Summary
Across its lifetime, theLegend of Zeldafranchise has had many interesting takes on its formula, whether through new mainline releases or spin-off titles. One of the more unique ones isThe Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, a multiplayer oriented GameCube spin-off and sequel to the originalThe Legend of Zelda: Four SwordsGame Boy Advance multiplayer expansion forA Link to the Past. Not only are its origins strange byLegend of Zeldastandards, but so is the game itself, asFour Swords Adventuresallows one-to-four players to control different Link’s in an adventure spanning a familiar, but ultimately unique Hyrule.
For its time, there was nothing else likeFour Swords Adventureson the market, though that wasn’t necessarily to its advantage. Released as a GameCube exclusive in North America on June 29, 2025 - exactly 20 years ago - this heavily multiplayer-oriented title did not have the benefit of online play to ensure other players were available. To make matters worse, actually starting a multiplayer session with even two players required GameCube – GBA link cables and a Game Boy Advance for each person. It was a prohibitively expensive setup, and contributed tothis experimentalZeldagamelanguishing in obscurity for much longer than it deserved to.
Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Is One Of The Series' Most Unique Entries
While it has occasional rough patches and obtuse design,Four Swords Adventuresmakes for a great time once it’s up and running. Designed around having four Link’s in play, the game’s puzzles and battles can be spread out over wider areas, and even multiple screens at once. The same can be saidforZelda’s dungeon items, which differ per level, and often need to be used in tandem. Add on the formation system for single-player and the competitive scoring in multiplayer, the ability to perform sword lunges and moving spin attacks to wrack up combos, optional item upgrades, and more, and it’s easy to see why this title really sticks out in some players’ minds.
Nothing Else Looks Like Four Swords Adventures
Of course, aZeldagame wouldn’t be complete without its presentation.Four Swords Adventuresuses a top-down, sprite-based aesthetic that mixes elements ofThe Wind WakerandALttP, and takes advantage of the GameCube’s visual capabilities to achieve a timeless look. Players proceed through regions based on concepts andiconic locations from priorZeldatitles, with every level differentiated from the others in its group through smart thematic choices. FamiliarZeldamusic and sound effects complete the picture, and the whole package is rounded out with a couple of multiplayer modes that ensure setting up anAdventuressession was worth it.
Four Swords Adventures Would Fit Into Zelda’s Modern Lineup
All of that value hammers home howFour Swords Adventuresis in dire need of modern attention.Four Swords Anniversary Editionwas released for DSi and 3DS in 2011 to celebrate the GBA original’s tenth birthday, and it even had a new single-player option somewhat likeAdventures’.The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroesthen launched as a 3DS exclusive in 2015, and while it was anothermultiplayer-focused spin-offZelda, it didn’t scratch the same itch as a normalFour Swordsgame. With that nearing its own tenth anniversary, the lack of multiplayerZeldagames during the Nintendo Switch era comes into stark focus.
Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Needs A New Release
Getting a port, or even a Nintendo Switch Online release, ofFour Swords Adventureswould quickly solve these issues, and then some.Four Swords Adventuresalways suffered from its costly and convoluted multiplayer set-up, and playing it online with modern hardware would make the game’s best features easier to get to. A higher resolution would also play great withthisZeldatitle’s impressive art design.The Legend of Zeldacould do with a game likeFour Swords Adventuresreleased every once in a while, and that role could just as easily be filled byFour Swords Adventuresitself.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
WHERE TO PLAY
Multiplayer Zelda! In just two words, we’ve summed up why this game should make you very excited indeed. In The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, play with up to three friends (or go solo, with the help of the computer) as you cooperate and compete with your fellow colour-coded Links on the TV and Game Boy Advance. Walk into a cave on-screen and witness your character re-appear on your GBA screen! Or band together as a force of four to push a heavy obstacle out of the way, then make a mad dash to be the first to grab handfuls of Rupees. Featuring familiar elements from the Zelda universe, plus bags of new surprises, Four Swords Adventures is a must for any self-respecting Zelda fan.
