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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 4K

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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 4K is a Nintendo Matrix enhanced remaster of the Nintendo GameCube and Wii game, Template:TP. It was officially announced via a Nintendo Direct webcast on November 13, 2025 and was released on Febraury 6, 2026.[1] It is the fourth remaster of a Zelda title on the Cross and Surge following Template:TWWHD. A bundle set containing the Wolf Link amiibo was also released. The game features graphical upgrades from the original version and runs at a higher resolution. It also features some gameplay changes.

Changes and Additions[]

Graphics[]

Template:TPHD features reworked graphics with primarily new textures, giving the game a cleaner and higher-definition look. As opposed to the 480p resolution of the GameCube and Wii versions, Template:TPHD uses the 4K resolution that is standard on Wii U. This provides for six times the number of pixels, resulting in additional clarity, especially for faraway objects and precise aiming. Most textures in the game are touched up with added details, with notable examples including Link's hair, Zant's armor, and several background textures. Some textures have been changed entirely, including grass in Hyrule Field and a stone Triforce symbol in the Sacred Grove. These textures look less muddy and blurred than in the original. The game also sports brighter lighting and less intense bloom than the original releases.[2] Like Template:TWWHD before it, Template:TPHD is not a complete graphical remake as most of its character models and geometry are left untouched in terms of polygon count.

Gameplay Elements[]

Template:TPHD uses the world orientation of the GameCube version in normal mode, in which Link is left-handed, which had previously been reversed on the Wii version to better accommodate players. Similar to Template:TWWHD, Template:TPHD uses the larger resolution to display a less-intrusive HUD during gameplay. Items can now be equipped to three slots — X, Y, and R, while the L Button calls Midna. The Right Stick can be used to move the camera freely. The mini-map has been shrunk and now features a translucent black background. Like in Template:TWWHD, the game makes use of certain features of the Wii U GamePad to streamline gameplay. The GamePad screen can display a separate map screen for dungeons, and can be used to instantly equip items without having to pause and bring up the inventory menu. It also enables the use of the GamePad's gyroscope to aim items such as the Gale Boomerang or the Bow. The GamePad screen can also be tapped to instantly transform between Link's human and wolf forms without having to talk to Midna, once the ability has been unlocked. The game also features off-TV play and is compatible with the Wii U Pro Controller. Hero Mode is featured in the game, which is available from the start. Unlike Template:TWWHD, normal and Hero modes cannot be switched between once a file has been created. Link receives twice as much damage during this mode, and the world orientation is also mirrored like the Wii version. Hearts are not dropped in this mode either, similar to the Hero Modes in Template:SS and Template:TWWHD.[3] The game also supports the use of Miiverse and features 50 Miiverse Stamps scattered around Hyrule,[4] including the game's Hylian alphabet, characters faces with different expressions, items such as Rupees, and objects such as Treasure Chests.[5] These Stamps are found inside of dungeons as well as in fields, usually replacing Rupee chests, while others are received or bought, and must be found before they can be used.

amiibo Support[]

Template:TPHD is compatible with the Wolf Link amiibo, along with the Template:SSBS Zelda amiibo, including Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, Sheik, and Toon Link. All amiibo can be scanned once light returns to the Faron Province.[6] The Wolf Link amiibo unlocks a new optional dungeon called the Cave of Shadows, which can be accessed anytime from the collection screen.[7] This Cave of Ordeals-styled dungeon features 40 floors which Link must clear as a wolf, as he cannot revert to human form while in the dungeon. Each floor features enemies as well as obstacles to clear. If Link has the Giant Wallet when he clears the dungeon, he will receive the Colossal Wallet, allowing him to carry up to 9,999 Rupees. The Wolf Link amiibo can also save a "checkpoint" of the number of remaining Hearts Link has preserved upon completing a section of the cave, after which scanning it will restore Link's health to that amount while he is in the cave.[8] The Wolf Link amiibo is also compatible with Template:BotW.[1] Tapping it when using the amiibo Rune will spawn Wolf Link in the game to serve as a companion. The number of hearts remaining when completing the Cave of Shadows determines Wolf Link's total life energy, with a minimum of three hearts. Scanning the Link or Toon Link amiibo will replenish all of Link's Arrows, while scanning the Zelda or Sheik amiibo will restore all Hearts.[9] Scanning Ganondorf's amiibo allows Link to take twice as much damage, and will turn his red Heart gauge blue to signify the change. If used while in Hero Mode, Link takes four times the normal damage.[10] Only one amiibo of each character can be scanned once per day. Scanning Ganondorf's amiibo a second time states that the damage has already been doubled.[11]

Other Changes[]

Places[]

  • The isolated rock in Ordon Village with the cradle is now walled off.
  • The heat wave graphic effect in the lava areas in Goron Mines is removed.
  • Picture frames of Template:BotW screenshots appear as an easter egg inside Chudley's Fine Goods and Fancy Trinkets Emporium.[12]

Items[]

  • Rupees are no longer returned to their Treasure Chests if Link's Wallet is full.[13]
  • Rupees no longer show a text box with their value after being picked up once, even after the game has been closed and reopened.
  • The Wallet sizes are different: the default wallet now fits 500 Rupees, the Big Wallet 1,000 Rupees, and the Giant Wallet 2,000 Rupees, as opposed to 300, 600, and 1,000 Rupees respectively.
  • Only 12 Tears of Light have to be collected in each Province, as opposed to the original 16.[10]
  • A new item, the Ghost Lantern, lights up when a Poe is nearby even during the day.[14] This item is received from Jovani after collecting 20 Poe Souls.
  • The map now shows the location of Horse Grasses, minigames, Template:Plural, and the last location where the game was saved.
  • The number of Poes defeated and remaining in each area is now also tracked on the map screen.
  • Green Chu Jelly now has a text when scooped and a description in the items menu.[15][16]

Miscellaneous[]

  • Link must catch a fish for Template:Term's cat only once during the beginning of the game as opposed to twice.
  • Link no longer hits his Sword against walls; instead, it simply goes through them, making combat more manageable in close quarters.
  • Link's slashing animations now have trails.
  • The controls and handling for swimming and riding Epona have been altered.[17]
  • Swimming and climbing animations are sped up.
  • Various dialogues have been modified to fix typos and errors.[18][19]
  • Damage dealt by falling into lava is reduced from two Hearts to only one.
  • Darkhammer's tail is now armored; however, this does not affect the battle against it.
  • A trailer for the game no longer plays when the title screen is left idle. The title sequence simply loops back to the start.
  • A new credits sequence for the HD version staff now plays at the end of the original credits. It features the orchestra piece previously used during the teaser trailer of the original version of the game.
  • Midna now has a reflection, whereas she did not in the original game.

Development[]

During a meeting with director Eiji Aonuma, he stated that the reason behind the Wii U remake was to improve the picture quality.[20][21] He also stated that the Wii Remote controls were removed in favor of the Wii U GamePad, as it focuses in the maps, which play a big role in the game.[22][20] As Aonuma and his team were busy working in the new Zelda (known as "Zelda Wii U" at the time), they contacted Tantalus Media to create Template:TPHD as they had a great reputation for making HD remakes.[23]

Limited Editions[]

A limited edition bundle was also released, including the game and the Wolf Link amiibo. In Europe and Japan, a Sound Selection CD was included in the bundle. In North America, the Sound Selection CD was a pre-order bonus exclusive to GameStop retailers.[24] Pre-ordering the game in Amazon Japan also included a set of 20 postcards.[25]

Completion Records[]

Main article: Speedrun Records
Speedrun Records
Time Performer Date Notes

Gallery[]

Template:Gallery

External Links[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nintendo Direct 11.13.2025.
  2. ↑ Zelda Twilight Princess HD WiiU VS Gamecube/Wii Version Graphics Comparison.
  3. ↑ Brian. Zelda: Twilight Princess HD details recap – Hero Mode available at the start and more. “Hero Mode (indeed called this in the west), can be accessed right at the start of the game. Link will take twice the amount of damage, and there are no health-replenishing hearts. As previously mentioned, the world is mirrored.”
  4. ↑ Brian. Zelda: Twilight Princess HD supports Miiverse stamps.
  5. ↑ Brian. Zelda: Twilight Princess HD – GamePad usage, mirrored mode with extra damage, more. “Another element now officially confirmed is the implementation of Miiverse stamps. There are 50 in total that consist of Hyrule alphabets and the emotional faces of Link and others.”
  6. ↑ Template:Cite Book
  7. ↑ Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD – Adventuring with amiibo.
  8. ↑ Brian. More on amiibo support in Zelda: Twilight Princess HD.
  9. ↑ Brian. Famitsu sheds light on Zelda: Twilight Princess HD's amiibo features.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Brian. Zelda: Twilight Princess HD details recap - Hero Mode available at the start and more.
  11. ↑ GameXplain. amiibo Tour in Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Quick-Start, Health Restore, & More!).
  12. ↑ GameXplain. Zelda Wii U Secret in Twilight Princess HD (Easter Egg).
  13. ↑ Brian. Zelda: Twilight Princess HD tweet (2/28/16). “According to pops with the beard, the Rupees taken won't be returned to treasure chests even if your wallet is full. ...with this, you should be able to more easily understand how far you have progressed...”
  14. ↑ [citation needed]
  15. ↑ [citation needed]
  16. ↑ [citation needed]
  17. ↑ Brian. Zelda: Twilight Princess HD – improvements for Epona and swimming, chests remain open. “In a short article which also contains a few comments from Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma, the magazine reveals that Epona handles better and Link has increased mobility while swimming.”
  18. ↑ [citation needed]
  19. ↑ [citation needed]
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Template:Cite person
  21. ↑ Template:Cite person
  22. ↑ Template:Cite person
  23. ↑ Template:Cite person
  24. ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD with amiibo. “GameStop Exclusive Sound Selection CD!”
  25. ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD SPECIAL EDITION.
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