25 Years of Zelda
Link through the past.
2011 is the 25th anniversary of the NES classic Legend of Zelda launching in Japan. Many of us have fond memories of a certain entry in the series, and for many they represent the very best gaming has to offer. To celebrate Link's birthday and the release of the superb Skyward Sword on Wii, we've put together a list of titles from Nintendo's masterful series. Just don't talk to us about Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland.
Legend of Zelda - NES, 1986
The first of the franchise. The first glimpse of tunic. The first time you started regularly referencing the Triforce in conversations. For most of you it was love at first sight, and possibly the beginning of the end for any chance of a non-video game related existence from here on out. These days it can be downloaded to the Wii via the Virtual Console.
User Comments
87Sarah
I can't WAIT for the new Zelda to come out *adds another game to the wish list*
87Sarah@ chelskiboy247
SexyJams
Really enjoyable and well written feature. Thanks guys :)
Stegosaurus-Guy-II
YouTube Video
CheekyLee
That is a low point in the otherwise top quality writing on this site.
Also, no love for Gamecube 4 Swords Adventures? I know, nobody (except me and Endless) ever played it, but OMG it was hilarious stuff! That one game would be worth buying a Cube and 4 GBA's for, even if you then had to go and hire 3 people to play with.
Clockpunk
IamBugged
Bloodstorm
LadyGoth
Woffls
1up did a really great compilation of stuff here including 25 song covers, videos and general history. Well worth a look for nutters like me, at least.
Majora's Mask is practically a cult favourite now, primarily among those who love the series and want it to get recognition in the shadow of its predecessor, Ocarina of Time. Unfortunately, it's probably news to some people that Majora's Mask used a 3 day cycle, at the end of which the moon crashes into Termina. You must go back in time to the first day - usually when the remarkably unsettling music draws in - but there's some persistence across time, so all is not lost. It's an incredibly interesting game, and few games have even attempted it since, let alone get anywhere near realising such terror.
And people whine about Wind Waker's unorthodox structure and pacing, but that game is about doing things at your own pace, not speeding through it and ignoring all the things which make it unique. I only wish that I could leave the boat sailing safely for 3 minutes while I make a cup of Tea instead of having to worry about sharks or whatever.
Can't wait for Skyward Sword... and Ocarina 3D... I might go play Majora's Mask now =\
[edit] Here's that creepy Majora's Mask music: YouTube Video
And yeh, if none of you like Zelda, just don't do the feature. It deserves much better than this, and it's no wonder people don't take Nintendo games seriously these days...
chelskiboy247
By the way, I think you mean February 21, not January :).