The Legend of Zelda : Four Swords Anniversary Edition

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition is a stand-alone enhanced version of the Four Swords adventure, released as a free, limited-time Nintendo DSiWare download on 28 September 2011. It could be downloaded on Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL, and Nintendo 3DS systems during the promotion.

This is not the 2002 Game Boy Advance cartridge, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords. That release paired a port of A Link to the Past with the original multiplayer-only Four Swords, while Anniversary Edition focuses on Four Swords as its own downloadable game with new features.

The central adventure is still a cooperative 2D quest in which the Four Sword divides Link into four heroes. Two to four players can connect their compatible systems locally and wirelessly, working through themed areas, solving puzzles, and facing bosses together. The team shares the route forward, but players also compete to collect rupees and earn the best result.

Anniversary Edition makes the game playable alone for the first time. In its single-player mode, one player directs two Links and can select either one independently with the L and R Buttons, allowing puzzles designed around multiple heroes to be tackled without a second system or partner.

The enhanced release also adds two exclusive areas, Realm of Memories and Hero’s Trial, each with three levels. Completing their challenges unlocks special abilities: Realm of Memories leads to the Master Sword, while Hero’s Trial unlocks the Hurricane Spin.

Nintendo offered the game free through Nintendo DSi Shop and Nintendo eShop for a limited anniversary period, from 28 September 2011 to 20 February 2012, subject to store availability by country. Its DSiWare identity, local wireless multiplayer, and single-player additions distinguish it from the original Game Boy Advance Four Swords.