Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action-adventure remake has mild combat, terrific puzzles.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say this game is enjoyable for older players due to its engaging storyline, captivating gameplay, and unique mechanics like transforming into a wolf, though some younger players may find it a bit scary or dark. While it has mature themes and elements of violence, many reviewers suggest it is suitable for teens and recommend parental discretion for younger audiences.
- engaging storyline
- unique gameplay
- mature themes
- potential scares
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TWILIGHT PRINCESS HD is not a fresh Zelda game but instead a high-definition remake of a game originally launched for GameCube and Wii. It sees the series' perpetual protagonist Link embarking on a quest to save the kingdom of Hyrule from a new villain -- Zant, the King of the Twilight -- who has taken over. Link must journey through dungeons, both as a human and in his magical wolf form in the Realm of Twilight, to restore light to the fabled Light Spirits if he is to save the world. The remake remains faithful to the original, delivering combat, puzzles, and dungeons that returning players will quickly remember. The move to a high-definition platform has resulted in added visual detail, especially in character models and special effects. The HD edition also includes support for several of Nintendo's amiibo figurines, which can be used to give Link advantages such as extra hearts and more arrows, as well as unlock a new wave-based combat dungeon called the Cave of Shadows. Veteran players may want to try the new Hero mode, which is designed to increase difficulty. Players can choose to play with either the Gamepad or a traditional Wii U Pro Controller, but if they choose the former they'll be able to interact with the touchscreen to view local area maps, manage inventory, and easily assign items and weapons to specific buttons.
Is It Any Good?
When this game first launched on Wii in 2006, most people were focused on how it made use of the console's then-innovative motion controls. These controls had players pointing at the screen to aim ranged attacks and swinging a Wii remote controller to slash with Link's sword. These hardware-enabled mechanics took some of the spotlight off other parts of the game. With this distraction removed, Twilight Princess stands as a good -- though not necessarily exceptional -- entry in Nintendo's iconic franchise.
Its biggest innovation is Link's ability to transform into a wolf, which is fun at the start and gives players nifty new abilities (such as the ability to sense spirits). But it limits the ways that Link can fight, ultimately making combat less interesting. On the other hand, several of Twilight Princess' dungeons and puzzles stand alongside some of the best in the Zelda franchise, deftly mixing combat, conundrums, and Link's unique abilities. The excellent Temple of Time -- which sees players interacting with a series of statues in increasingly clever and satisfying ways -- is a prime example. These brilliantly designed combat and puzzle sequences constitute the moments that resonate most strongly and which players are most likely to remember. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD isn't essential for those who played through the original a decade ago, but it does provide younger players who missed the Wii and GameCube versions an opportunity to try a classic Nintendo adventure for the first time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the impact of violence in media. Is Link's combat always justified? Are there any instances in which he might have been able to avoid fighting his enemies?
Families can also talk about Link's treatment of animals. He clearly loves cats and dogs and his horse, Epona, but he can drive her pretty hard. Do you think his attitude toward animals changes once he finds himself transformed into a wolf? Would yours?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo Wii U
- Subjects : Language & Reading : reading , Hobbies : collecting
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : analyzing evidence , applying information , deduction , logic , solving puzzles
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Nintendo
- Release date : March 4, 2016
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Animals
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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