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 8 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.
+
'''''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]].
  
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.
+
In the game, an evil wizard named Gannon used a powerful artifact called the Triforce of Power to kidnap, Zelda, the princess of the land of Hyrule, 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.
  
It is my second favorite Zelda game, [[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]], being my favorite.
+
==Personal==
 +
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.
  
 
==Status==
 
==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.
+
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. Prior to the Internet, I hand-mapped nearly every bomb/burn site for both quests.
  
 
==Review==
 
==Review==
* '''Overall:''' 8/10
+
{{Video Game Review|9|7|6|6|10|NES}}
* '''Best Version:''' NES
+
 
 +
{{Spoilers}}
  
 
===Good===
 
===Good===
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* 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.
 
* 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 reach 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 delicious icing on the cake.
+
* 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. I also love how they hired someone to create a clay model of Hyrule just for a background photo!
* Coloring the game cartridge metallic gold was icing on the cake.
+
* 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===
* 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.
+
* The game requires a lot of trial and error to find all the hidden rooms and treasures, and the cryptic hints from the Hyrulians aren't all that helpful. 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.
 
* 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.
 
* Unless you're familiar with Japanese mythology, a lot of the monsters will seem particularly unusual and abstract.
Line 34: Line 39:
  
 
===Ugly===
 
===Ugly===
* Nothing. This game is sheer brilliance.
+
* Nothing.
  
 
==Media==
 
==Media==
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
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.
 
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.
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA.jpg|The North American box is a fairly plain gold box with a metallic coat of arms. A part of the coat of arms is cut out to reveal the golden cartridge inside. This was a great marketing decision. The typeface of the "ZELDA" logo is Zapf International Demi.
+
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA.jpg|The North American box is a fairly plain gold box with a metallic coat of arms. A part of the coat of arms is cut out to reveal the golden cartridge inside. This was a great marketing decision. The third release did not have the window because the cartridge was gray. The typeface of the "ZELDA" logo is Zapf International Demi.
 
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Japan.jpg|The Japanese release for the Famicom uses the same box as the FDS, only with more of the art visible and a dark cyan backdrop.
 
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Japan.jpg|The Japanese release for the Famicom uses the same box as the FDS, only with more of the art visible and a dark cyan backdrop.
 
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Gold Cartridge.jpg|The North American release featured a shiny metallic gold cartridge. This really made the game unique compared to the dull gray carts, and gave the game a psychological uniqueness. It made me happy just to look at it.
 
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - Gold Cartridge.jpg|The North American release featured a shiny metallic gold cartridge. This really made the game unique compared to the dull gray carts, and gave the game a psychological uniqueness. It made me happy just to look at it.
 +
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Emblem.png|The emblem of the US reprint box.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
===Documentation===
 
===Documentation===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Legend of Zelda - NES - Manual.pdf|Game manual.
+
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual, USA.
Legend of Zelda - NES - Manual (Revision).pdf|Game manual revision.
+
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Manual - Revision.pdf|Manual, USA - Revision.
Legend of Zelda - Manual - FDS.pdf|Japanese Manual.
+
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA - Manual - Digital.pdf|Manual, USA - Digital.
Legend of Zelda - NES - Manual (France).pdf|French 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 - 2nd Quest Official Map.jpg|The 2nd Quest map that came with Nintendo Power.
+
Tips & Tactics - Legend of Zelda, The - Paperback - USA.jpg|''[[Tips & Tactics: The Legend of Zelda]]''.
Legend of Zelda - NES - Tips & Tactics.pdf|Tips & Tactics hint guide.
+
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]]'', 1988-06 - 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'', 1988-06 - 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'', 1988-06 - 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'', 1988-06 - 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'', 1988-06 - 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'', 1988-06 - 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'', 1988-06 - 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'', 1988-09, locations.
Nintendo Power - 1988-09 - 064-065.jpg|Nintendo Power, September, 1986, locations.
+
Nintendo Power - 1989-01 - 050-051.jpg|''Nintendo Power'', 1989-01 - Counselor's Corner.
Nintendo Fun Club - 1987-Q2 - 01.jpg|[[Nintendo Fun Club]], 1986-Q2 - Description.
+
Nintendo Fun Club - 1987-Q2 - 01.jpg|''[[Nintendo Fun Club]]'', 1987-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'', 1987-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 - Tips and 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>
 +
 +
===Graphics===
 +
* [https://www.spriters-resource.com/nes/legendofzelda spriters-resource.com/nes/legendofzelda] - Graphics.
  
 
===Screenshots===
 
===Screenshots===
Line 90: Line 101:
 
Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 3.jpg|Unused dungeon entrance screen.
 
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 - 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 - 5.jpg|1st quest dungeon layout.
Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 6.jpg|2nd quest, dungeon layout 2.
+
Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 6.jpg|2nd quest dungeon layout.
 
Legend of Zelda - NES - Design Notes - 7.jpg|Dungeon time line?.
 
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 8.jpg|Underworld room.
Line 166: Line 177:
 
Legend of Zelda - Deimos-Remus - 30 Year Anniversary Poster.jpg|30 Year Anniversary Poster by Deimos-Remus.
 
Legend of Zelda - Deimos-Remus - 30 Year Anniversary Poster.jpg|30 Year Anniversary Poster by Deimos-Remus.
 
Legend of Zelda - NES - Fan Art - Deimos-Remus.jpg|Fan art advert by Deimos-Remus.
 
Legend of Zelda - NES - Fan Art - Deimos-Remus.jpg|Fan art advert by Deimos-Remus.
 +
Safely Endangered - It's Dangerous to Go Alone.png|''[[Safely Endangered]]'' comic.
 
Honest Video Game Titles - Legend of Zelda, The.jpg|Honest title.
 
Honest Video Game Titles - Legend of Zelda, The.jpg|Honest title.
 
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - CGA Mockup.png|[[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]] mockup.
 
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - CGA Mockup.png|[[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]] mockup.
Line 171: Line 183:
  
 
===Videos===
 
===Videos===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7zx-9jDaOk youtube.com/watch?v=W7zx-9jDaOk] - Review, NEW Works.
+
{{#ev:youtube|W7zx-9jDaOk|256|inline|Review, NES Works.|frame}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ6hgzzk_o8 youtube.com/watch?v=RQ6hgzzk_o8] - Longplay, 1st Quest.
+
{{#ev:youtube|5OjzYePQuJE|256|inline|Review, Implant Games.|frame}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG8lVuLs9EY youtube.com/watch?v=tG8lVuLs9EY] - Longplay, 2nd Quest.
+
{{#ev:youtube|fj9u00PMkYU|256|inline|Game exploit explanation.|frame}}
 +
{{#ev:youtube|FBk-QkzMeIk|256|inline|Collision code.|frame}}
 +
{{#ev:youtube|kDluReuJDOk|256|inline|Speedrun progression.|frame}}
 +
{{#ev:youtube|RQ6hgzzk_o8|256|inline|Longplay, USA, 1st quest.|frame}}
 +
{{#ev:youtube|tG8lVuLs9EY|256|inline|Longplay, USA, 2nd quest.|frame}}
 +
{{#ev:youtube|2Z59aFzS80c|256|inline|Longplay, Japan, 1st quest|frame}}
 +
{{#ev:youtube|KjZPNfx5SYk|256|inline|Longplay, Japan, 2nd quest|frame}}
  
 
==Credits==
 
==Credits==
Line 179: Line 197:
  
 
{| class="wikitable" |
 
{| class="wikitable" |
! Roles !! Name
+
! Role !! Staff
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Executive Producer || [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]]
 
| Executive Producer || [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]]
Line 187: Line 205:
 
| Director, Designer || [[Takashi Tezuka]]
 
| Director, Designer || [[Takashi Tezuka]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Programmer || [[Toshihiko Nakago]]
+
| Programmers || [[Toshihiko Nakago]], [[Yasunari Soejima]], [[I. Marui]]
|-
 
| Programmer || [[Yasunari Soejima]]
 
|-
 
| Programmer || [[I. Marui]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Music, Sound Effects, Audio Programmer || [[Koji Kondo]]
 
| Music, Sound Effects, Audio Programmer || [[Koji Kondo]]
Line 202: Line 216:
 
| English || The Legend of Zelda || ||  
 
| English || The Legend of Zelda || ||  
 
|-
 
|-
| Japanese || ルダの伝説ゼ THE HYRULE FANTASY || Zeruda no Densetsu Za Hairaru Fantaji || Legend of Zelda: The Hyrule Fantasy
+
| 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.
* [http://www.mobygames.com/game/legend-of-zelda mobygames.com/game/legend-of-zelda] - MobyGames.
 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(video_game) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(video_game)] - Wikipedia.
 
* [http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(NES) vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(NES)] - Music.
 
* [http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Games/Hacking/Wiki/index.php/The_Legend_of_Zelda thealmightyguru.com/Games/Hacking/Wiki/index.php/The_Legend_of_Zelda] - NES Hacker Database.
 
* [https://tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda] - The Cutting Room Floor.
 
  
  
 
[[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: 1986 Video Games|Legend of Zelda, The]]
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[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Adventure, Action, Strategy|Legend of Zelda, The]]
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[[Category: Video Game Genre - Action|Legend of Zelda, The]]
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[[Category: Video Game Genre - Adventure|Legend of Zelda, The]]
 +
[[Category: Video Game Genre - Metroidvania|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]]
 
[[Category: Action|Legend of Zelda, The]]
 
[[Category: Action|Legend of Zelda, The]]
[[Category: Adventure|Legend of Zelda, The]]
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[[Category: Media Theme - Adventure|Legend of Zelda, The]]
[[Category: Games I've Beaten|Legend of Zelda, The]]
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[[Category: Media Theme - Fantasy|Legend of Zelda, The]]
 +
[[Category: Video Games I've Beaten|Legend of Zelda, The]]
 
[[Category: Favorite|Legend of Zelda, The]]
 
[[Category: Favorite|Legend of Zelda, The]]
 
[[Category: Favorite Games|Legend of Zelda, The]]
 
[[Category: Favorite Games|Legend of Zelda, The]]
[[Category: Fantasy|Legend of Zelda, The]]
+
[[Category: Trope - Damsel In Distress|Legend of Zelda, The]]
 +
[[Category: Video Games That Fail the Bechdel Test|Legend of Zelda, The]]

Revision as of 11:43, 21 December 2020

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 Zelda series.

In the game, an evil wizard named Gannon used a powerful artifact called the Triforce of Power to kidnap, Zelda, the princess of the land of Hyrule, 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.

Personal

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.

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. Prior to the Internet, I hand-mapped nearly every bomb/burn site for both quests.

Review

Video Game Review Icon - Enjoyment.png Video Game Review Icon - Control.png Video Game Review Icon - Appearance.png Video Game Review Icon - Sound.png Video Game Review Icon - Replayability.png
9 7 6 6 10

Best Version: NES

— 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 reach 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. I also love how they hired someone to create a clay model of Hyrule just for a background photo!
  • 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, and the cryptic hints from the Hyrulians aren't all that helpful. 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.

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.

Documentation

Graphics

Screenshots

Design Notes

Maps

Fan Art

Videos

Review, NES Works.
Review, Implant Games.
Game exploit explanation.
Collision code.
Speedrun progression.
Longplay, USA, 1st quest.
Longplay, USA, 2nd quest.
Longplay, Japan, 1st quest
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

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