The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

 GameCube
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 117 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 117
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 117
  3. Negative: 12 out of 117
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  1. drlowdon
    Jun 9, 2013
    8
    It may be one of the most difficult games to organise (every player needs their own GBA and link cable) but Four Swords Adventure is one of the most enjoyable co-operative, and sometimes competitive, multi-player experiences available on home consoles.

    Imagine a four player version of A Link to the Past and you aren’t far off. Each player controls their own different coloured Link using    It may be one of the most difficult games to organise (every player needs their own GBA and link cable) but Four Swords Adventure is one of the most enjoyable co-operative, and sometimes competitive, multi-player experiences available on home consoles.

    Imagine a four player version of A Link to the Past and you aren’t far off. Each player controls their own different coloured Link using their GBA, when they enter a building or cave for example the play switches to their GBA and no one else can see what they are up to. Working together is therefore vital to solving the games puzzles as well as defeating the toughest enemies. Brilliantly however each player is also trying to collect as many gems as possible for themselves. This leads to some fantastic moments when, having just spent twenty minutes working together to proceed through a level, all friendships are forgotten as you throw your mate of a cliff in order to collect the 200 rupee gem that has just been discovered.

    As a single player experience that are better Zelda games available but if you can find three GBA owning mates Four Swords Adventure is a game not to be missed.    … Expand
  2. Sneaksby
    May 3, 2014
    10
    This is an absolute masterpiece of local multiplayer. I hope the 3ds can get a sequel soon with online multiplayer. The only bad thing about is all the Gameboy cables. I got **** ton of them hanging around so I wasn't worried. The adventure is epic and its a great merge between Wind Waker and A Link to the Past. The game kept me excited from beginning to end.
  3. metacensorship
    Nov 13, 2016
    0
    It's the return of the 4 twinks in Four Twinks 2: Twinks Harder, but minus 3 because I still don't have any friends. But anyway, for some **** reason I need a gameboy to play this gamecube game, as if the government needs another god damn peripheral to spy on me and make sure I'm doing what the shadow masters told me. ELIMINATE AL GORE ELIMINATE AL GORE ELIMINATE AL GORE, but anyway, 0 outIt's the return of the 4 twinks in Four Twinks 2: Twinks Harder, but minus 3 because I still don't have any friends. But anyway, for some **** reason I need a gameboy to play this gamecube game, as if the government needs another god damn peripheral to spy on me and make sure I'm doing what the shadow masters told me. ELIMINATE AL GORE ELIMINATE AL GORE ELIMINATE AL GORE, but anyway, 0 out of ****g 10 because I couldn't make the disc balance on my wiener. Ted Cruz is actually a human sized dragon being that hates porn.… Expand
  4. protiva
    Dec 24, 2011
    0
    Want to play a great game with your friends? Have a Wii or a Gamecube sitting around? Perfect! Look into any other game BESIDES this one! In order to play with friends you will need 4 GameBoy Advance's and 4 GBA to GameCube link cables. Everyone has that sitting around right (sarcasm)?

    Now I remember why I never played this back in 2004. THIS GAME WILL NOT PLAY WITH 4 REGULAR GAMECUBE    Want to play a great game with your friends? Have a Wii or a Gamecube sitting around? Perfect! Look into any other game BESIDES this one! In order to play with friends you will need 4 GameBoy Advance's and 4 GBA to GameCube link cables. Everyone has that sitting around right (sarcasm)?

    Now I remember why I never played this back in 2004. THIS GAME WILL NOT PLAY WITH 4 REGULAR GAMECUBE CONTROLLERS! Thanks Nintendo!    … Expand
  5. Uter
    Jul 21, 2004
    3
    I don't want a game that requires lots of gbas in order to have fun.
  6. HenryS.
    Jun 9, 2004
    3
    I am rating the single player experience because i have not played with a group. this game wants to be a link to the past but falls way short in my opinion. whenever you go into a cave, you get game boy graphics which are completely lame. the gameplay is much too easy and predictable. i am sad that i wasted my hard earned fifty dollars on this childish piece of .... game.
  7. SonicT22
    Mar 24, 2017
    10
    I say that this game is FANTASTIC it may be hard to set up but its not a waste of money you get the best experience by playing it with your friends (if you have any), it shares tons of assets from Link To The Past which is a good game don't get me wrong but this game is better the only thing about this game that disappoints me is why no remake? its just wrong to not have a Gamecube Gem notI say that this game is FANTASTIC it may be hard to set up but its not a waste of money you get the best experience by playing it with your friends (if you have any), it shares tons of assets from Link To The Past which is a good game don't get me wrong but this game is better the only thing about this game that disappoints me is why no remake? its just wrong to not have a Gamecube Gem not have a remake of some kind and if that does happen give it online multiplayer it is a grand experience the whole way through it is amazing the whole way through oh yeah its not a Zelda game without puzzles this game is chock full of challenging puzzles that are confusing this game is just incredible… Expand
  8. DanielS.
    Jun 14, 2004
    10
    Multiplayer can turn into absolute madness! collect the chickens was an endless fight!!
  9. Alexcooldude
    Jun 20, 2004
    10
    AWESOME GAME!!!!!!! This is one of my favourite games ever, the multiplayer is the best.
  10. DragonKnightofFinalFantasy
    Jun 24, 2004
    9
    I think this game is freakin' great! I know the graphics are 2D on the Gamecube but the way this game works 2D works better gameplay works perfectly storyline is the way a Zelda game that doesn't have Ganondorf should be like ( Link's Awakening, Oracle of Seasons) I have only two complaints; 1. You can hold only one tool you can't hold your magic rod and bommerang at I think this game is freakin' great! I know the graphics are 2D on the Gamecube but the way this game works 2D works better gameplay works perfectly storyline is the way a Zelda game that doesn't have Ganondorf should be like ( Link's Awakening, Oracle of Seasons) I have only two complaints; 1. You can hold only one tool you can't hold your magic rod and bommerang at the same time and you lose them next level. 2. My biggest complaint the one that took the point off one player can get pretty boring it is better in multiplayer and all.… Expand
  11. Alex
    Jun 4, 2004
    10
    This game is simply fantastic.
  12. ThomasW.
    Sep 3, 2004
    9
    1 player is a tactical spin on a Zelda game, with a psydo-adventure mode controling 4 Links. Much like the clasic "day of the tentical" you have to tacticaly control charecters to solve puzzles. Theres plenty of lvls and minigames to keep the solo quester happy. Not as big as the TWW,but less repedative bits. 20hrs apr. Of course, you can also play the 1 player mode in mutiplayer...simply 1 player is a tactical spin on a Zelda game, with a psydo-adventure mode controling 4 Links. Much like the clasic "day of the tentical" you have to tacticaly control charecters to solve puzzles. Theres plenty of lvls and minigames to keep the solo quester happy. Not as big as the TWW,but less repedative bits. 20hrs apr. Of course, you can also play the 1 player mode in mutiplayer...simply this: It is the best multiplayer game. You can switch from 1-4 players during your adventure,replay any section with any number of players~its a myth you need 4 players. Yes, you need a GBA for multiplayer. But thats because,you need the second screen. You see players can be in different places at once. Also, theres some clever too: If you are on the GBA screen you can often shot arrows at people on the tv screen (or bombs). Superb stuff. I havnt even commented on the battle mode. Bomberman, with swords, and killer chickens Genius! If you got a Cube,get this game If you got a GBA,get a cube first Cube owners: YOU DO NOT NEED A GBA TO ENJOY THIS GAME. The one player is great on its own.… Expand
  13. LorenaM.
    Mar 8, 2005
    10
    This is the best edition yet. I enjoy having the overhead view again, it makes the game much more fun. I have been a Zelda fan since day one and will always enjoy all of thier games.
  14. ThomasR.
    Aug 14, 2007
    9
    Awesome co-op game.
  15. JesseR
    Jan 18, 2010
    8
    Four Swords Adventures isn
  16. PhilT.
    Jun 23, 2004
    10
    An utterly superb game!
  17. LarsenP.
    Jan 8, 2005
    9
    I have felt as if I went back in time when I first played 'A Link to the Past'. The pointis that this one plays even better!!!!! Long live 2D! If you loved Zelda III, you shouldnpt miss this one. It rocks!
  18. OmarD.
    Jul 30, 2005
    10
    I think this games very fun and chalenging for single player , and its even beter for multiplayer. this is just one of those games that you can play for a long time en never get bored.
  19. CameronM.
    Jun 15, 2004
    9
    Pretty good game i like it its all about the multiplayer and Shadow battle.
  20. KevinM.
    Jul 22, 2004
    9
    It's a good game, cause it has things from the classic games like princess'es zeldas castle.
  21. Graikor
    Jun 27, 2006
    9
    Loved this game! Perfectly charming in one-player, although it would be nice to use a collection of accessories. Exponentially better with more players.
  22. VonSeux
    Jan 28, 2014
    9
    Excellent on single player. Graphics and sound are incredible. It's retro like if a sequel to Link to The Past were released on 32bit (PSX/Saturn). I feel so dumb not having this game before. No Gba or extra cables are needed to singleplayer. The mission structure gives this one a Arcade-ish gameplay, with more challange than your usual Zelda, and no endless storytelling. The only reasonExcellent on single player. Graphics and sound are incredible. It's retro like if a sequel to Link to The Past were released on 32bit (PSX/Saturn). I feel so dumb not having this game before. No Gba or extra cables are needed to singleplayer. The mission structure gives this one a Arcade-ish gameplay, with more challange than your usual Zelda, and no endless storytelling. The only reason not giving this a 10 is that I cannot play the multiplayer. And I envy those who did play 4-player.… Expand
  23. wegie125
    Dec 16, 2017
    8
    This game was made for trolls, I'm not sure what Nintendo thought would happen if you take four friends together and have them try to solve puzzles together but it does not turn out that well, not saying the game is bad by any means, just that my friends would end up killing me nonstop and that's all that would ever get accomplished. I think this game has way more potential than peopleThis game was made for trolls, I'm not sure what Nintendo thought would happen if you take four friends together and have them try to solve puzzles together but it does not turn out that well, not saying the game is bad by any means, just that my friends would end up killing me nonstop and that's all that would ever get accomplished. I think this game has way more potential than people realize. The only sad part about this game is that you were required to have gameboy adapters and that just caused the entire game in itself to be a hassle to hook up, I do like the idea of using the screens on the gameboys individually when you go inside certain dungeons or buildings though. I was also a huge fan of the ds version of this game that they did. This games are so fun and honestly I am a little sad I never had friends to play the 3ds version, that one looked like fun. I hope they make one for the switch though.… Expand
  24. Orioldash2
    Aug 2, 2023
    9
    Definitely the best multiplayer game. Definitely the best multiplayer game.
  25. GamecubeLover
    Jul 25, 2016
    9
    Four Swords Adventures if fast paced and very entertaining. Who cares if the graphics aren't 3D. They do look good and the controls and story are good as well.
  26. Pakon
    Feb 15, 2020
    9
    The only thing that Four Swords Adventures has as a drawback is its the way it utilizes local multiplayer. For 2-4 Players you need the following:
    1) 2-4 Game Boy Advance systems and
    2) 2-4 GBA-to-Gamecube cables If you can obtain this setup, the game is one of the greatest multiplayer experiences on the system; an excellent co-op 2D Zelda game with graphics and mechanics similar to "A    The only thing that Four Swords Adventures has as a drawback is its the way it utilizes local multiplayer. For 2-4 Players you need the following:
    1) 2-4 Game Boy Advance systems and
    2) 2-4 GBA-to-Gamecube cables
    If you can obtain this setup, the game is one of the greatest multiplayer experiences on the system; an excellent co-op 2D Zelda game with graphics and mechanics similar to "A Link to the Past" and "The Minish Cap". Played this a lot with friends and cannot describe how much fun we had.    … Expand
  27. Kakadu
    Apr 3, 2020
    10
    Really cool game. Awesome gameplay. Makes a lot of fun but is by far not the best Zelda game.
  28. giannis2001
    Sep 5, 2022
    8
    This game is very interesting. I enjoyed it a lot. It actually has great challenges and puzzles even though I thought it would be easier that the main entries. I highly recommend it.
  29. Starfree
    Jul 7, 2023
    6
    This is the worst zelda game imo (besides the games that shall not be named) it’s neat to see Wind Waker bosses in 2D and the story is good. But with such a large barrier to play it with 4 players. A GameCube, 4 GameBoy advances, and the adaptors to go with them. It’s more likely you’ll be playing the game alone which isn’t a great experience as all the puzzles are multiplayer focused. ItThis is the worst zelda game imo (besides the games that shall not be named) it’s neat to see Wind Waker bosses in 2D and the story is good. But with such a large barrier to play it with 4 players. A GameCube, 4 GameBoy advances, and the adaptors to go with them. It’s more likely you’ll be playing the game alone which isn’t a great experience as all the puzzles are multiplayer focused. It was a neat idea on paper but in practice it’s a mess of wires and usually results in turning off the game in favor of Mario kart, Mario party, or smash.… Expand
  30. joaotm777
    Jun 23, 2020
    9
    "Essa é a lâmina sagrada da qual eu falei, a Espada Quádrupla. Bons tempos no GBA, não tenho que falar a história e boa e é muito divertido só isso mesmo.
  31. stupidopinion
    Jun 22, 2022
    3
    I've had good fun with friends while playing this game (played with 3 since our 4th never could make it). The fun comes from the friendly competition of gem collecting/stealing and the (mostly) solid level design throughout. However as this game progresses it becomes more and more tiresome to play. Levels stretch longer and longer, some being easily over an hour long, and if you ever endI've had good fun with friends while playing this game (played with 3 since our 4th never could make it). The fun comes from the friendly competition of gem collecting/stealing and the (mostly) solid level design throughout. However as this game progresses it becomes more and more tiresome to play. Levels stretch longer and longer, some being easily over an hour long, and if you ever end up quitting, or your GBA batteries run out, it's over and you'll have to start from the beginning of the level when you next play it. Many levels play out similarly and I often found myself questioning why we weren't playing a more fun co-op game, since there are so many others out there. I remember a session where we spent the whole time playing 1 level in world 6, my GBA ran out of batteries so we lost it all, making no progress for the day. I only really stayed because of my friends. They seemed to have a better overall time with it than me, so maybe there's value that I'm just not seeing? Don't go through the hassle of setting it all up, even if you're lucky and have the GBAs + GC like us.… Expand
  32. joadson
    Jul 1, 2022
    10
    fantastic game with impressive multiplayer one of the best zeldas you can play with up to 4 friends very good

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best GameCube Game of 2004
11
#11 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2004
1
#1 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
  1. Weekly Famitsu
    83
    9 / 8 / 8 / 8 - 33 gold [Vol 797; 26 Mar 2004]
  2. Edge Magazine
    90
    Every single moment of Four Swords is magically familiar and every single moment is dazzlingly fresh...Whether being experienced in the competitive, co-operative cackle of multiplay, or the captivating atmosphere of singleplayer, the extraordinary virtues of the game itself remain the same. [May 2004, p.96]
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  3. NTSC-uk
    90
    One sure-fire classic in the making, one surprisingly entertaining competition section and an average battle game...Go on, treat yourself to a slice of 2D magic and show that once again, some of the best multiplayer experiences don't have to be online. [JPN Import]
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