Free 3DS game, Zelda: Four Swords gets a release date

At the massive gaming expo, E3 earlier this year, Nintendo announced their plans for the 25th Anniversary, which included everything, from a new Wii game, to a series of live concerts, celebrating the little adventurer with the green cap. The most interesting announcement of all, however, was the news that The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords would be seeing a release on the DSiWare store - and best of all, it'd be free!

In the vein of classic Zelda games, the Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition is a top down adventure game, which lets you, and up to three other friends explore the land of Hyrule together over a local wireless connection. Regardless of whether you're using a 3DS, a DSi, or  DSiXL, you'll be able to play together with friends, no matter what consoles you're using, so long as they download the free game. With puzzles to solve, bosses that require you to work together, and an entire world to explore, there'd be plenty to be excited about here if this was a paid release - but Nintendo, being the saints that they are, are giving it us for free!

Originally released on the Gamecube, the game's been redesigned for the DSi/XL/3DS, and comes sporting a host of new features, including local wireless play, the ability to alert other players to your position by pressing the X button, and, most importantly, two new areas, split into three all new levels, which are not only exclusive for the Anniversary Edition, but also let you unlock new items when you complete them. The one area, known as Realm of Memories, is actually made up of famous locations from the Zelda series so far - and completing it will earn you the Master Sword.

If you have a 3DS or a DSi (or DSi XL), all you'll have to do, come the 28th of September, is head over to the eShop on the 3DS, or the DSiWare store on the DSi and XL, where you'll find the game waiting for you. To make sure you don't let the game pass you by, we'll be posting another update on the date, as you'll have to act quickly if you don't want this to pass you by - the free download is a limited time offer, and will either revert to a paid download, or simply disappear from the downloadable store on the 20th of February!

In the mean time, why not check out the trailer below, to see the game in action.


And if that isn't enough Zelda for you, there's also the small matter of the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which will be hitting the Wii on the 18th of November. The product of over five years in development, Skyward Sword is easily shaping up to be one of the best Zelda games in years - and we're certainly excited for it. Check back soon for a full preview - in the mean time, why not check out the game page, to see what we know so far.