The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Video Games›The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Entertainment • Video Games

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube and Wii.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube and Wii. It follows Link as he tries to save Hyrule from the Twilight Realm with help from Midna. The game was released in 2006 and is set in an alternate timeline after Ocarina of Time.

Gameplay

Twilight Princess is an action-adventure game in which players control Link through exploration, combat, and dungeon-based progression. Source summaries note that Link can switch between Hylian and wolf forms, with the wolf form changing available attacks and traversal options.

Setting and story

The game takes place in Hyrule during a crisis caused by the spread of the Twilight Realm. The plot follows Link and Midna as they attempt to restore balance and defeat the forces threatening the kingdom.

Release and platforms

Nintendo released Twilight Princess for both the GameCube and Wii in 2006. It became closely associated with the Wii launch period and was one of the final major first-party releases for the GameCube.

Reception and sales

The game received strong praise in retrospective and contemporary discussion, and it sold more than 7 million copies. This made it one of the best-selling entries in the Zelda series.

Key facts

  • Developed and published by Nintendo for GameCube and Wii in 2006.
  • Story centres on Link’s efforts to stop Hyrule from being consumed by the Twilight Realm, with Midna’s assistance.
  • Link can transform into a wolf in the Twilight Realm.
  • Game sold over 7 million copies.
  • Set roughly a century after Ocarina of Time in an alternate timeline from The Wind Waker.
🍁
Canadian context

The game was released in Canada on Nintendo platforms and remains a major title in a long-running series with a strong Canadian fan base; no Canada-specific development or setting is central to the game itself.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of game is Twilight Princess?
It is an action-adventure game in Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series.
Who is the main character?
The player controls Link, the series’ central hero.
Who is Midna?
Midna is a mysterious companion who helps Link during the events of the game.
What platforms was it released on?
The original game was released for the GameCube and Wii.
When was Twilight Princess released?
It was released in 2006.

References

  1. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnSeLy1e8VA
    Supports: Nintendo developed and published the game; platforms; story premise; approximate timeline placement; sales over 7 million.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Twilight_Princess
    Supports: Platforms; story premise; wolf transformation; Midna; timeline placement; nine dungeons; general gameplay structure.
  3. WhatCulture — https://whatculture.com/gaming/10-things-you-never-knew-about-zelda-twilight-princess
    Supports: 2006 release context; Wii launch association; broad reception discussion.