Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, The

Nintendophiles

A mixture of numerous ideas and seemingly unrelated modes that melds to form an exquisite game. Zelda is ever changing, and this iteration sees the dream of true connectivity come to fruition for Nintendo while bringing a fresh face to the series. [Import]

Sydney Morning Herald

Many clever obstacles, opponents and switches demand co-ordinated effort.

Siliconera

More than a game that Zelda fans or even action RPG gamers will like. This game is easy to learn, innovative and can appeal to people of all ages. The use of GBA connectivity and all of the extra mini games just fills this game to the brim with replay value. [JPN Import]

Nintendo Power

Innovative and absorbing for one or more players. It's a much deeper and more satisfying experience than "Four Swords" for the GBA. [July 2004, p.118]

TotalGames.net

It's fluid action all the way, absolutely no problem to pick up and learn for even the most novice of gamers, striking to look at and lengthy enough to keep you going for months. And we've still not played it in English. [JPN Import]

Next Level Gaming

I know that I love this game!

Gamezilla!

A fantastic game that uses the GBA link in a meaningful way, turning a pretty good single player game into an over the top joy to play multiplayer experience.

Computer and Video Games

Imaginative and brilliant - exactly as every Legend Of Zelda game should be. The GBA-connectivity angle just makes things even more magical.

GameCube Europe

A nice single player game, but a great multiplayer game. [Multiplayer review]

Pelit (Finland)

An excellent multiplayer adventure. The levels are suitably compact and the team-based puzzles are interesting. [Jan. 05]

Computer Games Magazine

The only real thing missing are side-quests, but that's made up for with a solid 15 hours of gameplay within the title's story mode. [Sept 2004, p.7]

Play Magazine

It's hard to fathom how a game that speaks through elementary text, not voice, with characters that look like the once I drew on my Trapper Keeper in fifth grade (barking such eloquent lines as "Link, did you defeat that giant stone eye-thing?), can still hold me captive. But, somehow, it does. [Aug 2004, p.55]

Cinescape

It is best with four friends though: my girlfriend, two other friends and I discovered this after we lost 10 hours of our lives in one sitting. If that doesn’t say something about this game, nothing else will.

Worth Playing

You have to have some serious hardware to play Four Swords Adventures the way it’s supposed to be played, but if you can manage that, you’ll find it’s one of the better reasons to own both a Gamecube and a GBA.

NTSC-uk

One sure-fire classic in the making, one surprisingly entertaining competition section and an average battle game...Go on, treat yourself to a slice of 2D magic and show that once again, some of the best multiplayer experiences don't have to be online. [JPN Import]

NintendoWorldReport

Divinely executed.

Edge Magazine

Every single moment of Four Swords is magically familiar and every single moment is dazzlingly fresh...Whether being experienced in the competitive, co-operative cackle of multiplay, or the captivating atmosphere of singleplayer, the extraordinary virtues of the game itself remain the same. [May 2004, p.96]

GameSpy

A unique and utterly enjoyable experience; and thankfully, this is true whether or not you've got three friends around to enjoy the adventure with.

Gamenikki

A multiplayer classic, for those with the hardware. A fairly decent game for everyone else.

Yahoo! Games

The top-down 2D look of Four Swords Adventures seems anachronistically simple -- and yet, it's still among the very best Nintendo games, and certainly the current high-water mark of GBA connectivity.

GameBiz

It’s just a shame that you need GameBoy Advances to play through the multiplayer part, it would be a lot better if players could use other GameCube controllers.

Thunderbolt

Amazing. Not only does it introduce a much-needed change in the story, it gives the series a breath of fresh air with some interesting concepts.

PALGN

It's the beauty of the unique multiplayer that pushes Four Swords amongst this generations best games. An essential addition to any GC collection.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

An obscure Zelda game that's demanding on your pockets - but it's one of the finest multiplayer games ever. [NGC]

WHAM! Gaming

If Nintendo gives us more of this fun, we won’t have to shake our heads in disappointment every time the word connectivity is mentioned in a sentence.

Armchair Empire

This is the best four-player game since the original "Gauntlet" and the resulting fun is worth the effort.

GamingTrend

Designers really worked hard to make each level unique and interesting. Aside from the so-so graphics everything in Four Swords is done extremely well and extensively thought out.

netjak

It's 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.

IGN

A shining example of connectivity done right. It succeeds where "Crystal Chronicles" failed, providing a solid reason as to why four player should go through all the trouble of hooking up four GBAs to their GameCube.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Exploring a massive, multilayered Zelda dungeon with three other people definitely ranks up there among the most satisfying multiplayer gaming experiences I've ever had - online or off. [July 2004, p.104]

eToychest

It is most definitely not to be missed, but do yourself a favor and bring a friend, or two or three. Doing so upgrades the experience from the sublime to the superlative.

GameZone

The game is technically shorter than other Zelda adventures, but there's no way you'll finish this one in a couple days unless you have a strategy guide at your side. Believe me when I say that a strategy guide is no way to enjoy a Zelda game.

Kombo

There is a very satisfying mix of competitive and cooperative gameplay. And because of the way that the level design, puzzle design and all four Links work together so greatly, the end experience is a truly entertaining and enjoyable one.

Nintendo Insider

All of the maps are completely different, and offer different types of play, which makes replay value soar.

BonusStage

Strangely enough, there is no continuity between the various stages... This method of play makes Four Swords seem like more of a compilation of adventures than a conventional Zelda game.

Gaming Age

Little touches, like the clouds casting shadows on the ground as they float overhead, and improved lighting create a solid looking game.

Weekly Famitsu

9 / 8 / 8 / 8 - 33 gold [Vol 797; 26 Mar 2004]

Game Chronicles

Playing this with a friend or single player can be a blast, but remember to play with the right kind of gamers.

GameSpot

If you've been waiting for a truly compelling reason to invest in a GameCube-to-GBA link cable, this is probably it.

Nintendojo

I still can't help but feel that the game could have used just a little more content or even a few more graphical bells and whistles. Final word: great game.

G4 TV

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.

Stuff

Though it's a great title in the Zelda franchise, the action is hindered by all the extra equipment necessary to get the most out of it.

GameShark

The real genius in Four Swords Adventure is that it creates the perfect blend of teamwork, competition, and sadism.

Gamestyle

It is a joy in singleplayer and borderline heavenly in multiplayer; the challenge is set just right; the puzzles are set just right; even everything from the box art, the feel and most importantly the playing is just right.

GamePro

It's not necessarily a reason to go out and buy a bunch of Game Boy Advances and link cables, but it's definitely a reason to get them out of the closet again. [July 2004, p.72]

Warcry

First time through, play times will vary from twenty to thirty hours, and the overall package is impressive: But at what cost?

games(TM)

The expense of having to use four GBAs, each with their own link cable, can't be avoided if you want to experience the game as it was intended; however, doing so gives you access to a world that proves that connectivity is more than just a gimmick - done properly, it can offer a wealth of new gameplay experiences. [July 2004, p.106]

1UP

The problem? It's built on the assumption that when four people play together, they won't play for long periods of time. And as such, it's extremely simple.

Cheat Code Central

To fully appreciate The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure, you're going to require a GameCube, three friends and four GBAs. If you have no problem meeting these requirements and you're also a big Zelda fan, then you're in for a treat.

Eurogamer

It won't satisfy everybody - and we'd stress again the importance of approaching it as a new experience inspired by an old favourite rather than expecting the expected - but those who band together to tackle the evil sorcerer Vaati will likely be spellbound by a tremendously well-designed example of modern multiplayer gaming.

Games Radar

Like all connectivity-driven titles, Four Swords needs multiplayer to stay alive. Once you make it past that small hurdle, there's no denying the perfect design of vintage Zelda.

Game Informer

If you do happen to have four friends who are Zelda fanatics and GBA owners, you are going to have the time of your life playing this game. [June 2004, p.130]

GamerFeed

The one-player game does its best to keep you enthralled, but the multiplayer game is truly where it's classic.

GMR Magazine

Nintendo has put together a fantastic cooperative quest, but compared to most single-player games, it's short, and compared to most multiplayer games, there's little reason to go back once you've played through it. [July 2004, p.83]

Game Revolution

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.