The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

Template:Future game Template:GameNav Template:Game The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is a Wii U remake of the Nintendo GameCube and Wii game, Twilight Princess. It was officially announced via a Nintendo Direct webcast on November 12, 2015 and will be released on March 4, 2016.^[1] It is the second remaster of a Zelda title on the Wii U following The Wind Waker HD. A bundle set containing the Wolf Link amiibo will also be released.

The game features graphical upgrades from the original version and runs at a higher resolution. It also features some gameplay changes, which Nintendo will announce in the future.

Changes and Additions

Gameplay

Twilight Princess HD uses the world orientation of the GameCube version in which Link is left-handed, which had previously been reversed on the Wii version to better accommodate players. Similar to The Wind Waker HD, Twilight Princess HD uses the larger resolution to display a less-intrusive HUD during gameplay. Items can now be equipped to 3 slots — X, Y, and R, while the L button calls Midna. The mini-map has been shrunk and now features a translucent black background. The Gamepad screen can be tapped to instantly transform between Link's human and wolf forms without having to talk to Midna, but only if that ability has been unlocked.

Graphics

Twilight Princess HD 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, Twilight Princess HD uses the 1080p 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 The Wind Waker HD before it, Twilight Princess HD is not a complete graphical remake as most of its character models and geometry (for instance, the cliff of Hyrule Field shown in the opening sequence) are left untouched in terms of polygon count.

amiibo Support

Twilight Princess HD will be compatible with the Wolf Link amiibo, along with the Super Smash Bros. series of Zelda amiibo, including Link's, Zelda's, Ganondorf's, Sheik's and Toon Link's amiibos.

The Wolf Link amiibo unlocks a new optional dungeon called the Cave of Shadows at a certain point.^[3] This Cave of Ordeals-styled dungeon features 40 floors in which Link must clear it as a wolf, and cannot revert back to human form. 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 Template:JapaneseName, 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, after which scanning it will restore Link's health to that amount.^[4] The Wolf Link amiibo will also be able to transfer saved data from Twilight Princess HD to The Legend of Zelda for the Wii U.^[1] It is currently unknown what kind of feature the Wolf Link amiibo will have in the other game.

Scanning the Link or Toon Link amiibos will replenish Arrows, while scanning the Zelda or Sheik amiibos will restore Link's Hearts.^[5] Scanning Ganondorf's amiibo allows Link to take twice as much damage, and will turn his red Heart gauge blue to signify the change. Unlike the other amiibo, Ganondorf's amiibo can only be used once per day.^[4]

Other Changes

Only 12 Tears of Light have to be collected as opposed to the original 16.^[6]
The Giant Wallet now holds 2,000 Rupees.
The Lantern used by Poes is now an item.
The game supports the use of Miiverse and includes Miiverse Stamps.^[7]

Limited Editions

In North America, Europe, and Japan, a limited edition bundle will be released, which includes the game and the Wolf Link amiibo. Pre-ordering the game also includes a Sound Selection CD.^[1] In Europe, the soundtrack is included in the bundle itself. In North America, it is exclusive to the GameStop retailers.^[8]