Features Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess* Combines the amazing new interface features of the Wii with the Zelda franchise * Amazing new horseback combat system * Attacks, moves, and even fishing, are controlled with the Wii Remote * Link transforms into different creatures as part of his quest Details Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
* Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
* Weight: 2 pounds
* Media: Video Game
* Release Date: November 17, 2006
Description Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
When an evil darkness enshrouds the land of Hyrule, a young farm boy named Link must awaken the hero and the animal within. When Link travels to the Twilight Realm, he transforms into a wolf and must scour the land with the help of a mysterious girl named Midna. Besides his trusty sword and shield, Link will use his bow and arrows by aiming with the Wii Remote controller, fight while on horseback and use a wealth of other items, both new and old.The most epic Zelda ever launches with the Wii. Link roams an entirely new land of Hyrule. View larger. Take control of your trusty horse as you travel from quest to quest. View larger. Link must solve a number of challenging puzzles to progress to boss battles. View larger. Fishing with the Wii Remote is a fun and worthwhile diversion. View larger.
Link's journeys, reinvented
Hailed by many as the best Zelda game since 1998's Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess thrusts players into a troubled world ravaged by a dangerous magic. Sporting a new, more realistic visual style than the previous Zelda title, Link looks much more like an adult than in previous installments and fits well into an environment that provides Zelda fans with a much more gritty and grim environment to explore. The entirety of the quest fits this darker mood, as both Link and NPC's alike share the same concern for the changes about in Hyrule.More than just a spiritual successor to previous Zelda installments, Twilight Princess offers players a new way of controlling Link through dungeons, forests, towns, and the bizarre Twilight Realm: precise weapon controls with the Wii remote! Players can use the remote to control Links' weapons including the sword, arrows, and boomerang. This new control scheme allows for much faster and more accurate control than on previous Nintendo hardware. For example, waving the remote in the air will result in Link performing the same move with the sword. To fire off on arrow, players "pull back" on a virtual controller string as the Wii remote's speaker lets players know that the projectile is ready for release. It all works incredibly well and adds to the title's immersion and style- you feel more in the center of the action than in previous Zelda games. As impressive as the new control scheme is, the scope and size of the new land of the Hyrule is equally as impressive- truly the Wii's first epic adventure. Beautifully crafted and four years in the making, the land players travel through is vast and diverse as the dungeons and monsters that lie within. As players collect triforce pieces from the distant sections of the continent, they will get to know many different villages and foes. Thankfully, Link will be able to move over long stretches of land faster thanks to "Epona," your faithful horse. Epona also helps Link become a more effective fighter, as a number of powerful and impressive sword strikes can be launched while galloping through fields of enemies.
The Twilight Realm awaits Like most games in the Zelda franchise, Link begins his adventure with little more than the clothes he has on an an inkling that something has gone awry. After an initial trip to the Twilight Realm, in which Link appears as a wolf, a friendly shadow dweller named Midna will meet up with players and give helpful advice on gameplay. Fortunately for players, this virtual assistant spells out ways to be a more effective adventurer in and out of the shadow world. Early stages of the game have Link spending a lot of time in the Twilight Realm, and outdoor areas of Hyrule, attempting to clear areas of the strange darkness that has seemingly fallen over every village, forest, and field. As the story progresses, players will learn the cause of the shadows, and what they must to do vanquish them for good.
Puzzling puzzles
Link once again finds himself in a number of classic Zelda-esque puzzle scenarios in which he must light torches to unlock doors, raise and lower water levels, and fight enemies to collect keys and open chests for valuable rupees. A number of the dungeons present unique puzzle challenges that rely on the player's ability to hone their Wii remote's control, such as an air castle in the sky that can only be accessed by an extremely accurate grappling hook toss.In general, Twilight Princess is more challenging than the average Zelda game, with a number of boss battles having protracted hit sequences with little support potions about, and even less warning. Still, there's never been an adventure experience such as this, wherein players can literally charge at a dungeon boss with their fists and punch the air to defeat an enormous foe. As the finest Zelda experience in almost ten years and the game fans have been waiting for, Twilight Princess will delight young and old gamers alike.
Description Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess brings you back tot he land of Hyrule, as you uncover the mystery behind its plunge intodarkness. Link, a young man raised as a wrangler in a rural village, is ordered by the mayor to attend the Hyrule Summit. He sets off, oblivious to the dark fate that has descended upon the kingdom. When he enters the Twilight Realm that has covered Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf and is captured. A mysterious figure helps him break free, and with the aid of her magic, they set off to free the land from the shadows. Link must explore the vast land of Hyrule and As he does, he'll have to enlist the aid of friendly folk, solve puzzles and battle his way through dangerous dungeons. In the Twilight Realm, he'll have to use his wolf abilities and Midna's magic to bring light to the land. Revisit classic and new characters - Link, Zelda, Midna and many others
Great game, boring at times., December 26, 2007
By Dean L. Springer Jr. (California)
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
(More Games…) I've played all of he games in the Zelda series. It truly is an amazing series that is constantly on the forefront of story telling in games. Twilight Princess is no exception. Don't worry about not playing previous Zelda games. You can jump right into the story with Twilight Princess. Gameplay is very simple with great use of the "Wiimote". Though swinging your sword does get tiring at times, it does immerse you in the game. However, there are times where you'll get bored, especially a casual gamer. Hardcore gamers shouldn't have any problem. All told, Wii owners should look into this title. The game is incredibly long and it will stay in your Wii for some time. (More Games…)
Good Game!, December 26, 2007
By A. Plymale (Delaware, OH)
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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I personally enjoyed Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. I am 25/F and fairly new to any gaming. I dont like 1st person shooters and I enjoy a little story with my action. Zelda provides me with the hours of entertainment that I was looking for.I really enjoy the controller motions, it makes the game more interactive and keeps me from getting to bored with it (like I normally do with video games). I have read a lot of bad reviews and agree that Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess is definatly not for the seasoned veteran. These people can find a billion and one reasons that you shouldnt play it, like the graphics, but I personally arent expecting my weekend entertainment to be in HD! Gimme a break, who cares if its fun. Anyway, if you like an RPG game and want something to make the extra hours melt away, this may be the game for you. Also, kids or novice gamers should really enjoyable without being too difficult! (More Games…)
Same formula rehashed...not even a true Wii title, December 16, 2007
By invisible hand
Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars
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First of all, I did not finish playing Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. I played perhaps 8 hours, or less than a quarter, into it. I also "cheated" and used a walkthrough guide word for word during that time. Maybe that's why I had no fun with it. It was a burden for me to get through what I did. I got the distinct feeling that I had already seen and done it all before. All of the characters, enemies, interactions and scenes basically reminded me of Ocarina of Time. The dialogue was the usual drama--in fact I liked the dialogue more in Link to the Past, which remains my favorite Zelda game. And the humor was cheesy as usual, just innocent and childish stuff, often slapstick. It's disappointing that this game isn't even unique to the Wii and was co-released on GameCube. Perhaps the fact that I used the walkthrough really detracted from the game. Still, everything about the game, right down to the keys, maps, treasures, weapons, and sounds was too similar to past Zeldas. I'm in agreement with the many people who I have seen complain about Link's annoying assistant, Midna. She/he is some little elfish being who chirps around and gives hints and often rude comments. I'm not fond of little kids, and Midna acts and sounds like one pretty much. There are also lots of other little kids scattered about in the game seemingly, who are just as unnerving with their antics and appearances. I did not enjoy playing as the wolf--this was possibly added to give the game a fresh feel, but it fell flat for me. I liked more the concepts of the light/dark world or young/old Link in past games. Playing as a dog isn't what I expect in Zelda titles. Rumor has it the climactic boss battle can be handled easily with a fishing rod...not exactly my idea of a strong finish. Maybe I should have given this game more of a chance, but I hurriedly decided to sell it. I'll be shipping it out soon, and I'm wondering if I will regret getting rid of it so hastily. But I truly found myself not wanting to pursue the adventure anymore. Perhaps for the plotline I will read a spoiler somewhere. The soundtrack as far as I made it was also not as enchanting as past Zelda games. In conclusion, I probably did not give Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess enough of a fair shot but the portion that I did play not enough to draw me in to the rest. At this point I don't know whether I will be engaging in more Zelda adventures in the future. Honestly, I have grown more partial toward multiplayer games over time, which I can play with my friends. (More Games…)
The best game ever made by Nintendo, December 2, 2007
By P. Harnois
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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This particular Zelda was better than any other game made by Nintendo. It was somewhat more challenging then past Zelda games. However, it was much shorter than Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker. I'm at the end of the 2nd-to-last temple, ans it only took my about a month. Ocarina took me about 3 months. Even so, this game is the Nintendo equivalent of The Return of the King. If you're a Zelda fan and haven't already bought this game, don't wait anymore. It's much better than anything else the Nintendo Wii has out right now. (More Games…)
Legendary -- Part II, December 1, 2007
By Veon "Veon" (Aman)
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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Controls:Another strong selling point for Twilight Princess is its appealing control system, made possible by the motion-sensing capabilities of the Nintendo Wii controller. Twilight Princess was a launch title for the Wii, meaning that it was available with the system when it first went on sale. As one of the first games to utilize the Wii's new controller, Twilight Princess certainly does an admirable job. Link's actual movement is controlled via the analog stick on the Nunchuck attachment, while swordplay and the use of other weapons is accomplished through the Wiimote. When the player swings the Wiimote, Link swings his sword onscreen. A slight disappointment for many players is that, while you can perform certain specific attacks with specific hand movements, there is no one-to-one swordplay: the way you swing your Wiimote does not impact the way Link swings his sword. On the whole, however, this more physical way of controlling action is extremely immersive. Many players, at integral parts of the game, find themselves slashing with their Wiimotes in broad strokes, becoming physically and emotionally engrossed in the action occurring onscreen. The Wiimote also functions as the means by which Link aims his bow and other projectile weapons. The Wiimote allows for a level of precision never before realized in console gaming: the player can easily fire arrows and hit enemies even at great distances, making archery an extremely enjoyable aspect of Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. One of the most memorable parts of the game takes place in an abandoned ghost town, where Link fires arrows at goblins in a old Western-like atmosphere. The tight control provided by the Wiimote enables this adrenaline-inducing battle. The Wii controller also has special uses in many of the minigames. In the frustratingly addictive and challenging Rollgoal, the player tilts the Wiimote to gently guide a marble ball along a small raised path into a goal. In the fishing pond, players use the Wiimost to cast their line and wiggle their lure, then use the Nunchuch to reel the line once a fish bites. These games help to add variety to the predominant fighting/puzzle-solving activites and are extremely addictive because of their creative and immersive controls.
Story elements:The effective story elements used in Twilight Princess are another key reason for its success. Throughout the game, Link follows the archetypal storyline of the hero's journey. He starts off as a young rancher, leading a humble life in rural Ordon Village. A horde of monsters rides through the sleepy town, kidnapping several children before racing away, impelling Link set out on a rescue mission. Link finds that all is not well in Hyrule: a sorcerer named Zant has deposed the rightful ruler (Princess Zelda) and is transforming the land into a shadow realm, its inhabitants into phantoms. When Link reaches the shadow-infected regions of Hyrule, he is transformed into a wolf and is imprisoned. An imp-like creature named Midna (the Wise Old Man figure as well as a heroic sidekick) rescues Link, and together they search for the weapons that will allow them to destroy Zant and restore the kingdom to Zelda. After many adventures and trials, Link acquires the necessary Master Sword and magical Fused Shadows, but in the battle with their foe Midna is defeated, leaving Link alone to finish him and save the kingdom. This traditional story of good versus evil, a courageous youth coming of age, and bringing balance to a kingdom--as cliché as it may sound--appeals to the player's desire for a classic, mythical story. This story is told through in-game play as well as through various cutscenes scattered throughout the game. Many of these sequences have a cinematic feel to them, and incorporate elements from film to tell the story effectively. Elements of the plot are revealed bit-by-bit, often leaving the player with cliff-hanger moments that impel them to move through the game in order to discover what will happen next. These story elements are primarily what give Twilight Princess the legendary feel that players love. The cast of characters is one of most endearing elements of the game: the main characters are fully fleshed out with personalities and attitudes that connect the player to the universe of Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. From the morally ambiguous and tragic Midna, to the strong-willed but tender Ilia, to the sarcastic yet ever-amusing Malo, these figures are well-developed. As the storyline progresses, the player becomes more and more attached to these characters, and the desire to protect them and discover their eventual fate motivates the player to continue on through Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. Much of the characterization occurs during the cutscenes of the game. These sequences are remarkably well-choreographed for a video game endeavor: subtle elements like facial expressions and body language serve to give characters life and personality. Often the characters and the situations they find themselves in evoke strong feelings of pathos. For example: in one cutscene, after scouring half of Hyrule to rescue his childhood friend (and love interest) Ilia, Link enters the tavern where she is staying. His face is bright and excited as he approaches her, but as Ilia looks for a moment at Link, there is no hint of recognition or joy: the blow to the head she received when kidnapped caused her to lose her memory. As she walks past silently, Link's face crumples and the player empathizes with the heartbroken and frustrated hero. Moments like this draw the player deeply into the story of Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess and cause an investment of emotion and interest that makes playing more satisfying.
Detracting elements:Despite its many strong points, the greatness of Twilight Princess is limited by small shortcomings, most of which were inherited from earlier Zelda titles. One of the greatest disappointments to many fans is the lack of orchestrated music. As a fantasy epic, the Zelda series has always been an extremely appropriate candidate for a fully orchestrated soundtrack. As orchestration has become more common in games recently, and as Nintendo delayed Twilight Princess for over a year, many fans were hoping to have a fully orchestrated score accompany the game. Nintendo instead opted for the synthesized music they have always used--which, although often very good composition-wise, fails to meet the caliber many fans expected. Nintendo also opted to follow the old road with the script: in a period where voice acting in games was quickly becoming the norm, especially for high-budget projects, Twilight Princess sticks to text-only. Characters gasp, laugh, scream, and even sing a little, but their lines must be read by the player. Good voice acting would certainly have made for a more immersive experience, something that Twilight Princess strives to do in almost every other regard. Finally, as a lesser complaint, the graphics in Twilight Princess are sometimes disappointing. While the graphical style is elegant and artistically appropriate for Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, the quality is simply not on par with many other games of otherwise similar quality. Often the visuals are slightly blurred, detracting slightly from the experience. Again, the level of expectation for Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess was raised by its lengthy delay and considerable hype, and in this regard Twilight Princess is somewhat disappointing.
Conclusion:In the end, however, any shortcomings fail to significantly tarnish the accomplishment that is Twilight Princess. What Twilight Princess has to offer in terms of gameplay, control, and story elements cannot be matched by many other available titles. It is a classic Zelda game, one of the best games available for Wii even today, and an innovative, engaging experience overall. Almost anyone who enjoys playing video games will appreciate Twilight Princess as truly legendary. (More Games…)