REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It’s time to fight alongside more than a dozen recognizable characters from The Legend of Zelda series to save Hyrule from a menacing new force. It’s time to dive into a crossover unlike anything Nintendo has ever done before, combining the vast universe of The Legend of Zelda franchise with the breathless fast-paced action perfected by the Dynasty Warriors games. On Sept. 26, it’s time for Hyrule Warriors.
Launching exclusively for the Wii U console, Hyrule Warriors lets players unleash the full power of iconic characters like Link, Zelda and Ganondorf, as they cut down legions of enemies on massive battlefields in familiar settings from The Legend of Zelda series like Hyrule Field, Death Mountain and Skyloft, as well as new locations created specifically for the game. The frenetic action of the Dynasty Warriors franchise blends beautifully with The Legend of Zelda series to create a unique hybrid that feels as seamless as it does bold.
“By combining The Legend of Zelda universe with the game play of the Dynasty Warriors games, Nintendo and Koei Tecmo have created a legendary pairing,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Even fans who aren’t familiar with both series will have a great time playing this action-packed Wii U exclusive.”
In the game, players are tasked with defending and reclaiming massive battlefields from hordes of enemies. To do this, players take control of different characters familiar to fans of The Legend of Zelda series – many of them, like Impa, Fi, Darunia, Zant and Princess Ruto, playable for the very first time. Each of these playable characters is equipped with unique weapon types and ferocious special moves that work with his or her strengths. Zelda wields a razor-sharp Rapier to defeat foes, Sheik uses a magic Harp to vanquish enemies and Link brings his massive Hylian Sword to battle. Mastering all of the characters’ moves and basking in their flashy animations is part of the fun and appeal of the game.
Throughout Hyrule Warriors, players can collect critical items that will help them defeat tricky enemies, solve puzzles and access new places on the expansive maps. These useful items come in the familiar forms of classic tools from The Legend of Zelda series, and are used in similar ways. For example, when bombs are found, players can use them to blow away blocked passages or even help bring down a giant lizard-like creature that longtime fans will instantly recognize. Other items like the Hookshot, bow and boomerang can also be found in treasure chests, accompanied by that classic sound effect upon discovery.
In addition to the robust single-player adventure, Hyrule Warriors offers additional modes that expand the game-play possibilities. Adventure Mode features a map visually inspired by the overworld of The Legend of Zelda for NES. In this mode, specific challenges can be completed, which allow players to unlock additional playable characters, collect hard-to-find materials and upgrade character features. Two warriors can also take on Hyrule Warriors together in a local co-op mode. Instead of a traditional split-screen, one player plays on the TV, while the other can play with the Wii U GamePad controller, providing each player with his or her own screen.
Nintendo plans to support Hyrule Warriors for the long run with more content to help players expand their adventures even further, kicking off when the game launches on Sept. 26. People who buy the game will receive access to a free download that adds a new mode, a new weapon and the option to select music during a stage to add to the Hyrule Warriors experience. People who pre-order the game at select retailers will receive a free download code for alternate in-game costumes for Link and Zelda. Additionally, anyone who registers the game by Oct. 23 with Club Nintendo will receive a free download code for a set of alternate in-game costumes for Ganondorf. All of these additional costumes will become available for purchase in the Nintendo eShop in the near future.
Hyrule Warriors launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Wii U on Sept. 26 at a suggested retail price of $59.99. For more information about the game, visit http://zelda.com/hyrule-warriors/.
Remember that Wii U features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu.
About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.2 billion video games and more than 670 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.
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