The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords & Four Swords Adventures – The Multiplayer Epic of the Zelda Saga

With Four Swords (2002) and Four Swords Adventures (2004), Nintendo introduced an unprecedented concept in the world of The Legend of Zelda: cooperative multiplayer mode. These games, inspired by the episode The Minish Cap, offer an adventure in which Link splits into four using the Four Sword to confront Vaati, the wind sorcerer.

These titles marked a turning point in the series by incorporating cooperative gameplay, allowing multiple players to solve puzzles together—a first in Zelda history.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (2002) – A First Foray into Multiplayer

Released in 2002 on Game Boy Advance, Four Swords is an additional multiplayer mode included with the re-release of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It is considered the first Zelda game playable with multiple players.

The Story

The adventure takes place after The Minish Cap. An old legend tells that a hero once split into four using a sacred sword to rescue kidnapped girls from Vaati, the wind sorcerer.

One day, Zelda senses that Vaati's seal is weakening. She brings Link before the Four Sword, a mythical blade containing the sorcerer. As they approach, Vaati appears, kidnaps Zelda and the priestesses, and attempts to seize Hyrule. Knocked unconscious, Link is awakened by three fairies who advise him to draw the sword. By brandishing it, he splits into four, gaining the power needed to confront the evil Vaati.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004) – The Multiplayer Adventure on GameCube

Released in 2004 on Nintendo GameCube, Four Swords Adventures builds upon and improves the foundations of Four Swords, featuring a mode playable both solo and in multiplayer (up to 4 players via Game Boy Advance cables).

The Story

One evening, the skies over Hyrule darken mysteriously. Zelda and the six priestesses guarding the Four Sword sense that Vaati's seal is in danger. Upon arriving at the sacred stele, a mysterious Dark Link appears, captures Zelda and the priestesses, and vanishes through a magical portal.

Link follows and finds himself before the Four Sword. By drawing it, he splits into four, launching a new epic quest in which the cooperation among the four Links is essential to save Hyrule and triumph over evil.

A Dynamic Gameplay

One of the standout features of Four Swords Adventures is the ability for players to cooperate... but also betray each other. In multiplayer, players can steal rubies from one another, adding a competitive edge to the adventure.