Nintendo
Legend of Zelda, The
| Graphics: Sound: Gameplay: Overall: |
8.69 8.83 8.70 8.76 |
| Votes: | 83 |
| Reviews: | 11 |
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| Reviewer: Omega Warrior 42 | Date: Jun 30, 2010 |
| The Legend of Zelda was the first game I truly loved to play, and I've been gaming for the past seventeen years straight. What made it so special? Why was it justified in being twice the weight of the other cartridges in your hand, its casing gleaming gold in color next to their dull grey? Perhaps because they made this game golden inside and out. I have kept every game I've ever bought, good and bad, but none more fondly than this one. Yes, even now both game and system lie next to me on my shelf, and were I to ever try to get my NES to work again, this game would be the one I would play of all 40 or 50-odd choices I STILL have to select from.
Graphics: 9 Considering just how old this game really is, one cannot focus on a comparison of old and new; one must take an NES game at face value in terms of its graphics. In an age where a typical sprite had between two and eight total frames of animation to work with, each had to count for a lot, and The Legend of Zelda makes everything count. The Octorocks creep and shoot, the twisters swirl and fly, the arrows actually LOOK like they have feathers, the snakes creep, the bats fly...all making an otherwise flat-planed world incredibly animate and alive. Even the title screen draws you in, makes you think of another realm. Sound: 10 With the grand total of four pieces of music, the game establishes a precedent that has influenced the series for two decades. Each sound is carefully chosen to have maximum effect; if the type of damage varied, so did the effect, simply by altering the speed a bit. Bosses were announced in advanced by their distant cries a room across, a psychological effect that built the anticipation and dread. Low health triggered a warning alarm now famous in the series, and at times it was all the NES could do to keep up with it all. You never imagine that sound would have quite so lasting an effect, but this game's sound has endured well beyond the life of the game itself. Gameplay: 10 For me, gameplay is all about what I can do with a game, and how enjoyable doing it is. If the NES had one fatal flaw in the end, it was the lack of usable buttons. So many games were limited to two or three actions and four directions, it's not even funny; but this one didn't just find a way around the limit of A, B, or A+B, it smashed it with one button alone. How? By giving you a decent, readily changeable inventory to choose from, and by making everything have a role along the way. The boomerang stunned, flew in all directions, and picked up items; the sword shot beams at full health; the recorder triggered warps, the medicine restored life at will, the bombs annihilated foes and opened up hidden entrances, the flames lit the darkness and torched the foes, all with one button! Remember, Mario was stuck shooting fireballs and running with one button, and jumping with the other, following a tried and true course where everything was laid out just so. This game made you THINK, made you plan and train and gather and struggle to overcome, made you go on even after death, and then, when you finished, gave you the means to play it all over again, remixed and twice as tough. In gameplay, in ideas, in sheer creativity, Legend of Zelda was the original king. Don't believe me? Find a recorder in Super Mario Bros. 3; they borrowed the concept, right down to the tune, directly from this game. Overall: 10 I will offer no better recommendation for any game than to say: just play it. If you play no other game on the NES, if you've played it before but haven't in a long time, or if you're even remotely curious, play, this, game. Each and every Zelda game in the series since has been a unique experience unto itself, but ALL are reckoned by, derived from, and in one form or another aspire to this game. Mario has pimped himself every which way but sideways, but Link has used sword, shield, and a bag full of tricks to save the world without a word. This is his true beginning, an 8-bit sprite with a green hat and a wooden sword, and it is a masterpiece on its own. The only flaw I have ever found with this game: Link with a Red Ring on looks ugly as hell. |
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| Reviewer: Gamer4Life | Date: Sep 8, 2008 |
| The Legend of Zelda... Brings back many memories. It was a beast back then, and it's a beast who ate his veggies and drank his milk now. It's only gotten better. This is one of the most respected games and series not only by myself, but almost every gamer across the globe. We have Shigeru Miyamoto (a.k.a. "Shiggy") to thank for that. Now, without further ado... My review.
Graphics: 10 Ok, first of all... I believe that if you're a true gamer, GRAPHICS DO NOT MATTER. It may be nice to play a game with stunning 3-D graphics, but this game was made back in the day. 8-bit. The sprites were simple, yet amazing. You could tell everything apart, not like the overworld view of the NES Final Fantasy games. But the graphics were amazing, to me at least, for the hardware limitations of the NES. They did so much with so little. It was amazing. Sound: 10 With music that still brings tears to gamers' eyes, the music in this game is legendary. You can't hear the Zelda theme without a mental image of the NES popping up. And the sound effects are just as well known. An enemy dying. The whistle being blown. The sword shooting the energy beam when your life is full. I know what you're doing. You were playing those sounds in your head. See what I mean? And before I move on to the gameplay aspect... A random piece of knowledge. The whistle sound? Who noticed that it was the same as the one in Super Mario Bros. 3? Gameplay: 10 Perfect once again. The one thing that makes the series stand out against others. Secrets. Hidden items. Figure out how to kill the boss. Figure out how to get here and there. Simply amazing for back then. And just like Super Mario Bros., this game proved that what you see is not always what you get. In SMB, you found a hidden 1-UP block. In Zelda, you find a cave with a heart container or some rupees. Once again, I say that they did SO MUCH with so little. And to make it even better, there's a second quest after you finish it the first time. Replay value? Turn an 8 on it's side. There you go. Overall: 10 Before I start... I'd like to say that Shigeru Miyamoto is a gaming genius. Pretty much anything that comes from him will sell and make tons of money. Why? It's always so deep and complex in every aspect. This game and the series for that matter is no different. Perfect storyline, all those hidden secrets... I've only known ONE person who can sit down and play right through the game in about one hour. And she's a woman. I just think that's amazing. I've only beaten it once. So if you're looking for a challenge or just to burn a few hours... Download it. Play it. Just don't break your computer or whatever you're playing the ROM on when you get frustrated. And I just wanted to say one thing. As far as the whole Zelda series timeline, I don't think there is one. Reason being because I forget where, maybe on G4 back in the day, but I've heard that Shiggy said that the games were not sequels to another, with the exceptions of OoT and MM, LoZ and AoL, And WW took place a bit after OoT. And also the Game Boy games OoS and OoA. Other than that, Shiggy said that All the ones involving Link, Ganon, Zelda and the Triforce were all the same story, just told differently, because "people record the story differently throughout the time of Hyrule and when scholars found the scrolls, they told of the story, just different variations." Personally, I believe that Ocarina of Time was the true Zelda story. If you've noticed, most of the Zelda games after OoT make some connection to that game. WW, TP, MM... But I've taken too much time that could've been spent DOWNLOADING AND PLAYING THIS GAME. Thank you for reading. Keep on gaming. From the womb to the tomb. Gamer4Life out. |
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| Reviewer: Leon | Date: Nov 23, 2005 |
| This is probably one of the best games ever made for this system, and quite likely, one of the most well-known games ever made. For it's time, this game was a revolution in gaming. With various weapons, hidden items and secrets left and right, this game is a great challenge.
Graphics: 10 Ok, really its a 9.99, but you must remember the era it came out in. It may be crude to today's standards, but back then, it was a marvel; especially with the limited abilities they had. Sound: 10 The music is well known to everyone nowadays, as well as the sound effects. There is only one 'bad' sound effect and that's the ocean. But, since you are rarely around the ocean, it doesn't knock my score much. Gameplay: 10 It has great mobility and some enemies can even take certain items away. However, you must pay the old lady for hints on where to go next. The story line is great though and very straight forward. Overall: 10 One of my all-time favorites. This game mixes large maps, many items, secrets, and contains one of the most well known legends of the gaming world. I suggest playing it, though I cannot tell you what to do. Good luck! Thiis game has gone through history for nearly 20 years. It has been sold on many systems and used as a promotion idea. This game will probably remain a classic for many more years. |
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| Reviewer: Carnel Green Jr | Date: Jun 7, 2005 |
| Legend of Zelda, The best game for nintendo. It made sequels like Link's Adventure, Ocarina of Time and recently, Twilight Princess. Truly one of the best classic games to play like Super Mario Bros. If you like Action / Adventure games this is the game for you.
Graphics: 5 Hey it's the Nes, I know it could do better than that! But with the X-box and other crap, this is the rating I give it. Sound: 10 From the music score to the sound, like Link's laser sword, the sound get's a perfect 10 and I'm not feeling sympathetic for the first Legend of Zelda game. Gameplay: 7 The swordplay you use in this game is pretty simple, if you attack with full hearts his laser will come from the sword or just be a simple attack. Overall: 10 Like I said the Best game for nintendo. Play it. Like it. Love it. If you have a Nintendo buy the Game!!!!! You will fall in love with it Like I did. |
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| Reviewer: YoMamasMama | Date: Aug 18, 2003 |
| Ahh, Zelda, we meet again. For the uninitiated, this is the critically acclaimed brainchild of Shigeru Miyamoto (AKA Shiggy) that spawned many a sequel from NES to GameBoy to GameCube. Graphics: 6 Not really that stunning. Sure, you can tell the difference between a sword and an arrow, but the NES can do better. Sound: 9 Great sound effects and excellent music earned this cart a 10 in this department. The music is incredibly catchy while strolling around the overworld, but is slightly annoying in the dungeons, but not enough to bring it down severely. Gameplay: 9 Where all Zelda games really shine. The shield/blocking system is a little shallow, but functional and adds a little strategy. The controls are tight and responsive, as in any zelda game. The inventory is a tad slow, but works well enough. Overall, my complaints just arent enough to bring the gameplay score below 9, it's just so fun. Overall: 8 A little confusing at first when you don't know where to go, but once you get into it it really picks up. I recommend this game to anyone. |
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| Reviewer: Jedi Questmaster | Date: Jan 3, 2003 |
| Like Super Mario Bros., The Legend Of Zelda started it all for games of its type. If you've played most of the recent RPG games, the character always starts out normal. Then, you find out there's something different about him. Then he ends up being the only hope for the world. That's why classic games like Legend Of Zelda still prosper. Graphics: 9 Sound: 9 Gameplay: 10 Overall: 10 Hints: To quit without dying:Press START on controller 1 to access the inventory screen. Then hold Up + A On Controller 2, select Save to save & quit. |
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| Reviewer: Allando | Date: Jun 21, 2002 |
| This is one of the best for the NES, a classic system in itself, despite bad reviews on moast NES games on Graphics, they don't matter neway, to the ratings Graphics: 9 Sound: 10 Gameplay: 10 Overall: 9 Remember folks, if you want a quick mindless game just for quick fingers, go play Tetris. This has puzzles, unique boss statergies, only problem I see is the saving mechanism, quite annoying. |
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| Reviewer: Michael Bearden | Date: Sep 25, 2001 |
| Do I have to say much about this game. My god what a great game It's way better than Majoras mask. If you never played this game than I guess I can give you the details. In the land of Hyrule you star is Link an elfin like hero that must restore 8 pieces of the legendary Triforce 1 named the triforce of power theTriforce of Wisdom and The Triforce of Courage. Than you'd have to save Princes Zelda from the evil pig Wizard Gannon. Which now he's more human than pig but in Ocarina of time he turns into some kind of beast. I give this game a 10 out of 10 stars. If you havent played it go ahead and download it. | |
| Reviewer: Krono | Date: Jul 26, 2001 |
| To the first reviewer: The reason Hyrule went to hell is because Gannon's back. That's one of the reasons you're trying to kill him, remember? ;) But really, that is what happened, Hyrule is a war-ravaged land in this one; a war that the Hylians/Humans (whatever) lost. Gannon's forces wreaked havoc and killed everything, thusly Hyrule is a mite out of order. Things get better in Zelda II, though. :) But yeah, they should have at least covered the ground green instead of tan in the grassland places, which brings it down a point. This game rocks the kasba, though, people. Everyone's already played it, I know, but not everyone's beaten it, so go out and get it! It rooooooooolz. Second best Zelda game (Behind Link to the Past) and one of the best games of all time. Easily. |
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| Reviewer: Max Brown | Date: Jul 7, 2001 |
| This started it all. Without it, where would we be? This game was amazing for it's time, and is still played today by people. I know I still do. It had everything where it needed it, and a second quest to boot! Nuff' said, this game rocks. Graphics: I'm sick of people saying ""Ewwww the graphics suck"" Think about it, this was 15 years ago! You couldn't have hoped for better! Sound: Read above, replace graphics with sound. And think about it, this is where the theme started! Gameplay: Great. In fact, there are some games out today the have worse! Overall: You know it. There's no denying it. This game is #1 |
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| Reviewer: sirkakkarot | Date: Jun 15, 2001 |
| Ah Legend of Zelda.....Who can't love this game?? It pretty much gave birth to adventure games as we know them today. In case you've lived under a rock the past 10 years or so I'll tell you a bit about this game. You played the role of an adventurer named Link. His objective was to recover the 8 scattered pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom, destroy Gannon who holds the Triforce of Power, and rescue the Princess Zelda. (all in that order). None who have been gamers since the NES days can disregard the significance of this game. What a concept!! You have exploration, item collecting, combat, and puzzle solving all rolled up in one nice neat little package. Graphics: 6 I know it was early generation NES software, but come on, this game was pretty ugly in places. I mean, the overworld was little more than a barren wasteland covered in monsters, bushes, and cranky old men living in caves. Makes me wonder what happened to Hyrule. Since many consider this game to fall near the end of the Zelda timeline, I would like an explanation as to why Hyrule went to hell. Sound: 9 Who can forget the Zelda theme music. It brings back fond memories every time I listen to it. This game had some darn good music and sound effects. Gameplay: 10 This game is tough in places. Most of the time the only clues you get are from cranky old men and women living in caves, who will only speak to you if you give them your hard earned rupees. Talk about hard times when the only way you can make money is by ripping off the savior of the land. I can easily say that this game was the hardest of the series. For an even greater challenge, enter the name ZELDA as you file name. You get an even HARDER version of the game. As frustrating as it was at times, you never get sick of playing it. It compells you to want to find the next dungeon, and find the next cool hidden item. Overall: 8 This game practically invented a new genre. If by some chance you haven't played it, you owe it to yourself to play this vintage NES classic which gave birth to the newer adventure games we have today. Play this game and Ocarina of Time side by side, and you will marvel at how quickly technology has advanced over the years. |
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