Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

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As the GameCube enters its twilight years, it's only fitting that Zelda holds its hand to the bitter end

The creatures exhibit this same sense of madness, with angry eyes and threatening appearances. Zelda's always-impressive bosses are now hulking monsters that would look more at home in a Godzilla movie than kid-friendly game. This brilliant looking overhaul screams 'epic fantasy' and looks like a whirl of Arthurian legend, Jason and the Argonauts, and Lord of the Rings with a sprinkle of Disney, all in handy gaming form.

An early version of Twilight Princess showed off another addition to Hyrule's long list of attractions: horseback battles. After fighting off a group of boar-riding marauders, Link is challenged to a one-on-one duel by their surly chief. This plays out against a picturesque, sun-soaked landscape that further drives home the sensation you're part of a sweeping story.

Core Zelda items will show up, but with a few twists. A tornado-throwing, Gale Boomerang, for example, sweeps up and carries items. It's very handy when you encounter a gargantuan plant creature, you can use the boomerang to carry a bomb from the ground to the monster's head. Although the bomb does tend to explode well before it pops pain all over the ambitious shrub's leafy grimace. A puzzle to be sure. And no, we're not telling.

When Twilight Princess finally launches it should provide the GameCube with a dignified swan song, as well as an excellent software bridge to the Revolution ... which, of course, plays GameCube games. It's no exaggeration to suggest it may be a contender for game of the year, despite sticking to many tried and true methods of play. If nothing else, it will illustrate why Nintendo fans stick by their consoles even when most gamers have already jumped ship.

Brett Elston
Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.