The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

N-Philes (A) (100%)

An excellent addition to the GameCube series.

Next Level Gaming (93 out of 100) (93%)

I have always been a loyal fan of the Zelda series since the good old NES days. I remember when I first saw The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System. I was blown away by the fact that you could save your progress, and it was also a cool gold cartridge. Today it may seem a bit primitive in terms of graphics, but the gameplay still stands up as some of the greatest, even by today's standards. Today the Zelda series still stands as one of the leading game icons in the world. We were all blown away by the Zelda video that was show by Nintendo at E3 this year, and while we wait for the new adventures of Zelda to grace our GameCube, Nintendo has given us a little something to quench our thirst. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures has arrived, and though it may not be the Zelda that we are waiting for, it is a great addition to the GameCube library and it is also a great game that will take you back to the SNES days.

GameSpy ( ) (90%)

When it comes right down to it, there is no way any Zelda fan should miss Four Swords Adventures. The multiplayer gameplay alone is worth the price of admission. But even as a single-player experience, there is enough fresh content to make you forget that you're looking at a game that, in appearance, looks very, very similar to a title we all played through 10 years ago. If gameplay over graphics is Nintendo's new mantra, then Four Swords Adventures perfectly illustrates what may be in store from Nintendo in the future. With eight unlockable mini-games, the Shadow Battle versus mode, and a main quest that'll take around 20 hours to complete, there's plenty of fun to be had with the latest in the Zelda series. And finally, when your friend laughs at the term "connectivity," there's finally a title to cite that's as fun as Nintendo wants us to believe it is.

Gameplanet ( ) (90%)

The way this game has been put together makes for a very unique Zelda experience. If needing three friends each with a GBA and link cable to really get the most out of this game is not an issue, the game is a must-have.

NintendoWorldReport (9 out of 10) (90%)

If anything can sell gamers (and developers) on handheld-console connectivity, this is it. Ignoring the abandoned Navi’s Trackers, Zelda: Four Swords + is what any Nintendo fan has unknowingly been waiting for. The level of freedom that connectivity provides in this four-player adventure is a breakthrough innovation for console games, and it does so without scarring the single-player experience.

64 Power / big.N / N Games (90 out of 100) (90%)

(PAL version)
Man kann es nicht oft genug betonen: Four Swords Adventures ist hauptsächlich ein Multiplayer-Spiel! Allein ist es zwar auch ganz witzig, macht aber längst nicht so viel Spaß. Einzelspieler können von unserer Wertung also mal locker 10-15 Prozentpunkte abziehen. Wer aber mindestens einen Mitspieler und genügend GBA-Geräte auftreiben kann, dem offenbart sich ein unvergleichliches und wirklich mal innovatives Spielerlebnis!

Edge (9 out of 10) (90%)

Every new use of the world on your GBA will delight you, every impossible-seeming puzzle will dissolve into inevitable clarity. Every well-known face and half-remembered tune amplifies the game’s dense atmosphere. Every boss battle, re-imagined to make the most out of the game’s quartet of Links, will amaze you. Every mini-game, made available courtesy of the loopy Tingle, will remind you of happy hours whiled away in Hyrule and Lon-Lon. To explain any of them here would rob potential players of one of those moments of familiar magic and fresh dazzle, and this magazine is no such thief.

64 Power / big.N / N Games (89 out of 100) (89%)

Wer mit Four Swords + einen grafisch oder akustisch weltbewegenden Adventure-Titel erwartet, wird übel eine vors Brett gefahren bekommen. Das gilt sowohl für das Hauptspiel als auch für die beiden Minigames (siehe Box). Die charmante -nostalgische 16-Bit-Optik reißt genauso wenig Bäume aus wie der Midi-Sound. Aber wen interessiert‘s? Das Gameplay schüttet massiv Nitro in die Technik-Sparflamme. Ein so witziges, erfrischendes, partytaugliches Adventure ist uns selten untergekommen. Schon nach einer knappen Stunde waren Schröder, Björn, Tom und ich dermaßen in der Vier-Mann-Zelda-Welt gefangen, dass Chefmartin uns nur noch per Notoperation von Cube und GBAs trennen konnte! Apropos, GBA: Genau hier sehen wir ein großes Manko des Spiels. Vier GBAs sind Zwang, wenn ihr zu viert spielen wollt. Ohne geht es nicht! Was wir hier an jeder Ecke rumliegen haben, kostet da draußen etwa 500 Euro allein an GBA-Hardware.

Armchair Empire (8.8 out of 10) (88%)

The real question is, “Is it worth the extra time, effort and money to assemble four players with GBAs and link cables?” Without a doubt. This is the best four-player game since the original Gauntlet and the resulting fun is worth the effort.

Netjak (8.8 out of 10) (88%)

I could go on for pages about the features and nifty little tricks Nintendo has managed to put into this game, but suffice it to say this: Four Swords Adventures is not an epic adventure, it’s not a classic Zelda game, but it is a fast-paced, fun multiplayer experience that manages to be visceral, exciting, and thoughtful all at the same time. If you and your crew have beaten Crystal Chronicles and are looking for a new co-operative gaming experience, you could do a lot worse than The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.

IGN (8.7 out of 10) (87%)

While competitive online and offline gaming is alive and well, games with cooperative modes are still a rarity. Chalk it up to the fact that as gameplay and enemy AI are becoming more complicated, it's tough to balance a game so that it's fun to play alone and still challenging enough with multiple players. Outside of a few recent experiments like Resident Evil Outbreak, co-op gaming has been low on many developers' lists. Most cooperative games seem to take the guise of dungeon hack'n'slash RPGs with randomized levels and a focus on stats building -- which is why Nintendo's little four-player experiment is so refreshing. Like the GBA link-up quest it's based on, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is a unique take on the action adventure genre.

Jeuxpo.com (8.7 out of 10) (87%)

Zelda Four Swords Adventures est un ambassadeur de choix pour la connectivité GC/GBA. Épatant en multi, il n'a pas oublié d'être suffisamment intéressant en solo, pour intéresser un large public. Un titre très convivial en somme qui n'a pas usurpé son appellation de Zelda, malgré son cheminement modifié.

Gamesmania.de (86 out of 100) (86%)

Schwarzmaler, die in dem Titel nur eine gut recycelte Konvertierung ihres 16bit Schatzes A Link to the past befürchtet haben, dürfen gänzlich entwarnt werden. Four Swords ist tatsächlich ein völlig eigenständiges Spiel - und was für eines! Sofort springt der Funke schon im Einzelspielermodus über. Egal ob die gewohnt gute Spielmechanik, die cleveren Rätsel oder das wunderschöne Setting, eben Zelda wie wir es lieben. Versammeln sich gar vier "menschliche" Links vor dem Fernseher, kann Four Swords sogar mit jedem Party-Titel mithalten. Bei Rätseln rauchen die Köpfe im Team, Endbosse werden nach heftiger Taktikdebatte gemeinsam niedergestreckt und die Jagd nach Diamanten kann auch schon mal zu einem kleinen Disput führen, der dann in einem der zahlreichen Minispiele "ausdiskutiert" wird. Unterm Strich ein ganz klarer Mehrspieler-Hit, auch wenn man sich nach wie vor über etwas gezwungen wirkende Connectivity Feature streiten darf.

Kombo.com (8.5 out of 10) (85%)

When it gets down to it, there are two ways to look at The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures. You can either look at the title as a mildly exciting single-player experience or a much better multiplayer game. Fans of Zelda rejoice. This is multiplayer Zelda at its best, and it shouldn’t be missed.

Jeux Vidéo Magazine (17 out of 20) (85%)

Pour tous les fans de Zelda qui auront l'occasion de jouer à plusieurs, Four Swords est un achat incontournable. Une fois de plus, la magie Nintendo opère à merveille, et l'on en ressort grisé.

GameZone (8.5 out of 10) (85%)

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is a clever, addictive, and sometimes frustrating adventure. No one who starts a game will willingly quit, but they might give up because the goal isn't always clear. That can be pretty aggravating, but it wasn't enough to detain me. I kept coming back for more, lost a ton of sleep, and found myself engrossed in a 2D Zelda game that was designed for a next-generation console. How can such a blasphemous thing be justified? Play the game and you'll understand. It may not be as technologically advanced as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, but it's still worth every rupee you'll spend on it.

1UP (B+) (83%)

The game doesn't have a lot of replay value, in addition to being a bit simple. But there are few cooperative games that work this well for as long as Four Swords does. While it lasts, the gameplay brings out a great sense of teamwork and competitiveness at the same time, and almost all the puzzles make sense within the confines of the Zelda world. If you have access to four GBAs and link cables (or can talk your friends into buying some) and have even a remote interest in the Zelda universe, it's hard not to like it.

GameSpot (8.1 out of 10) (81%)

It's not too surprising that it took Nintendo developing a game itself for the whole connectivity idea to really crystallize. The key to the success of this game is that the game is inherently really good, with or without the hardware novelty. But, to be fair, if you only play Four Swords Adventures by yourself, you won't be getting the full experience. If you've been waiting for a truly compelling reason to invest in a GameCube-to-GBA link cable, this is probably it.

MAN!AC (81 out of 100) (81%)

Durchdachtes Abenteuer für ­Solisten, welches ab drei Spielern an der 90%-Marke kratzt.

Next Level, The (USA) ( ) (80%)

First things first: don't let the word "Adventures" mislead you. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is all about puzzles and battles, and nothing more. If you're looking for an epic trek across Hyrule, look elsewhere, but if you're looking for the Zelda game with the best puzzle design since A Link To The Past, you've found your match. Without a doubt, FSA offers the most satisfying, multiplayer experience available on the market. While you won't have the thrills of sabotage and organized mayhem that the multiplayer game gives you, solving the puzzles and finding the limited secrets will offer countless hours of enjoyment. Four Swords Adventures is yet another fantastic multiplayer experience for a system already known for its excellent multiplayer games. So grab a few GBAs, pick up a copy of the game and get to it, soldiers. You've got a lot of chaos to wreak.

Cheat Code Central (4 out of 5) (80%)

Four Swords Adventure offers a unique gaming experience. A living room is jammed with four gamers huddled around a TV set with the surround sound blasting out of the speakers, while they occasionally divert their attention to a mini, handheld gaming system - and back to the TV again. Sometimes they even shout at each other. Imagine having to explain this one to grandpa?

G4 TV: X-Play ( ) (80%)

Legend of Zelda: Four Swords is packed to the hilt with clever puzzles and some innovative uses of the GBA, and like all good games, seems to get better the more you play. Yet despite its faithfulness to the series, its rousing music, the throwback visual style, and inclusion of familiar characters such as Epona and the owl, the game’s narrow scope nonetheless elicits a twinge of disappointment. It would have been great to build stats over time, explore an interconnected overworld, and acquire powered-up weapons and items that don’t instantly disappear the moment you complete a level. But that sense of regret is to be expected when looking back at the impossibly high standards set by one of Nintendo’s most cherished series. Don’t let the shift in focus keep you from missing out on this addictive game.

GotNext ( ) (80%)

In the end, the most important thing to consider about Four Swords Adventures is that it's not Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (Editor's Note: Thank goodness). Without a doubt, FSA offers the most satisfying, multiplayer experience available on the market. While you won't have the thrills of sabotage and organized mayhem that the multiplayer game gives you, solving the puzzles and finding the limited secrets will offer countless hours of enjoyment.

PlayDevil ( ) (80%)

"The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures" took us fully with surprises! Not only by its simple and addictive gameplay but also the ability to use four Links, solve puzzles with teamwork, magnificient areas and recognisable tunes this title is a worthy successor to the previous Zelda games. While some of you will dislike its 2D engine with just a minimum of cel shading and Wind Waker effects, its the adventure that will keep you gaming on and on. Besides the huge adventure mode, players can also use their GBA with a link cable for multiplayer mode and experience the same Zelda feel on their own GBA.

videogamer.com (8 out of 10) (80%)

2D landscapes, 3D effects and exquisite animation all make for an extremely aesthetically pleasing experience, though, especially for fans, who will find themselves rewarded with familiar graphical motifs, musical references and the odd character from Zelda games past. Indeed, if you're a fan and have enough fellows to play with, you can bump this game's score up to a 9 owing to the extra enjoyment it will offer you. If, however, you're not a follower of the Zelda series, this will be somewhat more difficult to get into and it is advised that the score possibly be revised to a 7. Four Swords essentially ends up with an 8 because it is so very subjective; with the right friends, the right equipment and the right attitude, this is as sprawling and brilliant a multiplayer adventure as you're ever likely to find.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10) (80%)

While Zelda advocates will find solace in the inventive puzzles, archetypal boss battles, and familiar story arc that runs through every inch of gameplay, the main attraction and allure of this game is quite out of character for this hallowed franchise. As the name so cleary implies, this adventure shines the most with four people playing at once. Granted, you will get a sizeable charge marching through the dungeons by your lonesome, but this title is designed with the intent of having players communicate to solve puzzles and get rowdy as the competition rises.

Jeuxvideo.com (16 out of 20) (80%)

Adoptant une nouvelle approche de la série Zelda, Four Swords sur GameCube n'a certes pas la prestance d'un Wind Waker et n'est pas aussi attendu que le prochain volet de la série, mais il mérite pourtant que l'on s'y attarde pour bien des raisons. Malgré un côté "old school" qui pourrait, à tord, en rebuter certains, ce Four Swords fait office d'hommage à l'épisode SNES, A Link to the Past, tout en intégrant une nouvelle façon de jouer, prônant la convivialité. Passionnant aussi bien à quatre qu'en solo, Four Swords est une valeur sûre sur GameCube, un jeu sur lequel on a plaisir à revenir sans jamais se lasser.

GamePro (US) (4 out of 5) (80%)

Four Swords Adventures is a creative, fun use of connectivity just don’t mistake it for the next Wind Waker. Looking for a reason to drag out all those link cables you bought for Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles You should check out The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, a weird, cool party/puzzle/adventure game that’s much more entertaining and creative than a GameCube update of a GBA mini-game has any right to be.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (8 out of 10) (80%)

Four Swords Adventures is not really a traditional Zelda game. Rather it's a refined interpretation of the formula that has been stripped of some of its clunkier aspects like multi-item inventory systems and streamlined in such a way that a group of players can co-operatively explore and excite themselves tearing it apart. And, yes, that is "refined" rather than "dumbed down"; double-D derision is best kept for something that's been stripped of its soul for the sake of mass-market appeal, whereas the inherent shrewdness of the Four Swords design demonstrates it's quite the opposite.

Legendra ( ) (80%)

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures est un jeu multi-joueurs très réussi qui garantit des heures de fun à plusieurs. Le gameplay est extrêmement bien pensé, la connectivité est on ne peut plus réussie et le tout est doté d'un enrobage cel-shading mélangeant les styles de A Link to the Past et The Wind Waker. Malheureusement le reste n'est que superficiel, mais est-ce bien grave tant le mode principal est réussi ? Bien sûr, il faut quatre GBA et quatre câbles... oui il faut avoir des amis mais le jeu en vaut la chandelle.

Sharkberg ( ) (80%)

All in all, Four Swords Adventures is a pretty dang great multiplayer experience, with its only real issues being the mediocre Zelda elements and the high bar for entry. All that aside, don’t let my negativity bring you down: if you have a Gamecube (or a backwards compatible Wii) and a few GBAs lying around, pick up some cables, Four Swords, and some buddies and have a great time. I should also mention quickly: the game works great with just two players as well. While you have to micromanage Blue and Purple, it still is a lot of fun (if a bit less competitive, at least when playing with your significant other). Just…don’t play it by yourself. Really.

Games TM (8 out of 10) (80%)

Four Swords Adventures is a masterpiece that once again proves the cynics wrong and Nintendo right. Shame no-one other than its own first-party developers can do the same...

N-Zone (79 out of 100) (79%)

Es macht unwahrscheinlich viel Spaß, zu viert durch die Landschaften von Hyrule zu stapfen, jede Menge Gegner zu beseitigen und Rätsel zu lösen. Die Kleinkriege um die vielen Kristalle sind einfach genial. Im Alleingang ist das Hauptspiel ebenfalls interessant, zumal die Kontrolle der Truppe gut umgesetzt wurde. Die GC-GBA-Connectivity ist in dieser Form auf dem GameCube absolut einzigartig und funktioniert wirklich vorbildlich.

Game Revolution (B) (75%)

There's no question that The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures handily trumps Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles as the best example of Nintendo's connectivity plan and serves up some fun multiplayer gaming. However, the required use of the GBA for multiplayer does limit the play potential. Provided you have the friends and the hardware for it, though, these Four Swords have one bright future.

Nintendo Difference (15 out of 20) (75%)

Four Swords marque l'aboutissement d'une politique 128 bits Nintendo portée par l'interactivité Gamecube GBA. Et pourtant, quel manque de forme ! Le jeu est poussivement pauvre, le solo plat, les musiques obsolètes... mais à plusieurs, c'est un régal. Moins profond que Crystal Chronicles, Four Swords porte en lui les plus grandes valeurs vidéo-ludiques: le fun, la convivialité... et la fourberie. A condition de s'investir, materiellement comme mentalement, le jeu procure des sensations jusqu'ici seulement sussurées, car ici amplifiées par un système de jeu faisant la part belle à l'individualisme. Eiji Aonuma sert ici son premier titre seul, du grand art.

Gamezine (15 out of 20) (75%)

Bref, Four Swords Adventures, c’est du bon, mangez-en. Pour peu que vous ne viviez pas en autarcie et que vous ayez des amis, le jeu vous procurera une bonne tranche de fun, du moins le temps de boucler l’aventure principale (une bonne quinzaine d’heures, sans compter qu’on peut la recommencer à volonté), car le mode Shadow Battle s’avère finalement peu intéressant (le concept du deathmatch s’adapte mal à Zelda). Dommage cependant que le mode Navi Trackers ait été amputé de la version Japonaise, à cause paraît-il de difficultés d’adaptation du système vocal.

4Players.de (71 out of 100) (71%)

Freud und Leid, Himmel und Hölle: Genau wie die Wario Ware-Umsetzung hinterlässt Four Swords Adventure ein mulmiges Gefühl. Auf der einen Seite sind da die bewährte Zelda-Spielbarkeit, der exzellente Mehrspielerspaß und der gute Umfang. Auf der anderen Seite steht die gnadenlos veraltete Präsentation, der fummelige GBA-Zwang und Nervigkeiten wie das halbherzige Speichersystem oder die Item-Beschränkung. Falls ihr und eure Freunde über die entsprechende Hardware-Basis (vier GBAs samt GC-Linkkabel) verfügt, ist die Empfehlung leicht ausgesprochen: Der Spaß ist groß, die schwache Optik vergisst man bei der Hatz nach den Force-Kristallen und dem gemeinsamen Lösen der vielen Puzzles schnell. Allein hingegen knirscht der Tester mit den Zähnen: Für den Preis, den ihr für das Spiel hinlegen müsst, bekommt ihr schon das in jeder Hinsicht viel bessere Solo-Abenteuer »The Wind Waker« – und wahlweise »A Link to the Past« oder das hervorragende neue GBA-Adventure »The Minish Cap« dazu!

neXGam (6.6 out of 10) (66%)

Selten fiel es mir so schwer, ein Spiel einzuschätzen, wie es bei The Legend of Zelda – Four Swords Adventures der Fall ist. Einerseits bekommt man ein interessantes Gameplay geboten, welches aber erst im Multiplayer-Modus seinen eigentlichen Charme entfaltet. Andererseits bekommen viele Spieler diesen Modus erst gar nicht zu Gesicht, weil sie einfach nicht die nötige Technik zu Hause haben. Dazu kommt noch, dass man hier eine Technik vorgesetzt bekommt, die einen Preis von knapp 60€ in keinster Weise rechtfertigt. Grafik und Sound befinden sich auf dem Niveau eines guten Super Nintendo Games. Da tut es mir schon beinahe leid, dass dadurch die Gesamtwertung des Spiels so in den Keller rutscht.

Jeuxvideo.fr (5 out of 10) (50%)

Même si ce titre semble moins armé pour rivaliser avec les ténors de la discipline, on salue l'obstination des développeurs à vouloir repousser notre vision du jeu vidéo avec pléthore nouveautés aussi alléchantes et étonnantes à la fois : Four Swords Adventures devient sans aucune mesure une référence dans le domaine du Multijoueur, qui plus est sur une console de Nintendo où le câble de connexion pour la GBA prend désormais une grande importance.