I figured that I haven’t dorked out in a while, and something happened at camp that blew my mind and made me realize that there are people out there, even avid video game lovers, who never played the original Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). I take the fact that I had a Nintendo when it came out for granted. Some of these kids at camp weren’t even born when I was rescuing the Princess from the clutches of Bowser. So, in an effort to educate the masses in the ways of Link and his bad assedness, I bring you the list of Zelda games organized chronologically by release.
The Legend of Zelda
The Princess Zelda has been taken prisoner by Ganon. You, Link, need to collect 8 pieces of Triforce from eight dungeons, all the items in those dungeons, other items all over the land of Hyrule, and kill a butt load of bad guys to kill Ganon and save the day. This was an early testament to Nintendo’s strong suit, which was making games that are just plain fun. The graphics aren’t as great as they are now, but I could sit and just play this game any time of day, and there are thousands that agree with me. This game uses a bird’s eye view format, a main map, 9 dungeons, and dozens of hidden rooms, stores, and other locations. “It is dangerous to go alone. Take this.” The rest is history. This game was later rereleased for the Game Boy Advance (GBA)
The Adventure of Link
This sequel was a bold change of pace that some embraced, while others found it less appealing than it’s predecessor. With a bird’s eye view for the over world and a side scrolling screen for actual battles and dungeons, it was a very different game indeed. Beyond that it was more like an actual Role Playing Game (RPG) than the prior Zelda, as Link gained powerups in magic, defense, and attack. You had stats now. Personally I like it, but in a different way. It would be like going to a new restaurant and trying one of their pizzas, liking it, returning and ordering something else that is completely different, like pasta. I liked the pizza more, but the pasta wasn’t bad. It’s a matter of taste.
A Link to the Past
This installment for the Super Nintendo was a big jump from the original. Also a bird’s eye view, this game pushed the limits. There were two realities (two similar maps to jump between), dozens of new kinds of items, and more gameplay time. Also a game I could play over and over again. In this game you need to collect 3 stones, open a portal, go to 8 dungeons and collect 8 crystals this time, then kill Ganon and save Zelda. This game was later released on the GBA as well.
Link’s Awakening
This game for the Game Boy, and later Game Boy Color in a beefed up version, was in a dream world where you had to collect 8 instruments to awaken what can only be described as a Native American’s rendition of a giant whale/fish. Also a bird’s eye view, this game was also insanely fun to play. New concepts were introduced, such as my favorite, equipping bombs and arrows so that you can shoot a bomb arrow. Link needed a rocket launcher, and now he has it. The color version gave you an extra dungeon where you could get one of two tunics that would either beef up your defense, or your attack. Nice extra that made the game that much more fun/easy.
Ocarina of Time
The kids at camp played this game first, and hadn’t even played the original. While I can appreciate their age, and the fact that this game was a completely and totally awesome game, I can’t help but get into that old man talk of “Back in my day…” At any rate, this game was for the Nintendo 64 (N64), in 3D, and followed many of the original themes and traditions. You had to collect 3 stones to open a portal, then release 6 sages (7 really if you count Zelda herself), and kill Ganon to restore order to Hyrule. This game also had two alternate realities (maps) but they were separated by time, so in the happy land you were young, and in the torn apart land you were older. Items and abilities changed between them, giving the game a bit more flare. This game has it all. Side quests, extra items, and a replay value I can’t even describe. It was later rereleased on a disc with an extra version of the game that had more challenging dungeons.
Majora’s Mask
The same Link from OoT gets back home, gets jacked for his horse, chases down the guy, and ends up in an alternate reality where he must save the day (go figure). The catch here is that the world will be destroyed by a huge moon with an evil face on it in 3 days (not in real time). You must save the day before then, but it’s impossible. Solution? Use your Ocarina to travel back to the beginning of the first day so you can start over again. You keep your items, except those that have a quantity. For example, your Rupees (the currency of Hyrule) will be lost unless you deposit them into the bank. In this game you can also collect masks that give you extra abilities or are just for aesthetic purposes. In the end, if you have all of the masks you unlock another mask that makes the end boss easier to fight. Truthfully, I just beat his ass without it the first time, but getting that last mask was pretty cool, as it was a mask that basically made you the older version of yourself from OoT but all beefed up and cool looking. This game was darker, and wasn’t as popular as OoT, but I loved it, even if you did have to buy a memory upgrade to play it.
Oracle of Ages/Seasons
These two games released for the GBC were complimentary, as you could pass items between them, and could only see the true ending if you had beaten both games. They incorporated both side scrolling and bird’s eye, but stuck to bird’s eye for the most part. Changing the timeline/seasons, respectively, made the game a bit more interesting as you could only accomplish certain tasks when the world was covered in ice, or when the vines had grown in summer, for example.
The Wind Waker
This game for the Nintendo Game Cube (GCN) met some serious criticism initially for the art style used, cel shading. People, mostly uneducated kids, called it Celda before they had even played it. They forgot what I never did. Nintendo makes games that are fun, period. This game was also 3D, and took place in a vast ocean where you used a talking sail boat to get where you needed to go. What about the winds, you ask? Well, you had a wand that could change the direction of the winds, of course. If OoT was perfect, they improved on perfection. Again, you collect 3 stones, open a portal, collect 8 pieces of Triforce, kill Ganon, and save Zelda. I could play this game for days, and did. I took days off work so I could find heart pieces.
Soul Calibur 2
An honorable mention, as you can play in this fighting game with Link against other weapon fighters. This game had versions for the Play Station 2, the XBox, and the GCN, each with a unique added character. The GCN had Link, of course. From what I’ve heard, he was the most seamless addition, where the others didn’t mix in too easily. All I know is that I can throw some bombs at Lizardman’s bitch ass.
Four Swords
This game for the GCN is a bird’s eye, also incorporating the side scrolling in parts, but the twist here is that you are 4 Links. In one player, you control all 4, but you can get 3 friends to join in using their GBA’s to connect up. This means a main screen with 4 smaller subscreens, one for each player. Brilliant, innovative, and hella fun. It also made for the possibility to play a versus game, Link to Link. You collect 4 stones this time around, save 7 Maidens, kill Ganon, rescue Zelda, save the day.
So, there you go. A brief(?) rundown of some of the best games to ever hit console gaming systems. There are new games coming, and they will likely be even better than the previous, and will also likely result in my being locked in my room for days.
I’ve got your Master Sword right here.