The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is the eighteenth official Zelda game. It is for the Nintendo 3DS. It was revealed during E3 2015 on June 16.

Story
Tri Force Heroes takes place in a fashion-forward land whose name is currently unknown. The land's Princess has been cursed to wear a very bad outfit that she cannot take off. The king is in need of a hero to save her, but there is more than one person claiming to be that hero.

Gameplay
Tri Force Heroes is similar to the Four Swords games, in which Link is accompanied by two other Links (as opposed to three more in the Four Swords games). These Links are depicted as green, red, and blue. The game supports download play, local wireless, and online co-op gameplay. The game also allows single-player gameplay, in which the other Links are replaced with rented paper dolls. The player can switch between Link and the dolls, similar to the single-player game in.

The game is strongly based off of 's aesthetics, including its graphics, enemies, and its use of platforms at different elevations. The Links can climb atop one another to form a Totem that allows them reach higher elevations. The Links must cooperate with each other and coordinate their attacks to solve puzzles, such as one Link throwing a Bomb while the other shoots an Arrow at it. On-screen notifications also appear to inform the other Links of one Link's current state or idea, such as suggesting to form a totem. Several expressions can also be selected from the bottom screen, and can also be used to encourage the other Links or to express an idea or direction. Tapping on a Link's portrait on the touch screen will direct to their position, showing where they are. The three Links share the same Heart Containers, lives (appearing as Fairies), and Rupees. As in A Link Between Worlds, there is also an Energy Gauge that depletes each time an item is used, and gradually recovers. Each Link has his own Energy Gauge.

The game features several dungeons which are structured with four main areas each. Each dungeon contains up to three different items that must be used to progress through them. At the end of each area is a Triforce-shaped portal that teleports the Links to another section. The levels currently known are The Forest, The Temple, and The Fortress. Players can vote on which stage to go to from the stage selection screen while a timer ticks down.

The Links can also dress up in multiple different costumes which grant specific abilities. These costumes can be either be purchased or crafted from items found in dungeons. Before starting a stage, each Link must select a costume to wear. The "Hero Tunic" is the default costume. The "Spin Attack Attire" allows Link to perform a Spin Attack. The "Lucky Loungewear" allows Link a chance to escape from damage. The "Big Bomb Outfit" allows Link to use and pick up Bombs. The "Kokiri Clothes" allows Link to shoot three Arrows at once. A "Zelda Dress" is also shown; however, its effect is not currently known.

Development
Game director Hiromasa Shikata explained he wanted to make a multiplayer Zelda game, but wanted to stray away from the competitive nature of the Four Swords games and instead build a game where players would cooperate in a more serious Zelda setting. Eiji Aonuma also cited the 3D visuals and depth used in A Link Between Worlds as an inspiration, which he wanted to incorporate into the new game. This inspired the "totem" formation mechanic usable by the Links. Hiromasa added that a four-player totem was too tall, hence why the Links were reduced to just three.