Nintendo announces European launch date for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and treats Zelda fans to a special gift

17th August 2011 - Every legend has a beginning, and now the time has come for you to soar to new heights to discover how it all began when the next instalment of one of the most critically-acclaimed epic action adventure series of all time, The Legend of Zelda, comes exclusively to Wii. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is coming to Europe on 18th November 2011 and as a special treat to fans old and new, Nintendo is making available to download for free The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords this September on Nintendo DSiWare as part of the The Legend of Zelda 25th year anniversary celebrations.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword lays the foundation for the events in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is frequently cited as one of the greatest video games of all time, and allows players to guide Link on his journey through a multi-layered world that seamlessly blends intense ground-based adventuring with breathtaking exploration above the clouds. Glide through the skies on the back of a majestic bird and dive through the clouds to the continent below exclusively using Wii MotionPlus technology for the first time in a Zelda game.  This new and epic quest is set against a backdrop of a distinctly unique graphical art style and boasts a soundtrack which features beautifully orchestrated music within the game.

The launch of this game heralds the most realistic sword combat of any game to date on Wii. Thanks to the introduction of full motion controls enabled by Wii MotionPlus technology, players can look forward to a completely immersive and natural gameplay experience. Wield your Wii Remote Plus, or Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus accessory and watch it faithfully replicate the angle of every sword slice. Different enemies have different battle tactics, so players must analyse their approach and develop counter-attacks that play on their weaknesses. The game’s wide array of items also utilise full motion control, letting players roll bombs, shoot arrows and guide flying objects like never before.

Fans of the franchise that can’t wait until November for Zelda action can further celebrate 25 years of The Legend of Zelda series in September. Nintendo is treating fans by making Nintendo DSiWare The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords - a remake of the Game Boy Advance game, available to download for free. 

Enjoy a free gift from Nintendo to celebrate 25 years of The Legend of Zelda franchise. Relive classic Zelda action when Link splits into four with the help of the Four Sword and go on a multiplayer adventure to rescue Princess Zelda. Simply download the game for free, from Nintendo DSi Shop on your Nintendo DSi / Nintendo DSi XL, or from Nintendo eShop with your Nintendo 3DS.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords will become available to download for free from Nintendo DSiWare this September, hotly followed by the eagerly anticipated European debut of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii which arrives on November 18th 2011 just in time for Christmas.

For more information about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword visit www.nintendo.co.uk/skywardsword

For more information about The Legend of Zelda visit the Zelda Hub at www.thelegendofzelda.co.uk

For more information on The Legend of Zelda 25th Year Anniversary visit www.zelda25th.co.uk