{{Short description|2015 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}} {{Infobox video game | title = The Legend of Zelda:<br>Tri Force Heroes | image = The Legend of Zelda Tri Force Heroes Boxart.jpg | alt = | caption = | developer = {{ubl|Nintendo EPD|Grezzo{{efn|Development Cooperation by 1-UP Studio}}}} | publisher = Nintendo | series = ''The Legend of Zelda'' | platforms = Nintendo 3DS | released = {{Video game release|JP|October 22, 2015|NA/EU|October 23, 2015|AUS|October 24, 2015}} | genre = Action-adventure | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | director = Hiromasa Shikata | producer = Eiji Aonuma | designer = Yoichi Yamada | programmer = Shiro Mouri | artist = Keisuke Umeda | writer = | composer = Ryō Nagamatsu }} {{nihongo foot|'''''The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes'''''|ゼルダの伝説 トライフォース3銃士|Zeruda no Densetsu: Toraifōsu San-jūshi|{{lit.}} "The Legend of Zelda: The Three Triforce Musketeers"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 2015 action-adventure game developed by Nintendo EPD and Grezzo and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS.<ref name="Nintendo.co.uk Q&A">{{cite web|title=The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Tri-Force-Heroes-1026135.html#Q_A|website=Nintendo|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150826141503/http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Tri-Force-Heroes-1026135.html#Q_A|archive-date=August 26, 2015|url-status=live|date=2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The second original Nintendo 3DS entry in ''The Legend of Zelda'' series after ''A Link Between Worlds'', this game is the third installment in the franchise to prominently feature a multiplayer campaign after ''Four Swords'' and ''Four Swords Adventures'', albeit this time with only three players as opposed to four and a stronger emphasis on cooperation rather than competition.
The story follows the same incarnation of Link from the aforementioned ''A Link Between Worlds'', who this time is called forth along with two other Links by the fashion-obsessed kingdom of Hytopia to lift a curse placed on their princess, Styla, from the evil Drablands Witch.
''Tri Force Heroes'' was released worldwide in October 2015 and received generally mixed reviews from critics. While the game's presentation, soundtrack and multiplayer were praised, many reviewers criticized the game's single-player mode and its online functionality and matchmaking features. The game sold over 1.36 million copies worldwide.<ref name="2021CESAゲーム白書 2021 CESA Games Whit">{{cite book|title=2021CESAゲーム白書 (2021 CESA Games White Papers)|publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association|year=2021|isbn=978-4-902346-43-5}}</ref>
==Gameplay== left|thumb|The top screen shows the three colored Links forming a totem pole in order to bomb a cracked box. The bottom screen's interface allows the player to communicate with others. ''The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes'' is a cooperative action-adventure game in which three players control differently colored versions of series protagonist Link and join forces to fight enemies and solve puzzles.<ref name="IGN reveal">{{cite web|first=Jose|last=Otero|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/e3-2015-the-legend-of-zelda-triforce-heroes-revealed-for-3ds|title=E3 2015: The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes Revealed for 3DS|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616230446/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/e3-2015-the-legend-of-zelda-triforce-heroes-revealed-for-3ds|archive-date=June 16, 2015|url-status=live|date=June 16, 2015|access-date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> Similar to previous multiplayer ''Zelda'' titles, such as ''Four Swords Adventures'', players must work together, using the items they receive at the start of each level to help each other progress.<ref name="Prima strategic preview">{{cite web|last1=Dawson|first1=Bryan|title=The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes Strategic Preview|url=http://www.primagames.com/games/legend-zelda-tri-force-heroes/feature/legend-zelda-triforce-heroes-strategic-preview|website=Prima Games|publisher=Penguin Random House|access-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017023845/http://www.primagames.com/games/legend-zelda-tri-force-heroes/feature/legend-zelda-triforce-heroes-strategic-preview|archive-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=live|date=July 28, 2015}}</ref> One of the key puzzle-solving techniques is stacking the three player characters in a totem pole, allowing the top player to reach higher elevations, attack enemies, be thrown across gaps, and perform other actions. Another game mechanic involves collecting items in order to craft outfits that grant the characters various abilities.<ref name="IGN reveal" /> Players share a heart meter, with all players losing one of their life fairies should the meter run out.<ref name="Prima strategic preview" />
A particular mechanic of the game is the costumes; these costumes grant special and hidden abilities, such as upgrading an item's ability, health capacity, or stamina limit.
The game supports both local and online multiplayer gameplay, wherein players use icons on the touch screen to communicate with each other, as well as a competitive Coliseum mode.<ref name="Prima strategic preview" /><ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web|last1=Schreier|first1=Jason|title=You Can't Play Zelda: Triforce Heroes With Only Two People|url=http://kotaku.com/you-cant-play-zelda-triforce-heroes-with-only-two-peop-1712601003|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=June 19, 2015|date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619224114/http://kotaku.com/you-cant-play-zelda-triforce-heroes-with-only-two-peop-1712601003|archive-date=June 19, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> A single player can also play the game by controlling doll-like companions called "Doppels" in place of additional players, though the main mode does not support two players without a third.<ref name="Kotaku" /> ''Tri Force Heroes'' features a visual style mixing ''A Link Between Worlds'''s and ''The Wind Waker''{{'}}s.<ref name="IGN reveal" />
===Downloadable content=== Nintendo released free downloadable content (DLC) for ''Tri Force Heroes'', which introduced a new dungeon called "The Den of Trials" and two additional costumes. "The Den of Trials" contained a greater number of stages than the original dungeons and players must defeat all enemies in each of its stages in order to progress. The update was released on December 2, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Makuch|first1=Eddie|title=Zelda 3DS Spinoff Triforce Heroes Getting Free DLC|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/zelda-3ds-spinoff-triforce-heroes-getting-free-dlc/1100-6432248/|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=November 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115184009/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/zelda-3ds-spinoff-triforce-heroes-getting-free-dlc/1100-6432248/|archive-date=November 15, 2015|url-status=live|date=November 12, 2015}}</ref>
==Plot and setting== {{Further|The Legend of Zelda#Fictional chronology|label1=Fictional chronology of ''The Legend of Zelda''}} ''Tri Force Heroes'' is set several years after ''A Link Between Worlds'' and centers on Link, who was originally planned on appearing with the same design as the protagonist of ''A Link Between Worlds''. This was ultimately replaced with the "Toon Link" design in the final version, as the developers felt it made the models easier to see on the smaller screens of the 3DS. However the ''Tri Force Heroes'' protagonist and the ''A Link Between Worlds'' protagonist are still the same Link.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia|publisher=Dark Horse|year=2018|isbn=978-1-5067-0638-2|pages=304}}</ref> In the series' official timeline, ''Tri Force Heroes'' takes place in an alternative timeline that results from the Hero of Time's potential failure in ''Ocarina of Time'', leading to the events of ''A Link to the Past''. It is the fifth title on this timeline branch (the ''Oracle of Seasons'' and ''Oracle of Ages'' as a joint title), taking place between ''A Link Between Worlds'' and the beginning of a part of this timeline called the "Era of Decline", which involves the events of ''The Legend of Zelda'' and ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''.<ref name=":1" /> It is the eighteenth title in ''The Legend of Zelda'' chronology.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia|publisher=Dark Horse|year=2018|isbn=978-1-5067-0638-2|pages=10}}</ref>
''Tri Force Heroes'' begins as Link arrives in the kingdom of Hytopia in the middle of a crisis surrounding its fashion obsession; its princess Styla has been cursed by "The Lady" to wear a brown jumpsuit. Her father, King Tuft, sends out a call for a hero to save the princess depending on a prophecy's characteristics. Link, fitting perfectly, is sent with two teammates across the Drablands, where they travel to The Lady's lair and defeat her, lifting Styla's curse. Link is then celebrated by Hytopia for his actions.
== Development == ''The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes'' is similar to ''Marvelous: Mōhitotsu no Takarajima'', and is considered a spiritual successor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/707990.html|title=息を合わせたプレイ必須！ 「ゼルダの伝説 トライフォース3銃士」 「マーヴェラス ～もうひとつの宝島～」の精神的続編を期待？|last=株式会社インプレス|date=2015-06-20|work=GAME Watch|access-date=2018-11-20|language=ja-JP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808072355/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/707990.html|archive-date=August 8, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The inspiration for ''Tri Force Heroes'' originated in 2009 from a portion of ''The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks'' in which Princess Zelda is able to possess phantoms. ''Tri Force Heroes'' director Hiromasa Shikata, who had also worked on ''Spirit Tracks'', explained: "That element [the ability to control phantoms] really intrigued me and brought out the idea that I wanted to try multiplayer as well". Shikata's interest in working on a multiplayer ''Zelda'' game "was sort of revitalized and came out of hibernation" during the development of ''A Link Between Worlds''.<ref name="Polygon E3 2015">{{cite web|last1=McWhertor|first1=Michael|title=The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes is a game of dress up, co-op and paper dolls|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/23/8810103/the-legend-of-zelda-triforce-heroes-nintendo-3ds-e3|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=June 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624015125/http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/23/8810103/the-legend-of-zelda-triforce-heroes-nintendo-3ds-e3|archive-date=June 24, 2015|url-status=live|date=June 23, 2015}}</ref> The game was originally going to not include a single player option, as Shikata believed the game should be kept multiplayer only, but series producer Eiji Aonuma personally requested it. Shikata later admitted that not including a single player option would have been a huge mistake.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia|publisher=Dark Horse|year=2018|isbn=978-1-5067-0638-2|pages=307}}</ref>
Regarding Link's ability to don a dress typically worn by Zelda in other installments in the series, Shikata said they consulted with folks in the U.S. and in Japan, and asked 'Do we think we're going [to get] too much of a negative reaction by having Link wear a dress?{{'"}} The development team arrived at the conclusion that having a cross-dressing Link would not be an issue. Shikata expressed the team's hope that having the dress and similar outfits in the game would widen its appeal to young female gamers.<ref name="Polygon E3 2015"/>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 73/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-legend-of-zelda-triforce-heroes/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes for 3DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026070735/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/the-legend-of-zelda-triforce-heroes |archive-date=October 26, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | OC = 35% recommend<ref name="opencritic">{{cite web|url=https://opencritic.com/game/2268/the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes|title=''The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes''|date=October 21, 2015 |publisher=OpenCritic|access-date=October 24, 2025}}</ref> | Destruct = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=October 21, 2015 |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-315403.phtml |title=Review: The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes |publisher=Destructoid |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022210601/http://www.destructoid.com/review-the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-315403.phtml |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | EGM = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Carsillo |first=Ray |date=October 21, 2015 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-review/ |title=The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes review |publisher=Electronic Gaming Monthly |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024015536/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-review/ |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | GI = 7.25/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=October 21, 2015 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_legend_of_zelda_triforce_heroes/b/3ds/archive/2015/10/21/legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-game-informer-review.aspx |title=Welcome To The Drablands - The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes - 3DS |publisher=Game Informer |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022210154/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_legend_of_zelda_triforce_heroes/b/3ds/archive/2015/10/21/legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-game-informer-review.aspx |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | GameRev = 3/5<ref>{{cite web |last=S. |first=Kevin |date=October 21, 2015 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes |title=Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes Review |publisher=GameRevolution |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094352/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | GSpot = 5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Mahardy |first=Mike |date=October 21, 2015 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-review/1900-6416288/ |title=The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Review |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024012628/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-review/1900-6416288/ |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | GRadar =3.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Clapham |first=Matt |date=October 21, 2015 |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/legend-zelda-tri-force-heroes-review/ |title=The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes review |publisher=GamesRadar |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010037/http://www.gamesradar.com/legend-zelda-tri-force-heroes-review/ |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | GT = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Brandon |date=October 26, 2015 |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/89gin8/the-legend-of-zelda--tri-force-heroes-review |title=Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes - Review |work=GameTrailers |publisher=Defy Media |access-date=October 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030024337/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/89gin8/the-legend-of-zelda--tri-force-heroes-review |archive-date=October 30, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | IGN = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Otero |first=Jose |date=October 21, 2015 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/21/the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-review |title=The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Review |publisher=IGN |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021220726/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/21/the-legend-of-zelda-tri-force-heroes-review |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | NLife = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=October 21, 2015 |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/legend_of_zelda_tri_force_heroes |title=The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (3DS) Review |publisher=NintendoLife |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022180248/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/legend_of_zelda_tri_force_heroes |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | VG = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Simon |date=October 21, 2015 |url=http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/the_legend_of_zelda_tri_force_heroes_review.html |title=The Legend of Zelda Tri Force Heroes Review |publisher=VideoGamer.com |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124022113/http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/the_legend_of_zelda_tri_force_heroes_review.html |archive-date=November 24, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> }} {{expand section|date=November 2015}} ''Tri Force Heroes'' received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.<ref name="MC"/> Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received fair approval, being recommended by 35% of critics.<ref name="opencritic"/> At its showing at E3 2015, it won the Game Critics Awards Best Handheld/Mobile Game and ''IGN''{{'s}} Best 3DS Game awards.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- Staff writer(s), no by-line -->|title=IGN's Best of E3 2015 Awards|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/igns-best-of-e3-2015-awards|date=June 16, 2015|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617122551/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/igns-best-of-e3-2015-awards|archive-date=June 17, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2015 Winners|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/winners.html|website=Game Critics Awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722213442/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/winners.html|archive-date=July 22, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 27, 2015|date=2015}}</ref> While the game's presentation, soundtrack and multiplayer gameplay were praised, many reviewers criticized its single-player mode and lack of a two player option. Many reviewers also criticized the game's online functionality and matchmaking features. The game has sold over 1.36 million copies worldwide as of December 2020.<ref name="2021CESAゲーム白書 2021 CESA Games Whit"/>
==References== '''Notes''' {{notelist}}
'''Citations''' {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{official website|https://www.zelda.com/tri-force-heroes/}}
{{Zelda}} {{Portal bar|Video games|Japan}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, The}} Category:2015 video games Category:Action-adventure games Category:Cooperative video games Category:Cross-dressing in video games Category:Grezzo games Tri Force Heroes Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games Category:Nintendo 3DS games Category:Nintendo 3DS-only games Category:Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development games Category:Nintendo Network games Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video game prequels Category:Video games scored by Ryo Nagamatsu Category:Video game spiritual successors