The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition

Template:GameNav
Template:Game

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition is a DSiWare remake and port of the Game Boy Advance game, Four Swords, and is also available for the Nintendo 3DS. The remake includes the full game of Four Swords, minus A Link to the Past which was originally paired in A Link to the Past & Four Swords. The remake features several changes and additions not present in the original, including a single-player mode.

Released as part of the 25th Anniversary of the Zelda series, the remake was made available as a free download between September 28, 2011 and February 20, 2012 internationally.^[1] It was later made available again as a free download for the Nintendo 3DS between January 30 and February 2, 2014 in the United States after the release of A Link Between Worlds to celebrate its critical acclaim,^[2] including the Game of the Year award from GameSpot.^[3]

Changes and Additions

Single-Player

The game now features a single-player mode originally absent from the original game. In this mode, only two Links are used as opposed to four, which the player can select the color of the second Link. The player can switch between the two Links by pressing the R-button, which will also separate them. The Links can be reunited at any time by pressing the X-button, which has Link blow a whistle and immediately summons the other Link back to him, regardless of how far apart they are.

When both Links are necessary to complete a task, the other Link will automatically assist the user's Link. Large blocks and rocks will be pushed and lifted by both Links at once. When one Link picks up a Nokkun, the other will move to the other side to slash as it is thrown. Likewise, when one Link touches one of the handles of a Hikkun, the other Link will assist in pulling it apart. In rooms where there are four switches needing to be pressed, two statues will be provided to make up for the lack of the other two Links. Other tasks however still require that the Links be separate, such as fighting bosses.

In single-player, Medals of Courage are no longer awarded after completing a stage, and are only available in multiplayer.

Multiplayer

While using multiplayer mode, the game now uses local wireless rather than link cables. The game does not support online co-op.

Stages and Unlockables

As the game is no longer paired with A Link to the Past, extra content that could be unlocked in that game and carried over to Four Swords and vice versa are now obtained in two new stages: the Realm of Memories and the Hero's Trial.

The Realm of Memories has three different levels within, each based on various locations from The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past, and Link's Awakening.^[4] It is unlocked after beating the game once. The Hero's Trial is a difficult stage that features "dark" versions of the three main stages, and is unlocked by either collecting 30,000 Rupees or 5 Medals of Courage. Completing the Realm of Memories and the Hero's Trial unlocks the Master Sword and Hurricane Spin, respectively, for use in the game.

Other Changes

Some of the original GBA sound effects have been enhanced into better quality. The soundtrack has also been given a few instrumental enhances.
The game now has its own file select screen, instead of a shared one as in A Link to the Past & Four Swords. Link can now also be named.
In reflection of the new stages added, the map screen has been slightly updated.