But even before then Nintendo has been giving out reasons for fans to get hyped. They re-released one of the most acclaimed games in the series, Legend of Zelda;Ocarina of Time 3D. And they have been giving out little gifts for Zelda fans to get excited over. Earlier this year in the summer during E3 they gave out free Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awaking DX downloads to anyone who owned a 3DS. This has since expired but now until February 20^th Nintendo is giving out free downloads of another Zelda game, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords 25^th Anniversary Edition.

This game is a port of the multiplayer add-on game for the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on the Gameboy Advance. The objective is to save Princess Zelda by proving to the Great Fairy that you are truly brave. In order to do so you must collect 500 rupees and getting through the end of the level which can only be reached by solving many puzzles in classic Zelda fashion. While being a multiplayer game that involves Co-Op play in order to solve the puzzles this version of the game has been re-done to now include a single player mode.The game also includes some new levels. There located in the Realm of Memories and Hero's Trial. The levels based on temples found in A Link to the Past, and Link's Awakening.

I found the single player mode to be a blast. You control two links in the single player mode. By pressing one of the shoulder buttons you can switch over and individually control one of the Links. By pressing the X button you can call the Link you are not controlling to follow you and to do the same exact actions that you do. So if you attack with your sword the second Link will do just that too. The single player mode has solid controls and the whole game can be played alone and is still fun. But really it’s a party game. I suggest playing it with some friends. That is when Four Swords is the most fun; when you compete with your buddies to collect all the rupees and kill each other only to force a truce to solve a puzzle Its Co-Op gaming at it’s finest.

The Legend of Zelda Four Swords 25^th Anniversary Edition is one of the best free games I have played in a very long time. It’s become my preferred way to kill time in the past couple of weeks or so. The game has succeded at getting me even more hyped for Skyward Sword. If you own a DSi or 3DS you can download the game for free until February 20^th. I highly suggest doing so. I give the game a 4/5.