As part of today's media blitz from Nintendo, a press release has confirmed the release date of The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition as 28th September in the EU and North America. For those of you who haven't heard, this title was originally released on the Game Boy Advance and will be completely free to download from the DSi Shop or 3DS eShop. This is a limited period offer, gamers being required to download the title before it disappears on 20th February 2012.
There are also details of an all-new single player mode, as well new levels and wireless multiplayer support. Read all about it in the press release below.
Fans of the original game or newcomers alike can expect classic 2D multiplayer adventure as two to four players wirelessly connect their Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL or Nintendo 3DS systems as they work together to rescue Princess Zelda after Link splits into four with the help of the Four Sword. You and up to three of your friends will each don a different coloured tunic as you all take on the role of Link. Ensure you work together as you discover and play across four themed areas, solve numerous puzzles and defeat bosses along the way. Make sure you collect more Rupees than your friends if you want to be the overall winner after completing one of the themed areas.
However, unlike the original Game Boy Advance version, it is now possible to play the game in a brand new way as a single player. When you go solo you won’t be totally alone though as an additional Link will appear beside the one you control to help you along during your adventure. It is even possible to independently control “each” Link by selecting either of them using the L or R Buttons.
What’s more, there are 2 exclusive new areas to play each containing 3 new levels to complete which have been specifically made for this edition of the game. By completing the new areas, each Link will be able to unlock additional special skills. Fans of the franchise will be familiar with the Hurricane Spin and Master Sword and both return to help you on your quest.
Mastering the challenging new area ‘Hero’s Trial’ which contains elements from other levels as well as 3 new maps will allow you to unlock the Hurricane Spin, whilst tackling the new area.
‘Realm of Memories’ made up of famous locations from selected titles in The Legend of Zelda series, unlocks the Master Sword.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition also includes new control options including “whistle” functionality on the X Button, allowing players to call for attention, alert each other of their location on the map, as well as making use of the lower screen to show your inventory and place on the map.
There is also confirmation of special Zelda themed eShop and Nintendo Points pre-paid cards being rolled out across Europe. With the upcoming launch of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword as well, the Zelda Anniversary is truly in full swing.
Will you be playing Four Swords with your friends and hunting down Zelda pre-paid cards?
Comments 96
YAHOO !! I can't believe they're doing all of this for FREE .
So is it over Wi-Fi or not?
Glad that added single player, as that's how I played it on Four Swords Adventure.
No mention of online, guess it's not included then
Still, it's great that I'll be able to play it by myself. Best of all; new levels based on older Zelda titles! A worthy celebration of the anniversary in my opinion!
Some gameplay can be seen from 3:30 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StXfwq4GU3g&feature=youtu.be
The classic levels look awesome!
GBA game wasn't all that great but this game has at least some improvements and it's free so it doesn't matter all that much
very nice that it has a single player mode. i dont know anybody with a 3DS
@Aviator - I don't think that it has Wi-Fi, if you read the article you notice that it says: up to four player can wirelessly connect their DSi DSi XL and 3DS systems.
Single-Player mode for this game? Now I have a reason to get it ...
cant believe all the free stuff were getting.never played this zelda one.is it like links awakening or more advanced.either way i will be getting
Wonder if I'll be able to download a copy on on my XL and 3DS?
It is even possible to independently control “each” Link by selecting either of them using the L or R Buttons
So they basically took a cue from the Gamecube game. I sure hope that, somewhere in Nintendo, a team is currently working on a brand new, full-scale 4 Swords. We need it!
Interesting additions. Great that they put the effort in the game.
And maybe after February 20th 2012 it will resurface somewhen like SMB: The Lost Levels did on the Wii's VC so late adopters get the chance to buy this game too.
Awesome. 3DS is becoming the ultimate zelda handheld, possibly trumping the consoles too.
I was under the impression that this was going to be a straight port of the original GBA game... I'm super stoked to see all they're adding to it! I played the GC version with friends, but I'm looking forward to tackling this one with my wife and sister-in-law.
Sounds really really good. I'd buy it if it wasn't free. ^^
@nick_gc Don't see why not.
YES! A single player option! Thank you Nintendo!
This is amazing news! Can't believe how soon it is coming out. I think I am gonna play some Zelda (NES) and Links Awakening DX to gear up for the release. I can't believe they are making it free, also, because I know EVERYBODY would pay for that gem.
@nick_gc: You will. You're not limited to how many systems you can have one game on (assuming you're not transferring it)
Sweet! Single player!
That's a really great idea, nick_gc (9.) ! So actually i might be able to play it with someone else.
I just hope the XL will be cheaper before 20th February because i kinda want one for my DS games and that would just be perfect timing.
Awesome! Single Player! It sounds like it's only going to use two Links though.
Nice, I thought this would just be a cheap port, but Nintendo did a great job with all the added features. Does anyone know if you can play using Friend codes and WiFi?
It's 2011 where is the online? Why isn't it going to be available to buy after February? Why isn't Nintendo allowing GBA games to be made available to everyone on the eShop? Are they waiting for another 'groundbreaking' announcement to help their stock prices??
Awesome news. I don't have any friends near me with 3DS systems. So that's great.
Yes single player! and I really hope there is wifi.... though then again i doubt it.
Wow, the fact that this is free is really surprising. It's awesome, no doubt, but surprising!
Lol. I have the original as B-side of Link To The Past, but could never play it because it's multi-player only. Funny that I can now get a single-player edition for free.
Day one download!
wowsers
If there's no wi-fi, there will be no reason for me to download it. Nintendo, I love you, I am one of your most vocal supporters, but your weird aversion to the internet in 2011 is your Achilles heel. To release a multiplayer Zelda game and expect that everyone has three other buddies with DSes or 3DSes AND a desire to play this game nearby is ridiculous, especially if you are an adult who just happens to love Nintendo. The older I get, the fewer available Nintendorks there are around me, which means the fewer opportunities I have to multiplayer any of these games since you refuse to put them online.
@Mully
No reason? Not even for the ability to play singplayer and the 2 new stages with added items like the Master Sword and Hurricane Spin?
Sound great even if it's not online IMO.
wow this is great news! good to hear all this effort is being made for a free release, we need this in a year that's been a bit of a rocky road for Big N in some ways.
I do agree though, the continuous lack of online implementation in games is frustrating...
I really just don't understand how a game like this would operate in single player form since all the puzzles, enemies, etc are based around the theme of four Links on the screen at once. I guess if there's some sort of CPU players to tag along with you it could be fun but not nearly as fun as it would be if you had 3 other living, breathing players along for the ride; mine would have to come from the internet since I don't have friends into Nintendo games. I just don't understand why they will only put Animal Crossing, Mario Kart and Smash Bros online. Why? Why not give ALL the games that would benefit from the online treatment the same love?
New single player mode? That's AWESOME! Especially since I don't know many ppl irl that owns 3DS ;(
@Mully
Yeah, I know what you mean. But you should at least download it and see if the singleplayer works. I mean it's free, what's there to loose?
Heck yeah! I loved it as a kid but since I had an old GBA (that was starting to break down) and my friend had an SP that was all fancy kind of made it difficult. But such a good game and it's free.
Limited time offer?
I hope a paid GBA VC version appears on the eShop sometime after the February 20th 2012 for the people that miss the DSiware release.
I had totally forgotten about this until couple of weeks ago. Can't wait!
@Mully
Basically what Rob said. C'mon, it's free! It's not like Nintendo's losing your money if you don't download it. The only one losing out is you.
@Mully: If you play with 2 or 3 players, the puzzles are appropriately scaled for the number of Links. Having three other friends is far from necessary. If you're the only one interested in this game, then your concern is a bit more justified.
You and up to three of your friends will each don a different coloured tunic
Cool, can't wait.
I don't really care about this, but for free I take.
Cool, I'll be snatching it up.
@Mully:
The original game could be played with only two people, so no need for four systems. The singleplayer is based on the two-player mode, you control two Links at once. You can control them individually or swap into an "AI buddy"-mode, where the 2nd Link helps you out by performing certain actions automatically.
Online would be really annoying, you need to communicate all the time and some players would just screw you. Trust me, I played through the entire game with two friends and online is not something you want for this game. The singleplayer solves all problems, you can play every bit of this game whenever you want. No need to look for other players or to torture yourself with bad online play. It's perfect.
A question for people who played the first Four Swords: if you play together with one friend, how many Links does each player control? One or two?
Ah, single player! I feel happy now
See, I never played the original BECAUSE you needed two people to play, so I have no idea how it plays aside from videos I've seen. I mean, I will likely download it, barring the file size isn't enormous, and I could be totally wrong in saying the single player experience won't be fun, but controlling two Links at once sounds pretty tedious. I just wish Nintendo would give us the online option in a lot of their games, not just this one. If the word "multiplayer" is used when describing a game, it should be an option. Not everyone has gamer friends at their disposal and it kind of neuters the game knowing that I'll never get to experience it the way it's meant to be experienced.
Guys, it will be coming to 3DSware as well! I assume it is coming dsiware AND shop so that more people can play it together! Now I can play it with my sister who only has a Dsi. I am still kind of confused though, is it an enhanced Swords or Four Swords Adventures?
@legodavid15:
One Link per player. Only in singleplayer you control two at once.
@Mully: As someone, who has played through the entire original game, I can assure you, that I'm really looking forward to the singleplayer. Multiplayer can be fun, no question about that, however, it gets annoying that you're dependent on a 2nd player. With the singleplayer I will be able to play this game whenever I want and I don't have to rely on other people.
@Collinhall:
It's an enhanced port of the GBA Four Swords. It has nothing to do with FSA except for some features that were taken over.
I really like the graphical changes and level themes!
@Mully It's meant to be experienced locally with friends.
This is perfect I can now play this for the first time and even though everyone I would be able to play this with won't always be around I won't have to wait to play, Nintendo knows how to re-realse a game. Now just my gba games to hear about.
@mully
you are able to play as every 'link' buy scrolling the L and R buttons.
Zelda? For FREE????!!!!!!!!!
i hope they use wifi :D
weeps
Even though I have the original (and friends to play it w/!), this is gunna be beast. I still remember how awesome the theme song was. Nothin' like a first party remix! Good times
THERES MAH FOUR SWORDS! SINGLE PLAYER AND FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I gotta tell my friends about this.
hooray for single-player! just what i need
Awesome. I am so glad there is going to be a single player mode since none of my friends have a 3DS. Not having a single player mode would have kept me from downloading this game.
YES! I can't wait! sounds pretty awesome to me
Nintendo, you are now the best company ever. A FREE Zelda game, and it's an enhanced remake of Four Swords with added singleplayer? Aside from online play, what more could you ask for?
Aw man.All is forgiven Nintendo, I still freakin' lurve ya!
This sounds awesome , single player is a great addition and all for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Seriously I would have paid a £10 for this in e-shop.Me likes all these free games, man. Careful Ninty, I may just get used to it!
This is pretty awesome. I'm buying it for both my 3DS and DSi .
Well, this sounds good. No Wi-fi sucks though
Goojoo Grezzo.
Woot.
Single card multiplayer? I'm the only one with a DSi in my family.
no wifi...thats dissapointing. it should have like nicknames that go above your head. that would be good. and wifi with friend codes and stuff.yet they probably wont have any of that, its a free game, and its a good deal.
Fans of the original game or newcomers alike can expect classic 2D multiplayer adventure as two to four players wirelessly connect their Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL or Nintendo 3DS
wait...so this sounds like it may have wifi...but knowing nintendo...its just wireless. like when they said you can transfer games from 3ds to 3ds, you need to have it purchased on both 3ds.
Awesome! Single player mode! I don't have enough friends with 3DS's/DS's to play, and it would be difficult to coordinate with people to play co-op online, since I'm pretty busy. I can't believe they're adding all these features for free. Sometimes, Nintendo is pretty awesome!
While this is great news and the new additions look AMAZING, I must say it's sad to see Nintendo still seemingly hates the idea of online multiplayer. Not that I'd use it often, and would honestly prefer of the two options that they add single player (like they did) than online multiplayer, but it's still disheartening not to have that option for no real reason. Oh well...
I liked the gamecube single player, so if it plays like that it will be awesome. You could control what formation the four links were in, or control them individually one by one. It didn't even occur to me to use my XL and 3DS for multiplayer. looks like multiplayer will be possible for me after all.
But...
You did good nintendo, you did good *tear'
Dear Nintendo,
Im sorry i called you cheap. I didnt mean to...my fingers slipped on the keyboard...Thanks for the free game (even tho it doesnt have online), and thanks for new single player mode, and new levels. ill be sure to enjoy your game
whoa........whoa.
Well played Nintendo. Huge, huge gesture. Very much like.
somehow i overlooked this game for gamecube. i guess i though it REQUIRED 4 players. So the Gamecube had a single player adventure, but the GBA didn't?
As long as it's longer then 4 levels, I will be totally jacked for it
Wow, new stuff too. Way to go, nintendo!
@Gamecubefan: The GBA one required at least two players
After seeing some footage I want this game badly.
PureTrainer: Nnh...NNh...NNH...!
PureTrainer asplodes into four versions of himself
Ginger PT: Four Swords is back!
Brunette PT: New areas to play!
Blonde PT: Wireless Co-op!
Black-haired PT: Single-player mode!
All PTs: Insta-download!
So it finally can be enjoyed alone, and with extra levels! The only downside is that it is temporarily available: untill 20 februari. While I think the game will return at a later date with a price-tag, I don't want to take the risk. I have to buy a 3DS before 20 februari!
@Gamecubefan:
Nintendo didn't make the GBA one single player cuz A Link to the Past was basically playing that role in that compilation but by doing that a lot of single GBA players missed out on a fun gem. With this coming out, those same gamers finally get their chance.
I wish they would release 2 versions, one tailored to the resolution of the 3DS and one for the DSi. If not, I'll probably hate playing it on my 3DS due to the horrible scaling. Fortunately, though, I can download it on both for free and see which I prefer.
Wow, it's free and they are still thinking of us ds users back in the stone age.
Yes! I can't wait for it to finally come out!
So wait, is there ds download play?
Big N on a roll! Go Nintendo!
So, this is the 22nd free game they've given 3DS owners! Wow!
22nd? WHAT THIS IS ONLY OUR 3RD NOT COUNTING THE 3DS TRANSFER AND INTERNET!
@ShadowDX1
Ambassador games: 10+(Eventually)10
Pokedex 3D: 1
Excitebike: 1
This: 1
...Huh. It's actually our 23rd.
@freakpower70
Typical Nintendo. Either get with the times or suffer, I guess.
@Sh00kst3r - 10 ambassador games currently, 11 3d video's, nintendo video, pokedex 3d, 3d classics excitebike, currently, so 24 free things so far that have come through the eshop. If you count this it makes 25.
SCREW YOU GUYS THAT HAVE 3DS'S! My mom thinks im "too old" to be playing video games so she didnt buy me one :/
Yay, today is Four Swords Day!!!
cant wait till it hits the eshop.
i wonder if i change the date of my dsi the date will come out...
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