Nintendo has formally announced the rechristened “The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition” at their pre-TGS 2011 Press Conference.
This game is an updated version of the original Four Swords that mades its debut as the multiplayer portion of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for Game Boy Advance. The game will be released as a downloadable title exclusively for DSiWare on September 28th in Europe and America. It will also be completely free to download and will be available from the 3DS eShop as well. This means you can play it whether you own a classic DSi or DSi XL, or the newer 3DS.
However, you will only get to play the game for a set period of time! The game will be available to download from September 28th to February 20th 2012, after that it will disappear!
A new addition to the game is an all-new Single Player Mode, and new levels that have been added for the wireless four-player multiplayer. The game will NOT contain online play. Launching alongside it will include a The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords themed eShop, and prepaid Nintendo Points Card emblazoned with Zelda propaganda for fans to collect (confirmed for America and Europe).
Here is the debut trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary.
Fans of the original game and 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 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.
Meanwhile the awesome “Realm of Memories” is made up of famous locations from selected titles in The Legend of Zelda series, and completing it 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, alerting 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.
All in all, this is a pretty cool freebie for Nintendo fans! Hopefully Nintendo will make it available as a permanent paid download on the DSiWare and 3DS eShop services following February of 2011. It’s just a shame that this version doesn’t contain online play…