Difference between revisions of "The Legend of Zelda"
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[[Image:Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|North American box art.]] | [[Image:Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|North American box art.]] | ||
− | '''''The Legend of Zelda''''' is an adventure action game developed and published by [[Nintendo]] and released on the [[Famicom Disk System]] on 1986-02-21, then ported to [[NES]] on 1987-08-22 for release in other countries. It is the very first game in the [[The Legend of Zelda (universe)|Zelda series]]. In the game, an evil wizard named Gannon used a powerful artifact called the Triforce of Power to kidnap the princess of the land of Hyrule, Zelda, and spread his evil minions across the realm. You play an elfin boy named Link who must collect the | + | '''''The Legend of Zelda''''' is an adventure action game developed and published by [[Nintendo]] and released on the [[Famicom Disk System]] on 1986-02-21, then ported to [[NES]] on 1987-08-22 for release in other countries. It is the very first game in the [[The Legend of Zelda (universe)|''Zelda'' series]]. In the game, an evil wizard named Gannon used a powerful artifact called the Triforce of Power to kidnap the princess of the land of Hyrule, Zelda, and spread his evil minions across the realm. You play an elfin boy named Link who must collect the eight pieces of a second artifact called the Triforce of Wisdom, as well as many other weapons and items, to become strong enough to defeat Gannon. |
− | I first played this game in the late 1980s when my brother borrowed it from his friend who lived down the street. My brother accidentally deleted the boy's near-complete save game file, and we struggled to get all his items back before having to return it to him. Later, we ended up getting our own cart, and it quickly became one of our favorites. We used help from [[Nintendo Power]] and [[The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]] to get details about the game, and I painstakingly burned and bombed nearly every title in the game to uncover its secrets. As we reached the end of the game, I faked being sick so I could stay home from school and keep playing. I was able to find the last heart container and the red ring, but I didn't get to Gannon. My brother beat it first, showed me how it was done, and then I was able to beat it too. The second quest took a lot longer because several of the puzzles were more complicated, but I did end up beating it too. | + | I first played this game in the late 1980s when my brother borrowed it from his friend who lived down the street. My brother accidentally deleted the boy's near-complete save game file, and we struggled to get all his items back before having to return it to him. Later, we ended up getting our own cart, and it quickly became one of our favorites. We used help from ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' and ''[[The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]]'' to get details about the game, and I painstakingly burned and bombed nearly every title in the game to uncover its secrets. As we reached the end of the game, I faked being sick so I could stay home from school and keep playing. I was able to find the last heart container and the red ring, but I didn't get to Gannon. My brother beat it first, showed me how it was done, and then I was able to beat it too. The second quest took a lot longer because several of the puzzles were more complicated, but I did end up beating it too. |
− | It is my second favorite Zelda game, [[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]], being my favorite. | + | It is my second favorite Zelda game, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'', being my favorite. |
==Status== | ==Status== | ||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
− | + | {{Video Game Review|9|7|6|6|10|76%|NES}} | |
− | + | ||
+ | {{Spoilers}} | ||
===Good=== | ===Good=== | ||
* Considering the constraints of the media, there is an unbelievable amount of game here! Fitting everything into 64K was a serious feat of engineering. | * Considering the constraints of the media, there is an unbelievable amount of game here! Fitting everything into 64K was a serious feat of engineering. | ||
* The game has pretty nice graphics considering the limitations of the NES. | * The game has pretty nice graphics considering the limitations of the NES. | ||
− | * Despite having very little space for music, | + | * Despite having very little space for music, [[Koji Kondo]] managed to fit memorable songs that don't become annoying; the title music is especially good. Kondo also made good use of environmental sound effects like the crash of the ocean on the shore and the monster roar when a boss is nearby. |
* The slow progression of items you can buy and through the exploration of dungeons keeps the game fresh the whole time. | * The slow progression of items you can buy and through the exploration of dungeons keeps the game fresh the whole time. | ||
− | * I like how the underworld monsters are more sinister and gruesome than the over world monsters. | + | * I like how the underworld monsters are more sinister and gruesome than the over world monsters. It was also a good design decision to give each dungeon a primary monster type to help give them character, and to have the type become more difficult as the game progresses. The switch from water to blood/lava as you read underworld 5 was a nice touch as well. |
− | * Even without the second quest, the game is wonderful. The addition of an entirely new underworld was | + | * Even without the second quest, the game is wonderful. The addition of an entirely new underworld was icing on the cake. |
* The manual is very well-made, and the inclusion of a partial map was a great help. | * The manual is very well-made, and the inclusion of a partial map was a great help. | ||
− | * Coloring the game cartridge metallic gold was | + | * Coloring the game cartridge metallic gold was a nice touch. |
+ | * In order to prevent him from blending into the background, Link's sprite palette actually changes in certain underworlds. The designers were wise to do this. | ||
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
Line 49: | Line 51: | ||
===Documentation=== | ===Documentation=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
− | Legend of Zelda - NES - Manual.pdf| | + | Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual, USA. |
− | Legend of Zelda - NES - Manual | + | Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Manual - Revision.pdf|Manual, USA - Revision. |
− | Legend of Zelda - Manual - FDS.pdf| | + | Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Manual - Digital.pdf|Manual, USA - Digital. |
− | Legend of Zelda - NES - Manual | + | Legend of Zelda, The - FDS - Japan - Manual.pdf|Manual, Japan. |
+ | Legend of Zelda, The - FDS - Japan - Manual - Digital.pdf|Manual, Japan - Digital. | ||
+ | Legend of Zelda, The - NES - France - Manual.pdf|Manual, France. | ||
Legend of Zelda - In-box Map.jpg|The map that came with the game. | Legend of Zelda - In-box Map.jpg|The map that came with the game. | ||
− | Legend of Zelda - | + | Tips & Tactics - Legend of Zelda, The - Paperback - USA.jpg|''[[Tips & Tactics: The Legend of Zelda]]''. |
− | Legend of Zelda | + | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 007.jpg|''[[The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]]'', part 1. |
− | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 007.jpg|[[The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]], part 1. | + | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 008.jpg|''The Official Nintendo Player's Guide'', part 2. |
− | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 008.jpg|The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, part 2. | + | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 009.jpg|''The Official Nintendo Player's Guide'', part 3. |
− | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 009.jpg|The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, part 3. | + | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 010.jpg|''The Official Nintendo Player's Guide'', part 4. |
− | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 010.jpg|The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, part 4. | + | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 011-012.jpg|''The Official Nintendo Player's Guide'', part 5. |
− | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 011-012.jpg|The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, part 5. | + | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 013.jpg|''The Official Nintendo Player's Guide'', part 6. |
− | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 013.jpg|The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, part 6. | + | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 014.jpg|''The Official Nintendo Player's Guide'', part 7. |
− | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 014.jpg|The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, part 7. | + | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 127.jpg|''The Official Nintendo Player's Guide'', blurb. |
− | Official Nintendo Player's Guide - 127.jpg|The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, blurb. | + | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 026-027.jpg|''[[Nintendo Power]]'', June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 1. |
− | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 026-027.jpg|[[Nintendo Power]], June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 1. | + | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 028-029.jpg|''Nintendo Power'', June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 2. |
− | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 028-029.jpg|Nintendo Power, June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 2. | + | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 030-031.jpg|''Nintendo Power'', June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 3. |
− | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 030-031.jpg|Nintendo Power, June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 3. | + | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 032-033.jpg|''Nintendo Power'', June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 4. |
− | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 032-033.jpg|Nintendo Power, June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 4. | + | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 034.jpg|''Nintendo Power'', June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 5. |
− | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 034.jpg|Nintendo Power, June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 5. | + | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 035-037.jpg|''Nintendo Power'', June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 6. |
− | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 035-037.jpg|Nintendo Power, June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 6. | + | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 054-055.jpg|''Nintendo Power'', June, 1986, levels 8 and 9. |
− | Nintendo Power - 1988-06 - 054-055.jpg|Nintendo Power, June, 1986, levels 8 and 9. | + | Nintendo Power - 1988-09 - 064-065.jpg|''Nintendo Power'', September, 1986, locations. |
− | Nintendo Power - 1988-09 - 064-065.jpg|Nintendo Power, September, 1986, locations. | + | Nintendo Fun Club - 1987-Q2 - 01.jpg|''[[Nintendo Fun Club]]'', 1986-Q2 - Description. |
− | Nintendo Fun Club - 1987-Q2 - 01.jpg|[[Nintendo Fun Club]], 1986-Q2 - Description. | + | Nintendo Fun Club - 1987-Q2 - 07.jpg|''Nintendo Fun Club'', 1986-Q2 - Contest. |
− | Nintendo Fun Club - 1987-Q2 - 07.jpg|Nintendo Fun Club, 1986-Q2 - Contest. | + | Nintendo Fun Club - 1988-06-01 - 12.jpg|''Nintendo Fun Club'', 1988-06 - Tricks. |
− | Nintendo Fun Club - 1988-06-01 - 12.jpg|Nintendo Fun Club, 1988-06 - Tricks. | ||
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Ad (Japan).jpg|Famicom Disk System advert. | Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Ad (Japan).jpg|Famicom Disk System advert. | ||
− | Legends of Localization - Chapter 1 - Legend of Zelda, The.pdf|Legends of Localization. | + | Legends of Localization - Chapter 1 - Legend of Zelda, The.pdf|''Legends of Localization''. |
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Line 171: | Line 174: | ||
===Videos=== | ===Videos=== | ||
− | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ6hgzzk_o8 youtube.com/watch?v=RQ6hgzzk_o8] - Longplay, 1st | + | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7zx-9jDaOk youtube.com/watch?v=W7zx-9jDaOk] - Review, NES Works. |
− | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG8lVuLs9EY youtube.com/watch?v=tG8lVuLs9EY] - Longplay, 2nd | + | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OjzYePQuJE youtube.com/watch?v=5OjzYePQuJE] - Review, Implant Games. |
+ | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9u00PMkYU youtube.com/watch?v=fj9u00PMkYU] - Game exploit explanation. | ||
+ | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ6hgzzk_o8 youtube.com/watch?v=RQ6hgzzk_o8] - Longplay, USA, 1st quest. | ||
+ | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG8lVuLs9EY youtube.com/watch?v=tG8lVuLs9EY] - Longplay, USA, 2nd quest. | ||
+ | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z59aFzS80c youtube.com/watch?v=2Z59aFzS80c] - Longplay, Japan, 1st quest | ||
+ | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjZPNfx5SYk youtube.com/watch?v=KjZPNfx5SYk] - Longplay, Japan, 2nd quest. | ||
==Credits== | ==Credits== | ||
Line 178: | Line 186: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | | {| class="wikitable" | | ||
− | ! | + | ! Role !! Staff |
|- | |- | ||
| Executive Producer || [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]] | | Executive Producer || [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]] | ||
Line 186: | Line 194: | ||
| Director, Designer || [[Takashi Tezuka]] | | Director, Designer || [[Takashi Tezuka]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Programmers || [[Toshihiko Nakago]], [[Yasunari Soejima]], [[I. Marui]] |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Music, Sound Effects, Audio Programmer || [[Koji Kondo]] | | Music, Sound Effects, Audio Programmer || [[Koji Kondo]] | ||
Line 201: | Line 205: | ||
| English || The Legend of Zelda || || | | English || The Legend of Zelda || || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Japanese || | + | | Japanese || ゼルダの伝説ゼ THE HYRULE FANTASY || Zeruda no Densetsu Za Hairaru Fantaji || Legend of Zelda: The Hyrule Fantasy |
|} | |} | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
+ | {{Link|MobyGames|http://www.mobygames.com/game/legend-of-zelda}} | ||
+ | {{Link|Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(video_game)}} | ||
+ | {{Link|StrategyWiki|https://strategywiki.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda}} | ||
+ | {{Link|VGMPF|2=http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(NES)}} | ||
+ | {{Link|NESHacker|2=http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Games/Hacking/Wiki/index.php/The_Legend_of_Zelda}} | ||
+ | {{Link|TCRF|https://tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda}} | ||
+ | {{Link|TVTropes|https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI}} | ||
+ | |||
* [https://www.zeldadungeon.net/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda zeldadungeon.net/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda] - Zelda Dungeon. | * [https://www.zeldadungeon.net/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda zeldadungeon.net/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda] - Zelda Dungeon. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
[[Category: Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | [[Category: Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | ||
[[Category: Video Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | [[Category: Video Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | ||
+ | [[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Adventure, Action, Strategy|Legend of Zelda, The]] | ||
[[Category: NES Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | [[Category: NES Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | ||
[[Category: Famicom Disk System Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | [[Category: Famicom Disk System Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | ||
Line 223: | Line 231: | ||
[[Category: Favorite Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | [[Category: Favorite Games|Legend of Zelda, The]] | ||
[[Category: Fantasy|Legend of Zelda, The]] | [[Category: Fantasy|Legend of Zelda, The]] | ||
+ | [[Category: Trope - Damsel In Distress|Legend of Zelda, The]] |
Revision as of 16:59, 20 November 2019
The Legend of Zelda is an adventure action game developed and published by Nintendo and released on the Famicom Disk System on 1986-02-21, then ported to NES on 1987-08-22 for release in other countries. It is the very first game in the Zelda series. In the game, an evil wizard named Gannon used a powerful artifact called the Triforce of Power to kidnap the princess of the land of Hyrule, Zelda, and spread his evil minions across the realm. You play an elfin boy named Link who must collect the eight pieces of a second artifact called the Triforce of Wisdom, as well as many other weapons and items, to become strong enough to defeat Gannon.
I first played this game in the late 1980s when my brother borrowed it from his friend who lived down the street. My brother accidentally deleted the boy's near-complete save game file, and we struggled to get all his items back before having to return it to him. Later, we ended up getting our own cart, and it quickly became one of our favorites. We used help from Nintendo Power and The Official Nintendo Player's Guide to get details about the game, and I painstakingly burned and bombed nearly every title in the game to uncover its secrets. As we reached the end of the game, I faked being sick so I could stay home from school and keep playing. I was able to find the last heart container and the red ring, but I didn't get to Gannon. My brother beat it first, showed me how it was done, and then I was able to beat it too. The second quest took a lot longer because several of the puzzles were more complicated, but I did end up beating it too.
It is my second favorite Zelda game, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, being my favorite.
Contents
Status
I own the original gold cart, the revised gold cart, and the gray cart. I have beaten the game many times with 100% completion. I've beaten the second quest with 100% completion. I once hand-mapped nearly every bomb/burn site for both quests.
Review
9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
Best Version: 76%
— This section contains spoilers! —
Good
- Considering the constraints of the media, there is an unbelievable amount of game here! Fitting everything into 64K was a serious feat of engineering.
- The game has pretty nice graphics considering the limitations of the NES.
- Despite having very little space for music, Koji Kondo managed to fit memorable songs that don't become annoying; the title music is especially good. Kondo also made good use of environmental sound effects like the crash of the ocean on the shore and the monster roar when a boss is nearby.
- The slow progression of items you can buy and through the exploration of dungeons keeps the game fresh the whole time.
- I like how the underworld monsters are more sinister and gruesome than the over world monsters. It was also a good design decision to give each dungeon a primary monster type to help give them character, and to have the type become more difficult as the game progresses. The switch from water to blood/lava as you read underworld 5 was a nice touch as well.
- Even without the second quest, the game is wonderful. The addition of an entirely new underworld was icing on the cake.
- The manual is very well-made, and the inclusion of a partial map was a great help.
- Coloring the game cartridge metallic gold was a nice touch.
- In order to prevent him from blending into the background, Link's sprite palette actually changes in certain underworlds. The designers were wise to do this.
Bad
- The game requires a lot of trial and error to find all the hidden rooms and treasures. Thankfully, the vast majority of these are optional.
- I wish there were more red/blue versions of the various enemies, items, etc. This seems like an untapped area. For example, there are no blue Like-Likes, red Wall Masters, Red Gibdos, or Red Manhandlas. Some of them are backward was as well, like the Red Tektites being harder to kill than the blue.
- Unless you're familiar with Japanese mythology, a lot of the monsters will seem particularly unusual and abstract.
- The "Pay me for the door repair charge" annoyingly punishes you for exploring.
- Some of the items seem to be poorly placed like when you get boomerangs from both the first and second dungeons. Although this may have been on purpose to introduce the idea of upgrading items early on.
- Dungeon 7 is particularly out of place with a, by then, sissy Aquamentus for a boss, and the red candle for a treasure.
- In one of the second quest dungeons, it is possible to become trapped in a couple rooms closed off by a shutter door, and, if you don't have any bombs, you need to reset the game.
Ugly
- Nothing. This game is sheer brilliance.
Media
Box Art
I'm not a huge fan of any of the boxes. The Japanese art is a bit primitive, and, while I like the design of the North American art, it's a little too simplistic.
- Legend of Zelda, The - FDS - Japan.jpg
The original Famicom Disk System box features a cartoon Link in front of an aerial painting of Hyrule. Although the red lettering doesn't fit, the empty Triforce mold is a nice addition.
Documentation
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Manual.pdf
Manual, USA.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Manual - Revision.pdf
Manual, USA - Revision.
- Legend of Zelda, The - FDS - Japan - Manual.pdf
Manual, Japan.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - France - Manual.pdf
Manual, France.
- Legend of Zelda - In-box Map.jpg
The map that came with the game.
The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, part 1.
Nintendo Power, June, 1986, 2nd Quest, part 1.
Nintendo Fun Club, 1986-Q2 - Description.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Ad (Japan).jpg
Famicom Disk System advert.
Screenshots
Design Notes
- Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 1.jpg
Dungeon layout?
- Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 2.jpg
Sprite memory layout.
- Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 3.jpg
Unused dungeon entrance screen.
- Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 4.jpg
Early over world map.
- Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 5.jpg
2nd quest, dungeon layout 1.
- Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 6.jpg
2nd quest, dungeon layout 2.
- Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 7.jpg
Dungeon time line?.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Design Notes 8.jpg
Underworld room.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Design Notes 9.jpg
Over world rooms.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Design Notes 10.jpg
Over world rooms, and wallmaster room with unused monster.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Design Notes 11.jpg
Over world room objects.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Design Notes 12.gif
Ganon's room compared with finished product. Takashi Tezuka's alias is on this one.
- Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Design Notes 13.gif
Shortcut room compared with finished product. Takashi Tezuka's name is on this one.
Maps
Fan Art
CGA mockup.
Videos
- youtube.com/watch?v=W7zx-9jDaOk - Review, NES Works.
- youtube.com/watch?v=5OjzYePQuJE - Review, Implant Games.
- youtube.com/watch?v=fj9u00PMkYU - Game exploit explanation.
- youtube.com/watch?v=RQ6hgzzk_o8 - Longplay, USA, 1st quest.
- youtube.com/watch?v=tG8lVuLs9EY - Longplay, USA, 2nd quest.
- youtube.com/watch?v=2Z59aFzS80c - Longplay, Japan, 1st quest
- youtube.com/watch?v=KjZPNfx5SYk - Longplay, Japan, 2nd quest.
Credits
The Legend of Zelda has credits, but they leave out some people and are mostly aliases. Thankfully, dedicated fans have determined the majority of their real names.
Role | Staff |
---|---|
Executive Producer | Hiroshi Yamauchi |
Producer, Director | Shigeru Miyamoto |
Director, Designer | Takashi Tezuka |
Programmers | Toshihiko Nakago, Yasunari Soejima, I. Marui |
Music, Sound Effects, Audio Programmer | Koji Kondo |
Titles
Language | Native | Transliteration | Translation |
---|---|---|---|
English | The Legend of Zelda | ||
Japanese | ゼルダの伝説ゼ THE HYRULE FANTASY | Zeruda no Densetsu Za Hairaru Fantaji | Legend of Zelda: The Hyrule Fantasy |
Links
- zeldadungeon.net/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda - Zelda Dungeon.