The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Review

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo, arrived on the GameCube in 2004, offering a truly unique take on the beloved Zelda franchise. Diverging from the traditional single-player adventure, this title put a strong emphasis on multiplayer, requiring players to connect their Game Boy Advance (GBA) handhelds via GBA-GameCube link cables. This Zelda Four Swords GameCube review explores its innovative, if niche, approach.

Gameplay: Four Links, One Goal (Mostly)

The core mechanic of Four Swords Adventures is controlling four Links simultaneously. In multiplayer Zelda, each player controls one colored Link on their GBA screen, which acts as their personal inventory and map. When all Links are on the main GameCube screen, the action plays out there. This dynamic creates both cooperative and competitive moments, as players must work together to solve puzzles and defeat enemies, but also race for Rupees and power-ups.

The game features a level-based structure, rather than a traditional open world, divided into stages within various Hyrule locales. Each stage presents unique challenges, often requiring specific item combinations or teamwork to progress. The action-adventure combat is simple but effective, and the puzzles are cleverly designed to leverage the four-Link mechanic. While a single-player mode exists (where one player controls all four Links, switching between them), it’s clear the game was designed with co-op in mind, and the experience is significantly enhanced with friends.

• Innovative 4-player co-op requiring GBA connectivity
• Unique dynamic between main screen and GBA screen
• Clever puzzles designed for multiple Links
• Blend of cooperative and competitive elements
• Level-based progression through Hyrule

Story and Setting: Shadow Link’s Intrigue

The narrative of Four Swords Adventures sees Hyrule plunged into chaos by the emergence of Shadow Link, who kidnaps Princess Zelda and the Maidens. Link must draw the Four Sword, splitting himself into four colored counterparts, to pursue Shadow Link and confront the wind sorcerer Vaati. The story is lighthearted but provides enough motivation for the adventure.

The visual style is reminiscent of A Link to the Past, with vibrant 2D sprites on 3D environments, creating a charming and distinct aesthetic that holds up well.

Graphics and Sound: 2D Charm Meets 3D Environments

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures boasts a beautiful hybrid art style. The characters and many objects are rendered in crisp 2D sprites, giving it a classic Zelda feel, while the environments are in 3D, allowing for dynamic camera angles and impressive scale. This combination looks fantastic on the GameCube, offering a vibrant and detailed world.

The sound design is classic Zelda, with familiar jingles, satisfying combat effects, and a charming soundtrack that blends new compositions with remixes of beloved themes.

Legacy: A Niche, but Beloved, Experiment

Four Swords Adventures is a unique entry in the Zelda series, often celebrated for its innovative multiplayer approach. While the requirement for multiple GBAs and link cables made it a niche experience for many, those who assembled the setup found a truly memorable and fun cooperative game. It influenced later multiplayer Zelda titles and stands as a testament to Nintendo’s willingness to experiment with its flagship franchises.

Is The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures on GameCube Worth Playing Today?

For retro gaming enthusiasts and Zelda fans who can gather the necessary hardware (a GameCube, multiple GBAs, and link cables), The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is absolutely worth playing today. It offers a distinct and highly enjoyable co-op experience that remains unique in the series. While its setup requirements are a barrier, the chaotic fun and clever design make it a rewarding classic GameCube game.