Review: The Legend of Zelda – The Twilight Princess HD (Wii U)

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess now spans three console generations, prompting the question: does this HD remaster on Wii U warrant a new purchase?

2006 was a pivotal year for Nintendo, marking the release of the Nintendo Wii, their best-selling home console with over 100 million units sold during its lifespan (surpassed only by the portable DS and Game Boy/Game Boy Color). The Wii introduced motion-based controls via the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, revolutionizing gaming and expanding its accessibility to a broader audience less accustomed to traditional controllers. Coinciding with the generational shift from the GameCube, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was released, presenting a darker, more mature adventure starring the iconic hero. The integration of motion controls offered a fresh perspective on archery and sword combat.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially designed for the GameCube, and this version forms the foundation for the Wii U HD remaster. While players can opt for a mirrored world and the more challenging Hero mode, featuring reduced resilience for Link and tougher enemies, the core experience remains centered around the classic left-handed Link. As with many Nintendo classics, the Legend of Zelda series generally adheres to a familiar formula: Link, the customizable-name hero in green, must rescue Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from Ganondorf (or a similar antagonist). The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, released after The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (also remastered in HD for Wii U), satisfied fans craving a direct successor to Ocarina of Time – a longer, more mature, and traditionally styled Zelda adventure. It delivered on this expectation, presenting a lengthy and arguably the darkest Zelda title to date. While subjective, some consider Wind Waker a superior and more modern-feeling Zelda experience compared to Twilight Princess.

Aiming works perfectly OK with the Gamepad, but it was better with Wii mote

The game’s opening sequence can feel somewhat slow. Following an impressive introductory cinematic showcasing the enhanced graphics engine and refined audio (notably, the directional audio of Epona’s gallop), players are tasked with a series of tutorial mini-missions. These introductory segments highlight alterations in gameplay resulting from the Wii U port. While often beneficial, the transition sometimes results in a compromise in motion control accuracy. Link can feel slightly less responsive, though sword techniques have been streamlined for greater precision without the need for exaggerated controller movements. The Gamepad functions as both a map and inventory screen, allowing for button mapping for quick access to items, and as a secondary display for off-TV play. However, the transition also reveals a lack of precision in sequences involving the slingshot, bow, and eagle. While functional on the Gamepad, it doesn’t feel ideal. Controller Pro support is included as an alternative, but Wii Remote and Nunchuk are not supported.

After these initial missions, which involve potentially repetitive tasks (herding goats may not be universally appealing), the narrative unfolds, introducing a darker Hyrule threatened by formidable antagonists from the shadow realm. Link’s transformation into a wolf unlocks new gameplay mechanics, which are mostly successful but lead to more challenging combat due to the wolf’s less precise controls compared to Link’s human form. The tighter button mappings, however, offer improved navigation compared to the Wii version’s motion controls.

The fights are often more exciting than in, for example, Wind Waker

The graphical enhancements are present, albeit not dramatically different from the Wii version. The increased resolution and sharpness are welcome, but the visual leap is not as significant as one might expect. Wind Waker’s comprehensive lighting overhaul and 60fps performance created an experience that felt almost entirely new. Twilight Princess HD features greater detail, richer colors, and is undoubtedly the definitive version of the game. This will likely be the preferred version for future playthroughs.

The audio appears to have received a more substantial upgrade (this assessment is based on memory, as direct A-B comparisons were not possible). The bass is powerful, Epona’s hooves resonate convincingly, and the unsettling music, particularly within the shadow realm, establishes a palpable sense of unease, especially during combat. Twilight Princess HD is available in a collector’s edition that includes a Wolf Link amiibo (not tested for this review), which enables quick game loading and unlocks new dungeons. Nintendo has also streamlined the experience by reducing the number of Spirit Tears from 16 to 12. This highlights a key aspect of the game: Twilight Princess, despite its grand scale and expansive world, exhibits pacing issues and repetitive elements. While backtracking is a common trope in adventure games, Twilight Princess could benefit from a greater emphasis on narrative and variety. Despite compelling sections later in the game (such as snowboarding), completionists can expect playtime around 60 hours, which feels disproportionate to the world’s density.

Link in wolf form, with the rascal Midna on his back

While this review may appear critical, it’s important to emphasize that Twilight Princess HD is a fantastic addition to the Zelda franchise. It is imaginative, visually appealing, engaging, and embodies both the strengths and weaknesses of classic game design. It is an adventure that deserves to be experienced, and the innovative mechanics surrounding Midna are groundbreaking for their time. While the HD upgrade may not represent the most substantial visual overhaul seen on consoles, it is the definitive edition of a game originally released a decade ago on hardware with significantly less processing power. Nintendo has promised a new, open-world Zelda title, with speculation suggesting a release on their next-generation console, currently codenamed “NX” (potentially with a simultaneous Wii U release, mirroring the launch of Twilight Princess). In the meantime, this and the 3DS remaster of Majoras Mask are essential parts of gaming history.