The Legend of Zelda (NES) is my personal favorite, partially because nothing could ever recreate that magic. It took me weeks to figure out I had to use the whistle to find the entrance to 7!
Still, a Link to the Past was the best offering of the series. Innovate and kept me totally compelled. Ocarina, for me, just didn't do it - I was 18 or 19 when it came out and I was already fixated on games with an online multiplayer component.
I got my first video game console when I turned 6 - it was a snes. Up until this point I had been going over to friends houses to play their various consoles
I was so happy, but my parents wouldn't buy me any games for it outside of my birthday or Christmas
This meant I had to save up my allowance if I was going to get my game on
I figured out that I could either buy one game every 3 months, or rent one game every weekend
So I rented
I rented the hell out of LttP
But I could never make any real progress within 2 days, and every time I rented it I always played through the same parts
Eventually I was burned out on going through the motions and stopped caring about LttP, as well as Zelda in general
That all changed after I bought my N64 years later
It was christmas and my grandfather was staying with us and he got me a game
That game was OoT
He never bothered with tech stuff but seemed so proud that he got this for me
He told me "I remember when you were a little kid and would always talk to me on the phone about a game called 'Zelda'. I talked to your parents and they told me you don't have this one yet!"
He was beaming
No way was I going to tell him I lost interest in the series, so I feigned some massive excitement
"I want to see what the big deal is. Show it to me." He said after I hugged him
This stunned me. He had never before taken an interest in games at all. So I moved my N64 into the living room and put in the game, figuring he would get tired of it after 5 minutes
We played through the entire first dungeon together
He had bad arthritis and couldn't play himself, but he was sitting right beside me saying "Go there! What's that? Try this!" Etc. As we moved through the game
Then I realized he was experiencing a game like this for the first time, and in the same way I did when I was 6 years old
After clearing the first dungeon he said "That was a lot of fun! Merry Christmas"
He is getting on in age now and can't travel anymore, but will still bring up that Christmas in conversation and will tell me it is one of the best Christmas memories he has
I tell him the same thing
It is for this reason that OoT is my favorite game of all time
Tasteticle on
Uh-oh I accidentally deleted my signature. Uh-oh!!
who are those people at the bottom of the picture? The one with the helmet and sword is probably the hero of time from TTP? And Shadow Link and Wolf Link?
I find myself having the same opinion of Ocarina of Time that I do of Final Fantasy 7. Its an over-hyped middling entry in a series with a ton of much better options.
who are those people at the bottom of the picture? The one with the helmet and sword is probably the hero of time from TTP? And Shadow Link and Wolf Link?
guys, I NEED to know
Man it was posted just a few posts above yours, unless you're at work or something:
I find myself having the same opinion of Ocarina of Time that I do of Final Fantasy 7. Its an over-hyped middling entry in a series with a ton of much better options.
There's always somebody who says something like this.
Sure, if somebody had never played a Zelda, and wanted to play the "best" Zelda game, I probably wouldn't recommend Ocarina of Time (or any 3D Zelda, really), but that doesn't change just how revolutionary and amazing Ocarina of Time was when it came out. Yes, much of the reason I enjoy it today and look forward to the 3DS release is based on nostalgia, but frankly that's as legitimate reason to love a game as any.
mntorankusuI'm not sure how to use this thing....Registered Userregular
edited February 2011
Zelda II is pretty good. It's impossible, so I would only recommend playing it for historical value (or if you like impossible NES games), but it's not bad. The swordfighting gameplay is a lot of fun.
It's true that you should start with A Link to the Past, and then play them in order.
I would skip the Oracle games, but some people seem to like them a lot. I just think they failed to do anything interesting at all.
I find myself having the same opinion of Ocarina of Time that I do of Final Fantasy 7. Its an over-hyped middling entry in a series with a ton of much better options.
And then you realize the previous SNES installment was the same game in 2D.
Zelda II is pretty good. It's impossible, so I would only recommend playing it for historical value (or if you like impossible NES games), but it's not bad. The swordfighting gameplay is a lot of fun.
I would say impossible without a guide (because my criticism of UV above was a joke, shockingly) and also you have to use the corner trick to beat shadow Link.
Because my friend and I totally beat the game without too much trouble, though parts were tedious. That last dungeon is really a killer until you learn how to fight some of the enemies.
I've only ever played LTTP on the GBA. I can't say I have a strong opinion about it. It's good, I guess. I certainly don't understand the people that consider it the best Zelda game.
Zelda II is pretty good. It's impossible, so I would only recommend playing it for historical value (or if you like impossible NES games), but it's not bad. The swordfighting gameplay is a lot of fun.
I would say impossible without a guide (because my criticism of UV above was a joke, shockingly) and also you have to use the corner trick to beat shadow Link.
Because my friend and I totally beat the game without too much trouble, though parts were tedious. That last dungeon is really a killer until you learn how to fight some of the enemies.
I got pretty far just using a guide, but I never beat the game until I busted out the cheatzz
Though if I had someone around to play it with, I might've beat it without cheating. I never got very far in Ninja Gaiden at all until I played it a while back with my brother-in-law, and we almost beat it. It definitely takes away a lot of the tedium of trying to beat the same crap over and over again.
mntorankusu on
0
DHSChase lizards.....bark at donkeys..Registered Userregular
Zelda II is pretty good. It's impossible, so I would only recommend playing it for historical value (or if you like impossible NES games), but it's not bad. The swordfighting gameplay is a lot of fun.
I would say impossible without a guide (because my criticism of UV above was a joke, shockingly) and also you have to use the corner trick to beat shadow Link.
Because my friend and I totally beat the game without too much trouble, though parts were tedious. That last dungeon is really a killer until you learn how to fight some of the enemies.
I got pretty far just using a guide, but I never beat the game until I busted out the cheatzz
Though if I had someone around to play it with, I might've beat it without cheating. I never got very far in Ninja Gaiden at all until I played it a while back with my brother-in-law, and we almost beat it. It definitely takes away a lot of the tedium of trying to beat the same crap over and over again.
Me and my brother just played it (Zelda II) every summer at my grandpa's house, finally he and I beat it when were like 19 and 20 respectively. We only played it there because he had the only working NES in the family at the time. Without ever looking it cheats or FAQS or anything, just sheer grit and determination and nearly twenty wasted summers.
DHS on
"Grip 'em up, grip 'em, grip 'em good, said the Gryphon... to the pig."
..and I will fight to anyone TO THE DEATH that says nay on this. Me ,being the spoiled impatient brat, ordered the Official ALTTP Strategy Guide from Nintendo Power. This was BEFORE the internet. Your ass had to personally call up Nintendo Power to order it. Real man shit right there son!
While that was on order, I called up my best friend at the time over the phone and he helped me get past that hellhole known as the Ice Palace in the Dark World. We went on ahead and said, "fuck it, lets get this shit done." Kept trecking to the end as he gave me pointers on how to beat Ganon.
Yeah my parents tore me a new asshole for being on the phone for that long, but it was worth every berating word, PERIOD.
When I was nine years old I got Links Awakening for my Game Boy Pocket. The first Zelda game I ever played, and one of the best. So many good memories. The first time you get your sword, when you awaken the Wind Fish, not to mention the final ending, which is sad as hell.
Still think OoT is the best Zelda game ever but Link's Awakening is a close favorite and I actually prefer it over Link to the Past.
When I was growing up NO ONE I knew had played Link's Awakening - if you read all these nostalgic review sites now, it's generally claimed that Link to the Past is the best in the series after OoT, but I'm pleased to see so many people here played LA too
edit: Also I only got a quarter of the way through Majora's Mask on the Wii, I should really finish that off.
Rikushix on
0
mntorankusuI'm not sure how to use this thing....Registered Userregular
You can only equip one item at a time in Link to the Past. Sucks.
Sure, you can equip two items in Link's Awakening, but in A Link to the Past you don't have to equip the sword, shield, boots or gloves in order to use them. This works out in LttP's favor, I think.
Ocarina of Time = Majora's Mask > The Minish Cap = A Link to the Past > Link's Awakening > The Wind Waker > Twilight Princess > Oracle of Seasons > Spirit Tracks > Oracle of Ages > The Legend of Zelda > Four Swords Adventures > The Adventure of Link > Phantom Hourglass
Ocarina of Time = Majora's Mask > The Minish Cap = A Link to the Past > Link's Awakening > The Wind Waker > Twilight Princess > Oracle of Seasons > Spirit Tracks > Oracle of Ages > The Legend of Zelda > Four Swords Adventures > The Adventure of Link > Phantom Hourglass
I can't help but be curious, but are you nostalgia filtering the original game, do you still like it, or do you just really dislike the games you put below it?
To me there has been no better game made than Majoras Mask.
It is my favorite game of all time
Majora's Mask is definitely a 'Love it or Hate it' game. I hated it. But I've argued that enough in other threads.
Personally my favorite Zeldas are Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, though my favorite game of all time isn't a Zelda anyways. I'd give that title to Super Metroid.
Quoting this from page 4 because Majora's Mask is definitely a Love it from me. I remember seeing screenshots of the Japanese version in my magazines back when it was known as 'Zelda Gaiden', all of which you can find on IGN's old N64 page nowadays. I fell in love with the Time management mechanic and the transformation magic. I adored traversing the world, which felt more fleshed out than Hyrule in OoT. The way NPCs moved around so you couldn't always find them in the same spot went a long way in solidifying that feeling of a living game.
After thinking about it some the other day, there really hasn't been a series that has made me ponder the meaning of game genres the way the 'Legend of Zelda' series has. It truly has the greatest mix of 4 classical genres:
Action - Because of the combat
Adventure - Because of the exploration
Puzzle - Because of dungeons
RPG - Because of item collection
You can't describe the games without using all four of those elements. These are why the games feel so filling in a playthrough, because you get a hefty portion of each. A Zelda game feels less like a Zelda game when you remove one of those parts (hi there Link's Crossbow Training). But otherwise, it doesn't matter if its a top-down perspective, a sidescroller, or a 3rd-person view; a sprite-based game or a polygonal game; a console title or a handheld title.
Woe is the day we ever see something like 'Zelda Cart Racing'.
V Faction on
Nintendo Network ID: V-Faction | XBL: V Faction | Steam | 3DS: 3136 - 6603 - 1330 PokemonWhite Friend Code: 0046-2121-0723/White2 Friend Code: 0519-5126-2990
"Did ya hear the one about the mussel that wanted to purchase Valve? Seems like the bivalve had a juicy offer on the table but the company flat-out refused and decided to immediately clam up!"
The thing I love most about the Zelda franchise is how it's created such awesome, iconic music. This thread wouldn't be complete without linking to Zelda Reorchestrated.
Ocarina of Time = Majora's Mask > The Minish Cap = A Link to the Past > Link's Awakening > The Wind Waker > Twilight Princess > Oracle of Seasons > Spirit Tracks > Oracle of Ages > The Legend of Zelda > Four Swords Adventures > The Adventure of Link > Phantom Hourglass
I can't help but be curious, but are you nostalgia filtering the original game, do you still like it, or do you just really dislike the games you put below it?
I really did like the first game, it's tough but I like it.
I hate Phantom Hourglass, hate hate hate it.
The Adventure of Link is... not my type of game.
And as for Four Swords Adventure.. I dunno I can't seem to get into it.
So to answer your question, a little from column A and a little from column B.
Apart from putting Majora at the top (only #2 in the world behind Ico in my personal favourite games list) and Spirit Tracks at the bottom (that one really didn't click with me, which is odd as I loved Phourglass) the rest can just all merge into one cloud of awesome which doesn't bear picking about and trying to sort into order.
I realise I'm mentally discounting the NES games, as despite the occasional afternoon around a mate's house during the NES days, my Zelda journey began with LttP on my SNES.
Oh that game. I can so distinctly remember my Mum making me put down the controller and walk away when I was getting so worked up on the Dark World temple boss with the head you have to smash with hammer and the scorpion tail. She was a good and understanding Mother and understood that I needed to finish the guy and get to a save point first though. Given that I also remember how much my hands were shaking afterwards I think she may have had a point as well.
It was such a huge world and I was so naive in the ways of game that I was discovering all the wonderful nuances of the series for the first time. Whereas now I would notice a conspicuous indent in a cliff face and think 'secret here, try everything,' in my youth I would walk around that world over and over and then suddenly notice the difference between the dark and light worlds at that point and be rewarded with an awesome optional discovery of which there were so many in that game.
And then Ocarina of Time. I was loaned that game just before my A-Levels. The size of that world blew my mind again. So much once more to explore and find. A significant chunk of my study leave was taken up with a desperate attempt to finish the game so I could put it out of my mind briefly and actually get some revision done. It was also around this time I discovered the internet and message boards and faqs. I spoiled myself on quite a few discoveries that way and after thinking back on it vowed to do no such thing with Majora's Mask (which hit just as I hit Uni). I full mask collection cleared that one entirely guide free and was shocked that the standard advice given out on the Zelda forum I had found to hang out on was to pick up a guide and have it with you from the start to the end. The fools just did not get it.
First game I got for SNES - Zelda
First game I got for N64 - Zelda
First game I got for Gamecube - Zelda
Last game I got for Gamecube - Zelda (didn't want TP on Wii.)
Did anyone else opt for Twilight Princess on the Cube, rather than the Wii?
4 - Swords was AWSOME!
Mostly because in College my girlfriend, myself, my best friend and his Girlfriend all had a DS.
Did anyone else opt for Twilight Princess on the Cube, rather than the Wii?
I enjoyed it so much I bought it for Gamecube and THEN bought it again for Wii. It's really like two different games with the swapped world and control scheme (a bit like Master Quest vs. vanilla OoT).
Anybody else absolutely love the sailing and/or triforce piece collecting in Wind Waker?
I'll tell ya, you learn how to fuckin' SAIL your butt off in that game. Maneuvering around for treasure chests became an art unto itself.
V Faction on
Nintendo Network ID: V-Faction | XBL: V Faction | Steam | 3DS: 3136 - 6603 - 1330 PokemonWhite Friend Code: 0046-2121-0723/White2 Friend Code: 0519-5126-2990
"Did ya hear the one about the mussel that wanted to purchase Valve? Seems like the bivalve had a juicy offer on the table but the company flat-out refused and decided to immediately clam up!"
Posts
Still, a Link to the Past was the best offering of the series. Innovate and kept me totally compelled. Ocarina, for me, just didn't do it - I was 18 or 19 when it came out and I was already fixated on games with an online multiplayer component.
Massive Crystal Cavern!
For the hip hop fans, OC Remix recently released a project and Link and Ganon were invited to do a rap battle. Hey, listen!
I was so happy, but my parents wouldn't buy me any games for it outside of my birthday or Christmas
This meant I had to save up my allowance if I was going to get my game on
I figured out that I could either buy one game every 3 months, or rent one game every weekend
So I rented
I rented the hell out of LttP
But I could never make any real progress within 2 days, and every time I rented it I always played through the same parts
Eventually I was burned out on going through the motions and stopped caring about LttP, as well as Zelda in general
That all changed after I bought my N64 years later
It was christmas and my grandfather was staying with us and he got me a game
That game was OoT
He never bothered with tech stuff but seemed so proud that he got this for me
He told me "I remember when you were a little kid and would always talk to me on the phone about a game called 'Zelda'. I talked to your parents and they told me you don't have this one yet!"
He was beaming
No way was I going to tell him I lost interest in the series, so I feigned some massive excitement
"I want to see what the big deal is. Show it to me." He said after I hugged him
This stunned me. He had never before taken an interest in games at all. So I moved my N64 into the living room and put in the game, figuring he would get tired of it after 5 minutes
We played through the entire first dungeon together
He had bad arthritis and couldn't play himself, but he was sitting right beside me saying "Go there! What's that? Try this!" Etc. As we moved through the game
Then I realized he was experiencing a game like this for the first time, and in the same way I did when I was 6 years old
After clearing the first dungeon he said "That was a lot of fun! Merry Christmas"
He is getting on in age now and can't travel anymore, but will still bring up that Christmas in conversation and will tell me it is one of the best Christmas memories he has
I tell him the same thing
It is for this reason that OoT is my favorite game of all time
Uh-oh I accidentally deleted my signature. Uh-oh!!
Oh no, he's there all right. Just look harder.
Way to break my fucking heart.
Damn.
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
guys, I NEED to know
Man it was posted just a few posts above yours, unless you're at work or something:
http://danbooru.donmai.us/post/show/858932
Fierce Deity head on left, Dark Link head on right, hero's spirit riding his own wolf form, with Link's mother and baby Link.
There's always somebody who says something like this.
Sure, if somebody had never played a Zelda, and wanted to play the "best" Zelda game, I probably wouldn't recommend Ocarina of Time (or any 3D Zelda, really), but that doesn't change just how revolutionary and amazing Ocarina of Time was when it came out. Yes, much of the reason I enjoy it today and look forward to the 3DS release is based on nostalgia, but frankly that's as legitimate reason to love a game as any.
Twitter 3DS: 0860 - 3257 - 2516
Get a Wii then plop down the eight bucks to play Link to the Past and then go from there
Don't worry about starting from the beginning
The first Zelda game is damn near impenetrable without a guide, and Zelda II is the lame duck of the series
Or if you have a DS that saves you a step.
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
Portable LTTP
What kind of man are you
SNES
GBA x2
and
VC
I love that game.
Do not question my Zeldaness.
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
Don't play Zelda 1 because it's impenetrable? What kind of man are you?
Bomb every wall and burn every bush!
It's true that you should start with A Link to the Past, and then play them in order.
I would skip the Oracle games, but some people seem to like them a lot. I just think they failed to do anything interesting at all.
And then you realize the previous SNES installment was the same game in 2D.
I am not going to say they are the best of the series but I LOVED the weather/time puzzles.
Seasons was better than Ages but shit they both were a lot of fun.
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
I would say impossible without a guide (because my criticism of UV above was a joke, shockingly) and also you have to use the corner trick to beat shadow Link.
Because my friend and I totally beat the game without too much trouble, though parts were tedious. That last dungeon is really a killer until you learn how to fight some of the enemies.
I do a TON of portable gaming so that's why I love portable Zelda.
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
They have some neat items, such as the magnet gloves and that claw thing that swaps you with whatever you hit with it.
Out of the two, Seasons is clearly superior. Seasons has Tarm Ruins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JJEaVI3JRs
Ages has Goron Dancing.
I got pretty far just using a guide, but I never beat the game until I busted out the cheatzz
Though if I had someone around to play it with, I might've beat it without cheating. I never got very far in Ninja Gaiden at all until I played it a while back with my brother-in-law, and we almost beat it. It definitely takes away a lot of the tedium of trying to beat the same crap over and over again.
Me and my brother just played it (Zelda II) every summer at my grandpa's house, finally he and I beat it when were like 19 and 20 respectively. We only played it there because he had the only working NES in the family at the time. Without ever looking it cheats or FAQS or anything, just sheer grit and determination and nearly twenty wasted summers.
..and I will fight to anyone TO THE DEATH that says nay on this. Me ,being the spoiled impatient brat, ordered the Official ALTTP Strategy Guide from Nintendo Power. This was BEFORE the internet. Your ass had to personally call up Nintendo Power to order it. Real man shit right there son!
While that was on order, I called up my best friend at the time over the phone and he helped me get past that hellhole known as the Ice Palace in the Dark World. We went on ahead and said, "fuck it, lets get this shit done." Kept trecking to the end as he gave me pointers on how to beat Ganon.
Yeah my parents tore me a new asshole for being on the phone for that long, but it was worth every berating word, PERIOD.
LA is better, followed by most of the other portable Zeldas including Minish Cap.
When I was nine years old I got Links Awakening for my Game Boy Pocket. The first Zelda game I ever played, and one of the best. So many good memories. The first time you get your sword, when you awaken the Wind Fish, not to mention the final ending, which is sad as hell.
Still think OoT is the best Zelda game ever but Link's Awakening is a close favorite and I actually prefer it over Link to the Past.
When I was growing up NO ONE I knew had played Link's Awakening - if you read all these nostalgic review sites now, it's generally claimed that Link to the Past is the best in the series after OoT, but I'm pleased to see so many people here played LA too
edit: Also I only got a quarter of the way through Majora's Mask on the Wii, I should really finish that off.
Sure, you can equip two items in Link's Awakening, but in A Link to the Past you don't have to equip the sword, shield, boots or gloves in order to use them. This works out in LttP's favor, I think.
I know this will piss some people off.
Let's see...
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
I can't help but be curious, but are you nostalgia filtering the original game, do you still like it, or do you just really dislike the games you put below it?
After thinking about it some the other day, there really hasn't been a series that has made me ponder the meaning of game genres the way the 'Legend of Zelda' series has. It truly has the greatest mix of 4 classical genres:
Action - Because of the combat
Adventure - Because of the exploration
Puzzle - Because of dungeons
RPG - Because of item collection
You can't describe the games without using all four of those elements. These are why the games feel so filling in a playthrough, because you get a hefty portion of each. A Zelda game feels less like a Zelda game when you remove one of those parts (hi there Link's Crossbow Training). But otherwise, it doesn't matter if its a top-down perspective, a sidescroller, or a 3rd-person view; a sprite-based game or a polygonal game; a console title or a handheld title.
Woe is the day we ever see something like 'Zelda Cart Racing'.
Pokemon White Friend Code: 0046-2121-0723/White 2 Friend Code: 0519-5126-2990
"Did ya hear the one about the mussel that wanted to purchase Valve? Seems like the bivalve had a juicy offer on the table but the company flat-out refused and decided to immediately clam up!"
I really did like the first game, it's tough but I like it.
I hate Phantom Hourglass, hate hate hate it.
The Adventure of Link is... not my type of game.
And as for Four Swords Adventure.. I dunno I can't seem to get into it.
So to answer your question, a little from column A and a little from column B.
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
I realise I'm mentally discounting the NES games, as despite the occasional afternoon around a mate's house during the NES days, my Zelda journey began with LttP on my SNES.
Oh that game. I can so distinctly remember my Mum making me put down the controller and walk away when I was getting so worked up on the Dark World temple boss with the head you have to smash with hammer and the scorpion tail. She was a good and understanding Mother and understood that I needed to finish the guy and get to a save point first though. Given that I also remember how much my hands were shaking afterwards I think she may have had a point as well.
It was such a huge world and I was so naive in the ways of game that I was discovering all the wonderful nuances of the series for the first time. Whereas now I would notice a conspicuous indent in a cliff face and think 'secret here, try everything,' in my youth I would walk around that world over and over and then suddenly notice the difference between the dark and light worlds at that point and be rewarded with an awesome optional discovery of which there were so many in that game.
And then Ocarina of Time. I was loaned that game just before my A-Levels. The size of that world blew my mind again. So much once more to explore and find. A significant chunk of my study leave was taken up with a desperate attempt to finish the game so I could put it out of my mind briefly and actually get some revision done. It was also around this time I discovered the internet and message boards and faqs. I spoiled myself on quite a few discoveries that way and after thinking back on it vowed to do no such thing with Majora's Mask (which hit just as I hit Uni). I full mask collection cleared that one entirely guide free and was shocked that the standard advice given out on the Zelda forum I had found to hang out on was to pick up a guide and have it with you from the start to the end. The fools just did not get it.
First game I got for N64 - Zelda
First game I got for Gamecube - Zelda
Last game I got for Gamecube - Zelda (didn't want TP on Wii.)
Did anyone else opt for Twilight Princess on the Cube, rather than the Wii?
4 - Swords was AWSOME!
Mostly because in College my girlfriend, myself, my best friend and his Girlfriend all had a DS.
Critical Failures - Havenhold Campaign • August St. Cloud (Human Ranger)
Twitter 3DS: 0860 - 3257 - 2516
No, because I simply couldn't wait the extra month. The Wii, for all the hype, was a Zelda TV adapter to me for the first few months.
(got it on GC later)
Link being right handed is going to be weird for me.
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
I'll tell ya, you learn how to fuckin' SAIL your butt off in that game. Maneuvering around for treasure chests became an art unto itself.
Pokemon White Friend Code: 0046-2121-0723/White 2 Friend Code: 0519-5126-2990
"Did ya hear the one about the mussel that wanted to purchase Valve? Seems like the bivalve had a juicy offer on the table but the company flat-out refused and decided to immediately clam up!"