My review about the 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 Legend of Zelda (Read description)

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LITTLE

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Published on March 28, 2022 3:42:49 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vgz-6__YDY

Game:

The Legend of Zelda (1986)

Category:

Review

Duration: 1:07

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5

Note: Sorry for the sloppy brief gameplay. I can only use one hand while holding the phone. Had I been 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 playing, you know I'm an expert. Also, this is NOT the authentic NES version I'm showing; this is the Wii U Virtual Console emulator re-release due to not owning either case.

This video isn't about me playing the game but rather my opinion about the very first Zelda game, simply called The Legend of Zelda. Made back in 1987 for NES...well technically 1986, because Japan had it that year under the Famicom Disk Drive (FDS) as a launch title for that accessory, which because of that, had enhanced sound and music.

Being the game that dawned the iconic franchise, the original Zelda was a revolutionary game in the 1980s, as it was one of the first non-linear adventure titles and also the first to ever save! But this also mean that this game is a maze without a guide, so imagine the players felt playing through dungeons or finding items in the overworld back in '87 with no internet, as the first Zelda was made to be the opposite of Super Mario Bros in mind. Note that there is no Master Sword yet - the strongest sword was its precursor, the Magical Sword. No Light Arrows either, as their own precursor Silver Arrows were there instead to take out Ganon. Also, there were just two Triforce pieces at the time, only Power, and then Zelda's Wisdom which she scattered so you must find the 8 pieces. No Courage, yet.

What I do find interesting about the NES Zelda isn't just that its cartridge was uniquely gold, but in the game itself, it has two shields that show the Holy Cross and the Book of Magic is actually the 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 (Seriously! Look in the Japanese version). Does that mean Link is a Christian? Ha! Being on NES, as expected, the graphics were pretty limited: some items, parts of enemies, and even Zelda's dress share same colors depending on Link's status with the Blue/Red Rings.

In terms of personal experience, I've always wanted to play the original Zelda for years just to see how it all started, but I never played the actual release nor own a working NES, so I have no legitimacy for this title. However, I did get a chance in a different form under the Wii U. I did successfully beat it 100%, but this Zelda is much harder than it looks, especially in Second Quest. Was it worth the challenge? Yes. I do heard it is possible to reach Ganon without the sword, but I would never do that, as this would require an atrocious amount of Bombs and extreme patience to get there.

Now, do I think this game aged well? Not really. I know it's quite old, being 36 years, but the controls weren't exactly great and it's easy to get destroyed by enemies. Good thing Link to the Past on the SNES helped a bit on swinging at bad guys (with still the same hard difficulty). Despite this, it's still one of my few favorite games on the NES and I do recommend it for retro gamers or people who wanted to see how Legend of Zelda began. One thing I will say is the first Zelda, in the initial quest, is actually short if you're skillful. If you're fast enough, you can beat this game in less than an hour - 30 minutes if you speedrun well. The NES library was full of very difficult games, but I think the first Zelda is one of the better titles. Overall, this is probably my 6th favorite Zelda.

Oh, one last thing: Try and take a 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 listen to the masterpiece 1969 song "April" from the rock band Deep Purple (it's in the end screen). You may find something quite interesting if you really know about this game's music.

Legend of Zelda (Wii U) ©1986, 2003 Nintendo

#legendofzelda #nintendo #wiiu #ゼルダの伝説 #nesgames

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