When I first got Zelda for the N64, I must admit I wasn't too impressed with it. However, you would be suprised on how quickly my opinion changed. It went from an "ok" game to my favorite game of all time. I suppose I was just going through some rough times when I got it.
You are a kid named Link. You live in a forest community where all kids have fairies. You however, don't have a fairy. One day, the wise and trusted guardian of the forest (an old tree) summons you for a long story and gives you a fairy of your own. Apparently the wise oak tree thinks that you are a child of destiny, and you can possibly save the world someday (doesn't necessarily say that, but you knew it was coming eventually).
Basically, the game kinda plays like any other Nintendo 64 adventure game. You walk around, talk to people, do stuff, walk around, talk to people do stuff again, and then fight a big boss. This game is pretty much like that, but with more fun. Link has a big arsenal of weapons from the rock shooting slingshot, the red hot burning fire arrows, and the hookshot, which you can use to latch on to things and get to different platforms. During the course of the game, you will encounter dungeons you will have to explore through. Almost every room has something unique about it and you must solve the puzzle if you hope to advance farther. It takes a lot of thought to wonder what to do next, even if it involves just defeating one enemy.
The graphics in the game are top notch for an N64 game. They aren't spectacular when looking at current Xbox or Gamecube games, but this was back in 1998 for crying out loud, and these graphics were considered great back then. The music in the game is also very nice. Each area has a unique music theme, which includes the very funny Goron Village music (which sounds like tribal dance music), to my personal favorite, the Gerudo Valley theme, which sounds appropriate for the desert like area.
I saw in a few other reviews complaints about the controls. I am not going to disagree with them cause when I started, I had my fair share of problems too. However, eventually (like the Xbox controller), it can be gotten used to very easily.
This game will take a lot of time to finish. Even if you have completed it several times already. The shortest time I have ever heard of was 6 hours, and that was from a video game professional. At least the game is addictive and fun so you will keep playing. There are also lots of hidden things to find, like heart pieces, extra items, and the 100 golden skulltula tokens. Finding them all takes patience.
The only replay value you will experience is the thrill of just wanting to play through the game and its entire goodness several times, which is quite all right. I have probably beat it 30 or 40 times by now and it still hasn't gotten old. Zelda equals good times for all.
I am giving this game a 10. However, don't think I am going in with the rest of the crowd though. I originally had this game at a 9, but then I realized what important part I was forgetting. After playing all of the megahits of this generation like Grand Theft Auto, Half Life, and even Halo, this game is still comparable with all of them and is even still ranked higher among them. This is because the game has long lasting appeal. It is an adventure we will never forget, we still play to this day, shows that Nintendo can be a force to watch out for, and shows us what a real good game is all about.
Create an Account
Member Login
