The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
A 2006 action-adventure game for GameCube and Wii.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is an action-adventure game released in 2006 by Nintendo for the GameCube and Wii. It was originally planned as a GameCube exclusive for November 2005, but Nintendo postponed it to polish the game, add extra content, and create a Wii port. The Wii version launched alongside the console in North America in November 2006, with releases in Japan, Europe, and Australia the following month. The GameCube version came out in December 2006, marking the final first-party title for that system.
The story is set more than a century after Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, in a separate timeline from The Wind Waker. Players control Link, a teenage ranch hand from Ordon Village, who must stop Hyrule from being consumed by a corrupted parallel dimension called the Twilight Realm. Link can shift between his human form and a wolf, and he is aided by a mysterious imp named Midna.
The game focuses on combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, using a control system similar to Ocarina of Time with context-sensitive actions and L-targeting (Z-targeting on Wii). Link can walk, run, and attack, and automatically jumps off ledges. He wields a sword and shield, along with secondary items like a bow, boomerang, and bombs. While targeting, projectile weapons can be fired without manual aiming. The context-sensitive button adapts to the situation—for example, if Link holds a rock, he can throw it while moving or place it while standing still.
The GameCube and Wii versions have minor control differences. The Wii version uses the Remote’s motion sensors and speaker, which emits sounds like a bowstring, Midna’s laugh, and the series’ discovery chime. Swinging the Remote controls Link’s sword, and other gestures trigger attacks with the Nunchuk. In the GameCube version, the camera can be freely controlled without a special mode, but only two secondary weapons can be equipped at a time, compared to four on Wii.
The game includes nine dungeons—large, enclosed areas where Link battles enemies, collects items, and solves puzzles. Each dungeon ends with a boss fight that rewards an item or advances the plot. The overworld connects these dungeons, and Link can travel on foot, on his horse Epona, or by teleporting with Midna’s help.
When Link enters the Twilight Realm, he transforms into a wolf.
Quick Facts
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Director
- Eiji Aonuma
- Producer
- Shigeru Miyamoto
- Artist
- Yusuke Nakano; Satoru Takizawa
- Writer
- Aya Kyogoku; Takayuki Ikkaku; Mitsuhiro Takano; Eiji Aonuma
- Composer
- Toru Minegishi; Asuka Ota
- Series
- The Legend of Zelda
- Platforms
- Wii, GameCube, Wii U, Nvidia Shield TV
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Twilight Princess is the second game in the Child Era of the 'Victorious Hero' timeline, connecting to an alternate reality where the Hero of Time successfully defeats Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time and returns to warn young Zelda. The story follows a teenage boy named Link, a ranch hand in Ordon Village, who pursues Bulblins that have taken the village's children and encounters a wall of Twilight. He is transformed into a wolf and freed by a creature named Midna, who guides him to Princess Zelda. Zelda explains that Zant, the usurper king of the Twili, invaded Hyrule Castle and forced her surrender, enveloping the kingdom in Twilight and turning inhabitants into invisible spirits. Link and Midna must revive the Light Spirits and obtain Fused Shadows to match Zant's power. During the journey, Link learns that Midna is the true ruler of the Twili, usurped by Zant, who forged a pact with Ganondorf. After defeating Zant, Link and Midna confront Ganondorf in Hyrule Castle, where Ganondorf fights Link by possessing Zelda and transforming into a giant boar-like beast; Link defeats him using his wolf form and the power Midna received from Zelda.
Reader's Guide
Twilight Princess is an action-adventure game focused on combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, using a control scheme introduced in Ocarina of Time with context-sensitive action buttons and L-targeting. Link can walk, run, attack, and automatically jump off ledges, using a sword and shield complemented by secondary weapons like a bow, boomerang, and bombs. The GameCube and Wii versions have minor control differences: the Wii version uses motion sensors and a built-in speaker for sounds, while the GameCube version allows free camera control but only two secondary weapons equipped at a time versus four on Wii. The game features nine dungeons connected by a large overworld, with travel on foot, horseback, or teleportation. When Link enters the Twilight Realm, he transforms into a wolf, losing his sword and items but gaining speed, digging ability, improved senses, and the ability to carry Midna, who helps with attacks and warping. Enemy AI is more advanced than in The Wind Waker, with enemies reacting to defeated companions and detecting Link from greater distances. The game was originally planned for GameCube release in November 2005 but was delayed to refine the game, add content, and port it to the Wii. The Wii version was a launch game in North America in November 2006, and the GameCube version was released in December 2006 as the final first-party game for that console.
Did You Know?
- The GameCube version was the final first-party game released for that console.
- An eleven-volume manga series based on Twilight Princess by Akira Himekawa was published between 2016 and 2022.
- A high-definition remaster, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, was released for the Wii U in March 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess available on?
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was released for Wii, GameCube, Wii U and Nvidia Shield TV.
Who directed The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess?
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was directed by Eiji Aonuma.
Who composed the music for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess?
The music for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was composed by Toru Minegishi and Asuka Ota.
Is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess single-player or multiplayer?
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess offers single-player play.
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