The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Is Now Free (For Some)

The last new “Legend of Zelda” game, not counting the recent remake of “Ocarina of Time” and the very hit or miss “Link’s Crossbow Training,” came out in 2009. The next game in the franchise, “Skyward Sword,” won’t debut until later this year. This leaves a pretty big gap in the Link-lover’s schedule, which Nintendo is more than happy to fill by giving every 3DS and DSi owner a free copy of the GameCube/GameBoy Advance classic, “Four Swords Adventures.”

The game boasts a completely new single-player experience in addition to the multiplayer elements that set it apart from other games in the series. Now, however, you won’t need to get three of your friends in the same room at the same time to enjoy the multiplayer experience, as you’ll be able to quest with your friends via the DSi and 3DS’s built-in Wi-Fi connection.

    
“Four Swords Adventures” is available on the Nintendo eShop as of today, and will stay there, free of charge, until February 20, 2012. If you pick it up now, you should be done with it in time for “Skyward Sword’s” November release – consider it a primer to put your brain back into Hyrule mode.

The story of “Four Swords” revolves around Link’s efforts to repair the damage caused by a dark version of himself, known as Shadow Link. Over the course of his adventure, Link (naturally) discovers that there are fouler forces at play, and must do everything in his power to set things right. Every level in the original game can be played by anywhere from one to four players – there are always four Links on-screen, but in the absence of human player the computer picks up the slack.

The one bummer about the re-release is that you lose the experience of four people sitting in a room together, hopelessly confused about what each person is supposed to be doing. Teamwork is much more interesting when you can yell at the person next to you.

Do you think that the Wi-Fi experience will be just as fun, or is the experience lost in translation?

Via Joystiq

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Paper Mario Developers Launch New 3DS eShop Title

Intelligent Systems are set to launch Hiku-osu, a new game on the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

The developers are best known for Advance Wars, Paper Mario and Fire Emblem, three franchises that have helped them become one of Nintendo's biggest second-party developers.

According to Andriasang, Hiku-osu stars Maro, a young boy whose entire town has been covered in blocks. Gameplay involves moving the blocks to solve puzzles and create new pathways to move through the town.

The game also features stages with Nintendo-themed art, including the Mario background pictured above. More images are available on the game's official Japanese site.

Intelligent Systems is believed to currently be working on the new Paper Mario and Fire Emblem titles on 3DS. Hiku-osu is set to release on the Japanese eShop on October 5th. No North American release has been announced.

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The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition Available for Free from September 28

Good news for DS and 3DS owners as Shigeru Miyamoto confirms that an enhanced edition of The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords will be available for free very soon.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords was a side dish to the excellent Game Boy Advance version of A Link to the Past, but it offered some entertaining multiplayer challenges in its own right. One drawback of it, however, was the fact that you couldn't play it by yourself, making those who didn't have GBA-toting friends living nearby miss out on a fun experience.
With the upcoming free rerelease of the game for DSiWare, Nintendo is fixing that particular problem by adding a new single player mode in which players control two Links. On top of this, new levels have been added to the existing game content, allowing players to unlock new skills for their Link. Beating the challenging Hero's Trial area will unlock the Hurricane Spin move, while Realm of Memories is made up of locations from past Zelda titles. Completing the latter unlocks the Master Sword for use.
Nintendo hasn't specifically said that the game will offer online play -- the wording they use is that "two to four players wirelessly connect their Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL or Nintendo 3DS systems," suggesting that it may be local wireless play only. At least you won't need to remember where you put your Link Cables, however.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition will be available for a limited time only, starting on September 28 and remaining available until February 20 of 2012. It'll be completely free for everyone able to access DSiWare.

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Break Tactics Review

DSiWare's second release of the week won't be picking up Escape Trick's slack, unfortunately, because it's similarly bland. Break Tactics is a slow, boring grid-based strategy title that will only send fans of its genre running back to the greats like Final Fantasy Tactics.

Hosted by an obnoxiously wordy, scantily-clad and bespectacled witch character, Break Tactics tries and fails to offer an introductory tutorial for new players right at the start – and then it all goes further downhill from there.

At least the upper screen art is nice.
You're tasked to recruit a party of soldiers from a handful of traditional types (infantry, archers, spearmen) and place them on predetermined starting points on a skirmish map.

Then it's basic movement, attacking and choosing your soldiers' direction of facing afterward so enemies don't come up and stab them in the back for extra damage. Again, it just all reminds me of Final Fantasy Tactics – it's like the skeleton of that game without any personality or pizzazz making you want to spend more time with it.

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Metroid II Comes to Virtual Console in Japan

The Return of Samus finally comes to Virtual Console, meaning a Western release can't be far behind.

While Nintendo announced last month that Metroid II: The Return of Samus would be coming to the Virtual Console before the end of the year, it looks gotten very close to happening.

Siliconera reports that the game is coming to the Japanese 3DS Virtual Console tomorrow. Wide release can't be far behind.

If you've never tried this portable chapter in Samus' history before, you're in for a treat...at least I hope so. I haven't played it since I was a kid, actually. I'm just assuming it'll still be just as much fun today.

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New Nirvana Tracks Coming to Rock Band

Harmonix has announced that four new Nirvana tracks will be coming to Rock Band 3.
The tracks are part of the "Celebrating Nirvana Pack," which is being released as part of the 20th anniversary of Nirvana's 1991 album Nevermind.
Since Nevermind is already available as a Rock Band download, the album's ten existing tracks will receive Pro Guitar/Bass upgrades, allowing the tracks to be played with Rock Band 3-compatible Pro Hardware.
The "Celebrating Nirvana Pack" includes the following songs:
"Heart-Shaped Box""Rape Me""All Apologies"You Know You're Right
The tracks will be available on PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii for $6.99, which translates to 560 Microsoft Points or 700 Wii Points.
If you want to purchase the tracks individually, they're $1.99 each, or 160 Microsoft Points/200 Wii Points. A Pro Guitar/Bass upgrade is also available for "Heart-Shaped Box" for an additional dollar (100 Wii Points/80 Microsoft Points).
The tracks will be available on all platforms starting on September 20.

IGN.com

Pokemon Fans- Get the Exclusive Zoroark

If you have Pokémon Black or White, make sure to visit EB games, GAME, or Toys"R"Us near you to receive the Pokémon Zoroark. Not only is he level 50, he comes with the move Snarl and in a Cherish Ball. Here are the exact specifications for receiving this Pokémon.

"A Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL, or Nintendo 3DS system

A copy of the Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version game

No more than 11 Wonder Cards in your possession"

Remember this opportunity starts today September 16, 2011 and will end a month from now on October 16, 2011. For more details, check out this site: [source]

New Nintendo Downloads

WiiWare
MotoHeroz - Racing game thrills meet platformer charm in MotoHeroz, a side-scrolling racer built with simple controls and engaging physics. The result is a new kind of racing adventure. (For Wii)

Nintendo eShop 
 Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge - Play as Capcom's iconic cybernetic superhero in his first portable adventure. Fight through four stages and send Dr. Wily and his eight evil robot creations back to the trash heap. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Nintendo Video 
Blue Man Group Foley Part 1 - Every step you take, every move you make. It's like air guitar on steroids, but something just isn't right... This offering for the Nintendo Video service becomes available today at 3 p.m. Pacific time. (For Nintendo 3DS) 

Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare
Defense of the Middle Kingdom - Place stationary soldiers on the map in an effort to thwart oncoming forces. Enemies will come in waves, trying to invade your territory. Keep them from reaching the end of the path to secure victory. (For Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo DSi) [source]