The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (Nintendo GameCube, 2004)

I bought this game because I thought it was "Link to the Past", but with 4 guys instead of 1. Although the graphics are mostly similar to "Link to the Past" the gameplay is not. A lot of the classic rules about item use in previous games is changed in this one: such as unlimited bombs and arrows. In addition, you can only carry one item at a time (bombs, or boomerang, or arrows), and you cannot swap between these items at any time: you must find those items in your environment to use them. This adds a different dimension to the gameplay and puzzle-solving that goes on, which I like.

Also, although most of the graphics are "Link to the Past"-like, they also involve some very effective GameCube-style graphics, which adds greatly to the effects. Because you have 4 characters that you can form into formations, the game occasionally throws a lot of enemies at you: 50 or more guys coming at you can be pretty daunting, but it's fun to line your guys up and start swinging away.

I've only played it as a single player, but it is still a lot of fun. When I am finished with the game, I have some friends who plan to play the multi-player version with me. We found some first-generation Gameboy Advances (GBA) at local trade stores for about $20 each. I also bought some link cables on eBay. Since I also own "Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles", getting these devices was worth it to me. But, whether or not you have GBAs, and at least one friend to play with you, this game is definitely fun to play, and should be worth your time.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is a highly polished and perfected game. It doesn't focus on eye popping visuals or next-gen graphics. The point of the game is fun. It's what Nintendo is best at. This is a true Zelda game full of all the baddies, items, weapons, sounds, characters, and settings that you would be familiar with if you played another Zelda title before. It looks like a graphically superior Game Boy Advance game, with little touches of special visuals all around. This is by no means a detractor, but when you play multiplayer and the screen is swarming with enemies, you'll appreciate its uncluttered simplicity.

This game is best played with three other friends that own Game Boy Advances. When all linked up, it improves the gaming experience. You use the GBA for control, and there are times when only you can see what your player is doing because it's shown of the GBA screen. It's pretty cool since there is a competitive element to the game. You'll hear your friends say, "Hey! Where'd you go?" Only to find you in some secret cave filling your bag full of gems. You of course have to co-operate to complete a level, but it's a lot of fun to pick up and throw your buddies avatar and use him as a weapon.

Yes, there is a single player portion of the game, and you can play without a Game Boy Advance. It's fun, don't get me wrong. You won't miss out if you don't have a GBA, I just highly recommend it.

There are not many other games to compare it too since it's a different experience with its enhanced connection ability. I guess you could compare this game to the Gauntlet series. They have a similar playing style. You view from above, hack away at enemies, and solve puzzles.

My one negative note is the cost factor required to play this game with three friends. They all have to have a GBA and a link cable! All that gear adds up, and unless your friends are loaded, it'll be hard to coerce your friends to pony up the dough to buy what's needed to enjoy the multiplayer part of the game.

With that said, it’s fun. Loads of fun, tons of extras, very replay-able, and lots of hardware is needed to play this game to its fullest. The money is well spent, though. You'll enjoy it.

what can anybody say about zelda!? just that from the 80's on, the legend of zelda series continues to deliver spectacular games for each generation. 4 swords is no exception. based on the gba version of "Link to the Past", 4 swords thrusts good ol' Link in a battle with Vaati, an ancient wind wizard, and the only way to stop him is with the "four sword". but upon touching the sword, Link is "seperated" into 4 different colored Links. with singleplayer mode, you can creatively control all or indivdual link throught the adventure, unlocking new secrets and abilities. on multiple player is just as fun, except with on drawback, the other 3 players must be controlled by a gameboy advance system and have the compatable extension-if you got that,your good!-if not, well watch your friend play for hours.like before, an awsome game!

I Love this game, It combines old school play for the most current platform! It takes us back to the 2-D gameing for play on the Nintendo Game Cube or even the Nintendo WII, With a classic hero. There seems to be only 1 drawback that I did't like, Its Multi-Player feature is only available if you hook up and play with a Nintendo Game Boy Advance.
All in All if you liked the Super Nintendo Adventures of Link than this game should be on your must have list.

I like this game. It's very similar to the the game Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for the Super Nintendo...in fact, it's pretty much rendered using the same type of graphics. But don't let that fool you. The graphics are better than the SNES, but not by far.

The game play is good and tough. I needed to use a walk-through to get through some of the challenges, which makes it a good puzzle game, as well as an action adventure/RPG.

My only 'complaint' is the controls. You need to be able to switch between formations real quickly, but sometimes that can lead to problems. Such as getting stuck between obstacles, or even falling off a platform while attempting to change your formation. This can lead to getting hit by an enemy or injured, and if you are low on hearts then this can mean death. With practice though, you will get the hang of it.

I especially like the sfx taken directly from the Wind Waker game because Wind Waker is my most favorite game of all time.

I give it a 4.5 out of 5.