27-May-2004 Sure, it's not a proper Zelda adventure but it's still great with a few mates While GameCube may not be leading in popularity, this squad-based Zelda proves Nintendo still has what it takes to keep its followers.
So it's in 2D. Get over it. The 2D style doesn't detract from the smart ideas behind the game, plus it looks terrific, with GC effects keeping things beautiful.
Advance Troops! You'll need at least one Game Boy Advance to get the most from Four Swords. The Japanese version comes boxed with a GBA/GC cable, to make things easier. Hyrule Adventure, the main game on the disc, is much more fun using GBA as the controller - although you can choose the standard GC controller. For the additional modes, Shadow Battle and Navi Trackers, a GBA is essential.
Hyrule Adventure is similar, though far from identical to Four Swords on GBA. For one thing it can be played solo, with a clever command system to manipulate the other three characters. Like all classic Nintendo games, the gameplay feels alien and a little silly at first, but soon after questioning its style your mind grips the answer.
Basically this is a full-blown Zelda epic, with the squad theme to make it tasty. Barely five minutes into the game you are taught how to arrange your guys into four types of formation - on GC this is done using the yellow C stick, on GBA you tap the L trigger to select from a menu. Individual 'Links' can be selected for positioning outside of a group.
The Missing Link Very soon you'll be pulling giant switches, heaving hefty boulders, and triggering complex switch arrangements without a second thought. Your only concern, as ever, will be figuring out the puzzles. Choosing battle formations is another fun element - form a line to strafe attack a horde of bats, or a diamond to spin attack through a pack of guards. Boss battles require that little bit of extra strategy too.
You can appreciate that such a cool idea is enriched when the other guys on your squad are your friends sitting in the same room. You're sure to wind up yelling at each other at some point as we did, but there's no doubt that this is a great new Zelda experience through and through.
Two more games are on the Four Swords disc: Shadow Battle, and Navi Trackers. Shadow Battle reminded us of Gauntlet in that you're competing for treasure and in some cases required to work together. Navi Trackers, meanwhile, is a treasure hunt led by Tetra the pirate. Unless you know Japanese you'll be lost at sea with this one - it looks like fun, but we couldn't get very far in it.
Shadow Battle is frantic and fun – the kind of game your stupidest mate can just about handle
All four players here are hiding inside their GBAs. Playing with chickens. Don’t ask…
Tingle makes a guest appearance, challenging you to collect more treasure than him
