Zelda Series
The fabulous Legend of Zelda series has spanned eleven games with a another on the horizon. From the days of the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) to the more recent Gamecube and GBA releases, Zelda is by no means a dying series. Read on to discover more about each title in detail. I have listed them in order of release.
New To view box art for a game, click on the game title.
Note: The descriptive sections for each game reflect my personal opinion and are in no way related to Nintendo or anyone else for that matter! If I have had little or no experience with a particular game I will base it on what I have heard.
Platform: NES
Players: 1
Details: The very first, and arguabley still best game of the series. This title is by far the least linear adventure as Link is more or less left to his own devices from the very beginning. There are numerous caves and dungeons to explore and get lost in (the meat and potatoes of any Zelda) and this really set the standard for future releases. This title has also been re-released recently on a collectors edition Zelda disc for the Gamecube along with 3 other classics and a demo of The Wind Waker. For many (including me) this was the first chance to experience this wonderful beginning to the series.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Platform: NES
Players: 1
Details: The second game of the series was highly antisipated by fans of the first game and it took the series in a controversial new direction. Some sections were now side-scrolling allowing the game to show more of its graphical capabilities. But how did this affect the gameplay? Well many belive it was a great addition and allowed room for more freedom of movement. However, many people said it made the experience feel too 'loose' and wasn' to all tastes. Overall though, this sequal can stand proud next to the remainer of the series. Again, this was re-released for Gamecube on the same disc as the original.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Platform: SNES
Players: 1
Details: The favourite game of the series for many and it's plain to see why. It holds a certain magical feel to it - which many think has not been captured in any of the games before it or since. It's certainly a challenge. To start off with, Link must find three magical pendants, each of which are contained deep within a dungeon. That, however, is only the beginning. After that, 7 magical crystals need to be obtained before players can face Aganhim (an evil wizard.) A remake has been made of this title for the GBA and again gives a second chance for those who overlooked it the first time (how dare they) or simply weren't into it at the time.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening/DX
Platform: Gameboy/Gameboy Color
Players: 1
The first portable Zelda - in colour! This game was available in two versions - Normal and Deluxe. The former was released for the Gameboy while the latter released later on on the Gameboy Color. The Deluxe version contained an extra dungeon and more colourful graphics, along with gameboy printer compatability. The storyline of this game is also worth noting as it is quite diverse compared to the usual Zelda style tale. Link becomes shipwrecked onto the island of Koholint and his only chance of escape from Koholint is to awaken the 'Wind Fish'. This new storyline made the forth addition to the series seem new and was a breath of fresh air for many fans.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Platform: Nintendo 64
Players: 1
Details: This game was the very first Zelda game to be in full 3D and the change from 2D was flawless. The storyline followed a fairly fermiliar plot. Link was chosen by The Great Deku Tree to fight an evil wizard (Ganondorf) and restore peace to Hyrule. This game is massive! First of all, as a child, Link must collect three sacred stones; The Kokiri Emerald, Goron Ruby and Zora Sapphire. One done, Link must take these stones to the temple of time where he will remain for seven years untill he is considered an adult. Then Link learns that he must collect six medallians in order to reach Ganon's castle. The first medallian, the light medallian is given to Link by Rauru, a sage, however Link must collect the remaining five from their temples, which are spread all over Hyrule. This game has been crowned 'Best game ever' by many for its engrossing story, depth of gameplay, cast of characters and many more reasons. This is my personal favourite Zelda title.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask - No box art avaliable yet.
Platform: Nintendo 64
Players: 1
Details: This second and last installment of the Zelda series for the Nintendo 64 was certainly a great game and is my second favourite game of the series. I will not compare this game to Ocarina anymore though as I think it should be judged on its own merits. In a first for the series, Majora's Mask uses a three day (game time) clock which constantly ticks away during Link's quest to save the land of Termina. When Link's three days are up (the moon will crash down and crush Termina in three days) he must play the song of time on his faithful ocarina to warp back in time and start the three days again but still do totally different things. There are only four major dungeons in this Zelda game but each dungeon is very complex and provide a tough challenge to new comers to the series and hard-core Zelda fans alike. The main pull of the game is to collect 24 different masks which are all used to perform different tasks and subquests throughout the game. You do not need to collect every mask to complete Majora's Mask but is does add a little more replay value to track them all down. All in all this is a great game and deserves a proud place in anyones collection.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/ The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Platform: Gameboy Color
Players: 1
Details: These two Zelda games were released at the same time so I've decided to put them under one heading. These games were both portable and were for the Nintendo Gameboy Color. Despite their physical size, these games provide massive in-game worlds to explore and from the start the task is quite daunting. There are eight tricky dungeons here to get through as well as the numourous side-quests which come as standard in a Zelda title by now. The main idea behind releasing two Zelda games of a similar nature at the same time was simple. Both games could Link up to one another and transfer data as well as unlocking secret 'bonus' areas within one or the other. The games themselves however are actually very different as the worlds are completely apart from one another. The design of the games were clever on Nintendo's part because it meant gamers had to buy both games to get the most out of each one.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Platform: Gamecube
Players: 1
Details: The Wind Waker has split opinion in two as far as the game graphics are concerned as they were cel-shaded as aposed to the realistic graphics of older titles. There was an immediate uproar as soon as the first screen shots emerged as many Zelda fans complained about the new style graphics. The proof was in the pudding however as critics were silenced when the final game code was complete and they saw the new graphics in action. The gameplay itself remained true to the formula and pleased many worried gamers. The plot was also a change from the normal procedure as Link was out to save his sister Aryll from Ganondorf's clutches. The plot takes many twists and turns but I won't ruin the surprises for those who have yet to play or complete The Wind Waker. A follow up to The Wind Waker will be coming to the Gamecube later this year or early next and is said to feature the same graphical style. I will put up any news about this new title as it is released on the Navi's News section of my homepage.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures - No box art avaliable yet.
Platform: Gamecube
Players: 1-4
Details: Until relatively recently, multiplayer Zelda was virtually an unheard of concept. This game sets out to make up for lost time as it supports two, three or four players simultaniously. There is also a single player option, but the way that the game is made is almost entirely multiplayer driven. Players can connect up their GBA's to the Gamecube to allow play to switch between the two systems. If, for example, a bomb is about to explode on the Gamecube and a player enters a cave to escape, their control would switch to the GBA where they could explore independantly without anyone else knowing what they are up to. Although an innotive idea, it can also be a pricey business to supply multiple Gameboy Advances and GC to GBA link cables to support each player. If however gamers have groups of like-minded friends then this shouldn't be that much of a problem. The graphical style of the game is a cross-breed of A Link to the Past and The Wind Waker, with the former to a greater extent. The plot sees Link trying to rescue none other than Princess Zelda from the evil wind sorcerer Vaati. Link also has a dark version of himself to deal with, but could there be more to this storyline than first thought?
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Platform: Gameboy Advance/SP
Players: 1
Details: The latest addition to the legendary series brings with it yet another new element to sit alongside the tried and tested formula we all know and love. This time, Link aquires a magical hood called the minish cap which can talk to him and give him useful advice, but more importantly it can shrink the legendary hero down to minature size. The use of this is to allow Link to discover and converse with the minute race of minish people that desparately need his help. All over Hyrule, the wind sorcerer Vaati is causing more than a little mischief and it's up to Link to stop his evil plans. Making good use of combining the new size altering formula with the classic Zelda action and adventure we have come so accustomed to, Nintendo have once again shown just how good a job it can make of each and every installment of one of it's premier franchises. This is what you or I may call a modern classic.
Remakes and Extras
As well as the eleven 'proper' Zelda titles, there have been a few remakes for new consoles and the odd extra game or two. Here they are!
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past + Four Swords (GBA)
Details: This is essentially a GBA port of the SNES Zelda, A Link to the past. This cartridge however included a first for the series - multiplayer Zelda! This is what fans had been waiting for and it did not disappoint. However, four player Zelda meant four GBA's and things from this point on began to get a little too expensive for most. The idea behind Four Swords is to co-operate with three other players to complete various tasks in the Zelda universe while later stabbing them in the back and competing for items and rupees.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Bonus Disc (Gamecube)
Details: This disc was a freebie with The Wind Waker and fans where simply overwhelmed by the brilliant value for money on offer. On the disc is a port of the N64 adventure Ocarina of Time as well as the previously un-released Master Quest for the same game. The Master Quest is essentially Ocarina of Time but with harder dungeons and one or two other differences. The disc also contains various Gamecube footage of, at the time, upcoming titles. The disc itself sports a rather lovely flame effect.
The Legend of Zelda: Collectors Edition (Gamecube)
Details: A masterpiece, or rather a collection of masterpieces. This 'lil beauty contains four (that's right four) Zelda titles and a demo of a fifth as well as two promotional Zelda movies! The games on offer here are Ocarina of Time once again, Majora's Mask, The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link. How could that be any better I hear you say? It's free! This game came free with a gamecube and Mario Kart: Double Dash!! for a short period and was then given away free in January 2004 by Nintendo-Europe.The two movies on offer are short but nice extras. The first is a promotional video of The Wind Waker lasting a minute or two and the other is a retrospective view of the legendary series up until The Wind Waker.
NES Classics: The Legend of Zelda (GBA)
Details: Part of Nintendo's NES Classics series, this is a straight port of the very first Zelda title. This range of re-releases opens up retro gaming to an all new market and, having a typical price point of around £14.99 each, are an easy and affordable way for younger gamers to enjoy a tasty slice of gaming history.
NES Classics: The Legend of Zelda: Adventure of Link (Zelda II - GBA)
Details: Acting on the success of the first game's re-release for the Gameboy Advance, Nintendo decided to release the second as well. This is one of the most controvercial titles of the series so far, perhaps second only to The Wind Waker. Like the first, this game is a straight port of the original Zelda II and contains no special features or extra content. For around half the price of a regular GBA title however, gamers can't really complain.
Cameos & References
The Legend of Zelda cast have made appearances and been referred to in several games aside from the official Legend games themselves. Here are just some of the games that have been injected with Zelda goodness so far.
Note: Some descriptions contain spoilers.
Type: Cameo.
Soul Calibur and Zelda fans alike were delighted when Nintendo and Namco announced that Link was going to be a playable character in the game. Link is a favourite among many to use in the game and for good reason. Link has access to many of his trademark moves such as his spin attack and backflip and can use bombs, his boomerand and bow. His powerful sword attacks combined with these long distance weapons make Link a potent fighter in both close and long range bouts. Players can choose to have Link don his original Kokiri Tunic, Goron Tunic, Zora Tunic or a brand new light pink coloured tunic. Link's sword and shield combination can also be altered in certain modes in Soul Calibur II. He has many options such as the Razor Sword from Snowhead in Majora's Mask or the Biggoron's Sword from Ocarina of Time's much debated about trading sequence. Thankfully, an awe-inspiring version of The Legend of Zelda theme has also made it into this game. All in all, for Zelda fans this game is unmisable, unless of course you are against all fighting games.
Type: Cameo.
Super Smash Bros. may only have had two games so far in its series, but it is fast becoming one of Nintendo's most successful series ever. The reasoning behind this is obvious. Take this first edition for example. Get twelve of Nintendo's greatest stars and throw them all into the same game and see who buys it. Well, almost every Nintendo fan ever that's who. Players can chose a character to use in one of many modes, but the most popular by far is the straight forward deathmatch style VS Mode. Up to four players can partake in a battle and computer controlled opposition is also available. As far as Zelda is concerned, there is only one option here - Link. There is also only one Zelda-based fighting stage, which is on top of Hyrule Castle. This was all set to change however as the sequel was later released for the Gamecube...
Super Smash Bros. Melee (Gamecube)
Type: Cameo.
Super Smash Bros. Melee has a huge fanbase. This is unsurprising seeing as 25 allstar Nintendo characters are playable in it. The game makes vast improvements over its predecessor in almost every way. Of course, the graphics and sound have been given the expected overhaul, but the character roster has more than doubled and the stage selection has gone through the roof! On the Zelda side of things Link, Zelda, Sheik, Young Link and Ganondorf are all playable. One of the most popular characters to choose by the fans is the Zelda/Sheik combination. Players can only select Zelda from the Character Select Screen, but once in a battle Zelda can use one of her special moves, Transform, to change into her alter ego Sheik. Players are especially fond of Zelda/Sheik because both possess completely different strenghts and weaknesses that compliment each other well. Being able to change form mid-game also makes takling specific situations more managible. Ganondorf's greatest attribute is his raw power; matched only by the likes of Bowser or Donkey Kong. Young Link share a lot of moves with his older self but is lighter and more agile to name two differences. Link himself is another poular character as he is good in both close and long range fights. Zelda stages on offer here are Hyrule Temple (a huge favourite with the fans due to its large size) and Termina: Great Bay Coast.
The Future of Zelda
Here is a look at what is currently known about the future of Zelda.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Gamecube/Wii)
Details: In this installment of the series, Link will be a new Link as apposed to the same Link as those in any of the other Zelda games. Featured strongly in this game will be a Lightworld/Darkworld idea, in which Link can crossover between the two. This element will form an integral part of many of the games puzzles. It also seems very likely that the 'Twilight' part of the subtitle relates to the Darkworld and the evil engulfing Hyrule. A first for a Zelda game (ignoring the transformation masks in Majora's Mask that is), Link is able to transform into a various creatures including a fearsome wolf. It has been revealed that a shady character called Midna rides on Link in his wolf form. This character starts of as a foe before teaming up with Link to face a greater evil. Link will also be able to communicate with various animals and have them teach him special abilities.
The game will apparently be several times larger, in terms of both length and overworld size, than Ocarina of Time. It is also said to feature more dungeons than Ocarina. In total the game is said to last an incredible 100 hours or so.
Several old faces will return for this game, although which characters this news relates to is unconfirmed. Many new characters will also make their debut in Twilight Princess. Similarly, both old and new enemies will feature strongly in this title. Confirmed enemies making a return include Stalfos, Keese and Lizalfos.
Many parts of the game will feature fully orchestrated music tracks, but only those scenes that Nintendo feel would be enhanced by such an upgrade.
At E3 2006, it was announced that this game will be released as two versions: one for the Wii and one for the Gamecube. This way, Nintendo is offering Wii enhancements whilst still keeping their promise to Gamecube fans.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo DS)
Details: There is currently relatively little information on this game besides the title. However, it has been confirmed that the graphics will mirror those of The Wind Waker. The gameplay view is mostly overhead, in classic Zelda style, but this time many of the enemies/obstacles are in 3D. The main gameplay will take place on the touch screen, while the top screen of the DS will be used primarily for map displaying. Another use of the top screen is for extended boss arenas. The boss fights themselves are rumoured to be in full 3D as well. Many of the puzzles will incorperate the touch screen; an example from the trailer being drawing an hourglass shape to open a door.
Interestingly, it is apparent from the trailer that Link will once again have a fairy by his side to guide him. Whether this is Navi or a completely new fairy is as yet unknown. It has also been suggested that the fairy plays a part in the touch elements of the game mechanics.
As with Wind Waker, sailing plays some part in Phantom Hourglass. However this time around it seems that you can plot a course for your ship to follow, allowing you to simply concentrate on dispatching enemies. The boat itself, shown in the trailer, is a steamboat as apposed to the sail boat in Wind Waker.
The game is to be developed by EAD (Entertainment Analysis and Development division of Nintendo Japan.) for the first time since Link's Awakening. All of the other Zelda handheld titles have been developed by Flagship.
The game currently has a 'Late 2006' release date.
Tingle RPG (Nintendo DS)
Details: This game has reportedly been cancelled in favour of Phantom Hourglass.
Zelda Wii (Tentative Title - Nintendo Wii)
Details: There are currently no details for this title, apart from the knowledge that development has begun.
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