The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords | |
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Director(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Designer(s) |
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Composer(s) | Yuko Takehara
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Series | The Legend of Zelda |
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Release | |
Single-player, multiplayer
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The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
A stand-alone port of Four Swords was released for a limited time on Nintendo's
Gameplay
A Link to the Past
Four Swords
Four Swords is the multiplayer portion of the cartridge. Four Swords features gameplay similar to A Link to the Past, with a focus on multiplayer; in it, two to four players must cooperatively work through a series of puzzle-laden dungeons, while competing to collect
Unlike in A Link to the Past where Link has an inventory of items he has collected, Four Swords only allows a player to have one item at any given time, switching them out at item pedestals. An original item called the Gnat Hat appears, causing Link to shrink and be able to access areas he could not normally reach. This idea was expanded on in the form of a talking hat named Ezlo in a later game, The Minish Cap. Creating a file for the Game Boy Advance game will give players a profile in both A Link to the Past and Four Swords. Some features are linked between the two games. For example, when players learn a new sword move, it is transferred between games. When both games are completed, players may access a dungeon called "Palace of the Four Sword" in A Link to the Past.
Plot
A Link to the Past
The plot of A Link to the Past is the same as the original Super NES version, in which the player assumes the role of Link as he journeys to save Hyrule, defeat the wizard Agahnim and the demon king Ganon, and claim the Triforce to rescue Princess Zelda and the descendants of the Seven Sages.
Four Swords
Taking place before the events of
Development
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords was a collaborative development effort between
Promotion and release
The game was first revealed at
Reception
Pre-release
Nintendo World Report's Max Lake called the announcement of a multiplayer mode "exciting".[12] In IGN's Best of E3 awards for the Game Boy Advance, they named it the runner-up to Best of Show below Metroid Fusion, calling it a "close one", but ultimately gave the award to Fusion due to it not being a remake. They described the multiplayer component as resembling Diablo or Gauntlet. They gave it the award for Biggest Surprise, citing its multiplayer mode, calling it a "brilliant addition" and "well worth the price of four Legend of Zelda cartridges".[19] IGN's Craig Harris, in his preview of the game, called the port of A Link to the Past "faithful". Although he noted that the controls would have to be modified due to the GBA's lack of two buttons that were both used in the Super NES version, he found the new controls to be adequate and praised the visuals for holding up well.[20] IGN reported that based on their then new wishlist tool, A Link to the Past & Four Swords was consistently the second most anticipated Game Boy Advance game for the five weeks before its release.[21][22][23][24][25]
Post-release
Since its release, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords has been met with highly positive reception. It holds an aggregate score of 91.70% and 95 at
IGN included it in their Game Boy Advance Holiday Buyers Guide for 2002, calling its inclusion of multiplayer a "big deal" and that it was the most requested Super NES port for the Game Boy Advance.
During the 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated A Link to the Past and Four Swords for "Handheld Game of the Year".[38]
Audiovisuals
GamePro's Star Dingo praised the port of A Link to the Past's ability to retain its visuals. He specifically praised its "clean sprites", calling its overworld a "colorful, happy place", sarcastically calling it "kiddy".[33] Writing for IGN, Craig Harris praised Four Swords' visuals and further called The Legend of Zelda's overture "breathtaking", applauding the Game Boy Advance for recreating the graphics and audio for A Link to the Past from the original Super NES game.[8] He gave praise to the music of the multiplayer mode as well, calling the compositions of A Link to the Past's music superior.[8] Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell commented that while the graphics do not stand up against fellow Game Boy Advance game Golden Sun, they were a better precursor to the then-upcoming The Wind Waker than visuals similar to Ocarina of Time, citing its cartoon lining. He praised it for ensuring that the changes to adjust to the Game Boy Advance's smaller screen were unnoticeable.[37] Dingo called the sound effects "indelible", though he noted that they were "a little dated".[33] Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell criticized the audio, calling the sound tinnier than the Super NES version, and specifically describing Link's voice as "contemptible".[37]
Legacy
Four Swords was followed in 2004 by a GameCube sequel, Four Swords Adventures, which continued the story and expanded upon the gameplay concepts while including a single-player adventure.[10] In 2005, the Four Swords prequel The Minish Cap for the Game Boy Advance became the next handheld Zelda game, also co-developed with Capcom.[9] A sequel was announced for the Nintendo DS entitled The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords DS,[39] but was cancelled and replaced by Phantom Hourglass.[40]
Enhanced port
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series,
Developed by Grezzo, this enhanced port of the once multiplayer-only game includes a new single-player mode where players have the ability to control two Links and switch between them to progress through the levels. There are two new areas that can be unlocked: the "Realm of Memories", which features levels resembling those in The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past, and Link's Awakening, and the Hero's Trial, which features harder difficulty.[2]
As previously with Ocarina of Time 3D, to promote the game, commercials were made featuring actor and comedian Robin Williams with his daughter Zelda Williams.[43]
Notes
- ^ Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Toraifōsu ando Yotsu no Tsurugi (ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース&4つの剣, lit. The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods & Four Swords).
- ^ Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu: Yotsu no Tsurugi 25 Shūnen Kinen Edishon (ゼルダの伝説 4つの剣 25周年記念エディション, lit. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords 25th Anniversary Edition).
References
- ^ Holmes, Jonathan (June 9, 2011). "E3: Four Swords DSiWare is a GBA port, online in question". Destructoid. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
- ^ a b Davison, Pete (September 13, 2011). "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition Available for Free from September 28". GamePro. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
- ^ Tach, Dave (January 30, 2014). "Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition free on 3DS through Feb. 2". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 19, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ "Nintendo of America on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- Nintendo of America, Inc.Scene: startup screen.
- ^ a b Berghammer, Billy (May 17, 2004). "A Legend Of Zelda: The Eiji Aonuma Interview". Game Informer. Archived from the original on May 7, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
- Nintendo of America, Inc.Scene: staff credits.
- ^ a b c d e f Harris, Craig (December 3, 2002). "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past w/ Four Swords Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ a b Staff (February 24, 2003). "Miyamoto Confirms New Zelda". IGN. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
- ^ a b Staff (April 7, 2004). "Legend of Zelda: Sword-to-Sword". IGN. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
- Nintendo of America, Inc.March 2005. p. 73.
- ^ a b Max Lake (May 21, 2002). "Preview – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past + Four Swords Preview". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ Staff (January 19, 2003). "『F-ZERO GC(仮題)』が次世代ワールドホビーフェアで初お披露目!" (in Japanese). Famitsu. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ Harris, Craig (December 2, 2002). "Link to the Past". IGN. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past sur Gameboy Advance". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ IGN Staff (February 4, 2003). "Miyamoto Goes Public". IGN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ Staff (March 26, 2003). テレビ熊本のイベントに任天堂が参加! (in Japanese). Famitsu. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ Harris, Craig (July 27, 2006). "Player's Choice, Round Two – GBA News at IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "IGNpocket's Best of E3 2002 Awards". IGN. May 29, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Craig Harris (September 6, 2002). "Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past". IGN. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Top 10 GBA Most Wanted". IGN. October 8, 2002. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ "Top 10 GBA Most Wanted". IGN. October 18, 2002. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ "Top 10 GBA Most Wanted". IGN. October 28, 2002. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ "Top 10 GBA Most Wanted". IGN. November 5, 2002. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ "Top 10 GBA Most Wanted". IGN. November 18, 2002. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- 1UP.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2005. Retrieved December 21, 2010.)
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link - ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (December 10, 2002). "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ a b "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Legend Of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The (gba: 2002): Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ Staff (April 4, 2003). "【ゲームソフト販売ランキング TOP30】 集計期間:2003年3月17日~2003年3月23日". Famitsu. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ Chris Tang (December 27, 2007). "US Platinum Chart Games". The Magic Box. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ "Nintendo GBA Japanese Ranking". Japan-gamecharts.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ a b c Dingo, Star (December 13, 2002). "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Review from". GamePro. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ Harris, Craig (November 15, 2002). "Game Boy Advance Holiday Buyers Guide". IGN. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ Harris, Craig (March 16, 2007). "Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time". IGN. Archived from the original on March 20, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (August 17, 2009). "The DSi Virtual Console Wishlist". IGN. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ a b c Tom Bramwell (March 27, 2003). "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past GameBoy Advance Review – Page 1". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ Craig Harris (July 23, 2004). "Zelda DS Will Be Four Swords Sequel". IGN. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass development staff interview". nindori.com. Nintendo DREAM. August 2007. Archived from the original on September 13, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
岩本開発当初は『4つの剣+』からの流れで、コネクティビティ的な2画面の使い方というようなテーマでやっていたんですけど、そのうちに青沼が「もう、そういうのはやめようよ」と言い出したんです。/ At first we worked on creating a game that followed the connectivity style of Four Swords Adventures with the two screens, but then Mr. Aonuma suggested we didn't continue with that.
- ^ "Zelda Hits Handhelds with Link's Awakening and Four Swords". GameTrailers. June 2011. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords will release later this year as a free download on DSi systems in November.
- ^ Otero, Jose (January 30, 2014). "Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition Back on eShop, Free until Feb 2". IGN. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (October 4, 2011). "Zelda Lessons Learned: Never Bet Your Beard Against Zelda Williams". Kotaku. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
External links
- Official website
- Archive copy of Four Swords Anniversary Edition's official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index)