The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess#Creation

{{See also|The Legend of Zelda#Gameplay}}

File:Zelda - Twilight Princess - stab.jpg is targeting as he prepares to swing his sword (GameCube version).|alt=A boy in a green tunic holds a shield while swinging his sword towards an enemy.]]

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is an action-adventure game focused on combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving. It uses the basic control scheme introduced in Ocarina of Time, including context-sensitive action buttons and L-targeting (Z-targeting on the Wii),{{cite web|title=GC Review: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=12702 |work=Nintendo World Report |first=Aaron |last=Kaluszka |date=January 11, 2007 |access-date=January 23, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228004448/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=12702 |archive-date=February 28, 2009}} a system that allows the player to keep Link's view focused on an enemy or important object while moving and attacking. Link can walk, run, and attack, and he will automatically jump when running off of or reaching for a ledge.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|p=20}} Link uses a sword and shield in combat, complemented with secondary weapons and items, including a bow and arrows, a boomerang, and bombs.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|pp=22–23}} While L-targeting, projectile-based weapons can be fired at a target without the need for manual aiming.

The context-sensitive button mechanic allows one button to serve a variety of functions, such as talking, opening doors, and pushing, pulling, and throwing objects.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|p=22}} The on-screen display shows what action, if any, the button will trigger, determined by the situation. For example, if Link is holding a rock, the context-sensitive button will cause Link to throw the rock if he is moving or targeting an object or enemy or place the rock on the ground if he is standing still.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|p=12}}

The GameCube and Wii versions feature several minor differences in their controls and gameplay. The Wii version uses the motion sensors and built-in speaker of the Wii Remote. The speaker emits the sounds of a bowstring when shooting an arrow, Midna's laugh when she gives advice to Link, and the series' trademark "chime" when discovering secrets. The player controls Link's sword by swinging the Wii Remote. Other attacks are triggered using similar gestures with the Nunchuk. In the GameCube version, players can control the camera freely, without entering a special "lookaround" mode required on the Wii; however, in the GameCube version, only two of Link's secondary weapons can be equipped at a time, as opposed to four in the Wii version.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|p=168}}

The game features nine dungeons—large, contained areas where Link battles enemies, collects items, and solves puzzles. Link navigates these dungeons and fights a boss at the end in order to obtain an item or otherwise advance the plot. The dungeons are connected by a large overworld, across which Link can travel on foot; on his horse, Epona; or by teleporting with Midna's assistance.

When Link enters the Twilight Realm, the void that corrupts parts of Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|p=35}} He is eventually able to transform between his Hylian and wolf forms at will. As a wolf, Link loses the ability to use his sword, shield, or any secondary items; he instead attacks by biting and defends primarily by dodging attacks. "Wolf Link" gains several key advantages in return—he moves faster than he does on foot as a human, digs holes to create new passages, and uncover buried items, and has improved senses, including the ability to follow scent trails.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|pp=17–20}} On his back, he also carries Midna, a small imp-like creature who gives him hints, uses an energy field to attack enemies, helps him jump long distances, and eventually allows him to "warp" to any of several preset locations throughout the overworld.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|p=21}} Using Link's wolf senses, the player can see and listen to the wandering spirits of those affected by the Twilight, as well as hunt for enemy ghosts named Poes.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|p=153}}

The artificial intelligence of enemies in Twilight Princess is more advanced than that of enemies in The Wind Waker. Enemies react to defeated companions and to arrows or slingshot pellets that pass by, and they can detect Link from a greater distance than was possible in previous games.{{Cite magazine |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo |date=March 2006 |volume=201 |title=Inside Zelda part 10: The Monsters in his Head |pages=46–48 |url=http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/twilightprincess/inside10.jsp |access-date=September 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913210332/http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/twilightprincess/inside10.jsp |archive-date=September 13, 2008}}

{{redirect|Twilight Realm|the novel|The Twilight Realm}}

{{Further|The Legend of Zelda#Fictional chronology|label1=Fictional chronology of The Legend of Zelda}}

A teenage boy named Link works as a ranch hand in Ordon Village. One day, Bulblins take away the village's children. Link pursues and encounters a wall of Twilight. A Twilight monster pulls him beyond the wall into the Twilight-shrouded forest, where he is transformed into a wolf and imprisoned. Link is soon freed by a creature named Midna, who offers to help him if he obeys her unconditionally. She guides him to Princess Zelda, who explains that Zant, the usurper king of the Twili, invaded Hyrule Castle and forced her to surrender. The kingdom became enveloped in Twilight, turning all its inhabitants besides Link and Zelda into invisible spirits.{{cite video game | title = The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | developer = Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development | publisher = Nintendo | date = November 19, 2006 | platform = GameCube/Wii | quote = Midna: Poor thing, he has no idea where this is or what's happened... So, don't you think you should explain to him what you've managed to do? You owe him that much... ...Twilight Princess! Eee hee! [...] / Zelda: Listen carefully... This was once the land where the power of the gods was said to slumber. This was once the kingdom of Hyrule. But that blessed kingdom has been transformed by the king that rules the twilight... It has been turned into a world of shadows, ruled by creatures who shun the light. [...] Twilight covered Hyrule like a shroud, and without light, the people became as spirits. Within the twilight, they live on, unaware that they have passed into spirit forms... All the people know now is fear... Fear of a nameless evil... The kingdom succumbed to twilight, but I remain its princess... I am Zelda.}} To save Hyrule, Link, aided by Midna, must first revive the Light Spirits by entering the Twilight-covered regions and recovering the Spirits' light from the Twilight beings that have stolen it. Once revitalized, each Spirit returns Link to his Hylian form and informs Link and Midna of the hidden location of a Fused Shadow, one of the fragments of a powerful relic that will have to be used to match Zant's power to defeat him.

During his journey, Link finds Ordon Village's children and assists the monkeys of Faron, the Gorons of Eldin, and the Zoras of Lanaryu. After restoring the Light Spirits and obtaining the Fused Shadows, Link and Midna are ambushed by Zant, who takes away the fragments and reveals that his power comes from another source, which he uses to trap Link in his wolf state. Failing to persuade Midna into joining forces with him, Zant attempts to dispose of her by exposing her to the light of Lanayru's light spirit. Bringing a dying Midna to Zelda, Link learns from her that he needs the Master Sword to remove Zant's curse. She proceeds to sacrifice herself to heal Midna, vanishing mysteriously. Moved by Zelda's act of selflessness, Midna starts to care more about Link and the fate of his world.{{cite video game | title = The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | developer = Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development | publisher = Nintendo | date = November 19, 2006 | platform = GameCube/Wii | quote = Midna: Princess... I have one last request... Can you tell him...where to find the Mirror of Twilight? [Zelda gasps] [...] / Zelda: Midna... I believe I understand now just who and what you are... Despite your mortal injuries, you act in our stead... These dark times are the result of our deeds, yet it is you who have reaped the penalty. Accept this now, Midna. I pass it to you... [...] / Midna: No! Link! STOP HER! [...] We go back, Link! Back to the Faron Woods! [...] [to herself] Zelda...I've taken all that you had to give...though I did not want it.}}

After gaining the Master Sword, Link is cleansed of the curse that kept him in wolf form. Deep within the Gerudo Desert, Link and Midna search for the Mirror of Twilight, the only known gateway between Hyrule and the Twilight Realm, but discover that it is broken.{{cite video game | title = The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | developer = Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development | publisher = Nintendo | date = November 19, 2006 | platform = GameCube/Wii | quote = Midna: Hey, but listen, Link... I've got a little favor to ask... Would you mind coming with me to find something called the Mirror of Twilight? It's hidden somewhere in Hyrule... Yes, the Mirror of Twilight... Our last potential link to Zant!}} The Sages there explain that Zant tried to destroy it, but only managed to shatter it into fragments; only the true ruler of the Twili can completely destroy the mirror.{{cite video game | title = The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | developer = Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development | publisher = Nintendo | date = November 19, 2006 | platform = GameCube/Wii | quote = Sages: Only the true leader of the Twili can utterly destroy the Mirror of Twilight...so Zant could merely break it into pieces.}} They also relate that they once used it to banish Ganondorf, the Gerudo leader who attempted to steal the Triforce, to the Twilight Realm after failing to execute him. Link and Midna set out to retrieve the missing shards of the mirror. Once it has been fully restored, the Sages reveal to Link that Midna is actually the true ruler of the Twili, usurped and cursed into her current form by Zant.{{cite video game | title = The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | developer = Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development | publisher = Nintendo | date = November 19, 2006 | platform = GameCube/Wii | quote = Sages: [to Midna] I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive our carelessness... O Twilight Princess.}} Confronting Zant, Link and Midna learn that he forged a pact with Ganondorf, who asked for his assistance in subjugating Hyrule. After Link defeats Zant, Midna recovers the Fused Shadows and kills Zant after learning that only Ganondorf's defeat can release her from her curse.

Returning to Hyrule, Link and Midna find Ganondorf in Hyrule Castle, with a lifeless Zelda suspended above him. Ganondorf fights Link by possessing Zelda and then transforming into a gigantic boar-like beast, but Link defeats him by using his wolf form, and the power Midna received from Zelda is able to resuscitate her. Ganondorf revives, and Midna teleports Link and Zelda outside the castle so she can hold him off with the Fused Shadows. However, as Hyrule Castle collapses, Ganondorf emerges from it victorious, crushing the Fused Shadow piece that Midna wore on her head, and pursues Link on horseback. Assisted by Zelda and the Light Spirits, Link eventually knocks Ganondorf off his horse and duels him on foot before finishing him off with the Master Sword. With Ganondorf dead, the Light Spirits revive Midna and restore her to her true form. After bidding farewell to Link and Zelda, Midna returns home and destroys the Mirror of Twilight, ultimately severing the link between Hyrule and the Twilight Realm.{{cite video game | title = The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | developer = Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development | publisher = Nintendo | date = November 19, 2006 | platform = GameCube/Wii | quote = Midna: Thank you... Well, the princess spoke truly: as long as that mirror's around, we could meet again... Link... I... See you later...}} As Hyrule Castle is rebuilt, Link leaves Ordon Village, heading to parts unknown.

File:Eiji Aonuma - 453606822.jpg, the director of Twilight Princess, at the 2007 Game Developers Conference]]

In 2003, Nintendo announced a new Zelda game for the GameCube{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/07/new-gcn-wario-ware-zelda |title=New GCN Wario Ware, Zelda |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=August 7, 2003 |access-date=September 12, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719235555/http://cube.ign.com/articles/432/432645p1.html |archive-date=July 19, 2008}} by the same team that had created the cel-shaded The Wind Waker.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/20/interview-eiji-aonuma |title=Interview: Eiji Aonuma |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 19, 2004 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103080718/http://cube.ign.com/articles/517/517033p3.html |archive-date=January 3, 2009}} At the following year's Game Developers Conference, director Eiji Aonuma unintentionally revealed that it was in development under the working title The Wind Waker 2,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/25/gdc-2004-wind-waker-2-official |title=GDC 2004: Wind Waker 2 Official |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=March 24, 2004 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002010058/http://cube.ign.com/articles/501/501735p1.html |archive-date=October 2, 2008}} with a similar graphical style.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/07/fact-or-fiction-the-10-biggest-rumors-on-gamecube |title=Fact or Fiction: The 10 Biggest Rumors on GameCube |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=August 6, 2003 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103153804/http://cube.ign.com/articles/432/432558p2.html |archive-date=January 3, 2009}} Nintendo of America told Aonuma that North American sales of The Wind Waker were sluggish because its cartoon appearance created the impression that it was designed for a young audience. Aonuma expressed to producer Shigeru Miyamoto that he wanted to create a realistic Zelda game that would appeal to the North American market and meet Miyamoto's original vision of realism for the series.{{cite web|url= https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/06/miyamoto-hated-wind-waker-art-style/|title= Miyamoto Apparently 'Cringed' When First Shown Wind Waker's Art Style|last= Innes|first= Ruby|date= June 27, 2022|website= Kotaku|publisher= Gizmodo Media Group|access-date= September 4, 2022|quote= At some point he had to give a presentation against his will. That's when he said something like, 'You know, it's not too late to change course and make a realistic Zelda.'|archive-date= September 5, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220905051649/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/06/miyamoto-hated-wind-waker-art-style/|url-status= dead}} Miyamoto, hesitant about solely changing the presentation, suggested the team should focus on gameplay innovations. He advised that Aonuma should start by doing what could not be done in Ocarina of Time, particularly horseback combat.{{harvnb|Aonuma|2007|loc=The fate of Wind Waker 2}} Early development of what would become Twilight Princess began and special care was taken to improve the realism of the horseriding, with lead character designer Keisuke Nishimori riding a horse for himself to feel what it was like.{{Cite book|title=The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia|publisher=Dark Horse|year=2018|isbn=978-1-5067-0638-2|pages=279}}

Just as the original Legend of Zelda was inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings novels,{{cite magazine |magazine=Club Nintendo |volume=1996 |issue=2 |title=Classic: Zelda und Link |trans-title= Classic: Zelda and Link |language=de |date=April 1996 |page=72 |publisher=Nintendo of Europe |quote=[The two program designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka were responsible for the game, who set themselves the goal of developing a fairytale adventure game with action elements... ...Takashi Tezuka, a great lover of fantasy novels such as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, wrote the script for the first two games in the Zelda series].}}{{cite journal|date=March 2003 |title=Shigeru Miyamoto Interview |journal=Super PLAY |publisher=Medströms Dataförlag AB |language=sv |issue=4/03 |url=http://www.miyamotoshrine.com/theman/interviews/230403.shtml |access-date=24 Sep 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907074051/http://www.miyamotoshrine.com/theman/interviews/230403.shtml |archive-date=September 7, 2006 |quote=All ideas for The Legend of Zelda were mine and Takashi Tezukas... ...Books, movies and our own lives.}} the aesthetic of Twilight Princess was inspired by the Lord of the Rings films, as they had just come out and were very popular at the time.{{cite book |title=The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts |first1=Kazuya |last1=Sakai |first2=Patrick |last2=Thorpe |publisher=Dark Horse |isbn=978-1-5067-0335-0 |page= 419 |date=February 2017 |quote= Takizawa: And that was about the time we heard that people were wanting a realistic looking Zelda game again. Also at that time, there was an epic fantasy movie which was very popular. So after reexamining the situation, we said to ourselves, 'Let's do this thing!'}} It was developed with a large convincing world in mind, one with a vast scale to meet the expectation for fantasy worlds that audiences had become accustomed to with The Lord of the Rings.{{cite web |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/twilight_princess/0/4 |title=Iwata Asks: Make it 120% Zelda! |publisher=Nintendo |last1=Iwata |first1=Satoru |last2=Aonuma |first2=Eiji |date=November 23, 2006 |quote=Aonuma: It's undeniably big, but I believe all those fun elements which make up this world justify this size. Now that we have finished, I feel that with a generation accustomed to watching epic films like Lord of the Rings, when you want to design a convincing world, that sort of vast scale becomes necessary. |access-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517024727/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/twilight_princess/0/4 |url-status=live}}

In four months, Aonuma's team managed to present realistic horseback riding, which Nintendo later revealed to the public with a trailer at E3 2004 that was met with enormous praise. The game was scheduled to be released the next year and was no longer a follow-up to The Wind Waker;{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6097980.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327153510/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6097980.html |archive-date=March 27, 2009 |title=The Legend of Zelda details |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann |date=May 12, 2004 |access-date=September 12, 2008 |url-status=dead}} a true sequel to it was released for the Nintendo DS in 2007, in the form of Phantom Hourglass. Miyamoto explained in interviews that the graphical style was chosen to satisfy demand and that it better fit the theme of an older incarnation of Link.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/13/e3-2004-miyamoto-and-aonuma-on-zelda |title=E3 2004: Miyamoto and Aonuma on Zelda |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 12, 2004 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206075737/http://cube.ign.com/articles/514/514589p1.html |archive-date=December 6, 2008}} The game runs on a modified The Wind Waker engine.{{cite web|date=May 12, 2004 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/12/e3-2004-new-legend-of-zelda-details |title=E3 2004: New Legend of Zelda Details |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=November 13, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925042309/http://cube.ign.com/articles/513/513962p1.html |archive-date=September 25, 2006}}

Prior Zelda games have employed a theme of two separate, yet connected, worlds. In A Link to the Past, Link travels between a "Light World" and a "Dark World"; in Ocarina of Time, as well as in Oracle of Ages, Link travels between two different time periods. The Zelda team sought to reuse this motif in the series' latest installment. It was suggested that Link transform into a wolf, much like he metamorphoses into a rabbit in the Dark World of A Link to the Past.{{harvnb|Aonuma|2007|loc=A lupine direction and Minish Cap}} The concept for Link to transform into a wolf and its surrounding narrative elements came from a dream that Aonuma had while overseas on a business trip. He dreamt that he was a wolf, locked inside a cage, and, after he woke up, he was confused and disoriented and it took awhile for him to remember where he was. The story was created by Aonuma, and it later underwent several changes by scenario writers Mitsuhiro Takano and Aya Kyogoku.{{cite web|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/twilight_princess/0/2 |title=Iwata Asks: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Like Trying to Mold Clay |date=November 2006 |work=Iwata Asks |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=April 6, 2015 |quote=Mitsuhiro Takano: My name is Takano. I was basically in charge of the story scripting for Twilight Princess, but I was also involved in the development of the cut-scenes and a few of the events in the game. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ |archive-date=July 25, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20070308/awards.htm |title=Game Developers Choice Awards、BEST GAMEは「Gears of War」|author=勝田哲也 |date=March 7, 2007 |work=GAME Watch |publisher=Impress Watch Corporation |access-date=June 27, 2010 |language=ja |quote=Eiji Aonuma: 僕が書いたストーリーをものすごく良いものに変えてくれたシナリオ担当の高野充浩さんと京極あやさん / Those responsible for the scenario, Mr. Mitsuhiro Takano and Mrs. Aya Kyogoku, made some really great changes to the story I wrote [...] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108013645/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20070308/awards.htm |archive-date=January 8, 2011}} Takano created the script for the story scenes, while Kyogoku and Takayuki Ikkaku handled the actual in-game script.{{cite web|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/twilight_princess/0/1 |title=Iwata Asks: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Ideas Born Out of Functionality |date=November 2006 |work=Iwata Asks |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=April 6, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ |archive-date=July 25, 2015}} Originally, Link was planned to be a wolf from the start to bluntly contrast the Ocarina of Time formula, but this was changed so that new players could be eased into the Zelda series' traditional gameplay and narrative formula. The narrative premise in the story regarding the children of Ordon village being kidnapped was an example of the darker story elements.

The Twilight Realm portions were inspired by the fact that prior Zelda games had always distinctively separated dungeons from the overworld. The team wondered what the result would be if a traditional Zelda dungeon was placed inside the open world instead. This resulted in the hunt for Tears of Light the player partakes in when in the Twilight-covered world. The atmosphere of the Twilight-covered Hyrule, as well as the Twilight Realm dungeon later in the game, were intended to make players feel uncomfortable. Special care was taken, however, to ensure that this was balanced right, so that it did not make the player so uncomfortable that they did not want to progress further or could not enjoy the experience.

Aonuma left his team working on the new idea while he produced The Minish Cap for the Game Boy Advance. When he returned, he found the Twilight Princess team struggling. Emphasis on the parallel worlds and the wolf transformation had made Link's character unbelievable. Aonuma also felt the gameplay lacked the caliber of innovation found in Phantom Hourglass, which was being developed with touch controls for the Nintendo DS. At the same time, the Wii was under development with the code name "Revolution". Miyamoto thought that the Revolution's pointing device, the Wii Remote, was well suited for aiming arrows in Zelda, and he suggested that Aonuma consider using it.{{harvnb|Aonuma|2007|loc=E3 2005 and 120% Zelda}}

Aonuma had anticipated creating a Zelda game for what would later become the Wii, but had assumed that he would need to complete Twilight Princess first. His team began work developing a pointing-based interface for the bow and arrow, and Aonuma found that aiming directly at the screen created a new feel, just like the DS control scheme for Phantom Hourglass. Aonuma felt confident this was the only way to proceed, but worried about consumers who had been anticipating a GameCube release. Developing two versions would mean delaying the previously announced 2005 release, still disappointing the consumer. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata felt that having both versions would satisfy users in the end, even though they would have to wait for the finished product. Aonuma then started working on both versions in parallel.

Transferring GameCube development to the Wii was relatively simple, since the Wii was being created to be compatible with GameCube software.{{harvnb|Aonuma|2007|loc=A Revolutionary idea}} At E3 2005, Nintendo released a small number of Nintendo DS game cards containing a preview trailer for Twilight Princess.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-preview-trailer |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Preview Trailer |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=December 13, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229211941/http://ds.ign.com/objects/748/748615.html |archive-date=December 29, 2008}} They also announced that a Zelda title would appear on the Wii (then codenamed "Revolution"),{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/17/e3-2005-mario-and-zelda-go-next-gen |title=E3 2005: Mario and Zelda Go Next-Gen |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 17, 2005 |first=Matt |last=Casamassina |access-date=November 13, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628171932/http://cube.ign.com/articles/615/615429p1.html |archive-date=June 28, 2008}} but were not clear to the media if this meant Twilight Princess or a different game.{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/692/692479p1.html |title=Every Revolution Game We Know About |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=February 28, 2006 |first=Matt |last=Casamassina |access-date=September 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101032532/http://wii.ign.com/articles/692/692479p1.html |archive-date=January 1, 2009}}

The team worked on a Wii control scheme, adapting camera control and the fighting mechanics to the new interface. A prototype was created that used a swinging gesture to control the sword from a first-person viewpoint but was unable to show the variety of Link's movements. When the third-person view was restored, Aonuma thought it felt strange to swing the Wii Remote with the right hand to control the sword in Link's left hand, so the entire world map was mirrored for the Wii version.{{harvnb|Aonuma|2007|loc=The first attempt at Wii control}} Details about Wii controls began to surface in December 2005 when British publication NGC Magazine claimed that when a GameCube copy of Twilight Princess was played on the Revolution, it would give the player the option of using the Revolution controller.{{cite web|first=Che|last=Chou|date=December 22, 2005|url=http://www.1up.com/news/zelda-plays-revolution-controller|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013055752/http://www.1up.com/news/zelda-plays-revolution-controller|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 13, 2012|title=Play Zelda: Twilight Princess with the Revolution Controller|access-date=May 28, 2006|work=1UP.com|publisher=IGN}} Miyamoto confirmed the Revolution controller-functionality in an interview with Nintendo of Europe{{Cite magazine |title=EGM Presents: The 2006 1UP Network Awards|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |year=2006}} and Time reported this soon after.{{cite magazine|first=Lev |last=Grossman |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191861,00.html |title=A Game For All Ages |date=May 15, 2006 |access-date=March 12, 2015 |magazine=Time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129075256/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1191861%2C00.html |archive-date=January 29, 2015}}{{cite web|first=Tor |last=Thorsen |date=May 7, 2006 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-06-zelda-wii-sword-fighting-next-gen-warioware-confirmed/1100-6149308/ |title=E3 06: Zelda Wii sword fighting, next-gen WarioWare confirmed |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=May 28, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905092436/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-06-zelda-wii-sword-fighting-next-gen-warioware-confirmed/1100-6149308/ |archive-date=September 5, 2014}} However, support for the Wii controller did not make it into the GameCube release. At E3 2006, Nintendo confirmed that both versions would be available at the Wii launch,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/09/e3-2006-wii-gamecube-zelda-available-simultaneously |title=E3 2006: Wii, Gamecube Zelda Available Simultaneously |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 9, 2006 |last=Hatfield |first=Daemon |access-date=November 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104020816/http://wii.ign.com/articles/706/706166p1.html |archive-date=January 4, 2009}} and had a playable version of Twilight Princess for the Wii. Later, the GameCube release was pushed back to a month after the launch of the Wii.{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/732/732852p1.html |title=Twilight Princess Slips |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=September 14, 2006 |last=Seff |first=Micah |access-date=September 12, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103094154/http://cube.ign.com/articles/732/732852p1.html |archive-date=January 3, 2009}}

Nintendo staff members reported that demo users complained about the difficulty of the control scheme. Aonuma realized that his team had implemented Wii controls under the mindset of "forcing" users to adapt, instead of making the system intuitive and easy to use. He began rethinking the controls with Miyamoto to focus on comfort and ease.{{harvnb|Aonuma|2007|loc=E3 2006 lesson}} The camera movement was reworked and item controls were changed to avoid accidental button presses.{{harvnb|Aonuma|2007|loc=Camera and item controls}} In addition, the new item system required use of the button that had previously been used for the sword. To solve this, sword controls were transferred back to gestures—something E3 attendees had commented they would like to see. This reintroduced the problem of using a right-handed swing to control a left-handed sword attack. The team did not have enough time before release to rework Link's character model, so they instead flipped the entire game—everything was made a mirror image.{{harvnb|Aonuma|2007|loc=Sword controls}} Link was now right-handed, and references to "east" and "west" were reversed. The GameCube version, however, was left with the original orientation. The Twilight Princess player's guide focuses on the Wii version, but has a section in the back with mirror-image maps for GameCube users.{{harvnb|Pelland|2006|pp=170–191}}

The score was composed by Toru Minegishi and Asuka Ohta, with series regular Koji Kondo serving as the sound supervisor.{{Cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|developer=Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 19, 2006|platform=GameCube/Wii| scene = Credits sequence|quote = MUSIC / Toru Minegishi / Asuka Ohta / Koji Kondo}} Minegishi took charge of composition and sound design in Twilight Princess, providing all field and dungeon music.{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/twilightprincess/inside13.jsp |title=Inside Zelda: Part 13 |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=October 17, 2007 |volume=204 |date=June 2006 |pages=76–78 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614145139/http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/twilightprincess/inside13.jsp |archive-date=June 14, 2008}} For the trailers, three pieces were written by different composers,{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/twilightprincess/inside04.jsp |title=Inside Zelda part 4: Natural Rhythms of Hyrule |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=October 10, 2008 |volume=195 |date=September 2005 |pages=56–58 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811172047/http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/twilightprincess/inside04.jsp |archive-date=August 11, 2014}} two of which were created by Mahito Yokota and Kondo.{{cite magazine|title=VGL: Koji Kondo Interview |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/03/vgl_koji_kondo_ |first=Chris |last=Kohler |date=March 11, 2007 |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=April 6, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328142034/http://www.wired.com/2007/03/vgl_koji_kondo_/ |archive-date=March 28, 2015}} Michiru Ōshima created orchestral arrangements for the three compositions, later to be performed by an ensemble conducted by Taizo Takemoto. Kondo's piece was chosen as music for the E3 2005 trailer and for the demo movie after the title screen. Midna has the most voice acting—her on-screen dialogue is often accompanied by a babble of pseudo-speech, which was produced by scrambling English phrases sampled by Japanese voice actress Akiko Kōmoto.{{cite web|last=Hillier|first=Brenna|title=Midna speaks English, and other secrets of The Legend of Zelda|url=https://www.vg247.com/2014/07/30/midna-speaks-english-and-other-secrets-of-the-legend-of-zelda/|website=VG247|date=July 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802004311/http://www.vg247.com/2014/07/30/midna-speaks-english-and-other-secrets-of-the-legend-of-zelda/|archive-date=August 2, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=April 30, 2016}}

Media requests at the trade show prompted Kondo to consider using orchestral music for the other tracks, a notion reinforced by his preference for live instruments. He originally envisioned a full 50-person orchestra for action sequences and a string quartet for more "lyrical moments", though the final product used sequenced music instead.{{cite web|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/18/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-review-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112220602/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/18/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-review-2|archive-date=January 12, 2017|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|first=Matt|last=Casamassina|date=November 17, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2017}} Kondo later cited the lack of interactivity that comes with orchestral music as one of the main reasons for the decision. Both six- and seven-track versions of the soundtrack were released on November 19, 2006, as part of a Nintendo Power promotion and bundled with replicas of the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield.{{cite web|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Official Soundtrack |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/4333 |work=VGMdb |access-date=August 3, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904013033/http://vgmdb.net/album/4333 |archive-date=September 4, 2009}}

Following the discovery of a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Wii version of Twilight Princess, an exploit known as the "Twilight Hack" was developed, allowing the execution of custom code from a Secure Digital (SD) card on the console. A specifically designed save file would cause the game to load unsigned code, which could include Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) programs and homebrew Wii applications.{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/twilight-hack-teases-homebrew/|title='Twilight Hack' teases homebrew|first=JC|last=Fletcher|work=Joystiq|publisher=AOL|date=February 11, 2008|access-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131144036/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/twilight-hack-teases-homebrew|archive-date=January 31, 2009|url-status=live}} Versions 3.3 and 3.4 of the Wii Menu prevented copying exploited save files onto the console until circumvention methods were discovered,{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/new-wii-menu-update-3-3-nullifies-twilight-princess-hack/|title=New Wii menu update 3.3 nullifies Twilight Princess hack|first=Ross|last=Miller|work=Joystiq|publisher=AOL|date=June 16, 2008|access-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617191322/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/new-wii-menu-update-3-3-nullifies-twilight-princess-hack/|archive-date=June 17, 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Greenhough|first=Chris|title=It lives! The Twilight Hack returns|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/it-lives-the-twilight-hack-returns/|website=Joystiq|publisher=AOL|access-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310072146/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/it-lives-the-twilight-hack-returns/|archive-date=March 10, 2011|url-status=live|date=November 24, 2008}} and version 4.0 of the Wii Menu patched the vulnerability.{{cite web|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Jason|title=Hack Your Wii for Homebrew without Twilight Princess|url=http://lifehacker.com/5342733/hack-your-wii-for-homebrew-without-twilight-princess|website=Lifehacker|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823183030/http://lifehacker.com/5342733/hack-your-wii-for-homebrew-without-twilight-princess|archive-date=August 23, 2009|url-status=live|date=August 21, 2009}}

{{Infobox video game

| title = The Legend of Zelda:
Twilight Princess HD

| image =

| alt =

| developer = {{plainlist|

• Tantalus Media
• Nintendo EPD

}}

| publisher = Nintendo

| director = Tomomi Sano

| producer = Eiji Aonuma

| designer =

| programmer = Sean O'Sullivan

| artist = Paul Court

| writer =

| composer = {{ubl|Toru Minegishi|Asuka Ohta|Koji Kondo}}

| series =

| platforms = Wii U

| released = {{Video game release|NA/EU|March 4, 2016|AUS|March 5, 2016|JP|March 10, 2016}}

| genre = Action-adventure

| modes = Single-player

}}

A high-definition remaster, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, was developed by Tantalus Media for the Wii U. Announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation on November 13, 2015, it features enhanced graphics and Amiibo functionality. It was released worldwide in March 2016.{{cite web|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, Hyrule Warriors: Legends, and New Nintendo 3DS XL Hyrule edition provide a Triforce of releases to start 2016|url=https://www.nintendo.com.au/news/nid/3740/|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123043706/http://www.nintendo.com.au/news/nid/3740/|archive-date=January 23, 2016|url-status=dead|date=January 22, 2016|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD story trailer|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/01/legend-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-story-trailer|website=Gematsu|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130094537/http://gematsu.com/2016/01/legend-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-story-trailer|archive-date=January 30, 2016|url-status=live|date=January 29, 2016}}

The idea for a high-definition version of Twilight Princess first originated during the production of Breath of the Wild. Nintendo experimented with an HD version of Twilight Princess running on Wii U development kits when trying to settle on a graphical style for the new game.{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QyMsF31NdNc&feature=youtu.be|title=Breaking Conventions with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - YouTube|website=YouTube|date=March 10, 2017 |access-date=February 10, 2022|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003155106/https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=QyMsF31NdNc|url-status=live}} This ultimately led to the production of The Wind Waker HD, whose success encouraged the Zelda team to pursue other high-definition remasters. After its release, which was developed internally at Nintendo in only six months, the Zelda team settled on an HD remaster of Twilight Princess. At the time, most of the Zelda team was preoccupied with Breath of the Wild, so Nintendo sought a partnership with an external development studio, the Australia-based Tantalus Media, to work on Twilight Princess HD.{{cite interview |last=Aonuma |first=Eiji |subject-link=Eiji Aonuma |last2=Sano |first2=Tomomi |interviewer=Thomas Whitehead |title=Interview: Eiji Aonuma and Tomomi Sano Shed Light on The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/interview_eiji_aonuma_and_tomomi_sano_shed_light_on_the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_hd |work=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |date=March 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303093233/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/interview_eiji_aonuma_and_tomomi_sano_shed_light_on_the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_hd |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=March 5, 2016}}

According to Eiji Aonuma, who directed the original release and produced Twilight Princess HD, ensuring the remaster would take advantage of the Wii U GamePad was a point of focus early in the title's development. The control scheme used in the GameCube version was adapted for the remaster due to similarities between the button layouts of the two consoles' controllers. Aonuma considered underwater gameplay in the remaster to be significantly improved. Other enhancements include speeding up a handful of cutscenes that seemed overly long by modern standards and reducing repetitive gameplay elements, such as collecting Tears of Light while in the Twilight Realm.{{cite web|last=McElroy|first=Griffin|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD review|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/1/11137784/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301213626/http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/1/11137784/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review|archive-date=March 1, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 1, 2016}} A commitment to "preserving the feel of the original" inspired several design decisions, such as keeping the frame rate at 30 frames per second. Tomomi Sano, the assistant director of the Wii U version, noted the degree of refinement the graphics would receive required much consideration: "When we created more precise models of objects to go with the higher resolution, we found that everything was too clear and we lost that soft and delicate atmosphere that you get in particular at twilight or with the light in a forest".

Certain bundles contain a Wolf Link Amiibo figurine, which unlocks a Wii U-exclusive dungeon called the "Cave of Shadows"{{cite web|last=Otero|first=Jose|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Looks (and Plays) Better Than You Think|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/04/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-looks-and-plays-better-than-you-think|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204153316/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/04/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-looks-and-plays-better-than-you-think|archive-date=February 4, 2016|url-status=live|date=February 4, 2016}} and can carry data over to Breath of the Wild.{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|title=Zelda: Twilight Princess HD has a new dungeon|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-14-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-has-a-new-dungeon|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=January 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115084316/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-14-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-has-a-new-dungeon|archive-date=January 15, 2016|url-status=live|date=January 14, 2016}} In the Cave of Shadows, Link fights waves of enemies while restricted to his wolf form. Comparable to the optional "Cave of Ordeals" present in the original release, opportunities to recover health during the trial are sparse.{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|title=Zelda: Twilight Princess HD's Amiibo-exclusive dungeon revealed|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-21-zelda-twilight-princess-hds-amiibo-exclusive-dungeon-revealed|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122165911/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-21-zelda-twilight-princess-hds-amiibo-exclusive-dungeon-revealed|archive-date=January 22, 2016|url-status=live|date=January 21, 2016}} Other Zelda-related Amiibo figurines have distinct functions: Link and Toon Link replenish arrows, Zelda and Sheik restore Link's health, and Ganondorf causes Link to take twice as much damage. A CD containing 20 musical selections was available as a GameStop preorder bonus in North America; it is included with the limited-edition bundle in other regions.{{cite web|author=Jenni|title=The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD's Sound Selection CD Features 20 Remastered Tracks|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/02/19/legend-zelda-twilight-princess-hds-sound-selection-cd-features-20-remastered-tracks/|website=Siliconera|publisher=Curse, Inc.|access-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211037/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/02/19/legend-zelda-twilight-princess-hds-sound-selection-cd-features-20-remastered-tracks/|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=live|date=February 19, 2016}} A three-disc original soundtrack consisting of 108 pieces was released in Japan in July 2016.{{cite web|last=Rosario|first=Kristen G.|title=Twilight Princess HD original soundtrack to be released in Japan on July 27th|url=http://www.zeldainformer.com/news/twilight-princess-hd-original-soundtrack-to-be-released-in-japan-on-july-27|website=Zelda Informer|publisher=CraveOnline|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809000617/http://www.zeldainformer.com/news/twilight-princess-hd-original-soundtrack-to-be-released-in-japan-on-july-27|archive-date=August 9, 2016|url-status=live|date=June 9, 2016}}

{{Video game reviews

| NGC = true

| WII = true

| WIIU = true

| MC_NGC = 96/100{{efn|Based on 16 reviews}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for GameCube Reviews |access-date=April 1, 2015 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123210643/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess |archive-date=November 23, 2010}}

| MC_WII = 95/100{{efn|Based on 73 reviews}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for Wii Reviews |access-date=April 1, 2015 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320124400/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess |archive-date=March 20, 2015}}

| MC_WIIU = 86/100{{efn|Based on 74 reviews}}{{cite web |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD for Wii U Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=2016 |access-date=April 19, 2016 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929122034/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd |url-status=live}}

| 1UP_NGC = A+{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/zelda-twilight-princess|title=Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess GCN 1UP Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525153008/http://www.1up.com/reviews/zelda-twilight-princess|archive-date=May 25, 2016}}

| 1UP_WII = A+{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/legend-zelda |title=1up's Wii Review: Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess |work=1UP.com |publisher=IGN |first=Jeremy |last=Parish |date=November 16, 2006 |access-date=January 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070927213408/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3155329&sec=REVIEWS |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}

| Allgame_NGC = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Reges |first=Julia |url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=45608&tab=review |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess—Review |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |date=October 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216041607/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=45608&tab=review |archive-date=February 16, 2010 |access-date=September 25, 2013}}

| CGM_WIIU = 8.5/10{{cite web |last=Orme |first=Cody |title=Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess HD (Wii U) Review |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-wii-u-review/ |website=Computer Games Magazine |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309054532/https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-wii-u-review/ |url-status=live}}

| CVG_WII = 10/10{{cite web|last=Robinson |first=Andy |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149383&skip=yes |title=Wii Review: Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess |website=Computer and Video Games|date=November 19, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517194326/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149383&skip=yes|archive-date=May 17, 2007|publisher=Future plc}}

| Destruct_WIIU = 8/10{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |title=Review: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd/ |website=Destructoid |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912190354/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd/ |url-status=live}}

| Edge_WII = 9/10{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/legend-zelda-twilight-princess/ |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404101512/http://www.edge-online.com/review/legend-zelda-twilight-princess/ |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |access-date=March 25, 2013}}

| EGM_WII = 30/30

| Fam_WII = 38/40{{Cite magazine|magazine=Famitsu|script-title=ja:ゼルダの伝説 トワイライトプリンセス (9 / 10 / 9 / 10)|date= November 24, 2006|publisher=Enterbrain|language=ja}}

| GI = 10/10

| GameRev_WIIU = {{Rating|9|10}}{{cite web |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Review {{!}} Aces high |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/70036-the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review#/slide/1 |website=GameRevolution |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912182950/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/70036-the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review#/slide/1 |url-status=live}}

| GamePro_WII = {{rating|5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Moses |first=Tenacious |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/87108/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905090756/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/87108/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess/ |archive-date=September 5, 2010 |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review from GamePro |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |date=September 5, 2010 |access-date=March 25, 2013}}

| GSpot_NGC = 8.9/10{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/thelegendofzelda/review.html |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=June 18, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105044402/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/thelegendofzelda/review.html |archive-date=January 5, 2007}}

| GSpot_WII = 8.8/10

| GSpot_WIIU = 9/10{{cite web|last=Crossley|first=Rob|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review/1900-6416369/|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301232153/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review/1900-6416369/|archive-date=March 1, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 1, 2016}}

| GRadar_WII = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-review/ |last=Elston |first=Brett |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess review |website=GamesRadar |publisher=Future plc |date=November 21, 2006 |access-date=April 6, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523163618/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-review/ |archive-date=May 23, 2015}}

| GRadar_WIIU = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD review {{!}} Aces high |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/legend-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review/ |website=GamesRadar |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019055557/https://www.gamesradar.com/legend-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review/ |url-status=live}}

| GSpy_WII = {{Rating|5|5}}

| IGN_NGC = 9.5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/18/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-review-2 |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |first=Matt |last=Casamassina |date=December 15, 2006 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061217071324/http://cube.ign.com/articles/751/751266p1.html |archive-date=December 17, 2006}}

| IGN_WII = 9.5/10

| IGN_WIIU = 8.6/10{{cite web|last=Otero|first=Jose|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Review|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/01/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302103003/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/01/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review|archive-date=March 2, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 1, 2016}}

| NLife_WIIU = {{Rating|9|10}}{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|title=Review: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_hd|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301140054/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_hd|archive-date=March 1, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 1, 2016}}

| NP_NGC = 9.5/10{{Cite magazine|magazine=Nintendo Power|publisher=Nintendo|title=The Best for Last|volume=212|date=February 2007|first=George|last=Sinfield|page=95}}

| NP_WII = 9.5/10{{Cite magazine|magazine=Nintendo Power|publisher=Nintendo|title=The Strongest Link|volume=211|date=January 2007|first= Chris|last=Hoffman|pages=98–99}}

| NWR_WII = 10/10{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=12434 |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review—Review |website=Nintendo World Report |date=November 18, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529190314/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=12434 |archive-date=May 29, 2010}}

| NWR_WIIU = 9/10{{cite web|last=Ronaghan|first=Neal|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U) Review|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/42027/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-wii-u-review|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302095153/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/42027/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-wii-u-review|archive-date=March 2, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 1, 2016}}

| Poly_WIIU = 8/10

| ONM_WII = 97%{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/2417/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-review/|title=Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess ONM Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009235814/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/2417/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-review/|archive-date=October 9, 2014}}

| SN_WIIU = 7/10{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Review: Cry Wolf |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/93498/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review-cry-wolf |website=Shacknews |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625011659/https://www.shacknews.com/article/93498/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-review-cry-wolf |url-status=live}}

| USG_WIIU = 4/5{{cite web |last=Bailey |first=Kat |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Wii U Review: The Long, Twilight Struggle |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-wii-u-review-the-long-twilight-struggle |website=USgamer |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921074639/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-wii-u-review-the-long-twilight-struggle |url-status=live}}

| VB_WIIU = 90/100{{cite web |last=Minotti |first=Mike |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD erases my Wii resentment |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/03/01/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-erases-my-wii-resentment/ |website=VentureBeat |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517152406/https://venturebeat.com/2016/03/01/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-erases-my-wii-resentment/ |url-status=live}}

| XPlay_WII = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1315/The_Legend_of_Zelda_Twilight_Princess.html| title=Reviews—The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|website=G4|first=Michael|last=Leffler|access-date=March 19, 2007|year=2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206201527/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1315/The_Legend_of_Zelda_Twilight_Princess.html|archive-date=December 6, 2006}}

| award1Pub = GameTrailers

| award1 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award2Pub = 1UP.com

| award2 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award3Pub = Electronic Gaming Monthly

| award3 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award4Pub = Game Informer

| award4 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award5Pub = GamesRadar

| award5 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award6Pub = GameSpy

| award6 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award7Pub = Spacey Awards

| award7 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award8Pub = X-Play

| award8 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award9Pub = Nintendo Power

| award9 = Game of the Year (2006)

| award10Pub = Golden Joystick Award

| award10 = Nintendo Game of the Year (2016)

}}

Twilight Princess was released to critical acclaim and commercial success. It received perfect scores from major publications such as 1UP.com, Computer and Video Games, Electronic Gaming Monthly,{{Cite magazine|first=Jeremy|last= Parish|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess review| magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|volume=211|pages=56–58|date=January 2007}} Game Informer,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E9CD9493-4C3A-4FB9-BF2E-7A1E9E157B9E.htm |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|access-date=December 5, 2006|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|first=Andrew|last=Reiner |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061129162801/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E9CD9493-4C3A-4FB9-BF2E-7A1E9E157B9E.htm |archive-date = November 29, 2006}} GamesRadar and GameSpy.{{cite web|url=http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/legend-of-zelda-wii/745573p1.html |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review |first=Bryn |last=Williams |date=November 13, 2006 |access-date=December 5, 2006 |work=GameSpy |publisher=IGN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202120515/http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/legend-of-zelda-wii/745573p1.html |archive-date=December 2, 2006}} On the review aggregator Metacritic, Twilight Princess holds scores of 95/100 for the Wii version and 96/100 for the GameCube version, indicating "universal acclaim". It is the highest-rated game of 2006 on Metacritic.{{cite web|title=Best Video Games for 2006|url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all/filtered?year_selected=2006|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=February 21, 2017|archive-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413200412/http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all/filtered?year_selected=2006|url-status=live}} GameTrailers in their review called it one of the greatest games ever created.{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/ytj1x4/the-legend-of-zelda--twilight-princess-review |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review |work=GameTrailers |publisher=Defy Media |date=November 21, 2006 |access-date=April 6, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828085021/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/ytj1x4/the-legend-of-zelda--twilight-princess-review |archive-date=August 28, 2015}}

On release, Twilight Princess was considered to be the greatest Zelda game ever made by many critics including writers for 1UP.com, Computer and Video Games, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Game Informer, GamesRadar, IGN and The Washington Post.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031500560.html |title=Zelda Brightens GameCube's Twilight Years |first=Gregory |last=McDougal |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 17, 2008 |date=March 16, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112035837/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031500560.html |archive-date=November 12, 2012}} Game Informer called it "so creative that it rivals the best that Hollywood has to offer". GamesRadar praised Twilight Princess as "a game that deserves nothing but the absolute highest recommendation". Cubed3 hailed Twilight Princess as "the single greatest videogame experience".{{cite web|title=C3 Reviews :: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess |url=http://www.cubed3.com/review/433/1/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-nintendo-wii.html |work=Cubed3 |first=James |last=Temperton |date=December 8, 2006 |access-date=October 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522000845/http://www.cubed3.com/review/433/1/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-nintendo-wii.html |archive-date=May 22, 2013}} Twilight Princess{{'}} graphics were praised for the art style and animation, although the game was designed for the GameCube, which is technically lacking compared to the next generation consoles. Both IGN and GameSpy pointed out the existence of blurry textures and low-resolution characters. Despite these complaints, Computer and Video Games felt the atmosphere was superior to that of any previous Zelda game and regarded Twilight Princess{{'}} Hyrule as the best version ever created. PALGN praised the cinematics, noting that "the cutscenes are the best ever in Zelda games".{{cite web|url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=6017|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review|first=Chris|last=Sell|date=December 12, 2006|work=PALGN|access-date=May 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616143454/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=6017|archive-date=June 16, 2007}} Regarding the Wii version, GameSpot{{'}}s Jeff Gerstmann said the Wii controls felt "tacked-on",{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/thelegendofzelda/review.html|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=June 18, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206071832/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/thelegendofzelda/review.html |archive-date=December 6, 2006}} although 1UP.com said the remote-swinging sword attacks were "the most impressive in the entire series". Gaming Nexus considered Twilight Princess{{'}} soundtrack to be the best of this generation,{{cite web|url=http://www.gamingnexus.com/Default.aspx?Section=Article&I=1404|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review|first=Sean|last=Colleli|work=Gaming Nexus|access-date=May 22, 2008|date=February 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070803025943/http://www.gamingnexus.com/Default.aspx?Section=Article&I=1404|archive-date=August 3, 2007}} though IGN criticized its MIDI-formatted songs for lacking "the punch and crispness" of their orchestrated counterparts.

Twilight Princess HD holds a score of 86/100 at the review aggregator Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.{{cite web |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD for Wii U Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |access-date=April 19, 2016 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929122034/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd |url-status=live}} The title received the Nintendo Game of the Year award at the Golden Joystick Awards in November 2016.{{cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=November 18, 2016 |title=Eiji Aonuma Wins Golden Joystick Lifetime Achievement Award as Pokémon GO Picks Up Two Gongs |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/11/eiji_aonuma_wins_golden_joystick_lifetime_achievement_award_as_pokemon_go_picks_up_two_gongs |access-date=November 19, 2016 |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504035709/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/11/eiji_aonuma_wins_golden_joystick_lifetime_achievement_award_as_pokemon_go_picks_up_two_gongs |url-status=live}}

Twilight Princess received the awards for Best Artistic Design,{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/22.html| title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Gamecube: Best Artistic Design|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110084417/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/22.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}} Best Original Score,{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/23.html|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Gamecube: Best Original Score|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110101449/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/23.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}} and Best Use of Sound{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/25.html|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Gamecube: Best Use of Sound|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110101459/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/25.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}} from IGN for its GameCube version. Both IGN and Nintendo Power gave Twilight Princess the awards for Best Graphics{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/21.html|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Gamecube: Best Graphics Technology|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110084407/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/21.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/wii/21.html|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Wii: Best Graphics Technology|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110000633/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/wii/21.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}} and Best Story.{{Cite magazine| magazine=Nintendo Power|publisher=Nintendo|volume=215|title=2006 Nintendo Power Awards|pages=50–56|date=May 2007}}{{cite web|url= http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/26.html|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Gamecube: Best Story|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110001234/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/26.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/wii/26.html|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Wii: Best Story|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110000714/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/wii/26.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}} Twilight Princess received Game of the Year awards from GameTrailers,{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16209.html|title=2006 GameTrailers Awards: Game of the Year|work=GameTrailers|publisher=Defy Media|date=January 11, 2007|access-date=September 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619120955/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16209.html|archive-date=June 19, 2007}} 1UP.com,{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156878 |title=The 2006 1UP Awards Winners |work=1UP.com |publisher=IGN |date=January 31, 2007 |access-date=December 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191800/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156878 |archive-date=September 27, 2007}} Electronic Gaming Monthly,{{Cite magazine|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess review|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|volume=213 |date=March 2007|pages=77–81}} Game Informer,{{Cite magazine|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess review|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|volume=165|date=January 2007|pages=88, 102}} GamesRadar,{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/gamesradars-potentially-annual-platinum-chalice-awards-2006/?page=17 |title=GamesRadar's potentially annual Platinum Chalice awards 2006 |work=GamesRadar |publisher=Future plc |date=December 22, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071834/http://www.gamesradar.com/gamesradars-potentially-annual-platinum-chalice-awards-2006/?page=17 |archive-date=March 4, 2016}} GameSpy, Spacey Awards,{{cite episode|title=Favorite Video Game of 2007|series=Spaceys|network=Space|airdate=2007}} X-Play{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/54347/XPlays_Best_of_06_ActionAdventure.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119092909/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/54347/XPlays_Best_of_06_ActionAdventure.html|archive-date=January 19, 2007|title=BEST OF '06: Action/Adventure|work=G4|access-date=March 19, 2007}} and Nintendo Power. It was also given awards for Best Adventure Game from the Game Critics Awards, X-Play, IGN,{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/2.html|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Gamecube: Best Adventure Game|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114180905/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/2.html|archive-date=January 14, 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/wii/2.html|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006: Wii: Best Adventure Game|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=October 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110101218/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/wii/2.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}} GameTrailers,{{cite web|url= http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16145.html|title=2006 GameTrailers Awards: Best Action/Adventure Game|work=GameTrailers|publisher=Defy Media|date=January 9, 2007|access-date=September 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912074030/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16145.html|archive-date=September 12, 2007}} 1UP.com, and Nintendo Power. It was considered the Best Console Game by the Game Critics Awards{{cite web|title=2005 Winners |url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2005winners.html |work=Game Critics Awards |access-date=December 29, 2008 |year=2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623153723/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2005winners.html |archive-date=June 23, 2009}} and GameSpy.{{cite web|url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2006/overall/index15.html|title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2006|access-date=August 26, 2008|work=GameSpy|publisher=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231130212/http://goty.gamespy.com/2006/overall/index15.html|archive-date=December 31, 2006}} During the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Twilight Princess was awarded with "Outstanding Achievement in Story and Character Development" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences,{{cite web|url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2007&idGameAwardType=100|title=2007 Awards Category Details - Outstanding Achievement in Story and Character Development|work=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|access-date=February 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504041207/http://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2007&idGameAwardType=100|archive-date=May 4, 2011}} while also receiving nominations for "Overall Game of the Year", "Console Game of the Year", "Action/Adventure Game of the Year", "Outstanding Achievement in Game Design", and "Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering".{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2007&idGame=858 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=6 November 2023}} The game placed 16th in Official Nintendo Magazine{{'}}s list of the 100 Greatest Nintendo Games of All Time.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7297| title=20–11 Official Nintendo Magazine|work=Official Nintendo Magazine|publisher=Future plc|access-date=February 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228105305/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7297|archive-date=February 28, 2009}} IGN ranked it the 4th-best Wii game,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/14/the-top-25-wii-games-2|title=The Top 25 Wii Games|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=November 26, 2009|access-date=November 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202193141/http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1048874p22.html|archive-date=December 2, 2009}} and the 5th-best GameCube game.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-gamecube-games-of-all-time|title=The 25 Best GameCube Games of All Time|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=September 1, 2023|access-date=March 24, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121020928/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-gamecube-games-of-all-time|archive-date=November 21, 2023}} Nintendo Power ranked it the third-best game to be released on a Nintendo system in the 2000s decade.{{cite magazine |title=The Best of the Decade |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Future US |issue=252 |pages=68–77 |date=March 2010}}

In North America, Twilight Princess was sold with three of every four Wii purchases during its first week.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/over-600000-wiis-served/1100-6162373/|title=Over 600,000 Wiis served|first=Brendan|last=Sinclair|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=November 27, 2006|access-date=January 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926213055/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/thelegendofzelda/news.html?sid=6162373|archive-date=September 26, 2007|url-status=live}} The Wii version sold 412,000 copies in the United States during November 2006, representing 87% of Wii launch sales that month, the highest attach rate for a launch game since Super Mario 64 launched with the Nintendo 64 in 1996.{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Brendan |title=Nintendo of America Releases Details of November NPD |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/12527/nintendo-of-america-releases-details-of-november-npd |access-date=23 November 2021 |work=Nintendo World Report |date=December 7, 2006 |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123020459/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/12527/nintendo-of-america-releases-details-of-november-npd |url-status=live}} It went on to become America's fifth-best-selling game of 2006 with 1.5 million copies sold for the Wii and GameCube in the US that year.{{Cite web|last=Surette|first=Tim|date=January 16, 2007|title=Madden hoists 2006 sales trophy|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/madden-hoists-2006-sales-trophy/1100-6164113/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-23|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=November 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122000551/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/madden-hoists-2006-sales-trophy/1100-6164113/}} In the United Kingdom, the Wii version received a Platinum sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224703/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3944 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum |work=Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association |archive-date=May 15, 2009 |url-status=dead}} indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the UK.{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php | url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php | title=ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK | last=Caoili | first=Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=Gamasutra | archive-date=September 18, 2017 | url-status=dead}}

The game had sold 5.82 million copies on the Wii as of March 2011,{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2011/annual1103e.pdf|title=Nintendo Annual Report 2011|website=Nintendo|date=August 1, 2011|access-date=January 27, 2012|page=13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017182453/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2011/annual1103e.pdf|archive-date=October 17, 2011|url-status=live}} and 1.32 million on the GameCube as of March 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070427e.pdf|title=Supplementary Information about Earnings Release|website=Nintendo|date=April 25, 2007|access-date=September 17, 2007|page=6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171153/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070427e.pdf|archive-date=September 27, 2007|url-status=live}} As of September 2015, the game had sold 8.85 million copies worldwide across both platforms,{{cite web |title=ゼルダの伝説 トワイライトプリンセス HD |trans-title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000019307 |website=Nintendo |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304155123/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000019307 |url-status=live}} making it the best-selling single title in the series until it was surpassed by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in April 2018.

The remaster sold 52,282 copies during its first week of release in Japan, which placed it at second place in the video-game sales charts.{{Cite web |last=Sato |date=March 16, 2016 |title=This Week In Sales: The Division Raids In, Twilight Princess HD And Summon Night 6 Follows |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/03/16/week-sales-division-raids-twilight-princess-hd-summon-night-6-follows/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321015539/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/03/16/week-sales-division-raids-twilight-princess-hd-summon-night-6-follows/ |archive-date=March 21, 2016 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |publisher=Siliconera}} The following week, it came in at number 9 on the charts, selling an additional 7,705 copies.{{cite web |last=Sato |date=March 23, 2016 |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/03/23/week-sales-pokkn-tournament-brings-fight-digimon-world-follows/ |title=This Week In Sales: Pokkén Tournament Brings The Fight, Digimon World Follows |publisher=Siliconera |access-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105194113/https://www.siliconera.com/2016/03/23/week-sales-pokkn-tournament-brings-fight-digimon-world-follows/ |url-status=live}} By comparison, 30,264 copies of The Wind Waker HD were sold in its first week in Japan. In the first week of Twilight Princess HD{{'}}s United Kingdom release, the remaster was the second-best-selling game and the best-selling game released for a single platform in the country.{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD Leads the Way for Nintendo in UK Charts|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_hd_leads_the_way_for_nintendo_in_uk_charts|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307162252/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_hd_leads_the_way_for_nintendo_in_uk_charts|archive-date=March 7, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 7, 2016}} Twilight Princess HD{{'}}s sales dropped 84% in its second week in the UK, making it the ninth-best-selling game in the country.{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|title=Twilight Princess HD Holds Top 10 Place in UK Charts|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/twilight_princess_hd_holds_top_10_place_in_uk_charts|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315195609/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/twilight_princess_hd_holds_top_10_place_in_uk_charts|archive-date=March 15, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 14, 2016}} In the United States, it was the third-best-selling game sold in brick-and-mortar retailers throughout March 2016, according to market-research firm The NPD Group.{{cite web|last=Grubb|first=Jeff|title=March 2016 NPD: Ubisoft, Nintendo shake up sales chart with The Division, Zelda|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/04/14/march-2016-npd-division-zelda/|website=VentureBeat|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420072724/http://venturebeat.com/2016/04/14/march-2016-npd-division-zelda/|archive-date=April 20, 2016|url-status=live|date=April 14, 2016}} As of December 2022, it had sold 1.17 million copies worldwide.{{cite book|title=2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers)|publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association|year=2023|isbn=978-4-902346-47-3}}

An eleven-volume manga series based on Twilight Princess, penned and illustrated by Akira Himekawa, was first released in Japan on February 8, 2016, and ran until January 30, 2022. The series was made available via physical copies, online bookstores, and publisher Shogakukan's MangaOne mobile application. While the manga adaptation began almost ten years after the initial release on which it is based, it launched only a month before the release of the high-definition remake.{{cite web |first=Allegra |last=Frank |url= http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/3/10904992/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-manga-release-date |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is getting a manga, starting next week |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=February 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216231346/http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/3/10904992/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-manga-release-date |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |url-status=live}} Viz Media began releasing an English localization of the series in 2017{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Manga Is Coming to the West|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/05/the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_manga_is_coming_to_the_west|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=August 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531113842/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/05/the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_manga_is_coming_to_the_west|archive-date=May 31, 2016|url-status=live|date=May 29, 2016}} and was finished in March 2022.

To commemorate the launch of the My Nintendo loyalty program in March 2016, Nintendo released My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, a nonogram puzzle video game developed by Jupiter as a downloadable title for the Nintendo 3DS.{{cite web|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|title=Legend of Zelda Picross Revealed As "My Nintendo" Bonus - Report|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/legend-of-zelda-picross-revealed-as-my-nintendo-bo/1100-6435416/|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404231453/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/legend-of-zelda-picross-revealed-as-my-nintendo-bo/1100-6435416/|archive-date=April 4, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 7, 2016}}{{cite web|title=My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|url=https://my.nintendo.com/rewards/e0bd3a7355ae978b|website=My Nintendo|access-date=April 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416143433/https://my.nintendo.com/rewards/e0bd3a7355ae978b|archive-date=April 16, 2016|url-status=live|date=2016}}

Midna, in both her imp and Twili forms, Zant, and NPC character Agitha, all appeared as playable warriors in the Zelda crossover title Hyrule Warriors and its various iterations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zelda.com/hyrule-warriors/|title=Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition for the Nintendo Switch™ home gaming system – Official Site|website=zelda.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-02|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028144703/https://www.zelda.com/hyrule-warriors/|url-status=live}} Since the release of Hyrule Warriors, Agitha has been recognised as a "main character" of Twilight Princess.{{Cite book|title=The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia|publisher=Dark Horse|year=2018|isbn=978-1-5067-0638-2|pages=275}}

• Link's Crossbow Training, a 2007 shooting video game created for the Wii Zapper, using the world and assets of Twilight Princess

{{Reflist|25em|group=lower-alpha}}

• {{cite speech |first=Eiji |last=Aonuma |author-link=Eiji Aonuma |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Reflections in the Hourglass |date=March 2007 |event=Game Developers Conference |via=Nintendo World Report |access-date=September 12, 2008 |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/specialArt.cfm?artid=13085 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420103351/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/13085/eiji-aonumas-gdc-2007-presentation |archive-date=April 20, 2014 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite book |title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess instruction booklet |url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/Wii_Legend_of_Zelda_Twilight_Princess.pdf |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=February 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831121250/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/Wii_Legend_of_Zelda_Twilight_Princess.pdf |archive-date=August 31, 2014 |url-status=dead |date=March 28, 2014}}
• {{cite book|editor1-first=Scott|editor1-last=Pelland|title=Official Nintendo Power The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Player's Guide|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 19, 2006|isbn=1-59812-004-2}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website|http://www.zelda.com/tp/}}

{{Zelda}}

{{Portal bar|Video games|Japan}}

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