The Legend of Zelda

The Good
There was never a game quite like the original "Legend of Zelda" for it's time. From the anime-style illustrations that highlighted the instruction manual, to the haunting version of the "Zelda" theme that graced the title screen, the excitement for this game built before the player ever pressed "Start".

The gameplay was so unique. A (then) huge and sprawling world filled with hidden caves and temples, oceans to cross, graveyards to explore, deserts, mountains, forests.... This game was extremely diverse in the terrain Link could cover. There were secrets everywhere, a smart item management system, and just as many different types of enemies to fight.

The music for this game remains one of my favorite all-time soundtracks. The Overworld and Underworld themes are about as good as it gets in the old-school memory department. The graphics for its time were very impressive, and in many respects hold up now. It's a different experience from being a kid when this was the latest technology, but it retains a simplistic charm now.

And who could ever forget the "cool" factor of the gold cartridge, or the Second Quest?

The Bad
In light of today's games, it doesn't quite feel as "epic" as it once did. But this is also an 18/19-year old game now. That said, the gameplay remains remarkably solid.

There were also nothing worse than the shield-eating Like Likes, or the heart-draining Darknuts. Some called it "challenge". I called it "frustrating". There was nothing worse than having to buy a new Magic Shield.... Or having to pay a fine for blowing up some Old Man's door.

If the criticisms seem lame.... Well, there's not a lot of negative to be said about this game, really.

The Bottom Line
This particular entry in the "Legend of Zelda" series remains of my favorite games of all-time. Anyone who needs a lesson of Miyamoto's brilliance in game design should look no further than here. It's a beautiful title that has so many things going for it even now. And while more "charming" than "epic" these days, it still provides solid challenge, and an interesting connected world to explore. No game was like this for it's time, and only Sega's original Phantasy Star contended as a truly worthy rival.

If you've never played it, do yourself a favor, and find the Gamecube or Game Boy Advance versions. Without this game, the standard never would have been raised so high for action/adventure games.

In my opinion, the original "Legend of Zelda" stands as one of the most important and prolific titles in video gaming history. One romp through the lands of Hyrule, and you'll see why.

The Good
The Legend Of Zelda is often acclaimed. As the best game ever. Or the best rpg. Or best Nintendo game, or some such. Yet I have always thought it was overrated. Even Nintendo Power rated it higher than Super Mario Bros. Yes somehow Zelda is better then the game that made Nintendo.

The upside to the Zelda series is that the games got better. (Zelda 64 anyone?) And it helped spawn better games. I.e. Landstalker.

The Bad
The downside is just about every thing else. The Graphics are lame even for a NES game. How many colors could the NES display like 4? Because this is not a colorful game. And all the colors are bland. Compare Super Mario Bros. to Zelda and you’ll see.

The Sound/ Music well the sound effects are nothing special. And the only tune I liked was the main theme. Which would sound better in latter Zelda’s.

The Gameplay is as liner as it gets. You go from dungeon to dungeon with no villages to break up the tedium. If Hyrule has no villages who does Zelda rule over? They could have at least had one town, I mean come on. Oh yes and the dungeons have to be done in a specific order, making the game even more linear.

The Storyline is for the most part non-existent. For some reason an old man gives a little kid a sword and tells him to save Zelda, a Princess without a Kingdom, so not only is it stupid, but the player never feels that they must save Zelda.(How come Nintendo can’t get over the “save the princess” thing?)

The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line is that you should skip this one and play The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awaking. Or Zelda 64.

The Good
I liked that they brought back an old classic without trying to add to it or make it better because that never works. I like that they put this game on GBA because now I can play it anywhere.

The Bad
I didn't like the fact that it took them so long to put this game on GBA or any of the Gameboy systems.

The Bottom Line
The NES Classic, The Legend of Zelda, is a great replication for GBA. If you like any of the Zelda games, you'll love this one. The original is always the best, proven by this game. And now you can take it anywhere.