The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition arrives as an exclusive Nintendo DSiWare download

13th September 2011 - As part of The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary celebrations Nintendo are offering you three more ways to celebrate all things Zelda as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition, Limited Edition prepaid cards for downloadable games and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword all arrive before the end of this year.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword represents one of the deepest and richest experiences ever produced by Nintendo. More than 100 staff members have been working for five years to produce the epic story, which includes a new approach to gameplay and more than 100 minutes of cinematic cutscenes. The game also will feature a boss challenge mode and, for players who need assistance, optional hint movies to help them along. Make sure you experience this epic adventure when it launches on 18th November across Europe for Wii.

To get you in the mood for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Nintendo is giving you a unique opportunity to re-live or experience for the very first time on your Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL or your Nintendo 3DS system a classic multiplayer Zelda adventure. Download and experience the original classic Game Boy Advance game, but this time with additional new areas to play and a single-player option to enjoy, which were not in the original game, as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition becomes available to download for free - and for a limited time* only - on 28th September, on Nintendo DSiWare. Fans of the original game and newcomers alike can expect classic 2D multiplayer adventure as two to four players wirelessly connect their Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL or Nintendo 3DS systems and work together to rescue Princess Zelda after Link splits into four with the help of the Four Sword. You and up to three of your friends will each don a differently-coloured tunic as you all take on the role of Link. Ensure you work together as you discover and play across four themed areas, solve numerous puzzles and defeat bosses along the way. Make sure you collect more Rupees than your friends if you want to be deemed the overall winner after completing one of the themed areas!

However, unlike the original Game Boy Advance version, it is now possible to play the game in a brand new way as a single player. When you go solo you won’t be totally alone though, as an additional Link will appear beside the one you control to help you along during your adventure. It is even possible to independently control "each" Link by selecting either of them using the L or R Buttons.

What’s more, there are 2 exclusive new areas to play - each containing 3 new levels to complete - which have been specifically made for this edition of the game. By completing the new areas, you'll be able to unlock additional special skills. Fans of the franchise will be familiar with the Master Sword and Hurricane Spin, and both return to help you on your quest.

Mastering the challenging new area ‘Hero’s Trial’, which contains elements from other levels as well as 3 new maps, will allow you to unlock the Hurricane Spin, whilst tackling the new area  ‘Realm of Memories’  - made up of famous locations from The Legend of Zelda series - unlocks the Master Sword.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition also includes new control options, including “whistle” functionality on the X Button, allowing players to call for attention, alert each other of their location on the map, as well as making use of the lower screen to show your inventory and place on the map.

Visit the Nintendo DSi Shop on your Nintendo DSi / Nintendo DSi XL system, or Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo 3DS system to download The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition as it becomes available across Europe for a limited time only as a free download in celebration of The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary from 28th September 2011. 

In November, select retailers across Europe will also carry a limited edition prepaid card to highlight the series’ 25th anniversary. The card, which can be used in the Nintendo eShop of the Nintendo 3DS system or in the Wii Shop Channel or the Nintendo DSi Shop, features Link battling Ganon. Keep an eye out as an additional two limited edition prepaid cards featuring different designs will be made available at a later date.

For more information about The Legend of Zelda visit The Legend of Zelda Hub at www.nintendo.co.uk/zelda

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

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

*The Legend of Zelda Four Swords Anniversary Edition will be available as a Nintendo DSiWare download until 20th February 2012.