With the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, interest in this beloved franchise is reaching staggering heights. As we get caught up in the thrill and anticipation of the latest gaming trends, it’s important to remember the classic titles that paved the way for this phenomenon.
The Legend of Zelda. Is there anything more iconic?
For those who grew up playing these classic games, there’s something extraordinary about revisiting Hyrule and taking on Ganon again. But with so many games in the series, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best retro Zelda games, stirring back to the original on NES.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES)
In The Adventure of Link, the sequel to The Legend of Zelda, you’ll experience side-scrolling action and role-playing game elements. Your quest as Link is to find the Triforce of Courage, save Hyrule from destruction, and awaken Princess Zelda from an evil wizard’s curse. Along the way, you can enhance your abilities by collecting items and learning magic spells, such as flying, throwing fireballs, and jumping higher.
This game might not have had the same universal acclaim as its predecessor, but it’s important to remember that it was pretty innovative for its time and deserves a lot of credit.
The Adventure of Link: Graphics
Right off the bat, the graphics stand out. The overhead world map navigation is similar to the previous installment, but once you enter towns or dungeons, the view switches to a side-scrolling perspective. This departed from the traditional top-down view and gave players an entirely new experience. Dungeons themselves are detailed and atmospheric, with challenging and creative enemies.
The Adventure of Link: Music
The music is another standout feature. It comprises some of the most memorable tunes from the entire series, and it’s hard to forget the iconic «Temple» theme. The sound effects are equally delightful, with weapon clinks and enemy death sounds that add so much to the experience.
The Adventure of Link: Gameplay and the Story
But what truly sets this game apart is its gameplay. It’s much more complex than the previous game, with an RPG-style leveling system, magic spells, and various moves to execute. You must pay close attention to your surroundings and enemies, as every encounter requires a unique approach. The boss battles are memorable and direct all your skills to overcome.
The story is also worth mentioning. You take on the role of Link as he sets out to awaken a princess from a timeless slumber using fragments of the Triforce. The game has a darker tone than its predecessor, making it all the more compelling.
Expert Tips: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
- The game’s learning curve is a doozy, a real mountain to climb. But fear not; once you conquer it, you’ll find yourself in a world of excellent gameplay.
- It requires a lot of strategy. I’m talkin’ proper magic wieldin’ here, my friend. Timing is critical, so you have to know when to bust out those spells for maximum success. And forget about relying solely on your fighting skills; they won’t get you far in this game.
- You better level up like crazy right from the get-go. This game doesn’t mess around. If you want to make serious progress, beef up your character. Don’t be afraid to grind, level, and power up like there’s no tomorrow.
Summing up
Finally, the game is filled with secrets to uncover and bonuses to find, making exploration a vital part of the game’s appeal. And with a difficulty level that can challenge even the most skilled players, it’s a game that will keep you hooked for a long time.
In short, «Zelda II: The Adventure of Link» might not be as universally beloved as its predecessor, but it’s a game that deserves recognition for its innovation, depth, and complexity. If you’re a fan of the series or retro NES games, this title is worth a play.
The Legend of Zelda (NES)
When it comes to classic NES games, it’s hard to beat The Legend of Zelda. This game holds a special place in the hearts of many, myself included, and I can understand why. It was a true pioneer in the gaming industry, introducing us to sprawling worlds and open-ended gameplay that still captivate players today.
The Legend of Zelda (NES): Graphics
While simple by today’s standards, the graphics of The Legend of Zelda have a certain charm that shines through. Spprite’s work is impressive, and the visuals add to the game’s overall appeal, creating a mysterious and beautiful atmosphere.
The Legend of Zelda (NES): Music
The music of The Legend of Zelda is something to note. It has a nostalgic and evocative quality that brings back memories of gaming adventures. The iconic theme music is instantly recognizable and has become legendary among fans.
The Legend of Zelda (NES): Gameplay
This game was ahead of its time. The freedom to explore the vast world of Hyrule at your own pace was a groundbreaking concept. Players had multiple ways to defeat enemies, evade traps, and unravel the game’s secrets. The inventory system added a strategic element, allowing players to map different items to use as needed.
The game’s non-linear approach and lack of proper guidance can sometimes make it challenging to progress. However, for those who enjoy exploration and discovery, it adds to the game’s appeal and encourages players to experiment and figure things out independently.
Summing up
Overall, The Legend of Zelda on the NES is a classic that has stood the test of time. It’s a game that introduced us to open-world adventure and set a high bar for future titles. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea due to its lack of hand-holding, it remains a must-play for anyone interested in experiencing the roots of modern gaming. So, grab your sword, put on your green tunic, and embark on this legendary journey again.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA)
«The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap» is the first original game in the series for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) platform. It follows the familiar formula established in the first Legend of Zelda and A Link to the Past.
As a passionate retro gamer, I can confidently say that The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap on the Game Boy Advance is a must-play for anyone seeking a classic Zelda experience with fresh new gameplay mechanics.
As someone who grew up playing the Legend of Zelda series, The Minish Cap hits all the right nostalgia notes while keeping things exciting and novel.
The Minish Cap: Graphics
The graphics are impressive for the GBA, with detailed sprite work and various scrolling backgrounds that make the game feel alive. Incorporating unique visual effects, like subtle blurring to create depth, adds to the immersive experience.
The Minish Cap: Music
Classic Zelda tunes and new compositions perfectly match their contexts, which is a highlight for me. The vocalizations for the Minish creatures are beyond adorable — they add to this charm.
The Minish Cap: Gameplay and The Story
As for the gameplay, incorporating shrinking mechanics to solve puzzles and access new areas is nothing short of brilliant. The dungeons are well-crafted and provide a satisfying challenge with each progressing level. Incorporating the stones adds another layer of depth to exploration and rewards players with unique events and side-quests.
Moving on to the story, the familiar tale of rescuing Princess Zelda is executed well, with its unique twists and turns that make it stand out. It’s great to see a self-contained story that doesn’t necessarily require background knowledge but still respects the series’ overall history and lore.
Summing up
Overall, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a fantastic Zelda experience that any fan of the series would enjoy. This game captures the nostalgic magic of retro gaming while still feeling relevant today.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past brings back memories of that much-loved SNES game while adding a new multiplayer mode.
It holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers and for a good reason. This game is the epitome of the Zelda franchise. It established a brilliant formula for adventure games and perfectly balanced overworld exploration, item acquisition, and an engaging storyline. This formula has stood the test of time and continues to be followed by Zelda games.
A Link to the Past: Graphics
The graphics have this timeless quality with bold lines and pastel tones. It’s like a beautiful painting comes to life on your screen. And the attention to detail in the world of Hyrule? It’s mind-blowing! There are so many nooks and crannies to explore, and the diverse cast of characters you meet adds so much personality to the game.
A Link to the Past: Gameplay & the Story
Imagine this: the game starts with a mesmerizing scene of a storm brewing as your brave uncle steps into the night. He tells you to stay home, but you can’t resist the call of adventure. A princess is in peril, her desperate plea reaching out to you through telepathy. That dungeon you’ve seen in your dreams? It holds the key to her rescue…
This game is an RPG lover’s dream come true. As you play as Link, you start with just the basics, but as you progress, you’ll earn new abilities that open up a whole world of possibilities. Trust me; there’s nothing more satisfying than conquering a difficult dungeon or taking down a boss using your hard-earned skills.
The puzzles in this game are top-notch. They’re clever, challenging, and oh-so rewarding.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
This legendary title did for the Zelda series what Super Mario 64 did for our beloved mustachioed plumber — ushering us into the wondrous realm of 3D gaming. It was an absolute game-changer.
When Ocarina of Time first graced our screens, it was like magic. The transition from the familiar 2D gameplay to this immersive 3D world was a sight. Hyrule, the land we’d come to know and love, sprawled out with vibrant landscapes, towering mountains, and mysterious dungeons waiting to be explored.
Ocarina of Time: Graphics
Yes, by today’s standards, the visuals of Ocarina of Time may appear a bit…well, let’s say they have a certain retro charm. But when this game first graced our screens, those visuals were astonishing.
Ocarina of Time: Gameplay
It wasn’t just the visual leap that made Ocarina of Time shine. It took an already incredible game series and infused it with new and innovative gameplay ideas. This game had everything from the time-traveling mechanics to the brilliant musical melodies played on the mystical ocarina.
Overall, «The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time» is a game that truly stands the test of time. The combination of graphics, sound, gameplay, story, and attention to detail make it an unforgettable gaming experience.
How to Play The Legend of Zelda on iPhone
Drumroll, please. All you need now is an emulator and your trusty iOS device! That’s it!
No more hunting down those elusive retro consoles, hoping to stumble upon your favorite Zelda games. With an emulator and your iOS device, you can unlock a new world of retro gaming goodness.