Video Game-A-Day #25: The Legend of Zelda (NES)

bratwurst · May 5th, 2006, 03:15 PM

Does this game really need an introduction? I'm surprised it hasn't been done yet.

Game:

Genre: Role Playing
Platform: NES
Released: 1986

Quote:

The game begins with the player controlling Link armed with a small shield. A simple sword (often believed to be wooden due to its coloring) is immediately available in a cave behind him. To advance further, Link must explore the overworld, a large outdoor map with a variety of environments, fighting an assortment of small creatures in order to locate the entrances to nine underground dungeons. Each dungeon is a unique, labyrinthine collection of rooms connected by doors and secret passages and guarded by a variety of monsters, all of which are different from those found in the overworld. Link must navigate through each dungeon to obtain the eight pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom along with other useful items, many of them necessary to complete his quest. For example, the third dungeon contains a raft which is needed to reach the entrance to the fourth dungeon. Other available items include upgrades for Link's sword and shield, bombs for uncovering secret caverns, and a recorder with magical properties. The first six dungeons have visible entrances, but the remaining three are hidden from view. The order of completing the dungeons is relatively arbitrary, but the ninth and final dungeon can only be entered after collecting the entire Triforce of Wisdom.

Nonlinearity, the ability to take different paths in completing the game, is an important element of Zelda which was largely absent in its contemporaries. Although the dungeons were designed to be completed in order, there are many possible orders. Similarly, Link can wander the overworld, finding and buying items at any point. This flexibility enabled some unusual ways of playing the game; for example, it's possible to reach the final boss of the game (but not defeat him) without taking a sword, which in a normally-played game is the preferred primary weapon. Non-linearity is also a source of frustration, however, often leaving players wondering what to do next.

Zelda was the first role playing game I had ever played. I remember how big this game was when it came out, every kid I knew that had a Nintendo talked about it constantly - "where did you get the raft?" "where is the seventh dungeon?" "how many hearts have you found?" I had a copy of Nintendo power that had a map in it, that showed where all the secrets were hidden on each square, and a friend of mine and I made copies in the school library and sold them for $1 each (early entrepreneur!).

Overall, a great game that almost anyone who had a nintendo played, and enjoyed.

Screenshots:

Gambling

The walking McRib sandwich

abomb · May 5th, 2006, 03:27 PM

One of my favorite games of all time. I got it when I was probably 13 or 14 and played it all the time.

A-Bomb

vince56 · May 5th, 2006, 03:34 PM

I hooked up my old NES a few months ago, and the first game I played was Zelda.

7 hours later I was still playing the game and had gotten to the 7th Labyrinth. What a fun game that still is great to this day.

abomb · May 5th, 2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince56

I hooked up my old NES a few months ago, and the first game I played was Zelda.

7 hours later I was still playing the game and had gotten to the 7th Labyrinth. What a fun game that still is great to this day.

Isn't it terribly ridiculous how much you remember?

A-Bomb

bratwurst · May 5th, 2006, 04:38 PM

I can still remember the main theme music. Yet, I can't remember important stuff in my life.

vince56 · May 5th, 2006, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abomb

Isn't it terribly ridiculous how much you remember?

A-Bomb

dude, if say any more, I'll futher nerd-incriminate myself

Ryanwb · May 5th, 2006, 09:09 PM

Play it on your computer!

http://www.zeldaclassic.com/

CQ · May 6th, 2006, 09:25 PM

OMG, I was never a Zelda player, but throughout my marriage, I have heard the Zelda music more than I would like to admit to! My husband is a MAJOR Zelda freak.