer64September 15, 2011

I'm glad Grezzo is working on this because they did a fantastic job on Ocarina of Time 3D. I didn't play the original 4 Swords so I'm definitely going to get this remake.

I'm really looking forward to this. I had the GBA original and enough GBAs (I own three of the damn things!), but never got together with any of my friends who owned the game to go for the some multiplayer. And for some reason, I never bought the GCN version.

You should pick up the GC version, regardless.

CericSeptember 15, 2011

I'm sort of sad to hear its not 4 Links in the Single Player.

That would just be really tedious. While there are obstacles that require all players to clear, none of the puzzles I saw require using more than two people.

CericSeptember 15, 2011

Its wasn't very tedious in the GCN version.

That game has better design.

ejamerSeptember 15, 2011

Giving this game away is a tremendous decision by Nintendo. The original was a great social experience and very accessible. Would love to see more multiplayer games like this... even though I don't actually know anyone else who owns a 3DS to play the game with.

CericSeptember 15, 2011

Quote from: ejamer

Giving this game away is a tremendous decision by Nintendo. The original was a great social experience and very accessible. Would love to see more multiplayer games like this... even though I don't actually know anyone else who owns a 3DS to play the game with.

If everything works out people will get to experience this style of game and realize just how fun it is and want more from this co-op style genre modifier.  FF:CC remake ;D Believe.

AVSeptember 15, 2011

I know nintendo won't do online, but that would be awesome. I'll FUCKEN pay for that feature with voice chat. Freeware like this with micro transactions that lets me go online is something I'll be cool with.

Share + Bookmark





Genre Action
Developer Nintendo
Players1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

na: The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition
Release Sep 28, 2011
PublisherNintendo
RatingEveryone
jpn: Zelda no Densetsu 4 Tsu no Tsurugi 25 Shuunen Kinen Edition
Release Sep 28, 2011
PublisherNintendo
RatingAll Ages
eu: The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition
Release Sep 28, 2011
PublisherNintendo
Rating7+
Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement