The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is the thirteenth mainline game in the Zelda series and one of the launch titles for the Nintendo Wii. Also releasing on the GameCube, Twilight Princess marks the first cross-gen release in the series’ history, as well as one of the last first-party Nintendo titles to arrive on sixth-generation hardware. It’s the follow-up to The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, which was the subject of plenty of controversy leading up to its release for its use of cel-shading and a cartoonish art style. Twilight Princess‘ much darker tone, realistic visuals, and more adult Link are all part of the developer’s addressing of the fan response to Wind Waker.
Notably, this response seems to have been the right move on Nintendo’s part, with Twilight Princess outselling Wind Waker by a large margin, and even coming close to reaching the sales figures of the Nintendo 64 classic Ocarina of Time. Critic and fan response to Twilight Princess both remain strong to this day, with many fans still claiming it as their favorite game in the series. The game currently holds an aggregate score of 95 on Metacritic, along with a respectable user score of 88.
Following the title’s success on both GameCube and Wii, Nintendo would release a remaster of Twilight Princess for Wii U in the form of Twilight Princess HD. This version of the game is largely identical to the GameCube and Wii version but features better resolution and sharper textures, making the game the best-looking version of the title. Despite Twilight Princess‘ strong sales and place as a fan-favorite in the series, Nintendo still has yet to port the game to the Nintendo Switch along with the plethora of other Zelda titles available.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Premise
Twilight Princess takes place in the middle of the “Child Era” of the Zelda timeline following Link’s victory over Ganon at the end of Ocarina of Time. Set hundreds of years after the events of Majora’s Mask and the failed execution of Ganondorf, the game sees Hyrule beset by a mysterious corruption threatening to swallow the kingdom whole, the Twilight Realm. After accidentally entering the Twilight Realm, Link transforms into a lupine form henceforth known as Wolf Link and meets Midna of the Twilight. Together the two work to stop the evil sorcerer Zant, who is attempting to merge Hyrule fully into the Twilight Realm.
Like the other 3D Zelda titles prior to 2017’s Breath of the Wild, Twilight Princess follows a similar template to the one that Ocarina of Time establishes, with Link first completing an initial set of dungeons before obtaining the Master Sword and setting off on the game’s main quest in earnest. After acquiring the Master Sword, Link traverses through a series of five dungeons before finally confronting Zant and then, predictably, Ganon. In addition to the game’s dungeon areas, there’s a massive overworld map of Hyrule containing towns to visit, NPCs to interact with, and secrets to find.
The control scheme of Twilight Princess differs across each version, with the GameCube original and Wii U remasters both using more traditional gamepad control schemes and the Wii version relying primarily on motion controls. Players use the Wii’s Wiimote and Nunchuck controllers to simulate the act of swinging Link’s sword or digging and tail-whipping as Wolf Link, while other actions are assigned to each controller’s button layouts. It’s the first game in the series (and only one of two) to primarily use motion controls in its gameplay.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Main Characters
The release of Skyward Sword on the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda franchise confirms what fans speculated for years — that each version of Link, Zelda, and Ganon appearing in the games are reincarnations of previous heroes and villains by the same name. Twilight Princess features its own unique versions of the intrepid hero and legendary princess, as well as its very own Demon King Ganon and a cast of other supporting characters unique to its story. The main characters in Twilight Princess include:
- Link: The hero of legend and main character of Twilight Princess. Rather than appear as a child like in most other Zelda games, Twilight Princess‘ version of Link appears to be a young adult around the age of 17.
- Midna: The strange diminutive helper who saves Link after his initial entry into the Twilight Realm and surprise transformation into a wolf, Midna is the former princess of Twilight.
- Princess Zelda: Unlike other games in the series, Twilight Princess‘ version of Princess Zelda is the sole ruler of Hyrule. After obtaining the throne at a young age, she has to make a decision to save her people at the cost of giving in to Zant’s demands.
- Zant: Zant is an evil sorcerer that follows a similar path to other series characters such as Agahnim as a servant to Ganon. Prior to the very end of Twilight Princess, he is the game’s primary antagonist.
- Ganon: Ganon is the legendary evil that reappears time and again to battle Link for possession of the Triforce and control over Hyrule. After his banishing to the Twilight Realm, he manipulates Zant to merge the twilight with Hyrule so he can escape.
Games in The Legend of Zelda Series
For more than 35 years, The Legend of Zelda has existed as the premier first-party action-adventure franchise of legendary developer Nintendo. Every game in the series is noteworthy for how it subtly iterates on a tried-and-true gameplay formula that continues to stand the test of time, while also establishing a bar of quality that very few other games are capable of meeting, much less maintaining and surpassing. The games in this all-time franchise include:
- The Legend of Zelda (1986)
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)
- The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages (2001)
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)
- The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004)
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015)
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Cheats and Secrets
Infinite Rupees Glitch
After collecting all 60 Poes and talking to Jiovani, he will return to a normal human and give Link a Silver Rupee. Leave Castle Town and then go back to his house to find that Jiovani is gone and his cat remains, wondering where he went. During the day, head to the bar and talk to Jiovani, then return and talk to his cat for more Rupees. Repeat this process as many times as necessary to get free Rupees and fill Link’s wallet.
Infinite Bomb Arrows Glitch
This is a many-step process but the reward is well worth attempting to follow these steps to exploit the glitch for infinite bomb arrows:
- Play the baloon-popping game in the grass away from the Canon Man, then run into the cliff immediately and tell the bird that you don’t want to play again.
- Turn into human Link and equip the Zora Tunic and Clawshot, then step off the platform into the water.
- Turn toward the cliff to the left and hold L (Z on Wii) and use the Clawshot. Swim towards the wall while holding the Clawshot and push up against it until Link goes through it.
- Use the Iron Boots to sink, then unequip them and swim up so Link appears to fall through the water and talk to the bird.
- Tell the bird you want to try again and Link will enter the baloon-popping game once more.
- Fall into the water again during the air ride, appearing at the start of the canoe ride. Turn into a wolf and jump into the water, talking to Midna as soon as Link hits the water.
- Let the current take Link down river, with Link appearing in wolf form in the canoe but looking misshapen.
- Tell the Zora you want to ride again, appearing in the inside of the canoe ride building. After the ride starts, Link will be on the ground instead of in the canoe if done right.
- Warp to any location and turn human. Link will have infinite bomb arrows from the Lent Bomb Bag and a glitch affecting the Quiver. It may require some fiddling on the item menu screen, but infinite bomb arrows are no available.
Wallet Upgrades
All wallet upgrades in Twilight Princess are available from Agatha, the princess of the insect kingdom. The initial wallet allows Link to carry 300 Rupees but exchanging one Golden Bug unlocks the Big Wallet, which can carry 600 Rupees (1000 in Twilight Princess HD). Giving Agatha 60 Golden Bugs unlocks the Giant Wallet, which can hold 1000 Rupees (2000 in Twilight Princess HD).
Free Health and Lantern Potions
With an Empty Bottle in Link’s possession, head to the Forest Temple. While inside the temple, use Oocoo to warp outside and then speak to the potion seller near the temple’s entrance. Scoop up either potion you need using the Empty Bottle. Normally a bird will chase Link for not paying but you can safely teleport back inside the temple and earn a free potion in the process.
Iron Boots Glitch in Goron Mines
There’s a point players reach in Goron Mines (Twilight Princess‘ second dungeon) where it’s necessary to equip the Iron Boots and walk on the ceiling. Normally, the weight of the Iron Boots reduces Link’s movement speed, but there’s a clever workaround to still be able to take advantage of the magnetic field while walking normally. Move toward the glowing points that transfer Link to the ceiling or walls and equip the Iron Boots. As Link starts to transition to the ceiling or wall, quickly open the menu and unequip the Iron Boots. Now Link will be on the ceiling but his movement will no longer be slower thanks to the Iron Boots.
Opening Castle Town Malo-Mart and Unlocking Magic Armor
After donating 1000 Rupees to repair the bridge to Castle Town’s west gate, talk to the Goron inside the Malo-Mart in Kakariko Village. Talk to the older Goron outside the mart and take the Hot Spring Water to the sleeping Goron on the bridge. Smash the barrel of water over his head to refresh him. Now go back to the Goron collecting donations in the Kakariko Village Malo-Mart. The cost to open a Malo-Mart in Castle Town is now reduced to 200 Rupees, and the Magic Armor will be available for purchase there.
Secret Moves
There are two moves that neither the game or manual reveal, both of which are extremely useful in the context of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess‘ gameplay.
- Rolling Stab: After rolling, quickly slash with Link’s sword. This knocks enemies back and opens them up for an ending blow.
- Quick Dismount: While riding Epona, hold Z and press A to quickly backflip off of the saddle. This is great for quickly getting off the horse and dealing with enemies on the ground.
Sacred Grove Puzzle Solution
After completing the Lakebed Temple and returning to the Sacred Grove, the solution to the puzzle is as follows:
- LEFT
- DOWN
- RIGHT
- RIGHT
- UP
- LEFT
- UP
- UP
- LEFT
- DOWN
- DOWN
- RIGHT
- UP
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Cheat FAQs
How do you get infinite Rupees in Twilight Princess?
In order to unlock the potential for infinite Rupees, you’ll first need to collect all 60 Poes. Afterwards, returning Jiovani to human form and continuing to talk to his cat during the day offers a never-ending supply of Silver Rupees to fill Link’s wallet.
Can I get a bigger wallet in Twilight Princess?
Yes! The initial wallet only holds 300 Rupees, making purchasing many of the game’s more expensive items impossible. To earn newer wallets with greater capacity, collect Golden Bugs and bring them to Agatha. One bug unlocks the Big Wallet, while collecting 60 unlocks the Giant Wallet. There is a fourth wallet available in the Wii U remaster of Twilight Princess.
How do you unlock the Master Sword in Twilight Princess?
After saving Midna and completing the Lakebed Temple, speak with Princess Zelda and return to Faron Woods. Enter the Sacred Grove and defeat the Skull Kid to acquire the Master Sword.