Link Returns To Gamecube

Link returns to the Gamecube in January 2005 as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords is finally given a PAL release date. In this first multiplayer Zelda game for the GameCube, up to four people can battle together to save Hyrule, by using their Game Boy Advances with the GBA to GC Link cables.

Link's latest adventure starts as Vaati the wind sorcerer stirs trouble having been locked away long ago by the power of the Four-Sword. When Princess Zelda mysteriously goes missing, Link is tricked into releasing Vaati from his prison. Now our hero must use the power of the sword to split himself into four and once again lock Vaati away.

The four identical Links have to battle their way across eight classic areas of Hyrule powering up the Four-Sword by collecting Force Gems. Once the sword regains its power to repel evil, Link can destroy dark barriers and uncover the ominous secret behind Zelda' s kidnapping.

This game fully utilises the GameCube and Game Boy Advance interconnectivity, allowing players to have exciting multi screen adventures using both competitive and cooperative gameplay. Up to four players can simultaneously take part in Link's adventure, using their combined skills and abilities to solve problems. When using multiplayer, the benefit of using the Game Boy Advance is the excitement of the independent search for new areas upon entering palaces, caves, buildings and holes, where players can find force gems and special items to use against other players. When entering these areas, play moves to the individual Game Boy Advance screens and when you emerge, the action goes back to the main TV screen.

It is still still possible to enjoy the adventure in single player mode too. Players can choose to use a GameCube controller to control all four Links, rather than using a GBA.

Teamwork is the key to completing this adventure, with many puzzles that can only be solved by all four Links combining their strength or skills. Multiplayer mode offers the additional challenge of a Hero ranking. Players have the option of voting for the best and worst players, giving great rewards to co-operative people and penalties for the bad guys.

The additional Shadow Battle mode allows players to settle grudges in a two to four player death match. The concept is simple; the last Link standing is the winner.

The game is in a classic 2D style reminiscent of the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, but with stunning special effects and backdrops that will have fans of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker jumping with joy. Well known enemies and locations from the Zelda series return in this game, including favourites from the original The Legend of Zelda, reborn in full Nintendo GameCube glory. The classic overhead viewpoint is ideal, allowing players to retain the same perspective whether they are viewing the action on the main screen or on the Game Boy Advance.

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