The Legend of Zelda

Genre: Adventure
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: NES (Played on Virtual Console)
Release: 1987
Rating: N/A (E on re-release)

- Graphics -

I always find these old games difficult to rate as I never got to play them when they were new. 16-bit consoles like the SNES and Genesis are easier, but NES tends to be a bit of a problem for me. However, Zelda is one game that leaves no doubt as to its superiority. The entire NES color palette is used as far as I know, the sprites are easy to identify and understand (including characters, monsters, and scenery). Some of the highest-quality textures on the system help a lot too.

Graphics: 9/10


- Story -

What's this? There's... a plot? And some of it is introduced in game?! WOW! Of course, a lot of the plot is manual-only, such as Impa's existence, but the part of "Ganon's an evil tyrant, go get the powerful Triforce and kill him" is plenty to be able to play the game. This is still WAY more than most NES games will ever give you!

Story: 10/10


- Gameplay -

Despite having aged quite a bit, the game still manages to stand out as one of the most solid and innovative titles in the series. The fully open world from the get-go and completely unique NG+ have not reappeared once in the entire series, and the game founds the basis for staple items such as bombs, arrows, rupees, boomerangs, and power bracelets. The top-down view has been re-used in every 2D title in the series, as well as the DS titles, along with many other memes. In short, the series exists because this game was such a solid foundation.

Gameplay: 10/10


- Music -

This game has a total of perhaps 5 music tracks: The title screen, overworld, labyrinth, Ganon's Palace, and game-over themes. However, the title theme/overworld have become one of the defining factors of the series and even the genre (if games like 3D Dot Game Heroes and Okami are anything to go by). The simple theme has become a world renown classic and a staple of every game-music conversation, concert, or presentation you will ever have.

Music: 10/10


Total Score: 9.5/10

Also available for 3dsVC, WiiVC, GBA, and GCN (Collector's Edition)