The skinny:
The latest Zelda is distinctly old school. Nintendo takes the game back to the realm of 2-D action that looks more at home on the old NES systems than on the GameCube. You play as Link, who has been divided into four versions of himself thanks to a magical sword. While frolicking around the idyllic land of Hyrule, you must rescue seven princesses and take on a wind sorcerer that resembles a floating cyclopean racquetball and goes by the name Vaati. You can make your way going solo, but with four little Link characters on the screen at all times, the game lends itself to cooperative play. To spice things up, play with three mortal enemies instead of friends, and keep a loaded gun on top of the television.

If you liked this game, you'd like:
Legend of Zelda: Classic NES Series, Shrek 2, sexually ambiguous Japanese anime.

Hours to complete:
Longer than it takes to take out the trash, less time than it takes to drive a man insane with water torture—not that we'd know anything about that.

Tantalizing tidbits:
The game spreads out over vast maps in 24 stages. If you get tired of cooperating with other players, take the action to the Shadow Battle mode. But to get the most out of the game, you need three other players. Even worse, everyone needs a Game Boy Advance as well as the requisite linking cables to jam into the GameCube. Try making your own Game Boy Advance out of yarn and rusty nails. When you meet Mr. Tetanus, make sure you give him a good, firm handshake.

Buy, rent or run away screaming?
Though it's a great title in the Zelda franchise, the action is hindered by all the extra equipment necessary to get the most out of it. Unless you have all the gear, rent before you buy.